Well... it had been a very, very long time since I last visited Delmonico's. And sometimes going…read moreback to a restaurant from your past can be a little like looking at an old photograph....you remember it one way, only to realize that your perspective has changed. Back in the day, Delmonico's was the place to go when you wanted to dress up, celebrate something special, and enjoy a higher-end meal without having to travel far. At a time when there weren't nearly as many upscale dining options around, this definitely felt like an occasion. And let's talk about the atmosphere because there is absolutely no mistaking the theme here. Think Italian mobster meets supper club. Mob-related actors and photographs adorn the walls, Frank Sinatra is playing, and the dining tables are tucked into little private nooks. They really lean into the whole experience -- and honestly, you either love the theme or you're going to find it a little... cheesy. Coming back with fresh eyes, I found myself realizing that what I once considered an upscale dining experience now feels more like an expensive, heavily themed steakhouse chain. This particular location was once an Applebee's, and while they have certainly given the place a complete makeover, I couldn't help but feel that a tiny bit of the Applebee's DNA was still hanging around. The restaurant has also had its share of challenges and negative publicity over the years, particularly surrounding staffing and cleanliness. That said, our experience was actually very good. Our server and the staff were terrific, the food came out exactly as ordered, and everyone was attentive to our needs. I ordered the Classic Delmonico, their signature steak, and it was cooked perfectly. I requested no pepper seasoning and they got that right ...always a win when a simple request actually makes it to the kitchen! The steak was enormous, and I had enough left over to make another meal out of it. Meals come with pasta as a side, but I opted to upgrade to a vegetable. Enter the asparagus... which apparently had gotten into a serious relationship with the pepper shaker. It was covered in pepper. Luckily, nothing a little napkin intervention couldn't fix! So after all these years, where does that leave me? The service was excellent, the steak was good, the portions were generous, and the atmosphere is certainly memorable. But when I look at the overall experience versus the price, I think my dining dollars would go elsewhere. For a special occasion, I would personally choose a smaller, more intimate steakhouse or upscale restaurant where the food and atmosphere feel a little more elevated and less like a chain experience. But I'm still glad I went. Sometimes you revisit an old favorite and discover it isn't quite what you remembered. And sometimes that's okay. The restaurant may have changed or maybe my definition of a special dining experience has simply evolved. Either way, it was worth the trip down memory lane. Would I go back? Probably not for a special occasion. But I'm glad I finally went back after all these years, if only to see whether Delmonico's could still live up to the version I remembered.

Not just a good meal but a real fun experience for our group of nine people. We came here for our…read morefinal night in Utica after taking the wonderful Adirondack Train Tour. The restaurant has plenty of parking in their lot and was close to the train station and also our hotel. (right in the middle. This is a very hometown feel restaurant loaded with regulars and visitors to the area alike. Our goup came in to wonderful hellos and we were brought to the "Tony Bennett Room." What a great setting... Plenty of the America Songbook being played at the restaurant which included Tony Bennett, Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin singing many tunes. Our room also had plenty of photos of Tony at all stages of his career. Our wonderful server came over to our table moments after we sat down, introduced herself and immediately took drinks orders and followed up with menus and water. She was great throughout the entire eating experience and deserves a whole lot of Kudos! What did we all eat? Without going through each item, here is a list of appetizers and main meals. Appetizers: - Mozzarella Fritta - Fried Mozzarella hand breaded to order with fresh Marinara Sauce. - Calamari - Golden, crisp, fried Calamari served with Marinara & Honey Dijon, enough to. share. - Zuppa Di Stracciatella - Chicken, Escarole, Meatballs & Ditalini in a homemade Chicken Broth. - Roma Tomato & Mozzarella Salad - Fresh Buffalo Mozzarella, Vine Ripened Tomatoes, Red Onions, Basil & Balsamic Vinaigrette. Entreès - Sliced Sirloin Steak 14oz of Choice or Better Sirloin with Cabernet Mushroom Sauce & garlic Mashed Potatoes. - Chicken Parmigiana Thin breasts of chicken with Italian Breadcrumbs, topped with marinara Sauce & Provolone Cheese over Angel Hair Pasta. - Fettuccine Delmonico Fettuccine Alfredo Tossed with Grilled Chicken, Mushrooms, Broccoli & finished with A Touch of Marinara. Everything was perfect. Calamari, crisp coating tender fish - Chicken Cutlets were thin crunchy with tender meat and delicious marinara sauce - slight steak was tender, cooked well and a delicious sauce. Everyone was extremely happy with their choices... Service was excellent and they monitored us throughout the night. It was a pleasure to be here and I look forward to my next visit KUDOs to the team at Delmonico's Italian Steakhouse

Just an amazing evening and meal. Everything from the minute we sat down until we left was a total…read moregreat date night. Food superb, wine selection (Jack was a wealth of knowledge and total cool guy in the wine selection ) Danielle was our server and made for an amazing meal, hopefully we will get to go back while we're in town!

Tim!!! Absolutely the best. Food good good. But in my…read moreoption hospitality is more important.

I have not been to this restaurant in over 20 years. The atmosphere was just as I remembered. Same…read morebar, decor, same menus on wall. I literally felt like I stepped back in time in the best possible way. They are only open Tuesdays & Saturdays. I went with a coworker for lunch and the place was packed. Not a spot at the bar and only a couple tables open lucky for us. Everyone was the NICEST! Service could t have been better. We ordered the spaghetti & meatball which comes with a whole loaf of breads with 2 cokes for $24. Sauce was outstanding and we ate most of the bread. Can't wait to go back to try the vodka riggies & eggplant parm!!

This restaurant and bar has been a Utica staple for many years and is also fondly known as…read morePellettieri Joe's, thanks to its location at the corner of Jay Street and Pellettieri Street. Dating back to 1910, calling this place an icon is truly an understatement. I've been coming here for years, although I have to admit it had been a couple of years since my last visit. With my upcoming move out west, this was at the very top of my Utica bucket list. There are just some places that hold too much history and too many memories to leave town without visiting one more time. A little heads-up: While the bar is now open multiple days a week, the kitchen is currently open only on Tuesdays and Saturdays. Nothing fancy here, but you'll find good Italian food steeped in history, tradition, and a genuine love of food. I do have to admit, though, that I miss the family who used to run this restaurant. The granddaughter was the server, another family member ran the bar, and two elderly gentlemen handled all of the cooking. It was truly a family affair. Back in the day, they even sold meats by the pound from the basement. Those days are sadly bygone, and unfortunately, the restaurant has changed hands several times over the years. While they have kept many of the traditions and familiar touches intact, I do feel the Italian gravy/sauce has changed. Personally, I'm not a fan of the new sauce and definitely miss the old recipe. They still bring a partial bag of fresh-baked Italian bread to the table ... no butter, and don't bother asking for it! Cash is still king here, so come prepared. It may have changed over the years, but if you want to experience a little piece of Utica and enjoy a meal steeped in Italian history and tradition, this is still a place worth visiting. Some restaurants are more than just a meal, they're a piece of the community's story.

Good beer and alcohol selection. Started with fried pickle and spinach artichoke dip. Good. Mains:…read morechicken Marsala ok. Steak done as requested (medium rare). Pork Osso Buco terrible. Too much salt and uninteresting tomato sauce buried and ruined the meat. Good service.

The prime rib and chicken rigatoni is the best around this a must stop when in the arearead more

Why can't I give 10 stars??…read more This restaurant is OUTSTANDING! I don't use that word often, but if ever a place deserved it, this place does. From the staff, the cleanliness, and decor ... and then there's the food!! We started with the fried meatballs - crispy on the outside, soft on the inside - not slathered in sauce, but served with roasted red peppers and pesto. I had the Tuscan salmon, my husband had the veal Marsala. My salmon was, again, crispy on the outside, perfect in the middle. Served with spinach and cannolini beans. My husband's veal was better than he's ever had anywhere (we're originally from NJ - the Italian food capital!). Tender and not overly sweet, which makes other versions taste like they use supermarket Marsala wine. Hanah was our server. Beyond kind, told us about the restaurant and other places to visit in Utica. Charles, owner, came out to welcome us. His sons are two of his chefs. Rare when an owner does that! Can't wait to go back. In the meantime, I'll be enjoying the sauce they make themselves and sell in Hannaford and Market 32. Do not pass by!!

Great service! Jess was amazing! The riggies are delicious and so is the vodka sauce!read more

First time patrons. 6 of us, we ordered everything from…read morepizza & shrimp, to veal & stuffed shells. EXCELLENT Service, Atmosphere, Food, Drinks & Desserts!!! I can't wait to return! We loved sitting at the round table, it definitely made our dining experience more pleasurable. Thankyou to all Ventura staff for the EXCELLENT time we had.

Went in for a nice lunch with a friend today and we were both happy we finally tried it out! We…read morewent right when they opened for lunch on a Saturday and found we had the place to ourselves. You can tell there is a huge amount of pride of ownership by the way everything is set; there are also really cool pictures on the wall of many famous people, some who have visited (many Yankees!). Our server was really nice and attentive. I got fettuccine alfredo and my friend got the tortellini alfredo. I was a big fan of the sauce and my friend felt the same. The bread was the best part for me. I got a slice of cheesecake to go and it was delicious! We would love to come back in some night for dinner to check it out the evening vibes and try some other items on the menu.

Texas Roadhouse was a fun spot for dinner! We were on a bit…read moreof a time crunch, but the staff was super quick and got our food out fast, which was a huge plus. The Food- We started off strong with some very fresh fried pickles, they were excellent and you could tell the oil was new. The breading stuck to all of the pickles and the sauces were perfect. As a ribeye lover, that's my go to cut when I visit TRH and the steaks are typically very good and cooked right to my order. Today I found the ribeye a bit on the fatty side and thinner than I usually like, but the flavor was really good. Seasoned well and grilled to a perfect medium rare! My son chose the ribs and they were definitely *fall-off-the-bone* tender! This was only his second time trying ribs (the first was at a BBQ place in Vegas), and he loved them. He did say the meat was a bit dry, so he asked for extra BBQ sauce to jazz it up. Overall it was a fun and fast service, just what we were looking for tonight!

As always great food and service. The ribs were delicious. My wife's food was so good she forgot…read morewhat it was.

I've sat on this review for a week trying to decide if I wanted to share a not-so-flattering…read moreexperience. However, if there is a chance that Swifty's management may read this, along with fellow diners, it may be helpful for the future. The overall experience, food, and service was good. Clearly, this place and its 2 sister locations know how to be successful. But what we experienced could either be because a rogue chef or location manager is trying to cut corners - or - it could be the philosophy of the company to try and nickel-and-dime the customer to reduce costs and take advantage of those who won't notice. My boys and I ordered 20 wings to start, my oldest had a burger to follow, and my younger really wanted to focus on wings, so only ordered fries. I had the. Cheeseburger wrap with onion rings and coleslaw. Wings: crispy, tasty, and really good blue cheese. BUT...when they came to the table, the baskets looked light. So... WE COUNTED THEM. ONLY 17. My (as the menu clearly states) "half pound burger in a wrap" was probably 1/4 of a pound light. Wait til you see the photo. So, all the good service and reasonably good food was ruined by Swifty's trying to either take advantage of customers incrementally hundreds of times a day (order by order) - or - they have a location chef and manager who tolerate food leaving their kitchen that is not as advertised or up to the standard which allowed them to open 3 locations. It's one or the other. Will we be back? I don't know. We really wanted this to be great. We live in the Northwest Corner of CT, my son goes to college in Rochester, this location is literally (to the mile) half-way between. We make the trip weekly due to his athletics schedule. We wanted to be regulars. Will probably look elsewhere next time. 2 stars for the front of the house service. It was excellent. And the blue cheese dressing. It was fantastic. If you go - count your wings and make sure what the menu says is on your plate.

My reuben sandwich was absolutely fantastic and prepared them like I have not had in a very long…read moretime. Even though this is a particle food is very fantastic if you're looking for something to eat as well. You have to stop by this place if you're in the Utica area. Services incredibly friendly and they get you exactly what you want. Food quality is incredible as well so you get double the dining pleasure

Guac was good. I LIKE THE ENTIEROR VERY FANCY with the lighting and the seating. The service was…read moregood our waiter was super friendly. Only thing prices were a little high.

Dined at Ocean Blue tonight with my daughter and had a reservation. Unfortunately, the experience…read moregot off to a rough start. When we arrived, the gentleman at the front was on a call and never made eye contact or acknowledged us. After waiting about five minutes, I was nearly ready to leave, but another staff member came in and kindly seated us. Unfortunately, the service remained very slow throughout the meal. Nearly everything took 20-30 minutes, and we eventually had to flag down staff ourselves to keep things moving. There was also an error with one of our sides, and our appetizer bread only came after we flagged someone down to ask about it. The food was actually quite good and ultimately saved the experience. Highlights were the focaccia bread, crispy fish tacos, and Brussels sprouts. Overall, the food was enjoyable, but there is significant room for improvement in efficiency, accuracy, and customer service. Several members of the team could benefit from additional training.

I really liked the chicken riggies and service was pretty good. Drinks came quickly and refilled…read morequickly. Casual setting. Clean. No complaints.

The power of YELP! We were spending two nights in Utica and needed a restaurant for day one. We…read morelooked up places and Ancora just stood out. So, made a reservation for nine and we all came here for dinner. After a very quick drive from the hotel we found easy parking (in the attached lot) and made our way inside. Nice size restaurant in two rooms. An incredibly nice staff and you could see all the customers truly enjoying themselves. We were directed to the side room where our table was all set up for us. There was a lot of food coming to the table and I am just going to focus on the dishes we (my wife and I) had. We started off with a Mozz and tomato salad to share. All perfect. Plenty of slices of cool crisp tomatoes and thick slices of cheese with a balsamic glaze. This was really good. The other end of the table had calamari which I tasted and really enjoyed. Main meals were Chicken Riggi (never had that dish by that nake before), It was really good and I thought the sauce was rich and tasty. Nice pieces of tasty chicken. My wife had the Gnocchi with shrimp in a pesto sauce. Also well made with a tasty sause. My friend had the Paella which he really enjoyed. Plenty of tasty seafood. An extremely professional staff who are all friendly and capable. The portions are generous and you will be provided with containers to pack up leftovers. Unfortuenately not practical going back to a hotel. All in all a very pleasant and tasty experience. KUDOs to the team at Ancora.