It’s going to be a long-ass tourist season this year. Cause there’s a new race on Sept. 15 – the Steeplechase Festival. Hey, I’m all for more money coming into the town – but could we just have that without the trackies? Please?
Price Chopper
The Price Chopper in town is moving to it’s swanky new location on Sunday, but it’s changing the rules on us. It’s .10/gallon off now if you spend $100, not $50. It’s going to be a funn summer, with gas prices likely to be bumping uglies with $5.
Saratoga Springs News, April
I don’t know how many of you encountered this late Monday – but apparently the ramp onto the Northway at exit 15 was closed late Monday night because there was a high-speed chase and the guy crashed…and they had to hunt him down. Awesome.
The Saratoga Y was also chosen to offer the Livestrong program to cancer survivors.
Megabus has arrived to Saratoga but might potentially be a little spotty when it comes to the arrival? Maybe? But the stop is at the Casino off of Jefferson Street. (The route is Burlington to Manhattan and back).[Saratogian]
Yeah, so we’re back around. But if you’re interested in contributing, feel free to hit us (who am I kidding – me) up at editor(at)strictlysaratoga(dot)com. And we can talk. Maybe. If I like you.
Weather, Parking and More Drinking
Sorry to have been away lately, I was just lazy. And there wasn’t really much going on here in ‘Toga.
But big news in the shrinking world of free Saratoga parking, one of the lots behind Putnam (Market) closed today as they prepare to build an effing ginormus parking structure back there. Fun times. It’ll be ready for the summer, but not for us. (At least, I thinnk it’ll be ready for the summer. If it’s not going to be, well, then, that’s just stupid)
And if you didn’t get enough drinking done last weekend, feel free to drink some more and be “Thirsty for the Cause” – that is, Hannah’s Hope Fund – this Saturday. The pub crawl starts at 4PM at Irish Times. Get your drink on for a good cause, ok?
On a different note, I’m late to the game. Spa City Bicycleworks opened on the 14th – a bicycle-cum-cafe that could work really well in the Beekman Street district, but only time will tell. Check ‘em out!
And PS, this weather should last through the weekend – but there are forecasts for rain come Sunday…but that’s always too early for the weathermen to tell anything important.
Rumors and Riggi
First things first – if you’ve ever wondered what the inside of the Palace on Broadway looks like, check out the article in the Times Union. Mamma Riggi owns 36 dogs. Yup. And she has a dog room. Think what you will, but I agree with the folks over at IBI – it seems like a lonely life.
Second – also from IBI – there are a few rumors floating around, still slash again. This time it’s that Tiznow’s is up for sale – check out saratogaspringsrestaurantforsale.com if you don’t believe (and see what restaurant you think they’re talking about) and there’s also a possibility that H&M is moving out of Wilton Mall and coming downtown somewhere.
And if you’re a spice whore (or just like to cook) you can pair your Saratoga Olive Oil with Penzey’s Spices – which is down at Crossgates. (as reviewed by Dan. B on All Over Albany).
Brace yourself for St. Patrick’s Day!
Snow On A Leap Year
Yup, there’s snow today. The weathermen are also predicting some more accumulation here in Saratoga tomorrow. And then rain Saturday. Yay.
If you’re one to plan ahead, Saratoga County Restaurant Week is happening March 16-25th, with at least 40 restaurants in the area participating, offering a fixed price of $20.12 for a three-course meal set menu during that week.
In other news, Virgil’s isn’t closing – but she’s looking for a new space while keeping a month-to-month lease with her landlords, rather than renewing again for another five years. So maybe we’ll be seeing Virgil’s on Broadway sometime soon? [Saratogian]
On Deck – the art show to benefit the Saratoga Skate Park and local skate community, starts this weekend – March 3. Check it out and buy some art for the kids. Or your friend that made a skate deck.
And apparently we’ve gotten stupid enough over this non-winter that we can’t remember how to deal with snow, and some snow emergencies have apparently gone into affect in the local area.
Regardless, do be safe. Yup. Now go frolic in the snow.
It’s Fat Tuesday
…but this week in Saratoga is probably going to go straight to hell, cause right after Ash Wednesday, Beer Week starts. (Which isn’t really a “week” at all, more like three and a half days, but if you want more info, check ‘em out. There are a lot of free events around town, and an estimated 4,000 people attending, but the price for an all-access pass…well, that’ll be more than a Benjamin, folks).
But down to what’s going on today. It’s Mardi Gras. (And sorry, I have no beads for you).
IBI calls the all-night shindig over at Putnam Den the best in town – apparently it goes until 4AM. And I’m sure most places in town (not in the least, Hatties) will have something going on tonight for Mardi Gras. Just head into town and follow the train of already-drunk sidewalk stumblers.
Got to go to Max London’s late last week, should have a review posted sometime soon.
We Talk To Moms Too
Check out what I have to say about what’s going on this week over at Saratogamama. (Thats fun to say, isn’t it? Saratogamama)
Happy Valentines Day
Yeah, we went there. Happy Valentines Day folks.
As for what’s going on in the world other than cupids and shooting arrows, an 11 year old in East Greenbush got arrested for stealing a car [WTEN]
Phantogram is heading to Bonnaroo, Saratoga (county) Restaurant week is March 16-25, Jess from 518 Bites n Sights had the dough girl and quite loved it, the Blockbuster in Wilton is closing (after Drive In – noooo), and our friends over at IBI got a shout-out from the Saratogian for being on top of the local news. [Nippertown, TU, Saratogian]
Now stop trolling the internet and spend time with someone who actually wants to see your ugly mug.
Chowderfest and Stuff and Things
Yeah, Chowderfest. There are other pictures from Chowderfest up on the Facebook page.
As for my thoughts on Chowderfest of the places where I had chowder, that is -
- Lillians
- Parting Glass
- Dango’s
- Esperanto’s
- Irish Times
- Jacob and Anthony’s
- and maybe somewhere else
…the only really crap chowder that I had was, I’m sorry to say, from Espo’s. Dango’s hot wing chowder was actually pretty good, I have to say.
What were your least and most favorite chowders?
Busy February
It’s time for things to start kicking off again in Saratoga…kind of. Well, at least for the month of February. We have Chowderfest coming up this weekend, followed by the Dance Flurry the 17-19 and Saratoga Beer Week the 23-25th. Busy month, and time to drop a lot of money quickly, without realizing you are. (And somewhere between gorging on tiny dollar samples of chowder, spewing potato chips all over the TV screen and waiting to dance your shoes off, ya should remember to spend time with your honey…even if Honey is your cat).
But as for some more timely things…
The Saratoga Diner closed suddenly – today – and apparently for good. The business owners declined to comment to the Saratogian. It’s a shock to the waitstaff (undoubtedly) but they lay the closure on the shoddy state of the building and the bathrooms. [Saratogian]
If you don’t want to listen to shouts and yells of angry and rabid fans on Sunday, check out the list of establishments that don’t have TV’s in the Saratoga area. And you could always go to one of the numerous cafes around town as well – though Virgil’s is bound to be the quietest. [IBI]
Out With The Old
Beverley’s is closing this weekend, after more than 22 years on Phila Street – if you’re jonsing for the breakfast spot, get there this weekend…while you still can. [Saratogian] [IBI]
I believe it is still unconfirmed, but there are rumors going around that Russo’s will be moving into the Brindisi’s location on Broadway. [IBI] [Saratogian]
Also in the closings news, Pizza on Broadway will be no more (though the sale isn’t quite final yet, apparently), but will be another DZ restaurant, this one a Spanish/Mediterranean type tapas restaurant. Another DZ restaurant, really? [IBI] [TU]
Local foodie blogger (along with FussyLittleBLOG), Albany Jane, went to Forno recently and wasn’t that impressed – though she liked the bartenders. I have a soft spot for Forno because I was there on the opening weekend, like, 6 years ago. But I tend to agree that Forno isn’t that filling (or that spectacular) for the price. But the pizzas are pretty good.
All the local publications are abuzz because the Boss is coming to the TU Center in March-ish. So if you’re a fan of Springsteen and his crew, earmark the near future to pay out the nose for tickets to see him in Albany. [Everyone]
For the ukulele fans in Saratoga, Youtube sensation Julia Nunes (who attended Skidmore College) will be playing tonight on Conan.
In the world of the government (though I don’t pay quite as much attention as I probably should) the racing department and the lottery department of the state government are likely going to merge. And there’s talk of Las Vegas style gambling to come in future legislation. I feel like I should start recruiting a crew of nerdy and attractive MIT students now… [Saratogian]
And I really, really hope that we get a Bow Tie theater in the old Borders location. If nothing else, it’ll break up the row of empty storefronts. [IBI]
Ambulances, Airplanes & Skaters, Oh My
Ravenous has deals -
- Two dinner crepes, two side salads, one medium pommes frites and any dessert to share, $29.99. Available 5 to 9 p.m. Saturday, through Feb. 11.
- Free small pommes frites with any beer or wine order, 4 to 6 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday, through Feb. 12. [TU]
The Saratoga Springs Fire Department is probably going to be taking over the ambulance services for the area, as the Saratoga EMS is shutting down quite soon – the first (and well, only) time in 20 years. The Fire Department, assuming they get the right papers – would be able to use their 2007 Ford ambulance (oooh, shiny) to get patients to the hospital. This move is also a way to keep our firefighters in the black – their federal funding grant expires at the end of this year. The mayor did vote against the move, though. [TU]
We have a Red Tail (or a Tuskegee Airman for you history buffs) among us, Clarence Dart. (Pssst, go see the movie too) [AOA] [Saratogian]
Terry Peters, a local farmer, won right about 100K at the casino. “Peters is a diamond member of the Player Extras Club and said she was very excited about hitting the jackpot.” meaning, it sounds to me, that she’s going to just put the money right back in the machines. But who knows. [Saratogian]
Spring Street Gallery is holding a contest to benefit the Saratoga Skatepark – the show is titled “On Deck” and the submission has to be..well, a skateboard deck. Submissions need to be in by Feb. 28. [IBI]
If you can’t tell, there ain’t much going on right now. Hopefully I’ll have a local review of some sort or another up after the weekend, and February (and the Chowder Fest) can’t come soon enough.
Welcome To 2012
…and we’re back.
There may not be much going on right now, but there are some things to look forward to – that is, Beer Week at the end of February, and Chowderfest Feb 3 -5. Let’s hope the weather holds and we aren’t freezing our butts off going from one chowder stand to the other.
If you’re itching for an event before then, Biz Markie is going to be at Club Vapor the 21st of this month. (video after the jump). (more…)
Happy Holidays
Happy Holidays and we will see you in 2012.