Proper nourishment
is essential for peak brain function. If you notice that your synapses
are firing a little slower than usual, you may want to head to the Ave
(University Way) or the HUB (Husky Union Building) for sustenance. No
matter which dietary school of thought you prescribe to -- fatty fast
foods to health foods, herbal to caffeinated or even bubble tea (which
has its own food group), or anything in between -- there is something
to please your palate, calm your cravings and psyche-up your synapses
in the HUB or on the Ave.
Let me break it
down for you:
The
HUB:
The above link provides detailed information about the food choices
in the HUB and the all-important hours of operation.
The HUB is a great
choice for noshing since it provides many choices in a concentrated
space. Best of all, it's a stone's throw from both our beloved Mary
Gates Hall and from the much maligned EE Building. It is possible to
run over to the HUB in between classes or on a break and pick up something
quick as long as it is not a sandwich from Subway. Yes, there are two
lines and both seem to move at glacial speeds! Aside from sandwiches,
the HUB offers Mexican, Asian, Italian, and basic American (?) style
foods. Wasn't it the British who invented the sandwich?
Having sampled
most of the food there, I have to say…..it…..is…..edible,
acceptable, and mostly fine. Moving on…there are also some other
perks to visiting the HUB -- like the bowling alley, arcade games, a
gallery, a branch of the University Bookstore (no textbooks, darn!),
a T.V. room, and general mingling with your fellow students. Be aware
that most of the food establishments close at 3 p.m. with the exception
of Subway (8 p.m.), Pagliacci's Pizza (9 p.m.), and Etc. (9 p.m.)
The Ave:
In the spirit
of fun and research, I ventured up and down the Ave, which is quite
a bit more eclectic and much less polished than the HUB, especially
during this period of construction. The food and shopping venues run
the gamut, like sport's bars with hot wings, food from the Himalayas
or the elusive Bubble Tea (not just a taste, but a total body experience)!
The Ave has a life
force all its own. The quality of the food ranges from adequate to inspired,
and is worth checking out if you have an extended break between classes.
A few notable restaurants are Big Time Brewery & Alehouse (love
the vegetarian nachos!), Honeybee's Café (grilled sandwiches
and fries), and Thai-Ger Room. These places are heavily patronized during
the lunch hour, so be sure to have some time on your hands. For those
of you who prefer a two-martini lunch, most restaurants on the Ave serve
alcohol, but you may have to substitute beer for the gin and vermouth.
An Ave 'must' is to drop by any of the cafes and bakeries for a little
pick-me-up, especially to recover from all that beer you drank for lunch!
Shopping the Ave
is always interesting. New businesses are replacing old with a few long-time
favorites rounding out the mix. You'll find plenty o' bookstores and
newsstands, and most notably the Sir Plus Army Navy store and Gargoyles
Statuary. If camouflage pants and gothic statues aren't on your shopping
list, add them. It's what I'm buying everyone for Christmas.
So eat, drink,
and be merry -- you deserve it! After all, graduate school is tough.
You might as well be satiated and cheerful.
