utica greens

Just Jen and I decided to visit the Encore Lounge located inside the Utica Radisson and Chef Steve Aloisio  impressed us with some fun dishes.

For the second year Riggies, Greens & Rock returns to The Stanley Theater on Sunday, October 11th. It's a celebration of great music and two of Utica's favorite dishes. This is the one event where you can sample several of Central New York's best restaurants'  variations of these popular local classics.

This is a tough question if you think about it... New York is a big place - How could you include the entire state into one specific dish? Well, someone online thought it was possible, and apparently was able to do it!

It's easy to take Central New York's delicious and uniquely homegrown cuisine for granted. And it's sad that those outside of the greater Utica area don't get a chance to enjoy the greens, riggies and tomato pie that we do.

You don't have to travel too far outside the Utica area for food staples like chicken riggies, Utica greens and tomato pie to disappear from restaurant menus. So what's a Utica native to do when he can't find his hometown foods elsewhere in Upstate New York? Set up a food truck, of course.

Several different varieties of Utica Greens were at the studio today. We got to sample mild and medium greens as well as special varieties with chicken and sausage. I was so inspired by being surrounded by greens, I had to break out in poem.

Upstate New York natives know what we mean when we say 'Utica Greens.' The sauteed escarole with pork, garlic, peppers and cheese.  Ever wonder how it's made?  We found a great video that takes you step by step through the process.

If there's one thing Central New Yorkers are proud of, it's our food.  Chicken Riggies, Utica Greens and Half Moons are regional fare that we boast about to anyone who will listen.  So imagine my surprise when CNN's list of 50 Great American Foods neglects to list any of them!

The city of Utica has lent its name to several items known around the world. Let's take a look at the 5 most memorable.

I’ve lived in Utica all my life and I must say we have some GREAT food! I know when my family from out of state comes to town they always look forward to some of the food staples here in Utica. Even my friends from New York City look forward to their meals here. I find it quite entertaining to listen to them talk about our food if I do say so myself.