We're down to the top 10.
Your burger votes came in strong, and now it's time for Round 2. If your pick made the cut, get ready to fight for it. If it didn't... well, there's always comfort eating.
Valentine's Day is Saturday, and the temps are supposed to climb a bit this week, both welcome news, as long as you’ve got things planned…right?
The dinner club votes are in too, and it sounds like we're moving forward with that. More on that below.
This might be our most food-heavy issue yet. Between the burger bracket, a mac and cheese fest, a Valentine's Day bake sale, and the dinner club update, you might want to grab a snack before you keep reading.
🍔 YOU VOTED, NOW PICK ONE BURGER WINNER! 🍔
With your help, we’ve narrowed it down to the top 10 burgers in the Finger Lakes!
Drumroll, please…
What’s next? Let’s find out what the top burger is!
Vote by clicking the button below - we’re setting the 2nd round voting for 2 weeks to lock in the final ranking.
More burger information?? You know it!
The Frontrunners
Glenwood Pines came out swinging with the top votes - no real surprise if you've ever had one of their burgers on the patio overlooking Cayuga Lake. Moosewood is right behind, which honestly caught a few people off guard (us included) - turns out their burger has a serious fan club. And Finger Lakes Public House rounded out the top three. These three have a real cushion, but it's not over yet.
The Pack
This is where it gets interesting. Babe's Burgers, Five Guys, Butcher's Son, Tom Wahl's, and Connie's Diner are all within a few votes of each other. Any one of these could jump into the top three with a strong showing in Round 2. If you've got a favorite in this group, now's the time to make some noise.
The Underdogs
Rusty Pig and The Cove at Hotel Canandaigua both just barely made the cut. Long odds? Sure. But we've all seen an upset before. If you think either of these places is the real answer, go prove it!
BURGER BONUS?
I’d love for you to get out and try out a new burger before casting your vote.
I’ve already hit up one place that made the top 10 list already, and have my eyes (and stomach) set on one more, two if I can swing it!
When you go out to try a new (or favorite) burger, snap a pc and tag @FingerLakesEffect and the restaurant - I’ll keep an eye out and will repost great shots that make me hungry 😄
🍽️ DINNER CLUB - THE VOTES ARE IN! 🍽️
The votes are in and the answer is a resounding yes: The Finger Lakes Effect Dinner Club is officially a go!
Working on getting this going in the background (a bit of logistics).
Given the size of the area, I’m thinking we start the party in Ithaca. If it’s a success, we can move it around the region.
Here’s how it works:
Take a quick quiz about your interests, food preferences, and what types of people you are looking to meet, you know, that kind of thing.
Get matched with five other Finger Lakes Effect members based on the quiz results.
Receive your invite the morning of the dinner and discover which restaurant in Ithaca your group will be eating at.
Dinner is Thursday, February 26th at 6:30 PM. After dinner, all tables will be invited to a designated spot to keep the good times rolling. This afterparty is optional, so if you’re in a food coma, you can go home and sleep it off.
The Logistics: The booking fee is 16 bucks per seat, you pay for your own meal at the end of dinner, and I’ll put it all together from the quiz, to matching, to the reservations, and sending reminders. All you need to do is show up, meet some new friends, and have fun.
P.S. This is our first dinner, so if it goes well (and I think it will), we can do these regularly, all across the Finger Lakes. If you have any questions there’s a little chat bubble at the bottom right of the page when you sign up. See you there!
👋 Contribute To The Effect 👋
The Finger Lakes Effect is 100% free to read, independently owned, and locally operated (it’s me, my wife, and two cats - just adopted one over the weekend!).
Your contributions go toward keeping the Finger Lakes Effect going so we can have more fun, build more connections, and not have each edition filled with ads. I appreciate any and all support from this great group! - Adam
The Bulletin
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Got a community event or shout-out? We want to hear about that too.
Flake - Looking for knock-your-socks-off pastries? Look no further - just be sure to get your order in early in the week at Flake, they sell out fast - for a good reason!
Two Goats - Located on the east side of Seneca Lake with great beers and a killer view, swing by, kick back, and enjoy good beer, good beef, and good people.
📅 EVENTS
Top Picks
11th Annual Mac & Cheese Fest (Thursday - Binghamton)
Valentine’s Day Bake Sale (Saturday - Newfield)
Moonstruck (1987) @ Smith Opera House (Saturday - Geneva)
Wednesday
Plant Bingo @ Brewers Kitchen and Taproom (Ithaca) – Plant bingo night with real plant prizes, interactive rounds, midweek fun, and a cozy taproom atmosphere.
Tabora Cookie and Wine Pairings @ Seneca Lake Wine Trail (Watkins Glen) – Winter wine, handcrafted cookies, cozy tastings, Valentine’s vibes, a sweet excuse to linger longer.
Community Song and Share @ Lodi Whittier Library (Lodi) – Songs, poetry, shared voices, creative exchange, a cozy community night for makers and listeners alike.
Galentines with PLN @ Project LeanNation Canandaigua (Canandaigua) – Galentine’s vibes, strong friendships, community energy, an easygoing night to celebrate women together.
Simon & Garfunkel Through The Years In Concert @ Merry-Go-Round Playhouse (Auburn) – Timeless folk-rock harmonies, pure nostalgia, a polished tribute night filled with classic singalong moments.
Thursday
Tasting with the Winemaker@ Cane & Vine Wine Cellars (Geneva) – Meet the winemaker, thoughtful pours, behind-the-bottle stories, an easy wine-country Thursday.
2026 Sweets & Treats Market @ Broome County Regional Farmers Market (Binghamton) – Local sweets, handmade desserts, Valentine-ready treats, an easy evening stop for something delicious.
The 11th Annual Mac & Cheese Fest @ DoubleTree by Hilton (Binghamton) – All-you-can-eat mac & cheese, vote for the best, big comfort-food energy, a cheesy night done right.
Speed Date Night @ Jus Sum Jazz Lounge (Syracuse) – Speed dating with a twist, live DJ vibes, playful matchmaking, a bold Valentine’s week night out.
A Season for Love @ Auburn Public Theater (Auburn) – Romantic cinema vibes, a cozy theater night, an easy Valentine’s week date without the fuss.
Marty Stuart & Molly Tuttle: Cosmic Twang Guitars on Fire @ Smith Opera House (Geneva) – Cosmic twang, jaw-dropping guitar work, and roots music pushed to the edge, a must-see night for live music lovers.
Friday
Galentine’s on Cayuga Lake @ Cayuga Lake Wine Trail (Cayuga Lake) – A Galentine’s wine trail weekend with tastings, cocktails, snacks, giveaways, and scenic stops around the lake.
Justin Willman: One for the Ages Tour @ State Theatre of Ithaca (Ithaca) – Mind-blowing magic, smart comedy, interactive moments, and a live show that’s funny, clever, and unforgettable.
Lily Talmers & Sam Weber w/ Idelyne @ Stone Bend Farm (Newfield) – A cozy farm concert with touring folk artists, local openers, warm acoustics, and pre-Valentine’s vibes.
Valentine’s Wine Tasting at Toast Winery @ Toast Winery (Rock Stream) – Valentine’s weekend sipping, cozy winery vibes, and Finger Lakes wine, an easy daytime stop for love and leisure.
Winter Wine and Food Pairing @ Silver Thread Winegarden (Lodi) – Cozy winter wine-and-food pairings, seasonal flavors, and an unhurried Valentine’s afternoon by the lake.
Heart-Shaped Charcuterie Board Workshop with Graze & Gather @ Lakewood Vineyards (Watkins Glen) – Build a heart-shaped charcuterie board, sip local wine, and enjoy a hands-on Valentine’s workshop with tasty results.
Galentine’s Day Paint and Sip (BYOB) @ Roberson Museum (Binghamton) – Paint your bestie, sip your favorite drink, and laugh your way through a creative Galentine’s night at the museum.
Boozy Chocolate Truffles Workshop @ Ivy Creative Designs Studio (Ithaca) – Make decadent boozy chocolate truffles, sip while you create, and leave with a dozen sweet Valentine’s treats.
Lakeview @ Touch Of Texas (Binghamton) – Country-rock duo Lakeview delivers a high-energy live show blending metal grit with modern country swagger.
Valentine’s Weekend Getaway @ Glenora Wine Cellars (Dundee) – A cozy wine-country escape with tastings, pairings, and romantic winter vibes all weekend long.
Saturday
Ice Skating in Redfield Park (Phelps) - Enjoy the nostalgic ice rink setup, complete with free skates to borrow, hot cocoa, and popcorn from 11 am - 4 pm.
Euchre at The Grayhaven @ Grayhaven Motel (Ithaca) – A cozy afternoon Euchre gathering with unplugged fun, friendly play, and a relaxed lounge atmosphere.
Valentine’s Day Bake Sale @ Newfield Public Library (Newfield) – Homemade Valentine treats, community vibes, and a sweet way to support the local library.
Second Saturday Family Fun: Valentine’s Party @ Cortland Free Library (Cortland) – Stories, crafts, snacks, and Valentine cheer make this a sweet and playful family-friendly library morning.
Annual Sweetheart Wine & Dessert Pairing @ Wagner Vineyards (Lodi) – Decadent desserts, expertly paired wines, and cozy Valentine vibes at a scenic Finger Lakes winery.
Sweetheart Snowshoe 2026 @ Baltimore Woods Nature Center (Marcellus) – Lantern-lit snowshoeing, winter woods romance, cocktails, and campfire warmth make this a perfect Valentine's night.
Love Fest with The Vectors @ ONCO Fermentations (Tully) – Live music, local brews, and feel-good Valentine vibes come together for a relaxed night at the farm brewery.
Valentine’s Day 6 Course Wine Dinner @ Treleaven Wines (King Ferry) – An intimate six-course wine dinner, refined pairings, and romantic Finger Lakes winery ambiance.
Moonstruck (1987) @ Smith Opera House (Geneva) – A Valentine’s screening of a timeless romantic comedy, full of wit, heart, fate, and old-school movie magic.
Valentine’s Dinner @ Abandon Brewing Company (Penn Yan) – A cozy Valentine’s dinner in the countryside, perfect for slowing down, sharing good food, and savoring the moment.
The Just Us Band Celebrates Valentine’s Day @ 41 Lakefront Hotel (Penn Yan) – A lively Valentine’s night of live music, dancing, and feel-good vibes by the lake in Penn Yan.
Sunday
Garrett Conover presents “Sauna Magic” @ The Finger Lakes Finns (Newfield) – A cultural deep dive into Finnish sauna traditions, wellness rituals, and community storytelling with photos.
Wineries Without Walls @ Bet The Farm Winery (Trumansburg) – A relaxed Sunday wine tasting with small producers, discovery pours, and good vibes in Finger Lakes wine country.
Pancake Breakfast to Benefit Danby Volunteer Fire Company @ Danby Fire Station (Danby) – A classic community pancake breakfast supporting local firefighters, good food, good cause, and small-town warmth
Woodburning Workshop @ Star Cider (Canandaigua) – A cozy Sunday woodburning workshop blending creativity, cider, and hands-on art in a relaxed Finger Lakes setting.
Recurring Events
Limited Duration - click here
Trivia - click here
Kid Friendly - click here
Finger Lakes Insider - The Finger Lakes Insider is here! This isn’t just a longer event list. It’s a well-curated, month-ahead game plan so you can lock in the fun stuff early, discover gems you’d miss otherwise, and stop last-minute scrambling (and annoying calendar overlaps).
Thanks for supporting the Finger Lakes Effect!
See You Out There
Thanks for being part of the Finger Lakes Effect!
Adam Moody
