Eat Here Now: Stonecat Café
Story and photos by Annemarie Morse
As you enter Stonecat Café, known for its organic regional cuisine, you instantly feel welcome. The building was originally a farm market and has a comfortable, inviting atmosphere. The staff is friendly and provides great service with a smile. The weather was cooperative on a recent visit so we were able to sit out on the back desk, which was enjoyable and relaxing. The menu has some great takes on old favorites and some pleasant surprises.
We started our meal with two delicious appetizer courses. It was a difficult choice, but we decided on the toasted corn and scallion crepe with mixed greens and roasted red pepper sauce (pictured above). Truly delicious, oozing with ricotta and aged Gouda. We also tried the poutine: house-cut russet potatoes, cheese curds and a delicious dark gravy made from chicken and duck stock, sprinkled with fresh herbs.
The teenager in our group appreciated the family friendly choices, and ultimately settled on the pulled pork sandwich with a very flavorful dill coleslaw. She can’t wait to go back for either the mac ‘n cheese or the burger. We were too full to contemplate dessert but those that passed by our table looked amazing!
The smoked turkey sandwich and the falafel salad (pictured right) were both fresh and flavorful and the suggested wine (or other beverage pairings) were both appreciated and well-selected. The wines, ciders and draft beer are all from New York State, many from the Finger Lakes.
Josh Carlsen, beverage manager, has created a lovely cocktail menu with a program of garden-to-glass, emphasizing ingredients that are immediately seasonal. He visits the garden at least 3 times a day, picking herbs and other fresh items, such as rhubarb (for juicing) to be used in these creative beverages.
We’re looking forward to going back to Stonecat Café to continue exploring other menu selections–and we’ll leave room for dessert next time!
5315 Route 414, Hector, 607.546.5000, stonecatcafe.com
Open Wednesday-Thursday, 12pm-3pm & 5pm-9pm; Friday-Saturday, 12pm-3pm & 5pm-10pm; and Sunday, 10:30am-3pm & 5pm-9pm
Annemarie Morse is a certified wine judge and chair of the Finger Lakes Chapter of the American Wine Society. She holds an MPS in Enology from Cornell University and is an international wine judge, wine writer, consultant and educator.
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