There's a new diner in town

OK, I’ll admit it. Last year, I was a Wilcox-aholic. When my Forbesian friends weren’t looking, I’d sneak off to Wilcox, where the boring tan decor and general lack of people were conducive to doing problem sets and wallowing in the misery that is writing two papers in one day.

But this year the barren wasteland has vanished, replaced by a glorious burst of bright orange walls, which contrasts vibrantly with columns of royal blue. Even the lone stone wall that once stood so coldly with the rest of its neutrally-colored neighbors has taken on the warmth of the mantelpiece around a blazing fireplace.

Along each wall lies a row of booths, making Wilcox resemble a diner more than a dining hall. And it’s not your average cheesy diner either. The colorful matte paint on the walls and simple geometric lamps over the boothes give Wilcox the look of a modern and chic traditional diner.

The new Wilcox also offers clean, lightweight, multicolored plates that fit marvelously with the new decor. And if trayless dining has left you wishing you had three arms, Wilcox comes equipped with oblong plates that hold more food so there are fewer place settings to carry (but only if you don’t mind different foods touching each other).

And it’s surprising what a difference pretty plates make. I swear, lentil soup tastes much better when served in specialized purple soup bowls with handles and a side of crusty bread.

The food can stand on its own, though. The pasta, sauteed right before your eyes, is neither bland nor overwhelming with flavor, but has just the right kick of seasoning. The pizza, hand tossed and brick-oven baked, is crisp and appropriately greasy.

If you’re craving lighter fare, the salad bar is stocked with spinach, mixed greens and iceberg lettuce, as well as an assortment of other vegetarian and vegan salads that were surreptitiously hidden in a corner of the old Wilcox dining hall.

The new Wu-Wilcox complex serves some specialty items not seen in other dining halls. The other night, one pan next to the grill was filled with fried calamari. I don’t know about you, but I’ve never seen calamari in the dining halls before.

The renovations combined the old Wu and Wilcox dining halls, leaving the serving area much more spacious than before. Think Rocky-Mathey dining hall — only with more variety.

But while Wilcox and the common serving area are both bursting with exciting newness, Wu seems as drab as ever. Unlike Wilcox, which now boasts a new feeling and ambiance, Wu is still barren and boring. The only improvements in Wu are the food and bright place settings, which contrast oddly with the still-bland decor. So if you’re just looking for a place to get some good food, then by all means, sit down in Wu. Otherwise, you’re better off stepping into Wilcox.

Rather than curing me of my Wilcox-aholism, the renovations to Wu-Wilcox have simply changed my perception of Wilcox. The dining hall is now welcoming and bright, its booths inviting intimate meals and conversations. If you haven’t walked into Wilcox in a while — perhaps because it is still flanked with cranes or you hold some deep-rooted prejudice — try it sometime. You might be pleasantly surprised.