If there is no current rule that you need to go to Lost Dog Cafe before you graduate, then there should be. Known for its signature rigatoni àla vodka and dietary accommodations, Lost Dog is a Binghamton staple. Whether you choose a signature dish or something brand new, you’ll be pleased with the service, food and your overall experience.
We tried their lunch specials, which include entrées like the rigatoni àla vodka, grass-fed NY strip steak and two different types of burrito bowls: chicken and quinoa. If you’ve been waiting for an opportunity to get this delicious pasta dish, then get it and walk away happy, especially for the price of $12. But if you’re looking to venture on the wild side of the menu, the burrito bowl will not disappoint. Served with a delicate lime on the top, this dish consists of beans, rice, pico de gallo, avocado cream and either grilled chicken or quinoa. This dish was tasty, but what made it stand out was the undeniable warmth it brought. The chicken was expertly grilled, with the flavor accentuating and complimenting the rest of the dish.
And while this dish made me happy and warm inside, the real treat of this restaurant was the grass-fed cheesesteak. I can safely say that this made me happier than most of the people I encounter on a day-to-day basis. The cheesesteak comes with a side of either fries, mac and cheese or salad, but for an extra 75 cents you can get sweet potato fries. My advice: splurge. These crispy bites are a welcome and complementary addition. But back to that main course. This sandwich was warm, tender and as cheesy as the heart could possibly desire. Horseradish and blue cheese sauce is not something that I would usually like, but on this sandwich, everything came together.
As for the dessert, if you have even a minor interest in cheesecake or crème brulee, then their hybrid dessert is a necessity. Getting a bite of these crème brulee cheesecake bars is truly a treat. Lost Dog also offers a lemon cupcake with raspberry buttercream frosting. While the cupcake could do more for its consistency, the lemon flavor is worth it. This being said, the real standout is the raspberry frosting. Delicate and tasty, this frosting is nothing like the sugary, headache-inducing frostings you’ll find in other places. A third option includes a sugar cookie. While simple, the true gem of this cookie lies within its softness. I underestimated it before picking it up, but while tearing it in half to share with my accompanying photographer, I was truly amazed. As she tried the dessert, she commented on how it really tasted as if it were made from scratch. The last dessert option is an Oreo-stuffed brownie, which was personally not my favorite and doesn’t live up to the other options.
Lost Dog Cafe is a restaurant known for its vegan and gluten-free options, and in its Restaurant Week menu, this expertise shows. Whether you have specific dietary restrictions or not, you’ll find something brand new to love here.