Restaurant & Banquet
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Restaurant & Banquet To Go Menu AquaVino Delivers w w w . a q u a v i n o r e s t a u r a n t . c o m (315) 732-0116 Our mission is Letter from the Owner to provide a Our journey to create Esche's Aqua Vino commenced a little over 5 years ago. While playing for the Philadelphia Flyers of the National Hockey League, a lifelong dream in itself, I envisioned unique, dreams of one day starting up a restaurant in my hometown community and maybe even trying my hand at establishing a family farm. Surprisingly, the idea of opening a restaurant came into reach sooner than I expected. personal We initiated a business plan that was developed as an upscale, urban seafood and steakhouse connection restaurant. Since then, the concept has transitioned at every turn and now, with the addition of locally renowned chef Michael Geno, we've been able to add a very special Italian flare, something we felt the area craves. This journey starts long before our grand opening in 2007 from our home and I sincerely desire to share the “cliff notes” of the path which has brought me to this point, a game-changer for my life in so many different ways… to your hearts. Over the last two decades, I've been lucky enough to call hockey, not only my sport, but also my profession. I had the opportunity to visit dozens of countries, live in four of them so far, and With our travel throughout all of America, Canada, Europe, and Russia while seeing some of the world's most cherished treasures. To say that I've been fortunate is a massive understatement. transparent Reaching my childhood goal of playing in the NHL was far and wide my greatest personal achievement. Seeing and experiencing the world was an added bonus. farm, we grow Striving to reach a NHL goal placed me on a different path then many of my friends and family. I had to move away when I was 15 years old to build my dream and, to be honest, I unadulterated had no idea what I was doing, but I knew I loved it. I also knew my roots belonged here. Growing up watching the Utica Devils play at the Aud were some of my fondest memories of the sport. My dad and I never missed a game. I watched and idolized Chris Terreri in goal and food harvested decided “that’s what I want to do!” I wanted to be a goalkeeper. Obviously, as you can imagine, the trials and tribulations seemed overwhelming at times, but the road became solely for your somewhat of a friend to me. I finally attained professional ranks with the Springfield Falcons of the American Hockey League (AHL). After Springfield the days went by all too fast. While cultivating a family, an NHL career on the rise, and a children's charity foundation getting consumption. underway, it’s needless to say that this was the pinnacle of my life so far. I played in Phoenix for several years living in Scottsdale, Arizona where my beautiful daughter Ashlynn was born. Giving you the And in that desert of Arizona, I was able to cut my teeth on a new NHL career. I brought my bride-to-be Kelly out with me and had many incredibly fulfilling experiences. I learned to team-rope off our horse named Doc, who was from Tombstone Arizona; met up with a ultimate field childhood legend for me, Waylon Jennings; I met one of my best friends and mentors, who would later become a best man in my wedding, Sean Burke; I was living the true western to fork, dream, and loved it. The summer of 2002 arrived, we were building our house in Westmoreland, NY when I received hyper-local the call informing me I had been traded to Philadelphia. I was excited, nervous and mad all at once. We packed up our life in Arizona over the summer and unpacked in Philly. We had to dining start all over again, but that's the way it works and you just embrace it. What a change it was. The Flyers were the ultimate professional sports team. What you looked like, what you did or experience how old you were was not their primary concern. They cared about winning and so did the fans. Not only did they care about it, it was expected of you night in and night out, no and growing exceptions. What a difference it was, I loved it. That team and city was exactly like my personality. They were passionate and competitive. In Philly I met another one of my best friends, Mark Recchi, who showed me how to become the professional I always wanted to be. our family one In 2004 we were one game away from going to the Stanley Cup Finals. We lost to the soon to be plate at a champs, the Tampa Bay Lightning in game seven. I joke and tell people it was the only time I had my heart broken. And then along came other set-backs. Our family's house in Westmoreland burnt down; losing everything we had at the time. But as we have done before, time.” we just started over. And then came the Lockout, forcing NHL players and owners to miss a full Robert & Kelly Esche AquaVino Delivers w w w . a q u a v i n o r e s t a u r a n t . c o m (315) 732-0116 year of hockey. During all this turmoil, my son Waylon was born. Our family was now complete, and my hockey career stayed the course, bringing me overseas to play and to the 2006 Winter Olympic Games in Italy. I have learned that with all of life's downs, there are most definitely ups as well. A great example for me is when Mother Russia came calling to sign me, not the NHL. Talk about life altering changes. But we took this challenge in stride and it turned out to be a great all around experience. I started playing for the KHL in Kazan, the Gateway to Siberia, and then it was off to St. Petersburg for two years. Russia and Europe as a whole was an eye opening experience for me and my family. I had visited all sorts of European cities prior to playing over there but when you actually live there and feel their culture, I believe it changes you. After St. Petes, it was on to Minsk, Belarus, another beautiful city we got the chance to explore. And this past year, we packed up the family again to play over in Switzerland for the SCL Tigers. This was my favorite European experience thus far. We loved skiing in the Alps, and went sightseeing any free chance we had. Since Switzerland was such a beautiful country, many of our friends and family members from the Mohawk Valley came to visit us, which made the experience even greater. Living on the road however had its drawbacks. I missed a great deal while being gone. Being away from your family and friends, missing holidays and truly missing some of life’s most meaningful moments was tough for us. During that time I began reading extensively. Primarily on things of interest to me such as farming, the restaurant business, history and autobiographies of world leaders. I always knew Oneida County was going to be the region I hung my hat at the end of the day. I couldn't wait to get back and bring all my ideas and stories with me from our world travel experiences. During my final year in Philly I set out looking for a restaurant to operate. The timing couldn't have been better either, as it turned out. With help from the City of Utica and my close friends I was able to start one of my business ventures with no experience. We most definitely went through the growing pains any start-up business encounters, The last four plus years have successfully established a solid restaurant business with great clientele. My plan all along was to incorporate my goal of farming into the restaurant, so the last five years we've been building our farm slowly but surely to supply the restaurant with food. When you live here for only 3-4 months a year it's tough to get things done quickly, but last year we were able to supplement almost 15% of the restaurant's produce and a majority of its eggs. This year including beef, chickens and significantly larger produce fields we're aiming for 55%-65%. Our goal for Aqua Vino is to become the true hyper local experience. I have always wanted to venture into different things beyond hockey. Deep down I knew hockey's window would eventually close for me, so I started thinking of some things I've always wanted to do. Farming always came to mind, as well as owning a restaurant. And now I am doing both, and loving it! Well, like I said that's the “cliff notes” of this hockey, restaurant and farming career of mine. I hope you enjoy this To go magazine with some great articles of staff members, local entrepreneurs and health tips on the food you eat. We'll be putting out a new issue quarterly with new articles and menu items. I look forward to seeing you down at Aqua Vino and the chance to talk with each of you.