The Finger Lakes region of New York is known for many interesting things. Their food scene is among them. Find out what it was like to visit examples of the area in this article by Janice Sakata-Schutlze.

Save this article to Pinterest to help you plan your visit to the Finger Lakes. Graphic by RealFoodTraveler.com.

Quincy Exchange and FLX provisions: Two Places to Experience Finger Lakes Gastronomy

In the center of Market Street, the main thoroughfare of downtown Corning, New York’s Gaffer District, two culinary hotspots stand side-by-side. While this small upstate town was initially famous for its glass and ceramic household goods like Corningware and Pyrex, it can now claim status as a world-class epicurean destination, with its growing recognition for its wineries, artisan farms and restaurants.

The exterior of Quincy on Market, home to FLX Provisions and Quincy Exchange, Corning, New York.

Quincy on Market, the encompassing name for Quincy Exchange and the wine tasting room FLX Provisions, is part of a larger collective of several restaurants, a brewery and a winery whose owner, chef Christopher Bates, is a strong proponent of locally sourced foods and resources. This ethos inspired his establishing Element, a winery in Geneva located on the northern end of Seneca Lake. It’s one of the largest in the nearly dozen Finger Lakes and home to a wine trail that has grown cooler-weather varietals, especially Rieslings. However, one of Bates’ missions is to push boundaries with grape growing and winemaking to include more medium- and full-bodied varietals like Chardonnay and Pinot Noir.

Attending the International Food and Wine Travel Writers Association’s (IFWTWA) annual conference in Corning, I visited Quincy on Market. We first sampled four different wines at FLX Provisions, then dined at Quincy Exchange for a special private dinner for our group. While a steady rain fell as most of us walked two blocks from our conference hotel, I immediately felt the warmth and coziness of the tasting room once we all gathered.

FLX Provisions

Chef Bates and his wife Isabel led the tasting where we tried three kinds of Chardonnay and a Cabernet Franc. He explained that he wanted to expand the standard expectations of Finger Lakes wines, which could happen because of the unique microclimates characteristic of the region. Unlike much of upstate New York, the Finger Lakes do not freeze during the winter. The more well-known Seneca and Cayuga are 618 and 435 feet, respectively, making them some of the deepest in the country. With this environment, winemakers can experiment with grapes often found elsewhere.

There would be slight variations among three wines of the same varietal. But each Chardonnay type we tasted imparted different bouquets, notes and flavors, a testament to Bates’ careful attention to winemaking. The three we tried were Element, In Our Element and Colloquial. The first tasted like grass or hay and honey, with just the right balance of acidity. By contrast, In Our Element imparted more fruit notes, especially apple and pear, and just a hint of cream and bread. Colloquial was similar, but it was also slightly oak and smoke-oriented.

Wine tasting at FLX Provisions, Corning, New York.

The only red we tasted was Element Cabernet Franc, a crisp and vibrant blend of berry, currant and herbal flavors. I haven’t tried this varietal often, but it’s like a pinot noir. I also enjoy whites and roses more than reds, but I could have had a few more servings of this wine, especially with a varied charcuterie board with strong cheeses, cured meats and fruit.

Quincy Exchange

Shortly after our tasting, we walked through the foyer connecting the tasting room and the restaurant, which sports bright natural lighting, sandy hardwood floors and a clean, unfussy décor. Naturally, Element Wines was available for a pre-dinner drink, as well as other craft cocktails. Once we sat down, the meal service began.

Hummus is one of the appetizers at Quincy Exchange.

Starting with homemade hummus and toasted pita triangles, which was swirled with extra virgin olive oil and sprinkled with Italian parsley, olives and capers, we then moved on to appetizer options that included the Quincy Salad – greens, pears, spiced cashews, blue cheese crumbles and a sherry-date vinaigrette – or cornmeal-dusted calamari with chili crispies and aioli. I chose the salad and found that the vinaigrette distinguished this one with its creamy, sweet undertones that contrasted nicely with the sharp cheese, piquant cashews and tart pears. My dining companions enjoyed the calamari, a crispy delight with a spicy, sweet, buttery accent, even with the slightly chewy texture.

Quincy Salad (pears, spiced cashews, blue cheese, sherry date dressing, Quincy Exchange in Corning. Photo (c) Scott Kendall.

Our three entree choices were campanelle with crème fraiche, heirloom tomatoes and dill; malfanelle with lamb, tomato, mint and bianco sardo cheese; and herbed chicken with zucchini and new potatoes. I ordered the campanelle, which surprisingly lacked flavor except for the overpowering dill. At one point, since the portions were generous, I took some slices of roasted chicken from one of my companions and added them to my dinner, which gave it some needed dimension and variety. The chicken was better, savory in taste and juicy in texture, which was surprising for breast meat.

Herbed roasted chicken with zucchini, new potatoes, Quincy Exchange.

Hungry for more? Read about a French patisserie in New York.

We completed our meal with a smooth and creamy panna cotta made of coconut milk, which gave it a creamy and slightly tropical note. The seasonal fruit compote of apples and cranberries was a wonderful way to celebrate the coming fall season.

Panna cotta with coconut milk and seasonal fruit compote, Quincy Exchange.

The Quincy Exchange and FLX Provisions were two solid establishments where you can enjoy examples of the best of the Finger Lakes region’s food and wine.

-Story and photos, except where noted, by By Janice Sakata-Schutlze

Hungry for more? Read Janice’s article about Hacienda Del Mar Los Cabos.