This week the 14850 Dining Report is exploring the food security efforts around Ithaca and Tompkins County as community members deal with uncertainty about SNAP benefits. An estimated 7,300 residents of Tompkins County alone rely on SNAP. Most recipients in New York State are children, elderly, or disabled.

Local organizations and governments prepare to step in with SNAP funding in question

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There aren’t many restaurants that last 50 years, let alone under a single owner, and this week, 14850 Dining has learned that Kelly’s Dockside Kafe will close this weekend, a little over a year after the building and business were listed for sale. Their last day of operation will be Sunday, November 2nd.

As west end properties change hands, Kelly’s Dockside Kafe will close this fall

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This week, 14850 Dining is celebrating National Taco Day with a look around the Ithaca and Tompkins County area at some of the delicious taco offerings.

On the Tompkins County Taco Trail in observance of National Taco Day

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National Lobster Day is this Thursday, and we’re celebrating by checking out an assortment of lobster offerings around town, ranging from appetizers to lunches to decadent dinners.

Celebrating National Lobster Day with offerings around town

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Three years after Chef Matt Hummel took over at the helm of Hazelnut Kitchen in Trumansburg, the owner says he’s closing the iconic farm-to-table eatery on Thursday, October 30th. It’s “to take a step back to prioritize my family and think about what’s next for the space,” he said on Saturday.

Trumansburg’s Hazelnut Kitchen will close at the end of October

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Both college football and NFL seasons have kicked off, there are some World Cup qualifiers still ahead, and there’s plenty of WNBA and MLB on the schedule! Whether you’re a cord-cutter or just like to watch the game with a crowd and some snacks, we’ve got some ideas of where to go catch the game around Ithaca and Tompkins County.

Old and new spots to put on the team colors and watch the game with some good food and drink

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We mention Red’s Place from time to time, in our where-to-find-lunch features, or National Sandwich Day roundup, or when we’re talking about the Chili Cook-Off or Mac ‘n Cheese Bowl. But it’s been a while since we’ve featured them, so this week we’re giving Red’s Place our full attention.

Returning to Red’s Place, under new ownership with lots of what we’ve always loved

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14850 Dining is at the movies this week with a month’s worth of staff picks at Cinemapolis, Ithaca’s downtown movie theatre, because this month’s staff picks theme is food!

Flavor on film: A month of food features begins this week at Cinemapolis

Listen to the 14850 Dining Podcast in Apple Podcasts or Google Podcasts, YouTube, Spotify, Audible, or RSS Feed, listen on WVBR, or follow 14850 Dining on Facebook, Instagram, Bluesky, and Twitter or sign up for our newsletter.