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Ithaca Waterfront & West End
Boatyard Grill
525 Taughannock Blvd
607-256-BOAT (2628)
Ithaca West End
This restaurant was opened by Mark Campagnolo, a former partner at Joe's Restaurant. The beautiful building with its nautical theme is a great setting for the quick and friendly service and the exceptional, hearty food at this comfortable restaurant. Naturally, there's lots of fresh seafood (brought daily from Boston), but the Texas Cowboy Steak (a porterhouse with a chipotle glaze served on the bone) and Boatyard Angus Sirloin (smothered with fresh roasted garlic) aren’t to be missed. Be prepared to wait for a table.
(Full Review)
(Web Site)
Felicia's Atomic Lounge
508 West State Street, Ithaca
607-273-2219
Ithaca West End
Felicia's has a very simple menu and a very straightforward lounge philosophy that says a lounge is for lounging. The funky decor, with metal panels and velvet couches, fits nicely. On the menu when we visited were personal-sized flatbread pizzas, salad, and homemade apple pie.
(Full Review)
(Web Site)
Ithaca Bakery
400 North Meadow Street
607-273-7110
Ithaca West End
When I told a friend in Florida I was going to visit the Ithaca Bakery, she exclaimed, "Oh, I love bakeries!" I had to stop and think for a moment, then explain that our Meadow Street "bakery" doesn't just do bread and pastries. They do bake the fresh bread, rolls, donuts, cookies, and cakes for a staggering number of hotels, stores, offices, and other eateries around the region, but I was there to visit the eatery part of the business. Any time of day, you can satisfy your appetite at the Ithaca Bakery for just a few bucks for a bagel sandwich or deli sandwich, or spend $5-10 for a full meal.
(Full Review)
(Web Site)
Ithaca Cheesesteak Emporium
704 West Buffalo Street
607-215-7024
Ithaca West End
Hours: Weekdays noon to late night, Weekends 2pm to late night.
Welcome to Ithaca Cheesesteak Emporium, a new eatery in Ithaca's west end, where Mi Casita used to be. They've got wraps, they've got burgers and fries, they've got boneless wings, but most important of all, they've brought cheesesteak pride to Ithaca. ICE, as they're calling themselves, excels at the art of the cheesesteak. I'm not from Philadelphia, but I've had cheesesteaks from three or four of the "original" or "authentic" purveyors of this regional delicacy. I know there's nothing else like the real thing, but these are awfully good... and Ithaca transplants from Philly are agreeing with me. (Full review)
Kelly’s Dock-Side Kafe
319 Taughannock Blvd
607-273-9642
Ithaca West End
Kelly’s, opened in a 28-seat trolley car 28 years ago, is famous for its omelettes and Sunday brunches, and has outdoor seating that’s perfect for a pleasant Saturday morning. The owner, whose full name is Albert Kelly, though everyone just calls him Kelly, does most of the cooking. Try the spinach, mushroom and cheese omelette, with a side of crisp bacon and some home fries. Even the toast was done to perfection.
Lehigh Valley House
801 West Buffalo Street, Ithaca
607-273-4410
Ithaca West End
There’s nothing extraordinary about the dinners at the Lehigh Valley House, unless you consider sheer generosity of portions. You can order appetizers or snacks or a sandwich (such as a burger), but if you order an entree, be prepared for a feast. The entrees come with soup or tomato juice, plus a small salad, plus two side dishes, plus bread and a plate of onion rings for the table. The entrees themselves aren’t small, either. It’s traditional American steaks, seafood, and chicken dishes, and while it’s not the best food in town, you won’t leave hungry.
Maxie's Supper Club
635 West State Street
607-272-4136
Ithaca West End
Hours: Sun-Thurs till Midnight, Fri & Sat till 1 am.
It’s worth putting up with the cramped feeling and excessive noise in this marvelous oyster bar and Cajun eatery. The food is almost all spicy, and you’ll need to go again and again to try everything that tempts you on the menu. Happy hour until 6 pm means half-price oysters and clams from the raw bar. For a good sampling, try the Cajun Mixed Grill and a side of fresh corn bread with tasty orange-honey butter. Vegetarian options are limited; go for the veggie jambalaya.
(Web Site)
Taste of Thai Express
526 West State Street, Ithaca
607-272-8424
Ithaca West End
Hours: Mon-Sat, 11:30am-2:30pm lunch, 4:30pm-10pm dinner
This west end eatery, just east of Route 13 on State Street, features the same exceptional food as Taste of Thai on the Commons, but this one delivers as well as having eat-in service. Our food arrived far faster than the promised 40-45 minutes, and everything was correct, fresh, and hot. The cashew chicken, a Vietnamese-style dish, was a delightful surprise, with a marinated wood-grilled flavour and crunchy strips of onion and green pepper.
(Web Site)
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