Fun in Saratoga

Saratoga Springs' Healthy Living store newsletter

You can find that newsletter here.

Upcoming events at Northshire Bookstore

Click here to find out events at Northshire Bookstore  - Saratoga Springs.

New York Times editorial asserts "Saratoga Doesn't Need a Casino"

Well I guess that heading says it all.  I don't know if I agree with that; I believe the question and answers are much more complicated than that.  Mostly, I don't know if a New York City newspaper, even one as respected as the New York Times, should have much sway on this question.  My position on this issue is about 60/40 in favor of a casino, and I agree there should be limitations on convention/exhibition space etc.  I generally avoid political issues on here, but now that I've said this muchI guess I'll have to expand more on my position.  It just won't be tonight - I'm just linking the New York Times editorial FYI. 

Bar specials inlcuding $1 oysters and $12 Kobe burger + beer specials at Sperrys

You can find out more by clicking here.

Saratoga Springs' best takeout - and you probably don't know about it

Got fish?  Moby Rick's does, and quality side dishes to go with that seafood.  Open until 7:30pm, the retail seafood spot on Lake Avenue also offers a healthy and tasty prepared pickup for dinner on the way home from work.   Most entrees are in the $15 range, but they usually have a two (of the same) entree for $20 special available as well.  I also really like their side dishes - fresh-cooked vegetables and starches which are not overly seasoned.  Check out the web site here, which has a menu link, as well as their Facebook page.  

Moby Rick's offers regular menu items as well as specials.  Above is pictured their Striped Bass, Brown Rice Pilaf, Roasted Asparagus and Red peppers and Sweet and Spicy Coconut Thai Chili Sauce.  Below: pasta with scallops.  Far below:  Lobster mac & cheese.

New York Times article on opposition to gambling in Saratoga

This article was in Monday's edition and can be linked here.

The article has an interesting map of Saratoga Springs highlighting all the key landmarks that have relevance in the gambling debate. 

And I learned a new word in the article:  busker - a person who entertains people for money in public places (as by singing or dancing), usually while asking for money.

Times Union gives good review to Istanblue Restaurant

Times Union restaurant critic Bryan Fitzgerald reviewed Istanblue Mediterranean Restaurant in Congress Plaza.  The review was a very good one, which may be the shot in the arm the restaurant needs because as Fitzgerald noted, the place does not seem to attract too many customers.  The review can be found here, and the Times Union Table Hopping post about it, which includes reader comments, can be found here.

My wife and I dined at Istanblue last August, and we were disappointed.  That may have been just my lack of appreciation of the cuisine, or perhaps it is because we went when the restaurant was relatively new, and maybe it has since found its sea legs by now and is delivering a good experience.  I should also note that I have seen good comments about it on Tripadvisor.   Let's hope it can get through the rest of the winter.

NYRA posts Saratoga 2014 dates; possibly scrapped previously announced admission price increase

The Saratoga section of the NYRA web site has been updated to show the key dates for the Saratoga Race Course season in 2014.  Interestingly, the updated portion of the site shows that the admission prices for both the grandstand and clubhouse will remain at $3 and $5 respectively.  You may recall last month NYRA announced they intended to increase admission prices, something that did not go over well with the fans to say the least.  Although the price hike proposal wasn't final, and it would be simple to update their web site with any approved price hikes, it seems odd to me that they would put the long-standing current admission prices up there if they intended to raise it.  Then again, it's NYRA.   

Some key dates for the Saratoga Race Course 2014 are as follows:

• Opening Day - July 18
• Closing Day - September 1
• Travers Stakes - August 23rd
• Twilight Racing/Party at the Spa August 29

That NYRA web page I linked above had a few typos on it, including the wrong date for the Travers (Should be August 23rd) near the bottom (however it was correct at the top) and the Twilight Racing was incorrectly listed for August 30th, it should be listed as August 29th.  With that sloppiness, perhaps I shouldn't read too much into what I find on that site and realize that my assumptions may simply be incorrect. 

Under the radar development on Washington Street

I was driving down Washington Street last week near Pope's Pizza and I saw this new office/residential development at the corner of Central Avenue.  A quick online search and I saw that it will be called Washington Commons and is being developed by Steve Ethier.  According to this Saratogian article, the photo below shows the first of what will be two mixed-use buildings hosting medical and other offices on the first floor, and residential units on the second floor.

You can also view this webcast of the Saratoga Springs Planning Board meeting from 2011 where the plan was discussed by the developers.  The relevant portion starts at 7:48 into the video.  Gotta love the internet.  OK, take care folks.

 

Ups and downs on South Broadway

I noticed that Papa Johns and The Ice Cream Man have new signs on and out in front of the building.  I reported just over a month ago that The Ice Cream Man may open in May, but I get the feeling that will come sooner. 

Staying on South Broadway, a bit further towards downtown, it appears that the Carriage House Inn is closed. The sign is down and it is all of the windows are shaded.  I don't know if this is just a seasonal thing (although its web site shows rates for the winter), but you may recall that I reported back in September that it was for sale.  Well it's a beautiful property so let's hope it's just a seasonal thing and it opens back up this spring. 

OK that's it for now.  Blogging becomes harder and harder these days - but fatherhood is going great and Margarita and I are blessed with our beautiful daughter!  Hope everyone had a great Christmas and New Year, and that you're staying safe and warm in this blustery weather.