Was hesitant with such mixed reviews. But overall glad we went. Service and ambiance were very nice. We started with the local bread with olive oil. Not the best bread I've ever had but pretty good. Also got the patatas bravas which for me was my favorite dish. Super flavorful. We got two dishes the Spring cavatelli and the moosewood burger. The burger was really good but the pasta is where I could see why some people threw around the word bland. I don't want to say it was bad, it just was very light and didn't have a rich flavor like most pasta dishes. We got the matcha panna cotta to go which was also pretty good. Overall I think it just depends on the dish you get but I was fully expecting straight up bland food based on other reviews but that wasn't the case. The cavatelli could use a little work though. Overall it was nice. read more

Food is okay. We tried the lasagna and strozzapretti- I wish the pastas were homemade, but at least they were prepared well. Al dente and good flavors. I would eat these again. We also tried the thai curry, burrata, peach salad. The peaches were not ripe, but the crunch was a nice textural component. Burrata and curry were fine. I wish the curry was spicier. I liked the thin ribbons of cucumber in the burrata dish though. Maybe I am being too harsh... I had rather high expectations coming into Moosewood, and the food wasn't bad per se, but nothing really wowed me. I would eat here again, but I wouldn't seek it out. read more

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I loved my lunch at Moosewood! I grew up learning to cook vegetarian meals with the Moosewood cookbooks, so I was excited to visit the legendary restaurant. I had an iced latte to drink that was really good and strong. Based on the server's recommendation, I had the Moosewood burger - a black bean burger with potatoes - on a gluten free bun. It was fantastic. I saw some people say the sauce and onions were too much, so I asked for no onions. The sauce, to me, was perfect and necessary to cut through the richness of the beans. I loved the vibes of the place and the shop they have is so cute! read more

Moosewood Restaurant - Moosewood Burger - New American Near Me - Ithaca, New York

Ambiance - great. Service - excellent. Food - awful. What HAPPENED? Moosewood used to be amazing. I'd tell anyone who would listen about the mushroom pasta. After last night, I will not go back. Not a single thing we ordered had any seasoning on it. The hummus, which used to be perfection, tasted like mealy grass. The new cavatelli on the menu had the flavor profile of jarred baby food. The burrata was the same consistency as a rubber handball. The broccoli cheddar soup was just sad. Honestly the only decent things we ate were the patatas bravas and the pita chips that came with the hummus. I truly have no idea what happened to this once culinary gem but it's truly unfortunate. read more

Such a warm and welcome restaurant. We were greeted and shown to our table and it felt like a lovely warm spot. We had a great server and he explained the menu to us. We shared the cheeseboard which was delicious. I had Moroccan stew and my husband had the black bean burger. Both were very good! My cocktail was also delicious. read more

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After 30 years of cooking recipes from their cookbooks I finally made it to the iconic vegetarian restaurant in downtown Ithaca. I was not disappointed! To start we shared a watermelon feta salad which was so fresh and delicious. Then for entrees we chose theThai curry and the vegetable pot pie. Both were outstanding. To top it off dessert was almond cake with fresh nectarines. The cocktails were slow coming out and two of them were wrong . But they were sent back and corrected. Candlelit tables were a nice touch to the space which was neutral with artwork lining the walls. So happy I finally got there. read more

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Went to Moosewood for the first time a year ago and found myself reminiscing today about how good it was. I have since bought 3 of their cookbooks and have yet to be disappointed!! Moosewood was one of the pioneers of inventive vegetarian cuisine for decades and they are still putting out delicious, comforting, quality, and healthy dishes for the world. My praise for this place and their work couldn't be higher, I only wish I lived closer! read more

Moosewood Restaurant - cheesy lemon bread crumb pasta (special) and the Moosewood burger - New American Near Me - Ithaca, New York

I heard about Moosewood when my SIL sent us a Moosewood postcard from Ithaca (you'll get one with your check at the end of your meal, check it out)- we got to check out the restaurant when we went to visit recently. If you're planning on going, make sure to make a reservation- when we walked in on a Friday night soon after opening, it was already pretty packed! We got lucky and got a table outside. Moosewood seems to be a vegetarian/vegan restaurant, but they did have a salmon special that evening so guess they do fish too? For Appetizers, our group of 4 shared the polenta cakes, the green pea hummus and the mushroom lentil pate. The hummus was served with crudités and some whole wheat pita- while delicious, the earthy flavors of the the whole wheat pita overpowered the green pea flavor of the hummus. My husband was raving about the polenta (it WAS really good)- crispy triangles of cornmeal goodness served in a tasty romesco sauce. For mains, my SIL and I got the lemon parmesan pasta topped with crispy leeks and breadcrumbs (one regular, one vegan)- the vegan version doesn't have the parmesan so didn't have the creaminess factor but was still delicious. SIL's partner got the Thai red curry (which I was eyeing too!)- topped with lots of vibrant veggies, it looked just as good as it tasted it seems! My husband got the black bean burger with sharp Cheddar and he happily finished off his plate. Make sure to leave room for dessert- we shared the vegan chocolate cake and seasonal panna cotta (matcha flavor)- perfect way to end a really good meal. Our server was attentive and kept checking in on us- she had a full patio but she kept it moving! Definitely recommend if you're visiting! read more

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Came here for a Sunday date with my girlfriend. I had a cold. She was starting to get one. So basically, we were two humans in slow health decline... but Moosewood was our safe haven. We split the black bean burger and red curry -- both were great. The burger was cozy and satisfying, and the potatoes were hearty. The red curry was veggie-packed, gently spicy. The honey lemon tea was actually magical. It soothed my sore throat and my soul. This place is basically a wellness retreat disguised as a restaurant. Perfect for when you're in love and low-key falling apart. PS: We did see a centipede. Not part of the meal, thankfully. Just a little forest creature making its guest appearance. Honestly kind of on brand for the crunchy nature-core aesthetic. read more

The first time I came to Ithaca was specifically to eat at Moosewood!! Somehow fate brought me to live here many years later, and I have come to Moosewood on occasion over the years. What can I say? A lot of the dishes on the menu, which changes daily, you may recognize from your various cookbooks. Sometimes it seems like, "Ph, I could've, and have, made this at home..." Other times it's wonderfully comforting. The portions are never too large, but they're always just right. The cocktails and wine list are wonderful, and if you sit next to a window or on the terrace on a beautiful day, your experience can be memorable. (Of course it's overpriced!) I really like the service. You get the sense that some of these folks have been here for a while, and they know what they're doing. They don't need to try very hard, being a pilgrimage site. In some ways, that's a disadvantage. read more

Moosewood Restaurant - The view from the table on a lovely, fresh spring day. - New American Near Me - Ithaca, New York

Had the most fantastic lunch experience at Moosewood! Thank you to the staff for being so family friendly. My husband and I could enjoy the beautiful and elegant atmosphere while our kids colored with crayons presented to us when we first sat down. There is a kids menu that includes delicious sparkling lemonade. Their alcohol menu is also fantastic. The food really blew us away, everything was delicious. The sourdough bread with smoked butter, green pea hummus, black bean burger, Moroccan stew and the Thai curry. All around wonderful! So glad we stopped here in Ithaca. read more

Moosewood Restaurant - New American Near Me - Ithaca, New York

The vegetarian mother lode! I'm Not a vegan or on any restricted diet. So many great options I wasn't sure what to order because everything was tempting. I started with the Mexican Street Corn hummus---total foodgasm. Creamy texture with the crunch of the corn, the cilantro and the lime flavors adding to the symphony of flavor with great tortillas to mop it up. The burrata was super creamy and mild on a bed of zucchini, yellow squash, greens and a great balsamic vinegar splash. For desert I got the vanilla panda cotta (without fruit as I don't like sour cherry). Nice vanilla flavor and texture. Prompt service. A little noisy but the food is so good. My one complaint---I wanted to try many things but I can't eat it all! read more

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We recently (4/15/2026) dined at the Moosewood. I selected the Mushroom Tart as my entree. The word that best describes the entree is abysmal. Dry, tasteless and chewy. The meal tasted like it was reheated. I've dined at the Moosewood in the past and I have never been as disappointed. read more

1/4 of the menu is food, the rest us booze. What is available for dinner are five vegetarian entrees, all increasingly less appetizing. The black bean burger would be okay if it weren't covered in a slimy combination of raw onions and mustard. I'm thankful for the two people it took to figure out where to seat us in an empty restaurant. Cheerful service when a server who wasn't ours finally got around to taking our order because they noticed we had been sitting in an empty restaurant at a crammed three top in the corner. The ambience was nice, lots to look at in between bites of slimy mush. I think my wife got four pieces of tofu in her entree. Nope. read more

Loved lunch today! Sunflower Cesar salad dressing was amazing! The salmon bowl was so tasty. And the soup of the day was delightful. The servers were so sweet and attentive. We had a fun and tasty lunch! read more

Another reviewer said it well - Moosewood feels like fancy home cooking in a lovely setting. Almost every dish had an amazing element - the pita in the hummus appetizer was pillowy but had a crispy outside, the tofu on the salad was baked perfectly, and the date chutney on the Moroccan stew was otherworldly. Other elements felt less refined, like the crudités with the hummus or the level of dressing in the salad, but overall still solid dishes. Then came the brownie.... Wow, what a brownie! Elevated flavor, fudgy yet crumbly, nice balance between sweet and salty. Just amazing - one of the best brownies I've ever had! The local vanilla ice cream was a perfect accompaniment. If you are looking for a seat on the patio, I suggest coming after 8 as many spots opened up then. If you are wondering, the patio was waterproof (it poured while we were there). Service was friendly but was a teeny bit slow because the restaurant was so busy but sped up as the evening went on. I would definitely recommend checking out this institution on your next trip to the area. read more

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I was hesitant about this place as I find a lot of vegan restaurants to either be overpriced, or lacking in quality. But Moosewood was a great experience that served quality at a fair price. I got the bean stew, and you wouldn't even knew it was vegan, had a bit of heat as well. Gorgeous outdoor seating area, and outstanding service as well. I recommend this restaurant for everyone, vegans and meat eaters a like! read more

Moosewood Restaurant - New American Near Me - Ithaca, New York

Went with my daughter for dinner. Host was nice and attentive. Geneva, the server was just lovely with all steps of service. Food was good. Lovely experience. read more

Would be a five but the Moosewood salad was weak. Dressing was benign, needed salt and pepper, and there were a few pieces of browning lettuce that is off-putting. Server was very patient and helpful. She gets a 10. Entrees were creative and delicious. Veg lasagna and the Moraccan chickpea stew. We enjoyed our meal and we love our well used two cookbooks. read more

Moosewood Restaurant - Moroccan chickpea stew. - New American Near Me - Ithaca, New York

I try to go to Moosewood every time I visit Ithaca. Menu items have a unique way of feeling both like a home-cooked meal and fine dining. Its ingredients are always fresh and unique, packing a lot of flavor through the use of native ingredients. The ambiance is very relaxing and the service is great. As an iconic and historic vegetarian restaurant, it is worth trying at least once! Who knows, you probably wont even miss the meat. read more

Moosewood Restaurant - Moroccan Chickpea Stew - New American Near Me - Ithaca, New York

Moosewood Cafe is one of the oldest vegetarian restaurants in the country and with the quality of the food, it's not hard to see why. Known for their cookbooks as much as the restaurant, the "farm to table" menu sources from local dairies and farms for simple but tasty fare. We made a lunch reservation in the sunny dining room on a Saturday afternoon. We split a cheese board and a salad, while each of us got a soup (vegan split lea and creamy red pepper bisque). The split pea was a little heavy on cumin but tasty, while the bisque had a deep, rich flavour. The salad was bright and colorful: mixed greens, shaved beets, red onion, carrots, and pumpkin seeds in a lemon tahini dressing. The star of the meal was the cheese board: crackers, almonds, honey, and pickled vegetables with three cheeses: a camembert, a smoked gouda, and a truffle ewe cheese. The camembert was the best of the three, creamy and just enough of a mushroom funk, though the subtle smokiness of the gouda and the subtle tang of the ewe cheese were great as well read more

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The food was amazing. The atmosphere was wonderful and the service was great. We ordered a few items to share and then each had an entrée. read more

I'm not vegetarian but this place was amazing! I was worried because some of the reviews are a little iffy but I loved the food and the ambiance. The Thai curry was delicious and I would get it again! My friend loved the pot pie as well! No complaints at all! read more

Moosewood Restaurant - Pot pie - New American Near Me - Ithaca, New York

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People all over the world have heard of Moosewood. And they travel all the way to Ithaca to try it. The restaurant brought the idea of fresh and healthy vegetarian meals to households everywhere. In the 1970s and 80s I was raised on recipes from the iconic book. (It's similar to Alice Waters' fresh-food movement of the late twentieth century.) The restaurant was owned for decades by the staff who ran it, but has recently changed its structure and is now run by one former owner, I'm told. I worked here during college and ate my way through every item on the menu multiple times over. The food is delicious, and there is now a bar section as well as an outdoor patio. The juice bar has been moved or removed. Definitely make reservations if you can. The five of us loved our meals, even though not all were vegetarians. read more

We had lunch at Moosewood in August 2025 after at least ten years since our last visit. We were *very* pleased with the food: Excellent, flavorful and just the right sized portions. I'll come back more often. (My only complaint is that we ate outside (pleasant) and the waitress assigned to us did not speak loudly enough to be heard over the modest street noise.) read more

I love this place! The past few times I've been in Ithaca, my family and I have always been sure to come here. The setting and ambiance of the restaurant is relaxing and cozy. The food sometimes takes a little time, but it's not too long of a wait. Waiters are always kind and helpful. The Moosewood store is also a nice part of the restaurant to look around while you're waiting for your food. The food here is proof that vegetarian meals can be of quality, delicious, and filling! Dishes that have stood out to me are the beet humus, zucchini bisque, and vegetable lasagna. The beet humus is so tasty and unique. The pita triangles it comes with is also very good as well. The vegetable lasagna is delicious! It is a generous and filling portion of pasta, cheese, and veggies. The ricotta in it is the best I've had. I would recommend getting a side of bread with it, to dip in the tomato sauce and ricotta. The only complaint I would have is the Thai Curry dish. I would have liked it to be more filling and there could have been more rice, but otherwise it was still tasty. read more

Bucket list item for us. Moosewood did not disappoint! Wow. The flavors and combinations were amazing. We asked for a recipe that was new and not in their cookbook. The chef came out to our table with a printed and detailed recipe and talked us through the prep. So thoughtful. read more

Moosewood is still a great restaurant. Healthy food in a clean, simple environment. Vegetarian food is not just rabbit food and Moosewood has cookbooks for sale so you can duplicate your meals at home. This restaurant is a long time resident of Ithaca. read more

Moosewood Restaurant - New American Near Me - Ithaca, New York

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After struggling a bit to find vegan food in Ithaca that wasn't deep fried or overly salty, we were thrilled and grateful to find Moosewood Restaurant. They are not fully vegan but the majority of the menu is vegan or vegan-possible (and clearly labeled). We loved the macrobiotic/whole foods/plant-based approach glorifying local seasonal vegetables and legumes. We loved the green pea hummus (served with whole wheat pita!) and the mushroom lentil pate. The Moosewood salad with the addition of baked tofu was one of the highlights of the meal. The black bean burger with its housemade patty was delicious. It's served on a "vegan brioche bun" with Chao vegan cheddar and accompanied by delicious rosemary roasted potatoes and excellent housemade ketchup. We also loved the Moroccan chickpea stew which had such a diversity of different vegetables in it that I could hardly find any repeats. For dessert, they unfortunately had run out of the vegan apple crumble. We were also disappointed that they didn't offer a nonalcoholic kombucha option, especially with so many great local ones in the region (Redbyrd, Katboocha). The service was really excellent and accommodating throughout our meal and also when we asked to change the time of our reservation after arriving early. One of the other highlights of our visit was browsing the shop, which is full of their cookbooks as well as fun handmade items like wooden cutting boards and cloth napkins. Moosewood Restaurant is really a destination that shouldn't be missed if you're in Ithaca or anywhere nearby. read more

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I usually insist on having some meat in my meals but Moosewood completely changed that for me. I love that they make vegetables the star of the meal and you don't even notice there's no meat. The standout dish for me was the summer vegetable curry. It wasn't soupy like most Asian curries but had a curry flavor on the veggies. It was so flavorful and the rice was perfectly done. The bread was also so fluffy and was a perfect side to the lentil soup. We have one of their cookbooks and look forward to trying to recreate some of the dishes at home read more

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Moosewood has a beautiful setting -- the outdoor seating is truly lovely, and the cocktails are excellent. I especially enjoyed the stone fruit spritz, which was refreshing and well-balanced. That said, I was really disappointed by the food, which lacked flavor and creativity, especially given the restaurant's reputation. For the price point, I expected much more in terms of seasoning, texture, and overall taste. It felt like style over substance. I wanted to love it, and there are definitely bright spots, but I can't justify the cost for such underwhelming food. Hoping they revisit the menu soon, because the space and drinks deserve better pairings. read more

Moosewood seems closer to old-time earnest vegetarianism than the exclamation point-laden, Brooklyn gochujang jackfruit version. I reckon my review is incomplete since I haven't really sought out their curries and other more international-sounding efforts. Even if "Nettle" turned out to be part of a farm name rather than an ingredient, the cheese plate is still notable, with accompaniments that include sour cherry jam. Does it make me lowbrow that I wished the salad had tomato in it? The potato-fennel soup was compelling, and a surprise showstopper was the corn on the cob. Not a typo. Partly because I'm a city dweller who relates to that speech in "The Heartbreak Kid" about getting back to the land, but also because it had sumac. read more

Moosewood Restaurant - Cheese Plate - New American Near Me - Ithaca, New York

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Moosewood is a classic Ithaca dining experience for health conscious and vegetarians. I've been going there for many years and have always left satisfied. The interior feels cozy and warm. The staff has always been amazing and the food... the best in Ithaca. You can buy one of their cookbooks on the gift shop area along with other local gifts and food items. read more

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I will never forget how they ruined our Thanksgiving holiday. We were initially excited to purchase the "Vegan Feast" for our family, and I called weeks in advance. I was told I need to book through their "third party vendor" Resi, which is an American Express owned entity which harvests and sells personal data so that other corporates can spam you endlessly. It got worse from here. Turns out that Resi will not accept our $250.00 digital gift certificate and there's no other way to pay with the certificate bought and paid for. I emailed several times, called more than three times, and even went there in person to try to pay. I was told it's impossible to buy it this way, in other words their gift certificate would not be honored. After I called, wrote, and complained about this in person, I was told that their finance officer would be consulted. Finally, a week before the holiday, they told me I would be allowed to use the gift certificate and I gave the information over the phone, checking the amount to make sure all was covered. I was told it's all set and to pick up the food on the Wednesday before Thanksgiving between 3-6 PM. As I am in the car on the way there, at 4:00 PM I get a call from them saying there's a zero balance on my gift card, and I need to come up with a different form of payment. I never used the card and asked them to verify when the card had been used, to find out if perhaps the card was stolen, or something else. I was told, AGAIN, that the cards are handled through a "third party vendor" (no name given) and I would have to take it up with them, or talk to their lawyer. Mind you, this is on Wednesday before Thanksgiving at 4:15 PM. They acted like I was some kind of a crook trying to defraud them out of a dinner for 4 people, instead of a valued loyal customer. They didn't even try to help, claiming that they are not accountable, some other nameless, undisclosed faceless corporate entity handles their gift cards and was to blame and I need to go to them about it. In the end, they threw our food in the trash and I had to rush out and buy everything (with a sick kid in tow) and at the last minute cook an entire family dinner, exactly what I was trying to avoid by buying the prepared food. I've been going to Moosewood since they opened (yes, I am that old) and I can tell you that like the legendary Cabbagetown on Eddy Street, the Moosewood of old no longer exists. Food is unexceptional, it's cheap ingredients prepared by untalented people, arrogantly served in a mediocre atmosphere, and at fine-dining prices. They could never survive in a bigger metro area and only survive here because of their cookbooks, which are fine, and the parcity of restaurant offerings. The worst thing about this place is their total lack of accountability, relying on third parties owned by behemoths like American Express who harvest and sell our date. God only knows which hrrific bank handles their gift cards. It's a total Uberization of everything that used to be personal. I spent my career in customer service and I know food; I can tell you what SHOULD have happened. What they should have done was to take ownership of the problem, and show a bit of understanding about the situation. They should have said, don't worry, come get the food and we can look into it and find out what happened afterwards. If it was found that I owed them money, they could have sent me a bill. After all, I eat in the restaurant before paying, right? (As for the zero balance, why didn't they tell me that when I gave them the info the week before? There would have been time to sort it out that way, at least.) As a customer who has dined there for DECADES, to make a big problem over a dinner (value: $200) on THE WEDNESDAY BEFORE THANKSGIVING at 4:00 PM, and completely destroy a customer's family holiday, is truly unforgivable, and shows an astounding lack of care about people in general. The bottom line is that they just DO NOT CARE. This is one more evil entity that runs on GREED and lacks any heart, soul, or even a modicum of care about the community they serve, and especially those who have kept them in business for decades. They should be in an airport, it would suit that mentality better. This unfortunate situation was mishandled and an opportunity was lost to do right by the customer. It would have cost them nothing, and now they have lost lifelong customers (and potentially you, dear reader, who might choose to spend your hard-earned dollars elsewhere after reading this, and especially avoid the trap of buying gift cards that may be dishonored). They clearly do not understand what it means to care for the customer, or even to care. read more

The food sometimes takes a while to come out and for larger parties, the orders can potentially be slightly wrong if you make modifications. As for the food, it is a unique cuisine and flavors are great. The ambiance inside also caters to a unique experience, one that someone will remember. The desserts were quite average. read more

Moosewood Restaurant - New American Near Me - Ithaca, New York

Primarily vegetarian restaurant with some fish. Good food with a seasonal-ish menu. An Ithaca staple restaurant. A bit evolved from the small 1970/1980s veggie diner which featured changing, daily menus (hence the renowned Katzen cookbook) and communal tables. Now has large indoor and outdoor spaces in pleasant environent. Also included is a bar, expresso and smoothies. read more

Upon arrival from the outside it looked very modern and upscale. I use a walker and did not see any signs regarding handicap entry in the rear of the building around the block. That is an important thing to know considering stairs heading down are the only way into the restaurant from the main entrance. Our server was friendly I'm not sure what her name was. We were offered drinks and they came in a timely manner. We ordered the ginger tea both hot and iced some mixed drinks, and a glass of wine. All tasted delicious! We ordered bread service which was delicious! A cheese board with a nice selection of cheeses, the zucchini appetizer also very tasty and a black bean burger which tasted good. We enjoyed our meal there. Definitely worth a try if you are in Ithaca NY. Again if you are ADA the entrance is behind the building. read more

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We didn't think the small plates was necessary for our table cloth napkin. We loved our wine and we ordered three times since the waiter named Jude came around three times before the menu was picked up. We did not understand why our salad was called Spring Nicoise since we asked specifically for the Summer Nicoise Salad on the Summer Menu. And the cook was sick because they call his prepared potatoes January new potatoes. they did have pink skin on them on our plates! the dressings on our greens were exceptional! Best experience ever. Funny enough the potatoes were January potatoes and the Host called herself Autumn in retaliation!!!! Love the dining salon! read more

Have been cooking from their books for 20 years so was excited to come. We weren't disappointed! Lentil soup, lasagna, and brownie were special standouts, but everything was good. The Kochi margarita was also popular. Service was pleasant and we didn't feel rushed. The setting is casual but still lovely. read more

Without reservation one of the best vegetarian meals of my life! I've always been a fan of the cookbooks and was delighted to know there was a restaurant as well. The space is very cool, really homey with lots of wood. The tables are pretty close together so it does feel a little cramped when it's busy. The food is of course fantastic, all local and really fresh. You know a lot of care goes into every dish. The service is also fantastic, the servers are really familiar with the menu even though it changes frequently, and are able to answer questions and make suggestions. It's definitely on the pricier side so it's more of a special occasion restaurant. If it's on the weekend, parking might be difficult to find, but drive around a bit and you should be able to find something on a side street. It's in a great spot right downtown. read more

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