193031 Tue Dec 11 13:00:19 -0800 2001 10 18 Manhattan 0 1030351 (Thought I'd post to where there's the best chance of scoring a bite ...) Driving up to a B&B in Skaneateles. Probably driving up the Eastern Shore of Lake Seneca - want to visit a few wineries and stock up on any found goodies. I don't want to waste time at a dud. Any suggestions very much appreciated. Any dinner ideas in/near Skaneateles? Couldn't find much on a Chow-search. Thanks so much in advance, -UD Tue Dec 11 13:00:19 -0800 2001 0 Uncledave 1 1030383 Dear Uncle, I follow this scene closely and was even foolish enough to work the 2000 harvest and crush at an E. shore Seneca winery. What type of wines do you like? Because of the cool climate, the FL whites are superior to the reds, especially riesling. Some spots on the E. side of Seneca are warm enough to ripen decent red vinifera; check out the cabernet francs. Pick up a map from one of the wineries when you get in the area, but most are on or near Rt. 414 and signposted. Here are my suggestions, from south to north: Atwater Estate: new owner working with the vines planted by a previous, not as serious owner. Some good wines now, should get better in years to come. Red Newt: Dave Whiting is a talented winemaker who recently started his own place. Some good wines at rather highish prices, sell out quickly. One of the few decent places along 414 to eat. Standing Stone: One of the strongest all-around lineups. My favorites are the consistently good gewurztraminer and some of the red bordeaux varieties. Silver Thread: Organic vinifera grapes and minimalist winemaking produce some interesting wines here. Maybe the best Pinot Noir on this stretch of the road. Tiny and only open on weekends. Lamoreaux Landing: A lovely building and another generally strong line-up. New Land: almost to Geneva, so it is off the beaten path. Another tiny, minimalist place where the reds are generally better than the whites. Hope this helps. Can you post your impressions when you return? Cheers, Joe Moryl Tue Dec 11 21:06:21 -0800 2001 1030351 0 Joe Moryl 2 1030406 I was just up in the region during foliage season and have to say that I thoroughly enjoyed Atwater. It was very pretty; our server was wounderful; the wines were quite special. I also liked Wagner - particularly the reisling. There is one place I'd absolutely avoid. It is called Hazlitt. They are famous for something called "Red Cat" and the "rustic farm" decor. The wine there is not at all sophisticated (a lot of mixes); Red Cat is like 6$ a bottle. It is a good place for all the kids from Hobart College who want to say they know or like wine. I'd stay away. Wed Dec 12 10:19:38 -0800 2001 1030383 0 New to the suburbs 3 1030422 You may be surprised to find out that the owner/winemaker at Atwater is Phil Hazlitt, who was the winemaker at his parents place (Hazlitt) when it first started. Phil is a very cordial guy and has some ambitious plans for his place; look for even better wines when he is finally able to put his stamp on things. As to Hazlett, they are in the "wine is fun" camp and it is not a place for wine snobs. Some of their wines made from Bordeaux varieties have been quite good in recent vintages, however. Another branch of the family runs Saw Mill Creek Vineyards, which are growers that supply grapes to many of the better producers in the area. I disagree with your opinion of Wagner - to me most of the wines are thin and poorly balanced. Cheers, Joe Moryl Wed Dec 12 14:42:29 -0800 2001 1030406 0 Joe Moryl 2 1030572 I've had the Standing Stone riesling recently and thought it quite good for the price. I'll look forward to trying the gewurztraminer, if I can find it. I'm wondering -- how are the Glenora wines these days? Sun Dec 16 17:16:40 -0800 2001 1030383 0 Simon Gruber 3 1030578 Simon, Glad you liked the SS Riesling. I would say that Glenora tends towards the more commercial end of the market, with better whites than reds. The 2000 dry riesling is a good value (I have seen it as low as $6) and they have a Vintner's Select riesling (single vineyard, hand picked, etc.) that is very good. Some of their sparkling wines are also good for the price. One nasty practice that they have is using California grapes for some of their reds (e.g. Cabernet Sauv.); these bear the appelation "Lodi", which is by coincidence a town on Seneca Lake! Cheers, Joe Moryl Sun Dec 16 22:08:11 -0800 2001 1030572 0 Joe Moryl 3 1030580 Standing Stone isn't bad -- I particularly enjoyed a quaff to accompany the Heuriger viennese picnic fare when Dano operated a summertime-only restaurant there. (Alas, it's no more). I've yet to have a Finger Lake red that I can tolerate, but there are some exceptional whites. Highest on my list are the rieslings of Herman Wiemer. If you enjoy dessert wines, his late harvest and ice wines (in those those years when they are available) are superb. Link: http://www.wiemer.com/ Mon Dec 17 00:37:52 -0800 2001 1030572 0 Bob Libkind 1 1030428 Dinner in Skaneateles? Hmmm...if my memory serves me - and this is going back MANY MANY years ago, my family ate at a place called 'Krebs' that was apparently quite well-known. Don't know if it is still there - or what they serve - or the quality - but it was "famous" at the time. We were told to order the Lobster Newburgh (sp?). AGAIN - this was maaaaaany moons ago. I was barely more than a ChowPup. But I STILL remember the Lobster Newburgh. :-) Wed Dec 12 16:16:56 -0800 2001 1030351 0 AliceJ 2 1030581 Krebs is still there. Pedestrian food, but lots of it, served family style (except, I believe, in the upstairs lounge). I took my midwestern in-laws there and they were impressed. I was not. I second the vote for Doug's Fish Fry! Mon Dec 17 00:40:38 -0800 2001 1030428 0 Bob Libkind 1 1030513 While spending 4 years at Cornell in Ithaca, NY, I made several day trips to Skaneateles. Here are my suggestions: Rosalie's Cucina -- authentic Italian, I remember having pasta w/ chicken, peas and pancetta, and a chocolate cake that was very good. They also bake their own breads which are delicious. Doug's Fish Fry -- Doug is the Fish Fry King of Central NY. Fish Fry, Fries, washed down with a chocolate shake...yum! Link: http://www.skaneateles.com/rosalies/ Fri Dec 14 13:12:33 -0800 2001 1030351 0 Amanda 1 1030582 See my comments about wineries and Krebs below. For more details on Finger Lakes area restaurants, I'd suggest visitng the Mid-Atlantic message board (Mid-Atlantic sub-board) and search for "Ithaca" or "Finger Lakes". Lotsa recommendations there. Mon Dec 17 00:43:56 -0800 2001 1030351 0 Bob Libkind