tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22711149852384058472024-02-20T22:55:50.548-05:00Chopsticks OptionalJ+R: Albany is one tasty place! We're eating our way through the culinary cornucopia of the Capital Region (and beyond) and sharing our finds!JMhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06736095563000491882noreply@blogger.comBlogger171125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2271114985238405847.post-25096195818567424572017-03-28T22:14:00.000-04:002017-03-30T08:31:14.924-04:00Winter Bites 2017 <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Hello 2017! We've totally been slacking between life stuff and buying a new house! For the sake of our mortgage, we've been going out less often but have come to savor each bite we've come across this winter: </span><br />
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<img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ2R1NApCWnaft7506eiBZsUiKtbaF7SujSya9-NrAFmSIq8OsRRDXYWCswwRSVDnf5MZnNMRgmPktyfTGZ7UozfSVr0zSkg5ri_T9soIkVzNwBqrcxDPW2eitqUTNHGGbaWZBjD678jSF/s640/IMG_1445.JPG" width="640" /><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><a href="http://www.fourcornersluncheonette.com/">Four Corners Luncheonette</a></b>: As newly minted Delmartians, you can find us quickly becoming regulars at our favorite brunch spot. Eggs Benedict are my go to standard because nothing beats a perfectly poached egg. The Luncheonette's Lafayette is </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">a winning new take on the classic featuring </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">house smoked salmon that melds so well with a velvety yolk. But it's the corned beef hash that has us coming back each time. It's simply the best.</span></div>
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<img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAk3Lm_e-XtRN1noZo0eL824HrC7CIrMtmrPqQsWCfMshJU81W_M_CrjTQ9YrOS2ncyYBqbKuyEPApYdnsLAxCqq9Q465RI1qELVNb6qFoU6GTR3dXGFxpXAe2rf4a2Z6ZXxXUWOsgKfTC/s640/IMG_1501.JPG" width="640" /><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.alashanghai.net/"><b>Ala Shanghai Chinese New Year</b></a>: Gung Hay Fat Choy! We rang in the year of the rooster with a FUSSYlittleBLOG <a href="https://fussylittleblog.com/2017/02/07/table-for-ten/">blogger feast</a> at Ala Shanghai. The multi-course meal featured a bevy of specialities including Grandma's Bowl, a hot pot of seafood and fish cake; stewed pork shoulder; steamed whole flounder; and my favorite, the jumbo spicy prawns with rice cakes. The best part of whole shrimp is the umami-packed head fat that's reminiscent of lobster. You know the food is going to be great when it's staring at you! </span></div>
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<img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuiHaCdRAFkd_l3fTSa-OD_TErk72zK59VDwpb0S1snS_Z_GfZP98x5y6BavEh9U5AuTS72vw5BVZVxmKJ9mJKB6pgClJ6hEg1_VnYyEHaDyrzm-Piqr2J_wrhaWhoqE1giXOYl3bYKXMj/s640/IMG_1597.jpg" width="640" /><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><a href="https://www.thesaphouseatstonehousefarm.com/">The Sap House at Stone House Farms</a>: </b>Maple weekend is your excuse to shamelessly OD on everything maple. You won't regret taking a road trip to Sharon Springs for the all-you-can-eat maple breakfast for a mere $7. One sip of maple milk will get you hooked and don't be afraid to load up on the maple butter, maple sugar, and maple syrup on both pancakes and waffles. Don't worry, the savory sausage will offset your sugar high.</span></div>
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<span style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSa8vQVZ2VokJ4IXOivjpN3Pf2VLdNivqIdbwNF8Lw9Au_FSijDwaob2Tuxv4TPIOzTkO2BSmtYZm7jtZF8aMWBek9XDyEcC1n0b7hmP1fn713qdy3ZSMhZQvBmMH3EBjMDxD3oQDC8r-D/s1600/IMG_1694.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSa8vQVZ2VokJ4IXOivjpN3Pf2VLdNivqIdbwNF8Lw9Au_FSijDwaob2Tuxv4TPIOzTkO2BSmtYZm7jtZF8aMWBek9XDyEcC1n0b7hmP1fn713qdy3ZSMhZQvBmMH3EBjMDxD3oQDC8r-D/s640/IMG_1694.jpg" width="640" /></a><a href="http://unagi.restaurant/" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Unagi Sushi</b></a><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">: Be still my heart! Fresh sea urchin is hard to come by and we couldn't believe it was offered as a special at Troy's Unagi Sushi. So briny and creamy, uni is a sweet burst of the ocean!</span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikmkbwXbBelis0r8r_1imKnlukn7tzkAH7B-BmqajwsJ1frjW5LXZFN5vc_WkDen9-lU49DnOu2n0yLRKo61pzc2w9AxkCX02-uyWU0CuJN9c1i-GZZkW6owvBqY9D6NPlYxHny8YeyaFz/s1600/IMG_1388.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikmkbwXbBelis0r8r_1imKnlukn7tzkAH7B-BmqajwsJ1frjW5LXZFN5vc_WkDen9-lU49DnOu2n0yLRKo61pzc2w9AxkCX02-uyWU0CuJN9c1i-GZZkW6owvBqY9D6NPlYxHny8YeyaFz/s640/IMG_1388.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><a href="https://www.facebook.com/Oaxaque%C3%B1a-Triqui-1601715096761977/">Oaxaquena Triqui</a></b></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">: How can you resist devouring a masterpiece the size of your face! Oaxaquena Triqui is the only local place we've come across that serves huarache. The sandal-shaped masa canvas is smothered with a base of black beans and topped with crema, pico de gallo, queso fresco, lettuce, avocado and our choice of flavor-packed al pastor. A drizzle of the homemade salsa verde amps up the flavors of this "Mexican pizza". </span><br />
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Chopsticks Optionalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17462445520505061464noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2271114985238405847.post-8650469321412526622016-12-28T22:30:00.002-05:002016-12-28T22:32:17.356-05:00Top Bites of 2016<div style="text-align: start;">
<span style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Another year down on the books as a delicious one. 2016 was filled with more eating than writing. A look back of our favorite local bite of the year on <a href="http://alloveralbany.com/archive/2016/12/26/favorite-local-foods-of-2016">All Over Albany</a> also brought back delicious memories from this past year, including some from our travels:</span></span></div>
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<img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBawXG5e_uL9jXpp-IFPd7PRIu5IUpUcIiubJejAPqAm-DMMO0P7onpOhu1tjMtzeMWj2Iih04esySZGYMgx9QfR_maOO12mGX998zvNCVsLeV3q4xgY6VBbgVDro_moFrtZoOvdrc26lD/s640/IMG_0193.JPG" width="640" /><b style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://eatdrink-sf.com/">Eat Drink SF</a></b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">: A trip to San Francisco this past summer included a stop at the Bay Area's premier food, wine, beer and spirits festival. The best of SF's restauranteurs gathered for an epic tasting and the highlight of it all was this heavenly bite from Brasserie S&P. A dollop of creamed corn brought out the sweetness of the fresh, briny raw scallop and a pop of pickled blueberries brought it all together. I selfishly went it for seconds, it was that good. </span></div>
<img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRn3FOldb9pUDsuWdXHPXKwgRYPELJ5fB8haHNFCWJK9_5Su9ZAHQL0hCXfgv-iQnbBW-twCSJfXOXxS2-VbLLChsOwHDdSWv3CKb1Tyv9FVUeXXre2Bv-dYbsr8t7PMC4PmvoiC8q7Cec/s640/IMG_0336.JPG" width="640" /><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><a href="http://www.duartestavern.com/">Duartes Tavern</a></b>: Our West Coast trip brought us to the quaint little town of Pescadero, home of the iconic artichoke soup. It's California in a comforting, creamy bowl. The earthiness of the fresh artichokes in this soup is unlike anything we've had before. Asking for a swirl of spicy cream of green chile (an off the menu tip from Yelpers) further enhanced the flavors. </span><br />
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<img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcA33d8O6qiSljoqsFmB2jxtjDWG3bcCEQ8HDBngo0nZ9B5Y8fJ4nerAuprv5zM-JmmuY9MwTYd_krPEA-ffPbUiMauFb6RwBrMtpdYbWyonYUXlJWJ6GWYVTyfK6AqBlphdItp_ak7Urb/s640/IMG_1327.jpg" width="640" /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.maharajaofalbany.com/index.html"><b>Maharaja</b></a>: Our favorite Indian restaurant has a mean weekend brunch buffet. What's unique about Maharaja's is that they include their Indo-Chinese fusion fare plus these diy pani puri!</span></div>
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<img border="0" height="520" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivWbvtaJccKki7HdCh22iFBzprWTGGfIIP5kND6cffukH2lHNYHKLlvHv310Nr51lHp8VHNXA7TMlr2c3ksgonfBafsyNOAONSOUskuVDW0NWdONNKszfyDmGMhAcILgRGmMyAH_pmK73r/s640/IMG_0085.jpg" width="640" /></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://chopsticksoptional.blogspot.com/2016/10/troy-kitchen.html"><b>Troy Kitchen</b></a>: We love the choices at Troy Kitchen! Fell head over heels in love with the fried chicken from Allie B's Cozy Kitchen and couldn't get enough of the crepes at La Petite Crepe. Now there's Hoist Sandwiches with a pork belly banh mi that's calling our names! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZAu0ngRkY6134yy9FIAN0VeD6w0ksfdeWW02h9QLDq4gINFqvrasmdDajtaqvUdDsew2-koGL10RPgW_tqac2Su5VuxlpnNRXG9invSzzle2F3qkasrsQ3Mi_mzzxBXxhKUWd997BJYLs/s640/IMG_1386.JPG" width="640" /><b><a href="http://chesterssmokehouse.com/">Chester's Smokehouse</a></b>: There are too many delicious things from this place. We're big fans of the bacon ribs, liverwurst, and slim chesters (their own better version of a slim jim). Their homemade pierogies makes a frequent appearance at our dinner table, but it's the smoked chicken bacon potato ones that we can't stop thinking about. It's so good! </span></div>
Chopsticks Optionalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17462445520505061464noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2271114985238405847.post-28945900241772205742016-11-26T21:28:00.000-05:002016-11-26T21:29:18.048-05:00Fall Bites 2016<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Our blog has been taking a bit of a hiatus lately but that doesn't mean we haven't been eating our way around! Here's a few of our favorite fall bites from the Capital Region:
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoyyfVuhLizHaWy-VmOW6ZS3nydwD6_jPm8Yeq7Dzo8QB3r0FwKCXqHAQrV1vhTbBx4_M14SO7Xp_Tr0RccfAhY8JwPf_trzRm26qM7KDUy8Lfd8rnhacVtFMWIGpSrGCQZcCx2cp-OdqX/s640/IMG_1140.jpg" width="640" /><b><a href="http://www.innovokitchen.com/">Innovo Kitchen</a></b>: Bring on the carbs. A giant bowl of pasta is as comforting as it gets during these fall months, especially when it's from Innovo Kitchen. Flavors were on point. From the succulent, buttery shrimp to the tangy bites of feta and peppery arugula with vinegary slices of pepperoncini. All these flavors blended beautifully but it was the house-made gemelli that was the star of the bowl. Cooked to a perfect al dente, each bite was as wonderful as the last.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmdAArohMHQ5VKQh1Rhwt_ebQ5mYG_qSvs-4fCpFXVNIMYPOHyFxgFBW2juU9z-A4xtONNXQbWJvGNgCBJPMB5K9TpeVwaEyDTiWH0h7bHVe8OEW12YsUAysWa0ruo7fuNTaWQjVyld9fY/s640/IMG_1218.JPG" width="640" /><br /><span style="color: black;"><b><a href="http://www.graciestruckny.com/">Gracie's Luncheonette</a></b>: Our favorite Hudson food truck now has a brick and mortar home in Leeds! Truck favorites like the burgers and fries are back and so are these light and fluffy doughnuts. Seasonal flavors like pumpkin spice is perfect for fall and the chocolate sea salt is a decadent treat for chocoholics like my husband. Enjoy other house made items like cream soda! </span></span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6igDwOqTEExsmfAVczCYhLBRhclTmALCpv4OISnkGiAZtWal3Mttov_lq-E7VFQft0enQ8OBSo3IhlQuUfybCLGXDc-YjEj84405Eym_Ni2wqguDbERE5VWHsh0ZmZss_ifLP-a9VVtuT/s1600/IMG_1188.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6igDwOqTEExsmfAVczCYhLBRhclTmALCpv4OISnkGiAZtWal3Mttov_lq-E7VFQft0enQ8OBSo3IhlQuUfybCLGXDc-YjEj84405Eym_Ni2wqguDbERE5VWHsh0ZmZss_ifLP-a9VVtuT/s640/IMG_1188.JPG" width="640" /></span></a><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><a href="http://upstate.smorgasburg.com/">Smorgasburg Upstate</a></b>: The Brooklyn-based flea and food vendor showcase had its own Upstate spinoff in Kingston this past summer/fall. We caught the last one of the season in October and enjoyed a bevy of locally-sourced Hudson Valley eats from house-smoked salmon c/o <b><a href="http://hooklinefish.com/">Hookline Fish Co.</a></b> to a spicy thai coconut ice cream cone c/o <b><a href="http://janesicecream.com/">Jane's Ice Cream</a></b>. Our favorite was a feast for the eyes and stomach from <b><a href="https://www.facebook.com/TheGrilleWagon/">The Grille Wagon</a></b>: a drool-worthy BBQ brisket parfait layered with succulent, smoky meat; creamy, crunchy coleslaw; buttery mashed potatoes; drizzle of BBQ sauce; and topped with not only a cherry tomato but a tender fall-off-the-bone pork rib. This was hands down my husband's favorite. It was a meat-astic affair. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOy4IrQjiBAjSnmxgsOu_hKANbcwMZxvYeU4wXwQDYW55QJKUJVeArWoikYoj38nVx6Fhgqsu8q0Ac7nPEQ7ZPC7i_dO3qV1HJkQs_ED7SpgElbBUvoH0XbQGAPU_0r7jTerciOE2iKA8r/s640/IMG_1096.jpg" width="640" /><a href="https://www.facebook.com/troycocomangos/?fref=ts"><b>Coco Mango's</b></a>: This has got to be Troy's best kept secret! What cold weather? Any time of the year is a good time for a cool treat especially when it's a Dominican icy. It's got a very unique texture, somewhat like Italian ice but better! Plus tropical flavors like mango and creamy coconut will transport you to those warm, beachy places we all dream about this time of year. </span></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii7_2_g5VT-CJ5foEFUyEVN3J-5l0f7AeaiPmMfnwnAcFMvq2IylQ8tV3ZgE72GV0YDRnWxTk2FEiYp5_muBdXcGUuVuMn7sTb1u9m-nnl8TVjq9XpyDaMFa0eUC4LQjqM-XBz5URoKTmM/s640/IMG_1152.jpg" width="640" /><b><a href="http://www.namukoreanbbq.com/">Namu's KFC</a></b>: Move over Colonel Sanders. A new fried chicken is in town: Korean Fried Chicken. The thick, crackly crust on this KFC is on a different level as it's double fried and tossed in your choice of a sweet soy and garlic sauce or a hot and spicy glaze. Either choices go great with a tall, cold glass of beer. Get to Namu on weekdays for the fried chicken. It's only available on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays. Cheers! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">More Seasonal Bites:<br /><a href="http://chopsticksoptional.blogspot.com/2016/09/summer-bites-2016.html">+ Summer Bites 2016</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://chopsticksoptional.blogspot.com/2016/06/spring-bites-2016.html">+ Spring Bites 2016</a></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://chopsticksoptional.blogspot.com/2016/03/winter-bites-2016.html">+ Winter Bites 2016</a></span><br />
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<br />Chopsticks Optionalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17462445520505061464noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2271114985238405847.post-85595678906256215952016-10-05T00:11:00.001-04:002016-10-05T00:24:33.209-04:00Troy Kitchen<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">From Mexican to French and Korean, Troy Kitchen's ever expanding list of eateries is an international feast of flavors waiting to be savored. The food court boasts eight shops, each with its own tantalizing specialties:</span><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2g91z4WtDl1qRZ8cdLKS2u-KAhKdTjurCQG73gGMLqHMUgRuyyA4IoI_qsucpu3d5A6u1-6VditcdoOqgyI1sV5rSKuv8qZaOCZN3VEfV5MfDLOUxFcHfqsYF1XtD87gGThd2QPJqwoCT/s640/IMG_0029.jpg" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;" width="640" /><br />
<b style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.troylobster.com/">Troy Lobster</a></b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">: Our No. 1 spot goes to Troy Lobster. Save a trip to Maine and get yourself to Troy. The seafood here is as fresh as it gets from the coast and flavors are on point. The chowder and lobster rolls are good but it's The Kracken that lures us to this side of the river. Look how drool-worthy that sandwich is! It's everything you ever wanted: lobster, applewood smoked bacon, guacamole, and egg with chipotle cream. It's a magical moment when the egg yolk breaks and coats everything. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><a href="https://www.facebook.com/Allie-Bs-Cozy-Kitchen-1395773414034196/">Allie B's Cozy Kitchen</a></b>: It was love at first, crispy bite. Allie B's fried chicken belongs in the the Capital Region's top picks. It's seasoned just right and fried to perfection. Plus what's better than a classic chicken and waffle combo? One with sweet potato waffles, it's a game changer. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbXnEMi9eJy4SJ5QQgLhga35Xbwmt43AKckN9_L9K8LylmT3-n3H9h-cK33QcWjwjQGpXlDIty1oHco4780E9xDju8TxL5FD6SI7rKrTo4HlCpCshe99B8jWnueX4BO8FkiaXfh7Dkuyjb/s640/IMG_0084.JPG" width="640" /><br /><b><a href="http://www.lapetitecrepeoftroy.com/">La Petite Crepe</a>:</b> It's a taste of Paris in Troy! For authentic French crepes and savory galettes, say oui to La Petite Crepe. We've yet to taste the savory side of the menu but the sweet crepes are heavenly. The batter is slightly sweet lending a beautiful canvas to fresh fruit filings like nectarines with berry coulis, apples with housemade caramel, and my favorite to date, The Suzette with oranges and a buttery sauce. All topped with homemade whipped cream of course.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHJxpFVqzxaYXLxuGLurOAwCPqPt3XCAxhyphenhyphenVxZGibFCBh86jfJs2VZt_IEz73eTy6Tz-qcA7rLS6mN9egDOIOMBZiPi_Koq6qHQyybWLuBl3eZuR0Utu3jitti5vGytCtBds1xw8kazTQ-/s1600/IMG_4366.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHJxpFVqzxaYXLxuGLurOAwCPqPt3XCAxhyphenhyphenVxZGibFCBh86jfJs2VZt_IEz73eTy6Tz-qcA7rLS6mN9egDOIOMBZiPi_Koq6qHQyybWLuBl3eZuR0Utu3jitti5vGytCtBds1xw8kazTQ-/s640/IMG_4366.JPG" width="640" /></span></a><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Magdalena's</b>: A Troy Farmer's Market staple is now an outpost at Troy Kitchen. Tacos are a simple fare here but for quick bite, it does the trick. I found the meat to be a bit dry but the guacamole was delicious. We'll have to give the rest of the menu another try. </span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOZqfGzasjbYNxRbIbgmwFDbqZiHwMFY1HGWbAqKh3BovxDoFwhVHd7yTpMiBWe4R4CmGJOLba-OHoQif9xZXiY34ESpZOXFVN-vfP-h5VJckJ7ndk4tdCULpz-_Z9U4t4sKwgk3vT9zJh/s1600/IMG_1095.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOZqfGzasjbYNxRbIbgmwFDbqZiHwMFY1HGWbAqKh3BovxDoFwhVHd7yTpMiBWe4R4CmGJOLba-OHoQif9xZXiY34ESpZOXFVN-vfP-h5VJckJ7ndk4tdCULpz-_Z9U4t4sKwgk3vT9zJh/s640/IMG_1095.JPG" width="640" /></span></a><br />
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<span style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><a href="https://www.facebook.com/gardenjarsalad/">The Garden Jar</a></b>: Troy Kitchen has healthy choices too. Garden Jar wins points for presentation with beautifully layered salads in you guessed it, a Ball jar. We tried the mango jerk chicken which had a lovely, spicy kick plus the ingredients were fresh and crisp. It's a solid salad and you get to keep the jar. Bring the jar back and you get a discount for the next round. <img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmQUlHNylqax6WCGreKw0HaMh97I5C-SbQDWhI4NMS88y-1AUFHK7tiKS_pe1nyVcHG9CN842SSfiQ4FEv_4LcVgyJoYOcJh7nVMN-dWWCbod6E9DIuI9lqKZS51Jtdeo9PnA1q7qP1Zd0/s640/IMG_0081.JPG" width="640" /><b><a href="https://www.facebook.com/bespokibowl/">Bespoki Bowl</a></b>: The Capital Region has finally jumped on the poke bowl wagon. It's an as-you-like affair with your pick of fish, toppings, and dressing. Ingredients were fresh but not all the toppings worked well together. We kind of went overboard and got every topping so we probably would leave out the edamame and cilantro next time. Our only wishes are for the red onions to be finely sliced and for the rice not to be piping hot. </span><span style="clear: left; display: inline; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNTIKINUjIVhB_tRgQGpQRcBWe4ZCZ5O1i1XgNAjPDqtRFVJRHiyutDRTQ1dWnZwAY5-e_SSQvf-Hht7_PbmovSG_tcMlzLeCccoLsRp9dB58oGMGUhEO1fN4e6a3KUmY37ua9ROL67gZT/s1600/IMG_4367.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNTIKINUjIVhB_tRgQGpQRcBWe4ZCZ5O1i1XgNAjPDqtRFVJRHiyutDRTQ1dWnZwAY5-e_SSQvf-Hht7_PbmovSG_tcMlzLeCccoLsRp9dB58oGMGUhEO1fN4e6a3KUmY37ua9ROL67gZT/s640/IMG_4367.JPG" width="640" /></a></span><b style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/kplatebbq/">K-Plate</a></b><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">: For a taste of Korea, K-Plate's got you covered with rice plates of bulgogi and kalbi. It's heavy on the sauces and sweetness but a good intro to Korean flavors. For a mere $6 for its namesake plate, it's a steal. </span><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhelAD6-dIPCSTQTfLNLQ35rpJ8Dyxyp2SvlCYuBFNzPTFOyx6XB-j7ht0n7TWI_-4IYdqUcopMZoX-llvfxCAJHtqmVquzTiduJ4q7b62MSkyFvpLBcM9Vt4T4lRXXF5HHf10Ta3HaapsR/s640/IMG_4370.JPG" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;" width="640" /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><a href="https://www.facebook.com/ButterandSugarCo/?fref=ts">Butter & Sugar Co.</a></b>: In case you have room for dessert (of course you do), treat yourself to something sweet from Butter & Sugar Co. The cake pops are the perfect bite-sized sweet ending to a food tour at Troy Kitchen but we won't judge you for adding a cupcake too. </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
Chopsticks Optionalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17462445520505061464noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2271114985238405847.post-7843700219810588052016-09-13T00:28:00.001-04:002016-09-13T00:29:19.509-04:00Summer Bites 2016<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: start;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">How is it fall already? Before we're inundated with everything apple and pumpkin spice, here's a look back at our favorite bites from this past summer:</span></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqsQYLo2diul6rq4p0MwgAlDx3hm_JiomUZkKZ6c_j6S7Q3GKjMeTe7LLRDNJZNxlI5adjrk0PMMyx6VhQJNuGqgIqCvcmBj-13FsHVVvHHyNV6qtuUNrqRkKFoyWdV9qzow1ZOjxxEhV-/s1600/IMG_5016.JPG" imageanchor="1"><span style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqsQYLo2diul6rq4p0MwgAlDx3hm_JiomUZkKZ6c_j6S7Q3GKjMeTe7LLRDNJZNxlI5adjrk0PMMyx6VhQJNuGqgIqCvcmBj-13FsHVVvHHyNV6qtuUNrqRkKFoyWdV9qzow1ZOjxxEhV-/s640/IMG_5016.JPG" width="640" /></span></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><a href="https://www.instagram.com/thedutchudder/">The Dutch Udder</a></b>: We were first introduced to The Dutch Udder and their hard cider sorbet at an AOA/Nine Pin Cider Cheese Pairing event. Throughout the summer, TDU has returned to Nine Pin for Cider and Sliders events where we've indulged in flights of ice cream. Why choose one flavor when you can have them all! Their creamy, decadent beer-inspired flavors had us coming back. Our favorites so far include The Wit (a wheat malt base ice cream with coriander and orange peel) and The Chocolate Oatmeal (made with Brown's Oatmeal Stout). <img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcl_Ws6J00FWyP_h036Txad_Zv7kMVHcMCVk5sMG_RqmHTNxnNwIqj09WbZbWcwoB0GNn1oSMTPpiO9ziAjqXJtvxAc0qEOyf5X3_UVUXbdOQ5CXZgx_bvJIxGakFpCaKyXl4tuvLOEDqJ/s640/IMG_5201.jpg" width="640" /><b><a href="http://www.louislunch.com/">Louis' Lunch</a></b>: An impromptu trip to Connecticut led us to the OG of all burgers. Established since 1895, it's the birthplace of the hamburger and it doesn't get any old school than those vertical gas grills. Not to mention that condiments, especially ketchup, are not allowed. As for toppings, the only options are cheddar cheese spread, onion, and a slice of tomato. That's all you need really because all the flavor is in the broiled meat. Keeping it simple for 121 years. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKXMGlRlYjSzFluTaug0PT7SZj6LOYz3AvBpwiO1ktq5B05LjA2yn7uRNeWuxOFxdyaTHtGCJBNGptpCgHSrqOH0ZABFGUKtB4BCHM6MKOukEgvWPjj_hJblNk_QvSVBlL9Z1h4VbJMORT/s1600/IMG_0089.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKXMGlRlYjSzFluTaug0PT7SZj6LOYz3AvBpwiO1ktq5B05LjA2yn7uRNeWuxOFxdyaTHtGCJBNGptpCgHSrqOH0ZABFGUKtB4BCHM6MKOukEgvWPjj_hJblNk_QvSVBlL9Z1h4VbJMORT/s640/IMG_0089.JPG" width="640" /></a><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><a href="http://www.donutdip.com/">Donut Dip</a></b>: Another road trip jem was Donut Dip in West Springfield, MA. Opened since 1957, they have mastered the perfect donut. Fresh yeast donuts are delightfully chewy and fluffy with a crispy shell and the cake donuts are tender with a crunchy exterior. While the frosted ones are bit too sweet, the stars of the bunch were the honey glazed, sugar raised, and the oh so dreamy strawberries 'n creme filled. It's the kind of donuts that are worth driving an hour for a dozen.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI6dkC6Aor9z3uorkEo7MueSDuULSkMoSuvMV-lCZVQWR0mpIAA-Td_Z5tdxBagMsLVbGFbcEHjrtaLouxNgtkxwwceJYhSz9C3foB-OCSW97PfkoGIXMjSgzBSRGTyTeB7l4iEA8jx0I2/s640/IMG_0098.JPG" width="640" /><a href="http://www.maharajaofalbany.com/"><b>Maharaja</b></a>: We were delighted to find out that our favorite Indian restaurant, <a href="http://chopsticksoptional.blogspot.com/2014/01/flavors-of-india_12.html">Flavors of India</a>, has reincarnated as Maharaja. It's back and better than ever with classic masalas and curries, Indo-Chinese fusion, and new favorites like these wings. You're probably scratching your head but Indian wings are fantastic! The Kalmi Kabab is marinated in an almond and pepper sauce and roasted in the tandoor oven giving these wings are wonderful smoky aroma and charred bite. Dare I say they might be better than buffalo wings?! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK2PzFGe_fOhppeAtWm6FD5YC4PAbjTvTptPXEyrROnqu-a24KkZPilV3zPdsyiE6xWPNKl3j-zA1CCjQyPD8k-13HPZNM60trhydvWIqF3Mvl4OiJUEUdbkyhPfYO3Dl1yWEnUNvwDyiV/s640/IMG_5224.JPG" width="640" /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><a href="http://www.sunhees.com/menu">Sunhee's Farm & Kitchen Soup</a></b>: Who says you can't have soup in the summer!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We've explored <a href="http://chopsticksoptional.blogspot.com/2016/06/sunhees-farm-and-kitchen.html">several bites at Sunhee's</a> and the menu just keeps getting better. I have no idea when Korean New Year is but I'm glad the KNY soup is a regular staple on the menu now. It's a combination of satisfyingly chewy rice cakes with dumplings, egg, and seaweed in a lightly seasoned broth. Consider this Korean New Year's soup a new favorite comfort food.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">More Seasonal Bites:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://chopsticksoptional.blogspot.com/2016/06/spring-bites-2016.html">+ Spring Bites 2016</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://chopsticksoptional.blogspot.com/2016/03/winter-bites-2016.html">+ Winter Bites 2016</a></span></div>
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Chopsticks Optionalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17462445520505061464noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2271114985238405847.post-36390636099465739612016-08-02T22:04:00.000-04:002016-12-22T20:26:59.559-05:00PJ's Bar-B-QSA<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvwIlHd-xiloJh6RQjcV1y6saV4lNsVbErJNFAMo2-CwqdfxZaFDcqQrVN7nh2GPCIBDFwhxRidmMqsmRR5LAZFflq8Lyo20iM1aGjkBaLZp8sH4G9LUPHrmhUSzdqpFzryxzhJFbVevBM/s1600/IMG_5004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvwIlHd-xiloJh6RQjcV1y6saV4lNsVbErJNFAMo2-CwqdfxZaFDcqQrVN7nh2GPCIBDFwhxRidmMqsmRR5LAZFflq8Lyo20iM1aGjkBaLZp8sH4G9LUPHrmhUSzdqpFzryxzhJFbVevBM/s640/IMG_5004.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Summer just screams BBQ. It's been a lazy summer and sadly our own smoker has been on hiatus. Lucky for us, <b><a href="http://pjsbarbqsa.com/">PJ's Bar-B-QSA</a></b> has satisfied our need for smoked everything this summer season. For ages we drove past without a second thought, even though TC Paris' Chef Paul always told us how delicious PJ's pulled pork was. On Memorial Day, we drove up to Saratoga in hopes of getting into a certain crawfish boil but hours-long lines led us to BBQ instead. We're kicking ourselves for not stopping by any sooner!<br /><br />Get ready to take your tastebuds on a BBQ tour! The Q-S-A Road Trip platter was the perfect way to sample from every BBQ region: New York chicken, Texas brisket, North Carolina pork, Virginia sausage, and Memphis ribs. The pulled pork was as good as Chef Paul described it. We got ours with vinegar; the sharp tang cut the fattiness of the pork yet you could still taste the wonderful smoked flavor. Chunks of fatty brisket was moist and crusted with a succulent bark. The ribs weren't quite falling off the bone but still tasted good and the sausage had a great snap and char from the grill. The only slightly disappointing bite was the Cornell smoked chicken, a tad dry but good flavors reminiscent of Brook's BBQ. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH2xzlQ7WTQ8ZY0pYjUk82GcCV8R8JoBnBTMRZFYV9mFJfA4PiuOkPL9T1N-Tf1kxRgHE8mlJYSkygKWZaE5He9PPeFXiMdTcQc6yicxJaExLOnOwu2do-u8YLBDLylVg4iXA3WfrQokLo/s1600/IMG_5136.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH2xzlQ7WTQ8ZY0pYjUk82GcCV8R8JoBnBTMRZFYV9mFJfA4PiuOkPL9T1N-Tf1kxRgHE8mlJYSkygKWZaE5He9PPeFXiMdTcQc6yicxJaExLOnOwu2do-u8YLBDLylVg4iXA3WfrQokLo/s640/IMG_5136.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">On a return visit we braved the slop bucket: a hot mess of bbq beans, curly fries, a swap of mac salad for the coleslaw, our choice of vinegared pulled pork, all topped with melted cheddar. Hello fat tooth! It shouldn't taste this good but it certainly hit the spot. Think of it as Upstate's own version of a garbage plate. Wash it all down with a can of Crystal Beach, PJ's unique beverage concoction of loganberry juice. It tastes like a cross between a blackberry and red raspberry and very addicting!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd4KYmHLhximEzHLYzoV8CTu69p115fqyilum5LNpzbgxPsrqHh8XNPqe9l71aoYNLrHqHDc6zCFAV_0MjlNrh8-jFxx4BivDbhDQ3BeWcVmMzu-1zIddZxANsNnznGoOcrMActUUgY50C/s1600/Driver%2527s+License+2+-+1+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd4KYmHLhximEzHLYzoV8CTu69p115fqyilum5LNpzbgxPsrqHh8XNPqe9l71aoYNLrHqHDc6zCFAV_0MjlNrh8-jFxx4BivDbhDQ3BeWcVmMzu-1zIddZxANsNnznGoOcrMActUUgY50C/s640/Driver%2527s+License+2+-+1+%25281%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /><br /><br />Equally as addicting are these wings. Smoked to perfection and fried to a delectable crispiness. Each bite showcases the smoked flavor and they're a great vehicle for sampling PJ's range of bbq sauces. Our favorites are the original hickory and tangy Carolina sauce.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfCrpVJ26WpSlzXwILH0Oin69k9IOlRisaZHQ_OutK2h0jqyuX3Y9czNyB9B0Ur5pt-i6UOV-apSQ9o4UhyphenhyphenePwTsokvXUz5he31neVMZrymdJhJwY5AgnysxSL0s3EdHlqQwqAMZcCY4dE/s1600/IMG_0059.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfCrpVJ26WpSlzXwILH0Oin69k9IOlRisaZHQ_OutK2h0jqyuX3Y9czNyB9B0Ur5pt-i6UOV-apSQ9o4UhyphenhyphenePwTsokvXUz5he31neVMZrymdJhJwY5AgnysxSL0s3EdHlqQwqAMZcCY4dE/s640/IMG_0059.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Be sure to save room for dessert! You're going to want a loganberry sundae with a scoop of extra creamy vanilla custard, or be a glutton and get both a sundae and a loganberry milkshake. </span><br />
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Chopsticks Optionalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17462445520505061464noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2271114985238405847.post-26959800165427656552016-07-20T01:47:00.000-04:002016-07-22T01:40:32.329-04:00Bangkok Bites <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Back in April, a family emergency unexpectedly took me across the world to Bangkok. While I spent most of my time in a hospital, Thailand surprised me with some of the most unique and complex flavors. I made the most out of my two weeks overseas by eating my way through it: </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Khao Chae</b>: The summer heat in the States is nothing compared to the scorching, humid temperatures of Thailand. Most people cool off with an ice cold beverage so you can only imagine how confused I was when my dinner came with a side of iced rice! I merely pointed at a picture so I had no idea what I ordered. Some Googling revealed that khao chae is a seasonal dish served during the hottest months to cool off, which explains the rice soaked in iced jasmine water. </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Considered a "royal dish", it was almost too pretty to eat. </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> Dinner was an elaborate dance of alternating bites of deep-fried shrimp paste balls, shredded pork floss, and egg-battered pork-stuffed pepper with spoonfuls of the floral rice. At first I thought the vegetables were decorations only but nibbles of green mangoes and scallions balanced the sweetness of sides. It took some time to adjust to the sugar levels in Thailand, even in savory dishes. </span></div>
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<img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtaS-Sd087J6gLxqvzPW22lcdHUbGHXi7v-fJUqczEW8wcgBYJ_HTjhh0Dw4r3hrg9BtilfZE3tIGJeAlDWGP7G-29UGB7dPzU7nTQC7gV5OyXUYgwz8XODgS1oxWTiijGU75vt7i-aphL/s640/IMG_4448.JPG" width="640" /><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Pad Thai</b>: One of the first dishes I had upon landing was a classic pad thai. It was from a Sodexho cafeteria and it was amazing! The hospital cafeteria is managed by a company that we as Americans look down on, but in Bangkok stalls are independently run by mom-and-pop operations. You won't find balut and freshly roasted duck at a Sodexho cafeteria here in the U.S.! Back to my pad thai, as sweet as it was the flavors were well-balanced and a squeeze of lime perfected it. I loved the tiny dried shrimps in addition to the fresh prawns, fried tofu and bean sprouts. You could even taste the bit of smoke and char from the wok. This was a legit stuff! Pad thai has never tasted the same since. </span></div>
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<img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi89TQ5p44adyicLe4OnGpI1YOqzu3WUo5Yqj8heEtSwfqAhgKGstu5Z9N3K5BZAYl28yUZQMxzW-LDb-3Mev7NPwxWUeTeG-8fSUAl5zCLh8rW0ULaBi6z1xfoetxn2vWwDYXzGVRYIWq/s640/PicMonkey+Collage.jpg" width="640" /><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Som Tum</b>: The one dish that slightly scarred me was the Thai papaya salad. It looked really appetizing between the fresh, shredded green papaya, cherry tomatoes, and long beans but the assertiveness of the fish sauce, fish paste, and scorching heat of the tiny amount of Thai chilies was enough to make me cry. After a few bites, my tongue was on fire and begging for a cooling scoop of ice cream. They really hold back on the spice level here in the States. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Beef Meatballs</b>: The wonders of Instagram led me to some meat on a stick down the road from the hospital. Turns out that <a href="http://travel.cnn.com/bangkok/eat/10-incredible-bangkok-street-food-stalls-280519/">Anamai</a> was named one of CNN's Top 10 best street food stalls. The stall is known for its beef meatballs and some picture pointing got me some meatballs grilled and covered in the typical sweet chili sauce. I also got a bowl of beef noodle soup. The clean, clear broth was very welcomed after a few too many spicy dishes. It was very pho-like but with a much simpler soup base. The meatballs were tender but I much preferred the texture of the ones with the chewy tendons. Alas, there were no hot guy sightings per <a href="http://www.misstamchiak.com/beef-balls-bangkok-hospital/">Miss Tam Chiak's blog</a>. </span><img border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG8M3TafUTdBhf0dhIKnUnLOE1wdsrSj9nmwuMxz6SpKu76jEQ-yKGcZzrxlacrHyc9cTZ0gBmskHc74wfsXFNauSjW2DKOuwO09dBhNRNKR-lk0W5aq8Uv0it4oSfyIv8-ovOFcJSYnUd/s640/IMG_0273.JPG" width="640" /></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Tropical fruit: </b>Not a day went by that we didn't try something new. The abundance and variety of fresh, tropical fruit was mind boggling. Papaya and pineapples never tasted so good. I fell in love with Thai mangoes, both the crisp green versions and fragrant golden ones. I tried a custardy sapote that tasted like creme brulee and new fruits like langsat with its logan-like flesh and date palms that are indescribable. What a treat this all was!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Durian</b>: I couldn't leave Thailand without trying the king of all fruits! As stinky as it was, I was happy to devour this lovely fruit on the balcony of my hotel. Some people find it so offensive but it's a heavenly custard to me. What's neat is that in its fresh form, you can taste the difference in varieties. If I could've I totally would have brought some back with me but I'm sure the folks on my 22hr journey around the world wouldn't have appreciated it. </span><br />
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Chopsticks Optionalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17462445520505061464noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2271114985238405847.post-26491666182208326892016-06-27T01:18:00.000-04:002016-06-27T14:28:56.151-04:00Sunhee's Farm and Kitchen<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcb4aysq4cyD44UxhHeJi9ueFKlnTtzQxsrFNswu5zrDWMDwZ_ndNisBcP9NJ4xTH3ivEZmy0hN58H7AXAHqQjEleiT8kIbifOqOyKfEOOiithtN362cLQMnhovXdDZmg9krCgBFRxQ6Yw/s1600/IMG_5012.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcb4aysq4cyD44UxhHeJi9ueFKlnTtzQxsrFNswu5zrDWMDwZ_ndNisBcP9NJ4xTH3ivEZmy0hN58H7AXAHqQjEleiT8kIbifOqOyKfEOOiithtN362cLQMnhovXdDZmg9krCgBFRxQ6Yw/s640/IMG_5012.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Troy's <a href="http://www.sunhees.com/" style="font-weight: bold;">Sunhee's Farm and Kitchen</a> is a charming mix of fast-casual Korean eats and mini-mart all in one. It's hard to pay attention to the menu while a wall of unique Korean snacks is staring at you. Step away from all the temptations and pay attention to the bevy of dishes waiting to be devoured. From bulgogi to bibimbap and japchae, one of each of these classic Korean dishes is a good start to exploring the menu. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br />My love of Korean food began with bbq and quickly grew with each bite of bibimbap. It's a comforting bowl of rice mixed with a delicious blend of sauteed vegetables, sweet and savory bulgogi beef, and the signature gochuchang pepper paste for added kick. At Sunhee's, this Korean classic gets a fresh makeover with a swap of black rice, turning my love of this dish into an obsession. The dark purple color not only adds a pop of color to this rainbow of flavors but an added texture that is pleasantly chewy and nutty. Aside from the black rice, my favorite component of the bibimbap is the addition of gosari, a wild fern/fiddlehead that adds an amazing earthy flavor. The rice bowl is also refreshingly chockfull of veggies.<br /><br />Although lacking the usual spread of free banchan side dishes, you'll find a complimentary side of kimchi with the rice bowls. The quintessential Korean pickled cabbage had the perfect balance of spice to fermented funk. Plus my favorite banchan of japchae was available as an appetizer. It's a dish of sweet potato glass noodles with stir-fried veggies tossed in soy sauce.<br /><br />My only disappointment was the pajeon. The flavors of this seafood pancake were there but it lacked the satisfying crisp texture that I enjoy the most from this dish. As for the mochiko cake, I liked that it wasn't too sweet and the chewy texture reminds me of some of my favorite Vietnamese desserts but alas, I've never liked walnuts in my dessert. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I'm looking forward to returning to Sunhee's and adding the kimbap rolls and tofu stew to my lists of things to try. Hopefully the bar area will soon be opened too; the "coming soon" sign had me intrigued.</span><br />
<br />Chopsticks Optionalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17462445520505061464noreply@blogger.com095 Ferry St, Troy, NY 12180, USA42.7274945 -73.68941139999998342.727449 -73.689490399999983 42.72754 -73.689332399999984tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2271114985238405847.post-74943718139682280722016-06-07T00:51:00.001-04:002016-06-07T20:39:47.027-04:00Spring Bites 2016<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; text-align: start;">This spring was a hectic one. A family emergency took me out of the country for a good month and before I knew it, summer was here. Bangkok was a journey in and of itself but here's a look back at our favorite spring bites from this side of the world:</span></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDuNWGf68XXHnvS4Zl_91qORj9zHa7xw8n4tda4fenj7UNTm8xBO3CbCTeE1748Q-6BF7U8cQotkVULLp-DoliaVnVhYLEkpxkvTaxROxWV4jwP_Np2RcrnWwiJGRJ8rgnXo8v2eO1t_Ek/s1600/IMG_4353.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDuNWGf68XXHnvS4Zl_91qORj9zHa7xw8n4tda4fenj7UNTm8xBO3CbCTeE1748Q-6BF7U8cQotkVULLp-DoliaVnVhYLEkpxkvTaxROxWV4jwP_Np2RcrnWwiJGRJ8rgnXo8v2eO1t_Ek/s640/IMG_4353.JPG" width="640" /></a><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><a href="http://alloveralbany.com/archive/2016/04/13/photos-from-aoa8">All Over Albany</a></b>: An AOA Birthday party wouldn't be complete without these iconic cupcakes! Congrats on 8 awesome years Mary and Greg! Thanks for letting us be part of the online neighborhood. </span></div>
<img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsC3es17K7Pk2kn4tuLCYoOsYV21B0G4f6p7KqrJmRqCaY2MJLEIyKoLTDsE7t7nQMY3a4-8EFJxa-IsbT-bjM0SzUj7JuXXaSmlD5QYYQE8w_w69oUYxjCooZduhgWA_tCFTXOXS_OW0t/s640/IMG_4262.JPG" width="640" /><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><a href="http://restaurantnavona.com/">Restaurant Nanova</a></b>: [Parmesan Gnocchi: pork belly, brown butter white beans, charred tomato & broccolini rabe pesto] I was convinced that the addition of beans would make this dish too heavy but one bite proved me wrong. The homemade, pillowy soft gnocchi was enrobed in a bevy of flavors from the bright pops of pesto to the rich pork belly and creamy beans. Not to mention that brown butter makes everything better. </span><br />
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<img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMJNloPH5rbq8Z65TS5ohUaED2Q5oCwqGgE_kP-ZeMJBBb9H4kA33SAk35Za3plSoNI9H7nlLIrpFIlyF2pXZ9t8_MpECjoARiWYdh2Wa_RnGyWq8GvJXLrbCaVBPoJkWCUghfPuw1MQDM/s640/IMG_4329.jpg" width="640" /><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><a href="http://restophuongthao.blogspot.com/">Restaurant Phuong Thao</a></b>: Of course mom's cooking will always be the best but when momma was away, dad took us out for the next best thing. For a homecooked-styled meal, we went to this Montreal shop for three classic Vietnamese dishes: caramelized braised fish in claypot (ca kho to); canh chua ca (sour fish soup); and tom rang muoi tieu (salt and pepper shrimp). It was a melting pot of sweet, sour, and salty bites. These are the flavors that I grew up and I loved being able to savor and share these moments with my husband. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7PTo-mLL3dg1xwVy3pmrH4z7SWAryiteuzJk7kjBnD4Rsch6Wnr-GY2LqkJPErz0R1jOcUgqgfSyov6TF5fFoVD_2dX2WEtHnCoecYW8tqHiGZUeZXDVKJkhll_Gy1U6u02OoE9FpAeC0/s1600/IMG_4338.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7PTo-mLL3dg1xwVy3pmrH4z7SWAryiteuzJk7kjBnD4Rsch6Wnr-GY2LqkJPErz0R1jOcUgqgfSyov6TF5fFoVD_2dX2WEtHnCoecYW8tqHiGZUeZXDVKJkhll_Gy1U6u02OoE9FpAeC0/s640/IMG_4338.JPG" width="640" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><a href="http://www.frozendreams.com/">Rob and Deb's Frozen Dreams</a></b>: It wouldn't be spring without the first ice cream cone of the season, or in this case the first sundae! An impromptu stop in Glens Falls led us to an insanely addictive hot maple fudge concoction. It's a family recipe exclusive to Rob and Deb's and boy is it worth the stop! The cherry on top really isn't the red glop but the generous gob of sweet maple sauce. If you were sad about the end of maple season, here's another reason to cheer up. </span><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVsg2_xhJeNwEyF8AzSwEVXa4v3CTjMEOcoOY9fNDQE1c7FZEQoTAw78LfRcBDcKzVz5s8rX5WyGXaKezopASY0tJNr2EyX9WwTnwOAVVdUAt9UX0ztMsPKRev7f8YAJfaSxvJBwh10ZiK/s640/IMG_4960.JPG" width="640" /><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><a href="http://chopsticksoptional.blogspot.com/2015/12/sushi-makio.html">Sushi Makio</a></b>: We celebrated our first year <a href="http://chopsticksoptional.blogspot.com/2015/08/a-chopsticks-optional-wedding.html">wedding anniversary</a> with a trip to our favorite sushi shop in Kingston. The omakase is always a treat and fun to watch Chef Makio prepare each dish with care and detail. A particular gem on this visit were these sweet Japanese whelks steamed with sake and soy. Unlike the texture of clams and oysters, these sea snails were pleasantly chewy and its flavor much more agreeable than its earthy escargot counterparts. What a lovely new experience. Cheers to making it to one year of wedded bliss and here's to many more happy bites together!</span>Chopsticks Optionalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17462445520505061464noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2271114985238405847.post-52888833215423831122016-04-05T22:48:00.000-04:002016-04-05T22:54:10.742-04:00Off Shore Pier Restaurant and Fish Market<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAE4GEDaLt3a2fghZRaDlCL1pyhI8WeJ8Cq-h0teZEwU7xR72RBAU4wouYfqt7d6iP5v3eP0dTOdVAJ5sLwEmixGMzxuzkgS2R4E9FN2qBF-HJXcj2AAeK8z30CBYs5FVALGAuk1JW-iTS/s1600/IMG_4272.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAE4GEDaLt3a2fghZRaDlCL1pyhI8WeJ8Cq-h0teZEwU7xR72RBAU4wouYfqt7d6iP5v3eP0dTOdVAJ5sLwEmixGMzxuzkgS2R4E9FN2qBF-HJXcj2AAeK8z30CBYs5FVALGAuk1JW-iTS/s640/IMG_4272.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I am convinced that any restaurant connected to a market has got to have great food. Case in point: <a href="http://chopsticksoptional.blogspot.com/2014/06/parivar-spices-food.html">Parivar Spice and Market</a> and <a href="http://chopsticksoptional.blogspot.com/2014/02/la-mexicana-grocery-restaurant.html">La Mexicana Grocery and Restaurant</a>. Now we can add <b><a href="http://www.offshorepier.com/">Off Shore Pier Restaurant and Fish Market</a></b> to that list. I've been shopping at the Target store in East Greenbush for years and never really bothered to stop by any of the restaurants along Route 4. On a whim, we stopped by Off Shore Pier and have been hooked ever since. It's a gem of place amongst a sea of fast food chains. </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoN7PvaDkG3jEAJ8cJvY1QUDnrnYhQX9EMpwmRs-apsl4_jOTeLRFaypmzJvBFyCMPHplDqu_XBomI9GRTw7d6kBBrvUpR22cOhy8F87JOQhl4tFwtjZZXLWMG89DeTVpvHkxMa3Eoarpd/s1600/IMG_4293.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoN7PvaDkG3jEAJ8cJvY1QUDnrnYhQX9EMpwmRs-apsl4_jOTeLRFaypmzJvBFyCMPHplDqu_XBomI9GRTw7d6kBBrvUpR22cOhy8F87JOQhl4tFwtjZZXLWMG89DeTVpvHkxMa3Eoarpd/s640/IMG_4293.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The seafood market right next door is small but purveyor to some of the freshest seafood around. The quality ingredients translates to some amazing flavors when fried to order next door. There's the classic fish fry sandwiched on a hot dog bun and the seafood platter with succulent pieces of fried scallops and shrimp. But what you really want is the fried clam bellies. Each briny bite brings back great memories of our</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> </span><a href="http://chopsticksoptional.blogspot.com/2015/12/tour-de-honeymoon-lobster.html" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">honeymoon</a><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">in Maine. <br /><br />Not everything is encased in a golden cornmeal crust. Sure you can get your seafood broiled but we all know everything is better fried, including your vegetables. Little nuggets of cauliflower are not only fried but enrobed in a layer of cheese for good measure. For a true taste of the oceanside, it doesn't get any better than fresh clams on the half shell. You can usually find us slurping back dollar oysters at <a href="http://chopsticksoptional.blogspot.com/2015/03/the-beer-belly.html">The Beer Belly</a> but these puppies are just as addicting. Just because the Capital Region is landlocked doesn't mean you can't find great seafood. Until we can get out those little New England clam shacks, you can find us at Off Shore Pier. </span><br />
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Chopsticks Optionalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17462445520505061464noreply@blogger.com0Rensselaer, NY, USA42.6425794 -73.74289799999996842.5491364 -73.904259499999966 42.7360224 -73.58153649999997tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2271114985238405847.post-49369774165499953382016-03-22T20:54:00.000-04:002016-03-22T20:54:12.870-04:00Winter Bites 2016<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">This winter was a mild one but there were a couple of days in between that were cold enough to justify some super comforting dishes. Here's a look back at some of our favorite winter bites: </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsXvk7PGvPwCIbXFBQ8BmcVWHNNK1xCUpxqFxyAhT7onjLLXhaipVPd3VZFBOWVG0mDEL6Rb7sDnGrUGt3awbzNPi1NgvOSriU9Bp10zet1yWAT8wQY-Zy-aVQJ_-qSVkTOVagoWmOEluT/s1600/IMG_3793.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsXvk7PGvPwCIbXFBQ8BmcVWHNNK1xCUpxqFxyAhT7onjLLXhaipVPd3VZFBOWVG0mDEL6Rb7sDnGrUGt3awbzNPi1NgvOSriU9Bp10zet1yWAT8wQY-Zy-aVQJ_-qSVkTOVagoWmOEluT/s640/IMG_3793.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /><br /><br /><br /><b><a href="https://www.facebook.com/CamionPDC/?fref=ts">Camion Au Pied de Cochon</a></b>: What better way to kick off the New Year than with poutine! We came across the mobile version of </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Au Pied de Cochon,</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> a Montreal establishment well-</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">known for very indulgent meals. After a stroll around the outdoors Le Grand Marche de Noel market, a warm cup of fries with gravy and cheese curds hit the spot. But it wasn't your typical poutine as this one was spiked with foie gras. Talk about gluttony. Each heart clogging bite was totally worth it. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3UAoDMBsePFE5dyjdxqgOZeRxCZIeZkg84la4G4YKhnQfX21TUQVohsggOZNEFjex5CoEshi1P1P2XWFJOsp4yvjjrBVmC1fgthXXcUfk8IItj7f3M6MndFqI_rhCFVK30GRjOiG9cKEg/s1600/Michigan+Plus+-+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3UAoDMBsePFE5dyjdxqgOZeRxCZIeZkg84la4G4YKhnQfX21TUQVohsggOZNEFjex5CoEshi1P1P2XWFJOsp4yvjjrBVmC1fgthXXcUfk8IItj7f3M6MndFqI_rhCFVK30GRjOiG9cKEg/s640/Michigan+Plus+-+1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><a href="https://www.facebook.com/michigansplus1/">Michigan Plus</a></b>: I spent a good part of my childhood in the North Country but for some reason always avoided michigan dogs. It wasn't until recently that I appreciated the uniqueness of this regional New York chili dog. If it isn't a pit stop at our <a href="http://chopsticksoptional.blogspot.com/2014/06/cantine-le-relais-202-poutine.html">favorite border poutine</a> joint, it's a stop in Plattsburgh to fuel up on gas and a michigan with a neon red Glazier dog. For a twist, there's even a garbage plate version which we've also tried, for science of course. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuIW3f7ZOqLTR_ktqRyMfSJEZ2RsfyfZbDiAz83CIXsU9z4ZEUy7ea-ogAy-JTgJgVVjAbeQViv5ff3xNsjnRzOU44B8LjEXpVPD5205-5OUKzmgiwO25sEK_nYxyTxuOvUlPCmuEMfd5g/s1600/IMG_3983.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuIW3f7ZOqLTR_ktqRyMfSJEZ2RsfyfZbDiAz83CIXsU9z4ZEUy7ea-ogAy-JTgJgVVjAbeQViv5ff3xNsjnRzOU44B8LjEXpVPD5205-5OUKzmgiwO25sEK_nYxyTxuOvUlPCmuEMfd5g/s640/IMG_3983.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /><br /><br /><b><a href="https://www.facebook.com/HKBakeryandBistro/photos/pcb.10153758513335469/10153758511125469/?type=3&theater">CNY Salt and Pepper Plate</a></b>: Call it Chinese New Year, Tet, or Lunar Year, it's a great reason to celebrate and feast amongst good company. We shared a wonderful, adventurous meal at <b><a href="https://www.facebook.com/HKBakeryandBistro/">Hong Kong Bakery</a></b> with <a href="http://fussylittleblog.com/2016/02/10/new-year-new-foods/">FUSSYlittleBLOG</a>, <a href="http://albanyeats.net/2016/02/22/cny-at-hong-kong-bakery-and-bistro/">Albany Jane</a>, <a href="http://joninalbanyblog.blogspot.com/">Jon in Albany</a>, and <a href="http://capitalregiondiningblog.blogspot.com/">Ms. Garlic</a> . There was abalone, ginger and garlic lobster, and even pigs feet but the highlight of seven course meal was the salt and pepper combo platter. It was a crispy mix of fried squid, little bite-sized fish, and tofu that even my normally anti-tofu husband loved for its flavor and texture. My favorite bites were the salt and pepper pork ribs and accompanying jellyfish! </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7nOe3IBClXLBNNIO7QwhwuI3RpbtrF38IoqLcX0KqLST8VXWnIbk-eUGfaHF_0S508lNnd5PSMI8mHImMdteMJyhHzCYPoT8FZVxwrmOYwSgsuzhDTGW-MIIF0vfQhvYCEeAQQZi5p5Ej/s1600/IMG_3926.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7nOe3IBClXLBNNIO7QwhwuI3RpbtrF38IoqLcX0KqLST8VXWnIbk-eUGfaHF_0S508lNnd5PSMI8mHImMdteMJyhHzCYPoT8FZVxwrmOYwSgsuzhDTGW-MIIF0vfQhvYCEeAQQZi5p5Ej/s640/IMG_3926.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><a href="http://gardenbistro24.com/">Garden Bistro Mussels</a>:</b> Mondays just got better thanks to Mussel Mondays at Garden Bistro 24. At $13.50, the mussel entrees are a steal. A hefty amount of fresh shellfish is served with equally generous portion of frites to sop up a flavorful signature sauce of your choice. I had a chorizo and kale special but J's lemon basil butter had be stealing more than a few bites. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyfHrSy2iwutBHd7x3Zm8YGLFmgE463U_2XAjbNtFfQ9nCbU5QnmPbMqzbibeHFEKWUuo0U2ly-3mGuxvHCAe-jau8B41Evdq2NJy4FlPDgr2oDqE_B3w9wC_BZbIrnrGsV0DKxjNO8CP2/s1600/Sap+House+-+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyfHrSy2iwutBHd7x3Zm8YGLFmgE463U_2XAjbNtFfQ9nCbU5QnmPbMqzbibeHFEKWUuo0U2ly-3mGuxvHCAe-jau8B41Evdq2NJy4FlPDgr2oDqE_B3w9wC_BZbIrnrGsV0DKxjNO8CP2/s640/Sap+House+-+1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><a href="http://www.thesaphouseatstonehousefarm.com/">The Saphouse Pancakes</a></b>: Major hat tip to Deanna Fox for featuring The Saphouse at Stone House Farm on <b><a href="http://alloveralbany.com/archive/2016/02/16/pancake-breakfast-at-the-sap-house-at-stone-house">All Over Albany</a></b>. As if we didn't love venturing out to Sharon Springs and Cooperstown enough, an all-you-can eat maple breakfast (pancakes or waffles) is the only thing that'll get me up early on the weekends. Get ready for a sugar high because at $6 per person, it's easy to load up on maple syrup, maple sugar, and maple butter to your heart's content. My only complaint is that the maple milk doesn't come in a gallon size because it's that addicting! </span>Chopsticks Optionalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17462445520505061464noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2271114985238405847.post-47166334857679733932016-03-08T22:19:00.000-05:002016-03-08T22:38:19.455-05:00Boston Eats<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">A recent girl's trip to Boston pretty much turned into a delicious tour of Boston. Here are some hightlights from Beantown:</span><br />
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<img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibM16OB0D0hoqPpj8V4rbI9NSO1dBhb1MtfGNQWRlm-RQIrfz6yNn7NCYsENj4_h61EnxhkdxUiJUy1MwaLUjHRUrp3aDZcmRRqTeLicll7N9CkbbfluQql6jRwGqDbwAuPE16vlSzOwmt/s640/IMG_4078.JPG" width="640" /><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><a href="https://www.yelp.com/biz/genes-chinese-flatbread-cafe-boston">Gene's Chinese Flatbread</a></b>: You wouldn't know it by its name, but whoever Gene is he makes a mean Xi'an-style handpulled noodle. Sure there is a pulled pork flatbread, but everyone comes for a bowl of the fresh, chewy noodles. The classic #4 cold dish is served with a glob of garlic enough to scare Dracula away for hours but it's the noodles that are the star. It's </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">a sought-after item for its texture and for good reason.</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> The salt level was a bit overwhelming but the freshness of the noodles made up for it. Another great bite was the $1 skewer of tender, well-seasoned cumin lamb. Next time, the cumin lamb noodles are on my list. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkD6530qVVHir5Vrbrkr5D8Duwcd29B_QBlDBLhILAY5nYzilH7T70oE3ljAvoVGfNN38IXKuO5aI3PNRow5eA8x8xhSvnKpc51zojfK2e-A6hN8qoG6H61SS6cYBHfoNAtWbs1SAvraqV/s1600/waffle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkD6530qVVHir5Vrbrkr5D8Duwcd29B_QBlDBLhILAY5nYzilH7T70oE3ljAvoVGfNN38IXKuO5aI3PNRow5eA8x8xhSvnKpc51zojfK2e-A6hN8qoG6H61SS6cYBHfoNAtWbs1SAvraqV/s640/waffle.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><a href="https://www.yelp.com/biz/egg-puffs-boston?osq=egg+waffle">Egg Waffle</a></b>: The wonders of Yelp led me to one of the most satisfying $3 snacks in the depths of a Chinatown strip mall. As I walked past a storefront of caged, lived chickens and towards the back of a cramped sushi stand, I was greeted by the wonderful aromas of fresh waffles made by the skillfull hands of a little old lady. She bakes these wonderful made-to-order Chinese-style egg waffles that are sweet spheres of cakey goodness. A warm bag of these nubbins is the perfect hand-held snack to explore Boston's Chinatown. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVQux8Wi0PP56-4Xf8w5BXYO32Fx6lIn-oDdZjG64SF49LlIMQl75pt5lvxZfaadPK8VvRAmvegW_7HLjMEqFPRYkpFdqH6h7FBmsRcUtTRR7JuNIjv5YCJDB_XBmAA3dh9Dgpc37dM65b/s1600/IMG_4107.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVQux8Wi0PP56-4Xf8w5BXYO32Fx6lIn-oDdZjG64SF49LlIMQl75pt5lvxZfaadPK8VvRAmvegW_7HLjMEqFPRYkpFdqH6h7FBmsRcUtTRR7JuNIjv5YCJDB_XBmAA3dh9Dgpc37dM65b/s640/IMG_4107.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><a href="http://www.lstreetdinner.com/">L Street Diner</a></b>: For a true taste of Bahs-ton, we stopped for a full Irish fare at the L Street Diner in Southie. It was my first taste for this type of blood pudding and it did not disappoint. I was expecting a metallic taste but it was just a delicious savory sausage. The meat-tastic plate also came with imported Irish sausage and bacon aka ham, regular breakfast sausage, seasoned home fries, and grilled tomatoes. It was a hearty breakfast enough to fuel us for the rest of the day. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ8EWxFff4ttewPAcmBbco22g_aJh_awtPUwiBRs82bd0VSRWthlPSjj3MJVA2sOSof4TLFgRgDklhs7YVRBzC9pObHNS2bIWwYXPPTgA_KLhHacAohEnnKNj1ZV7Jn3deZO2QgJ1I3Pev/s1600/IMG_4156.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ8EWxFff4ttewPAcmBbco22g_aJh_awtPUwiBRs82bd0VSRWthlPSjj3MJVA2sOSof4TLFgRgDklhs7YVRBzC9pObHNS2bIWwYXPPTgA_KLhHacAohEnnKNj1ZV7Jn3deZO2QgJ1I3Pev/s640/IMG_4156.JPG" width="640" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /><b><a href="https://bostonpublicmarket.org/">Boston Public Market</a></b>: It was love at first sight stepping into this year-round-market. The combination of farmers market stands and local purveyors reminds me a lot of Montreal's Marche Jean Talon and New York's Chelsea Market. There's over 39 vendors ranging from cheese and smoked meat to ice cream and wine and the food court choices are all tempting.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6cdjLWl4guZnh1p4Z3_OuNXbKpJBohly0v8ea7MDgW4mifsf7iihHSOrQu3k6LCzMnag5TGshYyTHHVr1tBrm0BxMm6ijfAlg-KRtbFFzUJjWMXz-x85Hmn6IOQlbnoLKYk59sTuwC3BF/s1600/uni.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6cdjLWl4guZnh1p4Z3_OuNXbKpJBohly0v8ea7MDgW4mifsf7iihHSOrQu3k6LCzMnag5TGshYyTHHVr1tBrm0BxMm6ijfAlg-KRtbFFzUJjWMXz-x85Hmn6IOQlbnoLKYk59sTuwC3BF/s640/uni.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div>
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<br /><br /><br /><br />With such a large breakfast, I only had room for a couple light snacks but man were they the best snacks of my life. This orange cardamom poppyseed doughnut from <b><a href="http://unionsquaredonuts.com/">Union Square Donuts</a> </b>was hands-down the best doughnut I've had in awhile. Yeast doughnuts are my favorite and the texture was unbelievably light and fluffy yet chewy. Can we also talk about the flavor combination? So unique and amazing! </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Some bites just take your breath away. </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I also couldn't resist fresh, local sea urchin from </span><b style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.redsbest.com/shopreds/">Red's Best</a></b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> seafood stand. Uni is a splurge whenever we get sushi and to have a bite this fresh was life changing. Definitely a bucket item checked off my list to eat sea urchin straight from its shell. I also couldn't say no to couple of freshly shucked oysters. Boston's seafood game is on point.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOffiXR3TeeGie08mF7bgnMQj4xoezsOg_lJnXO8JANJ37bcF1y7aMEYOFB41_Mo-K59doFr4F1sgHQf_0Tzbk9eMd8q8KRgG7KDLX0UFQh97l2SfxsCQ1GMwuKHwbaXu7FzwV1HLVR_Bp/s1600/flour.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOffiXR3TeeGie08mF7bgnMQj4xoezsOg_lJnXO8JANJ37bcF1y7aMEYOFB41_Mo-K59doFr4F1sgHQf_0Tzbk9eMd8q8KRgG7KDLX0UFQh97l2SfxsCQ1GMwuKHwbaXu7FzwV1HLVR_Bp/s640/flour.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><a href="http://www.flourbakery.com/">Flour Bakery + Cafe</a></b>: Hat tip to <a href="http://joninalbanyblog.blogspot.com/">Jon in Albany</a> for pointing me to Joanne Chang's pastry mecca. We ended our Girl's Trip on a delicious note gorging on the famous sticky bun that beat Bobby Flay in a throwdown, more doughnuts, and a homemade pop tart. The quality of these pastries is top notch but so is their savory side. I really enjoyed a slice of stuffed bread filled with lemon chicken, sun-dried tomato, red watercress, sambal, and provolone. It was pretty much an elevated version of garbage bread that tasted so good. Flour Bakery is at the top of my favorite Boston eats. There was so much to do and eat and so little time. I'm definitely looking forward to returning to Beantown and exploring the food scene. </span></div>
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Chopsticks Optionalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17462445520505061464noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2271114985238405847.post-69619232624795795872016-02-23T22:49:00.002-05:002016-02-24T00:20:13.464-05:00The Breakfast Spot<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Some of the best bites are classic ones. <b><a href="https://www.facebook.com/The-Breakfast-Spot-Cohoes-343249742501698/?fref=ts">The Breakfast Spot</a></b> in Cohoes is a </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">charming throwback to the 60s with its decor but it's the menu of traditional breakfast fare that makes mornings more bearable. It's not breakfast without bacon and the quintessential B.E.C. sandwich is a pretty solid choice. The trifecta comes together with crispy applewood-smoked bacon aplenty, seasoned fried egg, and American cheese. Why does American cheese get such a bad rep? Its meltability works great for this breakfast staple. I'm usually team english muffin but a fresh, buttery Bella Napoli roll works real well here soaking up all that bacon flavor. In case you didn't have enough bacon, we highly recommend sharing the loaded home fries with more bacon, cheese, scallions, and sour cream. Add a cup of coffee and breakfast is complete. </span>Chopsticks Optionalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17462445520505061464noreply@blogger.com0133 Remsen St, Cohoes, NY 12047, USA42.773226 -73.70072600000003117.2511915 -115.00932000000003 68.2952605 -32.392132000000032tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2271114985238405847.post-22586935360595175612016-02-08T23:37:00.000-05:002016-03-16T23:07:57.962-04:00Leon's Mexican Restaurant Reopened<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin-Tldke5JMjk8_Vab3K95q1DlHaREWPYwTApUq07MglvzDszzcE0Ox3ykr3Ch_QjwiN2aWMVXd8I2gL2EsPiFpJlCIYEszUMPvXV4d995FZ0PUh6tCWq3sl5zH8K9kCmk9bBYFCZ3SxHC/s1600/IMG_3960.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin-Tldke5JMjk8_Vab3K95q1DlHaREWPYwTApUq07MglvzDszzcE0Ox3ykr3Ch_QjwiN2aWMVXd8I2gL2EsPiFpJlCIYEszUMPvXV4d995FZ0PUh6tCWq3sl5zH8K9kCmk9bBYFCZ3SxHC/s640/IMG_3960.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">ICYMI the longtime Saratoga-based </span><b style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.leonsmexicanrestaurant.com/">Leon's Mexican</a></b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> relocated to Ballston Spa and has officially re-opened its doors. You can now find them in the Carousel Village on Route 50, just a few doors down from </span><b style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://chopsticksoptional.blogspot.com/2014/08/good-morning-breakfast-cafe.html">Good Morning Cafe</a></b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">. Fantastic breakfast and dinner spots all in one plaza!</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Our favorite dish is the signature pork chili verde rolled into a massive burrito; it's meltingly-tender and packed with flavor. Along with the classics, there's a re-vamped menu featuring homemade tamale plates and taqueria-style tacos like this spicy chorizo one.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br />Here's a peek of <b><a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B7zTv6K1DsRrZk9YbktJcnZka0E/view?usp=sharing">Leon's Mexican Menu</a> </b>and weekly specials worth checking out:</span><br />
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<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; line-height: 19.32px;"><strike>Sundays: 1/2 price off any burritos, including the famous Burro Ranchero as featured on Rachael Ray's $40 A Day.</strike> New hours! Closed Sundays and now open on Mondays with $3 draft beer specials.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; line-height: 19.32px;">Margarita Tuesdays: Buy one, get one house margaritas.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; line-height: 19.32px;">Wine Wednesdays: All wines (red, white, or sangria) 1/2 price. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; line-height: 19.32px;">$2 Taco Thursdays: Featured tacos for only $2 a piece. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; line-height: 19.32px;">Keep up with the latest specials by liking their <b><a href="https://www.facebook.com/LeonsMexicanRestaurant/?fref=ts">Facebook page</a></b></span></li>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">During these winter months, a vibrant and fresh take on Mexican food is just what you need. A margarita or two wouldn't hurt with those winter blues either. For full disclosure, it's somewhat of <a href="http://chopsticksoptional.blogspot.com/2013/10/leons-mexican-restaurant.html">a family affair</a> but all we do is wine and dine because stuffing our faces with great food is what we do best. </span>Chopsticks Optionalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17462445520505061464noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2271114985238405847.post-70878806780286439382016-01-25T23:25:00.000-05:002016-01-25T23:27:33.895-05:00Hattie's Fried Chicken & Waffles<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbN5LTgvyOVIzcH8-9Ks258dLDQdeBOjgf0v2wKeqAGbKeUiPCD4_VUjVoFJ8JybJLMOzOZPwj5-aIRSYxF4fbOMVqxdHzZa55bmAbfL1tjNnKqbqHOdKUIWF89fCRdAQvVEtTQe33CKBA/s1600/Food+Spotting+2015+-+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbN5LTgvyOVIzcH8-9Ks258dLDQdeBOjgf0v2wKeqAGbKeUiPCD4_VUjVoFJ8JybJLMOzOZPwj5-aIRSYxF4fbOMVqxdHzZa55bmAbfL1tjNnKqbqHOdKUIWF89fCRdAQvVEtTQe33CKBA/s640/Food+Spotting+2015+-+1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Brunch is your free pass to scoring fried chicken for breakfast and it doesn't get any better than chicken and waffles at <b><a href="http://hattiesrestaurant.com/">Hattie's Restaurant</a></b> in Saratoga. As we sat surrounded by pictures of Hattie Gray, the namesake of the establishment, we just couldn't help but feel the love for this beloved Southern fried chicken. Each succulent bite proved how special her recipe is. No wonder it beat Bobby Flay in a Throwdown Battle. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The moment you break through the crisp shell is a euphoric moment. The contrast of textures and flavors is on point with just the right balance of seasonings. The crunchy batter is speckled with a good dose of fiery pepper and much to my surprise, the meat was so juicy and flavorful thanks to a brine. The waffle takes a backseat to the star of the show but it wouldn't be brunch without it. A swirl of syrup and a dash of hot sauce and you've taken chicken and waffles to another level with bursts of sweet, savory, spicy, and salty notes. But let's face it, the fried chicken is where it's at and it's finger-licking good at Hattie's. </span></div>
<br />Chopsticks Optionalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17462445520505061464noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2271114985238405847.post-78382887931241513792016-01-12T22:49:00.002-05:002016-03-25T03:36:46.191-04:00Cafe Chat L'heureux<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm-iF_4L6KENyE_Jo29iDv8NLgTEW7w7SbgZC-wP1gwD9ku8LMIao7YZGHGIwww734bB7uY1q13I1v7lJyC0CJ-hQCtiSZcaiKu1llWt5kVzNpkUTVI5D_6PHM74fyftDIcFslN1LrtzaH/s1600/IMG_3816.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm-iF_4L6KENyE_Jo29iDv8NLgTEW7w7SbgZC-wP1gwD9ku8LMIao7YZGHGIwww734bB7uY1q13I1v7lJyC0CJ-hQCtiSZcaiKu1llWt5kVzNpkUTVI5D_6PHM74fyftDIcFslN1LrtzaH/s640/IMG_3816.JPG" width="640"></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Disclaimer: This post will be saturated with photos of adorable fluffy cats. On a recent visit home to Montreal, J and I stopped by <b><a href="http://www.cafechatlheureux.com/en-ca">Cafe Chat L'Heureux</a> </b>to sip tea with a bunch of furry friends. Modeled after popular hot spots in Korea and Japan, this one is the first of its kind in North America and a mecca for the crazy cat moms and cat dads out there. It's truly a unique experience. </span><br>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW1mQPBOz7I773UOK3Ct5TrSFjBGjZc_wYvdvAiQPtzC6HJi7r1O1OOB-IYZui28zKe4aIOREJLdbzUZZur1Mhq1Mag2UvXipX_HOGwohxN69xzCsfsCRQTJw0d4Ouii7aviTi9wdyfsJ4/s1600/IMG_3824.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW1mQPBOz7I773UOK3Ct5TrSFjBGjZc_wYvdvAiQPtzC6HJi7r1O1OOB-IYZui28zKe4aIOREJLdbzUZZur1Mhq1Mag2UvXipX_HOGwohxN69xzCsfsCRQTJw0d4Ouii7aviTi9wdyfsJ4/s640/IMG_3824.JPG" width="640"></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This particular cafe has nine resident cats, treated like kings and queens with plenty of comfy couches and places to climb and play. In true feline fashion, most like to nap but once in awhile you'll find one or two roaming the space.</span><br>
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<img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyOt2ACrX31bE189r41qIvNhL9E6OkiFwIDKBpBaMQ3OllJ5D0Is9robG-cCY8CiawOZI6A0b0rhq07RfS4Ipm1HPnBakq2c-EceLODDQA9siKeBeel-jUtxDNTakpTgDwAVdGl00UWtyQ/s640/IMG_3854.JPG" width="640"><br>
<span style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Some like to show off impressive tricks. Pictured here, Milady shows off high fives for treats from the cafe owner.</span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5mV2XbHnWuhwv7xAQ-DjYXuw22JyALIEvBH4DGhV_xzXbo1hIODcabnQTFQUlWmGuBfw5qnOALxDqzc8cgG3um8Fxdh0Y1hpvqvGzlaExMcW1NIqUtMq1zojcDcA5MrCKNyN_utetaaKz/s1600/IMG_3830.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5mV2XbHnWuhwv7xAQ-DjYXuw22JyALIEvBH4DGhV_xzXbo1hIODcabnQTFQUlWmGuBfw5qnOALxDqzc8cgG3um8Fxdh0Y1hpvqvGzlaExMcW1NIqUtMq1zojcDcA5MrCKNyN_utetaaKz/s640/IMG_3830.JPG" width="640"></span></a></span><br>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: start;">Gustave is passed out hard on this sofa.</span></div>
<a name="more"></a><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_akqan187pC5oWG1-LJvkBX9oxFKF5yiBxMx70Wz_R685lIGSaYA0yY1N13NNArRswgPFZMi0Qp4j2opOB492-Wq38U9cpM0ztq2-oJbWhXXdt7Kakc1VIkZxr8s888EYffM2a01J9yy6/s640/IMG_3837.JPG" width="640"><br>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The Happy Cat Cafe is human friendly too with a full gourmet menu of sweets, catpuccinos, teas, salads and sandwiches. </span><br>
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<span style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9RZZfRusdlpxy80fl4Fr0VFnmhysi5vZaFE1AJQdC5fi272xVmnUVQ0ct1Ou5aoBhOALXWocQBqEQT8VAI4O-qIsuPVbX6NSws-K6N6xx0-dDmStydMzqS8fNqL0AdOoSl0bN32QVRop7/s640/IMG_3832.JPG" width="640"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Some of the wait staff can be difficult, preferring cuddles and attention over providing good service.</span><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRar7bFL-yoCih8FGvdWa6JgLkJ1KbeuthQM79SDzF5Cwc9aVFHin0SGjmnADPVipwK9ZHS5xzkxQPu24KveQ4N6TEwUUOsDWSzDpHdNAFq86oNtZgNtofZSp_Aokiv8XMMCLYiFdEcg3j/s640/IMG_3843.JPG" width="640"></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">But you can always count on the sucre du jour. We treated ourselves to a kitty spot of tea and delicious, creamy banana pudding cup. </span><br>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrmSNXApzo6zhJXHt22D4O2DjAi7GhmcmWrE3kjTOz4m6CixBkXWz9OQhEmLQRNKSoUWrqFnnlvSEcPe68WUg6L0UxL6B_mFRx25MfBIQi8Dt8OmXQw18W287fK_z9z-XwUD74PYDLAUCl/s1600/IMG_3859.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrmSNXApzo6zhJXHt22D4O2DjAi7GhmcmWrE3kjTOz4m6CixBkXWz9OQhEmLQRNKSoUWrqFnnlvSEcPe68WUg6L0UxL6B_mFRx25MfBIQi8Dt8OmXQw18W287fK_z9z-XwUD74PYDLAUCl/s640/IMG_3859.JPG" width="640"></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Even when they're sleeping, you can't help but squeal over how cute these cats are.</span><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsz8a_kNbETpz5w-CxwuqTy5bst336FLKjtXVFkjuTFlQpHhMf1nWwIeOFB5XGayj3aHPrrYqEYhdhwllM9xK6btIIrZEvSX-nedxpY8sq1tXI-pGgMx196jGRwdBhATe8Vho1FGvRcN2Q/s640/IMG_3819.JPG" width="640"></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">They seem like very happy cats indeed. I think Luna here is smiling.</span><br>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguUBave1e9IE_s_BNNT8inUs0z6srokBLXPG-VcQB8A9Y2hI1DyRmfrVTp_ewAu4UIWP7WnwbYYKUcQ9C1Lnabmf9h7-DmwTFBOQao8iJbhyPoY4WWCEBDmCWXu-buMkHnI6UkSOqk0XrC/s1600/IMG_3821.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguUBave1e9IE_s_BNNT8inUs0z6srokBLXPG-VcQB8A9Y2hI1DyRmfrVTp_ewAu4UIWP7WnwbYYKUcQ9C1Lnabmf9h7-DmwTFBOQao8iJbhyPoY4WWCEBDmCWXu-buMkHnI6UkSOqk0XrC/s640/IMG_3821.JPG" width="640"></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It's one one of those bucket list items if you ever get a chance to visit Montreal. </span><br>
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Chopsticks Optionalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17462445520505061464noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2271114985238405847.post-80658702149583924532015-12-30T21:51:00.001-05:002016-01-08T23:43:19.939-05:00Top Bites of 2015<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The last days of the year brings back memories of yet another delicious round of great eats. We were a bit biased naming our wedding cake from TC Paris as our <b><a href="http://alloveralbany.com/archive/2015/12/28/favorite-local-foods-of-2015">favorite local bite of the year on All Over Albany</a></b> but 2015 introduced us to some other favorites that deserve honorable mention:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /><b>Uni with quail egg from <a href="http://chopsticksoptional.blogspot.com/2015/12/sushi-makio.html">Sushi Makio</a></b>: Some bites are life-changing. Sushi Makio proved that fresh, quality sea urchin can be found in Upstate New York. The addition of a velvety quail egg yolk elevated this piece of sushi, bringing an ethereal element that complemented the brininess and creaminess of the uni so well. It was one of those moments where you just had to close your eyes for a moment of silence as you savor the explosion of flavor. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Spicy ramen at <a href="http://chopsticksoptional.blogspot.com/2015/06/a-tale-of-two-albany-ramen-bowls.html">Sushi Tei</a></b>: The ramen craze is now just hitting Albany with the opening of Tanpopo Ramen and various appearances as specials throughout Capital Region establishments. But it's the Tuesday special at Sushi Tei that hits the spot every time. The tonkatsu ramen is a comforting mix of rich, creamy broth and fatty slices of pork belly . The off-menu addition of spicy pork gives the ramen not only an added kick of spice but flavor that's quickly becoming a favorite. With winter officially here, you can count on this special being on the menu twice a week now with the addition of Ramen Sundays to warm you up. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Rice or egg noodle with seafood from <a href="http://chopsticksoptional.blogspot.com/2015/06/banh-mi-at-saigon-pearl.html">Saigon Pearl</a></b>: ICYMI Saigon Pearl now makes a pretty legit crackly banh mi sandwich but you'll also want to check out the rest of menu especially for this noodle dish. Under new ownership, you'll find a new menu with classic Vietnamese favorites like Bun Bo Hue Spicy Noodle Soup and Clay Pot Stewed Fish. One of my favorite dishes, aside from pho, is hu tieu kho thap cam which translates to assorted mixed dry noodles. It's a dish with many variations: dry with pork broth on the side; wet as a soup bowl with the noodles and broth mixed together; with egg noodles or with rice noodles. My preference is dry with rice noodles. The best part of the dry version is that a salty soy-based sauce coats the noodles, and when mixed with a bite of a little of everything, it's delightful. Plus when you get it dry, you still get a side of broth to either mix in with the noodles or slurp alongside. With an assortment of meats and seafood ranging from cha siu pork, fried chicken, fishcake, quail egg, and prawns, it's a dish that'll satisfying every craving. Plus the bits of pork cracklings are the crowning jewels. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /><br /><b>Squid-Ink seared scallop from <a href="http://chopsticksoptional.blogspot.com/2015/11/pecks-arcade.html">Peck's Arcade</a></b>: The creativity at Peck's knows no bounds. Our recent obsession with squid ink led us to a special featuring a perfectly seared scallop. Marinated in a dark briny coat of ink, the stark contrast of colors was just as appetizing as the mix of flavors between the pungent red miso sauce and tangy and creamy avocado mousse. It was a divine morsel and sharing one piece of scallop was a true test of our marriage. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Garbage plates from <a href="http://macsphillysteaks.com/">Mac's Philly Steaks</a></b>: A random detour to Canandaigua en route to Buffalo introduced us to one helluva Western delicacy. Garbage plates are a total guilty pleasure between the mountain of fries, hot dogs, meat sauce and mac salad but the mish mosh totally works! This particular one at Mac's featured a plump and juicy Rochester-based white hot dog from Zweigle's, most definitely the highlight of this Mac's Place Special. The Philly Plate on the other hand featured philly steak, onion rings, and hot sauce giving this combo the perfect zip! The added bonus was more carb on carb action courtesy of an Amoroso roll, a legit roll directly from Philadelphia. We can only imagine how amazing the Philly Cheesesteaks must be here but the garbage plate has a special place in our bellies.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />More Top Bites: </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">+ <b><a href="http://chopsticksoptional.blogspot.com/2015/01/top-bites-of-2014.html">Top Bites of 2014</a></b><br />+ <b><a href="http://chopsticksoptional.blogspot.com/2013/12/top-bites-of-2013.html">Top Bites of 2013</a></b></span></div>
Chopsticks Optionalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17462445520505061464noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2271114985238405847.post-71235359155813072672015-12-14T01:09:00.001-05:002015-12-14T01:17:55.848-05:00Tour de Honeymoon Lobster<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We spent the majority of our honeymoon eating our way through Maine. There were brilliant <a href="http://chopsticksoptional.blogspot.com/2015/05/chopsticks-optional-honeymoon-portland.html">bites in Portland</a>, especially at <a href="http://chopsticksoptional.blogspot.com/2015/06/miyake-fore-st.html"><b>Miyake Fore Street</b></a>, but Kennebunkport also held a special place in our stomachs:
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Before we headed to Kennebunkport, we had to stop by <b><a href="http://chopsticksoptional.blogspot.com/2013/05/eventide-oyster-co.html">Eventide Oyster Co.</a></b> in Portland for another bite of the highly-praised and addictive brown butter lobster roll. The Chinese-style steamed bun soaks up juicy, sweet chunks of lobster bathed in a warm, nutty caramelized sauce. It just takes one bite to be hooked on this lobster roll. </span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKaeB-IYlGsIvKVmSoCXcbNAEx0U1al5BGRAeO8F-JT2n9gBYnBbPtFZ_PT5zHVo-mTmsY0uYp2iXBVbX6BLpkJjWD2vqyWadpsRNRA-4yz02hOAP6uyQk7zyGEwOCM8on0ClxyBS8diK4/s1600/IMG_2096.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKaeB-IYlGsIvKVmSoCXcbNAEx0U1al5BGRAeO8F-JT2n9gBYnBbPtFZ_PT5zHVo-mTmsY0uYp2iXBVbX6BLpkJjWD2vqyWadpsRNRA-4yz02hOAP6uyQk7zyGEwOCM8on0ClxyBS8diK4/s640/IMG_2096.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We started our first official night in Kennebunkport feasting on a 3-course lobster meal at <b><a href="http://www.stripersrestaurant.com/">Stripers Waterside</a></b>, our hotel's adjoining restaurant. The only standout of the night was a lobster taco but the highlight of our meal was sharing our dinner with President H.W. Bush, Babs, and his secret service team. They sat behind our table, unbeknownst to us, and we didn't realize the family was there until it was time for him to leave and he gave us a very presidential goodbye wave. </span><b style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></b><br />
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<b style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://theclamshack.net/">The Clam Shack </a></b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">is more than just clams. Of course the fried clam bellies were spectacular but the lobster roll here deserves just as much praise. Our favorite classic roll of the trip featured a whole lobster tail in all its glory. The secret is to ask for the lobster with a half butter, half mayo concoction. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><a href="http://www.mabelslobster.com/">Mabel's Lobster Claw</a> </b>was conveniently located across from our hotel, lending itself as the for the perfect location for an afternoon snack. As a change of pace, we ordered a half lobster, half crab roll option. To my surprise, I enjoyed the the crab half more. Perhaps it's because we were at least six consecutive lobster dishes deep into our honeymoon and were craving something other than lobster. This was the night we took a break and had steak for dinner. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Despite high cholesterol levels, we just couldn't leave Kennebunkport without one final morsel of lobster. We indulged in a tempura lobster tail at <b><a href="https://www.facebook.com/WickedTailsKPT/">Wicked Tails</a> </b>because anything on a stick and fried is awesome. Then we saw lobster poutine on the menu and squealed with glee. It was fate! Our last forkfuls of lobster was bathed in a rich lobster stew, SQUEAKY cheese curds, and hand-cut fries. We ended our honeymoon on a great bite! </span><br />
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<br />Chopsticks Optionalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17462445520505061464noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2271114985238405847.post-19674956980595742902015-12-01T23:24:00.000-05:002015-12-12T04:04:30.145-05:00Sushi Makio<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Kingston, New York isn't exactly a culinary mecca nor is a restaurant sandwiched in between a TCBY yogurt shop and consignment shop. But within a short drive from the Capital Region, you'll find <b><a href="http://www.sushimakio.com/">Sushi Makio</a></b>, </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">one of the best sushi places </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">located none other than at a</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> strip mall. Recalling </span><a href="http://blog.timesunion.com/tablehopping/47318/quick-trip-drinks-and-dinner-in-kingston/" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Steve Barne's trip</a><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> and entrusting our faith in him and Chef Ric Orlando, we treated ourselves to an unforgettable omakase meal prepared by Makio Idesako.</span><br />
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<img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfxm8UemEZilWmQOjeGtTqHL9sQWuAw__1TV-xS_JjrH9XE1gDswqItzL62w8KS0PTikODgACHSXIwHoPavhyAsd7dMhBlUo1-md4zZhBXlrDWgHKQpu-Ri7SbZaDF2qbs9l5-B-1tWgbw/s640/IMG_2902.JPG" width="640" /><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The seasoned sushi chef prepared a surprise medley of six tantalizing plates:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>1st Course</b>: monkfish liver pate and marinated herring with roe</span><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwqU00T2LRP0KGPxxOmaxrMuKBphcgnaHKKHzlXVhX5U6uxPkTEqswheae4HuSphs_rVxdWbWUF9o7GiRYH5KKJgLCIK2ikO9RnHBhoJhtYlpU4QZRzAbT7KP2QrWnuUXHedarCUzZZ-8U/s640/IMG_2899.JPG" width="640" /></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>2nd Course</b>: Sunomo (red clam, scallop, shrimp, crab, and octopus marinated in tangy vinegar)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>3rd Course</b>: Sashimi of salmon, yellowtail, bonito, tuna, and amberjack. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>4th Course:</b> aged-miso marinated black cod with pickled young ginger</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>5th Course</b>: Various sushi of horse mackerel, eel, fluke, salmon, toro, and uni. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2DjEgUxC0OXyusfdeF4oMmqJaPjbJxNFNP_QSr_EVEul3kbHnibMBR7i5OpZ_T11h5oEWa_Ur27WezqHTp4QM-FdX7M5nudJk9LCH_UQO_3m1twksGhy4QfA7b1oPhoHN2OhNNt-FlZF5/s1600/IMG_2918.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2DjEgUxC0OXyusfdeF4oMmqJaPjbJxNFNP_QSr_EVEul3kbHnibMBR7i5OpZ_T11h5oEWa_Ur27WezqHTp4QM-FdX7M5nudJk9LCH_UQO_3m1twksGhy4QfA7b1oPhoHN2OhNNt-FlZF5/s640/IMG_2918.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">OMG the toro was a heavenly, buttery, melt-in-your mouth bite and the uni was so fresh, creamy and briny.</span><br />
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<img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidW0eaSLQ4aVdxuT0_732hph79v8R_oAdrCEUZvKIsDjfGlHSPbuufpG-qBz0cu7pbyF-kTCdYkSL-m3fWdc-A7c7mD9Zys119a6JQ-CyuXG5RedRNQexvOH-TzBTKL1NwyRy3lGV9Lq1I/s640/IMG_2912.jpg" width="640" /><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>6th Course</b>: tempura sofshell crab roll</span><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje-1x0iRlhisSlCd3T2JcTJrsJxRHgDVrS9j1x_CqM0C_ii4SMtSK-1nORY0trxjOlLjWdVmLmOPqD65Tcra36X8ZPY0aLG4jWkk2yBxEkX8345WbLwZ15LjTrNal1bnQ4DpMMaclhS6Aq/s640/IMG_2919.JPG" width="640" /></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Dessert</b>: Trio of green tea, red bean, and mango mochi ice cream bites. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Chef Makio selects the freshest fish and expertly executives each piece with such care. Watching him work from the behind the bar was mesmerizing. On a return trip we had to up the anty with uni and quail egg yolk and let me tell you it was a life-changing bite. We've been craving this quality of sushi every since and would be happy to make the 50 minute trip to Kingston again and again. </span>Chopsticks Optionalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17462445520505061464noreply@blogger.com01088 Morton Blvd, Kingston, NY 12401, USA41.9616306 -73.99259410000001916.4395961 -115.30118810000002 67.4836651 -32.68400010000002tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2271114985238405847.post-11643993981690962812015-11-17T22:49:00.000-05:002015-12-13T21:45:27.521-05:00Fall Bites 2015<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Colder temperatures definitely call for comfort food, as if that wasn't enough of an excuse to indulge in a few extra calories. Here's a look back at some of our favorite fall bites:
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<img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioFUG7CXhWX7aDsZzpAMbqSMn15PuNSCt55UrK_b33_1tql0eC-zFFK_eqMwJ4GfLb9gn9hIj4ycD4M89Mp7MxIomb8qRkMnK71MbjNGNIygMrzIWruUWR511sa4ktgg3Qe3qwddwsW0Yc/s640/pig+roast.jpg" width="640" /><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Cider Sunday</b>: <b><a href="http://www.ninepincider.com/">Ninepin Ciderworks</a></b> organized a PYO apple and cider festival at <a href="http://www.samascott.com/">Samascott Orchards</a>. It featured a delicious pig roast by <b><a href="http://www.loversleapfarm.com/">Lovers Leap Farm</a></b> complete with sweet potatoes and and corn right from the farm and an icy glass of fresh pressed cider and apple cider doughnut for dessert.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqEsKC8p2jhVF03i_qK6BybV45mUz_EEOdUORYBhVYqjpvCN10kcNccTXxZWZDPmKbsuYd-QMxDg8XtUyP5XrZyhpEQ5e4JOD37x6JfSddkGn6fzl_B7fnKncBZZFRWc6DYUOcuJDg74cY/s1600/ninepin.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqEsKC8p2jhVF03i_qK6BybV45mUz_EEOdUORYBhVYqjpvCN10kcNccTXxZWZDPmKbsuYd-QMxDg8XtUyP5XrZyhpEQ5e4JOD37x6JfSddkGn6fzl_B7fnKncBZZFRWc6DYUOcuJDg74cY/s640/ninepin.jpg" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Things got pretty meta when we started drinking in the orchard. Nine Pin sources a majority of their apples from Samascott and it was pretty awesome drinking in the very place where the fruit comes from. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><a href="https://www.facebook.com/Twin-Peaks-Coffee-Donuts-167554073397379/">Twin Peaks Coffee & Donuts</a></b>: We found ourselves at a doughnut shop while exploring the Catskills and its beautiful foliage. On a whim we stopped by this charming place in Tannersville for hot old-fashioned cake donuts. Each batch is fried to order by a donut robot and freshly glazed as it comes off the conveyor belt . Couldn't go wrong with the maple bacon but it was the Boston creme and samoa doughnuts that had us devouring half the order. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><a href="http://www.tcbakery.com/">TC Paris Bakery</a></b>: Our favorite French bakery is back after a brief hiatus. You can now find them inside the <b><a href="http://www.paviliongrandhotel.com/">Pavilion Grand Hotel</a></b> serving breakfast and lunch daily alongside their decadent confectionaries. For the ultimate comfort food duo, go for the buttery mac 'n cheese made with imported gruyere and aged cheddar and a to-die-for ham and cheese croque monsieur made with a rich and creamy bechamel. Oooey gooey cheese hits the spot. Be sure to leave room for a macaron or two. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><a href="http://heather-ridge-farm.com/">Bees Knees Cafe</a></b>: After <a href="http://chopsticksoptional.blogspot.com/2015/10/heather-ridge-farm-supper-club.html">Supper Club</a>, I knew I wanted to return to Heather Ridge Farm during the daylight to not only enjoy the fall foliage but the weekend brunch. The menu changes every weekend and on this particular day we enjoyed a farm-fresh egg breakfast plate with and house-made corned beef hash and Irish bangers braised in cider with local potatoes and side of brown bread to mop it all up. Flavors were so fresh and knowing the meats were made from pasture-raised and grass-fed animals right from the farm made the experience even more special. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKg9KmN8IWbCkWPEe17f1tI_KEPFns9pD3QRUKmCcv7FGFmHNB8S6bFOiHxBNr5ECziSH411oBMRhU509Zq5GQ78mTf7Y8zQB9DC-urTVAZKftT-MiRJ0ORbDacHC-YxVlOZxZfZAys7LY/s1600/IMG_3513.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKg9KmN8IWbCkWPEe17f1tI_KEPFns9pD3QRUKmCcv7FGFmHNB8S6bFOiHxBNr5ECziSH411oBMRhU509Zq5GQ78mTf7Y8zQB9DC-urTVAZKftT-MiRJ0ORbDacHC-YxVlOZxZfZAys7LY/s640/IMG_3513.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><a href="http://www.cafecapriccio.com/">Cafe Capriccio</a>:</b> I can't believe it took me 8 years to finally make it here. This Capital Region institution has been serving regional Italian cuisine for more than a quarter century and and we only recently made it here for THE BEST plate of pasta. Handmade tagliatelle is tossed in a robust ragu made with tender, melt-in-your mouth wild Icelandic lamb, root vegetables, garlic, cabernet, and tomatoes. The fresh pasta was a wonderful canvas for the sauce. Each bite unfolded layer upon layer of flavor. You'll be seeing us carb loading into the winter months at Cafe Capriccio. </span>Chopsticks Optionalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17462445520505061464noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2271114985238405847.post-82395860365770128912015-11-03T20:43:00.000-05:002015-11-03T23:38:34.961-05:00Peck's Arcade<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The days of summer are long gone but the memory of a delectable meal from </span><b style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.pecksarcade.com/">Peck's Arcade</a> </b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">lingers:</span><br />
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<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQMbOOLkPxQUS47YugEGfbaFWz03QiC6pYJVdyF8y0n-il3I3A1e4TROkqSlA1FwHNBNXZ3y-yg-2QHvu8CBFZwrsMqfZcOT98bPMX4Ff3Qt5GVoLNAw41otXeOsY7K5GXX1NmiZxmAZjd/s640/blogger-image--566400463.jpg" /><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Sipping a </span><b style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">sloe gin fizz</b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> on a perfect sunny day. So smooth as it went down the hatch.</span></div>
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<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx2T58u2RzLjnnsm3oUWXDF-z9puGaMnh4v2g8j36RNc25p1VBBavd3SiLUG2wu1N8nnJyIaki1EViZLK96eoBc1pX_x1eqPCkEt1Tgh-Kf2Hw-3hkiQI6qCqyPKxzqq59uWtUdJ-zcrHs/s640/blogger-image-1705255014.jpg" /><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br />Devouring creamy bites of this <b>23-Layer Potato </b>[gruyere frico, salsa verde, merlot jam]. Thinly sliced potatoes are intricately layered and seared until a golden crust forms. The crispy wafer of nutty, salty cheese was the cherry on top.</span><br />
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<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgWYACVu6MiUkl_hqu7ol0xuNL12ccQwLwNfkX6LklogeVcJO5cI9jowDMdJdKBdSiNfAFP-1_3K8-Xqcpdtqy6RHSCmI9OnHY7NUQfMIRdKtHSM3fodjwyIZZz03QvtgH1eZx5uO2_6JC/s640/blogger-image--761077681.jpg" /><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Marveling at the rainbow of colors and flavors of this </span><b style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">duck with chow chow, frise, and hazelnuts</b><b style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">. </b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It was an unexpected blend of familiar Asian notes with a Southern slaw, but its complexity was a welcomed flavor profile. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJdiux5rNiqBUfjQKr75VAnFkzKv6J1SXmkZSSZSTciqcqcypx9qT19ZfhEIf1_Txuw5G1cfR4tLK3blKap8O9X47WISD2W5IORq59LPtpZFCU5NJUrkVGApERt66YlwCNh8N_gVqV0M6V/s640/IMG_2951.jpg" width="640" /><span style="text-align: left;">Carb-loading on homemade </span><b style="text-align: left;">tagtiatelle with lamb bolognese, peas, and ricotta</b><span style="text-align: left;">. There's nothing better than fresh pasta with a rich, comforting meat sauce. The only drawback was that the pasta could've used a bit more cooking time.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfe9hku07mVSFJB_y923ZcQBQE0o195bZXbihyTGmZ_RlbqGLSEU8_qtHVLqwWy2BOaH0uj0BWX5Aq1Ga5HEm2ypmwu10AfnqhUKeyNW1yoAbYSyFc4Tg0JfQz1XQEBT1vwAoF3-HHgCkC/s640/IMG_2959.jpg" width="640" />Indulging in not one but two desserts: a decadent <b>chocolate brownie</b> with homemade vanilla ice cream and a creamy and tangy <b>chevre goat cheesecake </b>that was not only a piece of art but as good as it looked. From the friendly service to plating of the dishes, Peck's Arcade attention to detail was impeccable. As much as we miss summer, we're looking forward to what the team will bring in the coming winter months. Their creativity is endless.<br /><span style="text-align: center;"></span></span><br />
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Ok...don't judge us too hard but we also indulged in a third dessert next door at The Grocery. The maple soft-serve topped with feuilletine flakes was irresistible. Hopefully its reincarnation as Little Pecks will bring back the ice cream machine. </span></span><br />
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Chopsticks Optionalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17462445520505061464noreply@blogger.com6217 Broadway, Troy, NY 12180, USA42.7313746 -73.6909812000000142.7313291 -73.69106020000001 42.7314201 -73.690902200000011tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2271114985238405847.post-43142546585715440302015-10-21T01:20:00.001-04:002015-12-13T21:42:44.038-05:00Heather Ridge Farm Supper Club <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It's always an adventure when dining with <a href="http://fussylittleblog.com/2015/10/20/finding-our-fabulous-farms/"><b>FUSSYlittleBLOG</b></a>. I was lucky enough to dine with Daniel as his guest at <a href="http://heather-ridge-farm.com/"><b>Heather Ridge Farm</b></a>'s "Why a Duck?" Supper Club in Preston Hollow. This past Sunday's dinner was all about poultry and Chef Rob Handel designed a 5-course meal with the best of the farm's own pasture-raised birds combined with locally farmed and foraged ingredients. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Soup:</b> Guinea fowl consomme with guinea fowl confit, foraged goosefoot, and winter squash gnocchi. The broth was wonderfully complex and flavorful but it was the gamey confit that elevated the dish. If you've never had guinea fowl, it's very duck-like.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Salad</b>: Massaged kale, marinated beets, and roasted parsnips tossed in a pear and hazelnut dressing with goose sausage. I'm obsessed with beets but the highlight of this salad was a well-executed and skillfully prepared sausage. Instead of a traditional casing, Chef Rob stuffed the goose sausage into the skin of goose neck! The creativity was mind-blowing. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Cheese and Charcuterie</b>: Local brovetto cheese, house-made seckle pear mostarda, and turkey and chesnut terrine with foraged garlic seed mustard. I wish this dish could make an appearance at this year's Thanksgiving. The terrine had a delightful center of funky pate that I couldn't get enough of and was savoring every bite of.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Palette cleanser of house-pickled plum. </b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Entree</b>: Cider braised chicken with heirloom apples, served over polenta with roasted brussel sprouts. The chicken was fork-tender and braised in house-pressed cider with apples straight from the farm. I'm going to start stealing this recipe for my own chicken dinners.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Dessert</b>: Fives spice cake with Grenada Chocolate Co. ice cream and smoky duck fat caramel. Never would have thought to use a savory spice blend in a cake but the flavors worked so well as a dessert but what I really came for was the duck fat caramel. Don't knock it til you try it! It's as decadent as it sounds. Duck fat adds an incredible richness that dare I say is even better than butter, and transcends caramel to a whole new level.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">By the time we arrived, it was pitch black so we weren't able to explore the property but Heather Ridge Farm and the Bees Knees Cafe is open year-round for brunch on the weekends. Learn from our adventures--avoid the </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">GPS-led mountain road at all costs! It'll take you up a "seasonal road" that all the locals know to avoid. If you're not in a military vehicle of any sort, you'll be forced to pray that there's a spot for you to do a three-point turn to back into so you can safely come down the road of death without falling off a steep cliff, or get mauled by an wild animal in the middle of nowhere with no cell or data service. </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Props to Daniel for driving us back down safely though. </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Follow </span><a href="http://heather-ridge-farm.com/directions/" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">these ones instead</a>, <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">have the farm's number handy in your phone, and have backup directions. Survive and y</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">ou'll be rewarded by a wonderful and delicious farm-to-table experience!</span></div>
Chopsticks Optionalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17462445520505061464noreply@blogger.com0989 Broome Center Rd, Preston Hollow, NY 12469, USA42.4561199 -74.277527442.4560739 -74.2776064 42.456165899999995 -74.2774484tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2271114985238405847.post-83055862274117917772015-10-06T00:09:00.004-04:002015-12-13T21:43:47.744-05:00Memphis King BBQ<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We don't venture out to Schenectady much but when we do, man is it good eats. Our recent adventure satisfied a long time craving for good, comforting BBQ. It's a charming hole-in-the-wall type of place but <b><a href="http://thememphiskingschenectady.com/">Memphis King BBQ</a></b> delivers on promises of tender and properly smoked meat. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The brisket is delightfully succulent and kissed with a ring of smoke. Ribs are smoked to perfection with this awesome bark yet falling off the bone. The pulled chicken was a tad dry but still flavorful. The sides are equally as amazing. The mac 'n cheese is one of the best around but it's the baked beans that we can't stop raving about. They're sweet and creamy but it's the chunks of smoky meat that really adds to the flavor of the beans. It's drool-worthy. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Memphis King BBQ is really on point with letting the meat shine with just the right amount of smokiness, allowing you to customize even more to your liking with an an array of sauces. The house and hot ones were our favorites but it's worth trying them all. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXyNxrQ_zK65dfXROr6lsVwEh-iEGk5LdsUNy6lu1zZQIe0nhP4AUU253cDtXKkhNX2Zv5WBdl8ftnSyVXz3b7Z_g8Ps47NMDIIQi9FBDc12EqFiDSaxxkYQHNk6VDrYZq3ytgSDeSqaD4/s1600/IMG_2584.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXyNxrQ_zK65dfXROr6lsVwEh-iEGk5LdsUNy6lu1zZQIe0nhP4AUU253cDtXKkhNX2Zv5WBdl8ftnSyVXz3b7Z_g8Ps47NMDIIQi9FBDc12EqFiDSaxxkYQHNk6VDrYZq3ytgSDeSqaD4/s640/IMG_2584.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">One menu item not to overlook is the fried chicken. Despite being a BBQ joint, this place rocks a mean piece of crispy buttermilk fried chicken. The flavor is all in the dark meat of the chicken thighs they use and to boot, it's deboned and only $3.99 a piece. Consider it another wonderful side dish to all the wonderful BBQ.</span>Chopsticks Optionalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17462445520505061464noreply@blogger.com01902 Van Vranken Ave, Schenectady, NY 12308, USA42.8271856 -73.9216460000000117.3051511 -115.23024000000001 68.3492201 -32.61305200000001tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2271114985238405847.post-27094023408185814502015-09-23T00:04:00.001-04:002015-12-13T21:48:12.724-05:00Summer Bites 2015<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Adios Summer! I'm sad to see the weather cool down a bit. Our summer was so busy between work and our <a href="http://chopsticksoptional.blogspot.com/2015/08/a-chopsticks-optional-wedding.html"><b>wedding</b> </a>but it was nice to indulge in some seasonal treats in between. Here's a look back at some favorite bites from the summer:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><a href="http://www.constantineenterprises.com/IceCream.html">Scoup's Ice Cream</a></b>: This little stand by The Crossings makes delicious homemade hard ice cream but it was the homemade Italian ice that had us coming back all summer-long. The texture is delightfully smooth and the lemon ice is so tart and refreshing.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisLl2QH52vJ32138OlAaIqLBqDZFCOL-i7U96lmudPOTQQFmjDoTvyPeMHjklTvOyTtV277JkpfYN6vh7t6W4iOf800TDcOeSxplaUxnKNveNIYrrH3_iRfuP__4z8w9S9FIXb278hvOhV/s640/blogger-image-803956866.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisLl2QH52vJ32138OlAaIqLBqDZFCOL-i7U96lmudPOTQQFmjDoTvyPeMHjklTvOyTtV277JkpfYN6vh7t6W4iOf800TDcOeSxplaUxnKNveNIYrrH3_iRfuP__4z8w9S9FIXb278hvOhV/s640/blogger-image-803956866.jpg" width="640" /></a><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.tastee-freez.com/"><b>Tastee Freez</b></a>: It was definitely the summer of soft serve. We found ourselves making several trips to the Delmar stand for his and hers cones.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.jumpinjacksdriveininc.com/"><b>Jumpin Jacks Drive-In</b></a>: We finally made it to this iconic landmark for the first time ever. The food isn't gourmet (and doesn't have to be) but there's a certain nostalgic factor to the place that adds to the atmosphere . The signature Jack Burger with the coleslaw was a bit perplexing but the onion rings and fish fry were surprisingly delicious. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://theclamshack.net/"><b>The Clam Shack</b></a>: Our mini-honeymoon turned into a quasi Tour de Maine Lobster Roll in Kennebunkport. The lobster roll at The Clam Shack far outshined the rest of the bunch with generous chunks of lobster meat. Look at that whole tail! The half-butter, half-mayo mixture also added extra flavor. The fried clams were just as stellar but you have to get the ones with the bellies. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><a href="http://chopsticksoptional.blogspot.com/2014/06/cantine-le-relais-202-poutine.html">Cantine Le Relais</a></b>: A trip home to Montreal and back wouldn't have been complete without a stop by our favorite little summer poutine shack by the Canadian border. Every squeaky bite reminded us how delicious and unique cheese curds are in Quebec. </span>Chopsticks Optionalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17462445520505061464noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2271114985238405847.post-77926670217189519722015-09-01T22:04:00.000-04:002015-12-13T21:49:17.759-05:00Lunch at Namu Korean BBQ<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsav4NZbkayc41huGkKvPzzs8EjSWsRgTQ8Y5IcM2_jfDQkFktqqFCsJLMzXTpqPqjZ_mGhjbXHSs2UHjCJMe5wxNX49n3XGv_PXwxWks1yqsI_OGYK8UrNBzM93qVmmf3m7ySsq0vlvjp/s1600/IMG_2723.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsav4NZbkayc41huGkKvPzzs8EjSWsRgTQ8Y5IcM2_jfDQkFktqqFCsJLMzXTpqPqjZ_mGhjbXHSs2UHjCJMe5wxNX49n3XGv_PXwxWks1yqsI_OGYK8UrNBzM93qVmmf3m7ySsq0vlvjp/s640/IMG_2723.JPG" width="640" /></a><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Need an excuse to play hookie? How about lunch at <b><a href="http://chopsticksoptional.blogspot.com/2015/02/namu-korean-bbq.html">Namu Korean BBQ</a></b>. The special menu is only available Monday-Friday from 11am to 3pm and many dishes you won't find on the dinner menu. </span><br />
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<b style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Kimchi Taco</b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">: It's Korea by way of Mexico in one tasty bite. Your choice of marinated meat, kimchi, sprouts, and a tangy and spicy sauce is mixed with a fresh tomato salsa wrapped up in a tortilla. The bulgogi beef and spicy pork are highly recommended. Sweet and salty meat meets the fresh bite and crunch of fresh veggies. It's a fusion of flavors and textures that works really well. </span><br />
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<b style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Kimbop</b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">: Looks like sushi but with delicious meat! A generously filled rice roll is stuffed with your choice of meat (we chose bulgogi beef) along with carrots, cucumber, and pickled radish and rolled up in seaweed. It's the perfect lunch in a bite-sized slice. Plus that potent sweet and spicy mustard sauce really kicks things up a notch.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Spicy pork and squid</b>: Marinated slices of juicy pork and tender squid come sizzling on a hot plate and served with a bowl of rice. You'll find a non-spicy version of just the squid on the dinner menu but this lunch plate packs a lot more flavor plus you get pork with this one. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The best part of lunch? You still get free banchan side dishes including J's favorite soy eggs and my favorite chap chae noodles. If you're going to play hookie, just plan for a post-lunch nap after this meal.</span><br />
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<br />Chopsticks Optionalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17462445520505061464noreply@blogger.com01770 Central Avenue, Albany, NY 12205, USA42.7282159 -73.8464893000000317.206181400000002 -115.15508330000003 68.2502504 -32.537895300000031