2014 was another tasty year. Sadly, a handful of our favorite eateries won't be making it past the New Year, some have already shuttered their doors and others closing its storefront soon.
Here's a recap of some 2014 bites that we'll miss dearly:
Good Night Noodle: This short-lived alter ego of Good Morning Cafe offered the Capital Region a unique take on Vietnamese food. For the first time in my life, pho went organic, healthy, and locally sourced. It was a welcomed alternative to our rotation and we'll miss its concept. (Closed November 2014; Good Morning Cafe still open for delicious breakfast!)
Shwe Mandalay: Even more short-lived was this quaint Burmese joint. Global flavors like this type of cuisine is what I crave. It wasn't mainstream but packed so much flavor. This particular soup, moh hnn kahr, was pungeant and aromatic and just so different. What I'll miss the most is the fried, salted fish. (Closed October 2014)
Crisan: I'm kicking myself for not stopping here more often. Desserts were pieces of edible art with the kind of unique flavor combinations right up my alley. Summers won't be the same without the $2 scoop of gelato in flavors like honey bergamot and lavender. (Storefront closing Jan. 1; open for custom orders.)
The Crisp Cannoli: We said ciao to the only place that made cronuts aka crodos. The Dunkin Donuts monstrosity doesn't count. Sadly they were all sold out of the croissant doughnut hybrid but we indulged in one last sweet bite of hot, fresh-out-of-the-fryer crodoli--a cannoli croissant concoction filled with cannoli cream. (Storefront closing December 24; wholesale and mobile catering to continue.)
Tavern Noodle: Honorable mention goes to this pop-up ramen shop. The flavors didn't quite live up to our expectations (we've been spoiled by Pai Men Miyake) but kudos to Lucas Confectionary for bringing a taste of ramen to the area, even for a couple of nights.
I love the opportunity to explore new flavors, especially when it's right here in Albany. Not too long ago we joined Albany Jane for a Burmese feast at Shwe Mandalay. What exactly is Burmese food? It's a unique blend of flavors with Indian and Chinese influence with its own distinct flavors. I've never encountered such unfamiliar but delicious tastes. It's definitely a new cuisine that I wanted to introduce my parents to on a return visit.
Bu Tee Kyaw: This Burmese squash dish is fried in a light and crispy batter and served with a tangy tamarind dipping sauce. It's a great contrast of textures reminiscent of zucchini fries and one of my favorites dishes.
Southern Shan Sausage: A beef and pork sausage stuffed with sticky rice and vermicelli. Another return favorite, these were fun bites to share. The chewy, soft texture caught me off guard at first but the more I ate, the more I liked it.
Moh Hinn Khar: Simply described as Burmese Favorite soup, it was enough to pique our interest. It's a savory and pungent (in a good way!) rice noodle fish soup with a mix of aromatic herbs, lemongrass, garlic, ginger and additions of hard boiled eggs and most uniquely fried chickpea fritters. Like most other dishes, the textural contrasts between the crispy fried bits with the rich broth was a delicious combo. Sadly this soup is only available Monday thru Wednesday only.
