Willows of Utica — Restaurant in City of Utica

I've reviewed before (years ago), but just have to give another well deserved 5 star rating for our recent experience. Everything was superb. It's nice to know that there's a place that doesn't leave us feeling like we wasted our money when we decide to splurge on fine dining. The consistent quality and excellent service keeps us coming back. We have strayed to check out places about which we've heard a great deal of buzz (Tailor & The Cook, Horned Dorset), but truly, I believe Chef Luke's talent and amazing palate for choosing interesting and complementary flavor combinations is unsurpassed. Their portions are generous as well. I had the lobster risotto...I'm somewhat at a loss for words to describe how delicious it was. Perfect texture and balanced combination of fresh herbs made the sweetness of the lobster really shine. Did I mention it was chuck full of lobster meat? I could go on and on. Everything is ALWAYS fresh and expertly prepared. They pay attention to every detail. The service is hands down the BEST anywhere. While it's true a full house can get a bit noisy, this depends on the manners/volume of the other patrons, and even so is NOTHING compared to the immediate auditory assault experienced upon entering T & C. It has never been such as to deter us from returning. If you've never eaten here, you MUST try it. You will be planning to come back before you even make it through your first course. (I should review The Tailor & The Cook Separately, and I feel a bit bad like I'm bashing them here, but probably never got around to that review because I tend to go more out of my way to say something really good or to warn people of something really bad. My quick review of that place would be, extremely noisy and cramped, excellent cocktails, excellent duck breast, everything else just so-so, lacking flavor (scallops), and VERY, VERY...

Absolutely the best meal we've had out in a really long time! I was looking for a nicer place to go for date night and when I saw the reviews, I knew we had to try it. Everything was so delicious that I can't wait to go back. We're thinking we'll work our way through the menu once a month. Our waiter did a tremendous job! He didn't just help make great suggestions, he was thoroughly knowledgeable on the entire menu, and he didn't steer us wrong. He knew the food. The bread was so fresh and obviously baked on premises. I'm so glad I didn't skip the butter - even that was delish with a subtle hint of cinnamon sugar. New England Clam Chowder and Bang Bang Shrimp apps were out of this world, and the only reason we tried hard not to eat all of our entrees was to leave room for one of the many homemade desserts. My salmon was cooked on the rare side as I requested to perfection and my husband loved his chicken and greens. The portions were ample and when it was plated and dressed, it wasn't overdone. Great care and pride went into putting these dishes out. The Creme Brulee and Maple Bread Pudding - yummy, yummy, especially the bread pudding!! I was extremely surprised to see the bill because I was expecting it to be much more. We've certainly wasted a lot more money other times for mediocre food, so this was a really great date night all around, and wound up being...

Accessible for Handicap. Satisfying appetizers. Awesome cuisine. Short menu, making your selection much easier than those restaurants giving you a novel of menu items. The waitress was spectacular and explained everything we wanted to know about the menu items. The dining room staff was exemplary(as I was once bussing tables for income). Music was too loud, but lowered as the dining room was filling with customers. Restaurants(fine dining), don't need music. Don't know who started the trend of music-in-restaurants, but that person hopefully is burning-in-hell. Dessert( bread pudding & homemade gelato), makes you want to order seconds to take home. Dining room is petite, quiet atmosphere, perfect for those on a date, engagement, or anniversary. The reasoning for three stars...the lighting. Very dark in the evening. The poor lighting that requires a flash photography everyone is addicted to, prior to consuming. The lighting does not even allow patrons to see the beauty of the cuisine. And many restaurants have poor lighting. Like living in a cave. Idon't know if it's "A thing," among restauranteurs, or if the dim lights save a few cents. This is...ridiculous. Too dark. You don't want your entrees beauty to be hidden. More vibrant lighting. Till that is remedied, you receive...