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At the Table: Dining at Sake steakhouse exquisite and entertaining
Sunday, Sept. 16, 2012
At Sake Japanese Steakhouse, it’s about the show, but the food is really good, too. The chef started by squirting a puddle of oil in the center of the grill, with a long trail leading to the side of the table. Then he lit the remotest end with his lighter and we watched as the flames scudded along the grill, like a cartoon fuse, to ignite the pool of oil, which produced satisfying flames that leapt three feet high. The boys leaned away from the table, their mouths in Os. And we were off.
SCHOHARIE
The Frugal Forager: Imaginative comfort food at Schoharie’s Apple Barrel Country Store
Sunday, Sept. 9, 2012
Beverly and I have had the Apple Barrel on our “to do” list for a long time and, just the other day friend Karen asked if we’d tried the food there and gave it high marks. Over the Labor Day weekend, we decided to see for ourselves.
CHESTERTOWN
At the Table: Splendid menu, impressive wine list at Friends Lake Inn
Sunday, Sept. 2, 2012
The air was cool and invigorating, the peace broken only by the occasional passing car, and the view of the little Adirondack lake painterly in its pine tree frame. But all that was window dressing for the main event at the Friends Lake Inn, the food of Chef Matthew Bolton and his staff.
The Frugal Forager: The Local offers offers fare, charm of its Old World models
Sunday, Aug. 26, 2012
The Local Pub and Teahouse is the local pub for the lucky people on the west side of Saratoga. Like its cousins in England and Ireland, “the local” bears the affectionate name for a nearby pub, a place to gather, meet friends and drink beer.
MALTA
Wheatfields operators to open restaurant in Malta
Thursday, Aug. 23, 2012
The operators of Wheatfields restaurants in Saratoga Springs and Clifton Park will open a restaurant this winter in downtown Malta.
EAST GREENBUSH
At the Table: Chez Mike offers impressive menu in modest environs
Sunday, Aug. 19, 2012
Everything that comes out of his kitchen is fantastic, made of locally procured ingredients when available, with a menu that changes seasonally. The food is outrageously, seriously top-notch. Surprise! You’re in East Greenbush.
The Frugal Forager: Orchid’s Jamaican-American cuisine has new home in city
Sunday, Aug. 12, 2012
I first ate Jamaican food made by “Orchid” — a childhood nickname of owner Rosemarie Coleman — when her place was in a strip mall on Altamont Avenue in Rotterdam. She has moved her operation to much grander quarters. The menu hasn’t changed much, and that’s a good thing.
SARATOGA SPRINGS
Gourmet dining in casual elegance at the Hall of Springs
Sunday, Aug. 5, 2012
Dining at the Hall of Springs at Saratoga Spa State Park is becoming a seasonal ritual for us, a pleasurable prelude to the ballet or orchestra at the adjoining Saratoga Performing Arts Center. There are three venues for food — the casual Jazz Bar or the more formal pre-theater prix-fixe dining or, if you’re a member or the guest of a member, the Patrons Club.
CLIFTON PARK
The Frugal Forager: Brick House serves wood-fired pizza and other familiar fare
Sunday, July 29, 2012
Remember Mama’s Family Restaurant? It was a longtime presence here, ending a nearly quarter-century run in 2005. When the Arizona Pizza property became available, Mama came back with a new name, Brick House Pizza & Grille. We loved the old Mama’s, so it’s good to see them again.
At the Table: All aboard! for elegant meal during a scenic train ride
Sunday, July 22, 2012
“A good meal and a good train ride. What could be better?” mused husband Eric, who had just finished dessert somewhere around Hadley. We were in a vintage rail car on the Saratoga & North Creek Railway, heading home from a day trip to North Creek.
SCHENECTADY
The Frugal Forager: Tara Kitchen offers authentic Moroccan food in Schenectady
Sunday, July 15, 2012
If you haven’t sampled the food of Morocco, Tara Kitchen is a great place for an introduction. Its dishes are authentic but they’re not intimidating — unless you find chicken and potatoes with chickpeas a scary combo.
ALBANY
The Frugal Forager: Iron Gate Cafe a good choice for brunch
Sunday, July 8, 2012
Downtown Albany at midday Sunday is a ghost town compared to the bustling weekday center of commerce and state government, so we had no problem finding a nearby parking spot when we arrived for brunch at the Iron Gate Cafe, just outside the historic Center Square neighborhood.
TROY
The Frugal Forager: Menu, food at Park Pub are more than par for course
Sunday, July 1, 2012
The Park Pub is at the municipal golf course in Frear Park in Troy. The place is comfortable and very casual, as you would expect, and you’ll rub elbows with tanned women in skorts and jovial groups of men hoisting glasses of beer. My friends and I have no interest in golf whatsoever, but you’ll find people like us there, too.
LATHAM
At the Table: Fabio’s Restaurant gets points for bread and braciola
Sunday, June 24, 2012
Mom and I dined at Fabio’s recently, where some things were very good and some things were not as much so, and we enjoyed our experience.
EPHRATAH
At the Table: Step into the past and dine on sturdy cuisine at Saltsman’s
Sunday, June 17, 2012
One gets the sense that not much has changed at Saltsman’s Hotel in its 199 years of existence. It was a warm Saturday evening when we hopped on the Thruway and drove to Ephratah where we met friends, one of whom had been going to Saltsman’s since she was a child and encouraged us to make the trip. She promised us an interesting time, and we weren’t disappointed.
