CLUB SCENE:
UNION SQUARE CAFE

238 Harrison Street
Syracuse, NY 13202
(315) 426-9672

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by Maryann McKinley

Downtown Syracuse has evolved into a vibrant restaurant and nightlife scene, with urban pocket neighborhoods offering a slice of city life. Armory Square is well established; Hanover Square has reinvented itself into a center of action; and now, get ready for Union Square. Or more correctly, the Union Square Café. Sitting across from the busy War Memorial, and just down the street from OnCenter and the Civic Center, Union Square Café is serving up great food and fun, right in the heart of downtown’s theatre, music and entertainment district.

Hosts Matt and Randy Beach welcome busy lunch and dinner crowds from the bustling business scene, serving up tasty appetizers, sandwiches, wraps, specialty salads, and full dinners that make your mouth water in anticipation. Chef Buddy Hunsinger designed the menu, great American fare with his own special touch. The homemade soups are excellent, perfect to warm you up before an icy hockey game. Try the seafood bisque if you’re lucky enough to drop in when it’s the soup of the day. Words are inadequate to describe it. You won’t want this taste to leave your mouth, ever.

If you’re in the mood for a quick bite, the appetizer menu is a decadent delight. Chicken wings, giant and yummy. Potato skins loaded with cheese, bacon and goodness, crisp garlic bread fresh from the oven and served with sauce for dipping. Loaded fries will keep hunger at bay, while the Union Mozzarella Squares entice you to indulge just a little bit more. These are not your run-of-the-mill cheese sticks, squares of rich mozzarella cheese are breaded, then fried golden brown and served piping hot with rich marinara sauce. Very, very good.

Burgers also star here, with a 10 ounce monster burger served toasty hot on grilled Kaiser rolls, or topped with sautéed mushrooms, onions, and cheese. Mmmmm. There’s a fabulous buffalo chicken sandwich, dipped in hot sauce and served with blue cheese for dipping. And you can’t pass up the local favorite, the Harrison Street Reuben. Corned beef, sauerkraut, and special dressing all piled on dark rye, fit for a king. Buffalo chicken pops up again in a delicious wrap, with bits of celery, blue cheese, greens and tomatoes taking all that chicken-wing guilt away. After all, you’re eating your vegetables!

The dinner menu rivals the best I’ve seen, with chicken served picatta, marsala, or grilled with lemon pepper, a variety of fish dishes from salmon to broiled haddock to good old fashioned fish and chips, and pasta alfredo or with a marinara sauce your mom would be proud to call her own. The highlight of the menu for me is the selection of steaks, grilled to perfection any way you like them. The tender filet melts in your mouth, and the succulent strip steak, it’s enough to make you want to be a cowboy.

Since they’re at the heart of the entertainment scene, Union Square attracts its share of local and national celebrities. Syracuse Crunch players and coaches stop in regularly, arena footballers make an appearance, cast members of theatrical productions wander in after a performance, and more than a few famous musicians have been sighted noshing on a late night meal. Feeling lucky? Our own New York State Lottery’s Yolanda Vega has eaten at Union Square!

During the Syracuse Invitational Sporthorse Tournament held in the War Memorial around November, Union Square Café was tapped to provide the eats for riders from all over the world, so dropping by that week is like an international tour. You might spot gold medalist Beezee Madden or proud babymama Heather Locklear, and there’s even been a Bruce sighting. During the show’s run, the Budweiser Clydesdales sit right outside the window, and the horsey participants are housed under the MONY building, while sponsor Animal Planet films the whole thing. In fact, this year’s show will be shown on Animal Planet March 8 at 9 pm, so tune in and get a peek at our best-kept secret!

With St. Patty’s Day swiftly approaching, it’s the best time to scout out the perfect perch from which to watch the festivities, since the parade passes right by Union Square as it winds its way to the finish line. You can be sure of some fine corned beef for the big day, and there may even be the chef’s famous crabcakes on the menu, special for the season. And every Friday, there’s a fantastic fish fry dinner that it’s wise to make reservations for, unless you don’t mind waiting for a table. Judging by the crowds, it’s worth it. Waiting a bit isn’t so bad when the friendliest bartenders downtown are serving cold beers, great wine, and almost any cocktail you can think of. You may have seen the recent Post-Standard Weekend magazine profile on the lovely Amanda, describing her favorite concoctions, Vacation in a Glass‚ anyone? You’ll feel like you’re off to the tropics!

Union Square Café is located at 238 Harrison Street, at the corner of Montgomery. It’s kitty corner to the War Memorial, and just a few steps to all the shows and events at Oncenter, the Technology Garden, and the Civic Center. Parking is everywhere, from street to lots. Stop by for a bite to eat or a cocktail or both! They’re open Monday through Thursday from 11 am to 9 pm, with the bar open late after events. For busy Friday nights, a reservation is always a good idea if you’re eating. Saturday hours vary depending on what events are going on, just call ahead for Union Square info at 426-9672. It’s a whole new spot for downtown fun!

Questions? Comments? Email me at mcmar01@yahoo.com - and have a great month!