At several of Syracuse’s best restaurants, you can feed your artistic inclinations at the same time you feed your stomach.
Blisses at bc
For instance, bc Restaurant downtown at 247 West Fayette St., is now featuring the work of illustrators/painters Jim and Noma Bliss. This particular collection of the couple’s mixed-media paintings evokes a strong, spiritual relationship between nature and mankind.
Recently relocated to Central New York from the Hudson Valley, the Blisses create seamless and evocative artworks executed in oil, acrylics and collage. Their work hangs in corporate and private collections worldwide.
The couple is also currently showing at the Schweinfurth Art Museum in Auburn, The Rochester Memorial Art Gallery Museum Store, and Aurora Art and Design. The Blisses also plan to participate in the Everson Museum’s 60/60 show on June 17.
A collection of their paintings are presently hanging in “the room,” at bc, in the city’s Armory Square neighborhood. The artwork us can be viewed during normal business hours Tuesday through Saturday. An artists’ reception was scheduled at bc for 5 to 7 p.m. Wednesday May 25.
“bc is a full-service restaurant offering comfortable dining in an urban setting for both lunch and dinner,” said the restaurant’s new managing partner, Ellen Leahy.
For information, contact Leahy at 701-0636, or visit bc Restaurant on Facebook. The Blisses’ art is also available at nomablissartist.com.
Wiley at Gentile’s
Considered by many gourmands to be best upscale eatery in town, Gentile’s Restaurant hangs work by a different artist each month. Now through mid-June the photographs of Carlisle Wiley adorn the restaurant’s brick walls.
Wiley’s sharp eye manages to capture the elements of design in everyday objects, making art out of their fascinating colors, shapes and beauty.
Chef Kevin Gentile’s eclectic Italian restaurant is located on the near North Side at 305 Burnet Ave.; 474-8258.
During the week check out Gentile’s theme nights including Quiz Kevin – give him the ingredients and see what happens – plus wine night with no corking fees and Pasta Thursdays.
Freeman-Jones at Sparky Town
Further down the street on Burnet Avenue, Sparky Town Restaurant is displaying the varied artworks of Harry Freeman-Jones.
The versatile Syracuse artist creates paintings, drawings, stone and multimedia sculptures, murals, installations, collages and photographs suitable in styles ranging from abstract to realistic.
Owned and operated by Linda “Sparky” Mortimer, Sparky Town is known around town as “the funky place to meet and eat.”
Located at 324 Burnet Ave., at the corner of Catherine Street, Sparky Town features Meatless Monday, Barbeque Tuesday, Pasta Wednesday, Comfort Food Thursday, Fish Friday and Saturday Breakfast; sparkytown.net; 422-8401. And Sam’s cole slaw is back for the spring and summer.
BTW, Sparky Town will host a songwriters’ woodshed from 6 to 8 p.m. on June 7. For info, contact folkus.org.
Rise N Shrine
Speaking of restaurants with precious pictures hanging on the walls, if you’re a fan of local musicians, you’ve got to check out the Rise N Shine diner at 6393 Thompson Road, across from Carrier.
The quaint little diner sports vintage photos, LP covers and gig posters from artists such as Carmen & The Vikings, Jimmy Cavallo, Wilmer Alexander & The Dukes, The Seven, Ronnie James Dio, Dave Hanlon and CRAC.
Near the front door there’s a supercool poster from 1961 advertising house performers George Orelli and Rosalinda along with all the big names booked that autumn at Three Rivers Inn, including Jimmy Durante, Connie Francis and Nat “King” Cole.
Besides nostalgia, the Rise N Shine also serves up the fluffiest omelets in the area; 432-5510.
‘She Wears Red’
“She Wears Red,” a three-page poem by Syracuse writer Jackie Warren-Moore is included in a new anthology titled “The 100 Best African-American Poems,” edited by noted poet Nikki Giovanni.
Wacky Ray’s back
Now that the sun’s sneaking our from behind the rain clouds, Wacky Ray is back in business grilling dogs and sausages at his portable stand set up outside the James Street United Methodist Church in Eastwood. People line up at lunchtime to gobble down his kielbasa and coneys.
Ragtime-Jasstime in Alex Bay
The Grand International Ragtime-Jasstime Festival presents three trad-jazz bands and five ragtime piano acts May 27-29 at Bonnie Castle Resort, in Alexandria Bay. Bands include the Smugtown Stompers, the River Dogs and Le Dixieband. Pianists include Jon Seiger, Don Burns and Jack Hutton. Admission costs $125 per person; (519) 744-2665; alexbayjazz.wordpress.com.
