good Italian and seafood restaurants (Syracuse, Utica: to buy, move, beach)

[rootless_in_va]

We're visiting Syracuse and staying with family on the South side, and my husband wants to find a good place to eat for his birthday dinner, especially something that's not a chain restaurant that we could just get anywhere-- rather see what's good and local! He's torn between seafood and Italian, so recommendations for either would be great. Budget is flexible, but not looking for the super-expensive one-in-a-year occasion type place.

[ckhthankgod]

You have a bunch of local Italian restaurants that could work. There's Delmonico's, Angotti's, Casa Di Copani, Dominick's, Santangelo's, Canale's, Attilio's, Asti, Francesca's, Pastabilities and so on. You could get some seafood at many of these places as well.

[ToeJam]

I like all of the above places. I might remove the two that start with the letter D though for personal preference. I would also check out The Clam Bar, Utica Pizza (much more than pizza) to the north. If you want to stay close to the South Side, you can go to Lorenzos and then waddle across the street for ice cream at Gannon's. If you are looking for something a little more upscale, Julie's Place and The Brewster Inn in Caz are really good.

[ckhthankgod]

Originally Posted by ToeJam

I like all of the above places. I might remove the two that start with the letter D though for personal preference. I would also check out The Clam Bar, Utica Pizza (much more than pizza) to the north. If you want to stay close to the South Side, you can go to Lorenzos and then waddle across the street for ice cream at Gannon's. If you are looking for something a little more upscale, Julie's Place and The Brewster Inn in Caz are really good.

I can't believe that I forgot about Luigi's(I knew what you meant, but for the sake of the OP) and Utica Pizza. Places like Cicero Country Kitchen and DiBello's may work too.

Clam Bar is a good one for seafood. Captain John's in Sylvan Beach is alright.

[Sean®]

I can't judge Captian Johns seafood but I can say bring money and lots of it.

The beach also has what I personally consider the best red sause place around, the Spaghetti Factory. But I'm not sure they are open for the season yet.

[ToeJam]

Originally Posted by ckhthankgod

I can't believe that I forgot about Luigi's(I knew what you meant, but for the sake of the OP)

I always get those two places mixed up and I have never even been inside Lorenzos, but I need to check it out. I hear it is a good place to buy meat.

[ckhthankgod]

Originally Posted by ToeJam

I always get those two places mixed up and I have never even been inside Lorenzos, but I need to check it out. I hear it is a good place to buy meat.

I've heard that as well, but driving in that area, you don't think about it. Same with Abbott's across the street.

[ToeJam]

That reminds me, there is also DiBellos. They have the best eggplant parm and one of my favorite places for pizza.

[pumseig]

Also Joey's has great Italian food.

[ckhthankgod]

I haven't been, but I've heard that Gentile's is pretty good. Same with Anthony's Pasta Bar in Hanover Square.