Lex Chutintaranond was born and raised in Thailand. He came to the US in his teens and obtained his Undergraduate & Masters Degree in Computer Engineering. After working for IBM for many years, Lex decided his passion was in the kitchen. In 1988 he opened his first restaurant, Thai Cuisine. The restaurant is now run by his younger brother, and is considered by many to offer the best Thai food in New York.
In 1991, Lex opened Just a Taste, a small wine & tapas restaurant located in downtown Ithaca with a friendly, casual atmosphere, and a focus on affordable food & wine. In 1994, it was sold to the restaurant's head chef and is still one of the most popular restaurants in town. In 1998, Lex transformed a downtown Ithaca food court into an amazing upscale Euro-Asian restaurant called Madeline's, which he since sold to his manager in 2006.
In 1991, Lex opened Just a Taste, a small wine & tapas restaurant located in downtown Ithaca with a friendly, casual atmosphere, and a focus on affordable food & wine. In 1994, it was sold to the restaurant's head chef and is still one of the most popular restaurants in town. In 1998, Lex transformed a downtown Ithaca food court into an amazing upscale Euro-Asian restaurant called Madeline's, which he since sold to his manager in 2006.
Services
Mia Tapas Bar & Restaurant is unique in its offer of the Orchid Room. Located on the second floor of the restaurant, the Orchid Room is the ideal location for your next Corporate Event, Social, Themed Event or Private Party. The Orchid Room is equipped with the latest media hook ups and with designated lines just for you, your event is sure to be perfect.
Reviews (22)
Adam K.
Dec 28, 2021
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Jacqueline Rayburn
Dec 17, 2021
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Claire Nollet
Nov 03, 2021
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What a great place! We're from out of town, and we had dinner there. The waitstaff all wear masks, which made us feel more secure.
The food was delicious. The hot wings appetizer had a delightful bite. I got the roast duck with Asian vegetables and jasmine rice. The duck was so crispy, yet tender, and the vegetables had an al dente stalk with perfectly wilted leafy tops, in a delicious sauce. My sister had a noodle dish with shrimp that was terrific. My other sister had chicken on skewers in a peanut sauce, with a side dish of a red cabbage slaw. Everything tasted wonderful.
The young man who
The food was delicious. The hot wings appetizer had a delightful bite. I got the roast duck with Asian vegetables and jasmine rice. The duck was so crispy, yet tender, and the vegetables had an al dente stalk with perfectly wilted leafy tops, in a delicious sauce. My sister had a noodle dish with shrimp that was terrific. My other sister had chicken on skewers in a peanut sauce, with a side dish of a red cabbage slaw. Everything tasted wonderful.
The young man who
Sophia Z.
Oct 27, 2021
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Got a reservation here for graduation with my family and had to pay a set price per person for a 3 course meal. I got the duck for my main meal and it wasn't quite dry. Not my favorite from here!! The desserts were also very sweet.
I've also been here before and got the pork belly multiple times, which is one of my favorite dishes from here - very tender and juicy. Would definitely recommend that dish from here. I liked how the restaurant was asian fusion tapas, very unique in Ithaca
I've also been here before and got the pork belly multiple times, which is one of my favorite dishes from here - very tender and juicy. Would definitely recommend that dish from here. I liked how the restaurant was asian fusion tapas, very unique in Ithaca
Ascaris L.
Oct 12, 2021
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Get ready for hidden fees and sprinting servers!
We were sat immediately, an event that would be the last pleasant interaction with the staff of the evening. After sitting for quite some time with our menus we desperately began to try and flag down our waiter. Although we were opportunities seated by the kitchen door and servers went by often, they were literally sprinting back and forth in a way that made it impossible to grab them. When we were finally served, plates we ordered were tossed into the table as our waiter disappeared in an almost comedic puff of road-runner-esc dust -- dish still
We were sat immediately, an event that would be the last pleasant interaction with the staff of the evening. After sitting for quite some time with our menus we desperately began to try and flag down our waiter. Although we were opportunities seated by the kitchen door and servers went by often, they were literally sprinting back and forth in a way that made it impossible to grab them. When we were finally served, plates we ordered were tossed into the table as our waiter disappeared in an almost comedic puff of road-runner-esc dust -- dish still
Carolina M.
Oct 10, 2021
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After the numerous reviews, I had very high expectations for the restaurant but was ultimately let down. It was a Saturday night so the restaurant was busy as expected but they took FOREVER to seat us. it was over an hour wait for a table of 4. Usually this would not bother me but the staff was generally dismissive and you could tell it was pretty unorganized.
Besides the wait time, the food was actually pretty good. There were plenty of vegan options which made the restaurant worth while. The Homemade Vegetable Spring Rolls with Fresh Pineapple Plum sauce and Tamarind chili sauce were AMAZING
Besides the wait time, the food was actually pretty good. There were plenty of vegan options which made the restaurant worth while. The Homemade Vegetable Spring Rolls with Fresh Pineapple Plum sauce and Tamarind chili sauce were AMAZING
LItennis M.
Oct 04, 2021
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Very busy restaurant even on a weekday. Nice decor and friendly service. Menu had a fusion type tapas and then main dishes. We were a family of 6, we got a combination of both tapas and main courses. The items that stood out were the BBQ pork buns, pad Thai with prawns and the beef tenderloin stir fried. Samosa we're ok as were the lotus root fritters. Overall very enjoyable meal and our waiter was really trying to keep up with everything even though they seemed very short staffed.
Jamie Y.
Sep 26, 2021
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Mia gets four stars because they can take it to the next level. Their eclectic food hugs you and caters to a range of dietary restrictions. Further, the restaurant houses a beautiful ambiance. The staff is understanding and friendly.
That said, Mia can improve some loose ends. Patrons cannot make reservations and showing up any time after 7:00 pm does not seem to guarantee seating. I do not appreciate this sort of stressful experience every time I want to have dinner after 7:00pm.
The staff needs additional hands. The wait, kitchen, bar, and host staff are too busy. While the staff is sweet like
That said, Mia can improve some loose ends. Patrons cannot make reservations and showing up any time after 7:00 pm does not seem to guarantee seating. I do not appreciate this sort of stressful experience every time I want to have dinner after 7:00pm.
The staff needs additional hands. The wait, kitchen, bar, and host staff are too busy. While the staff is sweet like
Vlad The Impaler
Sep 26, 2021
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If you like sugar, this is the place. Like so many Asian restaurants, everything is over the top sickeningly sweet, I guess for the typical American palate. Ordered half a duck at and got two legs and thighs. I questioned it and told it was technically half of a duck. When does anyone order half a duck and expect to get the “back half”? The sauce the duck was swimming in tasted like a spicy sweet-and-sour sauce they probably came out of a jar.
Higher end prices, lower end food.
Higher end prices, lower end food.
Michael Samael
Sep 13, 2021
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David Held
Aug 21, 2021
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Michael Davis
Aug 12, 2021
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Peter S.
Aug 02, 2021
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Ambiance was great and we had a good table in the back, but I ordered the Panang Curry with Crispy Tofu. When our meals finally arrived the waitress had brought me sea scallops in a curry sauce, which I hadn't even seen in the menu. I pointed out the mistake and she said "Oh, looks like they got it wrong, do you want me to return it". I asked how long it would take to prepare the meal I had ordered and she said "I don't know, I can go ask if you like". Everyone was hungry so I took the scallops, which were tough and sinewy and under cooked. When my bill came they
Myriem I.
Jul 31, 2021
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Sarah K.
Jul 18, 2021
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Quasi X.
Jun 03, 2021
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Duck super overcooked and tough (panang curry with crispy duck). Beef was okay, but overcooked. Chicken (photo below) is literally raw in the center (Tikka makhani). Server was extremely rude and tried to gaslight us into saying we are wrong about the food that we are literally consuming. Very condescending attitude, offered nothing to compensate for this. Will not be returning.
Jiten Rana
May 18, 2021
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Kelly C.
Sep 09, 2020
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We came here on Saturday Night of Labor day weekend mostly because there was no wait. Boy are we glad we did! I don't know why there were not more people here but that was okay with us. This is the best meal I have had in Ithaca to date. We had the Duck Panang and the Chicken Panang both dishes were out of this world . Service was good and we were able to enjoy outdoor dining on the Common. Highly recommend.
Erica R.
Jul 29, 2020
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Mia has always been a delightful place to enjoy a dinner, if perhaps a somewhat small location that can leave you feeling a bit cramped. That aside, it's a classier (but relaxed) restaurant that serves delicious, Asian-inspired tapas. I've always experienced really solid service here, with knowledgeable staff as well.
I've also been having a Mia craving during all this covid craziness, so I opted to order for delivery the other day (a variety of items, just to have some leftovers). The order (with prices for reference) included:
Order From Mia Tapas Bar:
$7.50 Sauteed Brussel
I've also been having a Mia craving during all this covid craziness, so I opted to order for delivery the other day (a variety of items, just to have some leftovers). The order (with prices for reference) included:
Order From Mia Tapas Bar:
$7.50 Sauteed Brussel
Awe Min
Dec 21, 2019
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Manasa A.
Sep 04, 2019
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Asian tapas is a really interesting concept.
We ordered a few tapas dishes like the chicken kolhopuri,tandoori lobster,chicken and corn fritters in green curry sauce,pork belly etc.
Everything was tasty and fresh.Tandoori lobster was the best among tapas dishes.
We also ordered some noodles which were okay.
Definitely try the tapas if you are here.
We ordered a few tapas dishes like the chicken kolhopuri,tandoori lobster,chicken and corn fritters in green curry sauce,pork belly etc.
Everything was tasty and fresh.Tandoori lobster was the best among tapas dishes.
We also ordered some noodles which were okay.
Definitely try the tapas if you are here.
Shalaila
Jun 07, 2017
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Service was on point - Melanie served us. Very friendly and comes by just the right number of times. Attends to detail such as giving us a new plate after our first dish which had a strong intense flavor. Cocktails - although a bit pricey, you get good quality. Had the Boulevardier. The food itself was almost too flavorful that you couldn't really enjoy it. I think it was the Yum Tun (not sure about the name) salad - the dressing was too sweet - the only criticism of the night.
