Need help with Utica dining....

[CTeater]

Looking for the entire range of dining options, from diners to "white table cloth" experiences. So far, have eaten in Perugia (in Clinton) a couple of times, but would like to find a handful of other options. No restrictions on type of food, establishment, etc. Breakfast, lunch, diner, snacks, etc. Just looking for the best options. Will gladly trade lower Fairfield County/northern Westchester tips. Thanks

[Mike in Rhinebeck]

having eaten once at Perugia (which my family and I felt was pretentious and overpriced), I understand your search for other options. our favorite Utica restaurant is Joeys Restaurant on Mohawk Street, a small, family-run, neighborhood red-sauce Italian place open for lunch and dinner. Portions are large (but not overly so) and prices are very reasonable (see their web site at www.joeysrestaurant.com). they serve both home-made pasta ( we tend to favor the "hats", which are a orecchiette-like pasta), but also have enjoyed all their dishes - especially the chicken riggies, Italian greens, and the seafood) and usually they offer several specials (including tripe on Saturdays).

[CTeater]

Thanks for the reply. Also looking for pastry shops, local specialties (besides riggies), etc.

[Mike in Rhinebeck]

a reasonably priced pastry shop that bakes traditional Italian pastries is La Florentine - which is on Bleecker St just a few blocks north of Joeys

[CTeater]

Thanks. I saw that Bruce Bilmes and Sue Boyle also recommended Florentine's on the Roadfood site.

[jspear]

went to school in utica, leave town for food.....

[Pinnacle]

Eat at the restaurant next door to the theater on Main Street. Best inventive meal in Utica. The name begins with an A (I seem to recall)

[CTeater]

Do you know which theater, and the type of food?

[riot grrrl]

a few favorites from a college student in the area:

Minar - an Indian restaurant with a great buffet, their chicken tikka masala and mango lassis are the stuff of legend on campus.

The Phoenician - Lebanese cuisine. I especially love their tabbouleh.

A fun place in Vernon (a little ways away) is The Only Cafe; it's tiny, and the menu changes every day based on what the owner has in his kitchen. Really good gourmet pizza and sweet potato burritos.

[VFresser]

I have cousins who live south of Utica -- whenever we visit them we go to Piggy Pat's BBQ which is described as being located in a suburb of Utica. I remember the restaurant as serving tasty, resonable food -- and having darn few other choices around. That's the extent of my knowledge!

[CTeater]

Thank you, both.