Ep. 08 - Spring Cleaning

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It's spring cleaning time at Eating Ithaca studios, and we've uncovered some items that should have been eaten a long time ago (or should they?). We taste a limited edition Snickers Charged bar with caffeine and taurine for an extra kick. Plus we try a "flight" of the Jones Soda Dessert Pack - could soda really taste as good as pie? We'll let you know.

Also, our A-Z restaurant reviews continue with visits to Big Al's Pizza on South Hill, Bistro Fry & Grill in Collegetown, and downtown's Blue Stone Bar & Grill. All that plus previews of what's coming up in future episodes. Take a listen and enjoy!



*NEW* Check out all the photos for this episode at our Flickr page!

Links for this episode:

• Snickers Charged via Candyblog
• Jones Soda Limited Editions
• Wine Library TV
• Big Al's Pizza
• Bistro Fry & Grill
• Blue Stone Bar & Grill

Ep. 07 - Coffee, Pizza, Burgers, and Beer

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In this show, we have a report from the two-day coffee love-fest that was the NE Regional Barista Competion (see Flickr photos here), including exclusive interviews with three finalists representing Ithaca.

Also, the alphabetical restaurant reviews head into the B's with a look at downtown dining at Bella Pizza and Benchwarmers. Plus we have listener feedback to share, so take a listen and enjoy!



Links for this episode:

• Carriage House Cafe
• Ithaca Coffee Company
• Gimme! Coffee
• Specialty Coffee Association of America (SCAA)
• Portafilter.net
• Bella Pizza
• Benchwarmers Restaurant & Sports Bar

Have an espresso powered weekend

This is your last reminder, folks: the 2008 Northeast Regional Barista Competition is this weekend, Friday and Saturday, April 11th & 12th, at the Historic State Theater in downtown Ithaca, and it is FREE to the public. That means FREE espresso for tasting, FREE equipment demonstrations, and FREE seats to watch the top coffee baristas from our region as they bring out the best of the beans, competing for a chance to go to the Nationals.

For all the details, check out the website of Gimme! Coffee or the State Theater. We'll be recording our next episode of the podcast live from this event, so come on by and show your support for locally roasted coffee and the talented folks who bring it to you every day.

UPDATE: For those of you missed the event and are looking for results, check out Twitchy.org, who was liveblogging the whole thing. Great photos there as well. Our congrats to all three of the Ithaca baristas who made it to the final round!

Ithaca Farmer's Market opens for the season!

Hello Ithaca Eaters! Just a friendly reminder to dust off your baskets and canvas bags, clear space on the kitchen counter, and grab some extra cash from the ATM soon, because the Ithaca Farmer's Market is opening for the season this Saturday, April 5th at 9:00am!


Check out their website at IthacaMarket.com for all the details. You can count on Eating Ithaca to have reports and interviews with many of the vendors at Steamboat Landing over the coming weeks, but if you find something special at the Market that you want other Eaters to know about, then leave a comment below, send us an email or give us a call (206-312-4746) and let us know!

Happy Eating...

UPDATE: Check out Mark Andbinder's report and photos from the opening weekend at 14850 Dining!