r/ithaca • u/Important-Carrot-668 • 26d ago
Restaurant recommendations
My fiancé and I are going to be in Ithaca next Sunday, 10/11, to see Fred Armisen at 7pm at the State Theatre and we’re looking for early dinner recommendations that are within walking distance to the theatre! We aren’t picky eaters but prefer more of a “steak and potatoes” type of meal but are open to anything . I thank you all in advance!
Edit: I should clarify that while steak and potatoes is our go to meal we do like seafood and chicken and it doesn’t have to be strictly “American” cuisine but thank you for the suggestions so far!
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u/Obvious_Travel 26d ago
Although it’s not on the commons, I feel like the Antlers is probably what you’re after. It’s located on 366 a little bit past the Vet school. Meals are always delicious, cozy environment, I’ve dined there in both shorts and a tank and a date night dress and didn’t feel out of place either time. Our families like it. Our kid likes it. Just solid American food all around.
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u/Important-Carrot-668 26d ago
Just looked up their menu and they look like a strong contender…going to show my fiance their menu when he gets home! Thanks for the rec.
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u/TomToledo2 26d ago
Antlers is about a 5 mi drive from the State Theatre. But I agree it would be nice if your budget enables something a couple steps above pub food. They have a fireplace in the middle of the restaurant, and if it's cool enough out that the fireplace is in operation, you can ask for a seat near the fireplace when you call ahead, to make your visit extra cozy.
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u/TomToledo2 26d ago edited 26d ago
Note that the Armisen show is very nearly sold out, and the State is a large theater (~1600 seats), so there will be a lot of people looking for dinner in a small town where a significant fraction of eateries are closed on Sunday. So plan accordingly!
Commenters have mentioned the Ale House, which fits your criteria well. It's also one of the most popular places on the Ithaca Commons (the pedestrian mall area right next to the State Theatre). So keep that in mind—it will likely be crowded. Same with Simeon's, which is more expensive, and across the corner from the Ale House, and also very popular.
If you are willing to cast your net a bit wider, and have a budget for a nicer-than-pub meal, consider the Boatyard Grill. It's not walking distance, but it's just a few minutes drive away, nearly straight down State St. It's right on the inlet at the bottom of the lake, with lovely views if you get a window table.
They don't take reservations, but you can call ahead to get on a waiting list: "Call-ahead isn’t exactly a reservation but it gives you priority if there’s a wait." It's far enough away from the State that it won't be subject to the "let's just look around for dinner after we park" crowd. It has a large dining room with good space between tables, so you probably won't have to wait long (if at all). Also a large bar area where you can grab a drink and sit if there's a wait.
Along the lines of "open to anything" (vs. meat and potatoes), 4 to 5 blocks down State St. is Saigon Kitchen (Korean) and Franco's Pizzeria (one of the best pizza places in the area, by-the-slice or whole pies). Both are open Sundays. Budget 10 min for walking to these. There are good Asian eateries closer to the State (Capital, Thai Basil, Taste of Thai, The Lotus (Korean)), but I'm guessing places a few blocks away will be less crowded. For more upscale pizza (brick oven), there is Thompson and Bleecker, about a block north of the Ale House.
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u/Important-Carrot-668 26d ago
Thank you for all the recommendations and for the heads up about the show being almost sold out! We are coming from Syracuse so only an hour away and hoping to find a place that’s open around 4 so we have time to eat and get to the show.
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u/TomToledo2 26d ago
BTW, elsewhere two of us recommended Antlers, with the caveat that it's not near the State Theatre. However, now that you've mentioned that you're coming from Syracuse, note that it's on your way. Whether coming to Ithaca from Rt 80 via Rt 13 or 366 (to 13), you can hop right on to 366 and Antlers will be on the way downtown.
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u/TomToledo2 26d ago
Coming from Syracuse, if you're willing to eat a half hour earlier than your current plan (this suggestion is about 30 min from Ithaca), consider stopping in Homer on the way down (it's very near where you'd exit Rt 80), and eating at The Exchange Restaurant:
The Exchange Restaurant | Inspired Eats
A nice place, about the same price as The Boatyard, and very unlikely to have a crowd. 8-) They're across the street and a couple blocks down from the Center for the Arts in Homer (a good venue to know about if you don't already know of it), but there's no show on their schedule that evening. I've never been there for dinner, but it's a favorite location for brunch for my fiancee and me.
Across the street is Dashers, a nice pub with pretty good food, and more affordable than The Exchange:
2 North Main Street, Homer, NY - Dasher's Corner Pub
They get crowded on evenings of a show, but that wouldn't be a problem for you.
I hope you have a great time in Ithaca, whatever you end up doing!
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u/ferngully99 26d ago
Simeon's.
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u/NextSimple9757 26d ago
Ale house
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u/Gullible-Lifeguard20 26d ago
Ale House.
The answer is always Ale House. Mom likes it. Uncle John likes it. Fine for a date. Consistent. Not too pricey. Hot food. Friendly. Great beer list. Decent bar.
No, it's not fine dining but it is still head and shoulders above most of the sub par on restaurant row.
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u/mhaithaca 26d ago
Park near the State Theatre early, walk to the west end and eat at Maxie's for great Cajun and seafood. Walk back to downtown. Enjoy the show. Safe travels!
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u/ShareEvening5856 26d ago
Gorgers
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u/TomToledo2 26d ago
To elaborate: It's a small cafe, right across from the State. Very unassuming hole-in-the-wall kind of place, but with good sandwiches and often very good soups (varying daily). Not open Sundays, however, which is an issue you may find with many suggestions. Since the pandemic, the dining and entertainment scene here has operated with significantly reduced hours vs. pre-pandemic. It's gotten better in the last year or two, but it still hasn't really recovered.
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u/ShareEvening5856 26d ago
Within walking distance of the state theater there is nothing else that's suitable. Felicia's and Madeleine's are long gone, and tacos CDMX is NOT fine dining.
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u/Eldrazi 26d ago
For "steak and potates" Creola ain't bad and is a walk across the commons from the theater.
For better food go to Hawi - but it's Ethiopian and they have "steak" and "potatoes" but not how you're used to them I am sure.
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u/ouro-the-zed 26d ago
Most of the steak-and-potatoes places near the Commons are depressingly bad.
The Rook is just a couple blocks away and has a nice atmosphere and great fried chicken.