Summer home to one of the founders of Standard Oil, the small town of Cazenovia has long attracted a discerning crowd. Part of the appeal is visual. Set on Lake Cazenovia in Central New York, the town is blessed with views of pristine waters and carefully tended farmland. Visitors also enjoy Cazenovia for its colonial history. The town has antique stores, historic inns and a variety of restaurants.
Circa serves New American cuisine, which means the restaurant features fresh, locally grown produce and high-quality ingredients. Sample items on the menu include a half-pound burger that uses local beef and mushroom risotto cooked with locally cultivated oyster mushrooms. Pasta is homemade, and the menu suggests wine pairings for each course. Circa, which is is located in the village part of Cazenovia, does not allow substitutions to any dishes because, it says, they are prepared with complementary flavors and textures.
Circa
76 Albany Street
Cazenovia, NY 13035
315-655-8768
circarestaurant.net
Once the lavish summer home of financier Benjamin Brewster, this inn boasts an award-winning gourmet restaurant. The setting alone is sumptuous, with its solid mahogany walls and antique furniture. The menu is designed for those who appreciate fine food. House specialties include veal Atlantis and truffle-encrusted big-eye tuna. The wine cellar holds more than 14,000 bottles. For those looking for more casual fare, the inn also has the Terrace Bar, with a terrace for outdoor dining, and a tavern.
The Brewster Inn
6 Ledyard Avenue
Cazenovia, NY 13035
315-655-9232
thebrewsterinn.com
A short walk from Cazenovia College, this casual restaurant invites its customers to "come as you are." Golden Pheasant's menu includes steak, pasta, seafood and daily specials. Patrons can eat at the bar or in the dining room. The restaurant promises great prices and a welcoming atmosphere.
Golden Pheasant Steakhouse
64 Albany Street
Cazenovia, NY 13035-1221
315-655-8281
cazenoviachamber.com
Built in 1835, this plush hotel has hosted President Grover Cleveland, John D. Rockefeller, and a slew of actors performing at local summer theaters. Decorated in a colonial motif, the hotel offers banquet facilities as well as restaurants. The main dining room serves traditional gourmet fare, such as shrimp cocktail and beef tenderloin. The tavern, Seven Stone Steps, also serves dinner. House favorites are North Atlantic fish and chips and pan-seared salmon.
Lincklaen House
79 Albany Street
Cazenovia, New York 13035
315-655-3461
lincklaenhouse.com
"As close to a Scottish inn as you will find this far west of Edinburgh" is how the Brae Loch Inn advertises itself. The restaurant is filled with Scottish antiques and covered with tartan carpet. Its Sunday buffet is popular. There are more than 80 items to choose from, among them omelets made to order and carved meats. For more formal fare, the cozy dining room offers American cuisine with a French and Scottish flair. The restaurant also has music on Friday nights and a special Robert Burns night, honoring the poet.
Brae Loch Inn
5 Albany Street
Cazenovia, NY 13035
315-655-3431
braelochinn.com
