Pipe Dream Arts & Culture – Pipe Dream

Restaurant Week Spring 2023

Pipe Dream Arts & Culture — Tue, 28 Mar 2023 16:02:49 +0000

One of Binghamton’s community staples has come back this spring, delivering wonderful food experiences all over town. From March 21 to March 30, participating restaurants are offering three-course meals for lunch or dinner within a set price, with lunches beginning at $12 and dinners ranging from $20 to $35.

This semester, Pipe Dream collaborated with multiple participating establishments, sending writers and photographers to sample from a diverse array of menus, featuring chocolate cakes, Venezuelan delicacies and savory crepes. Here are our experiences with this spring’s offerings.

The Grove

As a major hot spot in Binghamton, The Grove offered a three-course lunch for $12 and dinner for $25. The first-course lunch options included a Caesar salad, chicken strips or garlic bread. The second course had a crispy onion burger, buffalo chicken sandwich, greek salad and primavera. Finally, the third course offered cheesecake and carrot cake. The garlic bread ended up being a highlight with its soft and buttery texture. The desserts were great too with their moist and zesty cheesecake frosting. The Grove exceeded expectations for this spring’s Restaurant Week.

Lost Dog Cafe & Lounge

One of the best dining establishments in Binghamton delivered an amazing array of unique Restaurant Week menu items that mixed Lost Dog classics with new ideas that pleased the taste buds. Offering a $15 lunch and $25 dinner with cool items like asparagus cakes, sunny dip, spring chicken cassoulet and guinness chocolate cake. The chargrilled sirloin was well-cooked and flavorful while the spring chicken cassoulet was rich, creamy and hearty. The mint chocolate chip ice cream delicately balanced the flavors well, but the best dessert ended up beating the tres leches cake.

The Shop

The Shop is a hidden gem in Binghamton that is known for its juicy, delicious burgers and creatively-made crepes. For their $25 dinner menu, they offered a variety of first-course options such as garlic hummus and a Shirley temple. Their second-course offerings were the double smash burger, veggie burger, feta fig walnut salad and red pepper gournay crepe. For the third course, New York-style cheesecake and iced Irish coffee were available. The crepes were a game changer, along with its red pepper eggplant whip paired with havarti and gumay cheeses, which resulted in a smokey and sweet combination.

205 Dry

A “secret” upscale restaurant that harkens back to the era of speakeasies is an idea that is hard to come by. That’s what makes 205 Dry so great, along with its high-quality, delicious food. With their $35 dinner package, the first course showed off different types of wines, buffalo cauliflower bites and shrimp and grits. The second course includes OG chicken sandwich, herb-crusted seabass and pad Thai. Last but not least, you can enjoy the delights of fried vanilla cheesecake and mango mousse. The pad thai was the most notable dish with its black chili sauce and its nutty crunch, along with the french fries with their perfect potato-to-crisp ratio.

Social on State

Social On State serves the Binghamton community as a place that emphasizes sharing meals and social interaction, and participated in Restaurant Week with their $35 dinner. Their appetizer options were nothing short of exciting and tasty. Their chicken taquitos carried a fresh lime flavor with perfectly cooked chicken. The two best entree items were the orecchiette pasta and spring risotto. The risotto’s parmesan cheese, along with the green beans mixed into it, gave it a good balance while the orecchiette had a beautiful al dente bite with a punch of acidity from the tomatoes. The desserts, which included banana bread pudding and Nutella chocolate panna cotta resulted in a delectable dessert experience.

Happy Pappi Arepas Bar

Happy Pappi, a brand new restaurant on Chenango Street, is a refreshing new dining experience because of its menu showcasing Venezuelan cuisine. Offering an $18 lunch menu and $25 dinner menu, their first-course highlights included Yuca fries, plantains and tequeños — a locally made Venezuelan cheese wrapped with pastry and then deep fried. Then they offered a choice of any arepa on their menu as the second item. Their dessert course gives the option of a chocolate chip cookie, a choice of beverage or a quesillo — a cheesy version of a flan. The best arepas on the menu were the happy pelua and reina pepiada. The former contained juicy shredded beef and the latter a chicken salad and avocado combo that will be guaranteed to delight.

Little Venice

Sometimes it’s hard to find quality Italian food in Binghamton, but the solution to that problem can be found at 111 Chenango St., with its $15 lunch menu and $25 dinner menu. The appetizer courses were fan favorites with chicken parm bites and bruschetta. The ravioli with meat logs and eggplant parmesan made a big impression, especially with the amazing tasting housemade tomato sauce and the sweet and savory flavor profiles. The cannoli and brownie were the chosen desserts, and they did not disappoint. The brownie had a chocolate mousse texture that made it irresistible and cannolis filled with cream inside to die for.

Music Issue 2022

Pipe Dream Arts & Culture — Mon, 09 May 2022 20:33:51 +0000

Welcome to Music Issue 2022.

After a year of lockdowns, the return to in-person classes has brought forth a plethora of student bands, reigniting the local music scene. Here, we feature 10 student bands and musicians, including two DJs.

Breakfast Beers

A messy house the morning after a party was the beginning of a joke between two friends and became the eventual name of their band. In the summer of 2020, Paul Guardiola, ‘21, lived with his friend Andrew Ajaka, a senior majoring in theatre. One day, the duo found leftover, half-full Genesee beer cans from the night before and began using the phrase “breakfast beers.” When the friends wanted to form a band the following summer to play at Porchfest, they playfully chose Breakfast Beers as their band name. Read more here.

BUG

In August of 2020, BUG met under a tent at the Mountainview College tennis courts for their first band practice. As an incoming freshman during the hight of the COVID-19 pandemic, Jared Davis, now guitarist for BUG and a sophomore majoring in computer science, was looking for people to jam with. After meeting Aine Gunn, the vocalist for BUG and a sophomore majoring in integrative neuroscience, on his first day at BU, and reaching out to Lucy Goodman, the drummer for the group and an undeclared sophomore, after seeing Goodman’s post on a Facebook group for new students, the initial group was formed, with the addition of bassist Brandon Walsh, who has since transferred. Read more here.

Dream!

Binghamton University’s very own Josef Thompson is in the process of making his name as a rapper and DJ. Thompson is a junior majoring in systems science and industrial engineering. When not studying engineering, Thompson can be found making his very own music under the stage name Dream! Currently, Thompson produces his own rap music and performs as a DJ at musical shows. He has six original songs that can be found on his SoundCloud @yourdreamsssss. Thompson has been inspired by a variety of musical artists, not just limited to rappers. Read more here.

The Droogz

Punk band The Droogz is perfectly imperfect. The foursome’s nonchalant attitude may be the secret to their success. Dawson Burlingame, guitarist, and Quinn Diehl, drummer, both played in a jazz band at Binghamton High School for three years together, but never took the time to really speak to each other, until the very last day of Burlingame’s senior year. Diehl asked Burlingame to be in a band with him, and this is where their journey began. Read more here.

dylanborghini

If you ever walked into any nightclub or bar on State Street in the last year, chances are you’ve heard dylanborghini DJing at least one of them. Dylanborghini is the stage name for Dylan Yang, a junior majoring in computer science who goes by the stage name. Since 2020, he has been teaching himself how to DJ and has since shared his skills with the Binghamton University community. Read more here.

From The Bronx

Student bands have surged as COVID-19 dwindled, and the all-freshman rock band From The Bronx has quickly become a crowd favorite. This academic year, the Binghamton music scene has been burgeoning with student bands. Maybe due to a cultural drought after being relegated to bedroom jam sessions for the past couple of years, the student band scene has recently exploded with vigor and creativity. For many, countless weekends have been spent at basement shows on the West Side, gigs at local bars and even shows at the Bundy Museum of History and Art. Read more here.

KWK

A lot can be accomplished in one week. A paper can be written, a book can be read and a television series can be watched. Or, friends with little to no musical background can start a band. KWK, a relatively new student band at Binghamton University, did just that when their friend approached them with a musical proposition: put on a concert for the first time ever in only one week. Read more here.

Mote

“I literally cannot imagine my life without music,” said Fiona Celli, drummer of Mote and a freshman majoring in Italian. Celli is a part of the student band Mote alongside Ella Kasper, a freshman majoring in psychology, on rhythm guitar and lead vocals, Jackson Galati, ‘21, on lead guitar and occasional vocals and Oli Bo chenek, a freshman majoring in art and design, on bass. Read more here.

The Plasters

The Plasters are looking forward to the future of their band after winning the Battle of the Bands competition in March, and being given the opportunity to open for Gunna and Social House at Spring Fling just a month later. The band consists of Cameron Cantine, lead singer and a junior double-majoring in economics and cinema, Julian Mahboubian, guitarist and a junior majoring in psychology, Lucy Goodman, drummer and an undeclared sophomore and Audrey Park, bassist and an undeclared freshman. Read more here.

Under the Sink

Pipe Dream sat down with Under the Sink, a student rock band that performs frequently on the West Side of Binghamton. The band is comprised of Lila Pomerantz, a junior majoring in graphic design, who sings and plays guitar and bass, Nick Van Deusen, a junior majoring in systems science and industrial engineering, who sings and plays bass, Charles Speciale, a junior majoring in graphic design, who plays guitar and Ryan Land, an undeclared sophomore, who plays the drums. Pomerantz, Van Deusen and Speciale discussed Under the Sink’s origins and music with Pipe Dream. Read more here.

A guide to cannabis strains

Pipe Dream Arts & Culture — Thu, 21 Apr 2022 14:00:38 +0000

Whether you’re experienced or just starting out, knowing what strain of cannabis you are partaking in is very important. Different strains originate from different places and result in different effects. A strain can fall under one of three categories, which are indica, sativa and hybrid. Sativa is considered to be of high THC level, which produces an energizing and stimulating effect. Indica has a high CBD level and leads to pain relief, better sleep and relaxation. Hybrid strains mix the two effects together, but these categories are not always consistent, and sometimes it’s best to see what individual strains can do for you. Some of the most famous strains are Sour Diesel, Trainwreck, OG Kush, Granddaddy Purple and many more. Here is a discussion and ranking of some famous strains and lesser-known ones. 7. Granddaddy Purple This indica strain is used by people looking for pain relief, stress relief, increased appetite or a good night of sleep. Granddaddy Purple is very potent and mellows out the entire body into a dreamy state. The strain is perfect for a relaxing night on the couch or right before going to sleep. 6. Durban Poison Durban Poison serves as a perfect sativa strain. It will energize you and uplift you to be very productive. However, it may stimulate the brain too much and make you a paranoid person if you are already feeling anxiety that day. This strain works best when you are going to do something active, such as any type of art or going on walks. 5. Lava Cake Lava Cake has the cool benefit of being an indica hybrid cross strain between Thin Mint Girl Scout Cookies and Grape Pie. Lava Cake also has a sweet taste to it that boosts its flavor more than a lot of other strains. Lava Cake is a feel-good strain that will make you hungry and looking for a seat to plant yourself in. 4. Gorilla Zkittlez Similar to White Rhino, Gorilla Zkittlez is not for beginner smokers. Bolstering a tropical flavor, this strain will make you feel happy and goofy. Gorilla Zkittlez is a heavy strain that will slow you down, but it can be great for stress relief. 3. Green Crack Even more than Durban Poison, Green Crack will make you extremely energized and put you into an active mood. With a delicious fruity flavor, this sativa strain works great at night or during the day. It will make you more talkative than a lot of other strains, especially if your brain is going a mile a minute from it. If you are looking for a fun, cerebral and euphoric experience, Green Crack is the direction to go. 2. White Rhino White Rhino is a lesser-known strain that really packs a punch. The scent is woodsy with an incredible taste that starts hitting you hard sooner than later. The high is euphoric but still lets you be as productive as you want to be. Despite being more pricey, it makes up for it with its potency, so this is also not the best for beginners. 1. Acapulco Gold Getting your hands on this strain is a rarity, and should be treasured if you do. The taste of the strain is super interesting, including coffee and woody flavors. Its THC content is relatively high and will produce the usual sativa effects, such as feelings of being uplifted, aroused and energetic. This strain is claimed to be one of the best and definitely lives up to that title by doing its job very well at being a vacation for your brain. Those are some essential cannabis strains ranked. This is a highly subjective experience, so it may have completely different effects for different people. Everyone can share different moments they have had with a particular strain just like there are different experiences depending on what alcohol you drink, such as wine or liquor. Be sure to always stay safe, take care of yourself and do your research.

The most creative weed strains by name

Pipe Dream Arts & Culture — Thu, 21 Apr 2022 14:00:33 +0000

There’s one thing on many Bearcats’ minds this 4/20. You know it. You love it. Weed. But how is one supposed to know what to smoke? There sure is a lot of weed out there, and a lot of opinions on what is the best strain to smoke. Well fear not, readers, for I have the list that will put your mind at ease. Now, I may have never smoked weed before, but I certainly know a good name when I hear it. So I present to you my noncomprehensive weed strain name ranking. 15. BF Blue Cheese Look, I’m sorry but who discovers a weed strain and thinks to themself, “Ah yes, I shall name this after blue cheese.” Well, they probably had the munchies, but still. 14. Skunk Haze Yeah, this name seems just a tad bit on the nose. No pun intended. 13. Wonder Woman Of all the superheroes to name weed after, I don’t get how Wonder Woman was the pick when you literally have a man named Shazam. 12. Haze Special This is definitely a step up from “Skunk Haze,” but there is one thing I don’t quite understand. Isn’t the point of all weed to make you feel special? 11. The Real McCoy If people smoked weed in Texas, I am 100 percent sure that they would smoke this. I am also 100 percent sure Texas doesn’t bring in many pot smokers. 10. Girl Scout Cookies There are a lot of culinary references in these names, and Girl Scout Cookies is a pretty good one, although it does give off kind of a lightweight energy. 9. California Indica Idaho has potatoes. Georgia has peaches. Vermont has maple syrup. California has weed. These are the essential facts of America. 8. CH9 Jack 33 This name gives me massive SCP Foundation energy. Now this could either mean this is the best weed you’ll ever have, or smoking it will unleash the end of the world. Up to you. 7. Blueberry Haze Of all the “Haze” names on this list, this one is definitely my favorite. There is just something so pleasant to me about blueberries, and it makes this almost an inviting name. 6. Tanzanian Magic If I am on vacation someday and someone comes up to me and asks me if I want to get high, I would be shocked if that joint wasn’t Tanzanian Magic. 5. The Third Dimension This name is just really metal. If you go up to someone and ask them what they are smoking and they say, “The Third Dimension,” I think it would be impossible to not respect them. 4. Green Crack I think this name is pretty self explanatory. I honestly don’t have much else to add here, though given what it is referencing I may not recommend frequent smokings. 3. Lava Cake Of all the food names on this list, this one is by far my favorite. There is just something so delectable about the idea of smoking lava cake to me, and it will probably give you a great case of the munchies. 2. Morning Star I can’t put my finger on it, but there is just something so psychedelic about this name that I can’t help but love it. It just is so to the point and chill that I have no choice but to rank it this high. 1. Nebula New Purple Power I mean, this had to be number one. I do not mince words when I say this is the perfect weed name. It would also be the perfect band name, if you’re into that.

The best films about drugs

Pipe Dream Arts & Culture — Thu, 21 Apr 2022 14:00:22 +0000

It is no secret that many modern films tackle thematic content involving drugs, but the history of drugs and cinema is a bit complicated. The Motion Picture Production Code was enforced from 1934 to 1968 and was adopted by studios as a form of self-censorship to prevent the government from stepping in. The Motion Picture Production Code prevented films from being released with adult content, including illegal drug use. Since the abandonment of the Motion Picture Production Code, drugs have become prominent in many films, both in a positive and negative light. Let’s take a look at nine post-Code films and one pre-Code film that feature recreational drugs as a core motif or theme. 10. “The Untouchables” (1987) Do not forget that alcohol is a drug, and perhaps the best film to tackle Prohibition-era politics is “The Untouchables.” The film explores how a small team of federal agents was able to take down Al Capone by exposing his tax evasion. The film is absolutely riveting from start to finish and gives a look into the world of organized crime during Prohibition. 9. “Pulp Fiction” (1994) “Pulp Fiction” weaves together several nonlinear stories of the Los Angeles underworld to create one of the most influential and acclaimed films of all time. Although drugs are peripheral to the main plotline, the use of heroin is pervasive throughout the film. One of the most memorable scenes involves a harrowing heroin overdose and the race to save the victim with a shot of adrenaline. Simultaneously disturbing, inventive and humorous, “Pulp Fiction” manages to give an inside look into the grim realities of the drug scene of 1990s Los Angeles. 8. “The Wolf of Wall Street” (2013) Few films have the courage to be as open in their portrayal of stockbroker culture as “The Wolf of Wall Street,” which is what makes the film so captivating. Stockbroker Jordan Belfort is easily corrupted by the Wall Street culture of drugs, prostitution and deception. The film shows copious amounts of use of both cocaine and Quaaludes, with one scene of Belfort trying to get to his car while high being a standout in terms of memorability and cinematic importance. 7. “Trainspotting” (1996) “Trainspotting” can be best described as a film that gives a haunting look into the drug scene in Edinburgh, Scotland. The film follows Renton, played by a young Ewan McGregor, as he struggles with heroin addiction, going back and forth on quitting and relapsing. The most iconic scene from the film occurs when Renton swims down a toilet and the imagery is somehow fantastical and horrifying at the same time, portraying the dreamlike state of being on drugs. 6. “Scarface” (1932) & 5. “Scarface” (1983) “Say hello to my little friend” — two excellent, but not so little, films called “Scarface.” Both the original 1932 film and remake from 1983 are Hollywood classics for good reason. They follow Tony Camonte/Tony Montana as he becomes a crime lord in the world of drugs. The 1932 version features alcohol as the illicit drug while the 1983 remake uses cocaine, and comparison of the two films provides an interesting insight into how much Hollywood had changed since its inception in the way that violence and drugs could be portrayed on screen. 4. “The Deer Hunter” (1978) Michael Cimino’s epic Vietnam War masterpiece “The Deer Hunter” is one of the most emotionally moving and impactful films ever made. The film, which is over three hours long, tracks three friends as they face war, imprisonment and death during their deployment in Vietnam. The tragedy of the film centers on one of the character’s use of heroin to self-medicate his PTSD, eventually leading to a heartbreaking ending. 3. “Moonlight” (2016) Although “Moonlight” only has one brief scene of characters using hard drugs on screen, the theme of drugs and their impact is at the beating heart of the film. This conflict is captured perfectly through Mahershala Ali’s performance as Juan, a charismatic drug dealer who has to come to terms with the fact that he is selling crack that is damaging his friend’s life. This gripping drama of growing up and sexuality is punctuated with a look into how drugs can destroy families and relationships. 2. “City of God” (2002) This Brazilian crime film details the paths of two parallel characters — Rocket as he tries to become a photographer and escape the crime world of Rio de Janeiro, and Li’l Zé as he engrosses himself in organized crime and rises through its ranks. The grim juxtaposition between these two characters make it one of the best films ever made to portray drugs on screen, particularly the role of organized crime in the drug business. 1. “Requiem for a Dream” (2000) There is no doubt in my mind that “Requiem for a Dream” deserves its spot as the best film ever made about drugs. I do not think that I have ever seen a film that is more tragic, harrowing and desperate in its portrayal of how drug addiction can tear people’s lives apart. The film has four main characters, all of whom struggle with addiction to either heroin or prescription drugs, and each of their endings show the different directions that addiction can lead to. To top it all off, the film has a devastating score with a haunting main theme that reflects the car crash-like quality of the story.

Movies to watch while high

Pipe Dream Arts & Culture — Thu, 21 Apr 2022 14:00:17 +0000

Watching an award-winning movie can be great, but watching an average or even below-average movie when high — now that’s an experience. Suddenly, the movie is funnier, more engaging, more visually appealing and just overall better. For this reason, I’ve compiled a list of my top-10 favorite movies to watch while high. Some have outlandish comedy, some are thought-provoking, and some are just fun to watch — there is something for everyone. 10. “Harold & Kumar Go to White Castle” (2004) This iconic “buddy stoner comedy” follows two friends, Harold and Kumar, who struggle with persistent munchies and crave food from the hamburger chain White Castle. Harold and Kumar attempt to navigate New Jersey, facing absurd obstacles on their journey to the restaurant. Get ready to laugh and pack a snack for this period piece that makes us all so very grateful for food delivery services. 9. “Alice in Wonderland” (1951) “Alice in Wonderland” is a commonly referenced film when it comes to psychedelics, but why keep weed from Wonderland? The film is visually unique and follows peculiar characters and storylines, opening up the mind to a new, animated world where one questions their reality and consciousness. 8. “Inception” (2010) I am sure this classic movie starring Leonardo DiCaprio is familiar to most people, but have you ever watched it while high? To be honest, yes, this movie is confusing, and yes, Christopher Nolan does push the boundaries on what “makes sense.” However, this intricate plotline can be further appreciated when you are high and focusing on every detail and possibility that your imagination takes you to. After watching this you surely will have some questions about dreams, the mind, reality and just about anything far removed from your normal day-to-day thought processes. 7. “The SpongeBob SquarePants Movie” (2004) “SpongeBob SquarePants,” whether it be in movie or television form, is never a bad idea, especially when high. The cartoon alone is hilarious, visually appealing and ridiculous in terms of characters, plots and just the overall nature and rules of the show. Turning the “SpongeBob” world into a box office hit wasn’t too difficult. With the common themes of saving Bikini Bottom from the reign of Plankton and securing the Krusty Krab secret formula, SpongeBob and Patrick are seen in their prime. This movie has a fire soundtrack, guest stars, humor and overall just does a great job of expanding the world of “SpongeBob” and Bikini Bottom. 6. “Ready Player One” (2018) “Ready Player One,” based on the book of the same name by Ernest Cline, is perfect for anyone who loves a science fiction, dystopian story. The novel alone follows an interesting plotline, but being translated into film allows for a visually immersive experience with detailed graphics of a futuristic virtual reality video game, also known as the OASIS. 5. “Knives Out” (2019) This murder mystery has just the right amount of thrill without being too scary and causing paranoia. There are exciting twists and turns, and plenty of time to piece together who you think committed the crime. It doesn’t hurt that Chris Evans also makes an appearance, as he truly is a sight for sore, red eyes. 4. “Borat: Cultural Learnings of America for Make Benefit Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan” (2006) and “Borat Subsequent Moviefilm” (2020) I’m not going to lie, you either love “Borat” or you hate it. Personally, I find both movies to be entertaining and hilarious, but if you are not a fan of mockumentaries or the very specific humor that Sacha Baron Cohen portrays, you might find yourself offended by such movies. That being said, if you do find this humor funny, it will be 10 times better high and will open your eyes up to the many flaws of society, a reflection that is at times critical to partake in. 3. “Our Planet” (2019) I don’t think I have ever met someone who doesn’t enjoy watching “Our Planet” when they are high. Luckily, in 2019, Netflix released the series along with an hourlong behind-the-scenes documentary. Although the documentary might not exactly be considered a “movie,” I think it is necessary to include because there is nothing that competes with a nature documentary, especially “Our Planet,” when you’re stoned. The videography is unreal, literally taking you into jungles, coastal seas and other incredible places with exotic animals and organisms. “Our Planet” shows us how extraordinary the world is, which is distinctively comforting and exciting to see when you are under the influence of one of the world’s most beloved creations. 2.”Shrek” (2001) Time and time again, “Shrek” never fails to be a fan-favorite film, but let’s be honest, the demographic has definitely changed a bit over the years, shifting from children to stoners, with very few differences between the two. Let’s face it, “Shrek” is just a funny movie, with Mike Myers and Eddie Murphy playing a Shrek-Donkey duo that could never be replaced. Duloc’s other fairy-tale creatures only add to the humor and outlandish characters, although you will have to watch the later films to experience some of the notable additions such as Puss in Boots. Like always, DreamWorks pulls off an awesome animation for this movie and brings this hilarious, bizarre fairy-tale masterpiece to life. 1. “Interstellar” (2014) Similarly to “Inception,” “Interstellar” is a Christopher Nolan film that makes you think complexly as you are transported into another reality, this one in space. “Interstellar” touches on concepts such as anomalies, general relativity, wormholes and black holes, so if you are a fan of astronomy you might be extra engaged in this movie. However, you do not need any real knowledge of astrophysics, as this movie follows a purely fictional plot based loosely off science and primarily off Nolan’s ability to access the imagination and make viewers ask questions and contemplate the expansive possibilities of the universe.

Smoke shops in the Binghamton area

Pipe Dream Arts & Culture — Thu, 21 Apr 2022 14:00:14 +0000

Looking for where you can get your fix to celebrate 4/20? There are many places near Binghamton University that sell CBD and cannabis products, and it can be tough to decide which one of these options can be right for you. Therefore, here is a list of some of these stores to better guide your experience. Hemp Geek Hemp Geek is a CBD store located on 2508 Vestal Pkwy. E in Vestal as well as on 1332 Upper Front St. in Binghamton. According to their Facebook page, the store offers “a wide range of CBD hemp products, including water soluble tinctures, pills, lotions, vape oils, hemp flower, concentrates, prefilled 510 cartridges and more.” Sugar Mountain Founded in 2005 by a couple of Grateful Dead fans, Sugar Mountain is a hemp and alternative shop located on 42 Court St. in Binghamton. According to the shop’s website, the store has been around for over 20 years, priding itself on “superior customer service, premium-quality products and fair pricing.” CBD Supply.store CBD Supply.store is a CBD store located on 4301 Vestal Road in Vestal. According to their website, the store considers itself “an upstate New York startup that in realizing the powerful potential of CBD and its healing properties.” It offers a “cost-effective” product, in contrast to the typical “confusing and expensive” processes surrounding CBD use. They exclusively carry CUBED Naturals brand products, a Vestal-based CBD brand that, according to the website, “has created their own step program for proper dosing” involving specially standardized bottles. Xhale Located on 104 Main St. in Binghamton, Xhale is a smoke shop that, according to their Facebook, carries “everything from hookah, hookah products, vapes, tobacco and anything 420-friendly.” Your CBD Store Your CBD Store is a CBD store located on 1901 Vestal Pkwy. E in Vestal. This location is one of a chain of CBD stores that started in 2018, and sells its own brand of products known as SunMed. According to their website, “each Your CBD store offers a safe, comfortable and inviting environment where guests can learn about CBD, try samples and feel empowered to make an informed decision on the best cannabinoid formulation option for them.” While there are many options to find something to smoke, these options will help lead you to best decide where to go to guide the festivities on 4/20. Happy smoking!

Songs of love for Valentine’s Day

Pipe Dream Arts & Culture — Thu, 11 Feb 2021 03:43:57 +0000

Valentine’s Day is just around the corner and whether you are in a relationship, situationship or living your best single life, it is a great day to celebrate the love of all forms and the connections we have with others. For the occasion, Pipe Dream has compiled a list of songs that are sure to bring you that warm and fuzzy feeling. “Old Fashioned” by Bruno Major Bruno Major is the best artist if you’re looking for slow, somewhat cheesy love songs. “Old Fashioned” is as cheesy and sweet as they get, with Major singing about being a chivalrous, romantic partner to his significant other, even if society would tease him for doing so. The “old-fashioned” things he mentions doing include serenading his partner “like a fool,” dressing in his best clothes for dates and giving his jacket up when the other is cold. These are actions anyone would appreciate, so hearing Major sing about them gives you a sense of comfort in the fact that chivalry is, in fact, not dead. “80’s makeout session” by dacelynn 16-year-old musician dacelynn produces songs that include topics such as LGBTQ+ relationships. In “80’s makeout session,” she sings about wanting to be important to someone and hoping to make them feel special, comparing it to the sweet but simple pop songs of the 1980s with the “lame chord progressions.” With an overall theme of reciprocation and showing admiration, “80’s makeout session” calls out the importance of showing those that you love how much you love them. It goes a long way in making them feel important to you. “Foreplay” by Jalen Santoy The lyrics in the song explore the ambivalence of relationships, which makes the song adaptable to whatever situation you are in. Santoy combines rap and jazz to create a beautiful, classy and fresh melody. The distinct alto sax intro is a welcome break from autotune and an easy way to get in the mood for Valentine’s Day. “Moon River” by Frank Ocean “Moon River” was originally written by Johnny Mercer and Henry Mancini for Audrey Hepburn to sing in the movie, “Breakfast at Tiffany’s.” Frank Ocean dropped his cover of the song the night after Valentine’s Day 2018. The lyrics are filled with a sense of wonder and wanderlust between two “drifters.” The song explores themes of self-realization with the help of someone you love and is well suited for a year spent dreaming wistfully of a beautiful world while social distancing at home. “Find Someone Like You” by Snoh Aalegra Although Snoh Aalegra is a relatively new artist in the R&B world, she brings the old school energy with her song “Find Someone Like You.” Snoh dedicates the song to her ideal future partner, singing, “Nothing’s ever perfect, but you’re perfect to me” and that “Even when it’s bad, I love you.” Whether you are single and yearning for a lover or happily coupled this holiday, this soulful track is perfect to sing along to. Check out this and other songs here:

Virtual Spring Fling

Pipe Dream Arts & Culture — Mon, 11 May 2020 10:28:22 +0000

One of the most important traditions of the spring semester is Spring Fling, a campus-wide celebration of warmer weather and a chance for student clubs and organizations to spread the word about their activities. But with the coronavirus outbreak moving all campus activities online, clubs are missing out on their opportunity to advertise their presence to the student body. With that in mind, we’ve chosen to spotlight campus organizations in Pipe Dream’s first-ever Virtual Spring Fling. The six clubs we profiled range from tap dancers to bird-watchers, and everything in between. Read more about some of the groups that make up our campus community.

BU Audubon Society

Binghamton University’s Audubon Society attracts many bird-lovers from a set of diverse backgrounds.

Storytelling Workshop Club

The Storytelling Workshop Club offers a free-form outlet for creative expression.

Imagination Craft Works

The Imagination Craft Works club offers creative forms of stress relief.

Poker Club

The Binghamton University Poker Club allows students of all skill levels to practice and hone their poker skills through Texas Hold ‘em tournaments.

Tap That

Binghamton University’s Tap That club introduces beginners to tap dancing and provides an outlet for practice.

Music Issue 2020

Pipe Dream Arts & Culture — Mon, 27 Apr 2020 10:19:13 +0000

Pipe Dream’s 2020 music issue explores the past, present and future of Binghamton University’s connection to the music scene.

Read all of our articles here.

Binghamton University, May 1970: The Grateful Dead, acid trips and the aftermath of Kent State

A comprehensive account of the most famous concert in BU history

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DJ Ora Z discusses Binghamton’s impact on her career

Azoulai first began exploring DJing as a sophomore at Binghamton University

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Binghamton alumna Monica Riskey on life, music and creative success

Former neuroscience major went from BU open mics to a major label record deal

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Musicians and artists that discovered fame after performing on the BU campus

Several artists have gone from performing at BU to selling out shows around the world

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Local musicians and bands you can support virtually

Binghamton artists of various genres have published music online for fans to access

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A beginner’s guide to the most famous classical music

Songs and symphonies that have reached the mainstream

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A musical academic year in review

One song that defined each month of the fall and spring semesters

Poetry Month

Pipe Dream Arts & Culture — Mon, 06 Apr 2020 14:18:51 +0000

Pipe Dream spoke with a variety of poets in the Binghamton area about their work and what inspires them to keep writing.Check out the articles below to hear their stories.

A veteran of New York state’s legendary folk scenes, published poet J. Barrett Wolf has made Binghamton his home base as he continues to embrace his switch from music to poetry.

Wolf has become one of the most prominent figures in Binghamton poetry, hosting monthly open mics for the past 14 years. Originally from Freeport, New York, Wolf has lived in Connecticut, Massachusetts, California and Ireland, spending nearly 40 years as a singer-songwriter. Wolf began his career in his early high school days.

Read about Wolf’s work here

Janiece Miller, 27, of Binghamton, lives a life based on inspiration. Between her day job and her poetry’s mission to help others find a light, she acts as a living reminder for those in Binghamton to keep pushing forward.

Miller works with those fighting addiction at the Mental Health Association of the Southern Tier (MHAST), and she said she is inspired by the strength and stories of those in the organization.

Read about Miller’s work here

Today, Constance Curry shares her art with the Binghamton community — but her creative passion began tucked away in a private diary in her adolescence.

Curry, a 34-year-old poet and Endicott resident, said she started writing poems in high school, but kept them away from others.

Read about Curry’s work here

Jasmine Jordon aims to write poetry that not only represents herself, but also many black women in America, giving a voice to a group that isn’t always heard.

“I feel as though the weight of the world is on black women’s shoulders, we see so much, we carry so much, and I feel like sometimes it is up to us to make [the] change that is needed,” she said.

Read about Jordon’s work here

For artist Anna Warfield, plush isn’t just reserved for teddy bears — it’s a medium capable of expressing the intricacies of sexuality and gender relations.

Warfield, 25, of Binghamton, is an artist who incorporates poetic text into works of visual art. Born and raised in Whitney Point, Warfield completed her bachelor’s degrees in fine arts and communications at Cornell University. After graduation, she worked in multiple positions at the Broome County Arts Council before creating her own business, Anna Warfield Art, LLC. Her business has allowed her to pursue her art while taking up other creative contracts, such as LUMA Projection Arts Festival.

Warfield said she began to focus on the written word early in her artistic career, and chose to attend Cornell University specifically to enter a program that would let her pursue both communications and fine arts. She said the cultural back-and-forth between Whitney Point and the fine arts world encouraged her to make multilayered art that could be appreciated in both spaces.

Read about Warfield’s work here

Our guide to upstate New York’s hidden regional dishes

Pipe Dream Arts & Culture — Mon, 16 Mar 2020 14:08:37 +0000

From spiedies to salt potatoes, New York state’s culinary landscape has a wide range of regional quirks. While most Binghamton University students hail from New York City and its surrounding suburbs, many are from other New York cities and towns, where these unique terms simply roll off the tongues of so-called “upstaters.” If you’re part of BU’s “downstate” majority and you’re curious about what the rest of the state has to offer, check out Pipe Dream’s guide to New York state’s regional delicacies. Binghamton Binghamton is known for its carousels, First Friday shows and “The Twilight Zone,” but also for its beloved spiedies and city chicken. Marinated in oil, vinegar and herbs for one to three days, spiedies are lamb, venison, beef, chicken or pork sandwiches served on Italian bread. Additionally, city chicken is a playful misdirect for Binghamton residents who know very well that this dish is not chicken. Marinated, deep-fried and then baked, this mixture of pork and veal is a town favorite. Found in many Binghamton delis, restaurants and homes, these dishes are an integral part of Binghamton culture. Donna Seidel, 54, of Johnson City, first tried a spiedie when she was 5 years old and explained that cooking this dish came “right down the line” from her family, becoming a generational delicacy. “My mother used to cook all the time and that would be what she would make,” she said. If you want to try a spiedie, head right down the road on Vestal Parkway to Spiedie & Rib Pit, a restaurant Seidel praises for its great spiedies. Utica A little further north in the city of Utica, wholesome greens are a local delicacy. The dish, known as Utica greens, contains breadcrumbs, prosciutto, cheese and hot peppers. Mio Sakai, a third-year graduate student studying business administration, said the greens have a salt-like taste, but are very good. Along with prosciutto, Sakai said the dish can be cooked with pork or chicken and pairs very well with soul food. If you’re looking for some Utica greens, Sakai suggests you head to Italian delis and pizzerias in Utica. Albany In Albany, you’ll find a peculiar application of the sweet tooth by pairing melba sauce with mozzarella sticks. Melba sauce is a combination of pureed cranberries, currant jelly and cornstarch. This sweet concoction, usually used for desserts, has found itself the love of Capital District residents as the go-to mozzarella stick sauce. Although it may seem like an odd pairing, Mia Sager, ‘19, said the contrasting tastes complement each other. “I think it’s the sweet and salty that attracts people, because cheese and fruit are often appetizers that are served together,” she said. Sager said she grew up eating melba sauce and that it’s a lot more common in New York’s upstate areas. If you want to try melba sauce and mozzarella sticks, Saratoga suggests an Irish pub called The Parting Glass where you can order this savory delight. Syracuse If you don’t have much of a sweet tooth, don’t worry — Syracuse, the home of the salt potatoes, has you covered. The dish was first created in the 1800s when local salt miners made an inexpensive dish for lunch by soaking small potatoes in salt brine. Fast forward a few centuries and you can now easily spot these Syracuse favorites at state fairs and barbecues. Maddie Murray, a sophomore studying business administration, said she is shocked more people haven’t heard of the Syracuse staple. “[It] seems like such a normal thing,” she said. Murray describes salt potatoes as a summer food that you eat at barbecues right alongside your hamburgers, hot dogs and corn. Murray suggests people try the dish at Dinosaur Bar-B-Que or any Syracuse diner. Ripley Hoffman, an undeclared sophomore, was born in Syracuse and said she most likely had salt potatoes when she was a baby. “People make them at family gatherings like you’d make mashed potatoes,” she said. “Sometimes they’re mashed themselves.” Hoffman said she was surprised to know salt potatoes were specific to Syracuse and always thought they were a norm everywhere. If you can’t wait to try salt potatoes, Hoffman said you can find them at Wegmans.

A look at new TikTok musicians on the rise

Pipe Dream Arts & Culture — Thu, 12 Mar 2020 13:49:11 +0000

By now, we are all very aware that TikTok is shaping the music industry. If a song goes viral on TikTok, chances are its streams on other platforms will skyrocket shortly after. This aspect of TikTok is great news for musicians, especially aspiring ones. If you scroll through the “for you” page, you’re bound to come across someone singing their rendition of a song or promoting their own new music. Many of these singers, like Shawn Mendes, who launched his career on Vine, started from nothing and are using the app to get their music out there. Some of these musicians started off with virtually no following or fan base, and TikTok is allowing them to promote their music, release songs on Spotify and jumpstart their careers. Here are a few of them. You may not recognize any of them yet, but before you know it, they’ll be the music industry’s next social media success story. Thomas Headon (@thomasheadon) Thomas Headon strategically used TikTok to push his songs to go viral. Not viral in the sense of “Old Town Road,” but enough for him to slowly earn followers begging him to release his songs. Headon simply sings his self-written songs, strums a guitar or plays an audio of his song in the background and sits on his bed in his plain bedroom. He promoted his song “Grace” for months on the app. Over time, he slowly but surely gained fans who waited eagerly for it to be released on Spotify. Quickly after it dropped, Headon released his next two singles, “Clean Me Up” and “Car Window.” Headon’s songs would be something you’d hear on the “Lorem” playlist on Spotify — lo-fi and indie pop. Headon posted to YouTube before he created his account on TikTok, but the app is what gained him dedicated fans and a following over the past few months. Leo Reilly (@loveleo.o) Leo Reilly’s TikTok account is filled with all different types of content, and scrolling through his videos you’ll quickly realize the “Freddy Mercury look-alike” has the coolest handmade earrings and the coolest new song out at the moment. Reilly amassed 754,800 followers on the platform, and began to promote his song, “BOYFREN,” before he released it. With the help of his followers, the song instantly went viral on the app. His single is another song you’d find on the “Lorem” playlist on Spotify, consisting of an intriguing whistle tune and an anti-pop melody. He is quickly earning fame with more than 19 million streams on his Spotify (LoveLeo) and many Instagram followers. His latest single, “ROSIE,” dropped on March 6, so prepare yourself to hear it all over the app. Llusion (@llusionmusic) Before TikTok, Llusion only had 99 YouTube subscribers and was struggling to gain a following. Now, he boasts 1.9 million followers on TikTok and nearly 800,000 monthly listeners on Spotify, with up to 9 million streams on a song. Listen to one of his songs, and if you’ve been on TikTok before, you’ll probably recognize it without even realizing it. He may not be a singer, but his account creates many of the viral sounds people use in their videos. Reading any of his Instagram captions, he is always thanking his TikTok followers for their support and for changing his life for the better this year. If your favorite study playlists include lo-fi and hip-hop music, then you might enjoy the songs Llusion creates, as they’re mostly soft, chill lo-fi beats. Katelyn Lapid (@lynlapid) Katelyn Lapid is not on Spotify yet, but she could turn out to be the next Billie Eilish. Lapid uses her TikTok account to sing soft, angelic covers with her ukulele or piano. She only has around 7,500 subscribers on YouTube and nearly 8,000 Instagram followers, so her TikTok account with 327,100 followers is impressive. She posts additional covers on SoundCloud, but has not yet released any original songs. When she does, though, expect them to be the type of songs you listen to while watching a sunset, because her voice is too beautiful for any other setting. Dylan Davidson (@hidyland) Posting videos of himself belting along to ballads in the car and inviting his fans into the process of writing a song with his guitar and Logic Pro X software, Davidson has attracted 954,900 followers on TikTok over the past year, beginning by posting humorous content. He slowly began posting more and more music videos, and has gained many fans because of his strong and soothing voice. With similar sounds to Ruel, a few of Davidson’s songs have been released on Spotify throughout the past few months. His latest release, “Know Me Better,” has already surpassed 180,000 streams on Spotify. Davidson continues to use TikTok to promote his music and increasingly gains followers because of his entertaining “Let’s Make A Song” videos. If you need a chilled-out, sad pop song to listen to, Davidson is your guy. Maia (@mxmtoon) Lastly, everyone’s soon-to-be new favorite singer: Maia, who goes by “mxmtoon” on every platform. Maia is different from the others on this list since she already had a small following before her TikTok account blew up, but her sudden increase in streams and fans is thanks to her popular account on the app. She has 1.5 million followers at the moment, and everyone who’s been on the app has probably heard “prom dress” and its remixes. Her popularity allowed her to partner with TikTok, giving her ads for every user to see. Maia is already blowing up, and her songs can also be found on the “Lorem” playlist on Spotify. Maia, a bisexual woman, uses her new platform to speak about LGBTQ rights. She is on the rise in the music industry, and TikTok allows her to keep promoting and pushing her music while also creating strong bonds with her fans. If you enjoy lo-fi, folk-pop and indie-pop music, give one of her newest songs, “fever dream,” a listen.

A guide to Binghamton’s best bagel shops

Pipe Dream Arts & Culture — Thu, 12 Mar 2020 13:49:07 +0000

If you ask any student from the New York City area, chances are they pride themselves on their neighborhood’s bagels. Bagels, which historically came from Jewish communities in Poland and were originally made of yeast wheat dough, finally made their way to New York City in the 1800s as a result of Eastern European Jewish migration. You’ll often hear that the New York City water is what makes the bagels so delicious. Is this rumor really true? Possibly. However, there are plenty of options in the Binghamton area that could compete with the delicacies of New York and its surrounding suburbs. If you’re missing a taste of home, try these bagel spots. Best Bagels In Town The name is “Best Bagels In Town” for a reason. The store, located on 1435 Upper Front St., has a wide variety of bagels and sandwiches. Try the new and improved strawberry bagels with cream cheese for something unique. Or the sausage, egg and cheese on an everything bagel if you’re in the mood for something savory. Best Bagels offers a friendly and welcoming sit-down environment that will make you come back for more. The Bagel Factory The Bagel Factory is a Binghamton classic located on 9 Glenwood Ave. — just a short walk or drive for any students living on the West Side. The Bagel Factory offers over 20 different flavors of bagels and nearly 15 flavors of cream cheese. Try the Nova lox with cream cheese — you won’t regret it. Want something light? Have a cinnamon raisin bagel with lite plain cream cheese. The Bagel Factory is a perfect place to gather with your friends for a Saturday morning breakfast. Nezuntoz Want a break from dining hall food? Nezuntoz is a perfect solution, located on 50 Pennsylvania Ave. on Binghamton’s Southside. Nezuntoz is just a short drive away, making it a perfect place to visit off campus. The Huevos con Queso bagel sandwich is amazing and a perfect cure for a hangover. Or try one of the 16 unique flavors of bagels: the sun-dried tomato bagel with veggie cream cheese is delicious. A tasty bagel from Nezuntoz will fill you right up in preparation for your busy day. The restaurant itself has plenty of seating, outlets and beautiful murals with bright lighting, making it the perfect place to study alone or in a group. Einstein Bros. Bagels Einstein’s Bros. Bagels is an on-campus favorite that offers a wide assortment of bagels, sandwiches, coffee and other drinks. It’s the perfect place to get something quick to eat before you rush off to class. You can’t go wrong with the classic plain bagel with the Garden Veggie Shmear. If you’re in the mood for something substantial, try the Farmhouse breakfast sandwich or the eggs, bacon, smoked ham and cheddar cheese on a cheesy hash brown bagel — it won’t leave anything to be desired.

‘BNL 7: The Seventh BNL’ returns to Hinman Commons

Pipe Dream Arts & Culture — Mon, 21 Oct 2019 05:30:11 +0000

This weekend, Hinman Production Company’s biannual Binghamton Night Live (BNL) gave students the chance to experience comedy, musical performances and an entire production in the style of Saturday Night Live. Performances of “BNL 7: The Seventh BNL” took place at 8 p.m on Oct. 17, 18 and 19. Tickets were $1, and the show took place in the Hinman Commons. The entire show is student-written and performed, and was co-directed by Kevin Wallace, a senior double-majoring in computer science and mathematics, and Jacob DeVito, a senior majoring in English. Several of the 12 sketches revolved around the relatable details of attending college at Binghamton University. “Sodexo Jeopardy” parodied the often criticized food service company with impressions of the famous Tully’s employee Lisa, Mary from Mein Bowl and Brian from Chenango Champlain Collegiate Center (C4). Other sketches featured a family that belonged to a Snuggie-based religious organization, a soldier writing letters from the front lines of the Area 51 raid and a pledge class of fraternity brothers who were tasked with emulating the lives and fates of Greek tragic heroes. Sabrina Narvesen, an actor in the show and a junior majoring in integrative neuroscience, said the actors had a great time performing the material and enjoyed rehearsing with one another. “BNL was a joy to be in and the cast made the show enjoyable for my first HPC show,” she said. “It was extremely difficult to not break character onstage because of how funny all of the amazing cast is and great writing.” DeVito said directing was hard work, but led to a product he was proud of. “It was an incredible experience,” he said. “Definitely more tiring than just being in a show and having to go to rehearsals, because when you’re leading you have to constantly be on. But then you also get to see your vision for something come to life, so it’s incredible.” One change from previous editions of BNL was the inclusion of musical acts, which served to break up the rapid-fire nature of the sketches. Each performance had a different musical guest, with Jacob Parker, a junior majoring in music, on Thursday, Big Tasty on Friday and Ty McHugh, ‘19, on Saturday. Rachel Weinfeld, a junior majoring in psychology, has seen BNL four times and said that she was impressed with the quality of the performance. “I can honestly say that it exceeded my expectations with how funny and relatable content was,” she said. “I highly recommend going to see it if you have the chance next year.”

Tattoo Feature

Pipe Dream Arts & Culture — Thu, 17 Oct 2019 06:43:42 +0000

Welcome to Arts & Culture’s tattoo feature. Find tips and stories below!

“Stick and poke” it to the man with at-home tattoos

You did it! After years of going back and forth on designs and debating whether you really wanted a permanent mark on your body, you got a tattoo. The process was a little painful, but nothing you couldn’t handle, and now you have a work of art on your body. But, the process isn’t over yet. To make sure your ink lasts forever, you’ll have to take special care of your skin. Read more

Alternative tattoo options that won’t break the bank

As a college student, it’s common to look for new ways to express yourself, and tattoos are a great option to show off your creative side. However, tattoos can be expensive to obtain, as well as care for, and you might not be ready to commit to a design for the rest of your life. Luckily, we found some nonpermanent options that can allow you to experiment without breaking the bank. Read more

Skin care tips for tending to a new tattoo

It’s a cold, gloomy October night in Binghamton. As you try desperately to think of some way to procrastinate all of your homework, you realize you have a friend who told you they could give you a stick and poke tattoo! Great idea, right? Here are a few things to consider before you decide to get one.

Tattoo Stories

Arts & Culture section picks for spooky season flicks

Pipe Dream Arts & Culture — Mon, 14 Oct 2019 05:03:28 +0000

Michael Mongelluzzo, Contributing Writer

Provided by IMDB “The Nightmare Before Christmas”: To me, this movie fits all the criteria of a classic Halloween film. It has memorable music, such as “This is Halloween” which is the best Halloween song (sorry, “Monster Mash”). This, coupled with Tim Burton’s iconic animation and pulling double duty as a Christmas film, makes the movie great to rewatch. I also do not like horror movies, so this fits perfectly for me. Although it does have its creepy elements (literally everything Oogie Boogie-related scares me to this day), it is just a really charming movie overall. Halloween and Christmas just wouldn’t be the same without a viewing of “The Nightmare Before Christmas.” Patrick Earns, Assistant Arts & Culture Editor

Provided by TV Guide “It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown”: It’s not the spookiest pick, but I’m willing to put down money that it’s the most heartwarming. Despite coming out more than 50 years ago, Charles Schulz’s masterpiece is still required viewing for the Halloween season. It’s difficult to imagine a seasonally appropriate movie with more iconic scenes, from Snoopy’s doghouse-riding airborne battle with the Red Baron to Charlie’s ill-fated attempt to finally kick the football that Lucy pulls away at the last second. I love a good horror movie as much as the next guy, but when the weather gets chilly and the pumpkins get carved, there’s nothing I want to watch more than the Peanuts gang as they spend their night in search of the Great Pumpkin. Joseph Hili, Contributing Editor

Provided by IMDB “Scream”: It’s a film that works on so many levels. For first-time viewers, it succeeds as a mystery thriller, keeping the audience constantly engaged with the task of uncovering the murderer’s identity and motive. The film also functions as a slasher film, with all of the genre’s violence and voyeurism in play. But most importantly, the film serves as meta-horror, deconstructing the slasher genre. This is where the film derives its charm: witty commentary on popular tropes and cliches. The film is unabashedly self-aware. Its characters make plenty of references to other horror movies and even entertain the idea that they are living within one. The slasher genre, filled with low-budget exploitation films and appealing to the unrefined tastes of movie-going youths, has always been discounted by critics as a form of cheap entertainment. They’re probably right, but the genre’s undeniable cultural impact, lending itself to the production of dozens of cult films, is quite admirable. The movie’s loving homage to its predecessors shares with its audience a feeling not too common in horror — nostalgia. Gabriela Iacovano, Arts & Culture Editor

Provided by IMDB “E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial”: This is a lifelong favorite. While it’s more heartwarming than gruesome, the film’s warm autumnal energies and iconic Halloween night bicycle ride scene make it a great pick for the season, especially if you need a feel-good chaser after binging too many horror flicks. As a child, it gave me a taste of the distinctive atmosphere that I would later grow to appreciate in the era’s slasher films, and it stands as an option for adult viewers who are curious about the roots of ’80s-inspired favorites like “Stranger Things.” I hate to admit it, but the title character’s design also toes the line between cute and creepy. As a child, I was ready to set my own Reese’s Pieces trail in the hopes of luring E.T. to my yard, but I have friends who tell me they were spooked by early viewings. Calendra Scahill, Assistant Arts & Culture Editor

Provided by IMDB “Hocus Pocus”: If you’re not into horror movies, this is the perfect Halloween flick for you. Combining comedy, thrill and undeniable spookiness, there is no surprise that “Hocus Pocus” is a popular classic. Featuring witches, zombies, trick-or-treating and a talking black cat, the movie has all of the essentials for Halloween. Even as a college student, I turn to this movie to get me ready for the holiday and the fall season. There’s nothing better than watching this movie while sipping apple cider and curling in bed on a crisp fall night. On par with other Halloween favorites such as “Halloweentown,” “Hocus Pocus” brings you back to your childhood.

Tips for making the most of outdoor space

Pipe Dream Arts & Culture — Thu, 10 Oct 2019 02:26:49 +0000

One advantage to moving off campus is the opportunity for outdoor spaces like backyards, porches or patios, but if you’ve grown used to living in the cramped conditions of a dorm room, it can be difficult to figure out how to decorate. If you’re struggling to make the most of the warmer months before your backyard is covered in snow, check out our tips for your home outside of home. Check out yard sales for furniture When you’re living on a student’s budget, the prices for patio furniture can seem like an insurmountable burden. If you don’t want to choose between a set of lawn chairs and eating three meals a day, keep an eye out for yard sale ads. With Binghamton’s myriad of flea markets, yard sales and thrift stores, there are many opportunities to shop for used furniture and decorations. When you’re walking around the West Side, look out for signs advertising weekend sales, and make sure to show up with cash and a car with ample trunk space. Cheap doesn’t always mean flimsy — sometimes the oldest furniture pieces are of the best quality. Build a firepit Nothing screams “college” like a group of scruffy, acoustic guitar-wielding undergrads seated around a bonfire. If your backyard is large enough, a firepit is the perfect backyard accessory to welcome chilly fall weather. Before buying a pit or building one yourself, you might want to talk to your landlord and look into New York state’s regulations regarding wildfire safety, which change seasonally based on high-risk periods designated by the Department of Environmental Conservation. March to May is usually a high-risk period, so be especially careful when planning end-of-year get-togethers. Use pots for gardening Ornamental and edible plants can spice up your exterior while also spicing up your meal prep rotation. Even if you have a big yard, though, it might not be a good idea to plant vegetable beds outside a home you’re only leasing for a year. If you’re looking to start a garden, use pots. They’re cute, portable and can be fairly cheap if you buy them in fall or winter. Keep wildlife in mind Birdhouses or feeders are a great way to treat and observe local wildlife, but your commitment to respecting your animal neighbors shouldn’t stop there. Pollinator-friendly flowers native to the Binghamton region, like asters or wild bergamot, can be ornamental and easy to grow. It’s also important to clean up after outdoor parties — minimizing litter and food waste will ensure safety from larger animals that might creep into your yard looking for a snack. Be prepared for losses When decorating your front yard or porch, you should always consider the possibility of items being stolen, blown away or damaged from rain or snow. For this reason, it’s smart to avoid spending big money on yard decor, but you should also pay attention to the weather and take the necessary precautions against wind and rain. You can protect your furniture and decorations by filling lighter items with sand, staking them into the ground or bringing them inside when the forecast looks especially ominous. Get inspiration from online sources When you’re staring out at an empty backyard, it can be difficult to figure out where to begin. Having a blank canvas can actually stifle your creativity, and envisioning your perfect space is often harder than building it. Luckily, websites like Pinterest and Reddit offer inspiration, with countless photos of interesting outdoor setups. The goal here isn’t to recreate the pictures perfectly, but rather to get an idea of what you like and how you can make something similar. Look specifically for DIY or budget spaces if you’re interested in the well-being of your wallet.

‘We exist in memories’: Students, community remember Cyber Cafe West after closure

Pipe Dream Arts & Culture — Wed, 07 Aug 2019 13:54:52 +0000

After hosting roughly 5,000 musical events over 22 years of operation, Cyber Cafe West closed its doors on June 28 — but it leaves behind a long legacy as a Binghamton mainstay for music, food and culture. Opened by Binghamton University alum Jeff Kahn, ‘84, and Mimi Rietsch, his business partner, in 1997 as an internet cafe, Cyber Cafe West, located at 176 Main St., has adopted many roles. Before it became Cyber Cafe West, the building served as The Turf Exchange, a 1920’s speakeasy. When Khan and Rietsch purchased the building, they envisioned the cafe as a space for music programming. Rietsch left the cafe in 2003, but over the years, the business became known for bringing eclectic musicians and bands to the Binghamton area. Gabe Steinberg, a senior majoring in computer science, played the venue as a member of former student band The Landshark Committee. He said the cafe’s diverse range of performances brought people together. “It was immediately a hangout spot once there was someone playing there,” he said. “Some big bands would come and it was nice to see that we were playing in the same venue as some bigger bands from out of town.” Despite the cafe’s multifaceted history, its potential to draw loyal patrons eventually surpassed its potential to turn a profit. According to Kahn, there had been financial issues from the beginning of his endeavor, and the money situation took a turn for the worse in recent years. “Even as I felt we were getting better in many ways, business was going down,” he said. “My people aged out; I didn’t replace them with young people. I can’t tell you what’s popular now, and I think I might have been punished a little for that.” Still, the relationship between Cyber Cafe West and BU is a legacy in itself. Students living on the West Side might know the cafe as a study spot by day and a music venue by night, with organizations flocking there for fundraising events and student bands frequently taking the stage. The cafe has hosted benefit concerts in conjunction with Mu Phi Epsilon, a professional music fraternity, and WHRW 90.5 FM, BU’s campus radio station. In May, members of BU’s Slam Poetry Club organized a meetup at the cafe’s monthly open mic. Although Kahn attributes Cyber Cafe West’s struggle to the lack of interest from younger generations, Steinberg said the cafe fulfilled his desire for a unique venue that functioned as a gathering place. “I feel like music venues just shouldn’t be closing,” he said. “I had this dream of going to college and starting a venue with my friends … and making it into a hangout spot, but then I realized there were already great places that we just [had] to book performances at and it [would] be exactly what I wanted.” After announcing its closure on Facebook, the cafe held a farewell concert for its final evening of business. Kahn’s band, Monkey’s Typing, reunited after six years of retirement for one last gig. “It was the best week ever — going out of business was great for business,” Kahn said. “If I thought of this four years ago, it would have been ‘Cyber Cafe, going out of business since 2015.’ The last night, it was just insane. There was no beer left. We had 27 kegs when I announced the closure.” Hannah Sprout, 22, of Endwell, grew up across the street from the cafe and described it as “a safe haven” and “a second home.” “I really never thought the day would come, so it’s extremely shocking to me,” she said. “It just wasn’t like a corporate place — you know, it wasn’t like every other cafe. It was so old-school and grassroots with such an open environment. I kind of hoped the community would come together and not let it go away. This place has been open for so long and has so much history.” Patrons will have to wait to find out what’s coming next. Kahn said he is currently in negotiations with a potential buyer, and plans to keep the community alive by hosting trivia on Tuesday nights at the Lost Dog Cafe. “This person has something interesting that I think they’re gonna do; it’s not what I did,” he said. “I think that Cyber Cafe as it was is history. But the building has its history prior to me that was pretty interesting, and hopefully it’ll be interesting after.” Kahn said he hopes the cafe will be remembered fondly by past patrons as a labor of love and a hub for Binghamton arts. “I always hoped to have an influence in the community, and on my better days I want to say I did something that was helpful,” he said. “A lot of bands got their start, and a lot of people had memories from it. I think we exist in memories.”

Get Grinch-y with DIY green face masks

Pipe Dream Arts & Culture — Mon, 10 Dec 2018 03:53:34 +0000

Fall semester finals week is particularly difficult because, unlike the spring semester, everything in the Binghamton area resembles a desolate, frigid tundra. The only thing that keeps many students going is the holidays coming just around the corner. This finals week, Pipe Dream decided to combine the good, the bad and the freezing in a de-stressing activity — creating DIY Christmas-y, Grinch-like face masks. The masks are easy to make with a blender to clear up your stressed out, sleep-deprived skin, while providing some holiday cheer. Green Tea and Mint Mask — 2 teaspoons matcha powder — 5 sprigs mint, leafy stems included — ½ teaspoon water Avocado Honey Mask — ½ avocado — Juice of half a lime — 3 teaspoons honey Cucumber Cooling Mask — Half a cucumber, cut in pieces — Inner liquid part of the base half of an aloe leaf Blend all until smooth. If you don’t have a blender, mashing together in a bowl will create a similar, but lumpier consistency. Shauna B: I made a matcha-mint mask. I originally wanted something with more hydrating power, but because we did the masks right after Santacon, I was in the mood for something more detoxifying. I let the mask dry completely on my face, and then washed it off with warm water — beware, because this mask will stain your face green and you may need to cleanse a second time with a makeup wipe or micellar water. However, after testing each of them, we agreed that this mask packed the biggest punch — I was shocked by how much clearer and more radiant my skin looked after I washed the mask off. The green tea detoxes your skin and tightens pores as it dries, while the mint is packed with acids that combat redness. Yet, unlike most inorganic acids, it creates this effect while soothing the skin with a cooling feeling. This mask was also the most Grinch-y — it came out with an opaque forest-green hue, which was so concentrated color-wise that I felt like I had gotten a real spa treatment. Nikki S and Katy W: The avocado honey mask was our face mask of choice. Before you begin to apply this homespun face mask, we would suggest exfoliating your face with any gruff facial cleanser you may have at home with a washcloth. It will allow the mixture to seep into your pores better, resulting in a better outcome for your skin. Avocado helps soothe skin inflammations, including eczema, acne and psoriasis, while both the honey and lime possess antibacterial properties to combat acne-causing bacteria. As we spread the face mask onto our faces, we felt it was difficult keeping a good layer on our skin. It became chunky in some areas while very scarce in others. We would suggest adding a bit more honey or avocado to the mix to make a thicker substance. The mask also left a burning sensation where our skin had breakouts due to the lime juice. We would not recommend this mask for sensitive skin types or severely acne-prone skin, as your skin would feel the burning sensation much more. On the other parts of our face, like the T-zone area, it was more of a “cool” feeling. Toward the end of the 15 minutes, we felt our skin was getting tight and knew it was about time to take it off with cold water. On the bright side, your skin has a glow after you rinse it off, and it smells great, too. This mask wasn’t the most Grinch-y of the three, though it still had a noticeable green hue for the festive effect. Gabby I: I chose the cucumber aloe mask. Because the cucumber was so gelatinous, the addition of aloe resulted in a runny liquid mask, similar in texture to Cetaphil. As someone who rarely does face masks, I appreciated that this mask was light, soft and not too thick. With healing aloe and fresh-scented cucumber, this seems like an ideal summer mask, but it can also be great for winter dryness. My skin gets chapped and flaky in the winter, and the moisturizing properties of the aloe and cucumber gave me a healthy glow, cooling and refreshing my wind-weathered skin. In terms of Grinch-iness, however, this fell low on the scale. There were a few flecks of green from the cucumber skin, but the mask was mostly transparent and not very pigmented; the shimmery sheen on my face was a far cry from the Grinch’s aggressively verdant visage. This was preferable for me as a timid face mask novice, but not optimal for the dedicated Grinch impersonator.

Restaurant Week: Fall 2018

Pipe Dream Arts & Culture — Fri, 12 Oct 2018 21:06:19 +0000

This fall semester, the biannual Restaurant Week event is back and better than ever — introducing brand-new menu samplings and new restaurants. With prices ranging from $10 to $20 for a full three-course lunch or dinner, Restaurant Week is every student’s and local’s favorite time of the year. Our Pipe Dream writers tasted and reviewed 13 different menu offerings — including upscale steakhouse Number 5 and longtime Restaurant Week participant, Lost Dog Cafe. Restaurant Week runs through Oct. 18, so make sure to take advantage of these deals and explore the diverse tastes of Downtown Binghamton.

Located immediately in the center of Downtown Binghamton on Washington Street, Craft is both hip and timeless at first glance. Wood-paneled walls and classic rock give the restaurant a relaxed vibe, but the atmosphere is decidedly young and fun, something that comes through in Craft’s Restaurant Week menu.

If you’re anything like me, then you are always looking for some good-quality chips and guac. Fortunately, that is exactly what Dos Rios provides. With a perfect hint of lime, the chips and guac is a classic appetizer you can’t miss. We also ordered the Mexi Fries, which united waffle fries, chipotle crema, cotija cheese, pico de gallo and jalapeños into a perfectly crunchy assortment.

As the name suggests, the main focus of Garage Taco Bar is its selection of tacos and other Mexican-inspired cuisine. For Restaurant Week, the restaurant is offering a lunch and dinner meal for $12 and $20, respectively. Lunch is served from 11:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. and dinner is served from 5 p.m. to 11 p.m. We went during dinner, but the menus are mostly the same, with the main difference being you get an extra taco for dinner.

The Restaurant Week menu offers ravioli with or without the restaurant’s signature “meat logs” — oblong meatballs shaped in a way that purportedly helps them cook more evenly. My dining partner ordered the chicken cutlet parmigiana, which came with a side of spaghetti. All of the restaurant’s pasta is made in-house, and this effort definitely pays off. Both my ravioli and my dining partner’s spaghetti were fresh and cooked to al dente perfection.

The restaurant’s fan-favorite dish is the rigatoni ala vodka, but the Moroccan vegan “meatball” tagine caught my eye. After witnessing us struggle to decide on our orders, our accommodating server, Elaine, surprised us with each of our own pastas — I got mine “old school” with a pinch of cayenne pepper — and a tagine to share.

After inquiring about the strikingly seasonal seasoning of the appetizers, we learned that Number 5 uses Restaurant Week as a way to gauge and edit its fall menu. Though it offers staples — like the petite Greek tenderloin — that bring in regulars each time the event is organized, the dependable influx of visitors allows the establishment to experiment with its fall flavors. This couldn’t be more noticeable in the harvest salmon, which I ordered as my entree.

Partially due to its incredibly friendly staff and surprisingly large — and equally tasty — serving portions, Old World is better than the average stop-and-go sandwich shop. Open from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. on weekdays and until 4 a.m. on Friday and Saturday nights, this is an ideal stop for anyone craving a sub on their walk back toward the bridge after an evening, or a late night, in Downtown Binghamton.

The teriyaki choice came with stir-fried zucchini, yellow squash, red pepper, red onion and snow peas on jasmine rice with a choice of protein. For the diet-restricted readers, Sake-Tumi’s menu provided vegan, vegetarian and gluten-free options. The teriyaki choice was simple and delicious, the entree size being generous enough to fill me up after a long day of classes and studying for midterm season.

For my entree, I selected the harvest salad, which consisted of fresh leafy greens, sliced apples, tomatoes, red onion and feta cheese topped with roasted pumpkin seeds. Personally, I chose a strawberry vinaigrette for my dressing to complement the fruitiness of the salad. It was fresh and light, and the pub doesn’t shy away from serving large portions for the main course.

Don’t let The Shop’s laid-back ambiance fool you — from the quality of its food, it’s clear that the chefs put in a lot of work to create unique dishes with contrasting yet complementary flavors. The excellent service was the cherry on top, or the whipped cream on the crepe. Overall, it’s no surprise why The Shop has such a stellar reputation.

The PB and J Burger was ultimately a unique culinary experience, as the sweet flavors of peanut butter and jelly did tastefully contrast the salty patty. Although I would not forecast this as the next groundbreaking culinary fusion, it is a fun and unique item on The Colonial’s menu.

The speakeasy, which opened in January 2018, provides a welcoming environment that emulates a cozy parlor room with bookshelves and mirrors lining the walls. The unusually warm October day allowed me and my photographer to sit right by the new patio. Decorated with twinkly lights and pretty wood furnishing, the patio gives off a different vibe than the rest of the restaurant, but still makes you feel like you’re far away from the city of Binghamton.

According to head chef Vince Fronda, this particular menu is especially exciting — Social on State is in the process of changing its permanent menu, and its Restaurant Week menu sees a sampling of some potential dishes. Longtime fans will also notice that the restaurant has undergone a face-lift, swapping out its old decor for new, chic additions to the space, though TVs and a relaxing atmosphere keep it down-to-earth and casual.

Pick the perfect fall activity to do this family weekend

Pipe Dream Arts & Culture — Thu, 27 Sep 2018 04:14:49 +0000

If you’re a student whose parents are visiting this weekend for Binghamton University’s open house, it can be difficult to figure out which events will entertain the family and which are worth skipping. Check out our Family Weekend calendar to determine how to best introduce — or reintroduce — BU to your parents. Friday 10 a.m. – University Book Sale at Glenn G. Bartle Library — University Libraries’ annual book sale will take place in the East Reading Room of Bartle Library. The sale hosts a wide range of fiction and nonfiction texts, and while your parents shop for the next addition to their bookshelf, students can find hidden gems in $3 required textbooks on sale every year. 7:45 p.m. – Evening Walk in the Nature Preserve — Join Nature Preserve tour guides for a twilight walk in BU’s largest environmental resource. The guides will focus their tour around nocturnal animals that reside in the Preserve. Saturday Noon – Zoomobile at the University Union Lobby — If you visit the lobby of the Union, you and your family can meet the animals of the Binghamton Zoo at Ross Park. While their famous giraffe, April, will likely not be present, many of the smaller animals will be there. 3 p.m. – Family Weekend Concert at the Osterhout Concert Theater — Hear each of Binghamton’s musical ensembles — the University Symphony Orchestra, University Wind Symphony, Harpur Chorale, Women’s Chorus and Chamber Singers — all at once in this concert. The music will be in part a tribute to the work of Leonard Bernstein. 9:30 p.m. – Second City Improv Group at the Events Center — The Chicago-based comedy group — of which famous comedians, including Tina Fey and Steven Colbert, are alumni — will be making a stop in its tour at Binghamton. Attend to see up-and-coming comedians before they make it big at the late-night shows and Netflix specials. Sunday 8:00 a.m. — Seventh Annual Running with the Goats at the Tillman Lobby — A long-standing Family Weekend tradition, the University invites families to a 2.6-mile run (or walk) for charity. While there are no goats actually present, the event raises funds to purchase goats for the Maasai people in Kenya.

Restaurant Week: Spring 2018

Pipe Dream Arts & Culture — Thu, 22 Mar 2018 19:28:24 +0000

It’s every student and local resident’s favorite time of year: Binghamton Restaurant Week. Restaurant Week is a biannual event, during which restaurants in the city offer fixed-price, three-course meals for lunch and/or dinner. For this Restaurant Week, our staff has sampled old favorites like The Lost Dog Cafe and The Shop, as well as newer spots like Craft, to create a guide for different budgets and tastes. Take advantage of these deals as an excuse to get Downtown — and to see all that the city of Binghamton has to offer beyond State Street — before you leave for spring break. Restaurant Week runs until Thursday, March 29.

South City Publick House has been a familiar spot ever since I moved to Downtown Binghamton. Just across the street from Number 5 and Whole in the Wall, the family-friendly gastropub is the perfect place to try some New American dishes at a cozy Binghamton staple.

Known for its signature dish — rigatoni a la vodka — and eclectic decor that seems too cool for Downtown Binghamton, the Lost Dog Cafe is an interesting place to say the least. Named in honor of a spunky little chihuahua named Clarese, the Lost Dog Cafe is the place to be if you fancy great food, wonderful service and a relaxed atmosphere.

For Restaurant Week, Citrea is offering a three-course meal at the price of $12 and $25 for lunch and dinner, respectively. This year for Restaurant Week, in addition to its popular specialty pizzas, the restaurant has added new features to its menu, along with a few old classics to tickle not only the taste buds of new patrons, but also appease the palates of regulars who know what they want before they even sit down.

The Shop celebrates its three-year anniversary this week, and although it’s fairly new compared to many Downtown Binghamton locales, it holds its own during Restaurant Week as an innovative cafe-style eatery.The restaurant’s $20 dinner menu allows diners to choose from three appetizers, six entrees and three desserts. Owner Eugenie Zynda said the menu was curated with both popular favorites and new experimental dishes in mind, and also allows the 21-and-over crowd to sample the restaurant’s spiked house brew coffee as a dessert.

Social on State is exactly what its name implies: social.Upon arriving at the restaurant, I was greeted by the roar of conversation from the restaurant’s tightly packed and enthusiastic crowd. With an eclectic menu and expansive drink selection, it’s the kind of spot that would make any Williamsburg resident excited. Social has the kind of atmosphere that’s perfect for a large, hungry crowd looking for a couple of special drinks.

Exemplifying the saying, “Don’t judge a book by its cover,’” Old World Deli provides a welcoming atmosphere with an array of toasty and tasty sandwiches to choose from this Restaurant Week.Located at 27 Court St. in Downtown Binghamton, this deli is perfect for a quick bite to eat or a casual place to hang out with friends.

During Restaurant Week, the restaurant’s fixed-price menu includes a three-course lunch for $15, a three-course dinner for $25 and a four-course dinner for $30. My photographer and I stuck to a vegetarian four-course dinner, but many of the restaurant’s standout options happen to be vegetarian-friendly anyway.

Craft, the newest restaurant to open in Downtown Binghamton, has been welcoming customers for just over two weeks. The vibe of the restaurant is like Buffalo Wild Wings meets a laid-back version of Craft’s sister restaurant, Social on State. Though it is owned by the same team, the food at Craft is only like Social on State in the size of its portions. Rather than tapas, however, Craft specializes in sliders.

Garage’s Restaurant Week menu offers a three-course lunch for $12 and a three-course dinner for $20. My friend Kevin and I went for dinner. For lunch and dinner, the options for the first course, which is more like a side served with the second course, are the same: lime citrus salad, street corn, chips with pico de gallo and the soup of the day. When I went, the soup of the day was verde corn.

Word on the Street: AIM Away Messages

Pipe Dream Arts & Culture — Mon, 11 Dec 2017 13:36:12 +0000

Restaurant Week – Fall 2017

Pipe Dream Arts & Culture — Sat, 23 Sep 2017 02:40:00 +0000

Feeling hungry? You know what time it is: Binghamton’s fall 2017 Restaurant Week. During this biannual event, restaurants in the city offer three course fixed-price meals, with options for lunch and dinner. Our staff has sampled burgers, pastas, and tacos galore to find out what you should — and shouldn’t — bite into, so take advantage of all the deals available this week and use them as an excuse to venture Downtown before the bars open. Pipe Dream’s guide to Restaurant Week is fit with options for all tastes and budgets and we hope you’ll share your own reviews with us and your fellow readers. Restaurant Week runs until Thursday, Sept. 28.

Upon arrival, you’re greeted a large and sturdy wooden bar, and a dining room filled with round wooden tables and English-style pub chairs. On an exposed red-brick wall that runs the length of the dining room, there are photos showcasing early 20th century Binghamton, and hammered-copper pendent lights outfitted with Edison bulbs hang from the ceiling. The mix of rustic and contemporary items makes for a homey yet refined experience.

The main course offers a choice between rigatoni a la vodka, sloppy joe, chicken tamale pie and seasonal organic greens. I got the rigatoni a la vodka, their signature dish, which is made with garlic and tomatoes flamed in vodka, with cream, fresh basil and grated cheese. While the house salad was just adequate, the rigatoni was splendid.

The shining star of the entrees was the mysteriously-named, “The Plate.” It consisted of a pile of fries topped with guacamole, pico de gallo, WSBC “secret sauce,” beer queso and Buffalo chicken (there was also the option of a burger instead of the chicken). The guacamole and pico de gallo gave the dish a fresh take on the “loaded fries” genre and it worked fantastically, making this dish both unique and delicious.

We sampled the roasted chicken-and-vegetable sandwich, which featured zucchini and squash, some vegetables that aren’t normally found on sandwiches. The texture and taste of the zucchini and squash added a surprising and delicious contrast to the toasty ciabatta bread and the Sriracha mayonnaise. The potato chips on the side were almost as good as the sandwich — perfectly salted and so thin that they practically melted in my mouth.

Social on State has earned a reputation for being just that — a social way to eat. Restaurant Week is no different, only a little cheaper. Adventurous eaters and those who stick to the safe side of things will both find pleasing options on the menu, but either way, the best way to eat here is certainly to go with someone else and split the small dishes in its intimate atmosphere.

Walking into Alexander’s Cafe feels a little bit like coming home after a long journey. The restaurant, located in an odd corner of Downtown Binghamton on Chenango Street across from The Printing House, seems unassuming at first glance; but for those that are willing to travel off the beaten path, this cafe holds some seriously good food.

The tofu was well-seasoned and complemented the cabbage and radish with which it was served. The chipotle and adobo made the tacos a little spicier than I may have been prepared for, but add much-needed flavor too. We were similarly impressed by the cauliflower tacos, but for those with an aversion toward spicy food, be sure to order without the jalapenos. The portions were generous, with three well-stuffed tacos per plate. It was almost difficult to finish all three, but thankfully, we were successful.

For Restaurant Week, Number 5 has selected some of the best of their expansive (and expensive) menu for $30. Although the price point is at the higher end, it’s a great deal for the caliber of food they offer—some entrees alone are more than that it costs for the three courses for dinner this week. Even from the short list, it was hard to choose just one dish for each of the courses.

Whole in the Wall is committed to using natural ingredients and accommodating a range of dietary needs, and the staff saves food scraps from the kitchen to incorporate them into soups for Salvation Army food lines. The dishes there are both nourishing and millennial-friendly — they could just as easily come from a quirky San Francisco food truck as from your grandmother’s kitchen.

As an American bistro, the restaurant serves traditional dishes like steak, seafood, and fries, but surprises guests with ingredients that blend and complement each other quite nicely. The restaurant is decorated with full-length windows in the dining room, geometric furniture and plants which give it a sleek, modern interior. Along with the contemporary instrumental music playing in the background, the restaurant’s vibe is good for family, friends and even a romantic date.

Binghamton Hots offers food that’s best paired with good company and no reluctance in leaving a clean plate. The late-night hot spot is home to everyone’s favorite midnight snacks, but few realize that its doors open at 11:30 a.m. for lunch. For Restaurant Week, Binghamton Hots is offering a lunch of their house favorites for $12.

At first glance, the House of Reardon does not look like anything special. From the outside, it appears tiny and is definitely not the nicest looking building in the world. Determined not to judge this book by its cover, I decided I would wait to see what my experience was like inside the establishment before I make my final verdict, and I’m glad I did; it exceeded my expectations.

For the main entree, I ordered the eggplant parmigiana, which came with a small bowl of house made spaghetti on the side. The spaghetti noodles were thick and covered in a delicious house-made marinara sauce. The sauce was slightly sweet, which countered the acidity of the tomatoes and made it a perfectly balanced, hearty dish. I can’t think of anything that would have made the spaghetti better.