In my previous post I discussed our hotel, the Staybridge Suites in Corning, New York. We choose this hotel 1) because the price could not be beat; 2) it was part of the Intercontinental Hotel Group, which allowed me to meet certain criteria for the Crack the Case promo; 3) the hotel rooms each featured a small kitchen, which worked out perfect for us with two small children; and lastly 4) its proximity to the Finger Lakes wine region.

After our arrival into Corning, New York, we were too early to check into our hotel rooms. So we headed next door to the Corning Glass Museum. We had no idea what to expect at a museum about glass. However, I was more impressed by the depth of their collection and how it was presented. Below are just two small representations of the beautiful glass artwork they have on display.

The museum also features an in-house glass blowing presentation as well as lots of hands on activities to learn about the development and technologies associated with glass making. In the basement is an extensive gift shop with everything from table dishes to ornaments.

After the museum, we headed into downtown Corning to walk the main strip and visit the Corning Factory store. We made our way into several of the local shops and then to our early dinner at the Market Street Brewery.

We were there on a relaxing Thursday evening with few people in the establishment. We started off the evening with the…
Sushi Nacho’s and…

Hot Stuff Banana Peppers

Both dishes had excellent flavors. For our main dishes, I ordered the Veggie Batard, which featured roasted red pepper, zucchini, artichokes, and red onions aboard Romano batard with Swiss cheese and a smokey chipotle aioli.

The sandwich was accompanied with an excellent potato and sweet potato dish (not pictured) that was outstanding.

My wife had ordered the Beer-B-Q Burger, which featured Angus beef smothered in a homemade beer-b-q sauce, topped with bacon, caramelized onions, and provolone cheese.

Overall the Market Street Brewery was outstanding! We loved it so much so that we went back again on our last evening because we knew it was exceptional food!

After dinner we walked along Market Street visiting more of the local shops. Our server at the Brewery recommended Poppleton Pastries down the street for our desserts, so we gladly obliged.

I ordered the Finger Lakes Harvest Wine Cake, which was amazing! It was an almond butter cake topped with sweet apples and toasted almonds and soaked in a Finger Lake Riesling wine. When we arrived they were getting close to closing for the day. They apparently were extremely busy with everyone coming in to buy scones for the Royal Wedding the next morning. My wife had also ordered a cupcake, which was rather dry and bland, so I am glad I stuck with the Wine Cake.

Besides swimming later that evening back at the hotel, we all headed to bed relatively early because we knew we had big wine country plans for the next day.