Nestled in the heart of New York’s Finger Lakes region, Keuka is a y-shaped lake with the towns of Branchport and Penn Yan resting on its northern edges and Hammondsport on its southern shore. The Finger Lakes area is known for its wineries that specialize in white wines, particularly Rieslings. Many restaurants along Keuka Lake offer scenic vistas of the calm blue water and gently rolling hills.
True to its name, Sarrasin’s on the Lake sits directly on the shore in the village of Penn Yan. Sarrasin’s is open for lunch and dinner Friday through Sunday. The lunch menu features sandwiches and wraps, as well as a classic wine tour snack: the cheese and fruit platter. Various dinner options include pasta and other Italian fare like veal parmesan or marsala as well as American favorites such as duck, rack of lamb, steak and pork chops. Fish and seafood dishes feature trout, salmon, tuna, lobster and clams. Enjoy wine tastings and live music on Friday evenings and relax on the covered deck during summer. Additionally, Sarrasin’s hosts weddings and banquets and even offers off-site catering.
Sarrasin’s on the Lake
301 Lake Street
Penn Yan, NY 14527
315-536-9494
sarrasins.homestead.com
Esperanza Mansion operates as both a hotel and an Italian steak and seafood restaurant. Located just outside Branchport, the mansion affords sweeping views of Keuka Lake. Esperanza's grand ballroom frequently hosts weddings and special events. The restaurant is open daily for lunch and dinner. The lunch menu features appetizers, soups, salads, sandwiches and pasta. Dinner fare includes lamb, ribs, veal, fish and seafood; plus, diners may choose from among five different cuts of steak paired with a selection of five sauces. In the Italian realm, feast upon classics such as chicken marsala or parmesan as well as Esperanza’s homemade cheese gnocchi. As of 2010, prime rib specials are available on Thursday and Saturday nights. In summer, partake in a lunch or dinner cruise aboard the mansion’s boat, the Esperanza Rose.
Esperanza Mansion
3456 Route 54A
Bluff Point, NY 14478
1-866-927-4400
esperanzamansion.com
On the southern shore of Keuka Lake in the village of Hammondsport, the Switzerland Inn has been in continuous operation since 1894. As of 2010, they are open for lunch and dinner seasonally from March until Thanksgiving. The restaurant has a large outdoor seating capacity with two decks and an outdoor bar. Contrary to its name, the Switzerland Inn’s menu does not feature German-style food but rather American and Italian-influenced soups, salads, sandwiches, pizza, pasta, fish, steak and ribs. Adventurous diners can sample the deep-fried alligator tail. Daily specials include all-you-can-eat crab legs on Wednesdays. The exceptionally affordable wine selection showcases wines exclusively from Keuka Lake area vineyards. Weekends feature live music and the restaurant also offers takeout.
The Switzerland Inn
14109 Keuka Village Road
Hammondsport, NY 14840
607-292-6927
theswitz.com
Also located in the village of Hammondsport, Union Block Italian Bistro is open for dinner seven days a week. The restaurant makes many of their items on site, including their breads, salad dressings, sauces and meatballs. Guests can partake in rare Italian dishes such as grilled octopus as well as more typical cuisine like pasta and a baked macaroni and cheese special which changes daily. Veal, chicken and fish entrees offer diners a choice of seven different toppings; try the saltimbocca, which consists of prosciutto, sage and mozzarella or the piccata, with capers and lemon. The wine list highlights the region’s famous whites and blushes while also offering international selections; the rotating draft beer selection features local microbrews. Also, patrons who drop in on Thursday, Friday or Saturday nights may discover live music.
Union Block Italian Bistro
31 Shethar Street
Hammondsport, NY 14840
607-246-4065
unionblockitalian.com
