Upscale in Ithaca

Add me to the chorus recommending Dijon.

I also think that Hazelnut Kitchen might serve the original poster's needs precisely. Though it's not a steakhouse, they do prepare locally raised meat and poultry (and do it very well, I would add). Because their food is local, they seem to have a very careful, detailed relationship to their ingredients; I imagine this will help with avoiding allergens.

vitapilcher in New York State (exc. New York City)

Eating in Ithaca, NY?

I have to disagree about Kelly's--while the setting is indeed pleasant, I wasn't at all impressed by the food--our fries were the standard came-in-a-massive-freezer-bag fries and were lukewarm to boot. Our entrees were similarly borderline. I would go back to drink beer on the patio, but I wouldn't eat there again.

The former Willow has now reopened as North Star Public House. The new proprietors inverted the seating arrangements, so that the bar area now holds tables and the former dining room functions as a bar. So far I've only had fries there (and I promise I eat more than just french fries!), which were great. They come with house-made ketchup (delicious) and a garlic aioli that is delightful. I'm looking forward to having dinner there.

Visitors to Ithaca will also miss the much-beloved Lost Dog, now freshly transformed into Wildfire--I haven't had the chance to visit yet.

vitapilcher in New York State (exc. New York City)

Best Eats in Ithaca

I have to disagree with the Viva Taqueria recommendations--the few times I've eaten there I've found the food really unsatisfactory.

Mustard recently closed, probably because of the poor economic outlook?

The Carriage House Cafe is an excellent choice for brunch or lunch; they have the best bread in the area.

Tamarind is a new, cheaper knockoff of Taste of Thai. It doesn't have a liquor license, but you can BYO with no corkage.

Hazelnut Kitchen in Trumansburg is also a favorite. If choosing between Pangea, Willow, and HK (all of which are similar in price and style of food), I would pick HK any time.

vitapilcher in General Tristate Archive

help identifying a carniceria off 101 between Gilroy and San Jose?

Thanks, everyone! The place I was looking for is indeed Mi Casa, in the back of the Farmer's Market at 520 Tennant. We stopped there yesterday. The carnitas was indeed as good as I remembered, crispy on the outside, tender and moist on the inside. I wasn't super excited by the sides--the rice and beans were a little plain--but the green salsa was very tasty. Overall, a great non-chain place to stop if you're on the 101 and feeling peckish.

vitapilcher in San Francisco Bay Area

help identifying a carniceria off 101 between Gilroy and San Jose?

Two years ago, my partner and I drove south on 101 from the East Bay to San Luis Obispo. At a random exit somewhere between San Jose and Gilroy, we stopped at a little market where we had really good carnitas. We'd like to recreate the trip, but neither of us can recall the exit. (I've searched Google maps to no avail). We're hoping the local chowhounders might know where we stopped.

What we remember:

1) The market in question has a large sign over it that reads "Carniceria". (Not too helpful, I know).
2) The market sells both produce and meat. We ordered the carnitas in the back, at or near the fresh meat counter. The market is a freestanding structure with a small parking lot in the front. When we were there it was tidily landscaped.
3) When traveling 101 south from San Jose, we exited on the right side of the freeway, turned right onto a two-lane road, and then saw the carniceria somewhere on the left, possibly 1/4 to 3/4 mile from the 101 interchange.
4) The market was in a relatively sparsely developed area--not entirely in the sticks, but certainly not a dense urban corridor.

Can anyone help turn these sketchy memories into a delicious lunch for us?
Many thanks for your help!

[mods: I'm not entirely familiar with California geography; since the place I'm looking for is probably closer to Gilroy than SJ, I thought this might be the right board, but please relocate if necessary]

vitapilcher in San Francisco Bay Area

Need Restaurant Recs for Ithaca and Skaneatales

I can't help with Skaneateles, but here's my two cents on Ithaca (as a local, I've visited most of these places several times):

Moosewood, Maxie's, and Thai Cuisine are indeed all overrated. The service at Moosewood is terrible, and the food bland. Maxie's is hit or miss--though it's fine for a drink and appetizer, I'm often not excited by my food there. The sandwich side of the menu tends to be better, and cheaper, than the entrees. Try the blue cheese burger or the sausage po boy. The gumbo is also reliable.

For Thai, go to Taste of Thai on the commons (not Taste of Thai Express on State Street, which is wholly unrelated). Taste of Thai is as good as any Thai I've had in a big city, if not better. Call for a reservation on weekends, otherwise prepare to wait.

I want to like Pangea more than I do. The staff is wonderful, but I've had one too many sad $20 entree to really recommend it. Desserts are also just ok here.

Willow is a more consistent find--the bar is great for a cocktail, the desserts are lovely, and the hangar steak is always spot on. Also try the mac n' cheese here--it's a dressed-up comfort food kind of thing, and always wonderful.

Madeline's is overpriced and snotty. Come here for cocktails, but don't expect them to show any interest in your business unless you're expensing a meal. I also don't love their Italian sister restaurant, Zaza's Cucina--but I'm a snob about Italian food.

I've only been to Heights Cafe twice--it's quite pricey--but I've loved my food both times. This is a formal, take your mom kind of place.

Dijon Bistro is a new French place over by the DMV. The exterior is unpromising (it's in a strip mall) but the food is excellent: good french preparation, great wines, mostly good service. Wonderful house-made pate, and the best roast chicken I've had ever. A little on the expensive side, but well worth it. (This would be my first choice for a big night out in Ithaca).

At the farmer's market, try the burrito guy, or if you can't survive the wait, the noodle salad at Jung Ching Foods (usually next to Macro Mama's). Both are great. I always add chili oil to the noodle salad--yum!

For a non-farmer's market breakfast, my secret favorite is Hope's Way in the Triphammer Mall. Unlike the town-dominating Collegetown Bagels (also overpriced and overrated), Hope's Way will make an egg sandwich the way God intended: well-toasted bagel, griddle-fried egg over hard, real cheese or bacon on the top if you wish. I'm an addict. (At CTB, you'll get *microwaved* scrambled egg on an undertoasted bagel, and pay more for it). Hope's Way is also great for lunch sandwiches and salads. They do a lot of catering at Cornell, and their stock is always fresh.

Happy travels!

vitapilcher in General Tristate Archive

wearing jeans to lunch at Butcher Shop, elsewhere?

Thanks for the sartorial advice. I'd love other lunch recommendations--sadly, I'll be leaving town before dinnertime, so lunch is my only shot.

Thanks all!

vitapilcher in Greater Boston Area