Fun in Saratoga

Pizza Pizza

A few weeks ago Leigh Hornbeck of the T-U's Saratoga Seen blog wrote about the "Pizzeria Coming Soon" place on Broadway finally coming.  The aptly named Pizza on Broadway opened at the end of July and it looks like a clean and bright addition to the broadway business strip, especially considering we've been looking at windows covered with paper (for two plus years) with a note about an arriving pizzeria which was a false promise.  Well at least the "soon" part was false. 

Anywho, Leigh and the three commenters liked the pizza, although one commenter thought it was expensive.  Never missing a chance to try a new pizzeria (or an old one for that matter), I ordered a pie from there recently.  The good news is that it arrived at my door in less than 30 minutes (Take that, Domino's!) and they got my special order right (I am rather particular about my pizza).  The bad news is that I didn't like it much - it wasn't bad, just not so good either.  This is of course just one person's opinion, and I should qualify it by saying I like my pizza crust thicker and this place apparently specializes in the thinner New York style pizza.  Even with that qualifier considered, the flavor just wasn't there for me and yes, the commenter on the Saratoga Seen blog was right that it was a bit more expensive than other area pizzerias.

I decided to compare prices of the pizzerias in the center portion of the city.  So, at the risk of offending the good folks at Consumer Reports, I'll rate the pizzerias and list the prices of a 16" cheese pie as well as the cost of extra ingredients.  I will also add my comments, although I haven't tried all of them yet.  I will try them all someday - hey it's a tough job but I will sacrifice for my loyal readers.   OK from least expensive to most expensive:

D'Andrea's Pizzeria - 33 Caroline Street.  Many people complain about their sweet crust, but I sort of like it.  Maybe that's because I'm usually eating it at 2AM on my way home from Gaffney's.  Anyway if you're OK with the sweet crust and you're not in the mood for a dough boy.... Large $9.99 Toppings $1.29 Each

Spring Street Deli - 132 Spring Street.  Hey what can I say about a pizza/deli/salad/breakfast sandwich place that is steps from my house.  Well I can say their pizza is just adequate, but their egg sandwiches are the absolute best.  Their salads are pretty good also.  Large cheese pizza $10.00 and toppings are $2.00 each. 

Saratoga Pizza House - 146 South Broadway (across from the Diner) - I haven't had their pizza, but I did get a quick dinner there once.  It was OK, but not great.  I do like Alexandra's Ice Cream which is attached to the pizzeria.  According to a quick internet ratings search it seems that the Saratoga Pizza House has some likeable things on their menu, but a few commenters described their pizza as "bland" and "forgettable".  I'll still give it a try - again all in the interest of your knowledge.  Pizza $10.50 toppings $1.50 or $2.00 depending on which ones you choose. 

Esperanto - 6-1/2 Caroline Street.  Yes they do have pizza - it's not just the Dough boy place.  I think I had their pizza once - been eating dough boys ever since.  That's not an indictment of their pizza, just an endorsement for the best late night food this side of Mighty Taco in Buffalo.  16" (Called a medium although most others call a 16" large) $10.50 toppings $1.25.

Domino's - 86 Washington Street.  Nothing great but it will work if you're hungry.  The McDonald's of pizza I guess.  I miss Papa John's.  Large $10.69 toppings $1.25.  Discounts available if you cut the ubiquitous coupons or order additional pies.  Gotta love chain restaurants adding to that little obesity issue. 

Mama Mia's - 169 Ballston Ave (Price Chopper Plaza) - I had lunch there but not the pizza. For what it's worth I have some friends that say they like all of their food - guess I'll have to visit again.  16" Pizza $10.95 and their web site does not have prices and I don't remember the price for additional ingredients. 

Inferno Pizzeria - 72 Henry Street (Corner Caroline).  A recent arrival to the Spa City earlier this year, this local restaurant chain seems to have a following in the Albany area.  I haven't tried it yet because I've walked in there three times and the slices looked pretty dried out each time.  I'll try a fresh pie one of these days.  16" 11.99 toppings $1.99.

Pizza on Broadway - 384 Broadway near Brindisi's.  Again a nice bright spot finally filling what was becoming a depressing location.  See opening paragraphs for comments.  $12.99 with the first topping being $2.75 and additional toppings $1.00.  I don't like that pricing system - don't charge me a graduated rate on toppings. 

Pizza Hut - 22 Congress Street (No Dining Room) or the full restaurant at 8 Ballston Ave.  Kickass web site, it's a shame the pizza sucks.  The good news is that with one slice you can get your monthly requirement for sodium.  Oh Papa Johns, why did you have to leave me????  $13.99 Large, toppings $1.79 each.

Marino's Pizza - 46 West Circular.  It doesn't reach greatness, but probably the best in Saratoga in my book.  It better be the best, it's the most expensive.  Large $15.00, toppings $1.25.

OK I hope this is useful or at least interesting.  I didn't consider all restaurants that have pizza, just the more traditional pizzerias which were walking distance from Broadway. Let me know your opinions and if I missed any.  Happy chowing. 

More Tom Durkin

OK, if you liked Tom Durkin's race call for "Arrrrr" then you'll definitely have fun with these two videos from the past. 

Arrrrr again

You gotta love Tom Durkin's calling of the horse race from July 28th with the horse "Arrrrr".  Well "Arrrrr" ran again Saturday and Tom's call was, well, as you can see and hear below, fun again. 

Update on NYRA refund

In a previous post I wrote�how NYRA has held my money for almost 5 months now and hasn't refunded it yet for my advance purchase of Saratoga seats.� The Times Union Saratoga Seen blog also posted on my situation, and suggested that I contact their consumer advocacy reporter.�� NYRA did contact me via email after the T-U posted�that�link to my entry and offered to expedite the refund for me. I responded back and expressed appreciation for their contact but declined to be the only one with an expedited reimbursement.� They originally told me on the phone that it would be a couple of weeks so as long as NYRA holds to that I should be fine with getting my refund with everyone else.� My point was that nobody should have to wait this long�for a refund and that NYRA should change the process to make it more timely.� Thanks to Saratoga Seen for helping me out.�

Funny stuff at Saratoga Race Course

If this doesn't make you smile then check your pulse.  There was a horse named "Arrrrr" on Monday's card at the track.  Let's just say Tom Durkin had some fun with the name.  Definitely watch the Youtube link below (which gives you the whole race and leads up to the fun part) and if you have time you can watch the edited versions of the same clip from "VH-1's Best Week Ever" as well as MSNBC's "Countdown With Keith Olbermann".  The VH-1 and MSNBC clips have some newscaster commentary before and after and they had some fun with the name also.  It just put a smile on my face and everyone else I shared it with so I hope it does the same for you.  If you only watch one of the below videos, then watch the first one (Youtube) because that's simply the whole race and the lead up makes it even more fun. 

This got a lot of airplay around the nation, but I found it on the Times Union's "Talking Horses" blog, written by Tim Wilkin (C'mon Saratoga Seen folks, I love you guys but you should have linked your colleague's post).  I also enjoy the back and forth banter that Tim Wilkin and Mike Jarboe have during the track season. 

VH-1 Best Week Ever

A Horse named ARRRRRR! @ Yahoo! Video

MSNBC's Countdown with Keith Olbermann

NYRA still has my money

Back in March, I sent NYRA a large check (I don’t have the exact amount available right now) for my track seats.  Considering it’s the digital age, they have a rather archaic system for allotting seats.  To get seats you send in a slip of paper (This year it had to be postmarked by March 21) with your wish list of seats, and many months later (basically in this case about 2 weeks before track season) you get a package of tickets.  If you check a certain box on the request form and your requested seats aren’t available,  NYRA  gives  you the “best seats available”, so if you ask for Clubhouse seats but they don’t have them, they’ll give you Grandstand seats instead and eventually refund  you the difference in price.  They will also eventually refund you for any tickets they can’t sell you.  Case in point:  I asked for Travers Day tickets,  but I apparently didn’t make the cut (maybe they read this blog)  so they owe me a full refund for that request as well. 

I mentioned that they will “eventually” refund the money they owe, but even though they cashed  my check in March, they still haven’t given me any money back.  By the way, the amount I am owed  is $480.00 –  not a small chunk of change.  So they have had my money for 4+ months, and they still have it.  I called NYRA to inquire about my refund, and when I finally got someone who could give me an answer, the only thing I was told was that “it was sent over to accounting for processing and we think we’ll get the checks out in a couple of weeks.”

Before I even address the fact that they will have held my money for four and a half months, I have to say I am skeptical that they will get me my check anytime soon.  I mentioned that NYRA uses an archaic system, but it is quite lucrative for them considering all the interest they must be earning.  I am having fun at the track, but is it too much to ask to get my refund in a timely manner?

Camp Saratoga 5K and PJ's Barbecue

Well, the Saratoga Season starts tomorrow and that of course is great.  It came so fast - I can't believe summer is really half over.  Hope to see everyone this weekend.

I ran a 5K along a trail at the Wilton Wildlife Preserve & Park's Camp Saratoga last Monday.  It was easily the most rugged 5K I ever ran - but it was also the best.  It was really challenging with all the roots, mud, and most significantly the steep hills.  I enjoyed it and they had a little party afterwards, of which I posted a picture of below.

This is a great run, and if you're a local runner then I encourage you to go to one of the upcoming races  (July 28, August 4, and August 18th).  Don't worry if you're not in top shape - there were people with times well into the 40 minute plus range, so the words "fun run" definitely applied.   You can find more information about them here.

The next night I went with a few friend to PJ's Barbecue on Route 9 off of exit 13.  The barbecue is always great there, but Tuesdays are extra special there because Tuesday's are "Classic Car Bar-B-Cruis-in" dates, where, on a clear evening, the lot is loaded with classic cars from the 30's right up to the early 70's.  I say a "clear" evening because at the first sign of a cloud these guys, who I'm convinced love their cars more than their kids, are hightailing it for the garage and the lot is empty.  Check out some of these great machines from a bygone era below:

 

Like I said, PJ's is always fun and the owner, AKA "PJ the DJ", spends his night spinning great 50s tunes from his DJ booth (pictured below) and his days cooking up great barbecue.  If you are free any night of the week, but especially on Tuesday evenings, stop at PJ's for some great food or at least a loganberry.  Also, if you do make it on a Tuesday evening, don't forget to check out the 50s house.

 

Cupcakes, Pizza and dogs, oh my!

If you're not reading Steve Barnes' Times Union Table Hopping blog, then you're missing out.  He has a lot of entries focusing on Saratoga area restaurants and other interesting pieces about capital region eateries.  One of his latest posts is an entry about the long awaited pizzeria on Broadway and, more interestingly, about the recent opening of Spa City Cupcakes up the streeet from there.  Often, as in the case of this referenced entry, the comments on that blog are just as interesting as the original entry. 

We have a store for just doggie treats, a store for just cupcakes, this store, that store.  OK, it's a bit much, but don't think I won't be checking out that cupcake store sometime soon. 

Saratoga Restaurant and Hotel information

Steve Barnes of the Times Union has been paying extra-close attention to Saratoga restaurant information this week.  There are three recent posts on his Table Hopping blog regarding Saratoga restaurants that you may find interesting.  One is regarding a new restaurant opening at the Fish Creek Marina, another is about The Lodge reopening, and the third is about Bruno's having a new owner and is open.  Also, "The Buzz Business News" blog is reporting that the new Hampton Inn Hotel & Suites will open Monday.  Finally, this pizza place on Broadway better have damn good pie for all the signs, blog entries, and news articles I have been reading on it.  Kind of a ridiculous amount of hype for a pizzeria that hasn't served one slice yet - I guess that's what 3 years of unmet promises will bring.

Saratoga Race Course major network Television schedule

As I mentioned in my last post, I'm sooo looking forward to track season.  Leave it to NYRA to dampen my enthusiasm - just a bit perhaps - but things like this disappoint me. 

Let me explain.  One of the things I like doing is taping the stakes races when they are on the major networks such as ABC and ESPN.  They really do a good job showcasing the city and the track, and I see camera views and hear opinions I am not normally exposed to.  I certainly like hearing Jerry Bailey's commentary, and even though I already know what happened at the race, because I was there, I still enjoy watching the TV coverage of it afterwards.  It's also fun for my friends and family that couldn't make it that weekend (because many live in Buffalo or other places) to watch it on TV - it gives them a connection to me as well as Saratoga at the time. 

So, like a kid before Christmas, I'm getting excited.  I want to know all the details about everything, so when I started to think about the television schedule, I went to where I figured the information should be - the NYRA web site.  Well, you know where this story is going, but stay with me so I can vent just a little then pass along some information. 

Sure enough, I hit the site, and I go to the Saratoga link.  The anticipation builds (hey I never claimed to have a great life). I'm on the Saratoga page and, well, lets just say I'm starting to get underwhelmed because the last news item is from more than two weeks ago (June 25th).  I go to the bar down the left side, here I am at the "Broadcast" subheading, yes, getting closer... now the "television/radio" link. Yes, here I am (click), and.....drumroll please....

"September 2007 NYRA broadcast schedule".  

Uhhhhhhh.  Downer. 

Come on NYRA, the Saratoga season is almost here, it's been 2008 for several months. We need just a little updating.  Please? 

So anyways, I searched diligently (OK, about 4 seconds on Google) and found the National Thoroughbred Racing Association site page which lists the TV schedule for thoroughbred races.  According to that site, the major networks will televise at Saratoga three times during the 2008 meet:

1. The four Stakes Races on July 26 will be televised on ABC starting at 4pm.
2. The Test stakes will be televised on ESPN on August 2 at 5pm.
3. The Travers stakes and two other stakes races will be televised on ESPN on August 23rd. 

Of course, there will be many other races televised on HRTV and TVG, but I was more interested in the major networks' telecasts.  On a related note, The Times Union Talking Horses blog has a recent post lauding ESPN's efforts televising horse racing. 

Well, the point of this post was to list for you the major TV networks telecasts at Saratoga this year, but I would have much preferred to simply link you to the NYRA site and not have a story to tell.