31 minute read
BEST OF ITHACA
At a time in this country when votes are being questioned, when lawsuits are being fi led, and when communities are being divided, the Best of Ithaca awards remain the gold standard for electoral integrity. Proudly low tech, we guarantee that no foreign government or extremist organization tried to hack into our results. Consisting entirely of write-in choices, none of our winners are beholden to any entirely of write-in choices, none of our winners are beholden to any party organization. e categories may vary a bit from year to year party organization. e categories may vary a bit from year to year (and if you have any suggestions for new ones please reach out) (and if you have any suggestions for new ones please reach out) but one thing is for certain: there has been no redistricting— but one thing is for certain: there has been no redistricting— genuine Ithaca Times readers think these are the best genuine Ithaca Times readers think these are the best people, entertainments, eating and drinking spots, essentials, and places in .
By Mark Levine, Matt Dougherty, Andrew Sullivan,and Lyndsey Honor Lyndsey Honor
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F O O D A N D D R I N K
Chef Sam Epps and his wife Kami Drake were raised in Ithaca and both began their restaurant careers at the much-missed Ithaca eatery e Coddington. After years of working in Italy, Manhattan, and Greenwich, at world famous restaurants like Babbo, they returned to Ithaca in to open Gola Osteria, which off ers a fresh spin on classic Italian dishes in the historic Quarry Arms Building. at fresh spin has been thrilling Ithacans for years and this year has led to their being named both Best Fine Dining and Best Date Night spot. ey’re thrilled at winning two Best of Ithaca awards in and attribute their success to the hard work of the staff on a daily basis. ey’re thankful “for the family and loyal Gola customers who have supported them unconditionally.” While noting that Gola is “ever growing and evolving” they say that catering the many celebrations postponed due to COVID business is keeping them very busy.
BEST SANDWICH: GORGERS
Matthew and Barton Diamond’s emphasis on scratch made bread and an internationally themed menu with sandwich favorites from Philly to Asia with stops throughout the U.S. and Latin America have resulted in their winning this year’s award for the best place in Ithaca for a sandwich. is being Ithaca, it doesn’t hurt that they’re also dedicated to being a zero-waste facility.
BEST PIZZA: FRANCO’S PIZZA
West State Street may be seeing lots of development, but one thing that isn’t changing is Franco’s Pizza. It may be time to permanently name this award after the beloved pizzeria since this is the fi fth year in a row it has been won by Salvatore and Frank Evola’s popular eatery.
BEST PLACE FOR ICE CREAM: PURITY ICE CREAM
Generations of Ithacans have turned to Purity whenever they’re in the mood for ice cream. As owner Kevin Sullivan explains, “Purity’s focus on quality and service has been the core of the business for more than 85 years. Our loyal customers can taste the difference in every bite.” Clearly, today’s generation of Ithacans feel the same as their ancestors, naming Purity the Best Place for Ice Cream in 2022. Sullivan explains that the iconic ice cream shop “takes great pride in making sure that our delicious ice cream brings smiles to faces for a long time to come.” Future plans include opening a second “scoop shop” window next year so they can cut down on the long lines.
BEST WINERY: SIX MILE CREEK
It’s not every city that has a winery in its midst. And what makes it even more special is that Six Mile Creek offers an exceptional repertoire in a setting that will remind you of Tuscany or Bordeaux. For the third year in a row Ithacans have shown their love for this little touch of Europe in Ithaca.
BEST BREAKFAST: LINCOLN ST DINER
The Lincoln Street Diner transcends its appearance as a traditional neighborhood spot and has become the breakfast destination
BEST PLACE FOR ICE CREAM: Purity Ice Cream
For many Ithacans, a summer week—or any week—is not complete without at least one visit to Purity, winner of Best Place for Ice Cream, for a cone…with sprinkles. (Photo: Josh Baldo)
of choice for people from all over the City. Sure, you’ll see lots of people from Fall Creek walking over for breakfast, but you’ll also find folks coming from all over to look for a parking spot nearby so they come in for a classic diner breakfast. Congratulations to Ithaca’s “Little Hometown Diner.”
BEST CIDERY: South Hill Cidery
Steve Selin of South Hill Cider is a modern-day Johnny Appleseed, spreading the love of Finger Lakes cider around not just the state, but the whole country from this year’s Best Cidery. (Photo: Josh Baldo)
BEST CIDERY: SOUTH HILL CIDERY
If you’re going to single out one person who’s primarily responsible for Ithaca becoming the epicenter of the cider world, it would have to be Steve Selin of South Hill Cider. His bringing the same focus on terroir and varietals to cider as winemakers bring to their offerings has helped turn the Finger Lakes into the Napa Valley of the cider world. While the taste of South Hill’s offerings attracts many, you can’t discount Steve’s evangelical efforts on behalf of cider and the Finger Lakes as being an important factor in it being name Best Cidery by Ithaca Times readers in 2022.
BEST TO-GO EXPERIENCE: TASTE OF THAI EXPRESS
Since Taste of Thai Express opened back in 2003, Ying Balakula’s Meadow Street restaurant has carved out a top spot in Ithaca’s crowded collection of Asian dining spots. Winning the 2022 award for Best To-Go Experience is a special honor since take-out has been so important to everyone in the past couple of years.
BEST GALLERY: State of the Art Gallery BEST THEATRICAL PERFORMANCE: Natasha, Pierre & The Great Comet of 1812
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Maddy Walsh said winning both the best local band and best solo artist awards “was a sweet and unexpected honor.” While she’s not a big believer in competition when it comes to music, she sees winning the awards this year as a special tribute. “The Blind Spots have been together a long time, and after the two plus years of a global pandemic that made it impossible to perform live, this award feels like a pat on the back from a very good friend saying, ‘way to stick it out guys.’” Walsh says she poured all her love for Ithaca into the song “Lighthouse” on her recent solo record and hope that shows everyone just how much she loves the place she calls home.
Our own Barbara Adams took particular delight in Dave Malloy’s electropop opera that is adapted from a segment of Tolstoy’s “War and Peace”: “The large cast spills over the state, down the aisles, and through the audience… conveying a sense of life irrepressibly erupting.” Obviously audiences agreed, naming this summer’s outdoor Hangar performance the Best Theatrical Performance of 2022.
Maddy Walsh & The Blind Spots, winners of Best Local Band and Best Solo Artist, are planning to ramp up their productions with more costumes, wilder jams, and more stage props that highlight their special sensibility. (Photo: Provided)
BEST LOCAL DJ: DAVE HARRINGTON (DJ DALE)
Harrington, known professionally as DJ Dale, would like to publicly thank all who voted for him. He says winning feels like a great honor, and he’d like to offer a promise in return: “I will continue to do my personal best to host fun nights of karaoke, trivia, and great entertainment.”
There are amazing murals all over Ithaca so it’s hard to single one out. But if you spend a few minutes in the Sciencenter and see how people, especially children, interact with Molly Reagan’s AirWays Maze mural, you’ll see why it was voted Best Mural for 2022. Once they engage with the work it’s hard to pull them away to see the rest of the exhibits. While she’s from Cortland, Molly Reagan can now be considered an honorary Ithacan.
AirWays Maze by Molly Reagan takes pride of place among the dozens of incredible murals adorning the interior and exterior of the Sciencenter, having won this year’s award for Best Mural. (Photo: Mark Levine)
BEST LOCAL RADIO SHOW: ROCKIN’ REMNANTS ON WVBR
e Rockin’ Remnants team feels that winning this award affi rms that after four decades on WVBR-FM, Oldies continue to have broad appeal and that a team of dedicated and knowledgeable community DJs can work eff ectively with student station leaders to stand out year after year in a crowded radio-rich market. e fi ve hosts collectively note that they work hard week in and week out to curate engaging musical content and commentary, mixing big hits with B-sides and obscurities and listener requests. ey say they strive to highlight themes that underscore the variety and enduring vitality of the rock ‘n roll era.
BEST GALLERY: STATE OF THE ART GALLERY
e State of the Art Gallery is a cooperative fi ne art gallery that is honored to win this award, having served the Ithaca region for over years with a broad range of visual art. e gallery shows vibrant new artwork each month and welcomes visitors to meet the artists on First Friday Gallery Night. According to Susan Larkin, a member of the cooperative, they’re looking forward to bringing “the community into our gallery with our Annual December Juried Exhibit and our Annual Juried Photography Show.”
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What is the best thing to do or place to go with a visitor?
Viva • Trails • Hiking, commons • Thompson and Bleecker • Cascadilla Gorge • Hike a gorge • Sailing on the lake • Check out gorges • Ithaca Falls • Restaurant Row Aurora Street • Treman State Park • Visit park • Hike the gorge trail • Museum of the Earth • Taughannock • Taughannock Falls • Ithaca's Farmers Market • Ithaca's Farmers Market • Ithaca Falls • Upper Treman • Farmer's Market Boat Tour • Ithaca Farmer's Market • Inside • Taughannock • Bobby Ts • Viva • Taughannock Overlook • Taughannock Falls • Johnson Museum • Gorge walking • Taughannock Falls • Taughannock State Park • Farmer's Market • Farmer's Market • Taughannock Falls • Hike in the woods • Cascadilla Gorge Trail • Stewart Park • Hiking at Watkins Glen State Park • Taughannock Falls • Seneca Wine Trail • Winery Tour • Farmers Market • Ithaca Falls • Gorges • Farmers Market • Cascadilla • Cornell Botanic Gardens • Gorges touring • Farmer's Market • Stewart Park • Steamboat Alley Farmer's Market • Farmer's Market • Visit wineries • Look at all waterfalls • Hiking the gorges and waterfalls • Taughannock Falls • Farmer’s Market • Sagan Walk • Taughannock Park • Waterfalls • Cornell • Fall Creek Gorge • CTB • Johnson Museum • Go for a hike • Taughannock Falls • Ithaca Gorges • State Parks • Cornell botanical gardens • See The Comb Down live • Cascadilla Gorge trail walk • Press Bay Alley • Movie at Cinemopolis • Dinner at the rook • Ithaca Farmers Market • K House Karaoke • Karaoke at k-house • Farmer’s Market • K House • Cascadilla Gorge • Cascadilla Gorge • Canoe on the lake • Walk the Wildflower Preserve • K House • Farmer’s Market • Cascadilla Gorge • Museum of Earth • Farmer’s Market • Sciencenter • Cornell Botanical Gardens • Sciencenter • Sciencenter • K-House! • Waterfalls • Karaoke at K House • Farmer’s Market • Commons • Farmers Market • Sciencenter • Human Ecology Fashion Shows • Winery • K House • Ithaca Falls • Hopshire • Cascadilla Gorge • Botanic gardens
What’s something every college student should experience in Ithaca before graduation?
Queer kissing • Getting off campus • Jumping in the lake • Cinemapolis popcorn • Staying sober on a weekend • The gorges • Swimming under a waterfall • Apple Festival • Cascadilla Gorge • See some magic • Swimming in a gorge • Stewart Park • Skinny Dipping • Swimming in gorges • Kumas • Shortstop • Concert @ Farmer’s Market • Farmer’s Market • Cascadilla Gorge • Poverty • Taughannock • Leave Ithaca • All the waterfalls • Circus truck • Volunteer community service. • Cross country skiing in the Cornell Arboretum • The State Parks • Local volunteering • Kitchen Theatre • The summer months • Staying over a summer • Community service! • Live theatre • Keeping ithaca clean • Hiking Treman • Pinesburger Challenge • Ithaca Fest • Farmers Market • Gola • The Commons • Kava • A scornful look from townies • Lynah Rink • Chanticleer • Ithaca Festival • A boat tour • Sunset at the Lake • Cayuga Lake wine trail • The Art Scene • Ithaca Fest • Farmers Market • Pinesburger • Smith Woods • A local government meeting • Volunteering • Hopshire Brewery • At least one festival on the commons • Boat tour from Farmer’s Market • Walk up Cascadilla Gorge trail • Climb the Chimes Tower at Cornell • Moonies • A Comb Down concert • Ithaca Commons • K House • Karaoke at K House!! • K Kouse • Debt relief • A 2-foot snow storm • Volunteering at Loaves and Fishes • A service industry position • Apple Fest • Watching sunsets from atop their respective hills. So beautiful. • K House • Downtown Businesses • A BBQ at Stewart Park playing can smash. • Grassroots • Mini-golf at the Sciencenter • K-House! • Treman Park • Karaoke at K House!!!!! • Apple Fest • Waterfalls • Grassroots Festival • Porchfest! • Farmers Market • K House • 2nd Dam • Volunteer • Taughannock
What is Ithaca’s Best Bargain?
Lou’s hot dogs • Hiking • The Circus Truck • Finger Lakes ReUse • Cinemapolis • The parks • Cascadilla Gorge • Maki lunch at Sumo • Clothing at the ReUse MegaCenter • Finger Lakes ReUse Center • Ithaca ReUse • ReUse • Viva • Not sure • Ithaca Times • Johnson Museum • All our trails • TJ Maxx! • Viva Taqueria • Meehak • Stewart Park • Mimi’s Attic • Royal Court Thursday Burger Special • Maru Ramen • Ithaca ReUse • Taughannock Falls State Park • Farmers market • ReUse Center • Taco Bell • ReUse • Cornell Botanic Gardens • Ollies • IC theatre season pass • Taco truck next to ReUse on Elmira Road • Anything, compared to other liberal East Coast cities! • Stewart Park • Aldi • Ithaca Falls • ReUse Center • Newman golf • Ithaca ReUse • ReUse • ReUse • Finger lakes ReUse • ReUse • Stewart Park • Mama Goose • Stewart Park • Grass Roots Festival • Ithaca Night Bazaar • Shot of introductory soju at K House • K House • Housing • Ushering at the Kitchen Theatre • Ithaca College theater show • Not rent • ReUse Center! • K House • K House • Trumansburg • Ithaca ReUse • Local First Book • Middle Eastern Food truck on Commons • Mimi’s Attic • Ithaca Reuse • The music scene • Kegs and Eggs at Hopshire • A New Leaf • Free community cruise
BEST DOG GROOMER: No Barks About It
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BEST DOG GROOMER: NO BARKS ABOUT IT
Being named Best Dog Groomer by the readers of the Ithaca Times means that No Barks About It has achieved their goal of “having a positive impact on the clients, their dogs and the community,” according to the Lansing shop’s Melissa Giannone. She credits the staff for their award: “Our staff are so dedicated and believe so strongly in our mission of helping dogs and their owners and it shows in their work, every day. ey care about each do as though it’s their own.” No Barks About It is downsizing the training and day school portions of the business in order to expand the grooming salon so they can expand their hours and open up spaces for new clients.
BEST PHYSICAL THERAPIST: CMC PHYSICAL THERAPY
Brian Lee, Director of Physical Therapy at Cayuga Medical Center attributes their winning the award to his team: “We have a great staff, some of whom have been with us for a long time and others who have just started, but all are committed to providing high-quality, evidence-informed therapy care to the communities we serve. We acknowledge that the region’s healthcare consumer has many choices about where to receive outpatient occupational, physical, and/or speech therapy, and are so pleased to be acknowledged in this way.”
BEST NONPROFIT: HOSPICARE
Sara Worden, the Director of Development and Community Relations at Hospicare says this year’s winner for Best Nonprofit continues to be “incredibly grateful to the community which so wholeheartedly supports compassionate end-of-life care and grief support programming in Tompkins County through the annual Women Swimmin’ event and this year’s award for being Ithaca’s best nonprofit. Everyone who contributed in some
BEST NEW BUSINESS: LEV KITCHEN
Lev Kitchen on the Commons has added a new word to the Ithaca lexicon: malawach. While the new eatery focuses on deliciously combining that Yemeni flatbread with the foods of Israel, Lebanon and Syria—what used to be called the Levant—their social mission has also been an ingredient in their winning this year’s Best New Business award. Openly embracing transparency, exploring sustainability, and fighting to extinguish food insecurity, Lev Kitchen wraps mission and meals together in an especially Ithacan combination.
When we asked readers for a not to be missed experience for students’ time in Ithaca, we received interesting answers, some of which can’t be printed in this newspaper. That said, the winning suggestion was that every student going to Cornell or Ithaca College
BEST SPA: Rasa Spa
Assistant Spa Director Cassandra Jenis says it’s attention to detail that sets Rasa Spa apart, creates its soothing atmosphere, and led to its being named Best Spa. (Photo: Mark Levine)
Before leaving town, Ithaca Times readers thinks student residents should spend some time volunteering in the community. (Photo: Cornell University)
shouldn’t leave Ithaca without volunteering in the community. Ithaca is perhaps more diverse than the communities where some of our more affluent student residents originate. Volunteering here to help people in need may offer a more valuable education than any 100-level survey course.
BEST BARBERSHOP: FINE LINE BARBERSHOP
Repeat winner for Best Barbershop, Elvir Bahtic’s Fine Line combines the old school barbershop atmosphere so many of us love, with modern conveniences like online scheduling. In a town with no shortage of places to get your haircut, Fine Line continues to stand out from the crowd.
BEST CSA: FULL PLATE COLLECTIVE
Molly Flerlage, Coordinator of the Full Plate Collective CSA, says the group “wouldn’t be the same without this community that surround us.” She likes to think they were voted Best CSA because “we’re better together as a Collective. We have multiple farms worth of food, people and ideas, which helps us connect with members all across our community. Flerlage says that 2023, which will be the 19th year the Collective has been together, “will bring new crop plans and new ways and places to cultivate community.”
BEST NAIL SALON: MIRACLE NAILS
Miracle Nail & Spa offers over 20 services, including an array of manicures, pedicures, waxing options, and massages. They also offer 13 different combination treatments, giving you more than you bargained for at a lower cost (College students can get an additional 15% discount).
BEST SPA: RASA SPA
The moment you step off the elevator and enter Rasa Spa a calmness washes over you. Owner Rachel Hogancamp say all the credit for the award goes to “our talented service providers and guest services staff who are always looking for ways to improve the guest experience. Every detail is focused on creating a relaxing environment. “We take the time to understand and anticipate the needs of our guests and meet or exceed them to the best of our ability. It’s this focus on every element of the client experience that Hogancamp credits with their being named Best Spa in this year’s balloting.
BEST THRIFT STORE AND BEST PLACE FOR A BARGAIN: ITHACA REUSE
A repeat winner, and this year a doublewinner, Ithaca ReUse has carved out a special niche in Ithaca culture. It’s not just a place to shop for used items and a top donation location, it has also become a place to spend time just browsing, and lately, grab an outstanding taco. It has become one of the many things that makes Ithaca unique.
BEST COUNSELING: FAMILY & CHILDREN SERVICES
In the past two plus years lots of us have struggled emotionally. That’s why we’ve been so lucky to have Family & Children’s Service of Ithaca available to provide help to, not just families and children, but also to teens, students, adults, seniors and caregivers, and even businesses. This award represents the community’s way of giving thanks to an organization that helps us all get through some very trying times.
BEST FITNESS INSTRUCTOR: MARK KENJERSKA
When he’s not sitting behind a desk at the Community First Credit Union, Kenjerska’s helping people reach their personal goals at the gym. Winning Best Trainer helps him solidify the feeling that his effort week after week is paying off. “Consistency is key,” Kenjerska said. “Encouraging people, letting them know they can do it, and pushing them a bit outside their comfort zone is all it takes.” His inperson classes were supplemented by YouTube videos during the pandemic, endearing him to those who were stuck at home and needed encouragement to get off the couch.
BEST SOCIAL JUSTICE ACTIVIST: NIA NUNN
Dr. Nia Nunn, associate professor at Ithaca College and board member of the Southside Community Center was born and raised here and has now been honored two years in row by being named her hometown’s Best Social Justice Activist. This educator-performerscholar-artist-mother clearly engages people with her Black feminist approach.
Okay, The History Center isn’t a single person, but Ithaca Times voters felt that collectively it deserves this award. Zoe Van Nostrand, the organization’s Marketing & Visitor Experience Coordinator, hopes the award encourages more people to visit the museum on the Commons and engage with the archives and research library. “Our staff sometimes joke that we are the ‘attic for the community’ where everyone’s memories and materials come to be stored for future generations.” The History Center is working on expanding the online HistoryForge project and coming up with new ways to provide access to all that interesting stuff stored in Ithaca’s attic.
BEST PHILANTHROPIST: JERRY DIETZ
For the second year in a row, Jerry Dietz has been singled out for his philanthropy in a community known for its giving spirit. “There are a lot of people doing wonderful things for our community—I’m proud to be considered amongst that group.” Dietz jokes that being recognized for good work “is like having someone tell you that there’s something stuck between your teeth. You appreciate that they took the time to tell you, but you’re a bit embarrassed just the same.” Dietz says that he’s currently very involved with the issues of homelessness and the impact of homeless encampments: “It’s my fervent hope that we can move to a much more humane approach on this issue.” We don’t know any other banker who could win an award for Best Fitness Instructor. Mark Kenjerska is clearly unique. (Photo: Mark Levine)
From info about Ithaca’s silent film past, to our own World War I era biplane, The History Center is an extraordinary Keeper of Local Knowledge. (Photo: Provided)
BEST FITNESS INSTRUCTOR: Mark Kenjerska
BEST VISUAL ARTIST: YEN OSPINA
Yen Ospina’s deco-inspired visuals continue to enthrall Ithacans, who have named her our Best Visual Artist for the second year. Ospina said she feels very lucky to have win this award. “I have been a full-time artist for the past year and have worked very hard in making this my life, so this is just a reminder that all my eff orts are paying off .” Ospina combines her personal experience as a queer, ColombianAmerican woman with an aesthetic approach that is simultaneously inviting and mystical. She’s planning to start off ering private lessons during the winter and start some new projects of her own that she’ll showcase in the spring.
BEST MASSAGE THERAPIST: LORI YELENSKY
Yelensky has been a New York State licensed massage therapist since . She’s self-employed in the Ithaca area and continues to master her skills by studying under other practitioners, such as Somatic Experiencing International and Steve Terrel. Her practice brings specialized comfort to victims of trauma, which Yelensky fi nds to be rewarding. Each client is a new connection and a new life she can change for the better. Obviously she has done that so well that she was named Best Massage erapist in Ithaca in .
BRIAN KEELER “Icarus and Daedalus Over Ithaca,” oil on linen, 36 x 38”
NORTH STAR ART GALLERY
Paintings by Brian Keeler 743 Snyder Hill Rd Ithaca, NY
Open Daily 12-5 by Appointment www.northstarartgallery.com Call 607-323-7684
info@northstarartgallery.com
BEST VISUAL ARTIST: Yen Ospina
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BEST PLACE FOR A BIKE RIDE: BLACK DIAMOND TRAIL
Let’s be honest, sometimes you don’t want to struggle with a bike ride on Ithaca’s hills. Sure, what goes up must eventually go down, but a more level trip can give you chance to actually speak with your riding partners and pedal a bit less furiously. at’s especially true if you’re commuting to or from work. We think the Black Diamond Trail deserves this award just for providing a less challenging trip.
BEST PLACE TO MAKE FRIENDS AND BEST BARTENDER: K HOUSE KARAOKE LOUNGE & SUITES AND REED MIZENER
Alina Kim, owner of K-House, attributes being named a winner to the staff —known within as the “K-FAM”—but particularly to their bartender, Reed Mizener. “We have been hoping for a Best of Ithaca award since we opened in , so this is a huge milestone for us,” Kim said. “We generally only advertise through word of mouth and participation in community events, so this award really tells us that we’ve ‘made it.’”
BEST PLACE TO GO ON A RAINY DAY: CINEMAPOLIS
Cinemapolis specializes in showing independent, foreign, and locally-produced fi lms. But more than that, Cinemapolis is a community cultural institution where the art of fi lm is used to enrich people’s lives, grapple with and illuminate contemporary issues, and, of course, to entertain. roughout its moves from Fall Creek and Center Ithaca to its current Green Street location, and despite having had to endure COVID restrictions and construction obstacles, Ithaca’s only Downtown cinema has remained one of the City’s most beloved institutions. It’s a great place to go on almost any day, not just the rainy ones.
BEST PLACE FOR A BIKE RIDE: Black Diamond Trail
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Thai Basil
Voted one of the best Thai cuisine in the finger lakes. Great tasting, Highest Quality Ingredients
Delicious dining, delivery and takeout
On the Commons at 118 W. State Street (607) 319-4722
ithacathaibasilrestaurant.com
BEST PLACE FOR A PARTY: Stewart Park
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BEST RUNNING TRAIL: SOUTH HILL RECREATION WAY
South Hill doesn’t always get its due, but this award is a well-deserved shout out. ere are lots of running trails in the area, but the South Hill Recreation Way off ers vistas that have a special upstate New York charm, coupled with some truly inspiring murals. It’s a great place to escape real world concerns by taking an enchanting jog.
BEST DOG-FRIENDLY VENUE: ITHACA DOG PARK
How can you argue with naming the beloved Dog Park, best dog-friendly venue? If it didn’t win it would be a shock. Since it opened this has become the go-to place not just for doggie recreation, but for catching up with other dog owners, meeting new friends, or picking up puppy advice and guidance, not just poop.
BEST PLACE FOR A PARTY: STEWART PARK
Even with so many party places in the area it’s not a surprise that Stewart Park won this award. ere’s something undeniably magical about those lakeside weeping willows blowing in a soft breeze. Couple that with all sorts of recreational features and a convenient location, and you have a great place for a family reunion, a weekend cookout, or just an evening out with friends.
How many small cities can you name that have two observatories that annually vie for best place for stargazing? e Mount Pleasant Observatory takes the honors this year, topping the Fuertes Observatory. Mount Pleasant may not have the patina of Fuertes, but we agree with readers: it’s more bucolic and isolated setting makes night skies seem more magical.
BEST PLACE TO GO ON A RAINY DAY: Cinemapolis
C P T G O A R D , COVID . (P: J B)
BEST HIKE: BUTTERMILK STATE PARK
is award could just as easily go to any of our wonderful parks, recreation ways, or trails. But we like to think that Buttermilk won because you can extend a great gorge walk into a lovely pond path, then circle back and take a dip in swimming hole right by a waterfall.
BEST (LEGAL) SPOT TO SWIM: TREMAN STATE PARK
We may not have glorious beaches but we do have Treman where you can swim (legally) in a gorge fed by multiple waterfalls, and then dry off by lounging around and taking in spectacular views that led to people saying Ithaca is Gorges.
Every town these days has a farmers’ market. ere are even a number of them in the heart of Manhattan. What makes the Ithaca Farmers Market special, and the Best Place To Bring A Visitor, is its unique atmosphere. Combine the lakeside Steamboat Landing location with the distinctive assortment of vendors and you get something out of the ordinary. But what puts it over the top is that it is fi lled with Ithacans. And of course, there’s the annual Rutabaga Curl on that last market Saturday of the year.
BEST RUNNING TRAIL: South Hill Recreation Way
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Best Of Ithaca Winners 2022
ENTERTAINMENT
Maddy Walsh & The Blind Spots
Best local band
Natasha, Pierre & The Great Comet of 1812
Best theatre performance
Maddy Walsh & The Blind Spots
Best solo artist
Dave Harrington
Best local DJ
AirWays Maze by Molly Reagan at the Sciencenter
Best mural
State of the Art Gallery
Best gallery
Rockin’ Remnants on WVBR
Best local radio show
ESSENTIALS
Lev Kitchen
Best new business
Hospicare
Best non-profit organization
Full Plate Collective
Best C.S.A.
CMC Physical Therapy
Best physical therapist
Ithaca ReUse
Best thrift store
Rasa Spa
Best spa
No Barks About It
Best dog groomer
Family & Children Services
Best counseling
Fine Line Barbershop
Best barbershop
Miracle Nails
Best nail salon
Volunteering in the community
Every college student should experience in Ithaca before graduation
FOOD & DRINK
Franco’s Pizza
Best pizza
Gorgers
Best sandwich
Gola Osteria
Best fine dining
South Hill Cidery
Best cidery
Taste of Thai Express
Best to-go experience
Purity Ice Cream
Best place for ice cream
Six Mile Creek
Best winery
Lincoln Street Diner
Best breakfast
Gola Osteria
Best date night dining
PEOPLE
Mark Kenjerska
Best fitness instructor
Nia Nunn
Best social justice activist
Lori Yelensky
Best massage therapist
Yen Ospina
Best visual artist
Jerry Dietz
Best local philanthropist
The History Center
Best keeper of local knowledge
K House Karaoke Lounge & Suites and Reed Mizener
Best bartender
PLACES
Stewart Park
Best place for a party
K House Karaoke Lounge & Suites and Reed Mizener
Best place to make new friends
Black Diamond Trail
Best bike ride
Mount Pleasant Observatory
Best place for stargazing
Treman State Park
Best (legal) spot to swim
Buttermilk State Park
Best hike
South Hill Recreation Way
Best running trail
Ithaca Dog Park
Best dog friendly venue
Cinemapolis
Best place to go on a rainy day
Ithaca Farmers Market
Best thing to do or place to go with a visitor
Ithaca ReUse
Ithaca’s best bargain
