Cultivare

When we were traveling through Ithaca, we decided to eat at the Cultivare Culinary Center, where students from Tompkins Cortland Community College receive restaurant training. Professional instructors run the restaurant with student assistance, and the center specializes in serving farm to plate fresh ingredients, which is indicative in the name of the restaurant.

Cultivare is located on the corner of South Cayuga Street in a seven story brick building. Inside the brick of pillars and walls continue, and is nicely accented by the herringbone wood floor. Some tables were of wood with upholstered chairs and other tables appeared to be of mottled stone with wooden chairs. There was also a long bar that had aluminum metal chairs with orange cushioned seats. Large picture windows lit the room during the day and dropped lights by night.

My husband had the beef and prosciutto meatballs in a red sauce with burrata and Parmesan cheeses on fettucine and garlic bread. I had the black currant and orange glazed salmon over a rice trio with sautéed onions, yellow crookneck and zucchini squash. For dessert, we shared a chai spiced crème brûlée, which had a good crack, the spices were there, and it came with a pecan biscotti.

We enjoyed the food and the atmosphere very much, and should we come back to Ithaca, we would like to return and try other things on their seasonal menu. The place is closed on Mondays and only open until 9:00 p.m. on the other nights.