Fun in Saratoga

Sperry's Restaurant for sale

This could be old news, but I haven't read it anywhere else.  A new Saratoga blog on the Times Union's web site, written by Circus Cafe and Realty Saratoga owner Christel Maclean, stated that Sperry's Restaurant is for sale.  As of today, the Realty Saratoga web site had the business and real estate listed at $1.4 million and the business only at $300,000.  The MLS listing had the business and real estate listed at $1.2 million, so I am assuming that is the updated price. 

Yeesh!

The other day I saw a glider landing at the Saratoga Airport and I thought it was such a serene sight.  It was a bit of a different story yesterday at the Polo Grounds when a glider either made an emergency landing or decided to see the game really close, although I am happy to say things turned out OK at the end.  No further commentary on the Saratoga Soaring Association site as of yet.

Chattanooga Choo Choo?

Nope! 

 

It's the Saratoga Springs "Horsin' Around" Trolley, and it will be offering tours starting on July 20th.  I saw the trolley going up Union Avenue and I was able to say hello when they stopped and I got one of the flyers the driver and her assistant were handing out.  Some of what I learned is:

• The trolley will be offering 90 minute tours of Saratoga Springs in their "San Francisco-style" trolley car leaving from the Hampton Inn on Lake Avenue.
• They will offer several "themed tours" such as "A Madame, A Batchelor, A Seminary and the Devil","A day in Saratoga; August 1884", and "Health, History, and Houses".
• Kids ride free on Mondays.
• The ticket desk in the Hampton Inn will open one hour prior to departure or by reservation. 

The themed tours will be hosted by the "infamous" Dave Patterson and Charlie Kuenzel of Saratoga Walking Tours (not sure if "infamous" was tongue-in-cheek or a typo).  If you are interested in more information, check out the trolley's web site, email them at trolley@horsintours.com, or call them at 518-810-4224.  It looks like fun and yet another addition to Saratoga that makes this place that much more wonderful and unique. 

Springwater Inn opening Saturday July 11th, 2009

Springwater Inn will be opening in the location of the former Springwater Bistro at the corner of Union and Nelson Avenues on Saturday July 11th.  In what is apparently a soft opening, owners Peter and Leslie DiCarlo will open the bar only on July 11th and then the kitchen on Monday July 20th. 

Seems like a plan to me -and just in time of course for track season.  I read some nice comments about how the "old" Springwater Inn used to be which were posted on-line after a recent Saratogian article and it seems like it was a nice neighborhood location.

Here's wishing the DiCarlos the best of luck.  To read my original entry on this restaurant click here. 

Saratoga Living - summer issue

I have been a regular subscriber to the magazine Saratoga Living since I moved here three years ago.  I have had mixed feelings on some of the publication's work product in the past, and the articles sometimes gave me an underwhelming feeling.  Christen Gowan from The Times Union's Saratoga Seen web site essentially had similar criticisms in a post from about a year ago, and I commented on that post. I am happy to report that I have read the Summer 2009 issue and I enjoyed most of it and I recommend that you pick one up at the newstand or via the magazine's web site. 

 

Some of the more engaging pieces on there included an informative story about the Victorian Pool, a historical look at bicycle use in the Spa City in the late nineteenth century, a preview of Fasig-Tipton's plans for improving their dated facility on East Avenue and having more of a presence in Saratoga Springs, a great explanation of how the Carousel got to Congress Park (and the fight that it took to get it there), a top 10 list of "Essential Events" in and around Saratoga this summer, and finally a stunning and colorful photo array of familiar and not-so-familiar locations in and around Saratoga Springs.  I really enjoyed that issue and congratulate the editors, staff, and contributors for a tremendous effort that really showcased our wonderful city. 

The best horse show you're not watching

WIth the opening of the track less than 3 weeks away (Yes!), it's hard for most Saratoga lovers not to get excited about horse racing.  On that note, my brother told me about a horse TV show available on HRTV and Time Warner Cable Channel 3 which is fun to watch and will likely get you that much more psyched up for the upcoming track season.

"Inside Information" is available at many times during the week for those of you that have HRTV, and it is shown on Capital District Time Warner Cable Channel 3 on Tuesday and Wednesday nights at 10:30pm and Sunday mornings at 10:30am.  It is an enjoyable half hour of upbeat horse racing stories delivered, in the words of my brother, "ala 60 Minutes". 

In one of the recent episodes, they had a story about "quirky" trainer Michael W. Dickinson and his successes, the legacy of trainer Eddie Gregson and how his vision in helping backside workers and their families was realized and continues after his death, and finally a profile of jockey Anna Rose Napravnik and her tenacity and ability to fight back from serious injuries.  Another episode followed a similar template, with jockey Jackie Davis, daughter of retired jockey Robbie Davis, being profiled and the other two stories profiling another trainer as well as a racehorse.  Because of the profiles of Napravnik and Davis, the stories at least have some NYRA connections.  You can also see the individual segments on the video page of Bloodhorse.com

The HRTV web site says (in part) about Inside Information:  Have a friend or family member that is new to the sport? Make an appointment with them for Sunday night at 9:00 pm ET.

On a related note, I finally received my Saratoga reserved seat tickets today.  That is the good news. The bad news is that they still owe me a $300.00 refund and there was no indication as to when I will receive it.   Last year I didn't receive my refund well into August, which of course should be unacceptable but nothing is going to stop me from getting excited about track season and six weeks of the best horse racing on the planet. 

El Mexicano getting good comments on Table Hopping blog

Ellen, from the Someone keeps moving my chair blog, inquired into Steve Barnes of the Table Hopping blog about the fairly new El Mexicano restaurant to see if anybody had comments about it. It looks like most of the comments are positive about the place and it seems like it's worth checking out.  Of course, regular readers of this blog are likely shocked that I haven't gotten there yet.  Hey I do miss restaurants now and again and sometimes even eat healthy. 

Dog-diggity!!!!

Good news!!! I have not been to PJ's Barbecue, Juicy Burgers, or Liberty Bell Cheesesteaks in weeks!! My cardiologist says "Hooray!"

Don't celebrate too soon Dr. Nofunhealthyeatingguy.  I found another delicious Saratoga summer food place that is sure to keep my cholesterol up high enough to make the folks at Pfizer happy. 

 Saratoga Awesome Dogs is, well, awesome.  Owned and run by the hard working Kathy Kahl, who apparently never takes a day off, this little stand accompanied by covered picnic tables out back is located in front of the EBI Beverage Center/Quality Hardware location on Excelsior Avenue near the intersection with East Avenue. 

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I had, what else, one of their "awesome dogs" which is a dog with a tasty sauce described by the menu as "Kathy's world class meat sauce", and my girlfriend had the cheese dog (I only take her to the fanciest places).  We both enjoyed them and we highly recommend that you stop by next time you're over that way.  FYI they also have barbecue items including pulled pork and various types of sausage.  Also, the prices are very reasonable.  A plain dog is $2.00, Awesome Dogs and her other dog creations, including the aforementioned cheese dog, spicy dog, kraut dog, and salsa dog, are $2.50, and sodas and bottled water are just a buck.  

On a related note, you may have heard that the Troy location of Hot Dog Charlie's suffered fire damage Friday.  Hot Dog Charlie's is opening a location on Caroline Street in the old Lime location.  No word yet on if or how the Troy fire will affect the opening here in Saratoga Springs.

Praise for the Saratogian

I am not simply one-way on my Saratogian commentaries, and I will praise our hometown paper when they get it right.  The paper had an excellent editorial in this morning's (July 5th, 2009) edition commenting on the "Racing Concern and optimism", which pretty much is a synopsis of the hopes and challenges those concerned with Saratoga Springs in general and NYRA racing in particular are facing during these times.  The editorial really showed a deep understanding of the issues, most notably how lack of Video Lottery Terminals at Aqueduct and the state's refusal to compensate the city for hosting the VLTs at the Racino adversely affects all of us here in Saratoga Springs.  I hope to see more of that type of work from The Saratogian, and I will praise them profusely when it happens. 

The Bread Basket Bakery is expanding

If you've traveled up Spring Street lately in front of The Bread Basket Bakery, you may have noticed the orange construction fencing or the newly poured cement in the front of the building. 

I was there yesterday and had a great breakfast sandwich.  Of course is there anything that isn't great at the Bread Basket?  I was told the addition will have a freezer in the basement portion of it as well as a patio on the ground level, with a planned completion later this summer.  It's good to see local businesses expanding during these difficult economic times and I wish them the best of luck and I will be there to support them, one pastry at a time.