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Southern Tier Life // ISSUE 02
by Bob Thomas
Growing up, Owego, New York, was the town we passed through while riding in the “wayback” of our Ford LTD County Squire on the way to visit relatives near Newark Valley. It was the point in the trip where we turned off Route 17 and our arms got a break from trying to get the big rigs to blow their horns as we passed. It also started what felt like the longest 15 miles to the farmhouse where aunts, uncles and cousins were gathered for whatever holiday du jour we were celebrating. For me, Owego has never been a destination, but more of a passthrough. Luckily, that changed this week as “Chef’s Best” -- or Google as it turns out -- brought me to the little hamlet nestled along the Susquehanna River.
The concept of “Chef’s Best” is simple. Find a restaurant and ask the chef to make their best appetizer, entrée, and wine pairing. I have no say in the meal. My role is to eat and tell you what I think. My wife, Marisa joins me for these adventures. Truth be told, she is the one with the Culinary Degree, mine came courtesy of 20-plus years watching the Food Network. As I am not super familiar with Tioga County, I searched the Web, which is how I found The Cellar Restaurant & Bar on the River on Front Street in
downtown Owego. This dinner had an added benefit as it allowed me the opportunity to explore the town and learn a little more about this passthrough from my childhood. The entry into the Courthouse Square is unique – a 90-degree turn left or right will take you down Front Street, but we opted for the quick jog to the right and back straight, onto Court Street, just past the Tioga County Historic Courthouse.
