Ithaca is often only a temporary home for college students at Ithaca College and Cornell University, but the food scene is there to stay. Restaurants like Mercato Bar and Kitchen, John Thomas, Just a Taste, and the Souvlaki House all serve to elevate local cuisine from hot plate creations to delectable food. Pan Roasted Pork Chop and Ithaca’s famed gorges are just more than 4 hours from New York City.