Features
Restaurant Review: Elegant, savory dishes offered at Ancora
By Hailey Hayman '14
October 25, 2012
With Family Weekend approaching we can expect a bustling campus and an unfortunate crowding in all food-centered locations. Dining halls and Opus lines are sure to be stacked with excited parents hoping for a taste, literally, of their kids’ college life. If you are inclined and able to take advantage of your, or a friend’s, parents’ eagerness to explore the surrounding area and treat you to some sit down dining, I recommend Ancora. When the proximity of Nola’s makes it an easy option and thus popular to the point of no empty tables, take an extra 15 minutes to drive to Utica for a taste of Ancora; I’m sure your guests will appreciate the extra alone time.
Do not be hasty to judge the ghost town streets, for as a friend once described it, “Ancora is New York City dining” from the menu selection to the atmosphere; it is anything but sparse and dreary. The restaurant is spacious but even while sitting at the bar amongst full tables, I could carry on a conversation without disruption from surrounding parties, making it a perfect space to continue any long needed catch up chats. Service is prompt, but you can look forward to warm bread with a unique and delicious parmesan and red pepper flake-imbued oil while you wait. I highly recommend the bruschetta trio as a complement to any order. The regular order consists of olive tapenade with ricotta, goat cheese and prosciutto and a simple mozeralla and basil. Even the seemingly simplest dishes, such as penne with tomatoes, basil and parmesan or beet and goat cheese salad, are every bit spectacular! An inability to not leave any food on our plates left us too full for dessert, though the selection was tantalizing: pumpkin gelato, vanilla crème brule crepe and flourless chocolate cake, to name a few. Ancora is truly worth every bite!
Ancora is located 15 minutes away at 261 Genesee St. in Utica. Reservations are recommended. Call them at 315-724-4805. Hours of the restaurant are as follows: Monday to Thursday 4 p.m. - 9 p.m., Friday 4 p.m. - 11 p.m. and Saturday 5 p.m. - 11 p.m. For more information, visit www.cafecanole.com.