Whole in the Wall is a place you shouldn’t miss during restaurant week. Founded in 1980 by Eliot Fiks and friends, the restaurant offers locally sourced, all-natural food that would please any student looking for a break from the dining halls.

“Whole in the Wall started with Eliot delivering bagels to the campus, and then he decided that he wanted to open a natural foods restaurant,” employee Brian Lee said.

Located at 43 South Washington St., this vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free friendly restaurant offers an eclectic atmosphere, complete with recycled wood, with unexpectedly comforting natural foods. From Mediterranean classics like baba ghanouj and falafel to pierogi lasagna, a fresh take on a Polish classic, Whole in the Wall offers something for everyone.

From the outside, Whole in the Wall looks like a cabin you might find somewhere in the mountains of the Southern Tier. Inside, that rustic feel continues with wooden tables and chairs, while a piano player completes a cozy, at-home experience. Although it is a small space, Whole in the Wall offers a nice change from the sometimes hectic atmospheres of Appalachian or C4. They even sport a long list of celebrity diners, including R.E.M, Bob Dylan, Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers and They Might Be Giants.

Possibly more famous than the guests who have visited, though, are the variety of pesto sauces, aptly named “The Best Pesto in the Universe.”

“We use all natural and the best ingredients we can find,” Lee said. “We use pure olive oil and the highest quality cheeses. A lot of other pestos use cheaper oils and ingredients. We have seven different flavors, and make it right here at the restaurant.”

Lee also mentioned that their famous pesto isn’t only offered in house, but also at “over 100 health food stores around the country” (including every Binghamton University student’s favorite, Wegmans).

For just $10, students can choose from a three-course lunch menu that includes a cup of homemade soup, a stuffed pita pocket and a choice of either a brownie sundae or, for those afraid of the extra calories, a fat-free mango sorbet.

At dinnertime, the selection gets even more enticing. For only 10 more dollars, diners will be able to choose another three-course meal from an array of appetizers, soup or salad, entrees such as enchiladas or pasta with “The Best Pesto in the Universe,” and of course their scrumptious deserts.

“Restaurant week is a great opportunity to go to the local restaurants and support a local cause,” Lee said. “It gives people a chance to sample different restaurants and to try out different places they wouldn’t normally go to.”

Whole in the Wall is open Tuesday through Saturday from 11:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. for a natural experience unlike any other in Binghamton.