14850 Dining

A-1 is a long-standing family restaurant near the intersection of Routes 13 and 38 in Dryden, and a glance will show it's expanded several times. They serve pizza and Italian dishes, steaks and chicken, and some Greek fare, as well as a good diner-style breakfast.

Considering the disdain with which “cookie-cutter” establishments are viewed by some, I was very impressed with how smoothly this trendy, yuppie-oriented chain restaurant has fit into the area. Applebee’s offers very speedy and friendly service, a pleasant surprise to anyone expecting anonymous or uncaring treatment. The food is good, reasonably priced, and plentiful, as well. Hot, tasty soup and a grilled chicken sandwich made a good lunch, and a recent visit for dinner yielded an excellent “Bourbon Street Steak,” their 10oz.

Taking over from Bru Dogs is this new semi-permanent food truck outside Jason's, offering a simple menu of hot dogs and handmade potato chips from lunch through late night. Go for a chili cheese dog, or share "chips on a stick," a spiral-cut potato that's fried while you wait. 

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 exceptional, hearty food at this comfortable restaurant. Naturally, there's lots of fresh fish and 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, and we keep hearing horror stories about iffy service.

Ithaca probably had plenty of chicken wings already, we're checking out Buffalo Wild Wings, the latest chain restaurant to open in town. On Route 13 in Ithaca's southwest, Buffalo Wild Wings serves not just wings and so-called "boneless wings," but wraps, burgers, and even ribs. We were pleasantly surprised that the wing sauces had lots of flavor. The hot actually was, and the spicy garlic and garlic parmesan both weren't shy about the garlic.

In the basement of the Dewitt Mall, this tiny cafe offers breakfast, lunch, and Sunday brunch featuring lots of local food and creative recipes. Enjoy a cup of soup and a sandwich, or creative breakfast platters available any time. It gets crowded fast, especially on weekends, so be prepared for a wait -- both before and after you're seated.

This brand new Collegetown eatery, in the alley across from the Royal Palm Tavern, offers healthy, fresh, design-your-own wraps, salads, and smoothies. The custom wrap and salad menu (starting at $6) features no fewer than 35 ingredients to choose from, not counting the tortillas and meats (grilled chicken, tuna, or eggs), plus a couple dozen dressings. Or pick from one of the $6 pre-designed salads or wraps. Check it out from lunch through late-night if you're tired of bagels, pizza, and cheeseburgers.

This is the new incarnation of coffee shop, pastry shop, and sandwich shop that used to be the Queen of Tarts, in a small green building that was actually the railroad coal office years ago, and was renovated in 2006 into a beautiful, cozy cafe. An expansion over the winter of 2009-10 added plenty of comfy seating, and the patio's nice in good weather. Morning bagels and breakfast sandwiches, soups and salads, cookies and pastries, deli sandwiches ready to grab and go or made fresh to order, and of course coffee and espresso drinks are available.

Owned by the operators of Cayuga Lake Cruises, Corks & More is a wine bar on Ithaca's waterfront with a gimmick -- they offer a few dozen wines dispensed by self-service machines, portioned by the glass, half glass, or inexpensive taste. There's a fairly well-stocked full bar, and there are sharable appetizers and a few entrees available to order. The food's pretty good, but the wine's the draw.

This small cafe adjacent to the tasting room at Americana Winery does a fantastic Sunday brunch, and it's well worth the wait for a table. They offer a great brioche french toast, shrimp and cheddar grits with eggs, oatmeal pancakes, and other decadent breakfast items, as well as burgers, hummus wraps, and other lunch choices. Lunch and dinner hours vary seasonally; for winter and spring, they're open Thursday through Sunday.

Delilah's is the latest incarnation of the downtown eatery formerly known as WildFire and the Lost Dog Cafe. They've got burgers and wings and a tempting menu of southern comfort food they're choosing to call "Savannah Fusion Cuisine."

The Dryden Hotel's history begins in 1844, but its current incarnation dates to 2005, when a refurbished building opened to offer breakfast, lunch, and dinner seven days a week. After a typical omelets-or-pancakes breakfast menu, it's a step above diner fare, with salads, wraps, and sandwiches alongside burgers, fried shrimp, pizza, and prime rib. Vegetarian options are few and far between, and we admit we mostly get there for wing night on Thursday.

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, paninis, salads, and homemade apple pie.

Ithaca's is the 475th franchise of this DC-based chain that specializes in just burgers, hot dogs, and fries, all freshly prepared to order. The Five Guys web site says there are over 200,000 ways to order your burger, but if you want chicken nuggets, or cheese sticks, or milkshakes, or cherry pie, you'll have to go somewhere else. For fast food, the burgers are outstanding. Vegetarian options are limited to a grilled cheese sandwich or a burger-without-the-burger, plus the fries, but we know lots of vegetarians who are delighted with these.

A casual eatery four miles north of Cass Park on Route 89, with an active bar and plenty of relaxed seating. We highly recommend the fresh fish fry dinner or sandwich (depending on how hungry you are) or the infamous Pinesburger, served on French bread. Good steak and seafood dishes, and creative specials. Vegetarian options are very limited; the spaghetti sauce has usually had the meatballs cooked in it.

One of Ithaca's top pizzerias, this latest incarnation of Italian Carry Out (which used to be on Meadow Street) also offers hot and cold sandwiches, wings, fish fry platters, and such Italian dinners as lasagna, chicken parm, and a variety of pasta. Delivery takes a while and they might not get your order quite right, but they'll cheerfully fix it.

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 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 $8-12 for a full meal.

This new outlet of the legendary west-end restaurant features wings, salads, deli subs, hot subs, pizzas, and pasta dinners. They'll even deliver beer.

This classic American steakhouse dry-ages its own top-notch beef and offers very thorough, very decadent dinners. It's a special-occasion sort of eatery, thanks to the price if not the decadence alone. In addition to the wide variety of steaks, John Thomas offers several fish and seafood dishes, as well as chicken and (limited) vegetarian entrees. We love sharing the Porterhouse for Two, along with a side of creamed spinach, or you can build your own surf & turf by combining a steak with a whole or half lobster.

Kelly’s, opened in a 28-seat trolley car over thirty years ago, is famous for its omelets and crab legs, 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 omelet, with a side of crisp bacon and some home fries. Even the toast was done to perfection.

Best known, and deservedly so, for its decadent desserts and creative cocktails, Madeline's is also an upscale dining destination at the east end of the Ithaca Commons. Many of the dishes display an Asian influence, and the menu ranges from steaks and seafood to vegetarian and gluten-free dishes. The full bar has an enviable whisky selection, among its various strengths.

Dubbed "The Diner of Fate" by those who know, Manos offers the usual diner fare, from breakfasts 24 hours a day to sandwiches, burgers, and entrees, plus a full bar (and a nearly identical food menu) in the attached Ichabod's. Manos is perfect for an inexpensive but filling breakfast. Later in the day, try the fries with a side of gravy, and if you’re in the mood for a big meal, the turkey dinner can’t be beat. Ichabod's also features a nice, fresh salad bar, great with your dinner. The downside of a decades-old diner is that the building is showing its age.

Just opened in the former home of Dijon Bistro, Mira offers a variety of Mediterranean-themed dishes and bistro fare with fresh ingredients, handmade preparations, and an interest in local produce. Appetizers include dips such as hummus and baba ghanouj and housemade cheeses, and entrees range from summer vegetable risotto to tahini baked rockfish and a spice-rubbed sirloin. The focused menu and skilled service make Mira seem as though it's been open for months, not days.

The Nines offers great pizza and a variety of entrees and sandwiches. The entrees lean toward an Americana theme, and there's a good selection of beer on tap at the full bar. The square deep-dish pizza is its forte, with a broad array of toppings and a thick crust. The four slices easily feed two or three people. If you're not in a pizza mood, try the astonishingly good ribs or the roast chicken, or try the soup or the new homemade hummus. The Nines used to house one of Ithaca's fire stations (now next door) and offers great music many evenings.

[This eatery is closed, but the page is left here for archive purposes.]

Papa John's makes one of the best traditional, round pizzas in town, thanks to a focus on fresh ingredients despite their chain status and their surprisingly affordable prices. We've always been a fan of the garlic dipping sauce and hot peppers that come with each pizza, and the slices-and-soda lunch specials are a good deal.

This quick eatery on Dryden Road makes hot and cold sandwiches to order in white or whole wheat pitas, with your choice of a whole host of veggies. Start with your choice of ham, turkey, tuna, or maybe go vegetarian with falafel or hummus. While the filling's grilling, pick out your toppings from an impressive selection, and Pita Pit's friendly crew will fill your pita layer by layer. Pita Pit even has breakfast pitas, featuring scrambled eggs mixed with hash brown potatoes, cheese, onions, peppers, and ham, bacon, or crumbled Italian sausage.

Attached to the popular Red Newt Cellars winery just off Route 414 on the east side of Seneca Lake, Red Newt Bistro offers a delightful selection of freshly prepared dishes, locally sourced whenever possible. Stop by to enjoy lunch or dinner at the beginning or end of an afternoon of winery touring, or visit for a special meal anytime.

We have fond memories of a truly great burger, decadent and relaxed weekend brunches, and stellar service at Rulloff's. We wish this eatery, with decades of history, still had any of the above. Instead, it's a shadow of its former self. The food is all OK, but just OK; and the service, even though sometimes well-meaning, rarely exceeds "confused."

This downtown corner bistro got new owners and a new chef a few years ago, and a more-recent renovation gives them a full-size kitchen, an extra dining room, and more outdoor seating space. They've reinvented the menu to befit a fully functional kitchen, and the creative dishes range from good to great. See and be seen while enjoying a nice meal on the town.

The State Diner opened in 1936, and has expanded from their early lunch car days -- with lots of booth seating as well as counter seats along the grill. When I think diner, I think breakfast, so an early morning weekday visit or even a late-morning weekend visit probably means blueberry pancakes, or even an omelet. Diners also draw us in late at night, and the State Diner gladly serves up plenty of 2am greasy goodness. We were surprised that a friend's "cheese fries" were really a plate of french fries with two slices of American cheese on top, slightly melted.

Subway has captured lots of attention with its $5 foot-long offers, its weight-losing spokesman, its toasted subs, and, yes, its "Chuck" exposure. What it comes down to is that Subway is a decent place for a decent sandwich made with decent food at a decent price. If you skip some of the gloppy sauces and the potato chips, it's even a healthy meal.

Built 135 years ago as a private summer home, Taughannock Farms has spent about the last seventy years as a restaurant and inn, adjacent to the state park. Dinner here has an elegant feel, and virtually every table enjoys a nice view of the park and the lake, thanks to a tiered dining room whose walls are mostly window.

Each course was plentiful without being huge, so we left feeling well fed but not stuffed. We also felt well taken care of; our server was friendly and answered questions as they came up, always available without hovering.

Primarily a full bar, the recently opened Westy has a casual outdoor happy hour on Thursday through Saturday evenings, and sometimes brunch on Sundays, while the good weather lasts, provided by "Stan and Dave's Backyard Grill." Try the pulled pork or smoked sausage, Thai beef and shrimp noodle salad, steamed mussels, hummus with pita and poppadom, a fish taco, or the eggs and smoked pork hash or blueberry focaccia french toast for brunch. (The menu changes weekly.) Have a cocktail or explore the good beer variety.

Just southwest of Downtown Ithaca, Uncle Joe's is a straightforward and honest sports bar with good food, good drinks, and plenty of TVs for watching that game you've gotta catch. There are a dozen beers on tap, and the menu includes good wings and burgers, plus sandwiches and salads. Veggieburgers are available, and there are nightly specials. The half-pound burger with fries is a good deal at the regular $6.50-7.50 price, but the Tuesday $5 burger special is a bargain.

Is it the simplest restaurant concept ever? In the space best known as Juna's, Waffle Frolic features handmade waffles, from basic to buckwheat to gluten-free, with a wide variety of toppings including fruit, Nutella, bacon and eggs, and even all-natural, free-range fried chicken. There are also variations on the grilled cheese sandwich theme. A meal gets expensive fast, but it's a fun treat. The coffee, roasted by Coffee Labs in Tarrytown, is top notch. Our biggest concern is that the often-confused service better matches the food's simplicity than its price.

This franchise of the growing "Wings Over" chain offers a chicken-heavy lunch buffet and extensive delivery. The hottest "Afterburner" wings are hot enough for Ithaca, if not Buffalo, and flavourful as well. Vegetarians are basically out of luck, unless they're satisfied with fries and macaroni salad. Poultry-eaters, though, might enjoy the 15 varieties of wings, and those who can't stand bones should try the "boneless wings," excellent hand-battered chicken strips sold by the half pound.