This tiny and adorable restaurant nestled right off Vestal Parkway near Downtown Binghamton is the healthy food-lover’s dream. Whole In The Wall is usually only open Thursday through Saturday, 11am to 9pm, but this week they’ll be open for the same hours on Wednesday, February 14, for Valentine’s Day. If you have a special someone or are single as a Pringle and planning a “Galentine’s Day,” look no further than this perfect nook.
Whole in the Wall's fresh menu, with organic and vegan options like homemade juices, enhances their cozy café and restaurant vibes. Aside from the healthy eats, they offer a host of seafood, burgers, and other meat options. Also, prior to serving students, locals, and celebrities at their location for 37 years, owner Eliot Fiks made 1,000 bagels weekly at the Binghamton University Co-Op on campus, so if you’re missing bagels from home, stop in to buy his (fresh or frozen) at the restaurant.
When I entered the restaurant, I immediately noticed the warm and welcoming atmosphere, and the waiters were all so helpful. Soon after sitting at a sunlight-soaked table, we looked over the drink menu. Whole In The Wall has over 25 drinks including wines, beers, and freshly squeezed juices. From their juice options of carrot, celery, and apple, I spontaneously decided to mix all three. It was #powermoves because my juice was fresh and pulp-less (because pulp is gross), and full of naturally sweet flavors from the fruits and vegetables.
Then we moved to the food. Think you love garlic knots? Just wait until you try Whole In The Wall’s outstanding Garlic Ball. This appetizer, slightly bigger than your fist, is a warm, gooey, dough ball filled with garlic, melted cheese, and olive oil that melts with every bite you take. I could have easily eaten three or four. If only calories didn't count.
For our next appetizer, we ordered their famous Creamy Mushroom Soup. Eliot, being the welcoming and caring owner that he is, surprised us with tasting sizes of all three soups being offered that day: Vegetable Medley Bisque, Creamy Mushroom, and Split Pea (special of the day).
The Vegetable Medley was cream-based, but was not overwhelming, and the tomato taste shined through. The Split Pea had a little kick from their secret spices. I was shocked to admit that the Creamy Mushroom was my favorite, considering I do not like mushrooms and never order dishes with them. The soup was thick, with a subtle mushroom flavor I adored. I highly recommend ordering at least one soup when you visit, especially considering the Binghamton weather.
When it came time to order an entrée, we knew their Valentine’s Day special, Enchilada Rancheros, was a must-have. Eliot, a self-proclaimed "nice Jewish boy", had perfected an ethnic cuisine he wasn’t even raised on, and admitted that friends from Mexico often say the dish reminds them of home. I sampled both the Chicken and Re-fried Beans Enchiladas, and ranked the beans #1, but my photographer loved the pollo more.
Both enchiladas came topped with a bed of greens, a spring mix with sprouts, tomatoes, and cucumber, and perfectly complimented with salsa verde. The contents of both soft tortillas were creamy, full of authentic spices in each bite, and the re-fried beans had a little extra kick, so spicy food-lovers take note.
The second main plate that we tasted was Whole In The Wall’s Mideast Platter. Homemade felafel, baba ghanouj, hummus, and yogurt sesame dressing were plated with fresh vegetables. The pita bread came out warm, and was perfect for making into a pita pocket sandwich or just dipping into the spreads. I can honestly say this was one of the best eggplant baba ghanouj dips I have ever had, and the hummus was prize-winning, in my eyes, as well. The felafel had a crispy outside and soft inside, was full of flavor, and paired perfectly with all three dips and dressing. I should've ordered some for the road!
We knew Eliot’s pesto was famous, as it's sold in 19 states and over 125 stores and farmer’s markets, which led us to our third entrée: bow tie pasta with both Basil Pesto and Sweet Red Pepper Pesto. Both pesto flavors were the perfect medium of not too thick and not too oily. The Sweet Red Pepper was so unique and unlike anything I had tried before. I almost took some home. #ProTip mix two pesto flavors in one bite for an elevated pasta dish.
At this point, we were beyond stuffed, but could not pass on dessert. We ordered slices of both “Freddie’s Organic Apple Oat Crumb Pie” and “JJ’s Peanut Butter Pie.” The apple pie was made with fresh, sweet, organic apples, topped with oats and brown sugar, and sat on a soft, yet crisp traditional crust. It was beyond phenomenal. The peanut butter pie was unlike anything I had eaten before, impressively creamy but not sticky, and it was complimented by the chocolate cookie crust.
Eliot came over to our table shocked to see that we didn’t order Whole In The Wall’s famous Raspberry Chocolate Chip Brownie Sundae and insisted he make one for us right then. It’s not pictured because we ate it before the camera could. The sundae included a warm brownie with melted chocolate chips, covered in raspberry sauce, and topped with whipped cream. It was decadent and exquisite - a solid sharing option for Valentine's Day.
I will definitely be back for lunch or dinner soon, and will be spotted leaving with Whole In The Wall's fresh pesto and bagels in hand. You can also buy their delicious goods at the Broome County Farmer's Market, about a 10-15 minute drive from Binghamton University's main campus and University Downtown Center. With appropriate pricing for students, Whole in the Wall is a worthwhile spot to bring family, friends, or significant others.