Category: Food & Restaurants

Hard ciders are in for sweet times in the Finger Lakes

Nov. 16, 2016

Sometimes you go to a bar or restaurant for a drinkand try something new and wonder, where did that come from? That happened to me recently when I was at Lake Drum Brewing in Geneva, trying a flight of hard ciders from the region. One in particular stood out. It was a pleasantly spicy and alluring ginger cider, sweet but not cloying, and it tasted great with the popcorn I was eating. I could imagine it tasting even better with some Chinese food. I was thrilled when I discovered that the producer, Star Cider, is just a few miles away in Clifton Springs…

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Bake like a Finger Lakes local with a grape pie recipe from Naples, NY

Oct. 06, 2016

With purple fire hydrants dotting the downtown streets and vineyards defining its hills and valley, the village of Naples takes its grapes, and grape pies, very seriously. These inky purple pies are the unofficial mascot of the community, sold at roadside stands and at farm markets during harvest season and at small retail shops throughout the year. There's even a local pizzeria that has a grape pie pizza on its dessert menu…

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Thanks for asking: Where to find fresh cabbage and cauliflower in the Finger Lakes

Sep. 17, 2015

A Pennsylvania traveler called the office yesterday, pining for the delicious cabbage and cauliflower purchased here years ago when visiting the Finger Lakes. The caller is returning to our area next week and wanted to know where more cabbage and cauliflower could be purchased…

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The Finger Lakes farm-to-supermarket connection

Aug. 15, 2015

There are not many parts of the country where the local supermarket is a tourism destination, but a lot of us Finger Lakes lifers bring our out-of-town guests and family members to Wegmans Food Markets, an award-winning supermarket chain with deep roots in the Rochester and Finger Lakes region. Staff is exceedingly friendly and helpful. The produce department always looks ready for a Martha Stewart photo shoot. And in the Canandaigua store where I shop most frequently, there is a burger bar, sushi counter, coffee kiosk and an outdoor patio where I can eat all the food I'm too lazy to cook myself…

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Sauerkraut beer makes debut at Phelps Sauerkraut Weekend

Jul. 28, 2015

When you open up a craft brewery in the sauerkraut capital of the world, at some point, the local sauerkraut cheerleading squad will come knocking at your door. That is exactly what happened to Mike Darling last year, just two weeks before the annual Phelps Sauerkraut Weekend. This year's festival of fermented cabbage runs Friday, July 31 through Sunday, Aug. 2 in various locations in downtown Phelps. Mike is the head brewmaster, keg washer and CMO (Chief Mop Operator) of Crafty Ales & Lagers, a nano-brewery that opened in 2013…

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A Taste of Finger Lakes -- or actually several (delicious!) tastes

Dec. 15, 2014

I had my list. Ten must-visit attractions. And six hours to see them. Piece of cake, right?   It sure helps to know a local. My friend NYLaurie, who calls me AZLaurie, plotted an impressive route. Starting at Simply Crepes in Canandaigua, where three of us ordered three crepes and divided each into thirds, was a smart move…

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Six ways to keep warm in the Finger Lakes

Dec. 09, 2014

Brr… that’s right - it’s that time of year when you find every way possible to keep warm. As Nat King Cole puts it “Baby it’s cold outside.” So kick back and relax while enjoying your favorite glass of a warm Finger Lakes something. Maybe it’s a cup coffee from Finger Lakes Coffee Roasters or mulled wine from White Springs Winery.   Here are some more of my favorite Finger Lakes “goods” and tips to keep warm this winter…

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The 4 Hour Finger Lakes Experience – Yes It’s Possible!

Sep. 19, 2014

A few weeks ago my wife asks me, “Let’s spend the day down in Naples and do something fun?” I replied, “Sounds like a plan!” Having a 7 month old and in the midst of remodeling our kitchen - time poverty was high in the “Lee” household.  The next challenge, secure a babysitter. Success! We found a babysitter and had 4 hours to experience Naples! We know that isn't enough time but off we went. I planned a quick itinerary in my head that started us out in South Bristol and finished in the heart of Naples.  To my surprise, the majority of these upcoming stops my wife had never experienced before and that was about to change…

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Fresh and local in the Finger Lakes: Shopping the roadside stands

Jun. 21, 2013

The Finger Lakes are home to many small, close-knit communities, the fabric of which is made from the people who inhabit them, yes, but also the small businesses that bring unique offerings to the area. Here at the Finger Lakes Visitors Connection, we are so happy to celebrate those small businesses…

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The Finger Lakes: Open to Organic!

Apr. 24, 2013

We are so lucky to live, work, and play in the Finger Lakes. We have abundant water resources…

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