Tag Archives: Syracuse

LIFE, TRAVEL

Drink the world in Downtown Syracuse

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By Rohan:

Step into Wolff’s Biergarten on Montgomery Street and all of a sudden, you are transported from a chilly Syracuse evening to a festive indoor biergarten. The space is complete with the signature wooden tables, flags from Germany’s provinces, and passionate soccer fans leaving their worries at the door in exchange for a pint of Hofbrau München and a good time with friends.

When I walked into Wolff’s this weekend, I felt like I was back at Munich, knocking back a beer under a starry night in the English Gardens. For a city its size, Syracuse is home to an abundance of international restaurants and bars. Last night, I was determined to see it all; to taste the world without leaving downtown.

From Wolff’s, we headed over to Benjamin’s across from the famed Italian eatery Pastabilities. We traded our jolly German digs for a speakeasy themed to the heroes of the American Revolution. The walls are adorned with portraits of Franklin, Jefferson, and Hamilton. A giant replica of the Constitution welcomes patrons as they relax on the outdoor courtyard and marvel at the night sky.

Just down the street is Kitty Hoynes, a pub that serves as a testament to the strong Irish population in the Syracuse area. Stepping in through that threshold, I was whisked away to festive evenings in Dublin’s Temple Bar district. A duo performed classic Irish tunes onstage as locals gathered around, cradling glasses of dark, frothy Guinness as they celebrated life with complete strangers.

My friend and I smiled as we watched a gorgeous spring day turn into a chilly winter night. We marveled at the great Irish artists that plastered the walls, from Yeats to Joyce to Bono. The cold mugginess was suddenly normalized. We were in Dublin, a city that fights grey skies with good times. Last night, Syracuse proved to do just the same.

TRAVEL

An Idyllic Spring Morning in Syracuse

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It’s a gorgeous spring day in Syracuse. The campus lawns radiate a vivid shade of green, illustrating the color that the Emerald City is known for. I’m sitting in the Life Sciences building, across from the College Place bus stop staring at the picturesque sky and watching bright-eyed tour groups pass by. It is a perfect morning. The Connective Corridor bus approaches, getting ready to make its routine trip from the heart of campus to the hip neighborhood of Armory Square. I had a choice. Either stay inside working on an assignment or take a few hours out of my schedule to enjoy the warm spring day. Thankfully, I chose the latter.

The initial plan was to grab an Italian meal at Pastabilities. The festive Italian joint is well known among the Syracuse community for its hot tomato oil and delicious array of pasta dishes. As I headed to the beloved eatery, I passed a small restaurant called Lofo. Patrons were dining outside enjoying the crisp weather and the premise of farm-to-table food was too good to resist.

Inside, I was greeted by a friendly wait staff, who encouraged me to sit at the bar where the restaurant boasts its myriad of local brews. The beers are proudly displayed on the top shelf, hailing from Ithaca, Skaneatlas, and the Salt City itself. I order a beet burger, with a succulent patty dyed purple from its namesake mixed with brown rice and black beans. On top rests a few avocados, smoked gouda cheese, and a drizzle of sriracha mayonnaise. It was absolutely heavenly, served on a homemade whole wheat bun that was toasted to perfection.

From there, I decided to check out some of Armory Square’s boutiques. Although they are miniscule compared to the nearby Destiny USA mall, the charm that these small businesses offer is often overlooked and the collection, although much smaller, usually has some quality pieces. After finding a great deal on jeans, I decided it was time for coffee, and when in Syracuse, there’s no better place to get that caffeine fix than at Kubal. The regional chain’s new art-deco location is an absolute must, with stunning views of Clinton Square and the iconic Niagara Mohawk building. I’m sitting here now, drinking a cappuccino watching joggers, dog walkers, and shoppers whiz past. It’s the perfect ending to a perfect afternoon.

FOOD

First Dates and Sleepy Nights: A Love Letter to Cafe Kubal

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By Rohan

I’m sitting at the bar, my laptop open as rain patters against the side of the window. The sky is a murky shade of grey, the harbinger of a classic spring shower. A chipper barista, who is way too happy considering the dismal weather, brings me my cappuccino. The foam art is impeccable. I feel at home in the midst of midterms week.

Cafe Kubal is an institution in Syracuse, New York. With locations on University Hill, two shops downtown, and a few in the city’s suburbs, it is clear that central New Yorkers cannot get enough of Kubal’s globally inspired coffee. What sets this chain of coffee shops apart is the care and love that goes into every aspect of the Cafe Kubal experience. Each location is uniquely decorated, with the newest Creekwater Commons location boasting an Art Deco aesthetic to match the stunning Niagara Mohawk building across the street. Kubal isn’t just a coffee shop. It’s where students catch up with former professors, where lovebirds swoon over one another after a play, and where everyone, rich or poor, student or alumnus, can expect to be treated like family.

Coffee is only part of what makes Kubal so special. Their baked goods are absolutely divine. Treat yourself to a piece of their chocolate chip banana bread (perhaps dip it in your piping hot cappuccino as you people watch in Armory Square). In the mornings, nothing energizes you quite like their pour-over coffee and a warmed croissant that’s baked to perfection, flaky and buttery on the outside and soft on the inside, practically melting in your mouth. If you have an unquenchable sweet tooth, try their Monkey Bread, made with walnuts, honey, and cinnamon for the ultimate midday dessert. The possibilities are endless and regardless of what you get, you’re in for a meal that is made with love.

We highly recommend making a stop in Syracuse to try this amazing chain of coffee roasters. They have two locations downtown, one by campus, and in Eastwood with a food truck that is usually out and about in the summertime. We can promise you that you’re in for a spectacular treat.

For more about Cafe Kubal, visit their website: www.cafekubal.com