We miss our restaurants!

Is it finally time to get back to the “normal” world of eating out at restaurants? Let’s face it, the COVID-19 shutdown sucked in more ways than one. We miss our restaurants!

Many of us go to restaurants not just for the food, but for the overall EXPERIENCE! Our wonderful foodie world of going to restaurants to sit down and eat was put on hold many weeks ago. Our new “experience” has been the short interactions we’ve had during curbside pickup and delivery. Yes we understand why it must happen, but it’s just not the same!

Our local CNY restaurants have been putting in overtime to figure out how to stay open and come through with serving us the food we want! And now, things are looking up! More and more restaurants are preparing & opening during phase 3 and utilizing their outside space now more than ever. Some restaurants already have their open outside space, but others are filling their parking lots with picnic tables. Plus, some are trying out new routes with chicken BBQ’s and other once-a-week type of models. Let’s hope the CNY weather cooperates for a few weeks so we can properly enjoy the NEW “outside” experiences!

To all of our fellow foodies out there: let’s keep supporting our local restaurants with curbside pickup, delivery, and trying out their new eating spaces! Let’s look towards the future and hope the “normal” that we once knew will soon return!

La Pizzeria in Clark Mills

Pizza should just be it’s own food group by now, right? Add in some sides/appetizers and you have a full day’s worth of nutrients, right?

La Pizzeria can help fill in these food groups with their pizza, poppers, and stick! We’re fortunate to have restaurants still open for take out and delivery during this quarantine… so we took advantage and ordered a classic Large Cheese Pizza, Jalapeno Poppers, and Mozzarella Sticks for a great quarantine weekend dinner from La Pizzeria! Jalepeno Poppers don’t get as much attention as they deserve, so decided on trying them out and they were great! You can’t go wrong with Mozz Sticks and a cheese pizza, plus some dipping sauces as well. We ended with full bellies plus some leftovers and will certainly be back again to La Pizzeria in Clark Mills!

Tiny's Bar & Grill

We’re not sure if there's a better Reuben Sandwich in Utica. For that matter, we don’t think we’ve had a better Reuben Sandwich anywhere. It melts in your mouth. A mouth-watering amalgamation of corned beef, Swiss cheese, sauerkraut, and dressing. This sandwich makes Tiny's a must-stop destination for many on St. Patrick's Day and all year long. Also a big favorite at Tiny's is their fish fry which is always popular on Friday's and especially during Lent. Tiny's often will offer a variety of batters on their fish fry. We’ve had both beer battered and coconut battered fish fries and loved both. If the fish fry is too big try a mini-fry or a fish sandwich. Plus their burgers are delicious and cooked to order with that great flavor of the grill which is unmatched. I also had an excellent mushroom stew at Tiny's. Some people seem to love the Limburger Cheese sandwiches offered at Tiny's, and quite frankly we don't know anywhere else that you can get one anymore.

Babe's At Harbor Point

Recently we visited the newly re-branded Babe's At Harbor Point on a Saturday night and got the $9.99 Cheese Ravioli daily special and added on some meatballs. We were so hungry we took a few bites before we took this pic! It was fresh homemade cheese ravioli in a delicious marinara that came with warm bread and garlic butter, as well as a side salad. The meatballs were delicious too with some cheese on top. Babe's has great daily specials and has a huge bar where you can watch the game with a beverage, or instead enjoy a family meal in their refurbished dining area. We’ll definitely be coming back to Babe's At Harbor Point.

Bella Regina

Everyone loves the riggies at Bella Regina! Seems like they're winning a 'Best Riggies' award every year. And it's because they're consistently fantastic! I always ask for a 'hotter' blend and I like mushrooms. They tailor make the riggies to my liking! Bella Regina never makes them so hot that the other flavors are over-powered. The creaminess of the riggie sauce is outstanding and the chicken is always perfect. I've cleaned my plate 3 times there now and have two Bella Regina t-shirts to show for it. The third time I told them to keep the shirt for someone else and that I was more than happy with my riggies as it was. We’ve also had the chicken parm here and loved it! Their lunch sandwich menu is often overlooked because their all you can eat riggie buffet with soup and salad bar is so popular. But I love the 'Sinatra' which is a grilled chicken sandwich, with greens, peppers, and mozzarella. You can't go wrong with the riggies at Bella Regina, but don't be afraid to try something else!

Gerber's 1933 Tavern

Our favorite item on the menu at Gerber's is their roast beef sandwich which you can enjoy with fresh horseradish on the side. But seen here is a new favorite, their Italian Grilled Cheese Sandwich which is a blend of Italian cheeses. W'e’re not sure what they drizzled on top of it, but it tasted great and made for a great presentation. Gerber's doesn't always offer this sandwich, but the menu always offers a burger, a reuben, and salads for those wanting something lighter. Also seen here is something I tried that I wasn't sure about, but was more than pleasantly surprised that it too has become a favorite, their Carrot Coconut Sriracha Soup. Neither the coconut or Sriracha are overbearing. In fact they're combined perfectly so that you just get the right hint of both. Depending on the day Gerber's may have Beef Stew or their unique Dill Pickle Soup, but we always ask when the Carrot Coconut Sriracha Soup is coming back so we can plan our next visit.

Pellettieri Joe's

Seen here is a favorite at Joe's, the mushroom stew. You can order this over spaghetti or ziti, and your waitress will ask when you place your order. It's absolutely delicious! Not too mention the loaf of complimentary Italian bread they put on your table with your order. We ordered some meatballs, which you can get in sauce or fried. Plus I always love to get a plate of peppers. And depending on the day, I'll order sweet, longhots, or a plate of both!

A Utica Club always comes in handy with the heat of the longhots too. A Utica institution, Pellettieri Joe's is a must visit for foodies in the Mohawk Valley.

Woodland Farm Brewery

Woodland Farm Brewery is more known for the award-winning craft beers they've been brewing for 4 years now. But, in fact, they've got a pretty cool Dunder Mifflin-'The Office' themed menu with various offerings named after characters from the show. Seen here is 'The Kevin'. Tater tot waffles with melted local cheese curds topped with scallions and a choice of dipping sauces. If you like you can add...BACON! 'The Jim' is a steak panini. 'The Kelly' is a buffalo chicken wrap. The 'Dunder Mifflin' is their weekly special, and so on. This is a delicious menu that sometimes gets overlooked because their beer is so popular. And after all the beer is excellent. 'The Kevin' is SO good, we go back for it again and again!