3 stars is the average of good food mixed with terrible service.
My favorite items on the menu are all appetizers: hummus, baba ganoush, and dumplings. I do appreciate that they often use locally raised / grown food.
The big problem is their service, which is extremely slow and inattentive. If I have to beg to get my order taken (most recently it took 45 minutes), I have to wonder why I would even go.
They have great acoustic music there at times but the problem with that is the service becomes even worse (didn't realize that was possible until experiencing it firsthand).
As many have said, it is the only 'nice place' in that town but without a musical act I like, I often spend the extra gas money to go to a place with better service.
I grew up in Gilbertsville and remember the old Empire from my childhood.
To those who comment with comparison to NYC: I now live in Boston and I think this place is like one of those trendy rustic chic places you find around here. Even city people can fall in love with this place so don't hesitate if you're in the area. It's better than anything within a 30-mile radius.
I love this place for many reasons:
-The old Empire was junk but it was the town hangout. Â This place was renovated without getting rid of all the old character. The owners were sensitive to the little village culture and reflect it in the place.
-My tastes have broadened since I moved away and I often find that Upstate NY food is boring, boxed, and greasy in small town restaurants but I can still find something I'll love here. Kids, parents, Aunts from NYC, and grandparents can all find something they like here. They even have some organic and sensitively-raised food.
-The owner, Q and his wife, always remember me and ask how my Grandmother is doing.
-Bands and singers (without a cover!) on most weekends. On a Saturday night the whole town comes out to visit the Empire. They love it and it has brought so much vitality back to my hometown.
-Fireplaces. Enough said.
Cons:
-There isn't a lot of space to stand and be social. When there is a band most people that are close to the stage are sitting.
-The mixed drinks aren't consistent so let them know if you want it strong or weak.
-For the average person in the area, the prices are a bit steep but understandably so.
It actually deserves 4 stars, but an extra star for the effort. I visit that erea once or twice a year, and I've been to Empire House a few times.
Don't expect a restaurant and bar as if it is in NYC. But for what it is, it is perfectly nice for that area. Tha atmosphere is mellow and relaxing, the new owner is very nice and tries to please every customer, if you can't find something you would like on the menu, he would even recommend something off the menu and cook it for you. Owner's wife is nice, she runs the bar. If you are in the area, stop by, have a drink and a good hearty meal, hang out at the porch or at the bar, relax for couple of hours, meat the locals and the passers-through, listen to some music, and enjoy your time. Then again this is not NYC.
This place was ready for condemnation years ago, and the new owners not only rescued it, but brought a first-class menu with first class cooking to a culturally deprived area.
Not only is the food great, but the selection is much broader than you would have ever hoped to find in this little hamlet (another commenter apparently mistook "all over the map" for "diverse and abundant").
The owners go out of their way to find and support good entertainment and have managed to make the atmosphere excellent and inviting.
They also buy local and organic products. Really, what more could you want in a dining experience? Oh, how about a good bar with great service? You got it!
This place is a gem.
Someone dumped a lot of money into rehabbing this place. In my book, that earns at least one star. The inside still needs some work, but., it looks nice. The effort is clearly there to make the inside look more than just a crumbling old building with nice paint. The bar is also well stocked and the prices are decent. Their draft beer selecting is good, very good sometimes. Lots of craft brews and occasionally they have beer from the local Butternuts brewery on  tap. Which is worth another star.
But that's it. Two stars. The food is not good. It's inconsistent and the menu doesn't match the decor. You can get jalapeno poppers, nachos and... filet mignon? It's all over the map. The wings are ALWAYS overcooked and you can tell they were frozen before being dropped in the fryer because they are always so dried out. The service has improved, but oh my god is it slow. The owner's wife has definitely improved the level of service, but when it gets busy, forget it. You could wait twenty minutes for a drink refill, the check or whatever.
I still go here though - mostly because it's the only place in town, but, I appreciate the ambiance and the bar. So if you need a place to get a cocktail and get warm, this is a good choice. But if you want good food and don't mind the extra drive, head west to Norwich or East to Oneonta. It's a bit of a drive, but your stomach will thank you.
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