Oh, the mouth-watering places we'll go!

The year is young, but I've already crossed one delicious Central New York destination off my 2011 foodie "bucket list.''

Following is a list of the Top 10 (now Top 9) places on my radar screen for this year. One of them isn't even open yet!

 

1. Bittersweet Wine Bar and Desserts, 121 W. Fayette St., Syracuse,  This downtown dessert and wine bar, which also serves light fare, like soups, salads and paninis, opened in the fall. I haven't been there yet but will soon, thanks to a discount deal purchased through Living Social.

Not to mention the menu, which includes creme brulee, carrot cake, Death by Chocolate Cake, cheesecake, "Fun-Due,'' and other temptations.

Exposed brick in a cozy corner of Prime.

2. Prime Steak House, downtown Syracuse. I'm not the world's biggest steak fan, but the bacon-wrapped scallops, calamari, crab and Roquefort tart and other "small plates" on the bar menu at this downtown newcomer are calling out to me. Besides, it's nice to see the lights on again in the long-vacant lower-level space in the historic Gridley Building in Hanover Square.

 

3. Anyela's Vineyards, Skaneateles: World-class wines are right in our backyard, on Skaneateles Lake, and I'm itching to get out to Anyela's Vineyards. Bestsellers include Noiret, a red wine made with a grape developed by the New York Agricultural Experiment Station in Geneva. It's said to be a nice complement to everyday foods, like pizza and pasta.

4. Moro's Table, Auburn:  Chef Ed Moro is known for searching out fine ingredients, utilizing the culinary bounty of the Finger Lakes and preparing food with flair.

He served as executive chef at Mirbeau Inn & Spa in Skaneateles and the Hotel Clarence in Seneca Falls before opening his own restaurant in Auburn last year. I HEART that many menu selections are available as small plates as well as entrees.

 

5. Red Newt Cellars Winery and Bistro, Hector (Seneca Lake): Whether it's lunch in the Winternet cafe in the slow season or a daytrip and dinner as the days grow warmer and longer, I'm determined to get to this winery and restaurant on the east side of Seneca Lake.

David Whiting runs the winery and his wife, Debra, is the "locavore'' chef whose focus is seasonal, local and regional ingredients. The bistro boasts an all-Finger Lakes wine list, including selections from Red Newt and many other wineries.

6. Middle Ages Brewing Co., Syracuse:  A pint of their Syracuse Pale Ale, ImPaled Ale, Swallow Wit and others always hits the spot at our local pubs, but somehow I've never visited the tasting room.

It's open six days a week, and I hear it's the place to be on Friday and Saturday. A thoughtful friend gave us a "growler'' of Syracuse Pale Ale for Christmas, so we'll be stopping by for a refill soon.

7. Green Planet Grocery, Fairmount:  Organic produce. Bulk foods (grains, cereal, legumes, herbs and spices). Packaged health foods and free-range meats. Vitamins and supplements. A vegan raw food cafe where you can enjoy lunch or dinner.

I went to Green Planet Grocery once last year and need to make an effort to get there more often this year. The natural foods store makes it easy to eat healthy.

8. Nonpareils, Manlius:  Cake artist Jen Comfort makes and sells sinfully delicious and beautiful cupcakes out of her wedding/special occasion cake showroom on Route 92. Favorites include Chocolate Chambord, Erin's Fave (vanilla almond cake with lemon and raspberry fillings and almond buttercream icing), Lemon and Red Velvet, but my vote for most creative goes to Jen's Chocolate Stout Bacon (yes, BACON!) cupcake. I visited Nonpareils for a cupcake "flight'' on Friday and KNOW I will be back!

9. Ethnic eateries in CNY: Byblos Mediterranean Cafe in downtown Syracuse, Azteca (Mexican food) in Oswego. Dosa Grill (Indian cuisine) in DeWitt... all sorts of interesting little ethnic eateries are popping up all over the region. I'm looking forward to checking some of them out.

  

10. Dey's Fresh Market, Syracuse:  I'm counting the days until spring and the opening of Dey's Fresh Market at the former Dey Bros. department store, now called Dey's Plaza, at 401 S. Salina St. in downtown Syracuse.

The owners aren't ready to share the vendor list yet, but the market is great news for people who live and work downtown and anyone else who loves fresh, locally sourced food. 

 

Comments

[Margaret @ Eat First]

Hi, Tracy --

Thanks for stopping by! I've sampled Anyela's wine a couple times and was meaning to get there all summer. Props to them for being the first winery on Skaneateles Lake... it looks like a gorgeous location and has me thinking PICNIC on this very cold day!

Cheers,

--Margaret

[@tracytilly]

You will love Anyela's! Kelly Lux introduced me to this one and with gorgeous scenery, wine and finger foods it's best to enjoy sitting outside looking at the beautiful Skaneateles Lake!

Can't wait to read your posts about each of these wonderful places once you get there. Some are on my list too!