Nice little spot in the alleyway in Geneva. We sat outside and had a bottle of wine. Staff very nice. Very cool with shade from buildings.
auxilia312
After FLX Table was named one of the country’s best restaurants by 10Best in 2017, it was nearly impossible to secure reservations—perhaps more accurately called “tickets,” since a visit to this little spot tucked away in an alley in Geneva, NY is more culinary adventure than meal. After three dinners, I believe that today’s FLX, like the vintages it serves, is both more expensive and more perfect, retaining its original character in enhanced form. For example, the restaurant’s homey, unpretentious décor has remained unchanged since our first visit in 2019: the same overgrown herb planters strung overhead like trapezes; the same long strip of vintage silverware nailed across the wall; the same adorable threshold separating the dining room from the foyer, its brickwork subtly punctuated with hand-painted flowers and herbs that delight the observant diner. Even the menu’s design, with its origami pleating and iconic font, is cozily familiar. More broadly, FLX Table has preserved its model of coupling five exceptional food courses with optional beverage pairings curated by a Master Sommelier (Christopher Bates) and price-tiered by from +$49 (for zero-proof beverages) to +$179 (for rare wines); the “Super Freak” pairing level, evasively listed at “market price,” is probably best left for oenophiles. The seating arrangement, though, is arguably better now. FLX’s original vision of a communal experience involved plopping everyone shoulder-to-shoulder at one long table, ostensibly to encourage camaraderie and burgeon friendships. After COVID restrictions forced its breakup, the table was sundered and never rejoined: now, all diners are seated with their backs to the wall in a wide social circle, free to watch the somm bustle from table to table and the workings of the wide-open kitchen. While initially confusing—surely sitting side-by-side with your date detracts from the romance of the experience…?—I found it just as facile to chat with my fiancé while we both enjoyed the culinary show. With this seating arrangement, no one is left with that undesirable seat facing the wall, and the layout provides a sense of intimacy with other patrons without any of the awkwardness. It is in fact so ingenious that I wonder why other restaurants haven’t embraced it yet. The food has also improved even from its original high level. The dinner we enjoyed on Valentine’s Day was one of the most unique and delicious I’ve ever had, in or outside of New York. Chef Hanna chatted with me personally before the meal about her vegetarian substitutions, course by course, waving off my awkward apologies for the inconvenience with a genuine kindness that put me at ease. FLX’s service isn’t flawless. While other staff members were perfectly kind and sociable, they seemed more aloof, perhaps because executing such a lengthy and carefully timed enterprise before a second seating requires a bit too much inflexible hustle. Wines were removed from our table somewhat arbitrarily, sometimes before I could even write down or fully process what we would be drinking. Although we were assured that the first course of bread and vegetables would remain on the table all dinner long—which we believed, and were at an unhurried pace—they also furtively absconded while we were distracted with another dish, no doubt to facilitate turnover for the next guests. And I was bemused when one of the staff members actually didn’t recognize me after I donned my coat to leave, assuring me he’d be right with me to seat me. This made our hours of amicable interaction feel like a façade and somewhat dimmed an otherwise glowing experience. But, hiccups aside, the overall experience at FLX Table is absolutely top-notch, with this dinner as an illustration. Each course was a mini-adventure, and each better than the last, crescendoing to an unforgettable dessert that is the best thing I can remember consuming. And the pacing was impressive; there was just enough time to fully savor and process each dish before the next arrived. The first course at FLX table is usually (always?) the Farmer’s Bo
Melissa Jane
excellent food and service
Justin F
It is pricey but worth an experience! The 5 course meal was delicious and the quantity was just right. We could've filled up on the first course but paced ourselves. I'm generally not a squash person but the chef's spin on a honeynut squash was surperb. The short rib was tender and melted in our mouth. And the wine pairing was spot on. Pricey but the gentlemen pairing knew his stuff and recommended great wines. Definitely give it a try!
Cyndi Rollinson
the food is so creative and fresh. service is fast. place is really unique.
Barbara K
An outstanding evening. They accommodated our food preferences, even adjusting when we saw the menu. Every course was better than the next. Presentation was beautiful, service was great and food even better! Great wine selection.
LeslieMa
Dining at FLX Table is such an event. We loved it. The food is fabulous tasting, with beautiful presentation. Time just flew by as we relaxed and enjoyed the food and wine pairings. Staff was very friendly and professional. Highly recommend. Make reservations early!
E7638WTjanett
The food presentation was creative with visual appeal. however ever the food taste appeal was disappointing.. We were a party of 5; and none of us could eat the salad with duck hearts.. The chef should have chosen a less risky item for the menu. We all opted for additional Baller wine pairing with each course. The sommeliers’s expertise was exceptional. The wines seemed to outshine the food. Overall fun experience for a special occasion. But won’t rush back! Jerseygirl 15
tferraro
The stars of the Dining Experience at FLX Geneva: The Pre-dinner cocktails were spot on....Tony did a great job creating those. The Wine list is stupid crazy.....Hard to get allocated rare wines make the experience even better if you are into wines. Thanks to the Coravin they can sample any bottle they wish !!! The beer pairing was the best I have ever witnessed...I am a wine guy but I chose the beer pairing which I was happy I did....outstanding selections The opening offereing.....was dynamic, creative and quite tasty.....A beautiful board filled w/ different vegetable, butters and sauces.....along with the best bread that rivals Paris. Service was Great !! Overall vibe was awesome and inviting The price of the tasting is very reasonable.....you don't find too many restaurants that price a 5 course + tasting meal at 75.00...well done. !! Tony was very well trained as he had some great history regarding every wine and beer that he served.....very refreshing to have a professional serve you and explain what you are experiencing. The losses: The fare could have been more refined. I run wine paired dinner to this day...have been doing it for over 20 years and when you have small " sampling " portions.....each one better rank in your top food experiences. Missed the mark a bit. The offerings were good, not great ! Have signature dishes that are staples of the tasting menu......fare that clients salivate over.... Overall....well done and I can't wait to join them again for a great dining experience. Looking forward.
Stephanie Potter Matthews
First time at FLX Fry Bird-we had a delicious lunch! We enjoyed chicken sandwiches, poutine and milkshakes! Service was fast and friendly. Family friendly-kids and adults all had a great meal! Will definitely return!
Was working our way through the meal which takes a lot of time. Staff started playing rap music which didn’t go with the meal nor the ambiance as what we expected from this restaurant. I asked the person in charge to change the music to which he responded “that was the music they liked “. My opinion didn’t matter. We spent the rest of the meal having to listen to music filled with the N word and the F word. Being from the South I have spent my adult life teaching my children not to use the N word and this restaurant held us captive to their music. After dinner I said I was surprised she let them play that kind of music which didn’t go with her meal presentation. She told me “that was the music they liked “
Tony R
FLX Table is the kind of restaurant that you really want to like. It is small, personal and fun. It is on a quint side street surrounded by by other similar type venues in downtown Geneva and the idea of a farm-to-table nestled in the midst of Finger Lake farms sounds great. The menu is short and limited and promises to be at a level of skill and execution that it never achieves. The opening gambit is an appetizer board of fresh vegetables with a beautiful loaf of freshly baked bread along with a variety of butters and dips. Too many of the vegetables were raw and the bread deserved better butter then what it got. The next course was a panzanella salad which was fine, but it is the kind of dish you throw together at home on a Sunday night when you don't really have the energy to prepare any else. It seem like the chef could have worked harder for this course. The next course was a duck confit with braised collard greens. The confit was good but served off the bone but the collard greens were undercooked. The desert was a creative interpretation of apples and cheese. In this case the apples were roosted and the cheese was foamed. It was nice enough dish but again the chef could have worked harder. The wine parting was quite good with some nice collections of Finger Lake wines, however at $75 for the paring, a bit steep given current retail market prices. The sommelier was knowledgeable, however his description of the wine was rushed and at times inaudible under his mask.
Makaio Iokepa
Great place to buy gifts, have drinks, and snacks. Take a few bottles home. Ask a lot of questions. They have the answers. Ty Mr. Bates!! You put a few great places together.
jcbexleyoh
The best part of the meal tonight was the salt bread..which is not made in house. Our foursome found the evening disappointing,from the oddly uninformed host who didn’t know what pairings we had ordered in advance, to the lack of seasonal vegetables (tomatoes, corn, zucchini, fruits…). There was a bao with blood sausage and sauerkraut. Ugh. No taste except the kraut, and too much bread after eating the wonderful salt bread. We had to pay $10 for a tiny spoonful of caviar on a deviled egg. Not special, even with the sturgeon roe. My husband’s main was a tiny portion of black bass…delicious but more of a teaser than an entree. The others had the lamb with a tasteless, dry ‘ratatouille’ lacking acid, no tomatoes, onions, wine, ollives. It was a naked piece of meat. The worst course was the ‘peach cobbler.’ I could find no fruit among the starchy block of crusty, dry cobbler. Then the weird and stagey delivery of popcorn boxes with a surprise. The surprise was no popcorn. Instead we were to wear a party hat and beads and sing happy birthday to another guest. There was a prop cake, not a real one. The sum total of the evening is we will not return, we regret the expense and the travel time. Find out where you can get the salt bread, that and butter and you’ll have the best part of the dinner without the large dish of disappointment.
TrimmerHouse
We live in the Finger Lakes and try to make it to FLX Table several timer per year so that we can enjoy their ever-changing, locally sourced menu. It is always a delightful experience. The service is enthusiastic and attentive. Dietary restrictions, likes/dislikes are respected and asked about on more than one occasion. We love the wine pairings. We have had the opportunity to sample wines over 50 years old! They offer several different wine pairing options and guests are free to choose based price and preference. The decor is simple and the experience is intimate as they seat only one small group for a dinner. Add one are sometimes available and I have enjoyed caviar on more than one occasion. We love taking friends to this gem of a place and will surely be back for the Fall menu!
Nice little spot in the alleyway in Geneva. We sat outside and had a bottle of wine. Staff very nice. Very cool with shade from buildings.
After FLX Table was named one of the country’s best restaurants by 10Best in 2017, it was nearly impossible to secure reservations—perhaps more accurately called “tickets,” since a visit to this little spot tucked away in an alley in Geneva, NY is more culinary adventure than meal. After three dinners, I believe that today’s FLX, like the vintages it serves, is both more expensive and more perfect, retaining its original character in enhanced form. For example, the restaurant’s homey, unpretentious décor has remained unchanged since our first visit in 2019: the same overgrown herb planters strung overhead like trapezes; the same long strip of vintage silverware nailed across the wall; the same adorable threshold separating the dining room from the foyer, its brickwork subtly punctuated with hand-painted flowers and herbs that delight the observant diner. Even the menu’s design, with its origami pleating and iconic font, is cozily familiar. More broadly, FLX Table has preserved its model of coupling five exceptional food courses with optional beverage pairings curated by a Master Sommelier (Christopher Bates) and price-tiered by from +$49 (for zero-proof beverages) to +$179 (for rare wines); the “Super Freak” pairing level, evasively listed at “market price,” is probably best left for oenophiles. The seating arrangement, though, is arguably better now. FLX’s original vision of a communal experience involved plopping everyone shoulder-to-shoulder at one long table, ostensibly to encourage camaraderie and burgeon friendships. After COVID restrictions forced its breakup, the table was sundered and never rejoined: now, all diners are seated with their backs to the wall in a wide social circle, free to watch the somm bustle from table to table and the workings of the wide-open kitchen. While initially confusing—surely sitting side-by-side with your date detracts from the romance of the experience…?—I found it just as facile to chat with my fiancé while we both enjoyed the culinary show. With this seating arrangement, no one is left with that undesirable seat facing the wall, and the layout provides a sense of intimacy with other patrons without any of the awkwardness. It is in fact so ingenious that I wonder why other restaurants haven’t embraced it yet. The food has also improved even from its original high level. The dinner we enjoyed on Valentine’s Day was one of the most unique and delicious I’ve ever had, in or outside of New York. Chef Hanna chatted with me personally before the meal about her vegetarian substitutions, course by course, waving off my awkward apologies for the inconvenience with a genuine kindness that put me at ease. FLX’s service isn’t flawless. While other staff members were perfectly kind and sociable, they seemed more aloof, perhaps because executing such a lengthy and carefully timed enterprise before a second seating requires a bit too much inflexible hustle. Wines were removed from our table somewhat arbitrarily, sometimes before I could even write down or fully process what we would be drinking. Although we were assured that the first course of bread and vegetables would remain on the table all dinner long—which we believed, and were at an unhurried pace—they also furtively absconded while we were distracted with another dish, no doubt to facilitate turnover for the next guests. And I was bemused when one of the staff members actually didn’t recognize me after I donned my coat to leave, assuring me he’d be right with me to seat me. This made our hours of amicable interaction feel like a façade and somewhat dimmed an otherwise glowing experience. But, hiccups aside, the overall experience at FLX Table is absolutely top-notch, with this dinner as an illustration. Each course was a mini-adventure, and each better than the last, crescendoing to an unforgettable dessert that is the best thing I can remember consuming. And the pacing was impressive; there was just enough time to fully savor and process each dish before the next arrived. The first course at FLX table is usually (always?) the Farmer’s Bo
excellent food and service
It is pricey but worth an experience! The 5 course meal was delicious and the quantity was just right. We could've filled up on the first course but paced ourselves. I'm generally not a squash person but the chef's spin on a honeynut squash was surperb. The short rib was tender and melted in our mouth. And the wine pairing was spot on. Pricey but the gentlemen pairing knew his stuff and recommended great wines. Definitely give it a try!
the food is so creative and fresh. service is fast. place is really unique.
An outstanding evening. They accommodated our food preferences, even adjusting when we saw the menu. Every course was better than the next. Presentation was beautiful, service was great and food even better! Great wine selection.
Dining at FLX Table is such an event. We loved it. The food is fabulous tasting, with beautiful presentation. Time just flew by as we relaxed and enjoyed the food and wine pairings. Staff was very friendly and professional. Highly recommend. Make reservations early!
The food presentation was creative with visual appeal. however ever the food taste appeal was disappointing.. We were a party of 5; and none of us could eat the salad with duck hearts.. The chef should have chosen a less risky item for the menu. We all opted for additional Baller wine pairing with each course. The sommeliers’s expertise was exceptional. The wines seemed to outshine the food. Overall fun experience for a special occasion. But won’t rush back! Jerseygirl 15
The stars of the Dining Experience at FLX Geneva: The Pre-dinner cocktails were spot on....Tony did a great job creating those. The Wine list is stupid crazy.....Hard to get allocated rare wines make the experience even better if you are into wines. Thanks to the Coravin they can sample any bottle they wish !!! The beer pairing was the best I have ever witnessed...I am a wine guy but I chose the beer pairing which I was happy I did....outstanding selections The opening offereing.....was dynamic, creative and quite tasty.....A beautiful board filled w/ different vegetable, butters and sauces.....along with the best bread that rivals Paris. Service was Great !! Overall vibe was awesome and inviting The price of the tasting is very reasonable.....you don't find too many restaurants that price a 5 course + tasting meal at 75.00...well done. !! Tony was very well trained as he had some great history regarding every wine and beer that he served.....very refreshing to have a professional serve you and explain what you are experiencing. The losses: The fare could have been more refined. I run wine paired dinner to this day...have been doing it for over 20 years and when you have small " sampling " portions.....each one better rank in your top food experiences. Missed the mark a bit. The offerings were good, not great ! Have signature dishes that are staples of the tasting menu......fare that clients salivate over.... Overall....well done and I can't wait to join them again for a great dining experience. Looking forward.
First time at FLX Fry Bird-we had a delicious lunch! We enjoyed chicken sandwiches, poutine and milkshakes! Service was fast and friendly. Family friendly-kids and adults all had a great meal! Will definitely return!
Restaurantji Recommends
Was working our way through the meal which takes a lot of time. Staff started playing rap music which didn’t go with the meal nor the ambiance as what we expected from this restaurant. I asked the person in charge to change the music to which he responded “that was the music they liked “. My opinion didn’t matter. We spent the rest of the meal having to listen to music filled with the N word and the F word. Being from the South I have spent my adult life teaching my children not to use the N word and this restaurant held us captive to their music. After dinner I said I was surprised she let them play that kind of music which didn’t go with her meal presentation. She told me “that was the music they liked “
FLX Table is the kind of restaurant that you really want to like. It is small, personal and fun. It is on a quint side street surrounded by by other similar type venues in downtown Geneva and the idea of a farm-to-table nestled in the midst of Finger Lake farms sounds great. The menu is short and limited and promises to be at a level of skill and execution that it never achieves. The opening gambit is an appetizer board of fresh vegetables with a beautiful loaf of freshly baked bread along with a variety of butters and dips. Too many of the vegetables were raw and the bread deserved better butter then what it got. The next course was a panzanella salad which was fine, but it is the kind of dish you throw together at home on a Sunday night when you don't really have the energy to prepare any else. It seem like the chef could have worked harder for this course. The next course was a duck confit with braised collard greens. The confit was good but served off the bone but the collard greens were undercooked. The desert was a creative interpretation of apples and cheese. In this case the apples were roosted and the cheese was foamed. It was nice enough dish but again the chef could have worked harder. The wine parting was quite good with some nice collections of Finger Lake wines, however at $75 for the paring, a bit steep given current retail market prices. The sommelier was knowledgeable, however his description of the wine was rushed and at times inaudible under his mask.
Great place to buy gifts, have drinks, and snacks. Take a few bottles home. Ask a lot of questions. They have the answers. Ty Mr. Bates!! You put a few great places together.
The best part of the meal tonight was the salt bread..which is not made in house. Our foursome found the evening disappointing,from the oddly uninformed host who didn’t know what pairings we had ordered in advance, to the lack of seasonal vegetables (tomatoes, corn, zucchini, fruits…). There was a bao with blood sausage and sauerkraut. Ugh. No taste except the kraut, and too much bread after eating the wonderful salt bread. We had to pay $10 for a tiny spoonful of caviar on a deviled egg. Not special, even with the sturgeon roe. My husband’s main was a tiny portion of black bass…delicious but more of a teaser than an entree. The others had the lamb with a tasteless, dry ‘ratatouille’ lacking acid, no tomatoes, onions, wine, ollives. It was a naked piece of meat. The worst course was the ‘peach cobbler.’ I could find no fruit among the starchy block of crusty, dry cobbler. Then the weird and stagey delivery of popcorn boxes with a surprise. The surprise was no popcorn. Instead we were to wear a party hat and beads and sing happy birthday to another guest. There was a prop cake, not a real one. The sum total of the evening is we will not return, we regret the expense and the travel time. Find out where you can get the salt bread, that and butter and you’ll have the best part of the dinner without the large dish of disappointment.
We live in the Finger Lakes and try to make it to FLX Table several timer per year so that we can enjoy their ever-changing, locally sourced menu. It is always a delightful experience. The service is enthusiastic and attentive. Dietary restrictions, likes/dislikes are respected and asked about on more than one occasion. We love the wine pairings. We have had the opportunity to sample wines over 50 years old! They offer several different wine pairing options and guests are free to choose based price and preference. The decor is simple and the experience is intimate as they seat only one small group for a dinner. Add one are sometimes available and I have enjoyed caviar on more than one occasion. We love taking friends to this gem of a place and will surely be back for the Fall menu!
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