Culinary Autonomy: Cooking for Yourself

While culinary autonomy may seem daunting, unpleasant and inconvenient to many, the realities of having to cook for yourself are creeping ever closer as students get older and prepare for their lives after Cornell. Fortunately, Ithaca has many popular shopping destinations accessible by bus for those without cars. Convenient kitchens located in dorms offer accessible ways to cook and store groceries off campus.

Saddle Up for a Flavor Rodeo: Ithaca’s Meat Extravaganza 

The Smothered 12-ounce Ribeye with Added Ribs at Texas Roadhouse is a must-try for any meat lover. The combination of tender steak, flavorful toppings and perfectly cooked ribs creates an unforgettable culinary experience that will have you coming back for more. Paired with the inviting atmosphere and excellent service, this is one dining experience you won’t want to miss.

Top Five Hidden Gems of Cornell Dining

If you’re keen to discover the tastiest menu items and fit in like a true Cornellian, know that you’re not alone. Thankfully, I’ve compiled a list of the top five hidden gems at Cornell eateries, complete with specific recommendations on what to order, as not all menu items are created equal.

A Boba-licious Tour: Comparing Ithaca’s Finest Boba Shops 

Ithaca’s boba scene has something for everyone. Whether you prefer a lively atmosphere, a tranquil environment or unique flavor combinations, there is a place for you. While each of these three boba shops have their own distinct charm, Mango Mango takes the crown for its extensive menu, vibrant atmosphere and consistently delicious drinks. However, we encourage boba enthusiasts to visit all of these locations to find their personal favorite. Happy sipping!

Sweet Melissa’s: An Overshadowded Delicacy

The mix of the sprinkles and the frozen sweetness left me in awe. Being my first ice cream cone of the season, I couldn’t have gotten off on a better foot. I felt the endorphins running through my veins. With each lick I got a different taste of summer, with my mind racing through the memories I have made here in years before. 

Water all the people stopped on the road to Ithaca doing? The Lisle Spring water on NY-79 provides generations of clean water to passersby and locals alike.

Those who frequently travel NY-79 may have passed a clearing on the side of the road on one of the final bends. If you just so happened to glance over at the right time, you may have even seen people pulled over at the clearing filling jugs, bottles, glasses, whatever they could find, with water. Having passed by this water spout dozens of times, it felt like a crime to continue to drive past this spring without trying it and learning a bit more about it.

Finding A Passion for Cooking Through Simple and Quick Recipes

After returning from a semester abroad and finally having my own kitchen, I made it my mission to truly begin cooking for myself similar to the way I grew up. I began with scouring NYT Cooking articles for recipes that I thought were doable, but again with ingredient lists with ten, fifteen or even twenty components, it was just not something I was willing to do. After talking to my dad about my issues, he recommended a Jamie Oliver cookbook called 5 Ingredients.

Kelly’s Dockside: A Seaworthy Diner or a Sinking Establishment?

TripAdvisor has Kelly’s ranked #130 out of 138 restaurants listed in Ithaca, ranking #64 out of 65 for American restaurants. Immediately, I thought this was a hot take. I have made the occasional visit to Kelly’s for brunch and have always enjoyed it. What was I missing? I realized that the disconnect may not lie in the restaurant, but in the meal itself — I have only ever experienced Kelly’s brunch. I never got a chance to see what else they had to offer. So, on a warm, sunny evening in March, two friends and I set out Kelly’s Dockside to review their dinner.

Crossings Café’s Bubble Tea: Cross it Off Your List

Like the average Cornell boba rat, I enjoy a good bubble tea here and there but seldom find the time for a trip to U-Tea or Kung-Fu Tea. Now that it was available in the convenience of my dorm building on campus, I wanted to test how four flavors of the new bubble tea in Toni Morrison Hall’s Crossings Café would size up to the popular classics I order most frequently in Collegetown. 

Banfi: The Best Brunch Buffet Ever

Brunch at Banfi in The Statler Hotel is a must-do. It was a delicious brunch with something for everyone. My sister and I could tell the food was high quality from its exquisite taste and we got more than our money’s worth with the amount we ate.