After much anticipation, James Beard Award-winning chef Efrén Hernández has announced that Pez in Hudson will open on June 18. The launch of the new seafood-focused Mexican restauran marks the latest chapter in a career that has helped reshape the region’s dining landscape. Pez, which simply means fish in Spanish, will take over the former Rivertown Tavern space at Rivertown Lodge, where Hernández has led the kitchen since 2020.
Before arriving in the Hudson Valley, Hernández built his culinary résumé at a number of acclaimed New York City restaurants, including Nitehawk Cinema, Bistro Mimi, Babs, and Faro. His work earned increasing recognition after moving upstate, where he partnered with Rivertown Lodge owners Ray Pirkle and Kim Bucci and became a driving force behind the property’s food program.
Another Take on Modern Mexican Fare
In 2023, Hernández opened Casa Susanna as the onsite restaurant for Camptown Hotel in Leeds—a vibrant tribute to his Mexican heritage and the cooking of Jalisco. The restaurant quickly became one of the Hudson Valley’s most celebrated dining destinations, earning national attention and helping establish Hernández as one of New York State’s most closely watched chefs. In fact, 2026 marks the third consecutive year that Hernandez has been nominated as a James Beard Award semifinalist in the category of Best Chef: New York State.
With the wind in his sales, Hernández is now turning his attention to the coast. Inspired by Mexico’s marisco traditions and a longtime desire to build a seafood-centered concept, Pez will showcase sustainable East Coast fish and shellfish through dishes such as ceviches, aguachiles, whole grilled seafood, and large-format seafood towers. The menu draws inspiration from coastal regions across Mexico, from Baja California to the Yucatán, while maintaining a strong connection to Hudson Valley ingredients and producers.
With dinner service and weekend brunch planned, Pez promises a fresh addition to Hudson’s restaurant scene and another ambitious expression of Hernández’s evolving vision of contemporary Mexican cuisine. Reservations for Pez are now open on Resy.
Pez
731 Warren Street, Hudson, New York 12534
