The Wood surprises with delicious meals on a golf course (Dining Out Review)

Bruno's Penne Pasta at The Wood in Baldwinsville (Danielle Benjamin | Contributing Writer)

Baldwinsville, N.Y. — A paper sign on the door said the golf course was closed for the evening, presumably from the previous day's rain. Luckily for us, we weren't at The Wood to play golf on this quiet Tuesday night. Instead, we were searching for a meal at this place recently featured as one of five area bars with surprisingly good food. Though the space was nearly empty, the bartender greeted us warmly and showed us to our table.

Taking a seat by the window to soak in the gorgeous views, we learned the friendly bartender was also our waitress, managing the entire space on her own for the evening. Don't let that make you think she couldn't handle it, because she was on her game all night attending to both diners at the tables and drinkers at the bar efficiently.

With a full bar stocked with craft beer and macro-brews, wine and liquor, there were plenty of options to choose from. Without a cocktail menu, I left it to our waitress to suggest a drink using the bottle of Skrewball I had eyed on my way in. The result? We each got a Peanut Butter White Russian ($5.50 each) that was both delicious and budget-friendly.

Cocktails at The Wood in Baldwinsville (Danielle Benjamin | Contributing Writer)

The dinner menu here is small but inventive. We debated between the Reuben Egg Rolls, Fried Pickle Chips and Jumbo Pretzel before ultimately landing on the Twisted Tots ($10) for an appetizer. A heaping bowl filled with tater tots topped with lettuce, onions, tomatoes, cheese and homemade queso quickly arrived at our table. (We chose not to add meat, and ordered the pickled jalapeños on the side.)

Despite being beneath a small salad's worth of toppings, the tater tots retained their signature crispiness. The creamy and cheesy homemade queso stole the show.

Twisted Tots at The Wood in Baldwinsville (Danielle Benjamin | Contributing Writer)

As with the appetizers, several entrees caught our attention both on the regular menu and among the daily specials. In the end, we chose an option from each list — Bruno's Pesto Pasta ($15) and a Rachel Sandwich on special ($14). We gladly paid $2 to upgrade the side of fries to onion rings.

Now, we don't talk about Bruno, but we definitely talk about Bruno's Pesto Pasta (pictured above). The generous serving of penne was smothered with pesto, making sure that every noodle was full of flavor. While the chicken was a typical choice for protein, the crushed almonds were a delightful addition, adding both texture and a subtle sweetness. My only gripe with the pasta was that it was served just above room temperature. It would have earned an A-plus if it had only been a bit hotter.

As for the Rachel, it was just as tasty. A "cousin" to the famous Reuben sandwich, a Rachel has pastrami or turkey in place of corned beef. This particular sandwich featured turkey served on toasted rye bread with Thousand Island dressing dripping out the sides. Served with a side of pickles and packed with flavor, we agreed it was a sandwich we’d order again. The accompanying battered onion rings were large and definitely fried in fresh oil, so they were perfectly crispy.

Rachel Sandwich with Onion Rings at The Wood in Baldwinsville (Danielle Benjamin | Contributing Writer)

Our waitress/bartender was attentive and helpful throughout the evening, handling all of the customers on her own. We happily tipped over 20% on our meals. While we hadn't known what to expect at a restaurant on a golf course, we had a great experience. The horse barn-turned-clubhouse is inviting, with golf decor throughout.

Though a little out of the way in Baldwinsville's countryside, I’ll suggest The Wood when my husband plays 9 holes on a Sunday morning. I’ll tag along for lunch. I am eager to try the Maple Butter Fried Chicken and eat on the patio.

The Restaurant: The Wood, 7439 Canton Street, Baldwinsville, NY 13027

Reservations? Not required.

Dress: Casual.

Credit cards? Accepted.

Parking: Large parking lot (shared with the golf course)

Noise level: Generally quiet, but a bit busier on nights with trivia (Thursdays) and live music (Fridays).

Special diets? Vegetarian options available.

Hours: Monday-Thursday, 11:30 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Friday, 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m.; Saturday 11:30 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Sunday, noon to 8 p.m.

Cost: Average. For two drinks, an appetizer, and two entrees, the total came to $68 including tax and a generous tip.

Danielle Benjamin is a freelance restaurant critic for The Post-Standard and syracuse.com and a food blogger. You can reach her at [email protected].

****

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