Fun in Saratoga

Cheap Trick and Motley Crue coming to SPAC this summer

According to the band web sites, Cheap Trick will be coming to SPAC on July 3rd, 2009, and Motley Crue ("Crue Fest 2") will be coming there on September 1, 2009.  I don't think SPAC has announced their band lineup for this summer, with perhaps the exception of the Dave Matthews Band  shows on June 12th and 13th.  Let's hope it's a good lineup.  Jimmy Buffett please!!!!

Attention Saratoga Springs Property Owners: First quarter tax payment due

Just a quick reminder to city property owners that your first quarter city and county tax payment must be delivered or postmarked by Monday, March 2nd.  The city's tax bills show a March 1st due date, but I called the Department of Finance and confirmed with a woman named Yvette that because March 1st is a Sunday, the March 2nd date would be used for timeliness purposes. 

You can drop off your payments at City Hall or mail them to:

• Commissioner of Finance, PO Box 328, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866-0328

If a receipt is required, include a self addressed stamped envelope with your bill.  The number for the finance department is 518-587-3550.

Siro's Restaurant for sale

The Business Review is reporting that Siro's Restaurant, the popular establishment located next to Saratoga Race Course, is for sale for $3.1 million.   I hate to see more signs of upheaval in the restaurant or real estate market in Saratoga.  Let's hope things will level off sooner rather than later.

The All over Albany blog is reporting that a Chipotle restaurant location will be opening in late April/early May in the same small strip mall as the new Five Guys Hamburgers.   Chipotle seems to have a loyal following - based perhaps on their freshness and value.  I have eaten at one out west and I remember the food being very good.

Saratogian publisher files for bankruptcy

In a move that several saw coming, the Journal Register Company filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy recently. The Journal Register Company publishes The Saratogian, Troy Record, and several other daily and weekly newspapers in and out of New York State.  I missed the article in Sunday's Saratogian, but there was also an article in Tuesday's Times Union.  Here is the article in the New York Times.

Liberty Bell Cheese Steaks

Just in case my review of Five Guys Hamburgers didn't spike up my cholesterol sufficiently, I stopped into Liberty Bell Cheese Steaks on Henry Street one recent afternoon.  I can sum up my review with a text response I got from a friend about the place:  "Yea and they deliver too!  Deadly."  Yes, deadly, but delicious, and like the sign says, it's "the real deal". 

I had the Cheese Steak "Whiz Wit", which in Philly-speak apparently means with sauteed onions and Cheese Whiz.  I felt so guilty, but it was so good and I'll be back. Owned by Skidmore grad and Philly native Vaughn Downes and his City of Brotherly Love native and friend Nate Smith, this small place between Scallions and Virgil's House has apparently found a good niche, and I'm a fan.  The best part?  They are open until 4am from Thursday to Saturday!!! Move over doughboys - you've got some late-night competition! 

Springwater Bistro closing this spring

The Times Union's Table Hopping blog is reporting that Springwater Bistro on Union Avenue is closing at the end of May.  I have never been there but I love the location of it near the track and my home.  I guess I better get there soon before they close up even earlier, although apparently there may be some farewell events. 

Click here for Springwater Bistro web site.

Comment received from CDTA Executive Director

I received a comment from Capital District Transportation Authority (CDTA) Executive Director Ray Melleady on my post from last month entitled R.I.P. Route 471.  Even though I am still disappointed with how the situation was handled, I nonetheless appreciate Mr. Melleady taking the time out to explain their process.  Some people in these positions are aloof and arrogant, but at least Mr. Melleady makes the effort to communicate with the public that his authority serves. I just hope that CDTA keeps their word and brings the route back this summer.  If you wish to read the comment, then click on the link above. 

Saratoga National Bank offering reduced interest rate mortgages

Attention prospective homeowners in Saratoga County.  Saratoga National Bank is offering reduced rate mortgages for buyers of new or existing homes.  Individual loans may be up to $417,000, and will be priced 0.25 percent below the bank’s regular mortgage rate.  Read about it here  in the Albany Business Review.

YMCA is hosting chili cookoff on March 19th

The YMCA will he hosting their fourth annual chili cookoff on March 19th from 6-7:30PM at their Saratoga Springs branch.  All proceeds from this event will benefit the YMCA of Saratoga’s Annual Campaign, We Build People.  Click herefor more information.

Various Saratoga items

Beverly's Restaurant, the great breakfast and lunch place on Phila will now be open for dinner "soon" according to the sign on the front door.  That is an interesting development for the place that I never knew to be open past 3pm.   If they do for dinner what they have done for breakfast and lunch, then it should be a great destination for casual dining. 

Speaking of expanded restaurant offerings, the Bread Basket Bakery is now offering breakfast sandwiches.  I haven't tried them yet, but that is a good move on their part because I love that place and I have gotten to know the owner a bit, but unless you're in the mood for a pastry or a similar baked item for breakfast you've been out of luck until this change. 

I'm not through with reporting about restaurant menu evolution yet.  I was at Panza's recently and met the owner Tony Panza.  I found out that his Italian Restaurant on Route 9P on Saratoga Lake is now offering a "Pasta Extrava-Panza" on Sundays from 3pm-7pm at least through the end of March.  For $19.38 a wide variety of their excellent Italian food (including their famous Brick Oven Pizza) will be served continuously at Tableside (think Brazilian Steakhouse concept) with strolling musicians.  Enough said, see you there.

View Larger Map

I don't know if these expanded offerings are natural evolutions for these establishments or if the terrible economy is forcing the owners to get creative in order to get some more customers in the door.  Either way I like all of these restaurants as well as their owners so I will try my best to continue my patronage and to make some purchases of their new items. 

Going back to Phila Street, when I saw the aforementioned sign on the door of Beverly's it was without the aid of direct natural sunlight.  The new condos at 54 Phila really change the dynamic of that section of the street and the new building is gigantic compared to the other ones on there.  I was there at 11am and the sun was still completely blocked from not only the street but Beverly's across the street as well.  I was going to say that's the price of progress I guess, but it would be more appropriate to say that's the price of economic development.

On to nightlife.  Saratoga Springs is a great place for live music and my friend George Fletcher and his fellow musician Pete Pashoukos - aka Tequila Mockingbirds - will be playing the next two weekends at various Saratoga establishments as listed below:

•  Friday, February 20, Saratoga City Tavern. 8 p.m. 518.581.3230. http://www.saratogacitytavern.com
•  Saturday, February 21. Gaffney's, 10 p.m. 518.587.7359 http://www.gaffneysrestaurant.com
•  Thursday, February 26, Cantina, 7 p.m. 518.587.5577 http://www.cantinasaratoga.com
• Friday, February 27. Bailey's Cafe. 9 p.m. 518.583.6060 http://www.baileyscafe.com
• Saturday, February 28, Grey Gelding Bistro & Bar 8 p.m. 518.584.0957 http://www.greygelding.com

They are both excellent guitarists and really jam some great blues.  I will definitely make one or more of these gigs.  Have a great weekend!