We reported in February that BG Budas East Hill Italian Grill was coming soon to the spot where Agava used to be, and this week, 14850 Dining is taking a look at this new eatery that’s open for lunch and dinner Monday through Saturday.
The spot on Pine Tree Road is a former railroad depot building that’s had several eatery incarnations since the former East Ithaca Depot was moved up from its original perch on Maple Avenue. It’s been The Depot, Moretti’s, Coyote Loco, Olivia, and most recently Agava. (Did we miss any?)
Related: A new restaurant is coming soon where Agava used to be on Ithaca’s east hill
BG Budas is a new incarnation of an Italian restaurant that served Cazenovia through the twenty-teens. The team at the restaurant has some familiar faces who’ve worked in the Ithaca dining scene, and we’re glad to see them here.
The lunch menu features salads in full or half sizes, woodfired pizzas, a small selection of full-size entrees, and our favorite part, a list of Neapolitan style sandwiches on rolls baked right in the woodfired oven. The PLTG Panuozzo is a play on a BLT with pancetta, lettuce, tomato, and gorgonzola! There’s a Sicilian Tuna sandwich, a Woodfire Provolone, and a Buda Burger that we’re looking forward to trying. The sandwiches start at $15, and they all come with crispy roasted Tuscan potatoes.
The PLTG panuozzo comes with crispy potatoes. 14850 Photo by Mark H. Anbinder.
The twelve-inch pizzas start at $15 as well, with a choice of traditional, roasted garlic, white, or Sicilian, and an array of toppings for $2-4 each from pepperoni and mushrooms to the famous Basilio Buda Italian sausage, sundried tomatoes, and baby shrimp. We loved the simple roasted garlic, and the legendary CNY Basilio Buda sausage.
At dinnertime, entrees include Italian-American staples like eggplant or chicken parm served with rigatoni, or spaghetti bolognese, all available in large or small portions. Pan-seared salmon, chicken riggies, and grilled steak.
The appetizer list includes stuffed cannelloni, bruschetta on garlic crostini, and a fried calamari platter that’s reminiscent of our favorite appetizer from the Coyote Loco days, with fried cherry pepper slices mixed in.
The BG Budas roasted garlic pizza and a calamari appetizer. 14850 Photo by Mark H. Anbinder.
Happy hour runs from 3-5 weekdays, a little early for us most days, but there’s a selection of beers for $5, wines for $6, and cocktails for $8 if you make it in, and the lunch menu is available until dinner begins at 5.
Update: Happy hour is now 4-6pm weekdays, and they’ve added pizza to the discounted happy hour menu alongside the drinks.
The nicely redecorated bar area features several beer taps with local and regional brews, as well as popular national brands, and windows looking out on the deck that we’re told will once again allow fresh air and even bar service through the windows.
Happy hour cocktails are just $8! 14850 Photo by Mark H. Anbinder.
Find B.G. Budas at 381 Pine Tree Road on Ithaca’s East Hill or give them a call at 607-219-3096 and tell them you heard about them here.
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BG Budas on Pine Tree Road on Ithaca’s East Hill. 14850 Photo by Mark H. Anbinder.