Category Archives: fish fry

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ISO Fish Fry: The Hawkeye

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A beautiful, sunny and breezy seventy-five degree weather day is a message from the universe commanding us to take a road trip to Cooperstown, New York.  Joyce, Bobbi and I visited the Fenimore Art Museum to see the Linda McCartney photography exhibit (picture taking inside was prohibited).

We had a snack at the museum cafe and later ventured (down the street)  to the Otesaga Resort Hotel for a look-see. The hotel, like the museum, overlooks Otsego Lake.  There is a gorgeous swimming pool alongside the breathtaking outdoor space of The Hawkeye Bar & Grill, which is inside the hotel.

Presentation:  Beer-battered cod was placed on a bed of malt vinegar and salt infused french fries, and served with a dollop of tartar sauce and ketchup.  We received two smaller plates in order to split the meal.  I’ve done this before at other restaurants but they usually offer one small plate for the other person and that never feels like an equal split.  So this was great!

Taste:  The fries had been sprinkled with that salt and malt vinegar powder, which made them the best fries in the world.  Have I said that about fries before?  This time I mean it!  Some still had the skin on them – they were freshly cut potatoes and perfectly cooked.  The cod was beer battered with a crisp exterior and inside I found the most tender thick chunks of mouth-watering fish.  It was an incredibly satisfying meal.  Bobbi and I split the meal and it was actually quite generous on the half.  This was a fish and chips meal – no coleslaw.

Restaurant Experience:  This was probably the best view of any restaurant so far in my quest/search for the best fish fry.  It was such a glorious day and literally everything about this place gets high marks.  The food, the staff, the service, the furniture, the decor throughout the restaurant and the hotel were all outstanding.  I mean, even the bathrooms were spectacular.  The time spent with friends:  priceless!

You must go there and see it for yourselves.  We had originally planned to go on Monday but the weather forecast indicated rain so we were able to pivot to today.  Cooperstown is picturesque and is meant to be enjoyed on a beautiful day.  So amazing!!!

Location:  The Otesaga Resort Hotel is located at 60 Lake Street, Cooperstown, New York 13326

Parking:  There is a large parking lot adjacent to the building.

 

 

 

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ISO Fish Fry: Ruston’s Diner

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The trip to Ruston’s Diner was not about the food.  It wasn’t about memories either.  Many Jamesville-Dewitt grads have waxed nostalgic about this place, but I’d never been there.

It was about Dad.  It was the last place he worked as a chef/cook before he retired.  For my sister, there was history too.  Once, I mean it was years ago, Dad went to work and all the waitresses had called in sick, so he recruited Mom and my two sisters to be the employees.

I found out about all of this at Thanksgiving.  Why wasn’t I contacted?  Clearly, because they’d decided that I wouldn’t have wanted to do that – wait on people, even though my job as an art teacher was mostly that except without food.

Presentation:  So when the waitress messed up our order, we didn’t complain or anything.  Because Kathy just said, “She’s probably new.”

I ordered broiled haddock with coleslaw and fries, and my plate arrived with macaroni and cheese on it.  I also said tartar, no cocktail sauce but was delivered both.  Kathy order the fried clams with one side but got the addition of coleslaw and was charged for the dinner, which, all in all, was fine.  Who cares?

The presentation with that giant slice of bread on top was strange, but oh well.

Taste:  The fish was great!  It had paprika on top and was served with a slice of lemon.  It was not swimming in watery butter like other incarnations of this dish and I liked that.  The fries were perfectly cooked.  The coleslaw was quite runny.

I brought the coleslaw and bread home for later and Kathy packed up about half her meal to go.

Restaurant Experience:  Let’s face it – this is a diner.  It is a place for friendship and athleisure-wear.  Most of the diners come for the camaraderie  with the staff and for that casual atmosphere, as it is in proximity to their location in the ‘ville.

If you need to pee, lol, get ready for that experience.  The bathroom is so tiny.  It was like a jet plane toilet situation and I wondered what handicapped or fat-challenged individuals were supposed to do.  I loved this quirkiness.  It’s so my father’s humor.

Location:  Ruston’s Diner is located at 6407 Jamesville Toll Road, Jamesville, New York 13078.

Parking:  There are plenty of parking spots for the restaurant’s capacity crowd.  However, leaving the parking lot is somewhat dangerous, as it is around a blind corner from drivers of gigantic trucks (and cars, of course) turning right from Jamesville Road with a mere yield sign.  This requires alert driving skill!

Thanks, Dad. <3

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ISO Fish Fry: Green Lakes Lanes

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Kathy and I met at the bowling alley,   Our friends Bob and Marie had posted on social media that they had fish dinners there.  It looked like a good idea to go in search of fish fry and to see if bowling is something we would like to pursue in retirement.

It was definitely fun.  We played one game (around $20 each including shoes).  I got a strike on my first try, but I was a very inconsistent bowler.  I think I started wanting to do really well and, basically, choked.  Got some gutter balls and by the end of it, my arm felt a bit sore and so, maybe I go another forty years before I play again?  Or maybe I will go next week.  I mean, it was really fun!

Presentation:  I ordered broiled haddock with coleslaw and sweet potato fries – two sides (around $20) and Kathy had the fish sandwich with a side of macaroni & cheese (around $17).  When the plates came out, I was floored by the presentation.  I guess I was expecting diner food, lol, but this was beautiful.

The sweet potato fries came with a dollop of this delicious maple butter dipping sauce.  Also on my plate:  a wedge of lemon and a dollop of tartar sauce, which appeared to be homemade.

Taste:  The fish was so fresh and tender, and swallowable – I mean – no chewing needed.  I ate it so fast that I felt like one of those contestants on Survivor, as though I hadn’t eaten in decades- I devoured it.  I left half of the coleslaw behind, as I was too full after eating the fries (like, three at a time).  The waitress offered several cheesecake dessert options but we declined.

Restaurant Experience:  The restaurant at Green Lakes Lanes opens at 11:00 AM for lunch.  We arrived at 11:30 AM.  The parking lot was full to capacity with all but one bowling lane full of bowlers.  We decided to bowl first then eat (lane 12 was available).

Everything then gets charged to one bill.  You take your shoes off at the door then rent bowling shoes and take your lane.  A woman helped us plug in our names to the score sheet, which was otherwise automatic.

We finished our game, replaced our shoes and dined in the restaurant.  The waitress was incredibly friendly and patient with us, while we decided what we wanted and of course, while we asked a lot of silly questions, as newbies often do.  We’d never been there before.

Everything was spotless, lovely, delicious and friendly.  We loved it.

Location:  Green Lakes Lanes is located on Route 5 in Fayetteville, New York (7930 E. Genesee Street, Fayetteville, NY 13066).

Parking:  The lot is directly in front of the building and it was tight today.  They have bowling leagues – maybe people bowl every Friday?  I don’t know, but everyone seemed to know everyone else, so if you are looking for family friendly fun (in our case it was more of a senior citizen crowd), then this is the place for you.

Green Lakes Lanes also participates in Syracuse Trivia games on Monday and Thursday evenings.  They have a full menu including desserts, but fish is only served on Fridays.

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ISO Fish Fry – Price Chopper

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I decided to try the fish fry at Price Chopper grocery store.

Presentation:  The fish dinner was placed on a paper plate inside a paper container.  Two tubs of tartar sauce were included.  They use canola oil.  A price sticker was attached, which also indicated the contents and sadly, a 1260 calorie count.

Taste:  I ate the meal right out of the container.  I guess I could have placed it on my fine china but the problem with take-out is that by the time you get home, you just want to wolf it down before it gets cold.  I enjoyed it.

Restaurant Experience:  I ordered the meal – fried haddock, french fries and coleslaw and was told it would take about five minutes!  The seafood area is a straight shoot from the front door against the back wall where they have a spotless stainless steel kitchen.  (They also have lobsters available for $9.99 per pound).  When it was ready I took the container to the  front cash registers to pay.  It was only $8.99.

Location:  The Price Chopper I went to is located at 2515 Erie Blvd. East, Syracuse, NY 13224.

Parking:  There is a huge parking lot in front of the grocery store.

fish fry, ISO - fish fry, Karen Tashkovski

ISO Fish Fry – Redwood Diner

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I drive by the Redwood Diner nearly every day.  I watched the exterior transformation in real time, like a slo-mo of an HGTV Curb Appeal episode and when they added the red siding, I said to myself – I want to go to there.  Today they added their new neon sign.  And today was also the day that the diner’s tight hours of operation (6:00 AM – 1:00 PM) fit into my schedule.

Presentation:  Redwood Diner is primarily a breakfast nook but on Fridays they do a fish fry!  Elaine was in town from Florida and when I said – I think I want to do the fish instead of breakfast, she said – me too!

Elaine ordered the fish with a side of macaroni & cheese and I ordered it with the fries.  Her order arrived first then mine without the fries and I had to wait a bit for them.  The fries were hand-sliced potatoes with the skin on them.  The fish came on a toasted and buttered bun.

Taste:  I loved the fish.  It was very light, very fresh!  I liked the taste of the potato skins.  That was a different take – I’ve never seen that before and it gave the restaurant this homey feel.  Elaine enjoyed the mac & cheese.  I would have preferred a little side of coleslaw but they didn’t have it on the menu as an option.

It was all really good!  And our fish lunches were only $12.00 each.

Restaurant Experience:  So you enter the space and it is a traditional diner with barstools at the counter in front of the short order cook style kitchen.  Then you slide into a back room with six or seven tables and it sort of feels like you’ve entered Dr. Who’s Tardis because it is way bigger on the inside than it looks from the outside.  Lots of customers inside!  Everyone happily eating, mostly breakfast items.  We arrived at 11:30 AM.

The staff was exceptional.  Wonderful people.  Friendly, happy to be at our service, the kind of people who have a passion for their jobs and I just love that so much.

It was a lovely experience.

Location:  Redwood Diner is located at 121 E. Manlius Street, East Syracuse, NY 13057, right in the village of East Syracuse.

Parking:  There is a small parking lot behind the building.  We parked on the street right in front of the diner!  That was a lucky break because the parking lot was a bit icy on this day.

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ISO Fish Fry – Cole’s

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Yesterday my friend Joyce and I visited the Albright-Knox Gallery and Art Museum  in Buffalo, New York.  It was a spectacular day of viewing the amazing Marisol collection of sculptures, as well as admiring some very famous paintings that we both had studied in art history classes – from Van Gogh, Matisse, Picasso, Modigliani and my heroes Johns and Rauschenberg!  We kept saying a variation of “what is this doing here, and, I didn’t know this was here!”

On that high note, we decided to go in search of fish fry.  The gallery store employee directed us to Cole’s, an Irish pub located only minutes away in the Elmwood Village neighborhood.

Presentation:  Haddock is a Friday-only special here and it is prepared three different ways – beer battered (Joyce’s choice), broiled or broiled Greek-style.  I chose the latter minus the tomato addition.

Taste:  I have to say that this meal was the best fish dinner I have ever had.  The fish was mouthwatering.  I was told they broil their fish in white wine but when they do it Greek-style they use a Greek dressing marinade and add spinach and feta cheese to the fish before broiling.  I am in love with these people.  Too bad they are a bit over two hours away.  I asked to be adopted.  The waitress did relay this to the chef and kitchen staff, and she said they were delighted that I was delighted and I was very, very…sooooo delighted.  <3

Joyce thought her beer-battered version rivaled the fish she had last week in London, England.  Yes, that good!  She chose sweet potato fries and soup as her sides.

I loved the flavor of the coleslaw with my salty friend, feta, but as per usual, I was in salt overkill with the fries.  I think they were peppered as well.  Next time I will ask for saltless fries with this meal.

Restaurant Experience:   OMG times infinity.  I highly recommend this amazing restaurant!  We were seated immediately and the waitress was absolutely lovely.  We shared that we were out-of-towners (Joyce is from Binghamton, New York) and were excited to be there.  She welcomed us and matched our enthusiasm.

It was relatively quiet inside the restaurant with soft rock music playing.  We were able to continue our conversation in between bites and oohs and ahhs over the food – mostly me, as I am the crazy fish lady, let’s make that clear.

Location:  Cole’s is located at 1104 Elmwood Avenue, Buffalo, New York 14222, a two-minute drive from the AKG Art Museum (or a nine-minute walk).

Hours

Monday – 5pm- 12am
Tuesday – 5pm – 3am
Wednesday – 5pm- 2am
Thursday – 5pm- 2am
Friday – 11:30am – 4am
Saturday – 11:30am -4am
Sunday – 11am – 12am

Parking:  We parked on the street.  I didn’t see a parking lot.  We were there around 3:30 PM on Friday afternoon, which is between lunch and dinner so it wasn’t a problem finding a spot.

 

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ISO Fish Fry: Meier’s Creek

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Meier’s Creek in Cazenovia, New York is the perfect place to rendezvous for a “ladies-who -lunch” afternoon. Janine and I saw a former colleague of mine with her friend of twenty-plus years there while we have enjoyed a connection that goes back to “House 1” at J-D Middle School.

Presentation: Meier’s Creek only does a Friday fish fry. It’s not on the menu. Because this is also a brewery, the fish is of the beer-battered variety. Mine was served on a bed of fries. Janine substituted a side salad so her plate looks different. Both came with coleslaw, tartar and lemon slices with herbs sprinkled over the top.

Taste: Janine said it was the best she’d had in the area so far. The fish was very tender under that crunchy crust. I wasn’t that hungry at first but when I saw this plate I was all for it. I started with the coleslaw. It was a mayo-laden thingy, very creamy. Then I think I tackled the entire fish. I kind of peeled off the batter to get to it. Fries – not particularly salty until later when I became insatiably thirsty and still am three hours later.

I’m not implying that fish fry is bad for you. It is a treat. Everything else I eat is pretty bland – oatmeal, yogurt, unsalted peanuts, protein shakes – and this meal was delicious.

It was $21.00.

Restaurant Experience: It was a great day to eat outside under the canopy. Other options were in the restaurant or out under those yellow umbrellas. This is a gem of a place. Everyone who works there looks like a starlet out of central casting. Beautiful people, beautiful place.

Location: Meier’s Creek is located at 33 Rippleton Road, Cazenovia, NY 13035.

Parking: Plenty of parking in a beautifully paved parking lot.

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ISO Fish Fry – Harpoon Eddie’s

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Last night I found a fried haddock dinner at Harpoon Eddie’s in Sylvan Beach, New York. We were there to listen to the harmonies of SAMMY nominated Syracuse band Master Thieves. They do great versions of classic rock songs interspersed with originals.

They played indoors due to the inclement weather.

Presentation: This massive fried haddock dinner came served with lager fries, char-grilled Brussels sprout and homemade tartar sauce presented on an adorable aluminum fish plate.

I love how every time I go in search of fish fry I am delighted by the variety in presentation. This one is so fun!

There are several haddock choices on the menu – sandwich, bites, dinner – and several side items. Crinkle cut fries were available too or garlic mashed potatoes and broccoli in place of the sprouts. But no coleslaw.

Taste: I enjoyed the meal, especially the fries – they’d been recommended by the bartender. I liked the Brussels spout but flavor-wise I felt they competed with the fish and it seemed an odd choice. The fish tasted great – flaky and airy. I split the dinner with my friend. Half was really plenty meal. It was $23.00.

Restaurant Experience: I’m not going to lie – Harpoon Eddie’s is so much better on a beautiful summer night, as depicted in photographs on their web-site. My hair would agree with that assessment. It transforms into full gremlin when wet. But, you know, despite that – still fun. Sparsely attended yet everyone there was enjoying the band and their respective meals. The waitstaff appear to love their jobs. They are very helpful and friendly, and smiley.

Location: Harpoon Eddie’s is on the beach overlooking Oneida Lake, located at 611 Park Street, Sylvan Beach, New York 13157.

OPEN MON-TUE 4-10 PM, WED-THU 12-10 PM, FRI-SAT 12-1130 PM AND SUN 12-9 PM

Parking: Parking is tight in the small parking lot. There are more spaces across the street, as well as a larger parking lot within walking distance that services other businesses and the amusement park.

fish fry, ISO - fish fry, Karen Tashkovski

ISO Fish Fry – Cafe Jarosz

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I took a trip to The Yard in Manlius, New York and discovered Cafe Jarosz. Fried haddock was on the menu!

Presentation: I received my order from the food truck and it was presented as a tower of fish – I think there were three pieces in the bun propped on a bed of crinkle cut fries. Coleslaw had been placed in a small container. The meal came with tartar sauce and ketchup. It was $15.

Taste: The fish batter had a Kentucky Fried Chicken flavor. Crispy and tender and so fun to eat. The coleslaw tasted traditional and the fries too. Everything felt very much, like, familiar.

I’m not a huge fan of food trucks – that whole temporary thing weirds me out or maybe it is because it’s a road vehicle that combines moving around the region with cooking that doesn’t seem sanitary. But, with that said, this meal is probably up there in the Karen Tash local fish fry Hall of Fame, which has not yet been established but sounds like high praise so I will allow it and thank my past self when the time comes to reveal it. Yes, it was really that good!

Restaurant Experience: I guess The Yard had that fun “let’s explore this place” factor, which lead from the bar to the cafe to the food truck and the outdoor seating area, and that adventure was lovely. It was a beautiful day and I wondered how the businesses faired in poorer climate conditions.

I imagined becoming a vendor to sell my art and jewelry but in that daydream, it would always need to be a gorgeous seventy-eight degree weather day and I would need more variety in the menu choices of Cafe Jarosz, because haddock is a Friday only special (and very if-fy on Saturdays)

Location: The Yard is located at 604 E Seneca St, Manlius, NY 13104. Cafe Jarosz is a small eat-in restaurant with a food truck parked in the rear that exists within The Yard compound, which includes a mall style shopping experience paired with artisan shops housed in old shipping containers and an outdoor space with a fully stocked bar/brewery.

Parking: There is a long row of parking spaces to the left of the property with handicapped parking in the middle. It wasn’t that busy at 3;30 PM on Saturday because they didn’t have any live music scheduled at that time, but I believe it gets more traffic in the evenings.

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ISO Fish Fry – Yards Grille

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Yesterday, we held our final Chittenango Art department faculty meeting for the year (my final ever meeting) at Yards Grille (at Green Lakes State Park, Fayetteville, New York). I was the only one in search of fish fry. There’s a variety of sandwiches, salads and other entrees on the menu. We all chose different meals.

Presentation: This is their fish sandwich. It comes with french fries or potato chips but no coleslaw. Instead the fish is served tartared and laden with pickles on a brioche bun.

Taste: It was delish! I loved every bite. The fries had an air fryer look to them – very seasoned, which made me covet them. I don’t eat like this every day – it probably seems like it, lol, but I mainly eat a very bland plant based diet – so when I have something salty I think it tricks my mind into wanting more times infinity. And that it not to say that I regret eating them. Because I don’t regret a thing.

Restaurant Experience: The restaurant overlooks the golf course and the lake at Green Lakes State Park. If you’ve never been there, you must make a plan to go because the view is spectacular!

We had planned this excursion a week in advance. On Thursday night when I checked the weather report, it declared Friday a rainy day. I thought we were going to end up eating inside – well…it turned out to be a magnificent weather day. Perfect, in fact. Seventy-eight degrees and sunny. We were able to dine on the outdoor deck. We sat in the shade and enjoyed the view while reminiscing, evaluating the school year and sharing plans for summer vacation and beyond.

Katy and I arrived together. We approached the hostess and she brought us to our table. Madison had already arrived. Allison and Gina appeared quickly after. The waitress and the manager asked us how everything was – they really pampered us.

If you have never been to this restaurant, I highly recommend you head there on a beautiful day to enjoy the ambiance. Yards Grille is only open from Memorial Day through Labor Day, I believe, and is open from 7:00 AM to 8:00 PM every day during that period.

Location:

Green Lakes State Park
5648 Green Lakes Park Dr
Fayetteville, NY 13066

Parking: There is a huge parking lot in front of the restaurant. When we arrived at noon yesterday, the parking lot was full of cars but the restaurant was not filled to capacity because the parking lot doubles as parking for golfers. There is plenty of space.

If you drive into Green Lakes from Route 5, you do not have to pay to go through the park – the entrance gate to the park does not include the restaurant.