Casey Galloway from Café 19
Tell us a little about Café 19. Any news or updates you would like to share?
Café 19 is themed after the Women’s Rights Movement. All of the artwork on our walls are pop art images of suffragists from the Movement. We wanted to take the Women’s Right’s Movement and merge it with a modern, fun, and comfortable place to eat. We wanted people to be able to enjoy good food and still be surrounded by the inspiration that these women gave us. Being in Seneca Falls, the birthplace of women’s rights, it was a cool concept to have. It gives people who come to visit the Women's Rights National Historical Park another place to go and connect with history.
I am a chef, I went to culinary school, so quality food is really what is important to me. We make everything from scratch, including our pastries in the front case. We roast and slice our own meats. All the soups and salad dressings are made here. The quality of the product is important to me. During the summer, it’s nice to have our outdoor seating, which is one of the few places in town with that option.
Where did you go to Culinary school?
I went to Paul Smith’s College. I really enjoyed my time there. The professors were awesome.
So you’re located in this inviting, new building that you share with Generations Bank. It’s a wonderful location, it’s very bright and clean. You have this amazing pop art painting of Susan B. Anthony. Was that done locally?
It was. That piece is actually owned by Generations Bank. They bought it at an auction and they have allowed it to be displayed here since it fits so well with our theme. The rest of the photos were supplied by the Seneca Falls Historical Society. We then sent them to a company to have them turned into the pop art style.
And of course you are right across the street from the statues of Susan B. Anthony and Elizabeth Cady Stanton, depicting their first meeting together.
That’s right, and if you walk down this street a little way you will arrive at Elizabeth Cady Stanton House. We get a lot of tourists walking through to look at the house. People can make a perfect afternoon of it. Go to the Women's Rights National Historical Park, eat lunch at Café 19, then visit the Elizabeth Cady Stanton House.
What are some of your other favorite places to eat in the area?
We like a lot of the restaurants around here. My husband and I just tried Pizza Posto for the first time and their pizza was awesome. They were at Spotted Duck Creamery, who’s ice cream is also great. We love Seneca Farms in Penn Yan, their fried chicken is off the chain. We go to Ports Café pretty often. 84 Fall is really good. Kindred Fare is good.
We also support a lot of the local places in town like Parker's Grille & Tap House and Downtown Deli. Tuesdays from 3-7pm is the Seneca Falls Farmers Market in town. At the market you can find Martin’s Smokehouse BBQ Truck and their brisket is to die for. The market has a lot of great produce, baked goods and jewelry, plus there’s a lady who sells French macarons.
I went to California about 12 years ago to visit a friend who is a chef. Every time we went to a restaurant there we felt this sense of community. You would go in and say where you worked and they would provide a special industry discount. There was just a special feeling you would get. Since that trip, I have always appreciated other local restaurants. It’s not an easy industry to be in. There is a lot of hard work and long hours. I think supporting each other is a big thing.
What are some of your favorite things to drink from the region?
I honestly don’t drink much alcohol, so probably the Golden Girl Latte from our cafe here. It’s a turmeric latte that we make here with our own turmeric paste. This past winter I was reading a lot about the health benefits of turmeric, being anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer. The New York Chiropractic College is just down the street and the students there are very health-conscious. So we tried to mold our menu somewhat to things that they are going to be into.
Living in the Finger Lakes, there is so much to do outside to stay healthy. What are some of your favorite outdoor activities to do in the area?
We love to go to Taughannock Falls and walk around there. There are also a lot of great trails around here. We go to Oak Island in Waterloo a lot. There is the art trail right here in Seneca Falls that runs along the canal and comes out near the little league field. There’s a few places we like to hike around Ithaca, and we love getting out on the water with friends.
What is the best kept secret of the Finger Lakes?
I enjoy the Erie Canal between Seneca Lake and Cayuga Lakes. I’ve gone canoeing on it a few times and you feel like you’re in a totally different world. It’s beautiful. You can take your watercraft through the lock system and you can rent canoes in Waterloo. It’s a fun, different experience for people to enjoy.
Photo: Jasik Design
Lost + Found is a series of short, standardized Q+A interviews with people involved in the Finger Lakes community. We sit down with the seekers, artisans, crafts people, and enthusiasts of the region, searching for food & drink, entertainment, culture, nature – everything that makes The Finger Lakes great. We invite you to get lost with us, and maybe find yourself along the way.
