Restaurants abound in the Finger Lakes area, particularly in its largest cities of Auburn and Ithaca. The Finger Lakes region of New York State is home to over 100 wineries, unique museums, breathtaking natural scenery and quaint villages. Centered around a chain of slender, finger-shaped lakes such as Cayuga and Seneca, this region offers ample opportunities to enjoy fishing, cross-country skiing, hiking, water skiing, camping and other outdoor activities.
The restaurant at Elderberry Pond organic farm, near Auburn, is a showcase for seasonal fresh produce, dairy and other products grown on this spectacular 100-acre farm. The restaurant occupies a new building constructed from all local materials from the Finger Lakes region such as hemlock, pine and fieldstones. All meat served at Elderberry Pond is organic and grass-fed, and most of it comes from other organic farms nearby. Start with a warm bowl of potato leek soup, bruschetta topped with fresh mozzarella and sun-dried tomato tapenade or Elderberry pond's butter bean edamame. Entrees include pasture-raised Berkshire pork tenderloin and organic free range Cajun chicken sandwich with blue cheese dressing.
Elderberry Pond
3728 Center Street Road
Auburn, NY 13021
315-252-3977
elderberrypond.com
This European-style tavern and restaurant is in the tiny Finger Lakes hamlet of Hammondsport,a town popular due to its proximity to several wineries. Recipient of the award for "Restaurant of the Year" from the New York State Wine & Grape Foundation, Village Tavern has also received Wine Spectator's prestigious Award of Excellence annually since 1995. In addition to acclaimed wines, guests at Village Tavern can sample a wide range of seafood dishes like seafood chowder, grilled blackened shrimp with cannelloni beans and cilantro oil, Prince Edward Island mussels, Cajun-style yellowfin tuna, and Brazilian lobster tails with drawn butter and lemon. You'll also find a number of vegetarian dinner options like fresh vegetable provencale and baked vegetable lasagna.
Village Tavern
30 Mechanic Street
Hammondsport, NY 14840
607-569-2528
villagetaverninn.com
According to Jane Dickman of The Itaca Times, Madeline's offers its guests an "extraordinary eating experience for anyone who looks for nontraditional preparation of traditional foods." The same local newspaper also awarded the restaurant "Best Dessert Menu"and "Best Place To Pretend You're Somewhere Other Than Ithaca." Chef Teresa Miller blends European and Asian cooking styles to create a modern fusion of flavors exotic and familiar at this upscale bar and restaurant. Sample unusual dishes like red curried duck confit with green papaya salad, steamed mussels in a chili coconut broth with lemongrass and Thai basil, or grilled salmon in a chipotle passionfruit glaze. Madeline's also offers a number of gluten-free options.
Madeline's
215 East State St.
Ithaca, NY 14850
607-277-2253
madelines-restaurant.com
