Diner Week Critique: Rideau Inn B&B (…and Ottawa, ON)

Review | Written and photographed by Nathan Mattise

Directions | Web site

I had never been to a Bed & Breakfast before but I certainly felt equally comfortable with both parts. Beds have been a staple of my (and every other mid-20s human being’s) life for years with increased importance during college. Breakfast has become an increasing passion through the Diners Without Frosted Tips project.  Together, this concept couldn’t lose.

What made the Rideau Inn B&B even better was it’s location – Ottawa, ON. It’s cool in its own right to spend a weekend in Canada (yet another new experience) but I stumbled on something better. Ottawa may not have been featured in any Man V. Food,  [Food] Paradise or the like yet, but it’s definitely a food town. One hell of food town at that.

Diner Week Critique: Niki’s Quick Cup (Syracuse, N.Y.)

Review | Written and photographed by Nathan Mattise

Directions | Web site | Overall Rating: 4

The old adage is that you can’t judge a book by its cover. However, in diner culture, you can totally… just not with the results you’d expect.  The traditional “greasy spoon” terminology combined with my travels leads me to believe the rougher the cover the better the book.  You see it all the time locally – Mother’s Cupboard or Mama Nancy’s for instance – so don’t let Niki’s Quick Cup fool you.  You’ll drive by the first time thinking it’s some type of shed for the nearby car dealer, but after entering just once, you won’t forget it again. 

Diner Week Critique: Sebastianelli’s (Eynon, Pa.)

Review | Written and photographed by Nathan Mattise

Directions | Web site | Overall Rating: 3

You’d probably never stop at Sebastianelli’s for breakfast if you’re from outside NEPA.  It’s a large ranch style building covered in brick with words like “steaks” and “seafood” lining the top.  It looks like an upper-end restaurant for the area complete with a fish market, not your ideal place for bacon and eggs. Like everything in NEPA though, it’s a bit quirky and you need a local to clue you in.

Well, Sebastianelli’s is no longer associated with a fish market. It’s nice but certainly not upscale and I’d argue it’s become more Sunday morning family breakfast haven than evening restaurant during my lifetime. It’s a staple in Mattise family holiday visits and the most recent trip was no exception.

Diner Week Critique: Funk N’ Waffles (Syracuse, N.Y.)

Review | Written and photographed by Nathan Mattise

Directions | Web site | Overall Rating: 5

What is a diner? In the past I’ve found folks who define it based on cuisine and the smartest man in CNY diners has his own six-point checklist.  Can a diner double as a locale for the best local (and eventually national) bands to perform while in town? Can it sell vinyl and local art on the side? Can you place it in a space below one of the Top 50 college bars in America?

Funk N’ Waffles answers yes to all those. A self-proclaimed cafe started near Syracuse University by two grads has become a go-to hangout for students and community members alike.  Folks come for the music, the atmosphere or perhaps the Gimme! Coffee, but no matter the reason FnW seems to have something everyone can like.

The Second (We Can Call It Annual, Right?) Diner Week

Site Info | Written by Nathan Mattise

The holidays may have slowed things like workout routines, travel and general productivity, but consistent diner eating has carried on strongly.

‘Tis the season for the second annual Diners Without Frosted Tips Diner Week.

Starting today, Monday, December 27, you’ll find five consecutive days of diner critiques. Diner Week  highlights some of the best diners I’ve experienced thus far, culminating in a unique review on Friday (and the year-end Best of Menu soon after).  ‘Til then, tell us your favorite home dishes below, submit your own diner critique proposals (as long as you utilize our ratings system / take pics) and get hungry for some new diners to seek out.