markabauman's Profile
Jacob & Anthony's (S. Springs)
We've had a number of organization meetings at J & A. They have been most accommodating.
Whole Foods coming to Albany
I've heard the same story for some time, but that it is a "gentleman's agreement" that I'm sure no corporate officer would ever acknowledge due to legal liability like the FTC getting after them. Those overlapping stores appear to be in their fringe areas. It might be hard to imagine that each store would enter their respective central markets (no pun intended, or not?) like the Capital District and Rochester. Although in business, you never know.
Cafe Capriccio (Albany)
I'd like to think it was an aberration, an exception to the rule due to the timing being restaurant week. Even the best of places can get overwhelmed at Valentine's, Easter, Mother's Day and Restaurant weeks can be the same. I would hope you might consider a return second-chance under more normal circumstances.
Grimaldi's in New Paltz
Sorry to hear that they closed, though there's not much tolerance for serving minors, although I see it where I live with selective enforcement.
So what would be a second choice for pizza if stopping in the mid-Hudson valley?
Anyone been to Satsuma Japanese (Ballston Spa)?
It appears that Mino is once again closed in Ballston Spa. Anyone know where Mino might be now?
Replacement for Brindisi's, Saratoga Springs
http://www.saratogian.com/articles/2012/01/26/news/doc4f22195d595d4083178949.txt
Another DZ restaurant (Chianti, Forno Bistro) in S. Springs?
http://www.saratogian.com/articles/2012/01/24/news/doc4f1f0b1979eb5677474905.txt
Best Thai in Albany PLEASE!!!!
I will have to pay attention, as I actually often watch him cook the dish a la minute. It's possible they are dried, then rehydrated as opposed to truly fresh. Will let you know.
Best Thai in Albany PLEASE!!!!
Quite sure Mike makes it with rice noodles, not egg. I also realized that the question was asked of Albany; I figured Troy isn't that far away for it to be considered as well.
Best Thai in Albany PLEASE!!!!
Although not a Thai restaurant, as such, Thunder Mountain Curry quite often makes great Thai food. They are found in the student union at RPI and usually on Saturday at the Troy Market. Some of the best Pad Thai I've ever had; always makes it fresh and to your desired spice level. Often will do other Thai dishes as well as great Indian and Pan-Asian food.
Trader Joe's coming to Albany
It's official:
http://www.bizjournals.com/albany/news/2012/01/06/trader-joes-confirms-store-opening-in.html?s=print
Oysters - along thruway NYC - Albany
Not sure where you're located or how far you are willing to travel. Can get great fish/squid/mussels/clams/oysters at the Troy Farmers Market on Saturdays from Pura Vida Fisheries out of Suffolk County.
Jaleo v Jullian Serrano
We went to Jaleo last Friday night while visiting LV. My original intent was to go to Julian Serrano, but chose Jaleo based somewhat on the CH reviews. Food was creative and tasty, though way too salty. Yes, riffs on classics is a characteristic of Jose Andres, but I have to agree with the above- potato chips instead of the classic? If it ain't broke-don't fix it. Wine list was interesting, but like most places in LV a bit overpriced. While we enjoyed many of the dishes overall, and service was excellent- if we return to LV, I'll certainly give Julian Serrano a try. We did not have the paella. And like so many other places in LV, loud and smoky.
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Jaleo
3708 Las Vegas Blvd S, Las Vegas, NV 89109
PENN station vicinity help needed!
Great recommendations; the Serious Eats page is an excellent resource. Thanks very much.
PENN station vicinity help needed!
Anyone have any recommendations for something to take out that we can bring on Amtrak? We are having a lunch during the day and our train is just after 5, so a little early for dinner out. Any suggestions welcome and appreciated.
Grimaldi's in New Paltz
We stopped there last night on our way back north. When I saw the sign, it didn't even occur to me the possible link to the Brooklyn Grimaldi's, which we discovered quickly upon entering (cute t-shirts). This may be heretical to my pizza-loving friends in NYC, but I enjoyed this one better than the flagship. No long lines, no noisy atmosphere, no get 'em in/get 'em out attitude, etc. Pretty decent. As long as they had Moretti/Perroni, I was happy, but a few more choices for beer would be nice.
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Grimaldi's Restaurant
418 Bleecker St, Utica, NY 13501
Anyone been to Satsuma Japanese (Ballston Spa)?
Went there for an early dinner today. It was as good as in the past. Got a chance to speak with Mino. Looks like he's back. Again wants to bring out a new menu besides the traditional sushi menu shortly with some fusion-type foods. Might bring back the sushi bar again; there were a number of people (myself included) who said that they really missed having it there (isn't that for many a main reason for visiting a sushi-ya but to sit at the bar, interact with itamae-san?). He has had a number of Japanese customers who are engineers at the Global Foundry project and that has been a big boost. One issue possibly delaying the return of the sushi bar is finding enough kitchen help. Service in front of the house was excellent, however. Hope his brief hiatus away was only temporary and that he can make a permanent go of it. He didn't say anything about trying to sell the business. He now has a beer and wine license and that should help a lot. Sake as well. Reasonably priced for drinks. He used to have a "sushi happy hour" discount in his last couple of locations, but I didn't see it tonight. However, I did receive a $5 coupon for the next visit.
Anyone been to Satsuma Japanese (Ballston Spa)?
Never got to go to the cajun place and was told it didn't last long in that location.
Was driving through Ballston Spa on Friday and spotted a little sign board for Mino's Sushi that used to be up when Mino was open previously. Took a little detour and it appears that he is back. Looked in, menu, etc. was up, but it was in-between lunch and dinner hours. Will try to return soon to find out what's up with Mino. Still disappointed that the sushi bar itself is not back.
Does anyone else get a craving for sushi when you visit the aquarium?
I polled a number of non-CH'ers and the universal response was "No, not at all!", usually accompanied by a weird facial expression. Almost all the CH-ers here have responded to the affirmative. What does this say about us? Of course, though we may all have diverse, often divergent opinions about food, we are all still obsessed and relate to the world in a totally food-centric manner. We must all be wired differently with gastro-neural connections that non-CH'ers don't have. I'm glad.
Does anyone else get a craving for sushi when you visit the aquarium?
That's really funny. When I was visiting the wonderful Shedd Aquarium in Chicago I jokingly asked where the sushi bar was of one of the docents. They were not amused. I, however, definitely had cravings.
Schenectady's Little Italy
Yes; one of the partners will be away for a while; Mike will be focusing on his other activities. Took home the curry plate and a pad thai. Both excellent. He'll be missed in Schenectady. I'll just have to catch up with him in Troy!
Best Restaurants in Saratoga Springs
We shared a couple of things. They have a very good deal with a $25 prix fixe dinner. Had the ravioli for a first course, followed by the salmon entree and a light cheese pie for dessert; we also shared the ahi tuna entree. Both very good.
Best Restaurants in Saratoga Springs
Went to the new Maestro's last night for the first time. Pretty darn good. Sat on the porch and it was a deja vu way back to college days when it was the Rip Van Dam bar...
Schenectady's Little Italy
FDR-
If you're back at the Greenmarket sometime, check out Thunder Mountain Curry- great mix of either Indian or Southeast Asian specialties. Still have to get to More Perreca's for one of their dinners.
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Southeast Asian Restaurant
741 Monroe Ave, Rochester, NY 14607
Gelato in the Albany area?
I believe they had a cart at the Schenectady market on Sunday.
Capriccio Saratoga
Just drove by a short while ago and see that they have umbrellas/a canopy over the outside dining area. Good move.
Capriccio Saratoga
I forgot to mention that we had that dish as well. Do you think it is the same as the Albany restaurant? It's been awhile since I had it there and wasn't sure how similar or not it was. Regardless, it was still excellent. Did you happen to notice that if you look in the screened-in window (it was open the first night) at the left side of the building, you can see the pizza oven.
Capriccio Saratoga
FDR-
You seemed to have the same understanding and patience that I mentioned for a new restaurant opening. I did not include some of the details you mentioned. The reserve wine list- yes, and that's where we noticed the lack of Italian wines, which I enjoy. We ordered a nice Falanghina and it came out room (summer) temperature, that required cooling- and I don't like whites too cold. We had the octopus, and I agree. We ordered the cauliflower, but they forgot to bring it- we didn't notice until we were done, then too late. We ordered a mushroom pizza, but they brought us a Margherita, which they apologized profusely for and told us to bring it home, no charge. It was excellent as we had a slice waiting for the mushroom, which was also good. Calamari salad was tasty, though a bit tough. Had the spaghetti with the black squid ink sauce. Very good, though I like it with black pasta. Bussers were walking around looking a little dazed while the table was dirty. Had to ask for a new fork 3 times. I'm sure all these details will work out.
Will try the smelts next-always a favorite. Thanks for your report. Definitely after track season. They are most anxious to please.
Capriccio Saratoga
FDR- Let me preface by saying there is an unfortunate trend in the blogosphere for an incredible amount of buzz prior and at the opening of a new restaurant anywhere. Critical reviews are posted almost immediately without giving a restaurant a chance to work things out. Even the NY Times waits a period of time for adjustment to work out details and returns a number of times before reviewing. Keep in mind, I have known Jim a long time and have eaten at Cafe Capriccio many times, so I went in with very positive anticipation, if not bias. Let's just say they have many kinks to work out, which I am optimistic they will, primarily with organization and service, secondarily with the food. Although some of the standard menu items appear to be the same as on the Albany menu, to me some are a bit different. There is a large selection of pizze and different pasta dishes, but no regular main dishes, or secondi, as such. One nice thing is that you can double up on some choices from different categories of antipasti (usually one for $10, or two for $18) under such headings as Verdure (vegetables), which would include the 4-cheese eggplant, Pesce, Formaggi, Insalate, Salumi & Carne. Curiously, they are emphasizing the connection to Italy, Napoli in particular, but the wine list has only a few Italian wines (good though they are), but many more from France & California. Maybe they just give people what they want or ask for. I'm sure they will get their act together before long. The outdoor seating area looked very nice; we just felt like being inside last night. Probably won't go during track season (well, that goes for most restaurants then in Saratoga), but I plan to revisit asap to check on their evolution. Anxious to hear what you think.
