I just wanted to say thank you to everyone who has donated, commented, emailed, and filled out the survey for Pulled Into Syracuse over the last year. I'll admit that my updates haven't been quite as frequent as of late, but this blog is a lot of fun to work on over the last year and a half.
I'm hoping to review more places in '10 than I did in '09. I'll be looking to check out a lot more spots for lunch, pizza, and wings (my friends and I consider March as "Wing Season" in 'cuse) so if you have any good suggestions, please let me know.
Thanks again for checking out the blog and making this whole thing a lot of fun.
Thursday, December 31, 2009
Sunday, December 20, 2009
Syracuse Restaurateur Donates Dinners
Here's a really nice story courtesy of Syracuse.com about Angelo Vigliotti of Angelo’s Pizzeria and Italian Eatery and how he donates food to the families of ill children for the Holidays.
I'll be out of town for Christmas but plan on getting back into the swing of reviewing afterwards. Also, if you have a few moments, please fill out the following survey about Pulled Into Syracuse.
I'll be out of town for Christmas but plan on getting back into the swing of reviewing afterwards. Also, if you have a few moments, please fill out the following survey about Pulled Into Syracuse.
Sunday, December 13, 2009
Miss Syracuse Diner Clo... Reopened
I haven't been down in the area in a little while, but the Miss Syracuse Diner has apparently reopened after closing for a short period of time in October and November.
No details yet on its hours or if anything has changed from my initial review, but I do have some suggestions on what could be changed...
- Stay open 24 hours on Fridays and Saturdays. Give the Armory and Hanover Square crowds an excuse to stay Downtown.
- I think the exterior could use more neon or lighting. No need to add anything overly tacky - especially with City Hall right there, but right now the diner is a bit inconspicuous.
- Change the menu. Cater towards lunch crowd with wraps, sandwiches, and soups and cater towards the late night crowd with a Denny's-esque style menu.
- Put a Garbage Plate on the menu (or maybe introduce a Syracuse version with Grandma Brown's, Hofmann hot dogs or Gianelli Sausage).
No details yet on its hours or if anything has changed from my initial review, but I do have some suggestions on what could be changed...
- Stay open 24 hours on Fridays and Saturdays. Give the Armory and Hanover Square crowds an excuse to stay Downtown.
- I think the exterior could use more neon or lighting. No need to add anything overly tacky - especially with City Hall right there, but right now the diner is a bit inconspicuous.
- Change the menu. Cater towards lunch crowd with wraps, sandwiches, and soups and cater towards the late night crowd with a Denny's-esque style menu.
- Put a Garbage Plate on the menu (or maybe introduce a Syracuse version with Grandma Brown's, Hofmann hot dogs or Gianelli Sausage).
Sunday, December 6, 2009
Empire & Syracuse Beer
Without coming off like I'm flogging a dead horse on the topic, I still wonder why people think beer at Empire Brewing Co is so good. We're all entitled to our opinions and by no means do I fancy myself as a beer connoisseur, but I do feel like I'm taking crazy pills by not liking it. Or more specifically, I feel like it's implied that I'm supposed to based on the awards, reputation, and hype. The variety and the selection that's there is perfect and I love the growler option, but I do not like 7 out of the 10 home brews currently on tap. A few of which I can barely stomach and the other 3 I have yet to try.
To get right to it, it essentially tastes like carbonated water with too much flavor that has an off-putting and lingering finish. The ingredients are all there I suppose, it just doesn't taste brewed or like anything is really coming together as it should.
I don't doubt that they do positive things for the city (promote local food, local music, run festivals, are keen on energy usage, etc...). I suppose that's why I'm so apprehensive about the discussion in general. I'd rather not bash a place that does such good for a city that I love. And I'd rather not bash such a substantial place that is putting out local beer - especially considering 'cuse's once proud and rich beer history.
Maybe I'm just in the minority, but considering both Middle Ages and Empire, Syracuse beer seems to be overly hoppy for the most part. I'm not saying we should bring back Haberle into the fold, but it would be nice if there was more beer brewed locally that wasn't as such.
At any rate, I ask this: what are your thoughts on Empire's beer or any other beer for that matter in Syracuse?
To get right to it, it essentially tastes like carbonated water with too much flavor that has an off-putting and lingering finish. The ingredients are all there I suppose, it just doesn't taste brewed or like anything is really coming together as it should.
I don't doubt that they do positive things for the city (promote local food, local music, run festivals, are keen on energy usage, etc...). I suppose that's why I'm so apprehensive about the discussion in general. I'd rather not bash a place that does such good for a city that I love. And I'd rather not bash such a substantial place that is putting out local beer - especially considering 'cuse's once proud and rich beer history.
Maybe I'm just in the minority, but considering both Middle Ages and Empire, Syracuse beer seems to be overly hoppy for the most part. I'm not saying we should bring back Haberle into the fold, but it would be nice if there was more beer brewed locally that wasn't as such.
At any rate, I ask this: what are your thoughts on Empire's beer or any other beer for that matter in Syracuse?
Thursday, December 3, 2009
Review: Secret Garden/Bi-Won
Name: Secret Garden/Bi-Won
Address: 2731 Erie Blvd E, Syracuse, NY
Phone: (315) 449-3333
Neighborhood: Salt Springs (Erie Boulevard East)
Website: www.sushisyracuse.com/secret-garden.html
Menu: View Menu
Cuisine: Korean, Japanese
Restaurant Hours: Monday-Tuesday 11:30 AM to 10 PM, Thursday 11:30 AM to 3 PM and 5 PM to 10 PM, Friday-Saturday 11:30 AM to 11 PM, Sunday 1 PM to 9 PM
Parking: Private Lot
Accepts Credit Cards: Yes
Delivery: No
Before hitting up the "Turner to Cezanne" exhibit at the Everson Museum, my family and I decided to head over to Secret Garden on Erie Boulevard to fill up with some Korean food beforehand. Situated across the street from Erawan, Secret Garden is actually owned and operated by the same family that owns the Sakana-Ya sushi restaurants in Fayetteville and Armory Square, as well as Han's Oriental Supermarket located directly next door.
The inside is clean and open with separated, general seating sections, large tables, and a newly remodeled sushi bar near the back. There is also outdoor seating (weather permitting) with each table having a traditional barbecue pit. Personally, I wasn't too crazy about the interior. It was definitely clean and bright, but there was wood everywhere (wood paneling, wood tables, wood chairs). In theory it's nice, but it was a little too polished and hoity. And the chairs themselves actually became a bit uncomfortable after a while.
On the menu, you'll find a lot of different types of dishes like sushi, soups, salads, teriyaki, casseroles, stir fry, appetizers like tempura, fried tofu, and soft shell crab, a small vegetarian menu, and drinks like cocktails, sake, wine and Asian beers. If it's your first time here or at a Korean restaurant in general, the 7 pages of offerings, each with its own translation, might all seem a little intimating. Luckily there are pictures along the sides of the menu to help out.
The order...
Tea: $1.95
Shumai: $4.95
Galbi BBQ: $19.95
Total Money Spent with Tax & Tip: $31
The tea was excellent - very soothing and had almost a sesame taste to it.
Pictured below is the kimchi with other variations (pickled radishes, potatoes, and cucumbers).
I'm still new to Korean food (have only had it a few times) but it seems like kimchi is somewhat of an acquired taste. Essentially, it's salted and fermented cabbage (or veggies) seasoned with chili pepper and served cold. The first time I had it, I had no idea what to expect, but I'm liking it more the more I have it. Here, I particularly liked the pickled radishes and potatoes.
Above are the Shumai: essentially tiny, steamed dumplings with shrimp. I liked them - served warm and the dipping sauce was sweet. Though the dumplings were a tad too mushy for my liking.
Pictured here is the Galbi BBQ: thin, cross-cut beef short ribs marinated with special sauce, served with mushrooms, scallions, and onions, with a side of white rice.
This was great. Tender and juicy pieces of short ribs with a really sweet and tangy soy sauce. Add in some caramelized onions and mushrooms and it really kicked the whole meal up a notch. I would absolutely get this again. I don't even like mushrooms and I found myself eating them.
All the food tasted fresh and best of all, healthy. The nice thing about this cuisine is when you pig out, you don't feel weighted down or guilty or like you need to take a nap afterwards.
And you know the food is good when you've finished your meal and you keep finding something else on the table to pick at.
Other things of note...
- Not only was it a cold day, but it was very chilly inside on this particular visit. Though, maybe it was just be a fluke thing.
- There is an all-you-can-eat buffet on Tuesdays from 5 PM to 9 PM
Overall, I liked it here and would return. There were a lot of other dishes on the menu that looked interesting too. I didn't try the sushi, but I wouldn't rule out giving it a shot when I come back.
My rating of Secret Garden/Bi-Won:
Your rating of Secret Garden/Bi-Won:
Address: 2731 Erie Blvd E, Syracuse, NY
Phone: (315) 449-3333
Neighborhood: Salt Springs (Erie Boulevard East)
Website: www.sushisyracuse.com/secret-garden.html
Menu: View Menu
Cuisine: Korean, Japanese
Restaurant Hours: Monday-Tuesday 11:30 AM to 10 PM, Thursday 11:30 AM to 3 PM and 5 PM to 10 PM, Friday-Saturday 11:30 AM to 11 PM, Sunday 1 PM to 9 PM
Parking: Private Lot
Accepts Credit Cards: Yes
Delivery: No
Before hitting up the "Turner to Cezanne" exhibit at the Everson Museum, my family and I decided to head over to Secret Garden on Erie Boulevard to fill up with some Korean food beforehand. Situated across the street from Erawan, Secret Garden is actually owned and operated by the same family that owns the Sakana-Ya sushi restaurants in Fayetteville and Armory Square, as well as Han's Oriental Supermarket located directly next door.
The inside is clean and open with separated, general seating sections, large tables, and a newly remodeled sushi bar near the back. There is also outdoor seating (weather permitting) with each table having a traditional barbecue pit. Personally, I wasn't too crazy about the interior. It was definitely clean and bright, but there was wood everywhere (wood paneling, wood tables, wood chairs). In theory it's nice, but it was a little too polished and hoity. And the chairs themselves actually became a bit uncomfortable after a while.
On the menu, you'll find a lot of different types of dishes like sushi, soups, salads, teriyaki, casseroles, stir fry, appetizers like tempura, fried tofu, and soft shell crab, a small vegetarian menu, and drinks like cocktails, sake, wine and Asian beers. If it's your first time here or at a Korean restaurant in general, the 7 pages of offerings, each with its own translation, might all seem a little intimating. Luckily there are pictures along the sides of the menu to help out.
The order...
Tea: $1.95
Shumai: $4.95
Galbi BBQ: $19.95
Total Money Spent with Tax & Tip: $31
The tea was excellent - very soothing and had almost a sesame taste to it.
Pictured below is the kimchi with other variations (pickled radishes, potatoes, and cucumbers).
I'm still new to Korean food (have only had it a few times) but it seems like kimchi is somewhat of an acquired taste. Essentially, it's salted and fermented cabbage (or veggies) seasoned with chili pepper and served cold. The first time I had it, I had no idea what to expect, but I'm liking it more the more I have it. Here, I particularly liked the pickled radishes and potatoes.
Above are the Shumai: essentially tiny, steamed dumplings with shrimp. I liked them - served warm and the dipping sauce was sweet. Though the dumplings were a tad too mushy for my liking.
Pictured here is the Galbi BBQ: thin, cross-cut beef short ribs marinated with special sauce, served with mushrooms, scallions, and onions, with a side of white rice.
This was great. Tender and juicy pieces of short ribs with a really sweet and tangy soy sauce. Add in some caramelized onions and mushrooms and it really kicked the whole meal up a notch. I would absolutely get this again. I don't even like mushrooms and I found myself eating them.
All the food tasted fresh and best of all, healthy. The nice thing about this cuisine is when you pig out, you don't feel weighted down or guilty or like you need to take a nap afterwards.
And you know the food is good when you've finished your meal and you keep finding something else on the table to pick at.
Other things of note...
- Not only was it a cold day, but it was very chilly inside on this particular visit. Though, maybe it was just be a fluke thing.
- There is an all-you-can-eat buffet on Tuesdays from 5 PM to 9 PM
Overall, I liked it here and would return. There were a lot of other dishes on the menu that looked interesting too. I didn't try the sushi, but I wouldn't rule out giving it a shot when I come back.
My rating of Secret Garden/Bi-Won:
Your rating of Secret Garden/Bi-Won:
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