The Horned Dorset Inn Exceeds Expectations 07/07/2010
 We don't normally play favorites and do our own reviews on this website, but last night I had the chance to visit a landmark Madison County Restaurant and want to share our experience with you, so here it is, and who knows maybe this will become a regular addition to our site. Last night my wife and I had the opportunity to eat dinner at the legendary Horned Dorset Inn in Leonardsville, NY. For those of you who are unfamiliar with Leonardsville, it sits in the Unadilla River Valley along NY Route 8. It is about 20 miles south of Utica and 90 minutes south east of Syracuse. The Horned Dorset has been hosting diners celebrating the best of life since the late 1970’s and is a place that should be at the top of your list when it comes to your list of places to go in New York State. It was a celebration of 7 years of marriage for Lorrell and I and we decided we wanted to do something a little different, and since I had never had the chance to made it down to the Horned Dorset to see for myself what all the fuss was about, it was a perfect opportunity. I had spoken to the owner Kingsley Wratten many times about programs going on at Madison County Tourism, but we never seemed to be able to connect to meet in person so I could learn about the inn and restaurant. Boy I am glad we finally got together. The Inn has four rooms, and while we did not stay the night, I found myself thinking about the next time I want to “get out of town” and making the mental notes that this place would be fun to stay at. With two queen rooms downstairs in this Victorian home, and two suites upstairs, the inn has very nice accommodations for people traveling to Colgate University, Hamilton College, Cooperstown or points in between. Kingsley told us that he has plans to renovate several other homes in the vicinity and to be able to rent more rooms in the Leonardsville area. The restaurant is right next door to the inn and has been a labor of love for well over 33 years for Kingsley and his wife Roberta. When they found the property it was caving in, and like many historical buildings in Upstate NY it was real close to being a memory. First they replaced the roof, and then with a table saw and a lot of ingenuity they piece-by-piece put the place back together. The amazing thing about both the Inn and the restaurant is that many pieces inside come from historic mansions all over New York State that were facing the wrecking ball, sometimes immanently. Kingsley told us of the grand doors inside the dining rooms that were minutes from being destroyed when he convinced the demolition crew to go to lunch a little early so he and his wife could remove them and take them home. There is a lot of sweat equity in this place.  The Colgate Inn is moving forward with a renovation that will significantly improve and update the facility while preserving the historic character of the building. Construction is expected to begin in June and be completed in the summer of 2011. Over the years, the Inn’s public spaces have been improved, and this renovation is aimed at addressing the building’s infrastructure, guest rooms and food preparation facilities. As a result, the Inn will be brought up to modern standards with the goal of better serving current patrons, encouraging longer stays and attracting new guests. "We are excited about the improvements which the Inn will undergo this year,” said Ben Eberhardt, General Manager of the Colgate Inn. “This is a major step as we continue to strive for a better hospitality experience while maintaining the Inn as the front door for the college and the mixing pot for the community." Improvements to the Inn’s exterior will be focused on the corner of Madison and Payne Streets, where a new outdoor seating area will be connected to the Tap Room, which will be relocated to the space currently occupied by the dining room. Parking will be expanded and the important pathways behind the Inn property will be preserved. The kitchen facilities will be relocated and upgraded for more efficient service of the range of functions held at the Inn and all of the Inn’s guestrooms will be refinished. Overall, the first floor will offer more capacity for banquets and meetings. “The Inn renovation represents the Hamilton Initiative and Colgate University’s ongoing interest in investing in the Village of Hamilton in a variety of ways, including through the maintenance and improvement of the properties it owns,” said David Hale, Vice President for Finance and Administration at Colgate University. “The renovation plans represent a targeted investment to improve the visitor experience and encourage people to spend more time in our community. This renovation is expected to support the shared, ongoing vibrancy of Colgate and Hamilton.” This renovation will be the most significant Hamilton Initiative project undertaken in several years. Formed by Colgate in 2000, the Hamilton Initiative is a for-profit limited liability company with a focus on real estate and economic development in downtown Hamilton. Previously, the Hamilton Initiative supported the relocation of Colgate’s bookstore to the heart of the Village, the revitalization of the Hamilton Movie Theater, and an ongoing program to upgrade the facades of Village buildings, among other projects. The Colgate Inn was built in 1925, replacing the Park House hotel, which had stood on the same site for more than a century. As the project progresses, updates will be posted to the Colgate Inn website at www.colgateinn.com Don't Forget Mom on May 9th 04/26/2010
 Before you know it Mother's Day will be here. This year we honor Mom on May 9th and she will be expecting something special. Why go to the same old place in Utica or Syracuse for brunch or dinner when Madison County has so many great restaurants to offer. Many of them will be offering special mother's day brunches or menus. We will detail the ones that we know about after the jump. So come along and plan your Mother's Day brunch right here in Madison County. Make Your Plans for the Annual Tilt a Kilt 03/12/2010
 Join the Brae Loch Inn in Cazenovia for stations of Scottish food featuring Haggis Purses, Baked Cheddar with Raspberry sauce, Poached Salmon, Lamb Carving Station, Steak Pie, Sticky Toffee Pudding and more! There will also be Live Celtic Music by Cassidy/McCale and Scotch Tasting. Advanced reservations are required by calling 315-655-3431. Cost is $30 per person. Even better, make it an escape and book your room at the Brae Loch and don't worry about driving home.  Long known as one of the best restaurants in CNY, the Brewster Inn, in Cazenovia has a take-out deal for you this St. Patrick's Day. For only $50 you can take home a traditional Irish dinner and enjoy it at your kitchen table. They meals include corned beef, new chef potatoes, braised cabbage, onions and carrots, stone ground mustard, stretch bread and Irish mint brownies. Call the inn at 315-655-9232 and place your order and it will be ready for pick-up at your convenience between 4 and 7 on the 17th. Dinner for 4 for $50 plus tax! Happy St. Patrick's Day from the Brewster Inn! As found this morning on the Madison County Courier website: Just because it’s winter doesn’t mean that Central New Yorkers can’t enjoy locally-produced foods. Meadowood Farms and Circa Restaurant of Cazenovia have organized a “Fourth Saturday” Winter Farmers’ Market. On Saturday Feb. 27, from 9 a.m. to noon, a group of local producers will gather at Circa Restaurant to sell their farm-raised products. Meadowood Farms will offer pasture-raised lamb and beef, wool blankets and sheepskins. They will be joined by several other local producers, including Ingallside Meadows Farm, selling pastured pork, beef, and eggs; Dutch Girl Cheese, selling artisan goat and cow’s milk cheeses; and Owen Tallman, selling gourmet mushrooms. In addition, Alambria Springs of Lebanon will share information about their Community Supported Agriculture program. Bee Tolman, manager of Meadowood Farms, explains that in past winters, her customers have had to come to the farm to pick up their lamb and beef. “They risked life and limb, leaving the tropics of Cazenovia and Manlius, to brave the blasts of frozen precipitation up here on the ridge,” Tolman said. “Now our customers can pick up their meat in a warm place, even relax and have a cup of Alicyn’s coffee if they’d like.” Furthermore, she says, it’s a nice environment for the farmers in the winter. “Winter can be isolating,” Tolman said. “Now we get to chat with one another. I talk to Daniel [of Ingallside Meadows] about his pasture management and visit with Renata about her experiences making incredible cheese.” Circa Restaurant’s chef and owner, Alicyn Hart, has long been a supporter of locally-produced food, Tolman said. All of the farmers at the Fourth Saturday market also supply her restaurant with menu ingredients. “I like hosting this market because it offers my customers and the larger community an opportunity to meet the farmers who grow our food,” Hart said. “It’s an extension of the farm-to-fork initiative that I’ve been part of for the last four years.” The Fourth Saturday Winter Farmers’ Market at Circa Restaurant will also be held Saturday, March 27 and Saturday, April 24, from 9 a.m. to noon. Circa Restaurant is located on Main Street by the traffic light in the center of Cazenovia. The farmers at this new market invite everyone to come and discover the variety of local farm products available, even in the depths of winter. Last Minute Valentines Day Ideas 02/11/2010
Let's face it, today is Thursday and you have not even thought about Valentine's Day this coming Sunday. Well you are in luck, because with it being on Sunday you have a chance to surprise your lover with the ultimate in romantic escapes. You have three opportunities to show them how much you appreciate how they have been there for you. So with that in mind, here are some last minute ideas and some great places for you to check out. Here is an opportunity to show how much you care on both Saturday and Sunday this weekend. The Brae Loch Inn in Cazenovia offers an overnight stay in one of their beautiful rooms, and brunch for two on Sunday morning all for only $150 to $175. Take the opportunity to enjoy a fine dinner at the Brae Loch Saturday night or explore one of the other fine restaurants like Circa, the Cazenovia Grill or the Brewster Inn, and wake up to one of the best brunches in Central New York at the Brae Loch. Also in Cazenovia you can step in to an era of Elegant Hospitality by booking an elegant escape at the Lincklaen House. For $200 you can book a room with a Jacuzzi and enjoy dinner for two with a bottle of house wine. That is a fine way to get in to the Valentine's Day spirit. You will have a wonderful escape when you take advantage of this outstanding special. Located just across from the Boxing Hall of Fame and at Exit 34 of the NYS Thruway, you will find Graziano's World Famous Inn. This February you can enjoy overnight accommodations in a deluxe room and dinner for two-cappellini and meatballs, salad + garlic bread, with 2 glasses of Tony’s Special Chianti. When you call them ask about their Jacuzzi Suite for a really special evening. Maybe your idea of romance includes hitting the slopes. Don't forget that the skiing is great right now at Toggenburg Ski Area in Fabius, and we have many Stay and Ski deals for you to choose from. These are just some of the specials available this month in Madison County . Visit the website for more information and a full list of places to stay and visit in Madison County. The fourth and final installment of the Tastes of New York State features Madison County once again. This webisode shows off winter activities across that state and at the 5:42 mark of the video Madison County is featured. They visited Critz Farms, Nelson Farms, the village of Hamilton and had dinner at the Copper Turret. Check it out! Local Food and Wine Dinner - Saturday August 22, 2009 5:30pm Hors D, 6:30pm Dinner Hors D’ Oeuvres Cheeses and Vegetables Crudités Onion, Fennel and Cheddar Tarts Pork and Scallion Meatballs with Soy Sauce Fresh Tomato and Mozzarella Crostini Mashed Potato Cakes with Bacon and Tomato Chutney paired with Pleasant Valley Brut N.V. Dinner First Course Zucchini Wrapped Scallop with Grilled Elder Oyster Mushrooms, Greens and a White Wine Beurre Blanc paired with Lamoreaux Landing Chardonnay Second Course Grilled Vegetable Gazpacho with Cucumber and Cilantro paired with Salmon Run Pinot Grigio Third Course Grilled Pork Tenderloin with a Corn and Radish Salad paired with Hosmer Riesling Fourth Course Red Wine Braised Short Ribs Topped with a Currant Demi-Glaze, Served with Sheep’s Cheese Stuffed Tomato and Roasted Garlic Scapes paired with Wagner Cabernet Franc Fifth Course Black Berry Crème Brulee paired with Heron Hill Late Harvest Vidal $50.00 per Person, Gratuities and Taxes Not Included. Reservations Required Local vendors include: Jewett’s Cheese House, Common Thread Community Farm, Mosher Farm, Alambria Springs Farm, Maple Ave Farms, Ingallside Meadow Farm, Meadowood, Evans Farmhouse Creamery, Brick Farm and the Imaginary Farms Colgate Inn, One Payne Street Hamilton, NY 13346 Phone: (315) 824-2300 Blue BBQ in Chittenango Opens Dining Room 07/23/2009
It seems like it has been a long time coming, but Blue BBQ has finally opened its dining room on Genesee St. in Chittenango. The restaurant had been open for about 18 months with food in the bar area and an outstanding selection of liquor and beer. Now with the addition of the dining room, chef and owner Bob Enick rolls out a new menu which looks fabulous. There is standard BBQ fare, all of it smoked on site, and a great selection of steaks. Not that you needed a reason to go out this weekend, but if you did, use this grand opening as your reason and give it a try. 
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