The Empire House — Hotel in Town of Butternuts

We were absolutely starving and just about ready to give up when we spotted this place, one of the only spots still open. We parked and walked up. It was quiet, almost appeared closed, but decorated beautifully. The moment we stepped inside, the calm and nostalgic vibe made me feel like I had walked onto the set of an old movie.

Before I could even take it all in, we were greeted at the door by Q, the owner. He’s lively, warm, and entertaining, and he instantly put us at ease. With a couple of quick jokes, Q turned what could have been just another meal into an experience. You don’t meet people like that often, and it set the stage perfectly.

We started with the calamari. I order calamari everywhere I go and I can honestly say this was the best I’ve ever had. Perfectly crisp, seasoned just right. The only downside was wishing there was more of it. The coconut shrimp followed, golden and flavorful with a sauce that made me want to lick the plate clean, though the shrimp themselves could have been a bit bigger.

Then came the tacos, both shrimp and fish. Fresh and well-prepared, but smothered in too much cheese, almost like quesadillas. We didn’t enjoy them much because of so much cheese. If you’re a cheese lover, you’ll be in heaven. For me, next time I’d order them without to let the seafood shine.

All the while, Q floated around the room, chatting with regulars, laughing with us, and making sure everyone felt like more than just another table on the list. As the owner, he clearly takes pride in making every guest feel welcome. It’s the kind of personal touch that makes a place stick in your memory, though some guests might prefer a quieter experience. For me, it was exactly what I needed that night.

I left already planning my next visit, because according to Q, the ribeye is the best around. After this first visit, I’m inclined...

It’s about the journey right ? Plan an on a nice, relaxing dinner that is worth the time you will spend there . The owners care about connecting with and creating an experience for you, not just serving customers. We have eaten here several times and the food is delicious, every time, we laugh, every time, we enjoy every time. Don’t judge a book by its cover. Don’t put your energy into checking the boxes of your expectations. Put your energy into appreciating what the restaurant is. Unique, personable, relaxing…it’s a gem that...

We were visiting from OH and got a recommendation to visit the Empire House Hotel. We got the Mediterranean Breeze (warm baba campus + feta, raisins, walnuts and the Gambas (shrimp) Al Oglio w crostini special appetizer and both were phenomenal. We then had the crispy chicken osso busco and the shrimp with a curried crab corn cream sauce and those too, were fantastic. Everything was so full of flavor and texture - what a hidden gem and made me wish we lived close so we could...