More than 1 in 3 voters pick Vernon’s The Black Stallion restaurant as most romantic Valentine’s Day venue in Mohawk Valley; Delta Lake Inn, Rome, was 2nd highest vote-getter.
What is the most romantic restaurant in the Mohawk Valley?
We put nominees to the readers test in a Valentine’s Day poll and the winner of best honey spot to take your date for the most romantic Feb 14 fete is The Black Stallion restaurant in Vernon.
The Black Stallion – local family-owned since 1975
The Black Stallion, located at 5656 State Route 5, Vernon, just a bit before the turn onto Stuhlman to head to Vernon Downs if you’re headed east.
It strikes an eye-catching curb appeal with a dark, equine motif, fitting for the Mohawk Valley “horse country” it is nestled within. Gino and Maria Vullo opened the country roadside gem in 1972, offering authentic Italian American cuisine while curating an atmosphere of rustic elegance.
Son Sal grew up in the family business, with no job undone after starting out as a little kid washing dishes, recalling standing on a case of beer to reach the sink and watch his mother cook.
He took up the reins when his parents retired in 1986 – literally and figuratively – as he and wife, Risa embraced the “horse peem, now owning and training their own trotters. ople” who return each season to dine with them down the road from the racers. They didn’t want to beat them, so they joined th
A photo finish of their beloved Bourbon Express can be found memorialized in oil on canvas serving as a focal point of a classic bar, set off by rich woods, sparkling glasses and libations from the top shelf down.
The head chef of over 25 years collaborates with Sal Vullo to curate an upskilled menu and daily specials combining old favorites with new surprises. “Mom’s Sunday Sauce” was added to the menu as an homage to Maria Vullo in honor of the Vernon venue’s golden anniversary, a good nosh for the nostalgic at heart.
Vullo 3.0, daughter Elisha, is set to govern the equine-themed eatery for a third generation, learning every ‘leg’ and ‘length’ of the family business.
The Vullo family takes Valentine’s Day “down the stretch” at The Black Stallion, setting off that special night this year with a sip from a holiday menu of curated cocktails including Raspberry Pomegranate Margarita (Tequila is involved!), Bubbles and Berries (Champagne is involved!) and Valentine’s Punch (Rum is involved!).
‘Chute’ to an indulgent menu of Valentine’s Day specials, including the 4-course “Sweetheart Special for Two” – with a choice of Italian Greens or Arancini for starters, choice of soup or salad, followed by an entree-combo of two 14 oz. New York Strips and one 8 oz. Lobster Tail, served with mashed potatoes and two fresh vegetables, with a brownie sundae with chocolate berry skewer awaiting the lovers at the ‘finish line.’
‘Circle the field,’ choosing instead from a selection of other special entrees including Chicken and Seafood Vincenzo, 14 oz. Bone-In French Cut Pork Chop, and 14 oz. Prime Rib are all served with soup or salad.
The regular Black Stallion menu offering diverse Italian and American apps, entrees, and desserts, is also be available on V-Day and offers a preview of pricing, all Valentine’s Day specials will be priced A la Carte.
NOTE: This beloved venue is currently fully booked for reservations for Valentine’s Day 2026, validating those Mohawk Valley voters! Please call 315-829-2203 to check for cancellations and/or get yours in early for Valentine’s Day 2027.
The romantic Mohawk Valley results are in
Mohawk Valley readers chose from (in alpha order) The Black Stallion (Vernon), Delta Lake Inn (Rome), Ocean Blue Restaurant & Oyster Bar (Utica), Orchard Hall (Sauquoit), Tailor and the Cook (Utica) Trattoria Giorgio (Little Falls), Vine & Fig (Rome), Waterfront Grille (Herkimer) and “OTHER” where they could enter their own most loved romantic hot spot for Cupid Day.
The readers weighed in and here’s how the Valentine’s Day venues ranked out:
Second place: “Other” Mohawk Valley Venues, as many as 7, collectively ‘placed’ in the race with just over 30% of the total vote.
Third place: Delta Lake Inn – 8524 Fish Hatchery Road, Rome, took ‘show’ with over 13% of voters calling it their romantic Valentine’s favorite. The traditional Mohawk Valley go-to for celebrating special occasions will host a Valentines Day Dinner Buffet on both Fri., Feb. 14, and Sat., Feb 15, with an encore Valentine’s Day Champagne Brunch on Sun. Feb 15.
The rest of the field, all splitting the >20% of the remaining vote with less than 10% each finished in the following order:
Four place: Ocean Blue Restaurant & Oyster Bar serving “A Love Letter to Nostro” – Landmarc Building, 118 Columbia St., Utica
Fifth place: Orchard Hall – 2955 Oneida St., Sauquoit
Sixth place: Trattoria Giorgio – 546 E. Main St, Little Falls
Seventh place (3-way tie):
Tailor and the Cook – 311 Main St., Utica
Vine & Fig Wine Bistro – 8171 Turin Road, Rome
Waterfront Grille – 800 Mohawk St. (Mohawk Riverfront), Herkimer
Eat Drink Love Local this Mohawk Valley Valentine’s Day
If you voted other or are missing your most romantic go-to for the date night of the year, please look for it on our Mohawk Valley Valentine’s Day Guide here.
Dining and Cooking