Here are some of my random thoughts on what I hope is one of the last snowy days of the year. Hey a guy can dream can't he?
- My wife and I made it to the dance flurry last weekend. It is of course a great multi-cultural event that brings a lot of people to Saratoga Springs. While there, I had a chance to check out the new additions at the City Center and, while I can't say there's anything pretty about a couple of boxey rooms, they certainly made formerly underutilized space very functional. It will be good for attracting larger groups so I was happy to finally get a look at it. BTW, thank you Joe Bruno for the state funds to make that happen.
- I thought it was pretty cool when Saratoga Springs was featured on The Price is Right last week. While watching, besides noting that Drew Carey looked extremely uncool, I wondered why NYRA and Saratoga Springs didn't promote Saratoga's spotlight on the show earlier in the week just to get the tons of free press leading up to it. Maybe The Price is Right had some sort of clause that they couldn't announce it until a certain time, but if not then I think it should have received better promotion ahead of time.
- I was on Long Island recently and I had a really fantastic brunch at a nice place on a little cove on the north shore. I will post two pictures below, one a close up, of this real nice dish I had with eggs benedict served, not on an English muffin, but a cake of hash browns.
It was every bit as delicious as it looks. So what's my point? Beverly's serves a great breakfast, but does anyone in town serve a high-end brunch? I understand the Gideon Putnam has a buffet brunch on Sundays but I haven't been there for it - I would like to try it one of these days. If anyone has been to the Gideon for brunch please let us know how it is, or if anyone else knows of a good brunch place in Saratoga please comment.
- On that last question about a good brunch place, I hope nobody said "Boston Market". That being said, the Saratoga Springs location was part of the chain's recent efforts to "enhance the customer's experience... blah, blah, blah". Basically, rather than giving you your turkey and marshmallow sweet potatoes McDonald's style, they will instead give you real plates and table service now. Boston Market's food seems so loaded with salt and sugar, but for about 8 bucks I can get a halfway decent meal with vegetables in it, so it's a good occasional choice. The real china and table service doesn't really make a difference to me - just give me my chicken and leave me alone, but, whatever.
- Staying on that stretch of South Broadway, It looks like Duo Japanese Cuisine and Lounge will be opening up in the first half of March. I stopped by there week and the inside looks great and, to keep using a word I use often to describe the place, funky. I will post two pictures, before and after, of the place and in the second (more recent) photo you will notice that they are presently hiring and that they did some work on the windows. They did a ton of work on the inside so give these guys credit for effort and vision at this point.
- Speaking of Asian restaurants, did you know that Sushi Thai Garden now delivers? They apparently started doing so a couple of months ago. I think they are the best asian restaurant in town so adding delivery is a good thing for lazy bloggers like me.
- Best Sandwich in town? Ben and Bill's Deli at the Ballston Avenue Price Chopper, hands down.
I can't take much more of this relentless winter! No "Fun in Saratoga" today!
Posted by: Mr. Sunshine | February 25, 2011 at 09:49 AM
Oh man you said it. I had an appointment in Albany that I wanted to keep and I said to myself "I'm from Buffalo, I have all wheel drive and good tires, I'm going!" But the northway was a crawl, and despite the accuratate forecast, there was scant evidence of a plow, so I got off at exit 13 and came home. Yuck!
Posted by: Dan | February 25, 2011 at 10:22 AM
Max London's, one of my favorite downtown eateries, serves brunch on Saturdays and Sundays. I have only experienced dinner there, but I imagine their brunch is nothing to turn your nose up at. At least the choices look pretty darn tasty. Check out their menu at maxlondons.com.
Posted by: Tim | February 25, 2011 at 02:32 PM
Hey thanks Tim I didn't even know that!
Posted by: Dan | February 25, 2011 at 03:23 PM