Ancora!

Great place for a quick bite right in the heart of downtown. Make sure you have reservations for Friday or Saturday because they fill up quick. The atmosphere is great and the staff is friendly. The bar is fully stocked! You can’t go wrong with the appetizers and the filet is always tasty. For reference, a table of 4 takes 60-90 min with dinner and drinks

The Service and the steamed mussels were great. We were seated immediately. We came for my birthday. We ordered the paella. It was very tasty and moist. The downfall was that it was a little too spicy for my wife. We felt like it lacked on the amount of meat, particularly the seafood and chorizo. My wife also ordered a bruschetta. She was very disappointed because the tomatoes were cold and the bread was super crunchy. Whenever she would bite into it, the bread would fall apart. She also ordered filet mignon and potatoes. The potatoes tasted amazing. They seem to add a little bit of cheese to the potatoes. The problem was when she ordered the filet mignon extra well done; just to make sure that it was cooked (Usually when she orders it well done it usually still rare on the inside) This filet mignon came back looking burnt and dry. I gave the Place a four star because we were sitting outside and the mosquitoes started biting my Son and we requested a chair inside and they were able to move us inside immediately.

Our daughter recently moved from Boston to Utica for an excellent opportunity in the healthcare industry. Boston has no shortage of amazing food options, so our palates have been a bit spoiled. While exploring Utica for some culinary gems, we stumbled upon Ancora—and what a find! We started with the roasted beet salad, and both agreed it was one of the best we've ever had. My daughter ordered the paella, which she loved and was excited to have leftovers for the next day. I had the gnocchi Pomodoro with a side of salmon. The sauce was fresh with a hint of sweetness, and the salmon was simply seasoned but one of the best I’ve tasted in years. The wine list, though small, features excellent choices, including some West Coast wines and, of course, great local beer. We can’t wait to go back!

I hosted a baby shower at Ancora! and found the staff wonderful to work with. They were accommodating to special requests, even at the last minute. The food was excellent, great presentation, timely and exactly as ordered. I was allowed to arrive early to decorate and again, the staff was helpful and responsive to any request. I can’t express how grateful I am to have chosen Ancora! for this event. Deserving of a 5 star rating!

Amazing place right in the heart of Utica! The food is hot and delicious with HUGE portions. Plenty of food for tomorrow... if it survives the night! Lol... We ordered too much food, and knew it as soon as the appetizers came out. We had the parmesan fries and the parmesan polenta fries. The fries were good, and the polenta was something I've never had before...unique and delicious. They are fried with a tasty, crispy batter, and the inside the polenta is creamy. An excellent start to the meal. I had the homemade cavitappi as my entrée. It is served in a cream sauce with peas, prosciutto, and onions. I added chicken to it and it was absolutely delicious. Glad I couldn't finish it... more for tomorrow! My wife had the chicken riggies, and she enjoyed them immensely...and that says something as she is a riggie snob...also a huge plate of food with plenty left over. Our waiter, Greg, was efficient, attentive and very nice...a good representation of the restaurant. The ONLY thing is that it's a crowded place...tables are close... that's nothing that would keep me from coming back at all. We've been here one before, and I'm glad we went back. It was a solid reminder that I need to visit more often.