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Food Lab

4.3 (63 reviews)
Open • 11:00 am - 10:00 pm
Updated 3 months ago

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nori steak taco box
Chelsea M.

The menu and food were trying to be fancy and creative and sounded great, and it's certainly priced that way, but everything was way off balance and/or missing ingredients. Everything was way too salty, rich, and had no freshness nor acidity for relief. The Nori Steak Taco Box was INSANELY salty, and I didn't see nor taste nori on the steak. Two of the components (rice cake and prawns) were almost exactly like the prawn appetizer, so it felt redundant. The soup of the day, pepper and tomato seemed like pasta sauce adjusted to be called soup??; It was way too salty, rich, super THICK, and the portion size was huge. The dishes weren't timed well either. We sat with nothing for a long time, and then dishes came out really fast one after the other. We got the soup right at mains, so things were disjointed and plates didn't fit on the table. The service was also pretty slow. Staff were nice, but seemed like they were more hanging out chatting with the bar than tending tables.

Jennifer C.

I stopped in for lunch to catch up with a friend who recommended Food Lab as one of their favorite local spots. We arrived around 1:30 PM on a hot afternoon, and the restaurant was fairly quiet at that time. Sam, the staff member working, was incredibly friendly and welcoming. He let us choose our table, quickly brought over menus, and was helpful in walking us through both the food and drink options. I decided on the watermelon gazpacho special and a gimlet cocktail, while my friend went with the fish tacos and also opted for a gimlet. The space was inviting and thoughtfully decorated, with local artwork on the walls, racks of wine on display, and large garage-door windows at the front. I imagine those windows would be open to let in a breeze on cooler days, adding to the ambiance. We stayed for a couple of hours, enjoying the food and conversation, and Sam remained attentive without being intrusive--checking in to make sure we had everything we needed. Both dishes were fresh, flavorful, and well-seasoned. The gazpacho was especially refreshing given the heat outside. I'd definitely come back the next time I'm in Ithaca to explore more of the menu.

Blackened fish tostada with blacked cherry and pistachio sauce
Jesse W.

After reading rave reviews and browsing the menu, we decided to stop by Food Lab and give it a try. Unfortunately it did not start well with a long hair inside the bottle of water, hanging down the side. The waitress was kind to replace it. However, when we asked for a glass of ice and were brought the glass, it had a chunk of paper floating in the ice. We asked for a replacement of that glass and waited without it arriving. We had to flag down a second waitress to replace it.... and there was something black floating in that ice. We did not drink from that glass and gave up on replacements. When the food came out - Eventually - we found items in the meals that were not listed on the menu. Such as slivered onions in the Mac and Cheese. The blackened fish tostada was flavorless fish on store bought lettuce and store bought corn tortilla. The pistachio sauce was bitter and added little to the dish. The only highlight was the few halved blackened cherries. The wedge potatoes were haphazardly cut. Some were the usual "steak fry" size while other were a quarter of the potato. This lead them to be inconsistently cooked, with some being crispy and others being very starchy. The burgers were salty with the bacon and Parmesan crisps, and desperately needed tomato or some acid as a relief. When the waitress came to check on us after we'd eaten what we could, she provided a replacement for the Mac n cheese and took one of the burgers off of the bill. We do very much appreciate this gesture and thank her profusely. However the overall experience is what I am using to give this rating.

Creative drinks
Craig H.

We enjoyed a wonderful meal at Food Lab. Our go to place was closed Monday and we had watched Food Labs final constriction on our last visit. We were not disappointed. We went simple. My hamburger was as good a burger as I've ever eaten. Just the right combination of creativity from the caramelized onion to the Chrissy cheese. My wife's Mac and cheese was light and creamy with smoky bacon. Server was a bit stretched but good. My only complaint, while storing wine in display racks near the ceiling looks good, heat rises and the bottles get too warm. Need to find a better way.

Burger
Nabeel N.

Great ambience and good food and excellent service. Wife loved her chicken skewers, while my chili crisp gnocchi was a 3 out of 5. My son enjoyed his bacon Mac n' cheese and my daughter loved her burger! And I recommend the blackberry gimlet :)

Potato wedges
Nunki W.

Gosh where to start... I don't think I ever rated anyone 1 star, I don't think I ever went somewhere barely ate their food and spent good money for crappy food. Let's start from the beginning, hold on tight! Start with the drink. We just wanted water, it came in the bottle closed with the cork. Well... my friend's bf spotted hair stuck inside and out of the cork! GROSS!! Then we asked for ice, there was paper in the glass. Really??? We asked for new ice and the waiter never came back with it so we flagged someone else for it. When we got it, something black stuck in the ice. Sigh. Now, let's move to the food shall we... my friend ordered the mac n cheese nowhere in the menu it said onions but plenty of onion on it. We ordered the blackened fish tostada, it's black alright but that's it... so tasteless. I tried to put some salt on it but yeah no. The sauce was supposed to be pistachios sauce, all I can taste was bitterness as bitter as I am at this point. In the meantime my son's burger was super salty. So that was where all my salt on my fish goes! We also ordered potatoes wedges. It was wedges all I can say. They did try to do right. They comp my friend burger that equally crappy as my son's burger with soggy fries. Also made different food for my friend because the mishap with onions. Though according her the replacement food tasted like can tomato soup. Nevertheless we won't be back and won't recommend this to anyone.

Burger patty and avocado for our daughter

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1 year ago

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7 months ago

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10 months ago

our waitperson Genesis couldn't have been better. she. made our visit so enjoyable. one of best ever!

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7 months ago

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8 months ago

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1 year ago

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1 year ago

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10 months ago

Food was amazing / portions were huge! Great value.. our server Phill was on it and friendly.. 5 stars!

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11 months ago

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11 months ago

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9 months ago

Tried food lab for first time as I was passing thru Ithaca. Food was tasty and quick service. Special shout out to my server -philip.

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8 months ago

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10 months ago

Food is outstanding. It exceeded expectations. Huge burger. Terrific blackened whitefish. Waiter Phillip was great.

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1 year ago

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11 months ago

The food and service at the Food Lab was great! The ambience was chill. Definitely recommend and would come back!

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11 months ago

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1 year ago

The food was absolutely delicious. Really delicious. The service was excellent. I will definitely return.

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10 months ago

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10 months ago

Visiting Ithaca. Food was amazing! Loved Phillip, great service! Place was delightful.

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10 months ago

Great drinks! Nicely balanced and unique cocktails. Food is quite delicious with pretty big portions.

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6 months ago

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1 year ago

Chicken Cutlets were delicious. Great good, everything is good. Phillip the waiter is amazing!

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10 months ago

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Page 2 of 2

Ask the Community - Food Lab

Bar Argos - clarified lassi and queen bee

Bar Argos

4.0(95 reviews)
0.1 mi
•$$

The atmosphere is cozy and has a homey vibe. The staff is always pleasant. Get classic drinks are…read moregreat. Not a huge fan of there signature drinks.

I really enjoyed Bar Argos. My girlfriend and I wandered in right at 4 pm - opening time lol - and…read morewere immediately greeted by a woman who checked our IDs and handed us menus with quiet efficiency. The place was totally empty, which is to expected at that time. Bar Argos is definitely a vibe. Think: antique chic with a touch of eccentric elegance. Ornate chairs, old-school lamps, and fancy mismatched furniture are scattered throughout, making you feel like you've wandered into a vintage movie set where cocktails play a leading role. There are multiple rooms, including one with a long table and huge windows that let the light spill in dramatically. I was lowkey stunned by how pretty it all was. Girlfriend and I shared the Clarified Lassi ($13), which is under the "Delightfully Unusual" section of their cocktail spectrum - right in between "Colloquial" and "What?!" It was fruity, creamy, and weird in a cool, sophisticated way. My Hotelie friend later explained in the car (upon mention of the drink) that clarified cocktails use a process where milk is added to a mixed drink and then curdled on purpose. The curds trap impurities, and when you strain them out, you're left with a crystal-clear drink that still has the creamy mouthfeel. Definitely checks out with the Clarified Lassi that we drank... Overall, the experience felt like stepping into a fancy secret. 10/10 would come back, undoubtedly!!

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Bar Argos
Bar Argos - Whiskey sour and Clarified Lassi

Whiskey sour and Clarified Lassi

Bar Argos

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The Regent Lounge

The Regent Lounge

4.5(22 reviews)
0.8 mi
•$$

We stayed at the Statler Hotel for work and enjoyed dinner here both nights. Not pictured are all…read morethe appetizers we devoured (crab dip, chicken bites, sweet potato fries, and the fried polenta). I personally wasn't a fan of the fried polenta, but also did not try it with the sauce. The first night I tried their lavender lemonade (non alcoholic), which I thought was good, but fell in with the Lemon Tree cocktail the second night. Both nights I ordered the "burger of the month" which was a pesto burger. I added bacon and asked for a Caesar salad instead of fries. We ordered two of the chicken bites so the group could try both sauces, but since I'm not a fan of spicy, I only tried the honey truffle one and loved it. Our servers were very nice and patient (we were a group of about 10), and if I'm ever back in town, I'll be sure to try some of the other entrees!

The Regent Lounge is one of those hidden gems that never misses. The food is consistently…read moredelicious, the drinks are thoughtfully crafted, and the vibe strikes the perfect balance between relaxed and elevated -- whether you're out for date night or catching up with friends. What truly sets this place apart, though, is the staff. Lowell and Brooke are fantastic!!!Every time I visit, I'm met with genuine hospitality, great recommendations, and the kind of service that makes you want to come back again and again. It's one of my favorite spots in the area -- cozy, stylish, and always a good time.

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The Regent Lounge - Food menu

Food menu

The Regent Lounge - Lavender lemonade

Lavender lemonade

The Regent Lounge - "Burger of the month" pesto burger for November

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"Burger of the month" pesto burger for November

Level B - Fishbowls

Level B

2.6(17 reviews)
0.4 mi
•$

Level B is one of those places that feels like a fever dream -- in the best and worst ways. You go…read moredown into the basement, and suddenly, you're in a dimly lit, curtain-filled labyrinth of crowded dance floors, questionable life choices, and unexpectedly deep conversations in the bathroom line. The Good :) * Coat Check: A lifesaver in the winter. You walk in, shed your layers, and pretend you won't forget to pick it up later. * Photo Booth: If you don't take a chaotic, slightly blurry photo strip with your friends, did you even go? * Seating Area Behind Curtains: If you need a moment to recover from the dance floor (or escape an awkward interaction), this little tucked-away lounge is a solid spot. * Music: Hit or miss. Some nights you'll get bangers, other nights you'll be questioning the DJ's entire playlist. The Bad :( * No Apple Pay. A tragedy, honestly. I lose things easily, so forcing me to keep track of a physical card in a dark, crowded club is a recipe for disaster. It's 2025 -- let me tap my phone and move on with my night. * Bathroom Situation: Three stalls for an entire club's worth of people. Enough said. You will wait, and you will make bathroom-line friends out of necessity. Final Thoughts Level B is grimy, chaotic, and slightly unhinged -- which, in a way, is its charm. You don't go here expecting luxury; you go expecting a wild night and maybe a story to tell later. Still better than Hideaway though! 3/5.

Level B has some lovely interior design. Plush seating, lights that make your clothes look neon, a…read morewell-stocked bar, etc. People love to come on Wednesdays because it's fishbowl night, but the fishbowls are way too diluted. Management can also be a bit unfriendly and it's Russian roulette regarding if you're gonna get the brunt of it. Personally I like this place more than Moonies, but I feel like there's so much more that can be done with such a pretty basement venue.

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Level B - I got a fishbowl for the first time over the past summer. Even though there's sixteen shots of vodka in this thing, it's too watered down.

I got a fishbowl for the first time over the past summer. Even though there's sixteen shots of vodka in this thing, it's too watered down.

Level B - Saturday night, Ithaca style!

Saturday night, Ithaca style!

Level B - People

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People

Food Lab - wine_bars - Updated May 2026

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