Farewell, ABC

There have been many restaurant closures in Ithaca lately, but none will be more keenly felt by Rob and me than that of the ABC Cafe, whose last day is tomorrow. Home of a distinctly Ithacan brand of simple, honest cooking, the ABC always left us deeply satisfied, whether it was curry night (the best Indian in town), Mexican night (the best burritos and enchiladas in town), soul food night (the best catfish in town), or the iconic Sunday brunch. And the desserts! The carrot cake and the volcanos that they had for a short time were beyond compare. There is a clear philosophy behind the preparations (natural ingredients, unrefined sugar, vegan-friendly), but the food that came to the table was never preachy. The rickety tables and chairs and the mismatched dinnerware only reinforced the integrity behind the establishment -- here was a place where food was king above all else. The easy-going atmosphere, the art, the music -- all of that grows out of serving people food that they want to eat every day.

When Rob and I started out together, the ABC was just up the street from us, and going there for Sunday brunch was a beloved part of our routine. After we moved downtown, we didn't visit as often, but whenever we're in the mood for something uncomplicated and unpretentious, we always think first of the ABC. The ultra-relaxed style is not to everyone's taste, but for Rob and me (and many others, I'm sure), the ABC is the quintessential neighborhood joint. It will be missed.