For many years, Arleen Hallock has fed and watered hungry fair goers at Hallock’s Hard Times, her stand just off the midway at the New York State Fair.
But Hard Times is only open for a fortnight every summer.
Now Arleen’s making customers happy all year ’round at the new Eagle Tavern in the Sugarwood Plaza, at the junction of Bear and Buckley roads; 451-4447.
Don’t bore Arleen with any blonde jokes. She’s a sharp cookie as well as a sweet dish. How sharp? Well, the golden-haired gal had the foresight to hire one of the area’s most creative chefs, Miercella Lunes, a native of Peru who previously cooked at Alabrassa in the village of Liverpool.
At the Eagle, Miercella reprises her signature hand-made chicken salad, grills magical flatbread pizzas and piles mounds of meats and cheeses onto sandwiches and paninis.
For instance, the cleverly named Philadelphia Eagle combines seasoned pulled pork, broccoli rabe and sharp provolone on a fresh ciabatta roll, complemented by chips and a pickle.
‘Stuffed sweeties’
At the Eagle’s grand opening last Friday, June 22, the special of the day was an open-face meatball hero for $6.99. Because the mercury topped 95 degrees that day, some diners ordered a chilled Italian pasta salad with grilled chicken and garlic bread.
Miercella makes mouth-watering appetizers and soups. Gooey quesadillas and spicy pulled pork nachos might well fill you up before your entrée appears. “Stuffed sweeties” are tangy Peppadews filled with provolone and prosciutto (Peppadews are sweet piquanté peppers grown in South Africa). Add a bowl of “ass-kickin’ sirloin chili” or three-cheese French onion and you’ll simply have to take that marghertita fresca pizza to go!
Open daily at 11:30 a.m., the Eagle boasts a full-service bar featuring a thirst-quenching array of brews from Shock Top Belgian to Middle Ages’ Wailing Wench. The tavern’s atmosphere is crisp, clean and comfortable, dominated by mirrors and accentuated with automobile artwork and several TV sets tuned into sports.
Congratulations, Arleen! Hey, did you hear the one about the blonde who opened a bar?
Pappas’ new papa
Pappas Bakery — an Old Liverpool Road landmark second only to the Galeville Grocery — has a new owner. Charles F. Quaglia, Jr. also owns Enzo’s Pizza at the corner of Old Liverpool Road and Electronics Parkway. About a half-mile east of Enzo’s, Pappas’ can be found at 408 Old Liverpool Road.
“We recently purchased Pappas Bakery due to increased demand,” Quaglia said.
Long a mecca for fans of fresh-baked Italian bread and fried haddock on Fridays, Pappas Bakery also sells delicious cookies, pastries, cheesecakes, and rolls along with pizza, wings, subs, gyros, salads and fish.
“We also cater and deliver,” Quaglia added. Call 457-4039.
Retreat goes wild!
Meanwhile here in the village, our most popular restaurant, The Retreat, is experimenting with a few Southern-style dishes straight out of “Swamp People.”
Alligator jalapeno kickers appetizer kicks off your meal with peppers, onions and chipotle ranch dressing accompanying the golden-fried gator meat.
On other days, you could devour deep-fried crawfish kickers with jalapenos, onions and boom-boom sauce, served with carrots and celery.
Prime Time on patio
Those somewhat exotic appetizers go hand-in-hand with good times on the Retreat patio where live music rings out most evenings from 7 to 10 p.m. Songwriter Jamie Notarthomas returns Wednesday, June 27, followed by the Noisy Boys Thursday, June 28, and Connor Thuotte Saturday, June 30.
Paul Valentino, who lives in Liverpool, brings Prime Time Unplugged to the patio on Tuesday, July 3; 457-6358.
Kids tackle Anthem
More than 70 students comprising the combined orchestras of Willowfield and Nate Perry elementary schools in Liverpool performed the National Anthem under the direction of teacher Mary Carello on June 15 before the Syracuse Chiefs-Empire State Yankees game at Alliance Bank Stadium. Way to keep ’em all in tune and in tempo, Mary!
Leading the league
The pride of Baldwinsville, right-handed relief pitcher Jason Grilli, who now hurls for the Pittsburgh Pirates, leads the National League in Holds with 17.
