Fun in Saratoga

Go to Tiznow tonight!

I've been hearing some great things about Tiznow Restaurant and their new menu, and they seem to be putting an extra effort in to have some really great bands.  Sensemaya will be playing Latin jazz tonight and every Thursday throughout track season and I understand there is room for dancing.  If you check out Tiznow let me know what you think - I will get there soon myself.

 

Sensemaya - playing at Tiznow every Thursday through track season

Read or write a review of Tiznow on The Saratoga Life web site

Need track tickets?

Did you ever notice that no matter how bad the economy sucks, you still can't get reservations at a good restaurant when you want them?   Unfortunately, the same truth applies to weekend seats at the track; they're hard to get no matter what.   Here are my suggested ways to get track seats for the in demand weekend days:

1. Well, back in January, yes January,  you should have met the NYRA deadline and mailed in your Saratoga seating wish list with a check.  Didn't do that, did ya?  OK, fine, just make a mental note to start checking the NYRA web site around Christmas time and at least you won't have to do the below steps perennially.

2. Check Ticketmaster.com.  I was bothered by the fact that NYRA decided to stop selling seats from the Holiday Inn each night, but that was before I realized how easy and sensible it was to get seats off Ticketmaster, which NYRA has apparently contracted to sell track seats. Type "Saratoga Race Course" into the search box and go from there.

3. Check Stubhub.com - this ticket reselling site is well organized and guarantees your purchase, which is huge when buying tickets where unscrupulous sellers may not deliver as promised or could possibly even deliver bogus tickets. I found Stubhub easy to use and well run, the only problem is that the seller never delivered my track tickets as promised.  I called Stubhub about this and they advised me via a message that some sort of snafu occurred and that they would refund my money, but as I write this later in the day from that message they have not refunded me yet.  I was frustrated because I heard good things about Stubhub but I'm not satisfied with their service in this case (which was for opening day track seats that I was getting for some friends, therefore leaving me high and dry). Nonetheless I'll give them another chance just based on their good reputation.  It wasn't just the seller stiffing me  but also Stubhub's poor communications in this process when I called them with the problem that bothered me.  Even when they (finally) told me they would refund my money I was thinking "I don't want my money back, I want the tickets I was promised!"  Again, Stubhub seems to have such a good that reputation I will try them again.

4. Ebay - as you know, you can buy just about anything on Ebay, Saratoga race course seat tickets included. It's not as well organized as Stubhub, and Ebay does not guarantee much, but it's an option.  Just beware of unscrupulous people. 

5. Craig's List - I believe it was Consumer Reports that described Craig's List as "the wild west" of internet purchases", and it's an accurate description.  It's not well organized, and you really have to hunt for things.  Again, there are no guarantees and you have to watch out even more to ensure you aren't ripped off.  If you can meet in person to make the transaction, then I suggest that to ensure you get what you are paying for. Click on "New York" then "Albany" then search for "Saratoga Race Course" or "Saratoga Track".

6. Stand in line for the 8am opening of the track ticket office on Union Avenue.  Get there early and be prepared to stay there for a bit.  You should also be prepared to get lousy seats, section  'Y' or out in the sun and rain.  Still going to forget again in January?  Also, when in line, make eye contact with people a lot because some of them may be selling their seats that they can't use - and there are also a few there that simpy are scalpers and have tickets available for a (high) price.  They're not supposed to sell there but they often do so it is an option.

Please note that with Stubhub, Ebay, and Craig's List you may pay below or significantly above face value of the tickets.  It's simply a law of supply and demand.  If you want clubhouse tickets for a Wednesday, you can probably deal and save some money to get them below cost. If you want Clubhouse tickets for a Saturday, be prepared to pay through the nose.  If you want Clubhouse tickets for the Travers, well, they won't quite ask for your first born child, but they will ask for several hundred dollars. If you really want them, you'll pay it, and if you don't, you won't.  Gotta love capitalism!  Please note this is not all inclusive and I welcome other avenues to get these seats in the comments field below.  Good Luck!

Big Apple Restaurant for sale for $1.3 million

The Albany Business Review is reporting that the Big Apple Restaurant on South Broadway is for sale for a cool $1.3 million.   I've never been to the place, which formerly housed Morrissey's Restaurant.  This certainly has been an active year for Saratoga Restaurants, and we're only just past the halfway point.  Imagine what will happen after track season!

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Read reviews of The Big Apple Restaurant on The Saratoga Life web site.

Saratoga thoughts

• I had a sub at the relatively new Mango 29 Deli a while back.  It was a quality sub, but I think the subs at Roma Imports are even better, and of course Roma is on Washington Street right in town, while the Mango 29 Deli is about 6+ miles out Route 29.   If you're out Schuylerville way, then Mango is worth checking out, otherwise Roma is the place for subs. 
• I know I can't be the only one who gets dizzy and annoyed at all those ridiculous traffic circles at Exit 12 in Malta.  Every time I go through that area I mutter to myself and vow never to complain about red lights again.
• Speaking of Exit 12, I know Saratoga Hospital is building a $350 million medical campus, and from what I understand it is possible they will build an actual hospital there.  That's fine, and perhaps makes sense with the new chip plant coming in.  My question is:  How do these plans jive with the previously announced plans by another group planning on a new hospital in Halfmoon?  I can understand the need for a new hospital in southern Saratoga County.  Two new hospitals on the other hand doesn't make a whole lot of sense. 
• I've given Sabina's Wood Fired Restaurant three tries now and as much as I want a restaurant in my neighborhood to succeed, I am disappointed with the place.  My last order was barely warm when I got it because they told me it would take 30 minutes but when I got there early I could tell by the markings on the receipt that it had been sitting there for several minutes.  In all fairness, at least two of my neighbors really like the place so keep in mind this is simply one guy's opinion.
• Continuing on the subject of Union Avenue restaurants, I haven't been to the new Springwater Inn as of yet.  Has anyone been there since it opened?  I've checked to see if they have a web site and I can't find one so I don't know much about the place, but I'd like to check it out soon. 
• Moving from Union Avenue to Phila Street, I like Hatties for an occasional dinner out on the back patio. I also like the story about Hattie and her fried chicken, but only the story, not so much the chicken.  It's a quality product, but just on the bland side.  Would it be sacrilegious to tweak the recipe just a bit and borrow a few of those herbs and spices from a certain Colonel to jazz it up a bit?  I don't think it would be such a bad thing.  Just my thoughts. 
• Did you know Putnam Market will special order for you wild king salmon and other fresh fish and you can pick it up on Fridays?  That is big to me, because I do not like farm raised Atlantic Salmon but I do like wild Pacific salmon, especially king, but it is hard to get on the east coast.  Because Atlantic Salmon is endangered all of that type of fish, whether it's labeled "Norweigan" or whatever, is farm raised.  The wild King salmon from the north Pacific is so tasty - and probably one of the few foods where "gamey" and "fatty" are good things.  Get on Putnam Market's email list and they will send you a weekly message telling you what is available, like the one from this week below:

• Gift Baskets

  Sandwich  Menu

  Cupcake Menu

  Catering Menu

  Forward to a Friend

  Contact Putnam Wine

  			FOLEY FISH ORDER Arrives Friday, July 31, 2009

  FRESH THIS WEEK click here to e-mail us your order   The best seasonal prices this week:   Farm Raised Salmon $11.99 lb      Wild Sockeye Salmon       $13.99 lb   Whole Wild Striped Bass $  7.99 lb     (1 whole fish will feed 2-4)   George's Bank Cod $  9.99 lb     Having a party?  If your order meets the minimum, we can bring in for you any week: Fish/ 6 pounds: Sword, Yellowfin Tuna, Halibut, Sea Bass, Trout, Catfish, Sole... Clams & Oysters/ 100 count: Wellfleet or Littleneck Clams, Oysters from New England Clams & Mussels/ 10 lb (serves 18-20): Cherrystone, Cultured & Wild Mussels  Softshell Crabs/ 24 count    I will e-mail you a confirmation that I have your order by midday on Wednesday.  If you placed an order, and don't get acknowledgment from me, call!  -Cathy

  Whole Striped Bass with Lemon & MInt Serve with crusty bread.   Makes 4 servings   1 lemon, cut in half 1 2-pound whole striped bass, cleaned,     scored to bone in 4 places on each side 5 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil 1/2 cup chopped green onions (about 2) 3 tbsp (packed) chopped fresh mint plus 4 whole sprigs 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice 2 teaspoons dried oregano 1 large garlic clove, coarsely chopped   Arrange rack 6 inches below broiler. Preheat broiler. Line rimmed baking sheet with foil. Cut 1 lemon half into slices. Cut other half into wedges. Place fish on foil. Sprinkle inside and out with salt and pepper.   Blend olive oil, onions, chopped mint, lemon juice, oregano, and garlic in mini processor until coarse puree forms. Season sauce with salt and pepper. Reserve 3 tablespoons sauce. Spread remaining sauce inside cavity and over fish, rubbing into cuts in flesh. Place lemon slices and mint sprigs in cavity.     Broil fish until cooked through and skin is crisp, about 5 minutes per side. Serve fish with lemon wedges and reserved sauce.

  ORDERING SPECIFICS From Foley Fish We must buy a minimum of 6 pounds per type of fish, so we need orders for at least that much to bring it in.   Please order at least 1 pound per type.  Foley Fish freezes well.     We need your order by noon on Wednesday, 7/29, and it will be available for pick up after 2:30 pm on Friday, 7/31.

  PUTNAM MARKET the best food and wine store between manhattan & montreal

  call: 518.587.3663 www.putnammarket.com

• When I was walking to Putnam Market off of Railroad Avenue I saw this tiny bar accessible from the parking lot area behind the stores on Broadway.  I was sort of shocked I never saw it before or knew it was there - small but in plain site and I had been through there many times before.  I poked my head in and saw a few people sitting at the bar.  Not exactly my type of place - seemed almost like a neighborhood type bar where the third shift would hang out at 8am or something.   Nonetheless I found it interesting that it was there.
• Long time residents swear by getting ice cream at Humpty Dumpty's.  I have been there and it is great and the prices are very reasonable.  The trouble is that Alexandra's, located right on South Broadway, is convenient to my house (a little too convenient) so that is where I seem to go for ice cream.  Location, Location, Location.
•  
• Have you ever seen these dogs at the Saratoga Farmers Market?  They're fun to look at and damn they sure are well trained.  As much as they'd like to they never leave the confines of that vehicle.  Well that's it for now.  I am excited that track season is finally here, and I hope you are too.  Take care.

The Sagamore to be featured on the Today show July 27th, 2009

For those of you who love The Sagamore Resort up in Lake George, tune into The Today Show from 7am-9am tomorror.  GMA will be broadcasting from that beautiful resort which is certainly a big thing for not just The Sagamore but the whole Lake George region.

Sunday Times Union has great Saratoga information

Congratulations to the Times Union for their excellent "Saratoga Scene"  insert in today's edition (Sunday July 26, 2009).  The information was informative and well laid out, and the piece is worth keeping all through track season and beyond.  I don't know how much of it, if any, is available on line and the tabloid format makes it easy to keep around like a magazine so if you can you should try to get a printed copy. 

Fasig-Tipton Construction on East Avenue

It didn't take stimulus money - it took some deep pocketed Arabs who bought Fasig-Tipton in 2008 to pump some money into the company which includes the renovations of the Humphrey S. Finney sales pavilion and the entire facility on East Avenue.  The company also seems to be making more of a community presence, which includes an upcoming 5K road race which will benefit various horse racing charities.  I took some pictures recently of the facility construction on East Avenue, which I will post below. BTW, I was wondering just who was Humphrey S. Finney, so if you'd like to know then click here.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Westchester House B & B for sale

I was looking on line for a specific house for sale and I tripped across a familiar looking one at 102 Lincoln Avenue - home of the Westchester House Bed and Breakfast Inn.  I have no idea how long it has been for sale, but I found it interesting.  The Chestnut Tree Inn B & B is also for sale around the corner on Whitney Place - I previously wrote about that here.

The Westchester House is at the corner of Lincoln and Jefferson, across from 5 Points Grocery.  I did not know it was for sale and there is no sign in front, nor does the MLS listing form mention anything about the fact that it is a B&B.  I guess for sale signs aren't exactly a way to keep the business coming in so that is understandable.  You could go past the place 100 times and not realize it was a B&B - the sign sort of blends in and I only found out it was there because I bumped into the owner a few years ago and started talking to her.   It's a beautiful old builing, built in 1885.  Pricetag on that beauty?  $960,000 - here is the listing. 

  Read or write a review of The Westchester Inn B&B on The Saratoga Life web site.

I'm cheating on my blog

If ever a blog had a right to having envy, this blog is the one. Yes, I'm writing for another blog.  Sorry funsaratoga - but I won't neglect you - I will keep writing on here and be a Superblogger.  The Times Union asked me to contribute on a new Saratoga blog  written by "residents and shopkeepers".  I am not a shopkeeper so I guess I was asked because I'm a resident.  Actually Tim Huber of the T-U read this blog and asked me to contribute and I guess I felt a bit honored.  After mulling it over just a bit I agreed and put my first posting here.  Tell me what you think, either on here or there.   Have a great weekend!

Single Women event at Universal Preservation Hall

Universal Preservation Hall will be hosting Rachel Greenwald, author of "Why He Didn't Call You Back", a book that is the result of interviews with 1,000 men who had dates with women and reveals what they thought and if and why they will or won't call the women back. Greenwald will be discussing some of the items in her book when she appears at UPH on July 23rd. 

Some of the illuminating answers included in the book, and which will be discussed that evening by Ms. Greenwald, are:

1. Top 10 Date-Breakers and what to do about it.
2. Why 90% of the time women guess wrong about why he didn’t call back.
3. Why you should never send a “thank you email” after a date.
4. What men DO like about women they claim have “future-wife potential”.
5. The Bloopers: funny, rude and weird things men said.
6. How single women can conduct their own dating Exit Interviews.
7. Case Studies: inspiring success stories from real women who used Exit Interview feedback to find Mr. Right
8. Sociological trends that have created more failed first dates than ever before in history!

 Click here for the information from the UPH web site and here for the posting from the Times Union's On The Edge blog.