Take your grad guests to these 4 restaurants this weekend
Max Mimaroglu | Photo Editor
The greater Syracuse area offers a wide array of restaurants of different cuisines that are accessible to dietary restrictions.
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With family, friends and supporters coming to Syracuse for commencement weekend, it’s a great time to visit those restaurants you’ve never tried before. Here are four local restaurants that are perfect to introduce to your supporters.
Kasai Ramen
Located on Walton Street in Armory Square, Kasai Ramen has Hakata-inspired Japanese ramen and other Izakaya-style fare. The ambiance of exposed brick walls creates a warm, high-end loft feel. With noodles made in-house and a combination of locally-sourced and imported ingredients from Japan, you’ll rest easy knowing every meal is high quality.
The menu adds twists to Japanese staples like edamame by adding honey, chili and kaffir lime leaf seasoning for some flare. Kasai caters to most dietary restrictions by providing substitutes that make meals suitable for vegan, vegetarian, and gluten free diets. The restaurant’s menu also includes different types of gyoza, steam buns and fried rice.
Eliana Hallegua, a sophomore in the Bandier program in the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications, says catering to these restrictions is why she enjoys Kasai, in addition to the delicious food.
“My favorite dish is the Veggie Ramen,” Hallegua said. “I’m happy they have a vegetarian option for people who don’t eat meat, plus it’s really flavorful and it’s made very well. The steamed mushroom buns are also a favorite and melt in your mouth.”
For those of legal drinking age, Kasai also offers an extensive selection of alcoholic beverages, including canned beverages, hand-crafted cocktails, wines, sake and Japanese whiskeys.
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Dinosaur Barbecue
One of six locations across the country, Dinosaur BBQ offers a lively downtown dining setting. Located at West Willow Street and founded in 1988, Dinosaur offers catering services, pick-up and delivery, and has private party rooms located at the restaurant. The restaurant serves barbecue-style food with an edgy vibe due to the exposed brick and decor and its start as a biker bar. With a full-service bar and stage with a sound system, the atmosphere sets a fun tone for the night. Plus, you can bring your dog along and sit outside if the weather is nice!
Menu items include classic barbecue cuisine, such as deviled eggs, chicken wings, ribs and barbecue chicken. And from the bar, there are lots of options for mixed cocktails, beers and wines.
Lucas Eberl, a junior in the construction management program at SUNY-ESF, said his favorite food on the menu is the chicken wings.
“The wings with the hot sauce would have to be my favorite,” Eberl said. “I’m really into wings, and these have to be some of the best.”
If you are looking for a family-friendly restaurant, Dinosaur also offers a kids menu. The restaurant has its own sauces and rubs, such as the Hot Honey Gold sauce and Cajun Foreplay Spice Rub, available for sale, as well as merchandise including stickers and pub glasses featuring their logo.
Apizza Regionale
Located on West Genesee Street, Apizza Regionale specializes in wood-fired pizzas, pastas, salads and sandwiches. Fresh ingredients sourced from New York State, Italy, and other areas allow Apizza to create a fresh balance of Neapolitan and New York style food right here in Syracuse. The restaurant also features a wood-fire oven from Naples, Italy to ensure an authentic taste. Apizza also varies their menu by season— they currently offer a Spring menu.
Their menu items include classic pizzas such as the “Apizza”, made with tomato sauce, mozzarella, fresh basil and grana. But they’re not afraid to have a little fun —they also offer pizzas with wide variations of toppings, like the “Patata”, which features Yukon gold potatoes, caramelized onion, aged gouda and rosemary. However, if you are looking for something lighter, you might opt for a spring beet salad or a zucchine fritte from their appetizers.
If you are 21 or older, Apizza Regionale also serves a wide selection of hand-crafted cocktails, regional beers and an extensive wine list. They have mixed cocktails like Manhattans, but also a wide selection of white and red wines and some canned beverages.
Bleu Monkey Cafe
For food close to campus, Bleu Monkey Cafe on Marshall Street is perfect for some delicious sushi and other Japanese fare. A staple among Syracuse University students, Bleu Monkey offers a dim, relaxed atmosphere with quick service and pickup, dine-in and delivery options. Besides a wide array of delicious sushi, Bleu Monkey also offers fresh create-your-own poke bowls, bento boxes and other classic appetizers and desserts, making it easy for anyone to find something they enjoy.
Ethan Cohen, a sport management junior in the Falk College of Sport and Human Dynamics, says his favorite dish is the salmon teriyaki over rice.
“I like it because it has a good mix of flavors. The sweetness from the salmon has a good balance with the rice,” Cohen said. “I like Bleu Monkey overall because of the atmosphere. It’s a staple for sure.”
Published on May 11, 2022 at 11:41 pm
