Kilpatricks

Sometimes all you want is good tavern food. We stopped into Kilpatricks on Seneca Street in Ithaca and were very pleased.

We went at an off hour for dining and the restaurant was mostly empty, with a few diners sitting in booths. However, we chose a table near the windows so we could people watch while we dined.

We ordered the Golden Claddagh, a pulled pork sandwich, and the Ambler Batter Haddock Sandwich. We both upgraded our sides, so we also received the black and tan onion rings and the Irish Chips.

The pulled pork was very good. Tender, juicy, with just the right amount of sauce that had a perfect smoky barbecue flavor without over powering the meat. The fish sandwich was good - a nice crispy, crunchy breading and the fish was nicely cooked inside.

However, the stars of the meal were the sides. The black and tan onion rings were delicious. They had a lovely onion taste while the flavors of stout and lager beers still seeped through on the breading. They were served with a dipping sauce so smoky, tangy and delicious that I found myself dipping my fish and chips into it as well.

The Irish chips are house fried and then topped with garlic, pecorino cheese and green onions and served with a ranch dipping sauce. These were also fantastic. The combination of fresh garlic and pecorino on top of the thick cut chips was wonderful and addicting. Add the ranch dipping sauce and I couldn't stop myself from eating the whole basket. (YUM!)

Corks and More

After a day of touring wineries around Seneca Lake, there was nothing more we wanted to do than to sit down and enjoy a few dishes at the local wine bar. We stopped into Corks and More, a bit hidden and right on the water in Ithaca, for a light dinner and a few glasses of wine.

The concept was a lot of fun. Diners purchase a reloadable card and use that card to pay for their wine in the machines. Wine is dispensed in a 1 oz., 3 oz. or 5 oz. option, a good way to try a variety of wines without over drinking. Wines varied from sweet to dry and local to South American and Australian.

They also have a full service kitchen with full meals, soups, and tapas. We decided to try a few of the crostinis, which are perfect two-bite creations. We tried the Pan fried prosciutto with mozzarella and basil, brie with apples and onions, Pesto Chicken with Fontina Cheese, and the Sausage and Pumpkin Butter with Sharp Cheddar Cheese. The brie with apples and the sausage and pumpkin butter were, by far, our favorites.

The pre-loaded card for the wine dispensers was also able to be used for food, making it a very convenient way to pay for out of towners.

There is also a full service bar, as well.

The Laughing Man Tavern

We stumbled across The Laughing Man Tavern while walking through Washington, DC. At lunch time on the weekend, the bar was busy and the TVs were showing the soccer game. The dining room, however, was relatively empty.

We ordered the fish fry sandwich and the BBQ Bacon Burger for lunch; both were served with a side of fries.

The burger was average, but large and on a very small bun. The fish (shown above) was more than twice the size of the bun it was served on, and I wound up eating it with a fork and knife instead of as a sandwich. That said, the fish was good. The breading had a distinct funnel cake flavor to it, which gave it a wonderful sweet and salty quality. It was also fried well, super crispy on the outside and moist and flaky on the inside.

This place, overall, was decent, but definitely more "bar" than "restaurant," but with decent meal options.

Pusser's Landing (Annapolis, MD)

We found Pusser's Landing after doing a little bit of research on the restaurants in Annapolis, and we were glad we spent the time doing our research! The restaurant, located a fair walk from the main shopping district in Annapolis, is located adjacent to the Annapolis Marriott Waterfront hotel.

The restaurant was packed and we were glad we had made reservations in advance. We were seated at a large table for 2 in the restaurant. The restaurant is large and has a dining room, a bar area, and a patio on the marina.

To start our meals, we ordered the Pusser's Painkiller, level 2, and an Annapolis Sunset. The Painkiller, while we expected it to be heavy on the alcohol and sweet, was delicious. The Annapolis Sunset was good, but mediocre in comparison to the restaurant's signature drink.

For dinner, we ordered the Mahi Mahi and one of the night's specials, a grilled cobia fillet with mango salsa. Both fishes were cooked perfectly - a nice crust on all sides and a moist, flaky interior.

Even though the restaurant was busy, at no point did we feel rushed through our meal or unattended by the waitstaff.

We would recommend stopping by Pusser's in Annapolis for a bite to eat or grab a drink at their bar before hitting the shops for the day.