Fun in Saratoga

Yet even more Saratoga thoughts

OK, I guess my mind is working overtime lately.  More random thoughts:

• The Bonacio Market Center development at Division and Railroad Place sure is taking shape and making its presence felt in that neighborhood.  People complain about development in Saratoga Springs, and while it shouldn't happen without some oversight, we should be grateful that our city, poor economy or not, constantly has new construction occurring.  I've said it many times before, so many other cities would kill to have our "problems".  I took some pictures of the structure, but I'm having trouble downloading them.  So just imagine a lot of steel and concrete hanging over that corner.
• Saratoga is a pedestrian friendly city - sort of.  There may be nice places to walk and plenty of sidewalks, but you're taking your life into your hands once you step on the street - regardless of whether you have the right of way or not.  Some drivers in this city, especially, but not exclusively, during track season, drive like maniacs and pedestrians are invisible to them.
• I attended the presentation Wednesday evening by NYRA Race Track historian Paul Roberts, who gave what was essentially a powerpoint presentation on the history of the Saratoga Race Course buildings and development.  It was good and interesting, but it felt like a little bit of a sales pitch for public support for NYRA and the association's plans for the track. A preemptive strike, if you will, against any emotional outcries against change.  I'm OK with NYRA these days - sure they make some missteps - but they are much better than they used to be and they are running a successful program with three aging facilities in a dying sport.  I'll give credit where credit is due and recognize what they have accomplished. 
• Speaking of those NYRA plans, did you see that they inlcude removing the tent along the rail (The "At The Rail Pavilion") past the finish line and adding a permanent structure there?  I've heard rumor it will be a multifloor structure with a restaurant on top.  They also plan to add a permanent structure at the top of the stretch, among other changes. 
• I am enjoying reading The Saratoga Special, the daily Saratoga Race Course focused newspaper available for free at the track and various other establishments around town.  It is run by former steeplechase jockey Sean Clancy and his brother Joe Clancy.  I especially like the "Worth Repeating" section, which is a list of interesting and often funny quotes of people around the race track.   BTW, my wife and I are presently reading Saratoga Days, the book that Sean Clancy wrote about 12 years ago about his life in Saratoga as a steeplechase jockey.  It is a really enjoyable read for anybody who loves Saratoga and Clancy's passion is infectious.  

 

• Staying on the subject of books about Saratoga Horse Racing, Brendan O'Meara recently released his book Six Weeks in Saratoga, How Three Year Old Filly Rachel Alexandra beat the boys and Became Horse of the Year.  Brendan will be signing copies at the Saratoga Visitors Center from 3-5pm today, and you can also get copies at Barnes & Noble and Saratoga Saddlery.
• I ate at Leon's Mexican Restaurant on Crescent Street near the track the other day.  There was nothing wrong with my dinner, just nothing great either.  In this economy, and with three other Mexican restaurants within a mile of Leon's, I think a place has to be really fantastic to do well. 
• Speaking of restaurants, with all of the vacancies and turnover of restaurants in this town, I am still disappointed nobody has opened a really great seafood restaurant.  Angelo, are you reading this?
• I have been hearing Patrick Donges reporting on WAMC radio.  It is good to hear the former Saratogian reporter doing well in his chosen profession.
• I posted my review last week on The Saratoga Life on the locally filmed movie Virgin Alexander.  At my request, Tim Dawkins wrote a fantastic review on the movie and I posted it on the Times Union's Saratoga Springs residents' blog.
• Kyle York, whom is a regular commenter on this and other blogs as well as a regular attendee at city hall meetings, has some thoughts on Saratoga's 9/11 Memorial - he asked me to provide a link which I am doing here.
• Saratoga Springs has been the site of what I'll call immoral and sometimes illegal vices since the times even before the famed Revolutionary War battle here, and those vices involve more than just gambling.  Some things haven't changed over the years, decades, centuries, and an ad appearing every day on the front page of The Pink Sheet reads "Adore Escort Services - Ready, Willing & Waiting..."
• I heard an apropos description of Hidden Gardens Extraordinary Floral Design Antiques - the place on Maple Avenue between the police station and the City Center with several rusted statues and other odd pieces out front. My friend was trying to explain it to me and he said "You know, the place that looks like Sanford & Son."  Funny.

Whew! I thought I had 4 thoughts tops.  OK folks, have a great weekend and don't lose too much at the track.

Saratoga thoughts - May 2, 2011

Here we go with some random thoughts for the week:

• Downtown Saratoga Springs, as well as the Beekman Street disrict, sure had plenty of people coming to the Mardi Gras Festival or just to enjoy the great weather this weekend.  My wife Margarita and I strolled into The Wine Bar for dinner at 9:40PM Saturday, not thinking a reservation was needed, and they told us they had no tables available.  We had never been to The Wine Bar so we were a bit disappointed, not to mention surprised at having difficulty getting a table at a relatively late hour in April, but we had a nice dinner over at One Caroline Instead.
• The Oklahoma Training Track likewise was a hubbub of activity this weekend.  There were a number of large trucks that came in carrying a lot of racehorses.  The Kentucky Derby is five days away, summer will come soon after that, and then of course the Saratoga Race Course season.  Good times ahead!
• I ran by Dine Restaurant Saturday and was surprised to see it was still open.  You may recall back in March that the owners of Cafe Capriccio in Albany announced that they would be opening in the Dine location after the sale of the place. 
• With the nice weather comes an increase in outdoor activities - including two 5K road races being held this month in the Saratoga Spa State Park - the KLavoy5K will be held this Saturday, May 7th at 8am and SPAC's second annual "Rock & Run", which I enjoyed running last year and hold the course record in the slow and chubby guy category, will be held on Sunday May 22, 2011 at 10:30am. 
• I wrote about PJ's Barbecue planned remodeling and year round schedule last Wednesday, and the Saratogian had a more in-depth article on it with an interview with PJ himself in yesterday's edition.

 

• Patrick Donges has left The Saratogian for a job with WAMC, Northeast Public Radio, in Berkshire County, Massachusetts.  He seemed like a hard worker and I believe did a very good job for our local newspaper.  I wish him well.
• I went with a large group out to DiDonna's Restaurant on Saratoga Lake yesterday for breakfast.  The food was good and their dining room has a great view of the lake.  The problem was that they just didn't handle our large party (9 adults, 4 kids) well and there was what seemed like a 15 minute span from when the first breakfast came out and the last breakfast.  I realize that's a large party, but as a former short order cook I nonetheless thought they needed to have it more together.   We still enjoyed the place overall and will give it another go at some point.  You may recall the T-U did a nice review of DiDonna's back in March.   
• I just noticed that Empire State College has installed "Blue Phones" on their Union Avenue property - I assume they did the same at the West Avenue location as well. Blue Phones are emergency phones that automatically dial police or security when picked up or are otherwise activated - they're often installed specifically as a level of protection against sexual attacks on college campuses.  Wheras Empire State College does not have a traditional student body attending classes on campus, they nonetheless do have staff leaving in the dark (especially during the winter when it's dark by 4:30) and I assume other evening events, so this extra level of protection is certainly a good thing.   BTW the blossoms are out on the college's Union Avenue property and they look and smell beautiful. 

 

Well as usual I have more to write but not enough time, so this is it for now.  Have a great week.

Saratoga thoughts

OK it's been a few weeks since I last threw out some random thoughts.  Here we go:

• It's great that both the Oklahoma Track and PJ's Barbecue are open.  I've been to the former already, but not the latter.  I need my PJ's Barbecue and the soonest I can get there is Friday.  Hmmmm good Catholic or PJ's Barbecue...decisions...decisons. 
• 
• Getting back to the Oklahoma Track - I have heard that NYRA is considering ways to give the public more access there - and that would be a great thing.  It's such a gem and seeing all of those horses train in the morning is such a wonderful experience, but there are so few of us, namely horse owners,  that have that privilege.  I would like to see them open up the Oklahoma Track, not charge anything, and watch how that increases both springtime and early summer visits to Saratoga and attendance at the track in July and August.  With all the kids that will be there, they will be creating new fans for decades.
• If I thought that seeing the signs announcing Borders' closing sales were depressing, then seeing that building now sitting there all dark and empty is downright morbid.  Let's hope the predictions that it will be filled soon are true - Broadway and downtown needs such a prominent location filled. 
• Hot Dog Charlie's has bacon cheese fries????  Why didn't anyone tell me that?

 
 

• Speaking of fries, the new McDonalds is sure taking shape.  It's two stories and situated very close to the road (South Broadway).  As far as McDonalds buildings go, it seems like it will certainly be a noticeable improvement from the old one.

 

• I had a sandwich recently at the new Sangwych on Putnam Street.  It was good, but the problem is that I'm trying to eat healthier and eating a pile of meat on a soft processed flour bun is not exactly my idea of healthy (please conveniently ignore what I previously said about PJ's and my love for bacon cheese fries). My idea of a good sandwich is the Angelina's Apples turkey sandwich from The Bread Basket.  It's filling, but the on-site baked fresh bread and the apples give it a healthy feel.  I do hope Sangwych does well and I will be back, but at reasonable intervals.
• Speaking of that stretch of Putnam Street, I was walking past The Putnam Den with my wife about 7:30 last night and the bar had an outdoor tent party going with several bands and a large crowd.  A check of Putnam Den's web site told me the the band Rusted Root was playing at 9PM.  From the looks of the crowd, sound of the music, the "hemp oil organic pizza crust" being offered, and finally, the Saratoga Springs Police arrest I witnessed nearby of a few attendees, I'd say that location had more pot last night than the entire rest of the county.  People were having fun dancing and several other pedestrians joined us along the alley watching the band and listening to the very good music. Good for Putnam Den for bringing in a national act with a loyal following.
•  
• It's time for Congress Park Center to fix their clock.  The one facing Broadway is about 12 minutes off from the one facing Congress Avenue.  This is a hard hitting blog folks, reporting on the stories that really matter. 60 Minutes has got nothing on me. 

 

• Some restaurant snippets:  I had good meals recently at Cantina and Limoncello. I walked by Dine last night and was surprised it was still open, considering the owners of the Abany Restaurant Cafe Capriccio plan to open up in that location in May.  Both Forno Bistro and Chianti will be closed for Easter.  Is it just me, or does Primo's, in the Inn at Saratoga, seem like it's well below the local radar.  I have heard good things about it, it's just that I easily forget it is there.  Well maybe we'll give it a try sometime soon. 
• Continuing on with local food establishments, I got an email a while back that said "how about showing johnny's some love! The best ice cream shop in saratoga!!!" Well there you go - I gave Johnny's some love.  Have a great day folks.

Saratoga thoughts

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.

A few Saratoga thoughts

It's mid February, so we're in the final stretch of winter.  At least that's what I will keep telling myself.  Here are a few thoughts along the snow-covered and rather frigid Saratoga trail:

• As far as I'm concerned, the Saratoga Springs DPW is doing a great job clearing city streets - even the narrow back alleys.  Congratulations to Skip Scirocco and his entire crew for their superb efforts.
• I checked out Dangos Irish Pub, Steakhouse, Sports Bar and Tex-Mex buffet a few times this past weekend.  OK, it's not a Tex-mex buffet, but they might as well add it, they have so many other themes covered.  In any event, it has lots of TVs (15) and attractive waitresses - yep - it's a sports bar.  It seemed like they went out of their way to make a splash with an attractive staff.  I also met owner David "Dango" Johnson, who is not an attractive waitress, but seemed like a nice enough fella.

 

• Have you checked out the City Desk blog in the Saratogian lately?  For several months now Patrick Donges has been doing what I see as kind of a local version of what the T-U's Capital Confidential blog does, which is basically aggregating all the political and other interesting local stories from The Saratogian and other media outlets, even competitors like the T-U and Post-Star.  Those specific daily posts are entitiled "Front Page", Mr. Donges is doing a good job with it and it's worth checking out. 
• Word on the street is that Bonacio will be starting on the Price Chopper project sometime this month.  I don't know if that means the store will immediately close upon commencement of work or whether work will be done on other parts of the parcel first, allowing Price Chopper to stay open.  This information is really just a rumor, but if I keep repeating it monthly it will eventually be true.  You heard it here first lol.
• Slightly more than a rumor but nonetheless still unsubstantiated: I was advised by a friend that the proprietors of Siro's Restaurant may be taking over The Lodge location on Nelson Avenue, or at least have some sort of involvement with the building. Last I knew it was operated by the Racino Casino.  I'm not the shrewdest businessman and The Lodge is a beautiful building in a nice tree-lined location, but the best restauranteur I've ever known, Angelo Mazzone, decided a few years back not to continue with the facility, so that would be enough to make me steer clear of it. 
• Continuing with Siro's, I'm also told they are developing some sort of New York City project in conjunction with the Yankees.  That seems to fit in with the owners' high profiles and their previously announced plans to expand locations.  On point, there is an article in this morning's Saratogian about Siro's attempts to alter their outdoor entertainment permit and the neighborhood opposition to it.
• Continuing on with stuff I heard, another friend told me that a bunch of Martians landed their flying saucer in Scott Johnson's backyard recently and had tea with the good Mayor.  Well that explains his goofy position on charter reform.  What the hell, I was on a roll here with rumors.  Crop Circles at Spa Park...I seen 'em with my own eyes!
• I stopped into Mine Nightclub recently with a few friends and we had a nice conversation with the owner's husband.  It's certainly a cool and unique location with a great dance floor.  I also found out that they are presently developing a menu and will be serving food in the coming months.  I was trying to form a joke here with that fact, the reopening of the Union Grille, and some sort of refernce to the Triangle Diner, but I am writing this late at night and my mind is not sharp.  Just assume it would have been funny, OK?
• I thought it was cool when Uncommon Grounds started a blog last year, but it's been dormant since summer.  I guess that qualifies it as dead.
• I'm a fan of Saratogian sports reporter Nicole Russo; I think she's a great writer and I enjoy reading her work.  In fact she was recently promoted to Sports Editor, so congratulations to her.  She had a piece in this morning's edition where she talked about how she adopted an injured/retired thoroughbred and how rewarding that has been for her.  Check it out.
• Have you watched LOOK TV yet?  Turn your volume down - holy cow is that station loud.  It has potential and I like the hyper-local approach, but the aforementioned ridiculously high volume and other aspects of it make it something less than the slickest TV operation I've seen.  Sort of a cross between a northern Canadian television station and a Saturday Night live skit.  I like it, and I hope it does well, but just be prepared for a sort of public access feel.
• My wife and I had a terrific dinner recently at Sperry's.  The service had a few misses but the food was really enjoyable.  If you go, check out the jockey and trainer characatures on the wall - they're fun.  We'll be back. 
• I've been seeing a few Railroad Avenue Condos being sold for less than $400,000.  I think that would have been unheard of a few years ago.
• If you get down Troy way check out the Dinosaur Barbecue.  People from Syracuse and Rochester, where "the Dinosaur" has had locations for years, know what a great and fun restaurant it is.  The Troy location is packed every night. You're better off getting there early or late - perhaps before 5:30 or after 7:30pm - to avoid a long wait.  They also have a location in Harlem.  Great food and atmosphere.  Speaking of barbecue, PJ's Barbecue will open in just over two months.  Yes!!
• Well I'll end this with a congratulations to all of those that took part in Chowderfest.  I'll post a picture I took of the many people walking on Caroline Street during the event. I'm not sure if the picture captures it, but that many people walking on the streets was an impressive sight.  It was a great event and one that only Saratoga Springs could pull off so successfully. 

 
 

Co-founder from the band Orleans to play at Isabel's Bistro at The Cupcake Lab on November 19th

I so wanted to make a corny "Still the One" pun in that title, but the Maxwell House hasn't quite kicked in yet so....Anyway, Larry Hoppen, who was an original vocalist and guitarist in the band Orleans, will be appearing at Isabel's Bistro at The Cupcake Lab on November 19th at 8pm.  Hoppen says he will be bringing a "surprise special guest" with him.  Local artists The Tequila Mockingbirds, who I enjoy watching perform, will be opening for him, and there will be a musicians' clinic and Q & A after the show. This should be a great night.

You may recall Orleans' big hits such as "Dance With Me", "Still the One" and "Love Takes Time".  To me, Orleans is the quintessential 70s light rock band, and the songs bring me back to that era when I was just a lad in elementary school (dreaming about hitting it big-time as a blogger).  As you may recall, and the video below reaffirms, these guys could sure harmonize. The second below video (the more recent one) is Larry Hoppen on the right and Joe Bouchard, the original bassist of Blue Oyster Cult, on the left.  Could Bouchard, who lives in Connecticut, be that "special surprise guest"?  I'm burnin' for you to find out. (Well there's my pun - I can hear the groans through the fiber optics now).

A couple of side notes:  Orleans was formed in Woodstock, NY, just over an hour away down in Ulster County, and Hoppen is not the only original Orleans member being written about on the blogs in New York State.  Original band guitarist and songwriter John Hall is presently the U.S. Congressman for New York's nineteenth district, which is in the lower Hudson Valley in the Orange/Rockland/Dutchess County area.  He is apparently in a heated reelection campaign, and the polls have him and his opponent in a very tight race.

Going back to the Saratoga music scene, I wrote about some other nostalgic acts playing at Siro's over the summer, and the Max Weinberg concert at Universal Preservation Hall this past Friday had a nice crowd and was a great show.  Then last night my fiance and I went to One Caroline for a drink and saw a very talented local band called "Masters of Nostalgia".  The bar was crowded and lively, but not too packed to preclude us from getting out there on a makeshift dance floor big enough for two or three couples.  A great band in an adult lively bar - the average age was about 50 - and this was on a Wednesday night folks.  How cool is that?  So whether it's the big acts at SPAC in the summer, or some of the smaller local and national acts that play here even in the dead of winter, the variety of culture and entertainment here helps make Saratoga Springs a wonderful place to be and everday I realize we are fortunate to live here.  See you at Isabel's Bistro on November 19th. 

Times Union update on the city center

I am linking an article in the Sunday Times Union reporting on the progress of the City Center renovations.

Merry Christmas Saratoga!

Yes, as Mike Jarboe of the Times Union once so astutely noted: when the Travers is over, it must mean it's 15 minutes until Christmas.  Seems about right, therefore the yuletide greetings.  Here are some more thoughts on this past track season and the soon-to-be end of summer.

• This cool but sunny weather, combined with the end of the season and a t-shirt giveaway, sure brought the crowds to the track this past Sunday.  I haven't seen lines like that in a few years.  That's a good thing of course.  On a related note, here's a newsflash from the Saratogian:  Track numbers were down this year.
• Now that track season is over, that means we've seen the last of this mini Hulk Hogan guy, right?  Wrong.  it seems like he loves the attention so much that he'll keep showing up places.  I saw him at the track seemingly every day, then one night on Caroline Street, then inside Gaffney's.  $50 bucks says he'll show up to the Victorian Streetwalk.  ADDED: Hours after I wrote this - I saw this article and realized this goofball isn't going away any time soon.
• Bummer:  PJ's Barbecue closes for the season this Sunday, September 12th.  ADDED:  Mr. Sunshine commented below that Mr. Ed's on RT 29 is a good alternative.
• Also, CDTA's seasonal routes, including the Trolley and Route 471 bus have ended until next May.
• I (foolishly?) thought NYRA recycled those racing programs that are discarded in the "Programs Only" barrels, but the way the program sellers keep the barrels so closely monitored, I guess it's just a way to block late arriving patrons from hampering sales by picking through the garbage for a free one.
• On Monday I had a nice breakfast with visiting family at the Country Corner Cafe on High Rock Avenue.  I assume that location is still for sale, along (of course) with numerous other commercial establishments in town. 
• Jesus, not only have the leaves on my neighbor's maple tree started changing, but they are falling and there's already a pile.  My calendar says it's still summer, but Mother Nature has her own calendar. 
• A friend of mine sent me this hard-hitting commentary from The Daily News about the terrible living conditions for backstretch workers at the track.  Speaking of this friend, I think I've successfully lured him into my cult-like "late night D'Andrea's pizza eaters" group.  He fought me most of the way, but at just 2 bucks a slice, they slowly sucked him in before he realized it.
• C'mon All Over Albany, throw me a bone and link this post.
• I'll leave you with this note:  Just 318 days til the 2011 Saratoga Race Course Season. 

Saratoga Springs top 10 coolest places!

I've been wanting to write this post for a while, and it will likely be my last posting before the bar exam.  With the weekend coming and track season knocking at the door, this seems like the perfect time for it.  Also, I was finally indirectly prodded to finish this posting when I learned of the plan by Times Union staffers Chris Churchill and Jordan Carleo-Evangelist to come here on Saturday  and check out the best of what the Spa City has to offer. 

So, in a posting that I started in May.  Here is the first annual FunSaratoga top 10 list of cool places in and around Saratoga Springs.  Drumroll please...

10.  Gaffney's Restaurant - just a great place to hang out and have an outdoor dinner in the summer.  The crowds in the backyard can get ridiculously large and there is no room to move, to the point of making you leave or avoiding it in the first place, but if you get a table on the back patio and have dinner it allows you to enjoy the atmosphere without being squeezed by the masses. Read my previous entry here.

9.  The Meat House - OK, it's technically in Wilton, and it pains me to say any sort of chain location along the Exit 15/Route 50 strip is cool, but the Meat House is that good.  Top quality steak and other meats prepped in unique ways (marinated or perhaps rolled with italian cheeses and other spiced products) combined with a nice selection of local items along with unparalleled service gets the Meat House on the list.  My entry from a few months ago is here.

 

8. The Bread Basket - not exactly sexy, but The Bread Basket is simply good in many ways.  Their sandwiches and soups are hearty and filling, their bread is excellent, and they arguably have the best cupcakes in town and their other sweet offerings are stellar as well.  Their new outdoor patio is open.  I previously wrote about The Bread Basket here. 

8A.  I'm going to give an honorable mention to The Cupcake Lab here, simply because it's unique, good, and I recently met the owner and patched up a minor misunderstanding the two of us had about my blogging as it related to his restaurant.  The place has good food and the best ice coffee in town (others say they have the best hot coffee, but considering this week's temperatures I haven't tried it yet). The classic black and white movies shown on the wall add a nice touch and add to the comfort level, which is already appreciable due to it's spaciousness and quality seating arrangement. 

7.  The Adelphi Hotel - anything that old and still standing has to make this list.  When you walk into the place it is truly like stepping back in time.  And not just in appearance, just the sounds, smells, and even the feeling on your feet from the old wooden floor takes you back.  The building is very cool, and the back courtyard is an awesome place to sit and talk while having a drink.  One problem:  I had a lousy dessert there once and my friend got a glass of wine that tasted old to him, so you may want to be very selective in what you order.  Nonetheless it's still a great place that I suggest you bring your out-of-town visitors to.  Also, the Adelphi Hotel building is where Maestro's Restaurant is located, which is arguably Saratoga Springs' best restaurant. 

 

6.  Universal Preservation Hall - Its steeple is the highest one in the Spa City, and it's not only old ( built in 1871) but also beautiful and majestic.  (Full disclosure:  I am a member of UPH's board of Directors).  This is another building that brings you back in time.  The reconstruction is not completed but the building is presently in use as a community center and wedding hall, and as the organization that saved the building from the wrecking ball raises more funds, it will become even more of an asset to the entire community. 

 

5.  Bettie's Cakes - Retro, sexy, and simply fun, this little shop in the Downstreet Marketplace along Broadway is bright pink, vibrant, has a cool 50's feel to it.  It is a fun stop for a quick cupcake, coffee, or some fantastic cookies.   Click here for my previous entry on Bettie's Cakes. 

4.  Swagger Barber Shop - this really cool place fits right in along the short stretch of Caroline Street that includes a head shop and a couple of biker bars    has unfortunately moved to 15 Ballston Ave, across from the Bowling Alleys, but it's still going to be a great place to get your hair cut, whether you're a guy or a gal.  The place has great music playing, Pabst Blue Ribbon beer for the customers, and just a fun atmosphere to hang out in.  It's the kind of place you might go to and hang out even if you didn't need a haircut - just a great place to be.  Read my previous entry here.  

3.  PJ's Barbecue - Easily the most fun restaurant north of, well, north of anywhere I guess. Classic 50s tunes played by "PJ the DJ", the option of indoor or outdoor dining at a picnic table, classic car and bike nights, a 50s museum, a blowing bubble machine and occasional hula hoop contests for the kids, so much more - not to mention great summertime food - make this one my favorite business in Saratoga Springs.  Read more here. 

 

3.  Congress Park, the Canfield Casino, and the Carousel - this city park, which is steps from almost everywhere in Saratoga Springs, is beautiful and it is large enough to allow plenty of people to get comfortable in their own space.  It includes dozens of beautiful trees, natural springs that Saratoga is famous for, ponds, and beautiful statues, sculptures, and memorials.  I sometimes make the mistake of taking this great place for granted and that is awful of me.  It's simply a gem to have and yet another thing that makes Saratoga Springs great and other cities don't have.

2.  The Saratoga Spa State Park- including SPAC, the Hall of Springs, the Victorian Pool, and so much more.  It's such a fortunate situation to be living in or near Saratoga Springs, and the State Spa Park is certainly one of the reasons.  With SPAC, you have a venue hosting the New York City Ballet, The Philadelphia Orchestra, some of the year's best concert tours, and jazz and other music festivals.  Where else has a venue offering so many different world class events?  The Victorian Pool is like something you'd find at a Caribbean resort hotel, and the Hall of Springs is an awe-inspiring venue for weddings and other events.  Oh yea, and the rest of the park is absolutely beautiful. There's more there too, such as the mineral baths, the auto museum, and some of the best tasting water that I've ever had. I'm just scratching the surface here, and not doing the place justice, but there's at least an introduction.   

1.  Where else?  Saratoga Race Course.  Say what you want about how wonderful the springs are here in town, and our bright future with the chip fab plant, but if John Morissey's mid-nineteenth century vision didn't come to fruition, then Saratoga Springs would likely be another struggling and bleak upstate mid-sized city like Amerstdam or Gloversville.  I'm not going to write too much here about the track, because it speaks for itself, but let me say that living here in Saratoga Springs and experiencing the track, including thoroughbred ownership (I own 5% of the thoroughbred "Wishingonadream"), has changed my life for the better and, next to my pending marriage, has really been one of the best experiences of my life.  I love living here in Saratoga Springs and I appreciate it so much.  The track is easily one of the main reasons for that and I can't wait for July 23rd.

 

There are a few places missing off this list that are incredible and world-class, but didn't make this (subjective) list because I just haven't experienced the places enough to have developed the deep appreciation yet.  The two that come to mind are Yaddo and Caffe Lena.  I appreciate the special nature of both of those places, as well as some others, but I have barely experienced both of them and I realize I am missing out and intend to get there again someday soon. 

So there is the inaugural version of the Saratoga Top 10 coolest places list.  Hope you enjoy a few of these great places.  Have a great summer!

Jockey Norberto Arroyo pleads guilty to cocaine possession and faces prison sentence

You may recall last summer when jockey Norberto Arroyo was arrested for cocaine possession by Saratoga Springs City Police.  He was in court today and according to this Saratogian article he pled guilty and will be sentenced to state prison in May.  Click here for my entry from August when I made some comments about Mr. Arroyo's arrest.