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.

Comments

[Suzanne]

The roundabouts at exit 12? Try living at exit 12 and having to go through at least one roundabout every time you leave your house. Tons of fun. Even more fun? Having to go through the roundabouts while having a contraction on the way to the hospital. That's a rockin' good time!!

And honestly, the roundabouts aren't that bad (when I'm not in labor)--it is the people who have absolutely no idea how they work and cause a multitude of accidents. One day I actually saw someone going to the left around the circle. Another day I saw a tractor trailer tipped over on its side because it had taken the circle too tight. Luckily, no one was underneath the truck.

[Dan]

Well I hope you're not offended but I got a good laugh from your comment. You gave me some perspective considering I will never have to go through there with contractions. Thanks for commenting!

[Matthew]

Dan-

Loved this post...the Alley...a place that's been there forever, but even native Saratogians (like myself) have never been to. It's an interesting crowd-think Clancy's but tougher.

Hattie's has also been around forever, and I don't think the recipie has changed since Hattie owned the restaurant back in the 1950's/60's. Used to be located where Stonequist apartments is now at So. Federal Street/West Circular Street

P.S. I am a roundabout fan

[Dan]

And Matt I love your comments - seriously - your in depth knowledge of the city and its history complements my "new guy" perspective at looking at things. Thanks for taking the time to do that.
Dan

[Kathrynne]

I disagree that roma's is better than mango's. Roma's has only two different potions for bread and when i asked them if i could have a roll that they were selling they refused. Also i think now that mango 29 has had some time to settle in they are deffinately the best deli in upstate new york! The sandwiches are amazing but the real reason to go there is the salads. The owners are from long island so if your looking for downstate potato or macaroni salad it's the place to be! Also the broccoli salad and pretzel rolls are great