Food, Drink & Fun
Georgio's Village Cafe
Georgio's Village Cafe is our favorite Italian restaurant in the area. If you want some of the best Chicken Riggies and Utica Greens around, Georgio's should be at the top of your list. It's right down the street from our home, so we go here often. They don't take reservations, but if there's a wait, you can grab a drink at the bar to kill some time. Insider Tip: Go easy on the Stoli Dolis, they hit fast!
Utica Coffee Roasting Company
Utica Coffee has EXPLODED across Central New York. It's a great coffee shop right in downtown, within walking distance of both hotels. Their extra-caffeinated Wake the Hell Up brew will be exactly what you need after a late night of fun with friends.
Zeina's Cafe
In addition to excellent Italian food, Utica is also well-known for its fantastic Middle Eastern cuisine thanks to the large Lebanese-American population that calls the city home. This family-owned restaurant in downtown Utica is truly one of the best. Excellent falafel and fantastic gyros. Daniel's all-time favorite is the Lebanese loaded fries (are we surprised?).
Ancora!
Ancora! is another one of our favorite Italian restaurants, and it's located downtown within a five minute walk from both of the hotels. You can't go wrong with their Chicken Riggies or Chicken Francaise, and the Bananas Foster crepe is a must. Reservations aren't required, but may be a good idea!
The Tailor and the Cook
For an extremely fine dining experience, look no further than the Tailor and the Cook. This creative and wonderful farm-to-table restaurant is conveniently located right downtown. It has been named one of the Top 100 Restaurants in America as well as the Top 100 Most Romantic Restaurants in America. Reservations definitely recommended.
Ocean Blue Restaurant & Oyster Bar
Conveniently located across the street from both hotels, Ocean Blue offers a range of American fare with great views of the city. We'll be holding our Welcome Reception here, but it's also a solid option if you want to grab dinner or lunch. It's also a great place for a drink.
Gift Shop @ Saranac Brewing Co
The F.X. Matt Brewing Company is a family-owned brewery in Utica. It's the fourth oldest family-owned brewery in the country, and has been brewing beer since 1888! They've brewed Utica Club right here in the city for generations. This pilsener-lager is a staple at bars and restaurants across the region. We recommend you stop by the brewery gift shop for some merchandise, then visit their newly renovated 1888 Tavern to taste the goods. Depending on the time and weather, you may even be able to stop by their new Biergarten.
Five Points Public House
Utica is home to a large Irish immigrant population, who've left their mark in countless ways across the city. The Five Points Pub downtown sits at the five-point intersection of three streets in the heart of Utica's historic brewery district. It's one of our favorite spots - a great atmosphere and good crowd make it the perfect place to grab a drink. One whiskey on the rocks, please.
Florentine Pastry Shop
Florentine's is a local institution - an ode to Utica's storied history as a hub of Italian immigrants, culture, and cuisine. Located in what once was the city's large and bustling Italian neighborhood, this bakery has been churning out delicious Italian pastries since 1928. Nick recommends the pusties (vanilla or chocolate) and Daniel recommends the sfogliatelle (aka Lobster Tail). We both recommend you drive there. If you're up for it, Florentine's main competitor, Carusos, is only a few storefronts down the street and is equally tasty and historic.