Welcome to Stonecat: Regional Cuisine & Bar
At Stonecat: Regional Cuisine & Bar, nestled in the heart of Hector, NY, a passion for local and sustainable ingredients shines through. This New American café embraces a farm-to-table ethos, offering a menu highlighted by cult classics like poutine topped with Yancy Fancy cheese curds and succulent slow-smoked beef barbecue. With an inviting atmosphere and breathtaking views of Seneca Lake, diners can relish fresh, vibrant dishes—from crispy fried catfish sandwiches to delightful mezze plates—crafted to cater to various dietary preferences. Stonecat not only delivers on taste but also fosters a warm, communal dining experience that keeps locals and visitors coming back.
- 5315 NY-414, Hector, NY 14841 Hotline: (607) 546-5000
Welcome to Stonecat: Regional Cuisine & Bar, a culinary gem located at 5315 NY-414, Hector, NY, nestled in the picturesque surroundings of Seneca Lake. This New American café combines comfort and creativity, offering a delightful fusion of locally sourced ingredients and regional flavors that celebrate the essence of farm-to-table dining. With a cozy ambiance and stunning vistas, it's the perfect spot to unwind and indulge.
At Stonecat, you are greeted with a vibrant menu that pays homage to the bounty of the region. The cult classics include the Mezze Plate, featuring local feta and a seasonal quinoa salad perfectly complemented by hummus and Marcona almonds. Priced at $22, it’s a great option for those seeking a flavorful vegetarian bite, which can also be easily adapted to vegan preferences. For something heartier, consider the Smoked Tofu Entree or the Beef Barbeque—both served with seasonal vegetables and garnished beautifully. The focus on local and sustainable ingredients is evident in each dish.
- Hector Pulled Pork Barbeque Sandwich: This standout dish features slow-smoked pork enveloped in tangy Signori barbeque sauce, topped with dill coleslaw, and paired with fries - all for $18.
- Cornmeal Crusted Catfish: A crowd favorite, this dish boasts flaky, perfectly fried catfish with a delightful smoked tomato coulis, served with beans and greens, making it a must-try at $28.
- Desserts: Be sure to save room for the Blueberry Pecan Cornbread Pudding, frequently mentioned as a stellar choice, marrying textures and flavors in an unforgettable way.
The atmosphere enhances the culinary experience at Stonecat. As you find your table—perhaps on the patio with a view of the sunset—you'll appreciate the unique ordering system that allows you to choose your table, place your order at the counter, and have your food delivered. This format not only keeps things casual but also ensures prompt service. Customers have expressed their admiration for the cozy environment, often enhanced by live music performances that set a relaxed vibe.
Stonecat is more than a place to eat; it’s a community hub, beloved by locals and visitors alike. Customers rave about the friendly staff, the inviting ambiance, and the exceptional quality of the food, all at reasonable prices. Whether it’s the bustling Pasta Night on Thursdays or an impromptu visit for a satisfying meal, Stonecat consistently delivers an experience that feels both special and accessible. As you explore Hector and its beautiful surroundings, make sure Stonecat is on your itinerary—this is a dining experience you won’t want to miss.

This place was fabulous in my opinion. The combination of food options, atmosphere, and the view were stellar. I always thought this place was going to be super expensive, but it was very reasonable. You order at the counter and then seat yourself. They have a lot of vegetarian options. They also have pasta night, I think once a week, where they make their own pasta and they pair it with $25 wine night. If memory serves me correctly, pasta night is Thursday. When we are in the area, we will definitely be stopping here from now on and I highly suggest you do as well.

Excellent food in a cozy comfortable environment. Place your order before you get a table. Select your table and a server (or servers) will see that you are well taken care of and not in need of anything! Guitar musician plays softly in the background. All in all, great place with excellent food and atmosphere!

Don't let the unassuming exterior fool you, this place cares about what they do. We were greeted by the super helpful and enthusiastic staff who explained how the place works. You order at the desk, find and seat and they bring it out to you. The inside seating is perfectly serviceable but we were fortunate to be there on a late summer evening with a terrific view of the valley. I'd be happy with the view and a beer but the food was great. It was pasta night so we had one of those selections which was certainly above average. However the catfish is the star. Flaky and well cooked but no fishy taste. We had the combo with pulled pork which again was very good but next time catfish all the way. They have a full bar with some decent drafts and lots local wines to try. Not sure when we'll be that way again but very glad our lodging suggested it.

Loved this place. Beautiful vista and the garden is set up to maximize seeing the sunset. Had the Negroni, pasta special, and peach cobbler. All delicious. Staff is accommodating and lovely.

Little gem of a restaurant on Seneca Lake. Great food and of course wine! Super friendly staff, cozy patio in the back. We'll be back!

The special cucumber soup was too sweet. The catfish was crispy outside yet light and moist inside. The pulled pork was slightly on the sweet side but we wolfed down as soon as it arrived. After 6+ hours driving and an hour of wine tasting, the dinner was perfect without being too heavy. The strawberry shortcake is a little on the dry side and lacked strawberry flavors. I won't mind coming back to try more on their menu.

It's out of the way and certainly nondescript, but don't be fooled, this place is all that. Just check the parking lot and you'll see how much the yocals like this place. Order at the reception counter and they will deliver to your table, inside, outside, or barside. Organic and sustainable ingredients are their mantra. My mantra is YUM. My companion had the grilled chicken leg. Scoff if you like but it was terrific, easily the best leg either of us have ever tasted...and the cornbread crumble and snow peas were just as great. I passed on the corn dog with homemade sausage only because I feared carb overload alongside the poutine and veggie wrap with smoked maple tamari tofu (my first ever tofu). The poutine was just okay while the fries themselves were terrific, as was the wrap. But the star of the night was the blueberry pecan cornbread pudding. Simply put, it's the best bread pudding I've ever had. Not dunked or soaked in anything, the cornbread is allowed to stand on its own complemented with a dollop of blueberry compote and some pecans and some whipped cream. That dessert alone is worth the drive. In fact this place deserves a shot on Diners, Drive-ins, and Dives for the corn dog, grilled chicken leg, and cornbread pudding. Hey Guy, turn that Camaro towards Hector NY! So don't judge this book by the cover, instead come take a look and get the cornbread pudding. Highly recommended.

Love this place!! Great food and drinks. The outdoor patio is fantastic for sunset dinners. We always make sure to bring guests here for that sunset ambiance.

My wife and I came here for dinner. The food was excellent. "Stonecat was doing farm to table before it became cool" is what the owner of the house we rented said. The setup is nice and simple. Grab a table that's open, look over the menu, order from the counter, took your number, and wait for the food to be brought to you. It eliminates the need for waiters. Everyone was just a glorified bus person. When our dinner was about half-eaten, I went back and ordered dessert. It came out within 10 mins. Our bill was $80 after tip. Very reasonable for all organic, local, house made food with enough to take home.

An enjoyable evening, sitting on the deck, listening to live music, drinking cold beers and chowing down. We ordered from the "Market Fare" (à la carte) section of the menu and all was satisfying. --Local Pasture Raised Beef Barbeque, smoked, pulled and marinated in a Korean style barbeque sauce. Large tasty portion. --House Made Fried Falafel, really good flavor combo, not greasy at all --Beans & Greens, local black beans, black eyed peas, hominy and smoked tomato juice with braised local greens. Another great choice. --Purple Coconut Sticky Rice, perfect side dish Their system of ordering up front and then having the food delivered to the table worked perfectly. Staff was friendly and accomodating to anything we needed.