CLUB SCENE:
BLUE TUSK

165 Walton Street
Armory Square, Syracuse
(315) 472-1934

See Map

by Maryann McKinley

There's always a new restaurant opening, or the latest club with a slightly ambiguous name and a trendy theme. 'New' can be fun and adventurous, but when you're looking for great food, great atmosphere, a huge variety of domestic, foreign and craft beers, along with a wine list that ranges from our own Finger Lakes to the haughtiest of French vintages, classic is best! In downtown Syracuse, that means The Blue Tusk.

Blue Tusk has been a fixture in Armory Square for ten years, keeping the masses happy while ever expanding their offerings. When owners Tim Yorton and son Michael started, they had four beers on tap and about a third of its current space. Success breeds success, as they say, and Blue Tusk quickly became a favorite stop. Happy, faithful customers and great word of mouth led to bigger and bolder offerings, and these days we can choose from a menu that includes your basic excellent deli sandwiches, outstanding salads, and gourmet-inspired specialty offerings like their lobster BLT on croissant, grilled chicken with havarti on Italian, and grilled fresh mozzarella on herb focaccia, all developed by Michael, who was clearly a brilliant chef in another life. The printed word can't really do the menu justice; I think this column might be more authentic if I type with the real thing in front of me. Forgive the sauce stains.

Somehow, Blue Tusk manages to be all things to all people - without actually changing. It's upscale but not intimidating, classy and comfortable. It's a pub, a wine bar, a great place for conversation (for singles or groups) for the hungry or thirsty. Or both! Daytime, it's the place to go for lunch, sitting outside in warm weather watching the world go by, or inside in a booth where you can while away an hour in relative privacy. Suits mix freely with comfortable clothes as everyone enjoys the conveniently fast but always delicious offerings.

After five brings a diverse happy hour crowd, as workday formality mixes with evening relaxation. Unwind with your friends while you enjoy a pint from around the world, or right out of our own backyard, from local microbreweries. There's a dollar off all pints, every day from 11 am to 8 pm! If you're looking to impress with a fine glass of wine, you'll have to do your homework, or, as I prefer, rely on the expertise of the knowledgeable bar staff.
The wine list is extensive, with an amazing selection of bottles, and a pretty impressive collection available by the glass. You can even order single flutes of upscale champagnes, a rare treat in our town. Blue Tusk has one of my personal bubbly favorites, a Laurent-Perrier. And Blue Tusk makes you feel like you found a bargain, offering $10 off all bottles of wine before 8 pm.

As night falls, the clientele gets hipper, with every imaginable segment of the population represented. Tattoos mingle with high heels, preps with grunge, and a few holdover suit-jackets with jeans and leather. Students, doctors, lawyers, urban sophisticates, sports fans, intellectuals, beer connoisseurs, and wine aficionados all co-exist in peaceful proximity, and everyone is mellow with their favorite beverage and a great appetizer.

Sit at a table and watch the game, find a booth to get to know a new date, or stand in the bar and catch up with friends. Try the classic Blue Tusk cheese and bread tray. Soft brie, savory gruyere, sharp cheddar, thinly sliced parmagiano regiano . . . yum!

Since I seem to keep going back to their menu, I'll just give in and describe it. I have to admit to a certain amount of prejudice; I'm a fan. (Just in case that wasn't clear.) I've already described some of their specialties, but the menu goes far beyond those few selections. The appetizer menu alone impresses. Starting with simple chips & salsa, you can move to a tasty spinach artichoke dip, or get wild with a smoked Alaskan coho salmon plate.

The Mediterranean calls with mixed olives, grilled artichoke hearts, and marinated portabellas. The European countryside offers a traditional French pate, bresaola, prosciutto d/Parma, and a variety of cured meats. The aforementioned cheese plates are a crowd favorite, and the quesadillas defy description. These aren't typical fast food joint quesas; they're grilled slices of heaven, with duck, chicken, fresh tomatoes, chevre goat cheese, stilton, roasted peppers, and cranberry chutney among the available ingredients.

There's always something new, with soups made fresh daily. Meats are slow roasted in the kitchen and served on fresh baked artisan breads. The Carving Board special changes as the days turn; Tuesday is chicken with wild mushroom pesto and fresh mozzarella on Italian; a great start to the week. Wednesday is turkey with cranberry and cheddar on cracked wheat. Thursday brings my favorite, traditional corned beef and baby Swiss on dark rye (it's good to be Irish!).

And as the week comes to a close, Friday and Saturday offer Blue Tusk's famous Bonzai Beef, pot roasted with wasabi herb dressing, cheddar and havarti, onion and pepper, all grilled on Italian stretch bread. Daytime or night, Blue Tusk is always a great time. Excellent food with a gourmet twist, 69 beers on tap, lots of bottled beer, and a wine selection that fits everyone from the simplest of palates to the most discriminating enthusiast.

You'll be glad you stopped in. Blue Tusk is open from 11 am to 2 am, Monday through Saturday, with their full menu available til 11 pm. They're always closed on Sunday; the staff needs a break! Drop in at 165 Walton Street in Center Armory, or visit their website at www.bluetusk.com. Call for info at 315-472-1934. And enjoy!

Questions? Comments? Send your email to: mcmar01@yahoo.com.