Ms. Cargian and Mrs. Fitzgerald smile on opening day for Bistro 555

The doors to Bistro 555 are open once again, welcoming staff, students, and community members to enjoy fresh lunches prepared by TST BOCES Career & Tech Culinary Arts students. Located on the TST BOCES campus, the Bistro 555 serves as both a dining spot and a hands-on classroom where students turn their culinary lessons into real-world experience.

Fresh Menus and Flexible Dining Options

Bistro 555 will begin serving lunch today, on Wednesday, October 15, with service available most Tuesdays through Fridays. Guests can choose to dine in or place an order for takeout by calling (607) 257-1555 ext. 2011. The program continues to focus on sustainability, offering eco-friendly to-go containers and reusable bags created by Digital Media students for $2 each.

Each week features a new theme, and a new student manager with themes like Mexican Week to Taste of the South to Bite-Sized Delights. Weekly menus are posted on Instagram (@tst_bistro555), allowing guests to preview their options before visiting. Entrées are paired with sides to minimize waste, and every meal includes opportunities to add homemade soups, fresh-baked bread, salads, and desserts.

Meals are affordably priced, with entrées at $4, soups at $1 (small) or $1.25 (large), fresh-baked bread for 50¢, and salads and desserts for $1.50 each.

Real-World Learning in Action

Bistro 555 gives students the chance to learn through doing, from designing menus and preparing dishes to serving guests. Under the guidance of Mrs. Fitzgerald and Ms. Cargian, the Culinary Arts students explore cultural cuisines and develop valuable teamwork and service skills.

“Our students have been researching different types of food and flavor pairings since the school year began,” the Mrs. Fitzgerald shared. “The students are eager to share their culinary expertise, and we’re grateful for the community’s ongoing support.”

Occasional closures may occur for classroom instruction, but the Bistro will remain open whenever possible during its regular hours.

Weekly Menu Schedule

Here’s a look at the upcoming themes planned for the year. Dates and offerings may change depending on availability and class schedules.

  • October 15–17: Mexican Week

  • October 21–24: Closed

  • October 29–31: Global Inspired

  • November 4–7: Japanese Week

  • November 12–14: Street Foods

  • November 17–21: Taste of the South

  • November 25–28: Closed

  • December 2–5: Bite Sized Delights

  • December 9–12: Italian Week

  • December 16–19: Steak House

  • December 23–January 2: Closed

  • January 6–9: Gluten-Free Week

  • January 13–16: Peruvian

  • January 21–23: Mystery Ingredient

  • January 27–30: Puerto Rican

  • February 3–6: Sports Week

  • February 10–13: Decades

  • February 24–27: State Inspired

  • March 3–6: Thai

  • March 10–13: Seafood Boil

  • March 16–20: Closed

  • March 24–27: Music

  • March 31–April 10: Closed

  • April 14–17: Jamaican

  • April 21–24: Brunch

  • April 28–May 1: Closed

  • May 11–15: Time Travel

  • May 19–22: Greek

  • May 26–29: Cook Out

Visit the Bistro

Located at 555 Warren Road, Ithaca, NY 14850, Bistro 555 invites TST BOCES staff and community members to enjoy a freshly prepared meal while supporting the next generation of culinary professionals.

The Bistro is open most Tuesdays through Fridays from 11:10 AM to 12:20 PM. Check @tst_bistro555 on Instagram for weekly menus and updates on which days the Bistro will be open each week.

To place an order or ask any questions, call (607) 257-1555 ext. 2011.

You can also find its location on our campus by visiting tstboces.org/maps.