Restaurant Reflections
Brad Seligmann
The Spicy Pickle
Spicy Pickle (Chain): 3.5 of 5
Location: 2504 W. Clifton Ave. (513)569-0000
Atmosphere: 3 of 5
Presentation: 1 of 5
Taste: 4 of 5
Return Possibility: Medium
spicypickle.com
Workers at the sandwich station.
Arriving at the Spicy Pickle, located in Clifton across from the Chipotle, I was greeted by the nice, fashionable yet sterile atmosphere of a trendy chain lunch spot. The menu is simple and concise, although there is enough variety to justify future visits to try alternative options.
The shop resembles Panera. I ordered a soup and sandwich, the Englishman roast beef sub and the Loaded Potato soup. The server kindly recommended the sandwich combo to save money, which would give me a half a sandwich and either soup or salad. The panini and sub sandwiches are about $7, soup is $3.50, and the combo $7.
The servers and cooks were friendly and prompt, and everything was as I had ordered it. However, the food was cause for disappointment. The potato soup was the runniest I have ever tasted and was lacking in substance. It was palatable but inadequate, although I imagine I would find their other soups more impressive.
The Englishman sub was a mess right out of the wrapper, with nearly half the outside of the bun covered in a messy dressing. It tasted excellent, but was impossible to eat. This might have been due to ordering to-go, in which case any sandwich faces injury – a sandwich ordered in would not be subjected to wrapping and transport. Although I was upset with the presentation of the food, the flavors were excellent and the varied menu certainly warrants another try.
spicypickle.com
The sandwich and the famous pickle.
Included with each sandwich is the shop’s namesake, a spicy pickle. Beware, the spice is quite delayed: Taking a bite, you experience the typical pickle taste, but a moment later you’re smacked with fire. The spice is nothing for those who frequent Indian cuisine, but it’s high for the typical American fare.
There is parking across the way next to Chipotle, but the meters are expensive and the lot is closely monitored.. If you’re in Clifton and looking for food then stop in, but the food probably isn’t worth the trip from campus – this is just another place in the genre of Panera.
Highland Coffee House
Highland Coffee House (Independent) 4.5 of 5
Location: 2839 Highland Ave. (513)861-4151
Atmosphere: 5 of 5
Presentation: 3.5 of 5
Taste: 4 of 5
Return Possibility: High
This inconspicuous café is located on Highland and University, across from Mecklenburg Gardens. Entering this coffee shop is a far cry from the Starbucks and Caribou Coffees that dominate the market place. This is urban bohemia.
The front corner is dominated by a ratty couch and tangle of plants which seem to be growing from the very building itself. Ancient eclectic furniture is scattered throughout, and the aroma of fresh grounds fills the air.
The coffee menu is quite extensive and exhausting for a non-coffee drinker. They have a number of unique flavor combinations and are quite willing to craft something to your liking if their vast menu doesn’t have what you crave.
My guest and I arrived for an early dinner, and split a sandwich. It’s completely homemade behind the counter. Absolutely delicious with large portions for the price paid, but the menu is sparse – this is no restaurant.
Coffee and other drink prices seem average for such an establishment. For those of us with a stronger social conscience, paying a little more for Fair Trade coffee to a local non-chain shop is worth it. The garden terrace in back is excellent this time of year to sit down with a coffee and read – something most places are lacking.
Opening late, around 5 pm, they tend to remain open until 2 a.m. to accommodate their out-of-the-mainstream customers. In other words, this can be a great place to escape the stresses of campus and study.
The only drawback for the Xavier student is their location, since local cafés such as The Speckled Bird can fulfill the same niche. All in all, Highland Street Coffee House is worth a try – once you’ve tried it, you’ll surely come back for more.
It’s all in the name
Brandy Williams
Arts & Entertainment Editor
Newswire Official Rating:
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A very touching mother-son moment between Susan Sarandon and Seann William Scott.
The movie Mr.Woodcock starring Billy Bob Thornton and Seann William Scott has middle school children around the world dreading high school physical education teachers.
The movie is about a self-help book author named John Farley (Seann William Scott) who returns to his hometown to be awarded the corncob key to the city as one the most famous people to ever escape the town.
Upon his return he is horrified to learn that his mother (Susan Sarandon) has a new boyfriend, his old gym class teacher, Mr.Woodcock (Billy Bob Thornton).
This isn’t just the typical my mother is dating one of my past educators situations either, Mr.Woodcock is the reason John had to write the self-help book to get over the terror and hell that Mr. Woodcock put him and other boys through.
John isn’t able to just walk away from this situation and he devises a plan to break up Mr.Woodcock and his mother. He becomes so involved in his mission that he recruits a childhood friend to help him find evidence against Woodcock to convince his mother to leave him.
As you could imagine, the story takes its moral dive just about at that point. Mr. Woodcock and John engage in a territorial competition to out do the other and get John’s mother’s affection.
These antics will make you laugh and cringe with empathy from the pain they inflict upon each other. The plot thickens when Mr. Woodcock proposes to John’s mother.
This movie is a lot of fun and worth the $9 for some cheap laughs and painful antics. The movie provides a good moral ending about getting over your past and the consequences of meddling in other peoples’ lives, as well as the damage that can be caused by a cruel and heartless gym teacher who doesn’t know how to express his emotions properly.
Mr.Woodcock is rated PG-13 for crude and sexual content, thematic material, language and a mild drug reference, which means that you can take your preteen siblings to see it.
A little more personal
Emily Hoferer
Arts & Entertainment Editor
Newswire Official Rating:
Like him or not, Kenny Chesney is one of the biggest country music stars in the world. His CDs have good sing-a-long songs that would make any person yearn for an island getaway spent sipping margaritas and bask in the sun. His new CD Just Who I Am: Poets and Pirates contains a few of his trademark beach-esque tunes, but it also displays a more reflective side of this country superstar.
His first single “Never Wanted Nothin’ More” is one of the strongest tracks on his CD, explaining the simple joys in life, including spiritual fulfillment. Chesney continues with this theme of the joy of life in “Don’t Blink” and “Just Not Today.” His most personal song is called “Wife and Kids” which was written because that is something that Chesney yearns for in his real life.
The feel-good music is still a strong presence on this album. Chesney teams up with country legend George Strait for “Shiftwork,” which is a song about the pains of work.
Chesney also teams up with Joe Walsh for the sexy but slightly trashy song “Wild Ride,” which feels more like a Big ‘N Rich song than anything else. Along the lines of fun, playful romps is the typical regretful one-night stand song “Got a Little Crazy” which displays Kenny’s usual flair for relaxing melodies.
There are two songs on the CD that attempt to be heartfelt and moving, but end up as just seeming out of place. “Dancin’ for Groceries” is a tune about a single mother who works nights for more money. I know that Chesney is trying to tell a rather sad story about a very courageous woman, but the song is just awkward.
His closing track on the album does a better job at getting the point across. “Demons” is about continuously feeling troubled in life, is another reflective song for Chesney that just leaves a bad taste in your mouth.
This album is not without its token love song, which comes in the form of “Scare Me.” Even though the song is similar to a song from his previous CD, “Save Me,” the song is still sweet and sentimental.
Overall, the positives of Chesney’s poetry outweighs the negatives. The title sums up the playful and serious nature of the latest album. Hopefully it’s successful enough to encourage Chesney to continue to write songs directly from the heart.
Stephanie Metz
Diversions Editor
Delta Week
Join the ladies of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority as they usher in Delta week. Wednesday, Sept.12 at 3 p.m. will be an ISS and Delta Coffee hour, talk about the origins of soul food in GSC. Enjoy great food and fun. At 3 p.m Thursday, Sept. 13 is Smart Money 101. Learn how to make your money work for you at 7 p.m. in Schott’s Presentation room. Friday, Sept. 14 is Karaoke Night in GSC atrium at 7 p.m.
Late Night Movie
The GSC will be presenting the movie “Knocked Up” for its late night movie series. The hilarious comedy will be featured at 11 p.m. from Thursday to Saturday Sept. 13-16 in the GSC Theater. The event is free to XU students. Take a break from studying and come out for a good time.
BSA Game Night
Join the Black Student Association for game night at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept.12 in Kelley Auditorium. There will be prizes, fun and much more. And of course its free!
Seniors Night
Seniors are you ready for the first senior night out at Dana Gardens? Come join the senior board at 10 p.m. on Thursday, September 13. There will be food, fund and $1 drafts all night. You must be 21 years old to drink!
“Frozen”
Come out for great theatrics and see Xavier Theatre Arts present “Frozen” by Bryony Lavery. It will be shown Thursday-Saturday, Sept. 13-16 and 20-23 at 7p.m. in the GSC Studio. Tickets are $3 for students andfaculty $5 for general admissions.
Concert!
The Brother from Another Mother tour will be on the greenspace for your entertainment on Monday, Sept.17 at 5 p.m. Enjoy food, soul music and lots of fun. And it’s free!
