<p>In trumansburg (about 25 mins away) there is a great restaurant called Hazelnut Kitchen that is apparently really good. If you are staying outside of ithaca that might be a good option. Its close to Taughannock state park as well, so if you are doing sight seeing of the lake etc, it could be a good option.</p>
<p>[Hazelnut</a> Kitchen, Trumansburg, NY | Home](<a href=“http://www.hazelnutkitchen.com/]Hazelnut”>http://www.hazelnutkitchen.com/)</p>
<p>I also heard from a few professors that there is a hungarian restaurant on seneca lake that is considered the best in the state.</p>
<p>Taste of Thai and Thai Cuisine have the same owners. Thai Cuisine is definitely better, especially if you like variety. It’s cool b/c the menu partly comes from family recipies.<br>
Taste of Thai violated a crap load of labor laws n screwed over their staff so that’s a negative…</p>
<p>Banfis is really great too. Besides for the amazing food, the windows also give you an awesome overlooking view of some of central campus. Def go if you are applying to the hotel school since it’s in the hotel. Some hotelies are staff and since it’s their job to be nice, you can feel free to talk to them about Cornell.</p>
<p>I would say go Dinosaur BBQ in Syracuse, but that’s rather far away (about an hour). They have decent ribs for the northeast, a great atmosphere, and really good sides. </p>
<p>One place that people haven’t mentioned is The Pines. It’s down US-79 I think and they serve excellent burgers, I would say better than Alehouse burgers, although it’s close. The “hungarian” restaurant is actually viennese food I think and it’s called Dano’s. </p>
<p>[Dano’s</a> Heuriger on Seneca](<a href=“http://www.danosonseneca.com/]Dano’s”>http://www.danosonseneca.com/)</p>
<p>They have excellent food but are a little pricey. They have an excellent selection of wines though.</p>
<p>I would say john thomas is overrated, you’re basically paying for the atmosphere. The steaks are good, but nothing to write home about and the rest of the food isn’t really that amazing. </p>
<p>Madeline’s has great dessert but the main courses there are rather pricey and not all that great. If you’re in the commons for dinner, I would definitely recommend getting dessert there.</p>
<p>I love the Heights, it’s pricey as well but well worth it. They also have a huge selection of wines and some really good local beers. </p>
<p>Heh, I wrote about a couple, but being a college student who’s lazy and doesn’t want to cook sometimes, I’ve been to most of the restaurants around Ithaca. I would recommend staying away from collegetown during orientation week for food, or even the day before because a lot of upperclassmen should be back and it’ll be pretty crowded. It’s definitely not too late for reservations. If you’re looking for a really nice dinner before mom and dad leave and your have to eat dorm food for a couple of months, I would highly recommend The Heights, it’s closer than John Thomas, not as uppity, and has better food than John Thomas and Banfis.</p>
<p>blue stone in the ithaca commons. the commons are boring and the people there are weird, but the blue stone has amazing crinkle cut fries. get the black angus burger.</p>
<p>Not only was Taste of Thai mediocre, but it also gave me food poisoning. Probably best to avoid it.</p>
<p>Also should add Lost Dog Cafe, Pangea, and Antlers. Lost Dog and Antlers are more budget conscious. Willow has unfortunately closed.</p>
<p>By the way, what’s the new place that opened up on State Street where Gepetto’s used to be? I miss Gepettos.</p>