Taste of Syracuse Recap & Downtown Thoughts

The Taste of Syracuse was another great success this year. Can't complain with good music and good food. While they improved on the flow of foot traffic from last year, I'd still like to see the vendors a little more spread out and not as cramped in the future. Mainly because the intersections at S Clinton/W Water and S Franklin St/W Water get totally jammed and are kind of crazy at night (for example, inebriated folk picking fights with one another while I wait in line for ice cream).

At any rate, here's what I was able to sample this year...

Caribbean King: Jerk Chicken
Eva's: Ruskie Pierogies
Jerk Hut: Jamaican Style Patties
Kalzonies: Chicken Bacon Ranch Calzone
Lao Village: Fried Spring Roll with chili sauce
Las Delicias: Empanada
Liehs and Steigerwald: Hot Dog
Mai Lan: Spring Roll
Merritt Estate Winery: Wine Slushie (x2)
Shipwreck: Seafood Chowder
Big Mama's Cheesecakes: White Chocolate and Raspberry Cheesecake

I wasn't able to get to The Mission, nor did I get my usual lobster roll at Charlie's (that area got mobbed with people when the Charlie Daniels Band started playing on Saturday night, so I decided to skip it).

Here are my Top-5 Choices...

1) Kalzonies: Chicken Bacon Ranch Calzone
For those who have been to any DP Dough location, this wasn't too far off. I'm sure my college buddies would call this blasphemy, but I'm going to go out on a limb and say that this may have been one of the best calzones I've ever had. Excellent combination of flavors with the mozzarella, bacon, and ranch, a large portion size for $1, and a freshly baked and yet soft exterior. I feel weird saying a calzone was the best thing I had, but it's true.

2) Big Mama's Cheesecakes: White Chocolate and Raspberry Cheesecake
Amazing. A nice velvety consistency and the small raspberry dollop on top added the perfect amount of tartness. Did I like this better than Junior's Cheesecake in Brooklyn? Me thinks so. As a side note, look for Big Mama's Cheesecakes at local restaurants (like Empire Brewing Co) as well as in Times Square and NYC.

3) Jerk Hut: Jamaican Style Patties
Soft and flakey crust filled with a spicy ground beef and bean interior served at the perfect temperature. I probably could've eaten a bunch of these.

4) Eva's: Pierogies
Pretty sure it's my staple when I go to the Taste of Syracuse. Doughy pierogies filled with potatoes and fresh farmers cheese, add some sweetness and sour from the sauerkraut and sauteed onions and butter on the outside, and topped with chopped parsley. Love it. I suppose it doesn't help that I also have a severe weakness for attractive Polish girls handing me amazing food.

5) Mai Lan: Spring Roll
Shrimp, fresh lettuce, bean sprouts, vermicelli, and mint wrapped in translucent rice-paper and topped with grated carrots, crushed peanuts, and a thin and tangy Vietnamese sauce. I usually get these and they never disappoint. Not to discredit any of the other places at the event, but the vendors are always so nice here too. I'll have to get over to the restaurant one of these days for an actual review.

Other notes...

I burned my tongue on Shipwreck's seafood chowder - it was served scolding hot and I kept eating it like a dummy - so I unfortunately wasn't able to totally enjoy it. It had good flavor, red potatoes with the skins on, and a thinner consistency than what you'd expect from a New England style chowder. The thinness reminded me of clam chowder I had recently at Neptune Oyster in Boston (which goes on record as my favorite of all-freaking-time), but this chowder didn't really have all that much "seafood" in it. I probably should've went back later on to give it another shot.

I did end up going to Kalzonies twice, but they were out of the Cheesecake Calzone the second go-around, so I opted for another Chicken Bacon Ranch.

Speaking of Kalzonies, they have a new location opening up in Armory Square at the former Goodfella's Pizzeria spot. I think it's an excellent move for them (they were/are down on E Jefferson St in no-man's land) and they'll be open late until 5am and will also offer late night delivery.

I know I already had a post about this, but has anyone noticed how many new restaurants have been popping up around downtown this year? Here's a list of 12 new places that have opened or will be opening soon.

Overall, I give a big thumbs up for the city. I think the Taste of Syracuse has really grown into a nice yearly tradition for Downtown. From a personal and well... bragging standpoint, it's nice to be able to walk a short distance from my apartment to enjoy things like this. I look forward to it every June and it's a nice "appetizer" to the State Fair.

Feel free to respond in the comments on what you guys had this year and what your favorites were.

Top 5 Places for Eats in the Near Northeast Neighborhood

It's a neighborhood that many people don't even know exists. Overshadowed by both the general "Northside" designation and the recently proclaimed Little Italy district, the Near Northeast is a tucked-away and much overlooked enclave in the northeastern corner of 690 and I-81 and incorporates the southern section of Little Italy, a portion James and Park Streets, and the entire Hawley-Green district. I can only attest to living in a few neighborhoods thus far in my life, but the Near Northeast had some of the friendliest shop owners that I've ever met and it's one of my favorites for food (I'm not really sure if anything can surpass Boston's North End). While there are many good places for dining (Sparkytown, Ilario's Trattoria, Freedom of Espresso), for pizza (Italian Chef, Pavone's) and for shopping (Vino Mania, Lombardi's Imports, Thanos Imported Grocery, Donze Meats), the following are my top 5 places for eats in Syracuse's Near Northeast neighborhood.

Italian bread from Columbus Baking Co.

1) Columbus Baking Co: 502 Pearl St, Syracuse, NY
The two best smells in the neighborhood when the wind is just right: Dinosaur Bar-B-Que and this small, old world bakery on Pearl Street. Serving some of the best bread in the city from of a bakery location that is over 118 years old, it's hard not to put Columbus Baking Co as #1 on this list. Using the same brick oven that's been in use for generations, a loaf of freshly baked Italian style bread really doesn't get any better than it does here. In 2008, Columbus Meats and Cheeses opened up right next door serving sliced-to-order Boar's Head meats like sopressotta, salami, proscuitto, and capicola, cheeses like locatelli, mozzarella, and asiago, and offering six different varieties of olives. They're great toppings to go with their already amazing breads. Pizza dough should also not go unnoticed. Between the bakery and deli, you can make an excellent pie for under $10 - all rung up its still in operation, 50-year-old cash register. [link] [map]

2) Asti Caffe: 411 N Salina St, Syracuse, NY
While going through several incarnations prior, Asti Caffe officially opened its doors in 2001 in the southern-most section of Syracuse's Little Italy and has been serving up excellent Italian food for almost a decade now. Enjoy traditional dishes like linguini alfredo and homemade lasagna as well as specialties like calamari frito and Asti-style Utica greens. The interior is great for formal and intimate dining and is complete with a wood burning fireplace in their recently expanded upper room. They do take walk-ins, but I'd highly recommend making a reservation beforehand as it can fill up quickly on Friday and Saturday evenings. Note: as of 4/1/10 Asti Caffe closed temporarily due to small fire damage. It should reopen soon, so check their official website for details. [link] [map]

3) Riley's: 312 Park St, Syracuse, NY
What opened as a saloon in 1897, has become a local neighborhood bar and restaurant destination since 1979. Tied right into the neighborhood and tucked away on the corner of Park St and Whitwell Dr, Riley's is an excellent spot for traditional American cuisine and upscale bar food all in a fun and comfortable atmosphere. Incorporating local food like breads and sausage into their dishes, and with a large portion of a menu that changes daily, excellent options include Riley's 7-ounce burgers, deserts like blueberry pie and raspberry cheesecake, and unique-to-the-area specials like fried Ipswich clams and lobster rolls. Don't be surprised if you hear some music on the upright piano. Every Saturday night the owner, Terry Riley, entertains the patrons with few tunes. [link] [map]

4) Sugar Pearl Cafe: 600 Burnet Ave, Syracuse, NY
Although it might not look like much from the outside, inside you'll find a totally different environment: chic design, funky furnishings, and a completely unique interior for a coffee house. Sugar Pearl contains a full-service espresso bar (boasting the best French press in town) as well as a sit-down restaurant with a stage for live music and poetry readings. It's a predominantly vegan-focused menu that consists of vegan wraps (like the Chinese black bean wrap with gingered black beans, guacamole, corn, and roasted red peppers), vegan Philly "cheese" steaks, pizzas, and vegan burgers. Breakfast is served all day here as well and also features tasty options for non-vegans. [link] [map]

5) Gentile's Restaurant: 305 Burnet Ave, Syracuse, NY
Enjoy eclectic and romantic dining at Gentile's on Burnett Ave. An intimate atmosphere (with dim lighting and exposed brick walls) and exceptionally creative Italian cuisine with appetizers (like glumkis: Napa cabbage filled with ground lamb, pine nut, feta risotto, in a minty and smoked tomato cream), salads (like the Belgium Caesar: endive paired with hard-boiled egg, anchovy, capers, tomato salsa, pepperoncini and homemade crouton finish with garlic oil), unique pastas and risottos, and contemporary entrees like eggplant roulad and quail and filet. [link] [map]

Honorable Mention
Mai Lan Restaurant: 505 N State St, Syracuse, NY
Located across the street from St. Joseph's Hospital, Mai Lan is an excellent place for Vietnamese cuisine. Friendly services greets you in small and cozy interior (complete with travel guides to Vietnam along the wall). Notable menu items include spring rolls with roasted peanut sauce, beef pho, and deserts like jackroot ice cream. Meals are made from scratch here so call ahead for take-out. [link] [map]