I want someone to take me out on a date to The Blue Tusk. 

From the relaxed atmosphere to the delicious, mildly priced food, this downtown pub provides the perfect spot for a first date.

Five o’clock on a rainy Saturday, I entered the restaurant with my dining partner. Warmth instantly enveloped us. The Blue Tusk rang with laughter, conversation and the clink of glasses at the bar. Situated at 165 Walton St. in Armory Square, The Blue Tusk felt like the kind of place that constantly garners a crowd.

The bar stretches down the left side of the pub. Tables of all different sizes fill the area to the right of the front door. Some are long, wooden and gleaming, highlighting the dark green walls, while several booths are tucked cozily into the walls. We chose one of the alcoves and slid in with our menus. 

Twenty-three different sandwich and panini options challenged us to make a tough choice. We settled on splitting the Fresh Mozzarella Panini ($7.75) and the Three Pigs and Provolone Piccante Sandwich ($12). We went up to the front counter to place our orders, and the hostess handed us a buzzer in return. 

Instead of heading immediately back to the table, I decided to explore. Round and rectangular tables cluster in front of the bar with people perched around them on stools or leaning casually, drinks in hand. A big television in the corner glowed green with the night’s big football game on.

The Blue Tusk offers 69 different beers on tap, as well as a large variety of different wines, with antique-looking bottles lining the top of the bar. On the other side of the pub, a boar’s head was mounted on the wall, and I couldn’t help but wonder if it was Mr. Blue Tusk himself. Video games like Big Buck World and electronic darts also sat nestled in two of the corners. 

When I walked past our table, the red gleam of the buzzer caught my eye: our food was ready. We grabbed our sandwiches from the front; the Three Pigs sandwich towered above the plate. It contained three varieties of thinly sliced meat —prosciutto (ham), mortadella (sausage) and soppressata (salami). Roasted red peppers, banana peppers, red onion and provolone cheese also garnished the Italian stretch bread, making the sandwich a collage of bright colors. I could hardly open my mouth wide enough to take the first bite. Salty and spicy, juicy and thick and gigantic: truly a king among sandwiches. The three meats complementing one another, all subtle flavor differences blended into one big Italian flavor burst.

On the dramatically less carnivorous side, the Mozzarella Panini on herb focaccia boasted sun-dried tomatoes, fresh basil and balsamic vinaigrette.  The crisp bread coupled with the thick yet soft mozzarella blew me away. Heavily laden with basil and exceptionally fresh, the sandwich tasted like summer even on a rainy Syracuse night. Our sandwiches were so big neither of us could stomach both halves.

Even though The Blue Tusk bustled with diners, being hidden away in our private alcove gave the entire meal an intimate, cozy feel. Dim lighting, a young crowd, great food and an opportunity to drink something other than Keystone Light? Ladies and gentlemen, plan your next date to The Blue Tusk. 

jidonfro@syr.edu

Published on October 26, 2011 at 12:00 pm