Old Mill

The relish tray.

This fascinating item is served exclusively at the Old Mill and is why I'm giving a 4 star rating. But I'll get to it in a minute.

The Old Mill is situated on the west bank of the Unadilla River on route 8. The mill is effectively the town itself - and the next closest village is Mt Upton, approximately 2 miles south. It's a cool old building with quite a history (check out the web site). The inside is very, very dated and very very green. The best way to describe it is cozy, like a grandparents cabin in the Adirondacks.

There is plenty of seating and I've never had a hard time getting a table. Seniors love this place. I get a secret rise out of always being the youngest person in the room.

The food is eclectic. The menu has quite a few selections (again, check the web site), and they offer a few signature dishes like Old Mill Chicken and Shrimp Old Mill. I've never had either. I have had the braised beef, which is good. It's kind of like a brisket that has been very well cooked and very well sauced. It is so tender it cuts with a spoon.  Last time I went I had the prime rib - petite cut. Yep. I admit I get that cut. It was well prepared and I enjoyed it.

The wait staff are so friendly here I feel like I'm trapped in a Rockwell painting. They are very accommodating. My wife has a gluten allergy and last time we went, the waitress had one too. So she went out of her way to make sure my wife's meal was cooked to order. That's a perk, in my opinion. Usually that's not the response she gets when she admits she has a food allergy.

So before the entree comes out you get cheese and crackers. Sometimes the crackers are stale - watch out. But then you get the relish tray. How do I describe this amazing, albeit strange, appetizer like piece of holy restaurant goodness? It's a round tray with cottage cheese, beets, a kidney bean dish, a garbanzo bean dish, cole slaw, and about four other dishes. Seriously. I'm not kidding. This could be a meal in itself. And it doesn't cost extra when you order entrees. The relish tray is why I go here. The relish tray is why I go back and the relish tray is why I'm giving this place 4 stars.

Food is so-so but they do serve you a lot to eat.  before your meal you get cheese and crackers, then rolls, then salad, and last but not least something they call the relish tray.  Lots seniors eat here!