Fun in Saratoga

Valentine’s at Wishing Well

Valentine’s at Wishing Well.

Sperry’s expands wine list; wine 50 percent off at bar this week

Sperry’s expands wine list; wine 50 percent off at bar this week.

$5 entrées at Maestro’s on Super Bowl Sunday

$5 entrées at Maestro’s on Super Bowl Sunday.

Go for some "Luck" on HBO this weekend

There are so many reasons that I love Saratoga Springs, but the number one reason is Saratoga Race Course.  That's why I am eagerly anticipating the official HBO series premier of "Luck" Sunday night at 9pm.  I say "official" premier because HBO did a low-profile showing back in December, but unfortunately I missed it.  If anyone caught that, please give your thoughts on here. 

 

Season 1 Trailer 

I've never seen an HBO series that I didn't appreciate for being extremely so well done, even if it wasn't for me.  I was a diehard fan of Entourage, and had an appreciation for Deadwood and The Sopranos.  HBO's Inside The NFL was the best sports program I ever saw, and I used to enjoy watching that, at least a few decades ago when the Bills were relevant.

Anyway, I digress.  Luck is an intense series about Horse Racing which vividly focuses on, to steal an old line from ABC's Wide World of Sports, the thrill of victory and (especially) the agony of defeat.  It has an all-star cast (Dustin Hoffman, Dennis Farina, Nick Nolte), especially for a TV series, and it just looks really, really good. I hope I'm not disappointed.  An HBO series about horse racing and all sorts of related drama thrown in - what's not to love?  Especially with no new Entourage episodes available.  My only complaint so far is that it wasn't set in Saratoga.  You can read a review about Luck here.  Don't call me Sunday night, I'll be busy. 

Saratoga thoughts January 25, 2012

OK here we go with a mid-week posting:

• I am hoping to see the movie Red Tails - partially because it is a WWII movie (my late father, Ted De Federicis, was a B-24 Bomber co-pilot during the war) and partially because a Saratoga Springs resident was one of the Tuskegee Airmen.  That is so awesome. If anyone has seen it please post a comment on here.

• I was glad to see the Rail, Ski, and Stay package offered utilizing Saratoga Springs hotels, restaurants, and shops.  I hope it is successful - although I imagine this winter's mild weather isn't exactly helping.
• I wrote a few weeks ago how the T-U lost interest in their Community Blogs, and now I see the Post Star's Saratoga Snippets blog hasn't been updated in almost two months. Not sure what's up with that but I may give reporter Tom Dimopoulos a quick email to inquire.
• It looks like Maestro's is starting a monthly newsletter announcing specials and other offers, such as their Valentines Day menu.  Their February issue can be found here.
• You Idiot is reporting on a few rumors, one being that the former Brindisi's location will be filled by the restauranteurs who also own Russo's Grill in Amsterdam, ADDED: The Saratogian has the details here.  Also another post by You Idiot indicates, amongst other things, that Sangwych "is in serious trouble", Bowtie Theatres are moving into the old Borders location, Max London will be appearing on the Food Network Show "Chopped", and a Spanish Restaurant will be moving into the old Grey Gelding location.  Again these are rumors, and the last one (Grey Gelding) could have been mixed up with the confirmed news, of which I reported part of on last week, that the Zecchinis (owners of Chianti and Forno Bistro) will open a Spanish Tapas Restaurant in the old Pizza On Broadway location.  You Idiot has his ear to the ground so I'm sure more than half of what he reported on is true.  Just not sure which half. 
• Did you know that there was a Saratoga Musical?  It was on Broadway in the late 1950s, but didn't do so well.  You can buy a poster from the play from someone on Amazon.com.

OK so Saratoga the Musical is not such a surprise, but Saratoga Ointment????  Yup. Not kidding, and you can buy that on Amazon as well. Oh the City Hall jokes I can come up with on that one....

•  I know the Saratogian has assured us that the sale of their Lake Avenue building was just a simple "internal transaction", but I'm reserving the right to let it get me nervous for reasons I can't exactly articulate. 
• I'm pretty pissed off to find out how quickly the Genting Corporation, the ones who run the Casino down at Aqueduct, is apparently willing to jettison the horse racing at Aqueduct so they can knock things down, kick everybody out,  and build a huge convention center, hotels, and an even bigger casino.  Maybe I was a bit naive and my love for horse racing blinded what should have been obvious.  Genting looks more to me like a wolf in sheep's clothing a Trojan horse (pun not really intended) than a savior.  I'm not against a Convention Center there, but does that really mean they have to end horse racing too?  Why can't we have a gigantic and unique convention center, one with something special in addition to the mundane slot machines and table games?
• I see the Horse Racing Museum and Hall of Fame is closing until March 1st for some "exhibit updates".  I don't doubt that is the reason, but something tells me the slow winter months likely influenced their decision to stay closed for a little longer than they may have otherwise.
• Saratoga General Music Rule #I - if you're a national act playing at SPAC, your career is doing quite well.  Saratoga General Music Rule #2:  If you're a national act playing at Vapor Nightclub, you haven't had a hit in 15 years.
• And finally, the best happy hour in Saratoga Springs?  The Turf Club, at least according to some of my friends.  I was there once recently and would tend to agree, if for no other reasons than the warm fireplace and the neighborhood feel.  That's all for now folks, have a great weekend.

The Saratogian responded to me via Twitter regarding their latest editorial

I appreciated The Saratogian's positive reply to my post from last week encouraging them to write more editorials.  Last night the Saratogian tweeted "@dmdefed Thanks for the praise (and the push) on our editorials this week, here's the latest:  http://saratogian.com/articles/2012/01/21/opinion/doc4f1b632704ccc412802811.txt."

This was a link to the Saratogian's Sunday editorial about the mess at the Saratoga Housing Authority.  It was not only well written - but appropriately hard hitting too!  I like to see the Saratogian taking a lead in the community, and this editorial was a great example of that. 

Valentine’s Day at home from Mazzone Hospitality

Valentine’s Day at home from Mazzone Hospitality.

Super Bowl from Marello restaurants

Super Bowl from Marello restaurants.

Ravenous slates winter deals

Ravenous slates winter deals.

Spanish wine dinner at Wishing Well

Spanish wine dinner at Wishing Well.