Fun in Saratoga

Maestro's Superbowl Day specials

Maestro's Restaurant has Super Bowl Day specials for both take out and sit in dining.  You can get more details off Maestro's Facebook page.

Check out the great photography at the Zen Birdfeeder

The Zen Birdfeeder has great photography.  Check it out!

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McDonalds on South Broadway to close on Sunday for demolition and rebuilding

Two weeks ago I wrote on the Times Union Saratoga residents' blog that the McDonalds on South Broadway was originally scheduled to be torn down and rebuilt soon after Labor Day.  I noted that it hasn't happened yet, however a commenter on there has just noted that employees were told the fast food eatery would be closing this coming Sunday January 30th to prepare for the planned demolition and rebuilding.  I confirmed with a staff member that the information was accurate and that they would only be open for breakfast on Sunday, but was unable to determine a timeline for completion.  Now that I interrupted your day with this earth-shattering news, you can go back to your regularly scheduled programming as you figure out where to get your Egg McMuffins from. 

Don't forget Forno Bistro's Tuesday night takeout offer

Restaurant deals abound in the Spa City.  Here's the latest offering from DZ Restaurants, which includes a special Tuesday night takeout from Forno Bistro. 

     

Sundays in January at Chianti Only two Sundays left to try our Domenica Di Gennaio Menu. Every Sunday in January we are featuring a 4-course menu hand-selected by Chef Fabrizio Bazzani for $29/pp. Ideal for sharing all four courses are served family-style. See Our Domenica Di Gennaio Menu

The NEW Tuesday Take-Out at Forno Bistro Pizza and Pasta Packages To-Go for just $18 each! This Tuesday get two wood-fired pizzas and a ½ tray of Forno's classic Mista Insalata to-go for just $18. OR get a 1/2 Tray of Chef Selected Pasta and a 1/2 Tray of Forno's Classic Mista Insalata to-go for just $18. See Forno Bistro's website for more details or call 518-581-2401. Find out our featured Pizza and Pasta for this Tuesday January 25! We're Playing Favorites at Forno Bistro Forno Favorites | January 24-30 Starting Tomorrow from January 24 - 30 we'll be playing favorites. All your Forno Bistro Favorites like Bruschetta Pizza, Pollo Panato and Insalata Con Tagliata are back on a special menu hand-picked by Executive Chef Marquis Snyder. All your favorites have returned, but for only a week so don't miss them. It'll be just like old times. See the Menu

Battenkill Creamery offering Uncommon Grounds Coffee

Everything I read and hear about dairy farming makes me both respect and feel bad for those families that are struggling to work 365 days a year putting food on our plates.  Government actions, market conditions and a host of other things I don't understand are making this profession so hard for many to continue, and too many farms have gone under or simply discontinued operations because it was a losing battle. 

That's all the more reason why I am impressed by Battenkill Creamery's efforts to try a new plan and not just offer home delivery, but to team up with an increasing list of local food vendors to give customers their own great dairy products along with a wide variety of other local foods.

 

I have been a happy customer of Battenkill's home delivery for several months now, and I really like some of their partner businesses' offerings that the Creamery delivers along with their dairy products.  I really look forward to my once-a-week arrival of goodies, and I've become a fan of Rock Hill Bakery's bread, as well as Maplebrook Farm's cheese, and Argyle Cheese Farmer's yogurt.  Battenkill also offers some other local food products, such as Saratoga Peanut Butter, and has just started offering Uncommon Grounds fresh coffee in their deliveries. 

 

You can read more about Battenkill Creamery in the October issue of Spirit of Saratoga Magazine.  Why not click on the dairy's home delivery page now and, once a week, enjoy a treat or two being dropped at your front door.  Take it from me, stepping on your porch to get the weekly delivery will make these cold mornings seem a lot more warm.

Check out the blueprints to Maestro's future location in the Van Dam

As you likely know, Maestro's Restaurant will be moving to the Van Dam building in May.  You can click here to find out some of the details, and you can go to Maestro's Facebook page posting of the blueprints. 

One Caroline to offer new take out menu and delivery

I just caught off One Caroline's Facebook page that they will be offering a new take out menu and they will institute delivery within a 10 mile radius.  There are plenty of casual places in town offering delivery, but as far as I know this may be the first higher end restaurant in Saratoga Springs offering food .  I like seeing our local eateries take creative steps to compete in a poor economy in the dead of winter, but it really makes me wonder just how bad it is out there for some of these businesses.   

I wrote last year about how I felt One Caroline is underappreciated, and I encouraged readers to get there for at least a drink to enjoy their great jazz entertainment.  Now perhaps you can enjoy some of their inspired food offerings right at your dining room table. 

Times Union reviews Hattie's Wilton location

Click here to review T-U reviewer Cheryl Clark's review of Hattie's Chicken Shack in Wilton.  It was a positive review in which Ms. Clark declared the new casual place "as good as the original".  You can also read some comments by readers about the review via the T-U's Table Hopping blog. 

Click here to read about celebrity chef Bobby Flay's latest cookbook, which has the recipe for Hattie's famous chicken recipe. 

Pay what you want this Sunday at Maestro's

Maestro's is a great restaurant and they're second to none when it comes to aggressive marketing, especially via social media.  I understand they have an outside company market for them via Facebook, Twitter, Constant Contact etc.  I can't comment on the results as far as paying customers through the door, but they sure are getting their money's worth as far as output goes because I'm getting emails, Facebook messages, and tweets every day.  At first it was impressive, but I have to admit it is getting a bit overwhelming at times.  In any event, Maestro's is a great restaurant and their special pricing, such as their $5.00 specials, are really worth acting on.  This Sunday they are offering a "pay what you want" special, and I will copy the email below which will give you the details.

Winter savings from Maestro's "A Fine American Bistro"   Friday & Saturday $15 Bottles of Wine January 21st & 22nd  Pay What You Want Sunday January 23rd Greetings!   Deal (noun)..a bargain or arrangement for mutual advantage: the best deal in town   Welcome to one of our newest fun specials, Pay what you want Sunday. Please do not confuse this special with our $5 entrée deal as they are nothing alike. These entrees are full size entrees. Up until 3pm the entrees will be a lunch portion and would sell from $12-$15. After 3pm the portions will be dinner sized and  would sell from $20-$25. We truly love to offer great deals on our great food but please remember that a good deal is one that is fair to all and is of mutual advantage. Enjoy this great food then tell us WHAT YOU WANT TO PAY! Pay What You Want Sunday January 23rd Entrées Sausage & Cheddar Meatloaf Stout poached sausage, beef, veal, dried mushroom, cheddar, parsley, & bacon, Yukon gold mashed potatoes, green bean casserole Baked Cod Andouille crusted, cheddar rock shrimp grits, stewed tomatoes Duck Cassolette White bean duck sausage cassolette, braised greens, crisp duck confit Veal Ragu Veal, caramelized onions & fennel, greens, pappardelle, Grana, cream Bistro Steak Marinated grilled Hanger steak, cheddar poblano mashed potatoes, braised kale, salsa Verdi Pay What You Want Sunday Each item will be available on Sunday, January 23rd from 11:30am until 9pm. At the end of your meal you will decide what you want to pay for the item.   All items are full size portions Cannot be combined with any other offer or discount Winter Wine Week Jan 24th thru Jan 30th Celebrate getting the first month of Winter behind us by joining us for lunch or dinner. Painted Hills Vineyard Chardonnay or Cabernet Sauvignon   $3 per glass $10 per bottle   Great wine at a great price!   Cannot be used with double take or simply certificates John LaPosta Maestro's "A Fine American Bistro" 518.580.0312 Winter deals cannot be combined with double take, simply certifcates, or entertainment card