Don't forget to mark your calendars for both Downtown Dining Week and Winterfest.
It was great to see that Dining Week was successful last year - even getting expanded an extra 2 weeks. This year, the event will run Monday, February 15th to Saturday, February 27th. Just a sample of the participating restaurants include Black Olive, Dinosaur Bar-B-Que, J Ryan's, Lemon Grass, Syracuse Suds Factory and Wise Guys Comedy Club. The selected restaurants will offer three courses for $25 or less. More information will be posted at www.downtownsyracuse.com when it becomes available.
Also, the 25th Anniversary Winterfest will be February 11th to the 21st. There's tons of things to do for people of all ages including a few food-related activities like cook-offs and cocktail competitions. Last year's winners include OC's Bar & Grill for best entree, PJ's Pub & Grill for best appetizer, Water Street Cafe for best dessert and Empire Brewing Co winning the Burger Bounce, Martini, and Cosmopolitan mix-off competitions. More information is available at the official Winterfest website.
I just missed the chili cook-off last year. I'm hoping I get a chance to check it out this time.
Friday, January 29, 2010
Thursday, January 28, 2010
Saturday, January 23, 2010
Random News, Random Thoughts, Ect...
Kitty Hoynes will host a presentation and a 5-course dinner featuring the beers of Harpoon Brewery on Tuesday, January 26th at 6:30 PM.
Just tried Harpoon's Celtic Ale the other night - I'm a fan.
Ticket's are $45 and more information is available at syracuse.com and at the official Kitty Hoynes website.
Big news regarding Clark's Ale House: The Landmark Theater will need the space when Clark's lease expires in 2012, so they'll be relocating to a new location that summer or fall.
And the countdown to see how many roast beef sandwiches and smoked gouda cheese plates I can eat between now and then has begun.
I walked by the old Dante location on Walton Street (Downtown's former tapas bar and Spanish restaurant) and it seems like there is some remodeling going on inside. But no indication of what is actually going in. The windows do still say "Dante" on them, so who knows.
Speaking of tapas, here's an interesting article on developments of a new tapas restaurant and bar in the Hawley Green District.
Lastly, I recently helped out AdaptCNY clean out some buildings on West Fayette Street in Downtown. Interesting to see what was there prior: one building was a huge, two-story tiki bar and lounge and the other seemed like a dance club and restaurant. Both looked like they hadn't been opened or cleaned since the early to mid 90's. Hopefully the next business venture that ends up there has a much better fate.
Just tried Harpoon's Celtic Ale the other night - I'm a fan.
Ticket's are $45 and more information is available at syracuse.com and at the official Kitty Hoynes website.
Big news regarding Clark's Ale House: The Landmark Theater will need the space when Clark's lease expires in 2012, so they'll be relocating to a new location that summer or fall.
And the countdown to see how many roast beef sandwiches and smoked gouda cheese plates I can eat between now and then has begun.
I walked by the old Dante location on Walton Street (Downtown's former tapas bar and Spanish restaurant) and it seems like there is some remodeling going on inside. But no indication of what is actually going in. The windows do still say "Dante" on them, so who knows.
Speaking of tapas, here's an interesting article on developments of a new tapas restaurant and bar in the Hawley Green District.
Lastly, I recently helped out AdaptCNY clean out some buildings on West Fayette Street in Downtown. Interesting to see what was there prior: one building was a huge, two-story tiki bar and lounge and the other seemed like a dance club and restaurant. Both looked like they hadn't been opened or cleaned since the early to mid 90's. Hopefully the next business venture that ends up there has a much better fate.
Monday, January 18, 2010
Review: Boulangerie Ltd
Name: Boulangerie Ltd
Address: 526 Plum St Syracuse, NY
Phone: (315) 466-3108
Neighborhood: Lakefront (Franklin Square)
Website: www.yelp.com/biz/boulangerie-ltd-syracuse
Menu: View Menu
Cuisine: Deli, Gourmet Sandwiches
Restaurant Hours: Monday-Friday 7 AM to 3 PM
Parking: On Street
Accepts Credit Cards: Yes
Take-Out: Yes
Delivery: No
Opened in 1991 (and not too long after the rebirth of Franklin Square in 1987), Boulangerie Ltd has been serving up gourmet sandwiches in the redeveloped area for almost 20 years.
The small eatery tucked away on Plum Street, functions a bit more like a sandwich shop that has predetermined menu items and less like a made-to-order delicatessen. Those predetermined selections however are really interesting and creative like the tuna salad with apples, nuts and cheddar, or the roast pork with cranberry mayonnaise, sliced apples and Swiss, or the turkey and salami wtih feta, marinated tomatoes and cucumbers, purple onion, spinach and hot peppers. There are roughly 20 of these creative sandwich items on any given day and each sandwich comes with your choice of bread: French, Sour Dough, Multi-Grain, Wrap, or Foccacia.
The interior is small, but large enough to enjoy lunch with a group. Seating consists of several tables with a long, cushioned booth along the wall. Windows cover about half of the place which provides it with a nice, scenic view of Plum Street as well as a good view of the old, New Process Gear tower.
Up front you'll find the counter (think cafeteria-style ordering) with a list of daily specials and a display case of other things like pasta and fruit salads.
It was relatively busy during lunch time with the higher-end business clientele getting their lunches to-go and hustling in and out of the place steadily.
The order...
Kiwi Strawberry Snapple: $1.50
Ham & Pasta Salad: $3.50
Turkey, Garlic Mayo, Tomato, Bacon, Swiss on French Bread: $5.65
Total Money Spent with Tax & Tip: $12.40
The pasta salad left a little something to be desired: bland dressing (that tasted essentially like mayo) with undercooked pasta was not an appetizing combo. It made the whole thing dense and unsatisfying. Also, I don't mind random vegetables in a pasta salad like peas or carrots, but corn and lima beans just seemed out of place. Thumbs down.
The turkey sandwich however, was great: perfectly cooked pieces of bacon (more chewy than crunchy), tasty garlic mayo that was delicious, on freshly baked bread that was the best balance of soft and crunchy French bread ever. The tomatoes/bacon/bread provided all the slightly juicy, fresh, and crunchy textures on their own so much that the sandwich itself didn't even need lettuce.
But to nitpick, the turkey wasn't your traditional, sliced turkey breast. It was more or less the pre-packaged stuff you would find at a grocery store. I suppose you can't expect any more at a sandwich place. I also suppose it's debatable whether or not Boulangerie is considered a deli, but either way, if I'm at a place that specializes in making gourmet sandwiches, I'd rather not eat something that is giving me the impression that it could easily pass as Airplane food.
End nitpick.
Other things of note...
- While I didn't see a soup menu of any kind, I much rather would have preferred that than pasta salad on a cold afternoon.
- Boulangerie offers a catering box lunch option (sandwiches, pasta or fruit salad, chips, cookies and soda). $10.59 per person with a minimum order of 10 and a 24 hours notice.
- They also offer wrap and sandwich platters for business lunches - orders can be faxed in.
Boulangerie had good things going for it: a clean atmosphere, quick and friendly service, a creative menu, and a really nice location. Given the quick service, options, and catering-focus, it seems like a great place for take-out if you work in the area. But I suppose nothing really blew me away about the place.
I'm kind of kicking myself because I feel like I may have played it safe with what I ordered (a turkey with bacon and garlic mayo isn't exactly too outside-of-the-box as far as their menu is concerned). They do have a lot of really interesting combinations here that sound tempting. I'd go back for lunch at some point to try some other sandwiches and breads on the menu.
My rating of Boulangerie Ltd:
Your rating of Boulangerie Ltd:
Address: 526 Plum St Syracuse, NY
Phone: (315) 466-3108
Neighborhood: Lakefront (Franklin Square)
Website: www.yelp.com/biz/boulangerie-ltd-syracuse
Menu: View Menu
Cuisine: Deli, Gourmet Sandwiches
Restaurant Hours: Monday-Friday 7 AM to 3 PM
Parking: On Street
Accepts Credit Cards: Yes
Take-Out: Yes
Delivery: No
Opened in 1991 (and not too long after the rebirth of Franklin Square in 1987), Boulangerie Ltd has been serving up gourmet sandwiches in the redeveloped area for almost 20 years.
The small eatery tucked away on Plum Street, functions a bit more like a sandwich shop that has predetermined menu items and less like a made-to-order delicatessen. Those predetermined selections however are really interesting and creative like the tuna salad with apples, nuts and cheddar, or the roast pork with cranberry mayonnaise, sliced apples and Swiss, or the turkey and salami wtih feta, marinated tomatoes and cucumbers, purple onion, spinach and hot peppers. There are roughly 20 of these creative sandwich items on any given day and each sandwich comes with your choice of bread: French, Sour Dough, Multi-Grain, Wrap, or Foccacia.
The interior is small, but large enough to enjoy lunch with a group. Seating consists of several tables with a long, cushioned booth along the wall. Windows cover about half of the place which provides it with a nice, scenic view of Plum Street as well as a good view of the old, New Process Gear tower.
Up front you'll find the counter (think cafeteria-style ordering) with a list of daily specials and a display case of other things like pasta and fruit salads.
It was relatively busy during lunch time with the higher-end business clientele getting their lunches to-go and hustling in and out of the place steadily.
The order...
Kiwi Strawberry Snapple: $1.50
Ham & Pasta Salad: $3.50
Turkey, Garlic Mayo, Tomato, Bacon, Swiss on French Bread: $5.65
Total Money Spent with Tax & Tip: $12.40
The pasta salad left a little something to be desired: bland dressing (that tasted essentially like mayo) with undercooked pasta was not an appetizing combo. It made the whole thing dense and unsatisfying. Also, I don't mind random vegetables in a pasta salad like peas or carrots, but corn and lima beans just seemed out of place. Thumbs down.
The turkey sandwich however, was great: perfectly cooked pieces of bacon (more chewy than crunchy), tasty garlic mayo that was delicious, on freshly baked bread that was the best balance of soft and crunchy French bread ever. The tomatoes/bacon/bread provided all the slightly juicy, fresh, and crunchy textures on their own so much that the sandwich itself didn't even need lettuce.
But to nitpick, the turkey wasn't your traditional, sliced turkey breast. It was more or less the pre-packaged stuff you would find at a grocery store. I suppose you can't expect any more at a sandwich place. I also suppose it's debatable whether or not Boulangerie is considered a deli, but either way, if I'm at a place that specializes in making gourmet sandwiches, I'd rather not eat something that is giving me the impression that it could easily pass as Airplane food.
End nitpick.
Other things of note...
- While I didn't see a soup menu of any kind, I much rather would have preferred that than pasta salad on a cold afternoon.
- Boulangerie offers a catering box lunch option (sandwiches, pasta or fruit salad, chips, cookies and soda). $10.59 per person with a minimum order of 10 and a 24 hours notice.
- They also offer wrap and sandwich platters for business lunches - orders can be faxed in.
Boulangerie had good things going for it: a clean atmosphere, quick and friendly service, a creative menu, and a really nice location. Given the quick service, options, and catering-focus, it seems like a great place for take-out if you work in the area. But I suppose nothing really blew me away about the place.
I'm kind of kicking myself because I feel like I may have played it safe with what I ordered (a turkey with bacon and garlic mayo isn't exactly too outside-of-the-box as far as their menu is concerned). They do have a lot of really interesting combinations here that sound tempting. I'd go back for lunch at some point to try some other sandwiches and breads on the menu.
My rating of Boulangerie Ltd:
Your rating of Boulangerie Ltd:
Thursday, January 14, 2010
Survey Results and Thoughts
Thanks again to those who filled it out the survey. It's a small sample size to get legit feedback one way or the other from, but here's some data that was collected...
- 53.5% of the readers are between the ages of 22-29
- 66.7% think the reviews are honest and clear
- 53.5% live outside of the city of Syracuse
- 42.9% think there should be more photos (I agree!)
- 66.7% think there needs to be more reviews per month (I also agree!)
- 28.6% would like to see a message board or forum
A few people also commented that chains should not be reviewed.
I agree with this too, but I always thought it would be funny to do reviews of places like McDonald's and try to make an objective review of them. But all and all, chains do not give a proper representation of a local dining scene. Plus, as far as reviewing is concerned, that void seems to already be taken care of right here in Central New York.
(oh snaaaap).
For now, the only changes that I'll be making to the blog are trying to take more pictures, attempting to put up more reviews, and perhaps adding a twitter feed. Mainly because with twitter it would be easier to write a one or two sentence thought about a place that I wasn't reviewing rather than stretching a thought out on a whole new blog post.
Thanks again for the feedback.
- 53.5% of the readers are between the ages of 22-29
- 66.7% think the reviews are honest and clear
- 53.5% live outside of the city of Syracuse
- 42.9% think there should be more photos (I agree!)
- 66.7% think there needs to be more reviews per month (I also agree!)
- 28.6% would like to see a message board or forum
A few people also commented that chains should not be reviewed.
I agree with this too, but I always thought it would be funny to do reviews of places like McDonald's and try to make an objective review of them. But all and all, chains do not give a proper representation of a local dining scene. Plus, as far as reviewing is concerned, that void seems to already be taken care of right here in Central New York.
(oh snaaaap).
For now, the only changes that I'll be making to the blog are trying to take more pictures, attempting to put up more reviews, and perhaps adding a twitter feed. Mainly because with twitter it would be easier to write a one or two sentence thought about a place that I wasn't reviewing rather than stretching a thought out on a whole new blog post.
Thanks again for the feedback.
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