Monday, August 27, 2012

Geneva-on-the Lake's Lancellotti Dining Room is a world away from upstate NY and tastes totally terrific (8-14-12)

We spent two nights in Geneva, NY at our hotel Geneva-on-the-Lake (http://www.genevaonthelake.com/) on Seneca Lake and our first night we dined in the hotel which is an historic building with the dining room oozing old world charm


(in nice weather you can also sit outside overlooking the gardens and lake). The cieling is wood corbelled, the piano player plays (he should avoid the trumpet interludes) and there is an old world elegant charm to the Lancellotti Dining Room.

Hummus came to the table with carrots, cucumber, olives and peppers. There was a pesto for the warm herbed rolls which was thinned tableside with local grapeseed oil (from local Riesling grapes); Samuel was in heaven.

He ordered the Grilled Frenched RACK OF LAMB with Mint & Basil Pesto that I also had and it was superb.....but I failed to tell what comes first:

Will enjoyed the Cauliflower Thyme Puree while I chose the traditional yet tasty Jumbo SHRIMP Cocktail with Dill Cocktail Sauce, I then continued with the Baby SPINACH SALAD with Sliced Crimini Mushrooms and Sun dried Tomato,

Lively Run Goat Cheese Petit Four(a phyllo cup with wonderful local goat cheese) and Warm bacon Dressing.

An interlude of Strawberries with Sauvignon Blanc/Mascarpone Cheese was next and I went on to the divine Lamb cooked to perfection that came with local buttery sweet corn, snap peas and garlic mashed potatoes.

Will had the Pan Roasted DUCK Breast with Sweet Dark Cherry Port Wine Sauce and Corn Shoots--all the entrees came with the same local fresh side veggies & potatoes.

We started with a bottle of Dr. Konstantin Frank Vinifera Barrel Fermented Chardonnay 2009 which was rich and fruit forward and moved on to a superb 2005 Fox Run Meritage (38%Cab57%merlot/5%Cab Franc) that had

cherry notes and slight tannins with a hint of licorice yet raspberry/cherry overtones....great with both lamb & duck!!

My dessert was the Fresh BERRIES in Fulkerson Vidal Blanc Ice Wine and Will had the NY Style Cheesecake with berries.

It was great to start off our tour with more local wine and food as this was what we enjoyed so much about the Finger Lakes!