The Tasting room is a unique dining experience in the heart of Downtown Syracuse (just a few doors away from the Landmark Theatre). Experience our passion for great food, wine and whiskey in a relaxing environment where you're welcome to linger as long as you want.
Our menu changes monthly. Chef de Cuisine J Carlos Rodriguez who is classically French trained, but enjoys global cuisines crafts his dishes from the best and freshest ingredients that taste as amazing as the plates look. And many of our offerings are gluten free.
You can't enjoy food, without libations... we offer craft cocktails, craft beers and a wine and whiskey list that is unmatched. Our wines and whiskeys are curated from around the world. We also offer tastings and flights.
Live Music on Fridays 6p-9p Happy Hour Tuesday-Saturday Jazz the last Saturday of the month Local artwork featured on our wall is from artist Craig Anderson And while you're here, check out our gourmet food store next door, Epicuse.
Additional information
Dining style
Casual Elegant
Price
$31 to $50
Cuisines
Contemporary American, Wine Bar, Bar / Lounge / Bottle Service
Our catering division is offered through Epicuse and the menu is available at www.epicuse.net
Private party facilities
We are part of the SKY Armory hospitality group and have 3 private ballrooms for special events and meetings. Our Betts on 1 is 2,000 square feet and accommodates groups under 60. Our Wells & Coverly Ballrooms are 8600 square feet and accommodate groups up to 400. Visit us at www.skyarmory.com
Every Saturday we have live music from 6:30p-9:30p to enhance your dining experience.
Lion King Pre-Show Dining
4 Dec 2024 - 14 Dec 2024
The Tasting Room is a just a couple doors down from the Landmark Theatre and the perfect spot for pre-show dining.
We craft a menu that will enable you to have an appetizer, entree and dessert and get to the show on time.
Make your reservation by 6:15p and we'll get you to the show on time!
Our regular dinner menu and chef's 5 course tasting menu will be available at 7:00p. The 7 course chef's tasting menu is not available during Broadway in Syracuse show weeks.
5 Course Tasting Menu
US$79.00 per person
Multiple dates available
Enjoy a 5 course tasting menu prepared especially for you. Add wine pairing +30
This experience will last 2+ hours.
Offers
Live Music every Friday & Saturday
Multiple dates available
Fri - 17:00 - 21:00
Enjoy live music while you dine every Friday from 6p-9p and Saturday 6:30p - 9:30p
Don't forget to tip the musicians!
Visit www.thetastingroomsyr.com.
Happy Hour Menu
Multiple dates available
Wed - Fri - 17:00 - 19:00
It's 5 o'clock somewhere, our Happy Hour is every day, so join in on the fun!. Special pricing on wines, flights and Martina's featured cocktail. And a menu that's geared for snacking and sharing.
Tuesday 5p-9:00p.
Wednesday-Friday 5p-7:00p
Saturday 12p-5p
Menu
available Tuesday all evening | Wednesday-Friday 4:30p-6p | Saturday 12p-5p
Drink Specials
Wine FlightUS$13.00
rotating selection of our featured wines with a $5 savings
Featured Wines by the GlassUS$8.00
each week we feature different wines that you can get at a discounted cost
Whiskey FlightUS$13.00
Save $5 on our featured whiskey flight
Featured Cocktail
Martina loves crafting cocktails - try our featured cocktail for just $10
Craft Beers (cans & draftUS$5.00
Food
Cheese BoardUS$20.00
add charcuterie +8
Featured FlatbreadUS$14.00
Olive Tapenade PlateUS$14.00
freshly baked ciabatta, pickled vegetables
Crispy Cod Tacos (3)US$12.00
kale & red cabbage
Fall Harvest SaladUS$14.00
diced apple, roasted sweet potato, spiced pecans, pecorino-romano, maple vinaigrette
BurrataUS$15.00
grilled peach, arugula, shaved red onion, white balsamic reduction
What 98 people are saying
Overall ratings and reviews
Reviews can only be made by diners who have eaten at this restaurant
4.5
4.5 based on recent ratings
4.5Food
4.5Service
4.4Ambience
4.3Value
Noise • Moderate
Loved For
Upstate New York
Innovative
Upstate New York
Contemporary American
Central New York
Best Overall
Central New York
Best Food
Central New York
Best Service
Central New York
Best Value
Central New York
Innovative
Central New York
Good for groups
Central New York
Hot spot
Central New York
Neighbourhood gem
Central New York
Great for fine wines
Central New York
Romantic
Central New York
Good for special occasions
Central New York
Lively
Review summary
AI-generated from verified diner reviews
The Tasting Room is a "hidden gem" in Syracuse, offering a delightful dining experience with "excellent service" and "delicious food." Its seasonal menu ensures a fresh and flavorful selection, complemented by live music for a unique ambiance. Perfectly situated near Landmark Theater, it's an ideal pre-show dining spot.
98 Reviews
J
Justin
Upstate NY
1 review
4.0
1 review
Dined on 24 October 2024
Overall 4
Food 3
Service 4
Ambience 4
Food offerings were limited in both volume and taste choice. Pit of several alcohol options on their menus. Service was fast and the food rated good.
The Tasting RoomResponded on 28 October 2024
Justin - thanks for the 4 stars. During Broadway in Syracuse shows we craft a menu that allows our diners to enjoy appetizer, entree and dessert and not worry about being late to the show. Chef JC puts the same care into plate profiles and wine pairings that he does with our every day and chef's tasting menus. For Les Mis the menu was a French inspired menu - the duck confit, sea bass and beouf bourgignon were the crowd favorites. We invite you to come on a non-broadway night.
Is this helpful?
K
Karen
New York City
33 reviews
3.0
33 reviews
Dined on 15 October 2024
Overall 3
Food 2
Service 2
Ambience 3
We’ve gone to the Tasting Room a dozen times over the last few years. Each time we’ve gone, we’ve remarked how we liked it better the time before. Last night, unfortunately it was no exception.
These are folks who are obviously trying very hard. Having a reduced menu on the nights when something big is playing at the theater makes sense. However, my expectation is that what remains is the best they can offer.
My salad was excellent, but my partner’s soup didn’t arrive until long after I finished it, and then only upon request. The bread that arrived at the table was pre-sliced, and as hard as a rock. They were out of the fish, so he ordered a flatbread which was okay. My gnocchi, on the other hand, was a mess. There was no difference in consistency between the little puffs and the sauce in terms of texture. It had obviously been overcooked, and then sat under a heat lamp. Very disappointing.
If we return, it will be on a night when they have their more complete menu. I think we may have enjoyed ourselves more had we not been watching the clock (we were attending a show) and if their selection was a bit broader.
The Tasting RoomResponded on 24 October 2024
Karen,
Sorry to have disappointed and will share your comments with the team. We're used to 5 star reviews...
We do a lot of pre-theatre dining service and with the Broadway shows we craft a menu that allow us to ensure that our guests can enjoy an appetizer, entree and dessert and still get to the show on time - no clock watching needed. We consistenly offer 3 items for the table to share, 4 appetizers - 3 on the regular menu & 1 featured for the week, 6 entrees - 4 on the regular menu and 2 featured for the week plus desserts. This allows our guests to return frequently and always see something new on the menu. We'll never be a restaurant that offers 20+ items on the menu - the more items on the menu, the harder it is to control food and labor costs, which is why restaurants fail.
1 person found this helpful
P
Paula
San Francisco
3 reviews
3.0
3 reviews
Dined on 28 September 2024
Overall 3
Food 3
Service 3
Ambience 5
Much of the food featured on the restaurant’s website was not on the menu. Most disappointing? No cheese board - in a restaurant with a wine menu longer than a CVS receipt! I was also looking forward to the sous vide chicken but they had pan roasted chicken instead. My chicken was dry and under sauced. Only about a teaspoon of sauce for a whole chicken breast. It came with a half dozen small bites of potato. I liked the decor and our party of six had a round table. The table would have been perfect for conversation except we couldn’t hear one another over the live music.
The Tasting RoomResponded on 12 October 2024
Paula - We're sorry you felt disappointed in our offering. It was a busy SU Family weekend and adjusted the menu to ensure prompt service out of the kitchen. We do have a cheese board and we were offering them upon request - never hesitate to ask if you're looking for something specific. Chicken sous vide is back on our fall menu with some new components so give us a try on a less hectic weekend.
Is this helpful?
K
Kevyne
San Francisco
8 reviews
vip
4.0
8 reviews
Dined on 28 September 2024
Overall 4
Food 4
Service 5
Ambience 5
Everything is good except for my he chicken. It’s way over cooked for my liking. Took the juiciness out of it.
The Tasting RoomResponded on 3 October 2024
Thanks for the 4 stars. Will share the your chicken comment with the chef.
Is this helpful?
M
Marco
Phoenix
20 reviews
vip
5.0
20 reviews
Dined on 28 September 2024
Overall 5
Food 5
Service 5
Ambience 5
Great service, modern menu combinations and awesome wine/whiskey selections
The Tasting RoomResponded on 3 October 2024
Marco - thanks for the 5 stars and appreciate your comments. Hope to see you back again soon.
Is this helpful?
k
kim
Greater Boston
5 reviews
vip
5.0
5 reviews
Dined on 27 September 2024
Overall 5
Food 4
Service 5
Ambience 5
The tasting room is an adorable little place. Menu is very limited but everything we had was delicious. They had live music which was a bonus. I will definitely be going back!
The Tasting RoomResponded on 30 September 2024
Thanks for the review Kim. We had a limited menu this past weekend due to SU family weekend and the over abundance of people dining in the restaurant (ours and across the city). You'll also find that we do a limited menu on Broadway in Syracuse show nights as well due to high volume. Any other night - come experience our menu. The Chef's tasting menu is always a favorite. Live music every Friday and Saturday night. We look forward to seeing you again.
Is this helpful?
E
Elaine
New York City
4 reviews
5.0
4 reviews
Dined on 26 September 2024
Overall 5
Food 5
Service 5
Ambience 5
We had a wonderful dinner on a Thursday evening. We were early so the restaurant was quiet. We loved everything we ate starting with the scotch and wine, the tinned fish appetizer, then the halibut and the steak frites, followed by the lemon raspberry cake and the chocolate peanut butter cake. Everything was superbly cooked and beautifully plated. Excellent service. We will definitely be back and will recommend to friends and family.
The Tasting RoomResponded on 30 September 2024
Elaine - thanks for the 5 stars and lovely comments. We appreciate when our guests spread the word about us and look forward to many return visits!
Is this helpful?
J
Jan
New York City
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on 31 August 2024
Overall 5
Food 5
Service 4
Ambience 5
Very nice experience . Food was excellent music great. Service was good . Staff accommodated our requests . Looking forward to goin back.
The Tasting RoomResponded on 4 September 2024
Thanks for the 5 stars Jan! Appreciate the comments and we look forward to serving you again.
Is this helpful?
G
Greg
Atlantic City
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on 30 August 2024
Overall 5
Food 5
Service 5
Ambience 5
The tasting room is a hidden gem! Perfect all around. We ordered off of the standard dinner menu.
Not one complaint.
The Tasting RoomResponded on 3 September 2024
Greg - thanks for the 5 stars and comments. It's most appreciated and hope to see you again soon!
Is this helpful?
D
Dave
Washington DC
24 reviews
vip
5.0
24 reviews
Dined on 29 August 2024
Overall 5
Food 5
Service 5
Ambience 5
Delicious food and the wine pairing was amazing! We really enjoyed our evening there.
The Tasting RoomResponded on 11 September 2024
Thanks for the 5 stars Dave. Our wine and whiskey list is one of the best in the area. Glad you enjoyed yourselves and hope to see you back soon.
Is this helpful?
FAQs
The Tasting Room is rated 4.5 stars by 98 OpenTable diners.
Yes, you can generally book this restaurant by choosing the date, time and party size on OpenTable.
Our catering division is offered through Epicuse and the menu is available at www.epicuse.net
Private party facilities
We are part of the SKY Armory hospitality group and have 3 private ballrooms for special events and meetings. Our Betts on 1 is 2,000 square feet and accommodates groups under 60. Our Wells & Coverly Ballrooms are 8600 square feet and accommodate groups up to 400. Visit us at www.skyarmory.com
