F. L. X. Weinery, Dundee, NY

Summer's here.  If you're looking for the best back yard cuisine around, head for the Finger Lakes, where the yard stretches as far as the eye can see.  

The Finger Lakes region is a beautiful weekend destination from NYC, and boasts innumerable wineries, farms, and gorgeous natural beauty. The cheekily-named F. L. X. Weinery is nestled politely against the west side of Lake Seneca, about midway from Geneva to the north and Watkins Glen to the south. The long, straight road running past the Weinery often resounds with the rapid clop-clop-clop of buggy horses. 

On first glance, this is an average, casual hot dog and burger joint, with an easy, welcoming feel.  The white Christmas lights on the ceiling and the classic rock soundtrack contribute to that impression. One look at their surprising assortment of wines, beers, and spirits, however, reveals that the owners' attention to quality food and drink has been anything but casual. Diners can find quite a collection of both old and new wines, including some classic gems, either on the list or hidden inside the cooler.  Everything from local sodas to shots of Pappy can be had here.

We arrived late in the day, and lamented that we didn't have time to loiter over our drinks a while longer.  We got the impression that that kind of lazing would have been not just welcomed but encouraged.  We ordered two different sausages (a bratwurst and an Italian), an all-American burger (pictured below), fried potatoes two ways (bistro fries and poutine, also pictured below), and the Local burger (sans bun).  The sausages were delicious, and the fries were crispy on the outside, soft on the inside, and addictively salty.  

My Local burger had a rich goat cheese and spectacular earthy mushrooms.  This is fast food meant to be savored, and ideally to be enjoyed with friends over a few glasses of your favorite (or new favorite) drink.  We can't wait to return, when we have more time to linger over both the cooler and the food.  With warm weather finally here, I can think of no better place to welcome summer with a burger and brew (or bubbles, or bourbon, or....)

F. L. X. Weinery

5090 NY-14

Dundee, NY

 

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