Hi, we are leaving shortly for a vacation to both the Watkins Glen area (staying at Glenora Vineyards) and Niagara Falls. We are a family of 4 (two teens and two adults) and are looking for some casual restaurant suggestions. We like non-chain restaurants where ever possible. We thought we might have dinner at Niagara on the Lake one evening as well. Any suggestions for us? We like all types of food and since we are looking for casual places (jeans; no jacket/tie) price is not an issue. Thanks, Susan

Watkins Glen is a pretty rural setting and the best way to find casual is to ask the locals at the hotel...Glenora also has food...

As far as Niagara Falls, there are hundreds of tourist places on both the US and Canadian side, but most of them are not that great... try Top of the Falls on the US side or the Seneca Casino Buffet(kids are allowed in the restaurant)... for Niagara on the Lake, good casual food can be found at the Angel Inn Pub , Shaw wine bar, Queens Landing Patio, or just about any of the dozen or so outdoor cafes... the wineries also have food, but may be too dressy for your dinner crowd... stick to the above for good and casual... have fun.

Ah, Niagara on the Lake. How we miss it, now that we've moved to Colorado. I agree with gary, for casual food, the Angel is ok. Stick to the simple "bar" menu. They don't do very well with the pricier dishes. We loved staying at Queen's Landing and can honestly say that the meals will never match the accommodations. Palatable? Yes. Not memorable. The Shaw meals were enjoyable and the menu was more interesting than most in town. We would recommend it. That's more than can be said for most everything else in The Lake. Although we loved the destination, and made visiting an annual event for the theatre and ambiance, there wasn't much culinary pleasure to be found.

Not sure if this comes in time Susan but there's a new casual restaurant opened in NOTL called Zees near the Festival Theatre. It's had good reviews already.

The Epicurean on main street is also very good, the Buttery as well, or as already mentioned, any of the winery restaurants for lunch. Dinner is more formal.

My choice is, when price is not an issue, the Skylon on the Canadian side. It is a revolving restaurant 530 feet above the falls. Reserve at sundown and see a glorious view thru the revolution. Minimum price per person is $39 Canadian (about $25 American)Check it out at www.skylon.com

Susan -- Here's the good places in Watkins:

Seneca Harbor Station -- restaurant is at the base of the lake by the Pier. You can sit inside our on the covered deck, good all around food, something for everyone. L/D

Glen Mountain Market (Franklin St) -- good coffee shop and limited selection for B/L

The Grapvine (Franklin St) -- great sandwiches/salads and limited breakfast. Eat in or take out. B/L

Jerlando's (Franklin St) -- Italian, not the best you'll ever have, but it does okay for the area. L/D

If you're looking for a more upscale place for dinner, I would go to the East side of Seneca to either Red Newt Winery or the Stonecat Cafe (attached to Bloomer Creek). Stonecat looks really bad from the outside, but once you get in, its pretty nice. They both have web-sites (google them for menus).

I hope you have a very relaxing vacation! SG

This is an excellent post, thank you all for the information.

We're plannina a short getaway trip (no kids!) planned for The Falls and possibly Glenora Vineyards.

Wondered if Susan56 had written a trip report, or if she is reading this, if she would?

Thank you again!

I know -- I've been waiting for Susan56's trip report too!

Glenora can sometimes be hard to get into for hotel reservations -- call ASAP!

SG