Fun in Saratoga

Franklin Micare Duo playing Saturday at The Grey Gelding

If you've never been to a Franklin Micare Duo show then you're really missing out.  It's just two guys - Franklin Micare and Steve Candlen but man with their energy it seems like it's a four or five piece band sometimes.  They're both accomplished musicians that can really pick up a crowd so if you're out this Saturday then check them out at the Grey Gelding.  The Saratoga Life web site has the details here.

 

Spencer Trask book available at discount at Yaddo

Earlier this week I wrote an entry about a Post-Star article marking nearly 100 years since the passing of Spencer Trask.  I also mentioned that there was a book in print about Mr. Trask, who was arguably one of Saratoga Springs' most significant historical figures. 

 

You may have missed a comment written below that posting from Spirit of Life that mentions that those wishing to purchase the book, as well as another one on Yaddo, may do so for half price (with the money going directly to Yaddo) by calling Lesley at Yaddo at 518-584-0746 or email [email protected]. 

  

Times Union: "Is 'new' NYRA the same deal?"

You can read that Times Union article about NYRA here.

The October Circle playing New Year's Eve at Baileys

I saw the band The October Circle a while back and I think they are fantastic.  As the band announcement below shows, they are playing New Year's Eve at Bailey's Cafe.  Check out that event if you don't have other plans.

Happy Holiday Greetings Fans!!
 
 What's that?  You don't have any plans for New Year's Eve? 
 
   Luckily for you, The October Circle has you covered!!  We'll be performing this Thursday Night at Bailey's (corners of Putnam and Phila Streets, Saratoga Springs) for the BIG festivities. 
    We've got a bunch of new tricks up our sleeves (although Luke continues to balk at jumping through an increasingly smaller series of flaming hoops this year) and there'll be plenty of drink specials, dancing, and-- of course-- great music. 
The  show starts at 9 pm.
 
   Your humblest of servants,
 
The October Circle

Homemade biscuits and jam from Virgil's House

Check out this week's special from Virgil's House:

Biscuits and Jam

$2.00

 

Homemade biscuits warmed and served with locally made jams.

 

Print out this coupon and come in and experience

an old time favorite

here at

 

This offer expires January 1, 2010

 

 

Saratoga Chowderfest and Bartenders Ball to be held on February 6, 2010

NOTE:  The below entry was for the 2010 Saratoga BARTENDERS BALL-   FOR THE 2012 BARTENDERS BALL CLICK HERE.  YOU CAN ALSO GO THE THE BARTENDERS BALL FACEBOOK PAGE. 

The Saratoga Convention

CHOWDERFEST WINNERS 2010 CLICK HERE

The Saratoga Convention and Tourism Bureau will be hosting their 12th annual Chowderfest on Saturday February 6th, 2010 from 11am-4pm at various restaurants in the Spa City.  Chowderfest is basically a fun winter thing to do - you go around the city and try Chowder samples (for just a buck) from participating restaurants, and you vote on the best ones via the ballots they make available.  They are even serving Dog Chowder so your pooch can get in on the culinary fun! 

  
Chowderfest is part of the Winterfest weekend, which includes the Bartenders' Ball and is sponsored by the Chamber of Commerce.  The Bartenders Ball will be held in the Saratoga Springs City Center from 6:30 to midnight on February 6th 2010 and will feature entertainment from the New York Players.  The tickets are $50 per person and the proceeds will benefit Domestic Violence and Rape Crisis Services of Saratoga County. Check back on the Chamber web site for updates regarding Winterfest and the Bartenders' Ball.  See you there!

Maestro's offering New Year's Eve early seating options and other specials

Below  is a copy of an email I received from Maestro's Restaurant.  This could be your last chance to have a New Year's even dinner in their present location.  The last time I checked they were still working on a deal to move into the former Doc's Steakhouse location on Putnam Street.

Happy New Year from Maestro's "A Fine American Bistro" Greetings!   Wishing you every happiness this Holiday Season and prosperity in the New Year. Thank you for being our customer. We look forward to continuing our relationship in the coming year.     Maestros "A Fine American Bistro" First Night Celebration In addition to our entire menu being served from 5pm until 11pm we are offing this great value prix fixe menu   Three Course Dinner  Just $40 per person First Course Our Chef's Legendary Maryland Crab Cake Wilted spinach, Cajun remoulade, tomato fume, pom frits Lobster Bisque Butter poached lobster claws, fine sherry, chive oil Heirloom Pumpkin Ravioli Sage brown butter, local squash, chevre, roasted pumpkin seeds, Austrian pumpkin seed oil Classic Caesar Salad With or without white anchovies Warm Beet Salad Wilted spinach, candied pecans, chevre, onion straws, mustard seed vinaigrette Entrée Braised Goodness Birch beer braised beef short rib, cumin honey glazed White Marble Farms pork bellie, veal osso bucco, boiled potatoes & carrots Faroe Island Salmon Pan roasted, cheddar grits, stewed tomatoes, crispy leeks Roasted Ballentine of Free Range Chicken Filled with Boudin Blanc & house made Mortadella, wrapped with house cured pancetta, Sheldon Farms mashed potatoes, wilted spinach, smoked tomato chicken jus Rack of Lamb Feta macaroni & cheese, roasted beets, port wine demi glace Diver Scallops & Grilled Bistro Steak Grilled bistro steak, pan seared scallops, carrot cumin butter, braised fingerling potatoes and fennel 45 Day Dry Aged Angus Rib eye ($15 supplement) Horseradish mashed potatoes, winter vegetables, roasted shallot demi glace, crisp onions 1 lb Cold Water Lobster Tail ($20 supplement) Rock shrimp cauliflower risotto, buttered beans   Dessert Pumpkin, Vanilla, & Hazelnut Chocolate, Caramel, & Clementine Apple, Almond, & Pecan     Sincerely,   John LaPosta Maestro's "A Fine American Bistro" Join Our Mailing List!

Early Seating Discounts Be  seated by 5pm on New Years Eve.     Recieve 20% off your entire check!!!   Be seated by 6pm on New Years Eve.    Recieve 10% off your entire check!!!   Offer Expires: Jan 1, 2010

Skip Dickstein's favorite photograph of 2009

The Times Union asked their photographers to name their favorite photographs for 2009.  Skip Dickstein is a longtime T-U photographer and very well respected worldwide for his equine photography (full disclosure: Skip is a friend of mine).  I've seen his work used in national publications as well as by HBO Sports.  Skip chose the picture from the Woodward Stakes involving a certain filly named Rachel Alexandra.  You can read the article and view the pictures here.

Post Star notes passing of Spencer Trask almost 100 years ago

Thomas Dimopoulos of the Post Star wrote an interesting article noting that distinguished Saratoga Springs resident Spencer Trask died 100 years ago this week in a train accident while traveling to New York City. He was going to New York to take action to protect the natural springs here in our great city from commercial exploitation.  What I liked about the article is that it had a bit of Saratoga Springs history in it and with a quick read you can learn at least a little about Spencer Trask's contributions to Saratoga Springs, including the founding of Yaddo. 

As I was researching this blog post, I discovered that there was a book about Spencer Trask entitled "Spencer Trask, Enigmatic Titan".  I will have to put that on my Saratoga Springs related reading list and hopefully will get to it soon. 

 

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

From the staff at Fun Saratoga (staff=me) have a very merry and safe Christmas!