{"id":310,"date":"2017-01-26T20:52:40","date_gmt":"2017-01-27T01:52:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.syracusewomanmag.com\/?p=310"},"modified":"2017-02-23T12:20:09","modified_gmt":"2017-02-23T17:20:09","slug":"platter-chatter-original-grain","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.syracusewomanmag.com\/?p=310","title":{"rendered":"Original Grain"},"content":{"rendered":"

Healthy, Grainy Goodness<\/strong><\/h1>\n

By Lorna Oppedisano | Photography by Steven J. Pallone<\/a>\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

Original Grain, Syracuse\u2019s newest health-conscious eatery, is poised at the crossroads of LA and NYC \u2014 well, sort of. Located at the former Tim Horton\u2019s location on the corner of Salina and Fayette Streets, on the edge of Armory Square in the heart of downtown Syracuse, OG brings restaurant goers a menu of unique, healthy options in a crisp, bright and airy space, all revolving around the OG brand. Think the \u201cbohemian vibe\u201d you\u2019d find in LA mashed with the \u201craw and beat boy, broken skate deck\u201d from NYC.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s fun when you can walk into a space and be fully engulfed by the brand, and it feels as though you\u2019re transformed into another area or place in the world,\u201d OG cofounder Chris Bily said.<\/p>\n

The idea for OG was inspired by some conversations between Chris and cofounder Eric Hinman about healthier options in Syracuse. After they began taking inspirational trips to LA and NYC, the duo realized how to solve the problem of a lack of healthy restaurant options in the area: create one themselves. Their mouths started to water, and the wheels were set in motion, Chris explained. The duo opened OG on Aug. 29.<\/p>\n

The location, 302 S. Salina St., was the perfect pick to achieve the vibe and create the space they\u2019d envisioned. It was downtown, appealing to their target demographic of young professionals who live or work in the city. The team resurfaced the existing infrastructure that Tim Horton\u2019s had left behind. The space wasn\u2019t intimidatingly large, but had enough square footage to comfortably accommodate diners.<\/p>\n

The next step was to cultivate the OG brand. Both men being \u201csuckers for branding,\u201d Chris admitted with a laugh, they understood the importance of providing an immersive experience for anyone who might set foot in the space.<\/p>\n

While only Chris, cofounder of Armory Square\u2019s Modern Malt, had experience as a restauranteur, Eric \u2014 who\u2019d been a \u201cfrequent flier as a customer\u201d in the culinary world \u2014 was familiar with providing and promoting a customer experience, thanks to his work as partner\/cofounder of Urban Life Athletics. He\u2019s enjoyed the learning process of entering a new business, he said.<\/p>\n

A large piece of the OG brand is, of course, the focus on the healthy food. The menu offers a variety of bowls, brekkie bowls, nori wraps, sandwiches, smoothies, toasts, local spirits and more. Not familiar with some of those terms? Not to worry; OG proudly features unique ingredients and encourages their customers to throw caution to the wind and venture into trying new foods.<\/p>\n

Both Chris and Eric suggest newcomers try the Great Swell, featuring ahi tuna, cucumber, radish, avocado, carrot, edamame, cilantro, spicy sauce, sesame seeds and a sesame-ginger dressing.<\/p>\n

The duo stressed the importance of a healthy diet and lifestyle.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe really want to educate people here [in Syracuse] about how important it is to eat healthy, and that it goes far beyond just being lean,\u201d Eric said. He explained that a healthy diet affects physical and mental performance, as well as energy level throughout the day; in turn, those things affect creativity, business decisions, home life and more, he said.<\/p>\n

Chris and Eric want to show people that following a good diet doesn\u2019t have to mean eating carrot sticks, they explained. With the fun ingredients compiled to create the eclectic menu, OG is truly an adventurous experience. \u201cIt\u2019s not what you can\u2019t eat,\u201d Eric said. \u201cIt\u2019s what you can eat.\u201d SWM <\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

To learn more about Original Grain, as well as upcoming events hosted at the restaurant, visit originalgrainsters.com<\/a> or facebook.com\/originalgrainny<\/a>. Hours are 7:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Saturday.<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Healthy, Grainy Goodness By Lorna Oppedisano | Photography by Steven J. Pallone\u00a0 Original Grain, Syracuse\u2019s newest health-conscious eatery, is poised at the crossroads of LA and NYC \u2014 well, sort of. Located at the former Tim Horton\u2019s location on the corner of Salina and Fayette Streets, on the edge of Armory Square in the heart…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":405,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[102],"tags":[169],"class_list":["post-310","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-food","tag-january-2017"],"gutentor_comment":0,"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.syracusewomanmag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/IMG_6998.jpg?fit=5184%2C3456&ssl=1","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":2361,"url":"https:\/\/www.syracusewomanmag.com\/?p=2361","url_meta":{"origin":310,"position":0},"title":"Syracuse Eats: XO Taco","author":"Staff","date":"May 3, 2019","format":false,"excerpt":"By Samantha Leader Photos by Steven \u00a0J. Pallone Christopher Bily used to be a lacrosse coach. But the three successful restaurants he\u2019s opened downtown since leaving that behind \u2014 Modern Malt, Original Grain and this month\u2019s Syracuse Eats feature XO Taco \u2014 would suggest a career switch was the right\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Food"","block_context":{"text":"Food","link":"https:\/\/www.syracusewomanmag.com\/?cat=102"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.syracusewomanmag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/IMG_1933.jpg?fit=1200%2C829&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.syracusewomanmag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/IMG_1933.jpg?fit=1200%2C829&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.syracusewomanmag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/IMG_1933.jpg?fit=1200%2C829&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.syracusewomanmag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/IMG_1933.jpg?fit=1200%2C829&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.syracusewomanmag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/IMG_1933.jpg?fit=1200%2C829&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":2447,"url":"https:\/\/www.syracusewomanmag.com\/?p=2447","url_meta":{"origin":310,"position":1},"title":"FITNESS FOCUS: Who Really Needs Vitamins and Mineral Supplements?","author":"Staff","date":"July 3, 2019","format":false,"excerpt":"By Christie Donato \u00a0 The vitamin and mineral supplement industry is the latest commercial wellness space to receive the direct-to-consumer treatment, with brands like Care\/of, Ritual, and Himsdelivering personalized vitamin packets, prenatal multivitamins and gummy bear vitamins right to your door. They market on podcasts and via Instagram, touting a\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Health"","block_context":{"text":"Health","link":"https:\/\/www.syracusewomanmag.com\/?cat=126"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.syracusewomanmag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/vitamin.jpg?fit=1200%2C800&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.syracusewomanmag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/vitamin.jpg?fit=1200%2C800&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.syracusewomanmag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/vitamin.jpg?fit=1200%2C800&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.syracusewomanmag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/vitamin.jpg?fit=1200%2C800&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.syracusewomanmag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/vitamin.jpg?fit=1200%2C800&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":2053,"url":"https:\/\/www.syracusewomanmag.com\/?p=2053","url_meta":{"origin":310,"position":2},"title":"Sora Iriye","author":"Staff","date":"September 2, 2018","format":false,"excerpt":"Creating Connection through Art By Lorna Oppedisano | Photography by Alice G. Patterson \u201cLife has just always taken me on this great, crazy ride,\u201d said Sora Iriye, cofounder and head diva at CirqOvation, a locally-based performance company that combines physical theater, vaudeville, street performance and traditional circus. Born and raised\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Featured"","block_context":{"text":"Featured","link":"https:\/\/www.syracusewomanmag.com\/?cat=99"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.syracusewomanmag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/Sora-Sol-0002.jpg?fit=1200%2C798&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.syracusewomanmag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/Sora-Sol-0002.jpg?fit=1200%2C798&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.syracusewomanmag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/Sora-Sol-0002.jpg?fit=1200%2C798&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.syracusewomanmag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/Sora-Sol-0002.jpg?fit=1200%2C798&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.syracusewomanmag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/Sora-Sol-0002.jpg?fit=1200%2C798&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":1652,"url":"https:\/\/www.syracusewomanmag.com\/?p=1652","url_meta":{"origin":310,"position":3},"title":"Seneca Street Brew Pub","author":"Staff","date":"March 29, 2018","format":false,"excerpt":"Brewing to Break the Taproom Ceiling\u00a0 By Gabrielle Reagan | Photography by Steven J. Pallone Tucked away in the basement of what used to be a Baptist church in Manlius, farm brewery Seneca Street Brew Pub pours patrons clean, crisp craft beer. At the helm, brewer Brooke Menikheim and her\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Featured"","block_context":{"text":"Featured","link":"https:\/\/www.syracusewomanmag.com\/?cat=99"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.syracusewomanmag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/03\/IMG_3263.jpg?fit=1200%2C791&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.syracusewomanmag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/03\/IMG_3263.jpg?fit=1200%2C791&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.syracusewomanmag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/03\/IMG_3263.jpg?fit=1200%2C791&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.syracusewomanmag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/03\/IMG_3263.jpg?fit=1200%2C791&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.syracusewomanmag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/03\/IMG_3263.jpg?fit=1200%2C791&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":1078,"url":"https:\/\/www.syracusewomanmag.com\/?p=1078","url_meta":{"origin":310,"position":4},"title":"Hopeful Grateful Strong","author":"Staff","date":"September 29, 2017","format":false,"excerpt":"The Caregiver By Amy Lowe This story is an excerpt from \u201cHopeful \u2014 Grateful \u2014 Strong,\u201d a collection of survivor stories from the YMCA of Greater Syracuse\u2019s cancer support programs. I have always been a caregiver. I took care of my medically fragile parents, in-laws and son, and also my\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Causes"","block_context":{"text":"Causes","link":"https:\/\/www.syracusewomanmag.com\/?cat=104"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.syracusewomanmag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/cropped-SWM-logo-use-this-one.jpg?fit=930%2C448&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.syracusewomanmag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/cropped-SWM-logo-use-this-one.jpg?fit=930%2C448&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.syracusewomanmag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/cropped-SWM-logo-use-this-one.jpg?fit=930%2C448&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.syracusewomanmag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/cropped-SWM-logo-use-this-one.jpg?fit=930%2C448&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":756,"url":"https:\/\/www.syracusewomanmag.com\/?p=756","url_meta":{"origin":310,"position":5},"title":"The Cider Mill","author":"Staff","date":"May 26, 2017","format":false,"excerpt":"Comfort Food with a Scratch and a Twist By Shweta Karikehalli |\u00a0Photography by Steven J. Pallone When diners enter The Cider Mill, they\u2019re met with an atmosphere that\u2019s homey and welcoming, yet elegant and upscale. Its location at 4221 Fay Road had served as home base for Diamond Catering in\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Food"","block_context":{"text":"Food","link":"https:\/\/www.syracusewomanmag.com\/?cat=102"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.syracusewomanmag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/IMG_7775.jpg?fit=1200%2C800&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.syracusewomanmag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/IMG_7775.jpg?fit=1200%2C800&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.syracusewomanmag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/IMG_7775.jpg?fit=1200%2C800&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.syracusewomanmag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/IMG_7775.jpg?fit=1200%2C800&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.syracusewomanmag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/IMG_7775.jpg?fit=1200%2C800&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]}],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.syracusewomanmag.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/310","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.syracusewomanmag.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.syracusewomanmag.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.syracusewomanmag.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.syracusewomanmag.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=310"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.syracusewomanmag.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/310\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":572,"href":"https:\/\/www.syracusewomanmag.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/310\/revisions\/572"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.syracusewomanmag.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/405"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.syracusewomanmag.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=310"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.syracusewomanmag.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=310"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.syracusewomanmag.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=310"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}