LODI, NY -- Dano Hutnik, the European-born chef who introduced the concept of Austrian "heuriger" dining to the Finger Lakes wine country, has died unexpectedly, according to his restaurant's Facebook page and other reports.
Hutnik was 69. He had operated the successful Dano's on Cayuga restaurant in Ithaca before achieving wider acclaim starting in 2005. That's when he and his wife, pastry chef Karen Gilman, opened Dano's Heuriger on Seneca, located on Route 414 overlooking Seneca Lake.
The restaurant, believed to the first of its kind in the United States, offered pairing of wines, often served in mugs, and small plates of food meant for sharing. At the heuriger, Hutnik was a champion of Finger Lakes wine and local foods, including items he foraged nearby.
The famed James Beard House in New York City, where Dano's cuisine was sometimes showcased, once nicknamed him "the ultimate do-it-yourself chef."
He was twice nominated -- in 2012 and 2104 -- as best chef in the Northeast, for the annual James Beard Foundation Awards, considered the Oscars of the food world.
Dano's posted this announcement on its Facebook page Friday night:
Hutnik's death was mourned throughout the Finger Lakes wine and food community.
"Shocked and saddened to hear of the passing of our friend Dano Hutnik," Peter Becraft, winemaker at Anthony Road Wine Co, wrote in a Facebook post. "He and his wife Karen have entertained and pleased so many diners at their very special restaurant. One of the Finger Lakes' finest restaurants. We are sure that wherever he may be he has found the secret spots to forage. Thank you for your support and kindness to our family Dano."
Foraging in the Finger Lakes was a passion of Hutnik's. His restaurant Facebook page posted this on Thursday:
Don Cazentre writes about craft beer, wine, spirits and beverages for NYup.com, syracuse.com and The Post-Standard. Reach him at dcazentre@nyup.com, or follow him at NYup.com, on Twitter or Facebook.