Restaurant Review: Historic Hotel Utica’s Lamplighter Pub & Grill

Hotel Utica was built in 1912.  It survived the threat of demolition after 1972 when it closed its doors.  In 2001 it was reopened and renovated to the beautiful facility it is today with rich mahogany interior, high ceilings.  The beautiful crystal chandeliers light the ornate and spacious lobby.  The Hotel is featured in “Historic Hotels of America”.  

The Shultz & Dooley collection in the lounge.
 
I put on my little black dress with the little white hole in the side (oh how riskAY!)….

and then we were off to eat at the Lamplighter Pub & Grill.  The Grill is located at the far right end of the lobby if entering through the front main doors.  It was quiet.  The staff were very friendly.  I began enjoying the ambiance with a nice glass of Yellowtail Pinot Noir (photo taken with my cell phone…I was foolin’ around   ).

  We moved to a table in the lounge area instead of the dining room because it was nice and quiet and there was a cute little table just for the two of us. 

The menu is limited but offers something for everyone.  Ted’s words were “there aren’t a lot choices on the menu”.  I said “Is what you ordered really what you wanted or did you have to make do?”  “I got what I wanted”.  “Then don’t complain”.  “If this was our first date, you’d be done.  Don’t be such a downer”.  I was kidding of course.  Ted’s no downer and if I remember correctly, I was love struck on our first date.

Most importantly about this restaurant is the more than reasonable pricing.  I’ll show your our over abundance of a meal which cost a mere $19.12 per person.  Note that!   1912.

The bread: Simple toasted crusty bread with olive oil, red pepper hummus, thin sliced Swiss cheese.

Ted’s appetizer:  Beef and potato spring rolls, lightly fried.

Joanne’s appetizer:  Meatless greens

A gorgeous, crisp, green salad with black olives, sweet cherry tomatoes, cucumber, red onion, shredded cheddar cheeses, toasted croutons.

Ted had the Surf and Turf.  2 jumbo shrimp and a beautiful 8 oz steak cooked to perfection in a peppery cream sauce. 

 Joanne chose the tuna fra diavolo.  The sauce was sweet – hot.  Chunky tomatoes, cherry pepper halves, thinly sliced swiss, all coming together to create a tuna to perfection.

A reminder…all that for only  $19.12 pp ..the year the Hotel was built. Perfect!