Unique mac and cheese and good gnocchi!…read more I am debating giving the rook 3 or 4 stars... I was not a fan of the salmon mousse... far too salty and I wish it was paired with crisped bread or at least something other than Ritz crackers. I did, however, enjoy the presentation and taste of the macaroni au gratin. The square shape is very unique and I liked the cheese sauce. The lamb w gnocchi was also quite good. Pillowy and soft. The lamb was cooked well. Overall, I would maybe return. I enjoyed the macaroni au gratin as well as the lamb w gnocchi!

Loved the Rook's design choices, filled with anthropomorphic art and light yet refined ambiance…read more It wasn't too crowded when we arrived and we were seated immediately. Staff was pleasant and quick. The menu is dominated by drink options (cocktails and wines), and happy hour is 4-5pm, which is perfect for an aperitif. The fried chicken is by far their speciality, with the macaroni coming in as a distant second. But while both were delicious, I'd say the best value and taste goes surprisingly to the simple summer salad, which was crisp, sweet, tangy, and refreshing. It's only $10 for a hefty portion of food and I'd order that again anytime (and that's coming from a guy who'd never normally order a salad). My only criticisms are that the Rook doesn't have many entree choices (which may be a good thing for indecisive diners), and that it's very slightly pricey. Otherwise, it's an easy recommend for me.

I really enjoyed Bar Argos. My girlfriend and I wandered in right at 4 pm - opening time lol - and…read morewere immediately greeted by a woman who checked our IDs and handed us menus with quiet efficiency. The place was totally empty, which is to expected at that time. Bar Argos is definitely a vibe. Think: antique chic with a touch of eccentric elegance. Ornate chairs, old-school lamps, and fancy mismatched furniture are scattered throughout, making you feel like you've wandered into a vintage movie set where cocktails play a leading role. There are multiple rooms, including one with a long table and huge windows that let the light spill in dramatically. I was lowkey stunned by how pretty it all was. Girlfriend and I shared the Clarified Lassi ($13), which is under the "Delightfully Unusual" section of their cocktail spectrum - right in between "Colloquial" and "What?!" It was fruity, creamy, and weird in a cool, sophisticated way. My Hotelie friend later explained in the car (upon mention of the drink) that clarified cocktails use a process where milk is added to a mixed drink and then curdled on purpose. The curds trap impurities, and when you strain them out, you're left with a crystal-clear drink that still has the creamy mouthfeel. Definitely checks out with the Clarified Lassi that we drank... Overall, the experience felt like stepping into a fancy secret. 10/10 would come back, undoubtedly!!

The atmosphere is cozy and has a homey vibe. The staff is always pleasant. Get classic drinks are…read moregreat. Not a huge fan of there signature drinks.

We stayed at the Statler Hotel for work and enjoyed dinner here both nights. Not pictured are all…read morethe appetizers we devoured (crab dip, chicken bites, sweet potato fries, and the fried polenta). I personally wasn't a fan of the fried polenta, but also did not try it with the sauce. The first night I tried their lavender lemonade (non alcoholic), which I thought was good, but fell in with the Lemon Tree cocktail the second night. Both nights I ordered the "burger of the month" which was a pesto burger. I added bacon and asked for a Caesar salad instead of fries. We ordered two of the chicken bites so the group could try both sauces, but since I'm not a fan of spicy, I only tried the honey truffle one and loved it. Our servers were very nice and patient (we were a group of about 10), and if I'm ever back in town, I'll be sure to try some of the other entrees!

The Regent Lounge is one of those hidden gems that never misses. The food is consistently…read moredelicious, the drinks are thoughtfully crafted, and the vibe strikes the perfect balance between relaxed and elevated -- whether you're out for date night or catching up with friends. What truly sets this place apart, though, is the staff. Lowell and Brooke are fantastic!!!Every time I visit, I'm met with genuine hospitality, great recommendations, and the kind of service that makes you want to come back again and again. It's one of my favorite spots in the area -- cozy, stylish, and always a good time.

I joined Cornell CHAARG, an organization (rather scammy one but that's beyond the point) dedicated…read moreto showing college-aged women that fitness can be fun and fulfilling. Anyways... what did I get out of it? An awesome group of people and well... MIX. Updating my review because MIX deserves a proper shoutout and I haven't done it justice. This place is unequivocally my absolute FAVORITE brunch spot. The selection is vast, the portions are hearty, and the staff? They're the kindest, most accommodating folks you'll meet. It's like they've mastered the art of making you feel right at home. And the food? Oh, the food is ABSOLUTELY divine. Every bite is a delicious reminder of why I've converted to the church of brunch. Seriously, I went from a casual brunch-goer to a full-fledged brunch enthusiast, all thanks to CHAARG for leading me to this culinary gem. My brunch game has never been the same.

I've had brunch, lunch, and dinner at MIX, and all with varying levels of enjoyment. My recent…read morebrunch experience included ordering a Where the West Begins omelette, which includes "Braised short rib, butternut squash, red onion jam, spinach, smoked gouda". I wasn't sure how to feel about butternut squash with everything else (I'm not necessarily a huge squash fan - but I'm trying to learn to enjoy it), but the omelette was decent... it's the other side on my plate that looked less than appetizing. The biscuit was still covered in flour (and who wants to bite down on a clump of flour?), the cheddar hashbrown casserole lacked in flavor, and the brown sugar cinnamon oatmeal just... wasn't doin' it for me. Other recent experiences have been similar... there's usually one item on the plate that's flavorful or imventive (sometimes a main dish, sometimes a side), and the other parts of the plate are lacking. In reality, I think MIX is suffering a bit from rising food costs and inconsistency in their service and offerings. They've also changed the style of their menu from the original tapas-style to now being more typical entree options. Again... they've lost some of their innovative, experimental approach. In terms of ambiance, it really depends. I've been here for a work event and, because of the number of people, it was SO LOUD... they had also done a buffet offering for the event. As you can imagine, the food from the buffet was lacking, but that's often what happens when you're more mass producing your food (and it's left in a chafing dish, trying to be kept warm). On the other hand, I've been here for a dinner on a random night and was able to enjoy one of their Thai noodle bowls (and split some other apps with friends). The reality is that experiences at MIX are... well... a mix. Whether service, menu offerings, etc., I've found MIX's recent inconsistencies to be a disappointment. Will probably only visit in the future if it's suggested by others.

One of the better restaurants in Ithaca!…read more I enjoyed the coursing- they did a very good job with timing. Service in general was very good. I also like the flowers on the dishes. I came with a friend and we tried the pear appetizer, mussels, leek and gruyere tart, and the ricotta gnocchi. Honestly, everything was really good. The gnocchi was pillowy and the tart did not have a soggy bottom. For dessert we tried the Pear frangipane which was also good. Quite a strong almond flavor and a little on the sweet side. Overall very good, I would recommend!

Came here with some friends for a celebration. We laughed, we ate, and we took pictures. There were…read morea lot of couples (given that it's a fancy date night restaurant) and it took about an hour to get seats for a group of 5. * House Made Levain ($5) Crunchy on the outside, soft on the inside. Came with butter and that butter slaps. Nothing revolutionary, but solid. 4/5. * Beef Tartare ($14) Raw beef, but make it fancy. Slightly salty for my taste, but paired beautifully with the bread. Never had beef tartare before, so I have no reference point. This could be the best tartare in existence, or I just have peasant palate. Either way, I'll give it a 4/5. * Kohlrabi & Pear ($8) First time having kohlrabi, and I was not expecting it to be so crisp and apple-adjacent. The pear added some nice sweetness, and the goat cheese + garlic combo made it feel elevated. I respect it, but I wouldn't crave it. 3/5, purely based on my personal taste. * Steak Frites ($36) This is the dish. The aioli sauce for the fries? So good we asked for extra and then extra to-go like some sauce-hoarding gremlins. Steak was cooked medium-rare perfection -- just go with what the restaurant recommends. No notes. 5/5. * Mocha Walnut Torte ($8) Not a huge walnut or sweets person, but this was light and not overly rich. My friend could pinpoint the walnut in it... which is great for them. I mostly tasted "fancy cake." 3/5 for effort and subtlety. * Crème Caramel ($8) I am a fiend for crème brûlée. Had that satisfying sugar shell crack, wasn't too sweet, and left me wishing I had another one waiting at home. 5/5.

What a quaint spot! So much greenery! I sat in a gorgeous corner by the window. It felt so luxe…read more The lavender mocktail was delicious. I ordered a vegetable flatbread and it was so good and healthy. The staff were upbeat and friendly.

A decent place for a cocktail. I enjoy the fact that they are part coffeeshop part cocktail bar…read more The atmosphere is quite eclectic with all of the plants and dim lighting in the evening. We went for a smaller bite and a drink. The BBQ chicken sliders were pretty good, though nothing particularly special. The dark and stormy was the drink special of the night at $7, so we opted for that. The dark and stormy was also nothing to write home about, but was a good dark and stormy nonetheless. We also got a bottle of the Ithaca Apricot Wheat Ale. There weren't many tap options which I feel is something that could be improved. They do have a couple of unique drinks on the menu that I would like to try (the chai cocktail and the blackberry mojito). Overall, I would be back to try the other drinks and enjoyed my time at The Greenhouse.

Friendly, cozy, retro-inspired cocktail bar in the West End. Nice range of signature cocktails,…read moredraft beers..Plus snack machines, a dessert case and vintage movies streaming on a big screen. Such a great addition to the neighborhood.

Great drinks, cute vibe; wish it wasn't so dark inside but amazing otherwise, the bartender was…read morelovely

Must visit! Five stars! I visited years ago and somehow never got around to leaving a review, but I…read moreremember having a wonderful experience. The atmosphere was great, the service was friendly, and everything came together for an enjoyable visit. Even after all this time, it's one of those places I look back on positively. Definitely worth checking out if you're in the area!

Descending a flight of stairs from street level you'll find this very inviting Mexican restaurant…read morethat is under new management and definitely forging a new identity. The atmosphere is relaxed and gives a welcoming vibe. We sat at the bar and the service was fantastic. They have an extensive tequila bar. Their drinks are innovative and flavorful. I was told they have a new chef and the Peruvian ceviche was a fresh take in ceviche. Cucumber, radish and boiled sweet potato were an interesting addition to their mahi mahi ceviche. It was a refreshing and flavorful dish that I would definitely order again

Excellent bicycle themed bar in Ithaca. They have a great cocktail selection and ever evolving tap…read morecollection. Love the atmosphere here. The bartenders are friendly, attentive, and knowledgeable. Great spot for live music too!

Easy 5 stars. Great atmosphere and they always have hard to find and excellent beer on tap like…read moreMaine lunch. Bartenders are well informed and very helpful. Love this place!

We had a most excellent drink experience here. First time staying the night in Ithaca. Went into…read morethis bar solely for its name but was pleasantly surprised by the quality of craft cocktails. The bartender was excellent and friendly. Atmosphere was quiet and respectful

This is a sad review for me to write because my husband, friend, and I regularly started our…read moreevenings out downtown by getting a cocktail here. We loved the atmosphere and menu. We have found some of the bartenders to be stand-offish and would only call one of them really friendly, but that just rolled off our shoulders - all three of us are industry veterans. I have never in my entire career as a server and bartender (and customer) observed an interaction like the one we had Friday night. The bartender was so incredibly rude to my friend that we will never return.