CENTRAL NEW YORK REGION
Central New York is, you guessed it, smack in the middle of the Empire State. It includes familiar locations like Cooperstown (National Baseball Hall of Fame & Museum) and Herkimer (diamonds!), to name a few. The restaurants here offer simple, rustic, delicious fare.
Bon appetit!
Yelp’s Price Range Key:
$ Inexpensive
$$ Moderate
$$$ Pricey
$$$$ Ultra High-End
192 Main Street, Sharon Springs
Our dining experiences at The American Hotel have always followed a long day vending at Beekman 1802’s Garden Party or Harvest Festival, and yet, somehow, from the time the maitre d’ has escorted us to our table to the moment we received the bill, we felt energized from great food, service, and company -- lively, sophisticated, old-fashioned Americana fun (especially during Beekman 1802’s town wide events!). Our picks: almond-crusted goat milk cheese served with mango and apricot purees as an appetizer, the charbroiled Bay of Fundy Salmon Steak for the main event, and blueberry lavender cake for dessert. Reservations are highly recommended. $$$
Photo: The American Hotel
244 Main Street, Oneonta
The Autumn Café manages to walk the line between fresh, artisanal, locavore food and convenience. Currently just offering carry out, the café is as popular as ever for its imaginative sandwiches like the TLT (tofu, lettuce, tomato, lemon garlic aioli) and classics like the Cuban (smoked ham, pulled pork but, alpine cheese, pickled onions) and it’s fantastic cocktail program, to-go. Highly recommended: the Saint James, a blend of Citron and Coconut vodkas, Triple Sec, pineapple juice and grenadine. $$
Photo: Autumn Cafe
94 Genesee Street, Utica
The Tailor and the Cook is best experienced when you experience the whole menu! The dishes are small, but packed with deliciousness -- and local ingredients. The staff is knowledgeable and will gladly help you navigate the very creative options available season to season. Go with a friend or two and try to sample as many different plates as you can. You won’t regret it. $$$