17 dollars for a caesar salad an crab cake? Completely outrageous. Even if the portion size had been reasonable, the lettuce was YELLOW and was without accompaniment besides a thick overly salted dressing. When I complained our server was completely unapologetic. Despite responses to this review -- I had this experience in 2014. I'm not sure why they're now trying to tell me I'm wrong about what I ate here. Sounds like not much has changed. read more

This place was deceivingly good. So on a Thursday night we decided to randomly try something new and after hearing about this place finally decided to give it a shot. It is deceiving as the website and exterior make it seem like a local pub hangout but it's actually very upscale, almost like a hipster bar but I like it! We arrived at around 8pm and were seated immediately. We were given water immediately and then 10-15 minutes later the waitress finally came by. Now normally I would complain about the wait, we almost wanted to leave because no one had stopped by to even tell us the specials or take a drink order for more than water BUT when the waitress finally came by she brought a free hummus and tapenade appetizer as she felt bad we had to wait. We didn't even say anything and she right off the bat wanted to make sure we knew she was sorry for making us wait. I was so impressed by this that what started off with me being annoyed turned into one of the best dining experiences I've had here in Ithaca. First off the appetizer was great! Wish I had more bread as you get a lot of dipping sauces and we ran out of bread. I should have asked for more but eh... The Tapenade was amazing, kalamata olives are the main ingredient and it is good! The Hummus was a cut above what I've had before and had lots of flavor. The Spinach Almond pesto was good too, had slightly more flavor than your normal pesto. The bread for dipping was great too! So for dinner we decided to get the Garlic Burger and the Mac and Cheese of the night which was sun dried tomato and kale. Let's start with the burger as those who know me know that this is my thing. The bun was soft, sweet, bit bigger than the patty which is perfect as anyone who knows burgers knows that you need a little more bread otherwise you end up with more patty then bread when you're on your last few bites. The lettuce, tomato and onion were crisp, clean, fresh and had a little more flavor than I anticipated. The Garlic Aioli was awesome. Lots of Garlic flavor but not too overwhelming. But now onto the patty. The burger is a good size, nice and thick but was large enough to cover 85% of the bun which is important. The taste though, that's where this hit the spot. The seasoning on the burger and the taste of the meat was crazy good. One of the best I've had in Ithaca. My wife, who hates burgers, ended up eating half of my burger. Altogether this burger was amazing. Would definitely go back time and time again for it! As for the mac and cheese, good portion good flavor. The kale really worked well in it and I loved the cheese sauce. The only gripe I have is that it was a little watery but no big deal, it happens with mac and cheese. For dessert we got the Blood Orange Cake. The portion of cake you get is small but it's good. The cake itself tasted like an orange cake doughnut a bit, it was good don't get me wrong, just nothing special about the cake. What won here was the sauce. The blood orange sauce poured on top was awesome. Lots of flavor and really brought the dessert together. Overall, Northstar has now been deemed one of my favorite places to eat now. This quality of food is superb, the service is great and overall it was a great night out. Love the atmosphere too. Can feel a little crowded but not bad. read more

Came to the north star house on a Sunday for brunch. Ordered the eggs Florentine on a cheddar biscuit and would rate it 8/10. No complaints and very yummy. My friend ordered the French toast and rated it a 4.5/10. Came soggy and fat. Extremely slow service overall. read more

Northstar House - New American Near Me - Ithaca, New York

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AMAZING restaurant. My boyfriend and I agree that it's officially our favorite restaurant/ date spot in Ithaca. We LOVE going here because the food is great, and the vibe is pretty hip and cool. There can be a LONG wait sometimes, so try to beat the rush. Also, if you have to wait, take a stroll over to Ithaca Falls, which is just up the street. It's a great way to pass time while waiting. Best time to go: On a date Favorite Dishes: Curry with salmon, Legendary Mac & Cheese, the BBQ Salad PRO TIPS: They have a "beer garden" out back during the summer with good drinks. They also host sports watching events sometimes out back, which I've heard is fun. read more

I bet you were starting to think I only write negative reviews. Not true. I LOVE Northstar. The atmosphere is amazingly warm and upscale without being stuffy. I think I've only sat down to eat at a table once, because I much prefer to chill at the bar. Jesse makes the most amazing dirty martini and his knowledge of the stockpile of bottles that stand behind him appears endless. If you prefer the person who is serving up your booze to have a dry sense of humor with a side of twisted, Jesse is your man. I like the other bartender too but I simply cannot remember his name. Very personable guy, another great sense of humor, and extremely generous with martini olives. Anyway, if you like to sit at the bar, these two Mixologists will take care of you. Because I am slightly obsessed with this place, I've been there twice in the last two weeks after a long winter of hibernating and stuffing myself with slow-cooker meals. On my first visit of the season I had the kale and chickpea stew, and the vegetable pot pie. The stew was spicy, tantalizing and loaded with the aforementioned ingredients. The vegetable pot pie was scrumptious. I wish I could tell you what was in it but after two martinis bigger than my head I honestly can't recall. My dining partner had the macaroni and cheese and reported that it was "friggin' awesome." This past Monday I went back and ordered the mussels appetizer and chose to add bacon for two bucks. Best. Decision. Ever. Mussels were perfectly steamed and the bacon was thick and really added a bang to the whole dish. The broth was savory and delicious and I used up the two slices of grilled toast that garnished the plate to sop up all the leftovers. There was also the perfect amount of sauteed kale mixed in...yum! My main dish was the barbecue salad topped with fried haddock. Perfect and exactly how a main dish salad should be. Loved the homemade BBQ sauce dressing. Sweet, tangy and the perfect accompaniment for this healthy dish! I also noticed that my absolute favorite, the grilled kale salad, is back on the menu for the spring and summer. I prefer it topped with a crab cake and cannot wait to get back there to order it....soon! If you haven't been to Northstar I think you're straight-up nuts. Stop wasting your time and get in there. read more

This is my favorite restaurant in Ithaca. By far. I absolutely adore, adore, adore this restaurant and can't wait to come back to visit specifically so I can come here. I love the fact that they have a beer garden, and an outdoor patio when it's nice out. This is definitely one of those spots that only locals know about, and as a student it was really nice to get away from my peers for a night or two (before I told everyone about this place, and news spread like wildfire). I had my graduation dinner here, among countless other nights, and they couldn't have been more accommodating and lovely given the amount of emails I sent them. I love that their menu is constantly changing, although it's sad to see some of my favorites go, it's always fun to try new things and everything is always executed so well. There is always something on the menu for everyone, even my pickiest family members and friends, and they're fairly good at accommodating changes. Although service can be slow, and there's sometimes a wait, it's nice to make this a night out European style, and not just a quick meal like most Americans do. read more

This is probably my favorite restaurant in Ithaca. If you like delicious beer (they have an impressive rotating selection) and slightly fancy/creative pub food then this is place is definitely worth a visit. It's a little off the beaten path (about 15 minute walk from downtown, in the Falls Creek neighborhood), but it's worth the trip. Favorite Foods: their sweet potato bread pudding with sausage, their specialty mac & cheese, and the beer (if you're the type that prefers liquid sustenance). As other people have noted, the service here is a little bit slow (your water might go unfilled for a while...) but if you're not in a rush, the food, the ambiance, and beer make it totally worth it and it is one of our regular spots for a date night! read more

Took my folks to brunch for Mom's 89th birthday Staff were exceptionally friendly and accommodating and the food was exceptional. Especially enjoyed the fries. My third time there and was pleased to find that the good service and quality of offerings seems consistent. read more

Awesome hidden gem. Tons of veg and local options, excellent sides and entrees, and a great booze list. With six other friends, we sampled half the menu and loved it all. Ambience is very casual and basic, and doesn't reflect the food quality. GF dishes were really well done and a hit with the bread eaters, too. Definitely recommended! Top dishes: tofu curry, mac and cheese, ravioli, fries, naan pizza. read more

Was super excited to try this place. We went for brunch and unfortunately it was not all that people say. We ordered out food and when it came out it was cold and lacked flavor. So here we sit eating a cold flavorless $14 a Pearson breakfast and then the bill comes. They over charged us $4 for our drinks, menus said $9 and they charged $11. So I paid $60 for a cold flavorless meal that they cheated extra for. read more

Northstar House is one of my absolute favorite places to eat in Ithaca. Every time I have gone there the service has been superb and the food is absolutely delicious. Each time I go I tell myself I am going to order something new but, fortunately and unfortunately, I have gotten stuck in the rut of ordering the same few amazing items. My favorite appetizer has to be the fries. The fries are very good, but the garlic aioli dipping sauce that comes with them is absolutely to die for. The whole chicken wings are fantastic, though they will definitely fill you up so don't get a big entree to go with them. As for the entrees, the beet and goat cheese flat bread and the pesto and mozzarella flat bread are pure heaven. If you want to keep it simple go for the pesto one, but if you are feeling a little daring definitely try the beet and goat cheese one. I promise, you won't regret either. I've also had roasted garlic burger, which is pretty awesome. It's not the best burger I've had in Ithaca, but it's high up on the list. Again, the garlic aioli makes this entree really special. The first time I went there was not too long after it opened and I went with a group of about 15 people for a friend's surprise party. While the restaurant is definitely on the smaller side the people who work there do a great job catering to larger groups. I've never been here for breakfast, but I can tell you it is amazing for dinner and lunch. One of the freshest and most delicious eats in Ithaca! read more

Pros: Decent number of vegan options, service was good, food is locally sourced. Cons: Food was not very good and was over-priced. Also, atmosphere isn't the best. My wife and I are vegans and dined here just once. The Northstar House definitely has potential, but it needs some improvement. I had the vegan Buffalo "wings" (actually, fried tofu wedges) for an appetizer. The waitress told me that the normal dairy-based blue cheese dip would be replaced with a creamy curry sauce. The wings arrived with a very thin coating of hot sauce - much thinner than I would have liked. The scarcity of sauce made for unexciting, bland tofu. The curry sauce was not very good - and, in any case, it made for an odd and jarring combination with the Buffalo sauce. I left most of the curry sauce unfinished. A side of plain Veganaise would have been better (or, better yet, some kind of vegan version of the blue cheese dip). I had a veggie burger as my entrée. The burger patty was crumbly and dry. The French bread was really not the best choice for use as a "bun". The bread was too crusty and thick, and the bread-to-burger ratio was too high. The ketchup was served on the side, in a small metal cup. I really prefer getting a bottle of ketchup, since the small cups usually don't contain enough ketchup. I ordered a side of mixed greens sautéed with garlic. The side was unremarkable (and fairly small). The waitstaff were friendly and attentive, and were very knowledgeable about which items were vegan or could be veganized. However, the restaurant atmosphere left something to be desired. It was very dark inside. Maybe some candles on the tables would have helped. Also, the hostess wanted to seat us at a small table-for-two that was wedged between two larger tables that were already occupied by other diners. If we had sat there, we would have had very little privacy. Luckily, my wife spotted another small table near the back corner, and we were able to sit there. Our dinner-for-two came to over $60, a price that I felt was too high given the quality of the food. (For the record, my wife enjoyed her dinner more than I enjoyed mine.) I think I'm being generous with three stars, and I hope that the restaurant improves over time. I do like the fact that there are vegan options here, and that much of the food is locally sourced. Also, one more thing: In viewing the other Yelp reviews, I see that the owners/management rarely reply to any of the negative reviews. I always consider such lack of replies to be a bad sign. read more

We've been here several times for dinner, and everyone in the family can find something they like. This most recent visit we accidentally came during graduation weekend, and though the restaurant was crowded, we received excellent polite service. First the bartender was very patient with my lack of familiarity with the beers on tap, letting me taste 2 before deciding. The food was the best we've ever had at Nortstar. The quinoa cakes appetizer was surprisingly delicious (perfectly cooked- great texture and flavor). My partner got the sundried tomato pasta dish and really enjoyed it. I had the quarter chicken with fresh asparagus which was delicious. Northstar is serious about locally sourced seasonal food- they get their veg from several local farms, including the one where I work (fun to see our Westhaven microgreens on my entrée). read more

I live less than a block so I'm always here for whiskey wednesdays. Food is solid. I had a burger tonight. read more

Northstar House - The hot toddy drink on the whiskey wednesday menu. Can't remember the name but delicious. - New American Near Me - Ithaca, New York

I came here while waiting for my laundry to finish at the laundromat two blocks away. They have a great menu here. I was looking around the restaurant and everyone had something different and everything seemed appealing. Seemed like the mac and cheese was the most popular option. I went with the honey chipotle pulled pork which came with fries. It was a little hard to keep it together but it was packed with flavor. They have outdoor seating which would be fun on a nice day. Too bad we probably won't be seeing the sun for the next few months. But indoors is pretty nice and spacious too. It would be a fun atmosphere for a group brunch, which I saw a few of while I was here. My only complaint about the place came at the beginning of my experience here. I walked in and waited to get seated. The same waiter walked past me twice, and I asked if I could get seated and he said one of the hostesses would seat me and provide me a menu. They weren't busy with anything; they just didn't pay attention to the incoming customers so I didn't get seated for five minutes in a relatively empty restaurant. read more

One of the best restaurants in Ithaca! Not quite as well-known as other restaurants simply because it is not located in the commons, but the food is amazing! The garlic/aioli burger is really great, as well as the Mac n cheese. I've also tried the pierogi appetizer which was wonderful- and great to see pierogis on a menu in ithaca! North star is especially great in the summer/warm months because there is a porch area to sit outside. I love this place, and so do all my friends and family! Highly recommend! read more

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The Mac-n-Cheese du jour (which featured a porter cheddar on the night I was there) was absolutely, without a doubt, the finest mac-n-cheese my lips have ever touched. Words cannot do it justice, but let me say this: If I were on death row and choosing my final meal, Northstar House's mac-n-cheese would be it. The ambiance is very fun - very neighborhood bar-y. The service was quick, although our server seemed to lack education about most of the items on the menu and didn't offer to go check with the chef when we asked some very basic questions. But beyond that, it was a great dining experience - the menu has something for everyone, and the selection of beers is extensive. But honestly, the real reason I'll return is for the mac-n-cheese. Mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm. read more

The neighborhood is really residential, so it's great to have one of these places for the folks to enjoy a night out. Two stars for the beer selection...which included some local stuff plus Utica Club in a can (that alone is worth two stars for availability in this part of the state). The food a bit meh...I had a caesar salad that had some generic caesar dressing...added some spiedie chicken (local Binghamton twist..), but the chicken was sort of dry shoe-leathery and pretty paltry for the portion size. The staff was on the hipstery side of things with a couple with those silly pseudo lumberjack beards.,,mixed with Fitzy McBro and his ethnic prider cohort with the Guiness shirt. For drinks alone it's a nice little stop... read more

Went here because my brother-in-law and his fiancee were treating us and they like this place and so we followed. Here's my visit. Ambiance: I learned from my future sister-in-law that the restaurant is owned by members of a local Reggae band and so hearing reggae music being played all night and seeing colorful artwork and tables throughout the place didn't throw me off. Yes, the decor and feeling of the place didn't really fit with the more upscale food and plates they are trying to produce, but it was relaxing enough and I didn't mind the contrast. Service: There was one bar tender and one server. Both did their jobs and payed enough attention to the house and their guests. There were a few times I wanted more water or a drink refill or dirty dishes cleared but for the most part our server was fine. Food: I'm quite surprised with a lot of the negative reviews written about the food. Most low star entries talk about the blandness of the food and I found that to be far from the truth. Kangeroo dip: Cheesy, gooey, creamy, delicious dip accompenied by well seasoned what seemd to be homemade tortilla chips. The portion is a humble one so our table of five could have used a second round but it nonetheless was a nice start to our meal. Basket O' Fries: Double fried french fries with three dips to choose from. An obvious nod to Belgian style fries and I was very happy with them. Even though I thought the ingredients listed in the description came already on top of the fries, I had fun alternating between the tasty side dips and enjoyed the texture of the somewhat smoky tasting fresh cut fries. Good stuff. The curry dip was my favorite but the chil mayo and garlic aioli were nice as well. Buffalo Whole Chicken Wings with Blue Cheese: A good wing with a good blue cheese for dipping. Not reinventing the wheel here. Just a nice buffalo wing. They do give you the whole wing so some tearing and pulling is called for which I'm not a fan of but not a big deal and nothing that will ruin the dish. Baltimore Whole Chicken Wings with Ranch: This wing was different and delicious. The old bay seasoning was all over the chicken giving it a dry rub texture and feel. The taste is tangy with a little kick that goes great with the juicy chicken and creamy ranch. A delicious treat. This is the type of wing to get and I will certainly be getting them again in the future. Beet and Goat Cheese Flat Bread PIzza: Didn't have a bite of this one but my wife enjoyed it so much she didn't even offer. Fish & Chips: Took a bite of my brother-in-law's fish and it was nice. Good texture and flavor. The fish is a whole fillet on the plate so the presentation was impressive. Not sure if I would personally spend $17.50 for fried fish not mattering the quality though. Drinks: Their drink list is impressive and shows off a lot of local beer but also beers from micro brews around the country. My first drink was Ithaca Beer Co.'s Cascazilla. A real nice hearty, sort of sweet, hoppy red ale. Several levels of flavor and it helped me forget the poor showings from Scale House I experienced the day before. For my second drink I wanted the Mad Elf but much like any restaurant with a large drink list there is a high chance things may be sold out and that was the case with this one. Instead I followed my Northwest roots and got a Red Hook Wit. A belgian style beer that was light and refreshing with hints of ginger. It was very tasty and I also liked the more stout looking bottle the beer came in. It's nice to see Seattle being represented in the beer list and Northstar choose a good one to do so. Last thoughts: Really this place is a winner. With great food and good drinks there's little I would want more. Sure the feel of the place is somewhat off and the service wasn't spectacular but that can't stop the fact that I enjoyed myself very much and would for certain would come back here. I'm already planning on treating my brother-in-law and his fiancee to a Northstar meal the next time I'm back in town. read more

Food was good. Not a huge selection this time. More veggie options than meat. Service was good. Then we get to the not so good part. I had to put a credit card in to make the reservation... It's December and its Ithaca. It's not NYC. This should only be necessary for huge weekends like graduation. $10 per person charge for cancelation or if ONE person doesn't show. Seems ridiculous to me. Then we brought in cupcakes for my friends birthday and they got very upset. Apparently there is a $2 per person plating fee..however THEY WERE CUPCAKES. No plates required. And for our table of 10+ people that's ridiculous. Them they automatically added 20% gratuity to our bill. Not the typical 18. What makes you think you deserved 20%??? In this case, they didn't. Then we see on the menu, to divide the check its 30% gratuity automatically charged. WHAT? I felt very nickel and dimed. I've always loved this restaurant but not so much anymore. read more

Delicious food, great atmosphere, and friendly servers!!! What more could you ask for. Not to mention lots of great options on the menu for those who care about where their food comes from. The service is always timely and it's awesome that they take reservations, since I know many places don't in Ithaca. It's one of my favorite places in Ithaca for dinner or brunch, or even a casual drink or snack in the courtyard during the summertime. read more

I visited Northstar last week with a few friends. We ordered food and drinks at the bar inside and then sat outside in the beer garden. (The bar in the beer garden wasn't open. They said this was fine.) When my food came out, it was incorrect, so I went inside and let the bartender know. He then became very annoyed with me and said I ordered something else, which I definitely didn't. After that, I went back outside to wait for my food, and when he came out again, I asked if it was possible to turn out the outdoor lighting. He just said "NAH" with a pissed off/straight face and walked away. He was SO rude. Also, the food was very mediocre and not worth the money. Go somewhere else! read more

This place got not so great reviews, but it was recommended by coworkers. We came for Sunday brunch and there was no wait. The cheesy hash was pretty big, and the sauce is really delicious. Service was pretty good, despite the bad reviews about service. They have happy hour on Fridays, so I will have to check it out sometime! read more

Brunch here was good. I had the chicken and donuts, which were good, but not amazing. The donuts were the best part - light, but with sufficient glaze to be pleasantly sweet. And the breading of the chicken was amazing. It had a great spice level and was nice and crunchy. Unfortunately, the chicken itself was a little greasy, which put me off a bit. In my party, two people got the sausage special from the menu and found it to be not exactly what they expected. It ended up being basically a sausage sandwich with a huge dollop of hollandaise sauce on top. Both of them said that the sausage was too thick for a sandwich, and they didn't like that the sandwich dripped sauce as they ate it. They said the flavors were good, but the setup of the dish just wasn't great. Everyone seemed to like the drinks they got, and the staff were really nice to us. Overall, it definitely has promise as a brunch venue. Would surely go back, and just try some different things next time. read more

I have only been to Northstar for Brunch...but don't let that deter you from reading further. I love this place and will go back time and time again. The first visit I ordered Fried Chicken and Donuts. Both of which were A+. The donuts were a nice alternative to waffles too! The second visit I tried the French Toast. I wasn't a fan of the "du jour topping" I think it tasted like pumpkin spice or squash? But other than that I enjoyed it. The french bread alternative was great. I was worried the toast would be a little soggy but they cooked it in such a way that it has a nice balance of crunch and softness. I've also been to their new "Casita" a few times and have always enjoyed their drinks and the appetizers that were there (although I'm not sure if the apps are made by them). This is an Ithaca fave for me so I hope they're around for a while. read more

North Star opened just a few weeks before I left Ithaca, but it is a pub I could not leave with out checking out and I'm glad I made a point of going to chill there. The location is great if you're downtown or anywhere near Fall Creek or Gun Hill. This restaurant is tucked away win Fall Creek in the same commercial block as the former Fall Creek movie theater. The vibes are great and upon entrance you can tell a lot of love was put into decorating the place. The bar and the dining area hold the elegance of a nyc club, with a noticeable hint of Ithaca at its purest as the lifeforce energy that keeps the establishment alive. It's easy enough to live in Ithaca and never make your way to North Star, so do yourself a favor and check it out. read more

My experience with Ithaca is limited, but the North Star House made my evening memorable. The place is simple, not too big, has a nice bar, and mixes the perfect amount of eclectic in with the norm. Their rotating draft list wasn't extensive--around 10 beers--but it was a good selection of random brews. Plus, they have lots of bottles if you want to take that path. The burger was delicious and local, the fries were scrumptious and crunchy, and the single bite of veggie burger that entered my mouth was a full-on collection of tasty goodness. Hopefully North Star House will feature more local food as it continues to grow... that's the kind of place it is. A new-age pub with good beer and quality food. read more

I went to Northstar for the first time the other night, after hearing everyone else give it rave reviews. Perhaps because it was a weekday, there was no wait and we were seated immediately (a friend said that the wait for a table on the weekends can be extreme, so I'm glad we didn't have to experience that). The overall ambiance of the restaurant was great and our waitress was very attentive and friendly. The only hitch of evening happened when we were trying to order a bottle of wine and our top two choices were both sold out. Not a dealbreaker though--the bottle we ended up getting was good too. We started with the samosas, apple and brie flatbread pizza, and beet ravioli. The beet ravioli was creative, but a little bland. I wouldn't order it again. The samosas and flatbread were delicious though, especially the samosas (I'm a sucker for sweet potatoes). For dinner, I had the crabcakes, and the others had the veggie burger and a bowl of the soup of the day (a chicken stew--I can't remember exactly what it was called). The crabcakes were fantastic--mostly crab, no filler, like in other restaurants. For dessert, we split the bread pudding, which was mouth-wateringly good. Overall, it was a great dining experience and I would definitely come back again in the future! read more

Northstar House is a relative newcomer to the Ithaca restaurant/bar scene, and it fast became one of my favorites. They experienced some growing pains in their first year or so (they opened in 2009), but have eased into a nice groove. The interior is stark but comfortable, with bar tables at the front and banquettes and tables toward the back. In the summer, they open up their patio outside. I always start with their kangaroo dip - their take on artichoke dip, with lots and lots of garlic, served with toasted seasoned chips. They always have a daily mac & cheese - sometime's it's a winner, sometimes it's not, but always worth a try, even if as a side dish. Their veggie burger is also super-tasty, and not dry or bland. Their chicken wings are also a treat - whole wings that look and taste baked, rather than fried, basted in one of three sauces (Buffalo, BBQ, or Baltimore). The Baltimore is my favorite, and is essentially Old Bay seasoning, which works well with the buttermilk ranch they serve it with. I also love their basket of fries with the accompanying sauces (not terribly unique, but tasty all the same). I would give their vegan desserts a miss. I have tried some of them and found them lacking. Their bread pudding, though, is fabulous. I have not experienced a significant problem with the service. It's not better or worse than anywhere else, and the people who have waited on me have always been friendly. I did once have to send a cocktail back that had been mixed with the wrong ingredients, and they were gracious about it, and immediately mixed me the proper drink. My only minor beef is that the number of wines available by the glass is rather limited. When they first opened, there were quite a few to choose from, and at varying price points, and now that number seems to have shrunk for some reason. On Sunday nights at 7, local mixologist Bob Proehl hosts Cocktail Lab, and presents a menu of cocktails centering around a theme - a recent one was superheroes. My husband like to go and have a Sunday dinner there and finish with one of his concoctions. A great way to start your week! Northstar would be appropriate for a first date, casual business dinner, or family meal, or a cocktail & fries at the bar. read more

We went there on a weeknight a few weeks ago. We were the only two people in the restaurant, which I though was a bit surprising considering how popular the place was during previous visits. Food was delicious! Can't remember exactly what we ordered because this was a few weeks ago. We have been to Northstar many times before and this is one of our favorite spots in Ithaca. Great atmosphere, one of the best selections of beers on tap in town, food is almost always good. I recommend the dinner menu, have not been here for brunch. read more

Yum! Vegan-friendly and just plain friendly, with delicious comfort food and enthusiastic service. We had arrived in Ithaca after a long drive and just wanted a low-hassle dinner. We were staying at La Tourelle, so (after making fun of the name) I called John Thomas and was told curtly it was NOT vegan friendly. So we headed for Northstar House, which was just right. We returned on our last night in Ithaca, the only restaurant we ate at twice. read more

Northstar House - Vegan Autumn's Garden Salad at Northstar House. The House Soup, collard greens, & Jerked Tofu "Wings" were yummy, too. - New American Near Me - Ithaca, New York

Great food, great atmosphere! This is definitely my favorite place in Ithaca. The food is delicious and they have a great beer/wine selection. Management is also super friendly! I've had to wait a little longer than expected a couple times, and they always comp a beer or an appetizer (even though we're more than happy to sit at the bar). The mrs and I love splitting a few small and medium plates to go for a "comfort food tapas" feel. Always delicious! read more

Met friends for dinner at Northstar on Saturday, April 28th. This was the second time I've been since moving from Boston to Ithaca last July. The first time was over the summer, for just drinks at the bar. First, let me say, I really want to like this place. I've heard good things about the food and the menu is somewhat electric and appealing to me. I owned restaurants several years ago and also because I am a cook, I am picky about the way my food is prepared and cooked. The food this past Saturday was good - macaroni and cheese was tasty, quinoa salad was fresh, the burger came out rare even though I ordered medium, but that's ok, it tasted fine. The food is quite good, the service is horrendous! The manager/bartender that waited on us the first time I visited several months ago was the rudest server I've ever encountered (trust me, I've met a few over the years). He was actually angry for having to wait on us. He openly discussed his distaste and dissatisfaction for "people" in front of us and was all and all just a nasty person. We were so upset, we left and went to the outside patio. I asked the outdoor bartender what was the problem with the indoor bartender and was told he is in fact the manager. Lovely! I vowed never to go back. Fast forward to Saturday evening. Work friends talked me into giving Northstar another shot. While waiting to be seated for our reservations, I ordered a glass of wine at the bar. Different bartender this time, same bad attitude. The bartender on Saturday was almost as rude as the manager. This time, I gave it right back. Our waitress at the table was surly and acted as though she was doing us a favor. I always tip big but in the case, I just left 15%. I will not give Northstar my money again. If the owners don't care who they hire and how their servers treat their patrons, they don't deserve to stay in business. Here's a tip for you guys...don't hire anymore hipsters with attitudes. You have a decent business but it won't be long before your servers ruin it. It doesn't matter how good the food is, if the service sucks, people won't come back. You can rest assured, I will spread the word. read more

Great concept and good food. This is a great way to see the spirit of Ithaca away from the college scene. During dinner hours, it gets very packed and usually tables take a while to turn over because it's a small kitchen so plan your time accordingly. Food is very creative, fresh and sourced local ingredients. Not overly seasoned or spicy so it's good for a sensitive palate. Overall would recommend if you plan ahead with a reservation! read more

Always stop here for dinner when in Ithaca. An ever-changing and always great and inventive menu, local ingredients. Friendly and efficient service, good value. Sometimes the tables feel a little close together, but it's essentially a small place. Great atmosphere. read more

When visiting My daughter in Ithaca we always try a new restaurant. Northstar was our worst experience thus far. We had a reservation and arrived on time. Waited over five minutes to be acknowledged at hostess stand. Menu is uninteresting . we ordered two fried chicken dinners and two Steak frites. Waitress returned to tell us they only had one fried chicken left so I ordered large ( 2 pieces) fish and chips. Biggest observation was the very small portions we all received when food arrived. Fried chicken came with three tiny pieces of dark meat, wing didn't have the drumet, breast was dry. Everyone's fries were cold and the 2 piece fish and chips had one piece. The steak frites looked like a kids meal. We are not huge eaters but the portion were so small we were very turned off. Waitress brought hot fries for table and another piece of fish when we pointed out the problems. Too many places to try . Will not return. read more

I just wrote a REALLY long review and it vanished. However, it is crucial that I give a good review for this place, so here's the gist: 1. Great food 2. First non-pretentious place I've been to in Ithaca (besides Felicia's Atomic Lounge) 3. Great drink menu, with awesome descriptions of the drinks and very well-organized (can you tell I am a teacher?) 4. fun outside seating that's pretty and private (for those weird conversations over a bottle of wine) 5. really salt of the earth people (and I really force myself NOT to use that expression) 6. my husband and I finally found our place to bring out-of-towners so they can see how cool we are for knowing about this place. read more

Came here twice in the last 2 weeks. Both times, the staff was weirdly unaccommodating when it came to minor changes in orders (like swapping a side). Dishes came out at totally random times, my girlfriend had almost finished her entree by the time I got mine. The waitress also just forgot part of the order. I can deal with rough service, but unfortunately the food was also pretty underwhelming. Flatbread was dry and almost burnt, their "famous" Mac and cheese was fridge-cold in the center (both times I went there). Couldn't hurt to add another minute when microwaving. They tasted fine but we're really nothing special. The burger the other time also suffered from ice cold tomato slices and lettuce. On the plus side, the place has a nice atmosphere, and drinks are good. read more

Awesome food!! The macaroni and cheese is to die for, and the tofu/vegetarian wings are also delicious. My friend got the fish and chips and said it was also good. Also there is a great beer selection. The only reason I give this 4 stars is because it can be a tad on the pricey side. However, I plan to come back multiple times before leaving Ithaca! read more

This is an update. We used to really love Northstar House, but the brunch game has really lost its touch. For instance, we ordered the avocado toast this Sunday and my wife and I were super disappointed to find that the avocado toast was really, what appeared to be, day old guacamole on bread hidden by a heaping of greens. This actually tasted fine to her, but she found at least one jalepeño piece despite the menu not mentioning this. I think some of their fare has really decreased in quality when executed. read more