Fun in Saratoga

Final stretch weekend in Saratoga - music in the streets.

Well I'm going to cheat a little bit here and simply link the Final Stretch Weekend listing from The Saratoga Life web site.  Long story short:  great bands in the streets along and near Broadway both Saturday and Sunday nights from 7-11 PM.  Click on the above link to find out who is playing where - or just do what I do and wander around and trip across some great bands.  Take care and hope to see you there.

The other side of racing

When one thinks of brutal sports, usually ones like boxing or football come up.  Let's face it, when you combine speed and multiple 1,200 pound unpredictable animals, things can get brutal and dangerous in a hurry in the world of horse racing.  Although we don't know the full story yet as to how exercize trainer Parker Buckley suffered his fall on Monday and ultimately died, the accident still gives you pause and makes you think.  I will always be an avid racing fan, but incidents like these make me stop and realize it's not all fun and games.  I linked a few articles below on this tragedy for your reading.

Fall Claims Former Jockey - Saratogian

Spa exercise rider knew the risks of the job - Times Union

Exercize Rider Parker Buckley Dies - Blood Horse

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