During my brief stay in Syracuse, several friends and I had the fortune of eating at several local dining establishments—including, but not limited to, Pastablities, The Preserve, Dinosaur BBQ, and Texas Roadhouse. We also ate at J & B Sandwiches in Lowville, NY. This review aims to walk the reader through an immersive retelling of our dining exploits in the Northeast’s second-greenest city.

Our first night in town, we stopped by Texas Roadhouse. Not a local establishment, per se, but you wouldn’t know that from the atmosphere. We immediately felt included in our East Syracuse community; at home among strangers; familiar in the (ostensibly) unfamiliar. Our server was friendly and attentive to our needs, even laughing at several of our jokes that frankly did not render such an enthusiastic response, which we appreciated. The butter rolls were, as always, a flaky delight—cooked to perfection and served piping hot. Our only complaint was that the kitchen mixed up our preferences and a gentleman who wanted a rare steak was served a medium cut. Alas, a minor blemish on an otherwise perfect evening. Overall 8/10.

We next dined at Pastabilities, an Italian restaurant in downtown Syracuse with a contemporary atmosphere. This restaurant had enjoyed a very solid 4.5/5 rating on Google, so we went in with high expectations. There were things we enjoyed about Pastabilities—rife with exposed brick, the interior was intentionally decorated and certainly conveyed a modern vibe. Star Wars was playing on a projector, which was fun. However, wait times were excessive, and our group witnessed as several other groups were seated (also without prior reservations) before us. Whether we were being discriminated against intentionally or not, I refuse to speculate. Once finally seated, our server was very knowledgeable about the menu and made several suggestions about our orders, which we followed. The food was great and serving sizes were reasonable. The bread and olive oil/tomato sauce were impeccable, and helped tide a few hungry boys over until the main entrees arrived, which again took quite a while. I will also point out that my breaded chicken was fairly dry. Unfortunately, the abysmal wait times definitely detracted from the admittedly excellent cuisine. You simply can’t put a price on poor service. Overall 6.5/10 rating.

Our tour de Syracuse next brought us to Dinosaur BBQ. Folks, spoiler alert: Dinosaur is the undisputed, undefeated heavyweight champion of Syracusian dining. You’re going to want to visit with a group of 4-6 and you’re going to want to order the Family Stylin’ BBQ plate. The side of mac and cheese was honestly the best mac and cheese I can ever remember consuming. Although notably bereft of the Dinosaur meat for which the restaurant was presumably famed, the Family Stylin’ selection of meats was cooked to perfection. Nothing that we ate was less than spectacular. Our server was friendly and knowledgeable. We were seated immediately and the food was ready with seemingly impossible rapidity. If you are in Syracuse for one night, this should be where you eat, no questions asked. Don’t think, just do it. Overall 10/10.

Finally, we enjoyed a meal at The Preserve. Service was spectacular—my water was refilled numerous times before it could even be emptied. Bravo, Kayleigh—excellent work! The food was good. Salmon was slightly over cooked, but the chicken alfredo was positively scrumptious. I also feel obligated to warn the reader of the enormity of their fried dough. Our server had mentioned offhand that “it’s definitely shareable” upon our ordering said menu item, but it exceeded our wildest dreams in terms of size. This fried dough could have fed a midsize Northeastern city city for several days. We enjoyed The Preserve for its cleanliness, high quality service, and quality food. ...

Nestled in the heart of Armory Square in Syracuse, N.Y., Pastabilities offers a dining experience that goes beyond expectations. Our evening commenced with a delightful starter—fresh bread accompanied by a pasta sauce and oil mix. The Garlic Stretch Bread, in particular, stood out as a delectable shareable for the table, setting the tone for a memorable meal.

The drink selection at Pastabilities proved to be a highlight of our visit. The "Casablanca Olde Fashioned" with Blanton's Bourbon left a lasting impression with its smoky aroma filling the air. The "She's So Cosmopolitan" was a rich and smooth delight, complemented by a beautiful flower atop. The "Winter Spice Sangria" exuded festive flavors, while the "Blood Orange Spritz" was a refreshing standout with its perfectly balanced citrus notes.

Moving on to the main courses, the Wicky-Wicky Chicken Riggies delivered a punch with a sauce that had just the right bite, not overpowering. Opting for pasta hats instead of traditional noodles added a delightful twist. The Pasta's Creamy Mac & Cheese Bake emerged as a true masterpiece, with Italian cheeses oozing in every forkful, creating a mouth-watering experience. The Chicken Parmesan showcased a flavorful and remarkable sauce, elevating the dish to new heights.

Dessert was an indulgent affair at Pastabilities. The "Black Forest Chocolate Cake" was a rich and satisfying treat, while the "Ricotta Pie" proved to be the epitome of the best cannoli filling ever, leaving us thoroughly impressed.

The drink menus, though on the pricier side, were meticulously crafted, offering a wide array of options to suit diverse preferences. Noteworthy was the option to purchase the Spicy Hot Tomato Oil Sauce, a testament to the flavors that lingered long after the meal concluded.

As a family of four, including two teenagers, Pastabilities was an ideal choice for our Valentine's Day dinner. The ambiance was warm and welcoming, providing an enjoyable setting for our celebration. The restaurant's cleanliness and accommodation for various group sizes added to the overall positive experience. The modern and stylish bathrooms were a pleasant surprise, reflecting the attention to detail present throughout the establishment.

The staff at Pastabilities showcased a perfect blend of knowledge and friendliness. Waiters and waitresses were attentive to our needs without being suffocating, ensuring a seamless dining experience. Their efficiency added to the overall satisfaction of our evening, making us eager to return for another delightful meal.

In conclusion, Pastabilities in Armory Square is a culinary gem that surpasses expectations in every aspect. From the delectable dishes and thoughtfully curated drink menu to the welcoming ambiance and attentive service, it stands out as a must-visit dining destination in Syracuse. Whether you're a couple looking for a romantic evening or a family celebrating a special occasion, Pastabilities offers a memorable and enjoyable experience that will leave you coming...

Pastabilities played a major role in the transformation of Armory Square from an area of abandoned warehouses to a vibrant neighborhood filled with excellent restaurants, boutique stores, upscale residences, and night clubs. Along the way, they added a bakery across the street where they produce their famous stretch bread. As a complimentary starter, the restaurant serves the bread along with their unique hot tomato oil (fair warning: the combination is addictive). They have an extensive dinner menu. Everything we've tried has been very good, but our favorites include "Wicky Wicky" chicken riggies and the mushroom lasagna. The service is excellent. POST PANDEMIC UPDATE-1: The mushroom lasagna is not currently on the menu, but hopefully it'll be back soon. In the meantime try the chicken parm. The coating is crisp and the chicken is delicious. Have it with their homemade pasta and delicious tomato sauce. UPDATE-2: Although I've been to Pastabilities many times for dinner, today was the first time I've gone for lunch. As I'm told, before the pandemic, customers would come in and walk along a serving counter requesting drinks, salads, pasta, sandwiches and other items. Orders would be plated and handed to the customer who would carry it to a table. Now, you check in at the bar as you enter, place your order, get a number for your table, and the food is delivered when it's ready. The stretch bread and hot oil are offered as an appetizer at lunch. It was as outstanding as I remembered. I also ordered the hot vodka sauce on their in-house made angel hair pasta with a side of sausage. Totally delicious. My wife ordered the Thai beef salad and a side of two meatballs. With bread, the meatballs were a meal, so she brought the salad home for later. Having lunch at this restaurant on a weekday, has the advantage of easy parking and no wait for a table. This landmark restaurant is truly a treasure for Syracuse. UPDATE-3: On a Tuesday, we arrived when they opened at 11:00 a.m. and there was no wait. Had a delicious lunch and were on our way by 11:45. UPDATE-4: I can't remember having a better lunch special than the one offered today at Pastabilities. It came with complementary hot tomato oil and stretch bread and an salad appetizer, both of which I've enjoyed at the restaurant previously. However, this was followed by their baked penne pasta with hot tomato oil and mozzarella which I had not had on previous visits. I asked for it with extra sauce and it was outstanding. A very filling and delicious meal for a very reasonable price. My wife enjoyed her favorite Pastabilities' dishes, the Thai beef noodles and a side of meatballs in...