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DINING OUT:
DELMONICO'S ITALIAN STEAKHOUSE
2950 Erie Boulevard East
Syracuse, NY
(315) 445-1111See Map
by Heather Kipping
Delmonico’s Italian Steakhouse offers big city dining at reasonable prices. A perfect combo of mixed grilled specialties and traditional pasta fare has produced eight years of remarkable success in the Central New York area. Delmonico’s opened its doors in June 1998 and a much anticipated ten-year anniversary lies just around the corner. Having good reason to commemorate their success, Delmonico’s has delivered exceptional service for almost a decade. Tom O’Brien, the regional manager, informed us that Delmonico’s has three other restaurants located in Utica, Albany, and Rochester. Their newest Rochester locale dons a hip but relaxed atmosphere. Personally involved, the owner and manager’s hands-on expansion across upstate New York is noteworthy. Their formula for success consists of three important ingredients: exceptional food and drink, a unique pre-made CD of classic Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin tunes, and wall-adorned caricatures of favorite Italians (and Italian wanna-be’s). While rotating between restaurants, J.P. Craigle has some fun with customers too, drawing caricatures of patrons while they dine. Adding to their unique touch, Delmonico’s has a magician who provides delightful tricks to enhance your dining pleasure. Looking up, you will spot “magical” playing cards suspended from the black tile ceiling, awaiting the magician’s return.
In the restaurant business, good food and good service go hand-in-hand. This is an expectation at Delmonico’s. Our waitress, April, has been part of the Delmonico family for four years now and her easy smile says it all. Her straightforward ability to wait on our table while meeting our dining needs confirmed a well-run operation. Tom O’Brien, Jim Monte and John Wade, restaurant operation mangers and chefs, philosophically believe that it is every bit as important to take care of the staff as it is to take care for the patrons. The assistant manger, Andrew George, confirmed that “A well supported staff takes good care of their diners.” No wonder people keep coming back to Delmonico’s.
Delmonico’s offers an extensive list of California and Italian red and white wines, sold by the glass or bottle. Sampling the Louis M. Martini Cabernet Sauvignon (Sanoma, California) and the Davinci Chianti (Tuscany, Italy) proved to be two excellent choices. Keeping up with today’s trends, Delmonico’s offers eight classic Martinis. We opted for the “Old Blue Eyes” made with Absolute Vodka, Blue Curaco, Sour Mix and a twist…Frank’s favorite. This good-looking aquatic-colored drink is refreshingly sweet and crisp; you’ll finish every drop. The ever-popular New York City Sour Apple Martini costing $12.00 in the City can be had at Delmonico’s for $5.95, an excellent value. For an after dinner treat, try the “Godiva Chocolate Martini”. Mmm…who needs dessert? The Martinis are delicious and highly recommend because Delmonico’s uses carefully selected vodkas combined with other quality ingredients. Today’s Martini rage has resulted in a ‘buy one get one free” promotion at Delmonico’s Monday through Friday between the hours of 4pm and 7pm. You have to sit at the bar to get the deal, but who cares; the bar is warm and inviting, and you’ll love the music. You’ll be singing with Frank and Dean before the night is over.
Delmonico’s menu offers a healthy and innovative selection of appetizers, soups, salads, specialty dishes and side dishes. In addition to the regular menu items, there are daily features offered for antipasto, entrée specialties and desserts. Specials offered when we dined included items such as East Utica Greens, Chef Mixed Grill (filet mignon, pork chop and chicken parmigiana over angel hair pasta), Filet Gorgonzola Alfredo, Lobster Tail and Cappuccino Pie. An original and very popular appetizer, Bella Napoli is made of homemade Italian pasta chips, sausage, olives, asiago cream sauce, percorino romano and mozzarella with peppers, tomato, and onion. This Italian “nachos” dish is quite tasty (enough for six people) and sports a new twist on the quintessential Mexican appetizer. I highly recommend it; be prepared to take leftovers home.
On a regular basis, Delmonico’s chefs develop interesting new recipes presented as daily features and, depending on customer response, may be placed on the regular menu. It is clear; this establishment pays close attention to keeping their menu predictable for the regulars (of which there are many) but also insists on a menu that offers fresh new dishes. At the heart of this mouth-watering steakhouse, the regular menu hosts a variety of steak specialties including Filet Portabella, Filet Mignon, New York Strip Sirloin and Sliced Sirloin Steak. These steaks come prepared with a special “Delmonico’s” twist that is sure to please.
The Delmonico’s Delmonico Steak is a regular menu item featuring a huge 24-ounce choice center cut rib-eye steak from Midwestern heavy aged beef, seasoned and seared to perfection for $15.99. We tried the steak cooked medium rare, and it was every bit as good as promised. Order sautéed mushrooms on the side, and you will have a perfect accompaniment for this tasty steak dinner. It’s the best deal in town.
On the regular menu, there are several traditional dishes in addition to others that present a trendier composition. The Chicken Riggies ($10.99) with rigatoni pasta, mushrooms, bell peppers, onion, olives, hot peppers, and chicken in a special light sauce, rival this popular dish served at so many other local restaurants. You can also count on the traditional Italian fare of One Pound Lasagna to satisfy. This homemade treat is composed of pasta layered with beef, sausage, and ricotta cheese and is covered with Marinara Sauce for $10.99. To top it off, you can always get a side order of customary homemade meatballs or Italian sausage.
Two signature dishes worth mentioning include: house favorite Chicken Sinatra for $14.99 including chicken breasts on sautéed greens with hot peppers, mushrooms, mozzarella and garlic mashed potatoes. Fettuccini Delmonico boasts alfredo sauce tossed with grilled chicken, mushrooms, broccoli, and finished with a touch of marinara. I can vouch for this dish; the Alfredo sauce is light, yet full of taste.
Save room for dessert; it’s worth it. You can’t go wrong with the homemade Cannoli for ($3.99) with sweetened ricotta in a homemade shell with chocolate chips. Another outstanding dessert is the Amaretto Cheesecake, flavored with Amaretto and topped with red raspberry sauce. A Delmonico favorite, the Cappuccino Pie, consists of coffee ice cream with walnuts in an oreo cookie crust topped with homemade chocolate sauce and whipped cream. Delmonico’s does a great job in melding traditional Italian favorites with innovative new recipes, even when it comes to desserts.
Delmonico’s gets involved with the community. They really care about people and work hard to please their patrons. Each fall, while heading into the basketball season, Delmonico’s Restaurant hosts live broadcasts of The Jim Boeheim Show on Thursdays and fans can get autographs of the Coach. When the season officially opens, Coach Boeheim and the team have a special dinner at the restaurant inviting major sponsor’s of the SU Basketball team. Moving into spring and during Syracuse University’s Graduation and Mother’s Day weekend, repeat customers predictably overflow this restaurant. Tom O’Brien remarks, “It’s kind of like a big family.” I’m convinced that it is exactly for this reason that Delmonico’s experiences such success today.
This coming summer, Delmonico’s will tear down the old sign out front and raise a new one. Renovations inside will create a more modern decor and relocate the bar area. Even though this tried and true establishment will be undergoing a “face-lift,” consumers can rest reassured that the committed staff will remain and the dependable cuisine and service will definitely continue. Don’t fret, the delightful caricatures of the Sopranos, the Rat Pack, famous Italian boxers and athletes will be preserved. Keep an eye out for their grand re-opening, where proceeds from the event will benefit a local charity. At the end of a busy day, treat yourself to a fine dining experience at Delmonico’s, you won’t regret it.