Saratoga thoughts May 21, 2012

OK I've been a bit remiss in keeping these up.  Here we go.

• Geez that was an exciting Preakness.  What makes it even better is that there's a horse eligible to win this year's Triple Crown.   If NYRA needed something from the Doctor right about now, I'll Have Another going for a Triple Crown is it.  
• I've come to respect Barbara Lombardo and the Saratogian's staff over the past few years, so I say this as a supporter:  I felt a bit disappointed reading AP articles in the Saratogian about the Kentucky Derby and the Preakness.  I wanted to read the local angle, like Tim Wilkin did over at the Times Union. On the plus side, The Pink Sheet was a treat and I really enjoyed reading that Saturday morning.
• If you haven't been to Elizabeth's Table yet, you should go.  It's really filling an unmet niche here - a downtown quick and casual restaurant with high quality meals, baked goods, desserts and coffee.  I have become friends with the owners, so I guess I'm biased, but I am a fan.
• Another new restaurant owner that I am friendly with is my fellow Buffalonian PJ Davis owner of the newly remodeled PJ's BAR-B-QSA formerly known of course as PJ's Barbecue.  Margarita and I went there Saturday night and we got there after 8pm, which in past years would have been a dead time, but the line was still out the door (!).  The cashier told us they were straight out since 11:30am.  The inside is totally different, but the outside is unchanged, and "PJ the DJ" is still spinning 50's tunes - thank God!  That would have been so disappointing to me had they changed that.  Yes I will miss the Fats Domino and Little Richard Windows, and a few other things, but PJ and Carolyn Davis kept much of what made it special and added some new touches. The menu had some changes but most of the old favorites are there (except they no longer serve wings) so check it out if you haven't been yet.
• Speaking of South Broadway Restaurants, I do miss the Diner, as well as Alexandra's Ice Cream.  Sometimes the Diner just filled the bill perfectly.

 

• Any word on the Grey Gelding being filled?
• Ditto Borders.  I've been hearing rumors but nothing definite.
• Back to Ice Cream, the East Side could use a neighborhood ice cream stand.  I don't think Spring Street Deli or 5 Points sells it for on site consumption - in other words ice cream cones. 
• Speaking of East Side delis, I stopped into the somewhat new East Side Deli and Pizzeria  (formerly Giancones) on Lake Avenue and although the pizza slices for sale looked dryer than bricks, it seemed like they are trying to fill a niche as a local neighborhood store.  They seemed friendly and their menu has dinner choices all under $12, with at least one under $9.  They had a few grocery items in addition to the pizza and other menu items.  Kudos to them for having a good web site.
• I'm happy to see the 57 Chevy is back out front of Union Gables B & B.  Yet another sign of summer.

• The Bon Ton Fish Market out at the Wilton Plaza (where 5 Guys and Chipotle is) was originally scheduled to open in May, but won't open until June.  I saw plenty of construction ongoing there, and the sign is already up, so it is moving along.  I previously wrote how I wish to keep most of my money at Price Chopper - but that doesn't mean I won't check out Bon Ton now and again.  The Boca Vida Fish Market at the Saratoga Farmers Market also seems to have quality fish that is very fresh.

OK folks, that's about it for now.  Take care.

Comments

[Kim]

As far as ice cream goes -- East Side Deli sells Ice Cream Man ice cream in pints and quarts in the freezer near the cash register.

[Dan]

Ahhhh Ice Cream Man - good choice. But with the East Side not having anyone else selling cones and dishes, and with the park across the street, it would seem like a lucrative idea to give it a go selling those in addition to the quarts and pints.