Miss Syracuse
As I was lugging my bags of groceries home yesterday morning, the sidewalk heat really got to me and I started feeling all nostalgic-like. I began thinking about Syracuse, and how lovely it can really be. And of course, since I had 15 pounds of food hanging from my arms, I immediately began thinking about Syracuse’s eats. I miss them.
And when I’m sad, I do what anyone else would. I make a Top Five List.
Syracusans, please do weigh in. And New Yorkers, if anything strikes you, please let me know of a comparable place!
Rochelle’s Syracuse Dining Favorites
5. Pastabilities (311 S. Franklin St.)
Pastabilities has been in my Syracuse dining repertoire since I’ve been old enough to eat at restaurants without my parents. My high school girlfriends and I had “ladies nights” there, maddening the waitstaff by asking to split the bill 8 ways. Pastabilities was where I ate my first piece of chicken after a long stint as a vegetarian. The spicy tomato oil is so legendary that people go to Pasta’s just for the plates of it brought out with bread. And while I make a pretty mean pesto, it pales next to the vibrant, chunky green sauce that flows abundantly at Pasta’s.
4. Sweet on Chocolate (208 Walton St.)
Okay, New York City has Jacques Torres. I’ll give it that. But Sweet on Chocolate’s candied orange peel rivals any I’ve had in the city. I have dreams about their barks, too. Milk or dark chocolate, stuffed with pecans, cashews, almonds and raisins … I used to love buying a piece and nibbling as I strode around the shops and boutiques downtown.
3. The Mission (304 E. Onondaga St.)
Oh, how much I miss this Mexican restaurant. I’ve celebrated countless milestones and had even more dates there. While there is certainly good Mexican food to be found in the city, I have yet to find any that’s as casual and inexpensive, fresh and creative. The pico de gallo is juicy, the sangria is nutty and comforting, and the waitstaff amazing beyond comparison. I’ve been eyeing the online menu lately, and let me just say: if anyone can figure out a way to get me the rare tuna with quinoa salad, you’ll be in very good standing with me.
2. My Parents’ House (So not telling.)
How many times have I lugged my tired body up the stairs to my apartment after a hard day, cursing myself for moving so far away from my father and his gin & tonic mastery? Oh, just every time I’ve had a hard day.
1. Wegmans (My Wegmans is located at 4722 Onondaga Blvd.)
Wegmans, where the parking lots are spacious, the shelves fully-stocked, the prepared foods section reasonably priced. Wegmans, the home of surprisingly spicy take-out shrimp bisque. Wegmans, where the bakers make extra kalamata bread for me, where the produce is never bruised and the man stocking it calls me “Boots.” Wegmans, where I can use a clever little card to rack up discounts. Wegmans, where I really learned to care about food.