Sunhee’s Farm & Kitchen in Troy

If you’re looking for fabulous Korean food, a welcoming environment and a great experience, Sunhee’s Farm & Kitchen in Troy is the place to go.

I had the pleasure of sitting down with one of the owners recently to chat about how they got started and why they are passionate about the food they serve (video under the Bite Me Show tab coming soon courtesy of Filmworks 109). The dream began when two longtime friends combined their love of cooking, Korean heritage and names (a mashup of the owner’s names Sun Hwa and Chun Hee) to create Sunhee’s.

Their love for food is evident in the farm fresh dishes they serve on a daily basis. They take special care when choosing where to source ingredients and like to utilize local farms like one out of Cambridge, NY specializing in Korean and domestic vegetables.

The menu looked fantastic and I had a hard time deciding what to get but the Bibimbap is one of their signature dishes so I went with that. I added beef and a fresh sunny-side egg which I highly recommend. If you're unfamiliar with Bibimbap, it's a rice bowl served with fiddlehead, spinach, carrot, turnip, bean sprouts, shiitake mushroom, cooked egg strips, sesame oil and sesame seeds. Sunhee's offers the option to add beef, a sunny-side egg or tofu.

The kimchi is made from a family recipe that’s been handed down for generations and it had the perfect balance of spiciness and crunch.  It was so good I ended up buying a jar which is available at their restaurant as well as the Troy Farmers Market on Saturdays.

The restaurant also has a small market where you can purchase other products like these incredible puffed cereal cookies (which are completely addicting).

There were a lot of other interesting items as well so if you want to try something new or unique like shrimp chips, definitely check out what they have to offer.

Sunhee’s is such a special spot located right in Troy. The traditional Korean fare, warm inviting atmosphere and incredibly nice owners will make you feel right at home.

Eating my way through Cape Cod

Summertime means trips to the beach, and what better place to be during the dog days of summer than Cape Cod. The only other thing I plan more diligently then my beach days, are my dining days. We arrived in the charming town of Chatham, MA and after a morning stroll on the beach, we headed down to Main St for one of my all-time favorite treats, a Ritzie from the Chatham Candy Manor. It is a perfectly salty sweet combination of peanut butter sandwiched between 2 buttery Ritz crackers covered in dark chocolate. So simple, yet so good.

I noticed just above the Ritzies that there was something called Jordon Crackers. It piqued my interest so I asked what they were and uncovered another addiction. They were oyster crackers covered in either dark or milk chocolate and irresistible.

After indulging on chocolate for breakfast, we headed over to Chatham Cookware for something a little more substantial. We started with the Nitro Cold Brew which was the perfect way to fuel up while enjoying their delectable breakfast sandwiches served on toasted Portuguese rolls (sorry no pics, we ate them too fast :).  If you are looking for a quick breakfast or lunch, stop in and grab one of their many different sandwich or salad options.

After a day on the beach and some down time, we headed out to dinner. Chatham has a lot of dining options, but one of my favorites is the Wild Goose Tavern located right in the heart of the main strip. We started with the Tahini Hummus and Greek Salsa served with pita bread. For the main course, we ordered the Nicoise salad and the Fish and Chips. The salad consisted of Haricot verts, boiled egg, fingerling potatoes, olives and cherry tomatoes then topped with pepper seared ahi tuna. It was absolutely delicious and the combination of the egg with the potatoes, salty olives and crisp Haricot verts was perfect. The Fish and Chips were also wonderful and fried to perfection (although anything fried usually is). The Goose offers outdoor dining which is nice since a lot of restaurants on Main St don’t. The fun party atmosphere and entertaining bartenders inside make that a great option too. Try one of their house made infused vodkas or gin if you’re looking for a fun cocktail.

Friday turned out to be a little more overcast which means it’s time to dine! You can’t beat the inimitable beauty of Chatham Bars Inn, and we have made it an annual tradition to have lunch at The Beach House.

I swear I am going to try something new every year but the Swordfish Tacos get me every time. They are topped with queso fresco, shredded cabbage, cilantro lime crema and pickled red onion then served in a white corn tortilla. It’s the perfect seaside lunch with a breathtaking backdrop.

Since the weather wasn’t the best for a beach day, we headed up to Rock Harbor to check out the iconic trees that are placed in the water which mark the channel boats can take. After seeing so many pictures of it on Instagram, it was really fun to actually see it in person.

As we headed north, the sun started to shine and it put me in the mood for a sweet treat. PB Boulangerie located in Wellfleet has some of the best croissants, freshly baked bread and desserts on the Cape. This French bistro is a must no matter where you are staying. Although the Chocolate Tarte and Coffee Eclair looked superb, I thought I’d keep it light and get the Pavlova. The fresh tart raspberries on top balanced out the sweet crunchy meringue making it the perfect afternoon pick me up.  I can’t recommend their croissants, bread or desserts highly enough. They also serve dinner and offer a prix fixe menu option as well. Bon Appétit!

After some Wellfleet adventures checking out the Bookstore and Mac’s Seafood, it was time to hit up another Cape Cod staple, “the Comah.” The Beachcomber consistently gets rated as one of the top 10 beach bars in the country and if you’ve been, you know why. The views overlooking the endless beach and blue sky are spectacular.

The vibe at the Comah is fun, relaxed and beachy (not to mention crowded ALL THE TIME.) We usually try and grab a seat at the bar (after I hover over people paying their bill;) since the wait to sit at a table is typically pretty long. They have a raw bar where you can order oysters, clams, ahi tuna and a plethora of other freshly caught seafood. After enjoying some freshly shucked Wellfleet oysters, we apparently couldn’t get enough and ordered the fried oysters and tuna tacos. The reggae, fresh seafood and beach vibe will keep you in a summer state of mind making you never want to leave. It’s one of my favorite places to go, EVER!

We started Friday out at The Chatham Cheese Company which offers a wonderful selection of artisanal cheeses, charcuterie, wine and crackers along with bread and other small snacks. This is a great shop to check out if you are looking to bring something to the beach or want some delicious options for a cheese board. The staff is more than helpful and if you are looking for recommendations, they know which direction to point you in. If you go, I highly recommend the Manchego.

A new and extremely cool experience we discovered this year was the Chatham Shellfish Company. It’s a little place near Harding’s Beach where they raise oysters that you can buy right out of the ocean for one of freshest oyster experiences you'll ever have. It was so interesting to see how they cultivated them and to check out the operation. It was a really fun thing to do and if you're an oyster fan, it’s worth the experience if you think you won’t lose a finger trying to pry them open yourself :).

Apparently dessert is always on my mind so we headed to another Cape Cod staple, Sundae School. This was actually our maiden voyage (ummm hello how could this be?) and all the hype is true. The chocolate chip cookie dough ice cream taught me why this will be another annual tradition. The rich creamy ice cream, gobs of cookie dough and bittersweet chocolate chips were a match made in heaven and Sundae School gets an A++ on this one.

Another fun adventure to check out if you’re in Cape Cod is Truro Vineyards. They offer both wine and spirit tastings in a beautiful setting just south of Provincetown. It’s a relaxed scene with plenty of tables to hang out at and enjoy some wine or food from one of the food trucks. If you go and want to grab wine before or after a tasting, I recommend the Rosé and Cabernet Franc. Wine tastings are done every half hour overlooking their beautiful vineyards.

As we journeyed back to Chatham, we stopped at another yearly favorite, The Wequassett Resort. This spectacular hotel has impeccable views and amenities with a giant gas fire pit and pool overlooking Pleasant Bay. In keeping with the Cape Cod theme, I started out with the Devils Purse Kolch which was crisp and refreshing.  It went perfectly with the soy and green chili tuna poke. If you want fabulous food in an incredible setting, this is a must.

Another tavern to check out in Chatham (they also have a location in Dennis Port) is the Red Nun. It has a relaxed vibe, good crowd and delicious food.

After some fun at the Nun we headed to The Squire where it’s always a party and a great way to wrap up a late night.

While we were out and about over the weekend, three separate people mentioned Bluefins Sushi and Sake Bar. We have walked past this place many times but it was never on our radar to stop in. After all the notable mentions, we thought we’d bid farewell to the Cape and have lunch there before leaving to go home. We started with the Asparagus Fries which were tempura battered and came with a truffle aioli dipping sauce. My only complaint is that I had to share. We also had the Lettuce Cups which were filled with grilled pork belly, pickled cucumber, carrot and daikon slaw and miso mustard aioli served on top of bibb lettuce. Along with that we had a couple of sushi rolls which were unique and delicious. If you are in the area, definitely put this one on your list.

A few other notable mentions- Although we didn’t have dinner at Bistro on Main, the menu and atmosphere looked great.

The Chatham Wine Bar is also excellent and we really enjoyed the food there last year (shown below is the tuna tartare with miso sorbet). Plus they have a pretty outdoor dining area with fire pits.

If you’re in Provincetown, check out The Canteen and definitely get the Crispy Brussel Sprouts in fish sauce. Make sure you walk around back and check out the outdoor dining area and views of the ocean.

If you need something sweet, head over to Scott Cakes where you have to “open your mind because there’s only one kind.” They only offer one type of cupcake but the soft velvety vanilla cake topped with their signature pink frosting is really all you need.

Wishing you delicious travels in Cape Cod and beyond!

Weekend Wrap Up in Food Photos

It was a delicious weekend where I kicked things off at Oaxaquena in Albany with some of the most amazing and authentic Mexican food I’ve had in a while. The chips and guacamole were wonderful, and all 3 tacos we tried were fabulous.  I had a Cricket taco for the first time, and really enjoyed it along with tacos al Pastor and Tinga tacos.

We had dinner at Blue Water Manor in Lake George on Saturday, and the pulled pork paired nicely with the mountains as a backdrop. I wish I could eat here every night with views like this!

You can't have dinner without dessert and what better place to grab an ice creme than at Martha's Dandee Creme in Queensbury. I think the entire Capital District and beyond may have been there, but it's worth the wait.

Enjoyed a cool glass of Sauvignon Blanc at The Sagamore on Sunday before heading to Bolton for a wine tasting.

The Adirondack Winery has a new tasting room in Bolton Landing (blog post to follow later this week) so we stopped in to sample some wine which was delightful and went really well with the Locavore cheese plate. It was such a great time and we really enjoyed talking with the knowledgeable staff about their products along with the other local items they sell. If you are in the area, make it a point to stop in and say hi. They also have another tasting room in Lake George Village as well.

Finally, I picked up some limited edition Polar seltzer at Healthy Living Market in Saratoga to help rehydrate OR use with Pick Six Vodka :) #biteme #localequalsgood

The Adirondack Wine and Food Festival 2017

The Adirondack Wine and Food Festival is quickly becoming one of my favorite annual events. You can’t beat the setting or the spectacular weather we’ve been lucky enough to have each year. The event is held at the Charles R. Wood Park right next to Lake George, and this year they featured over 80 artisan food vendors, wineries and breweries.

The festival partners with the SUNY Adirondack culinary program and a portion of all ticket sales goes towards a scholarship fund. They were nice enough to ask me to be a part of a promotional video a few weeks back, and I met with Chef Matt who is one of the instructors. He prepared one of the dishes that was featured at the event where students from SUNY Adirondack do cooking demos on both Saturday and Sunday. It was a lot of fun and the best part was getting to try the beef carpaccio topped with pickled shallots and horseradish mayo. Pair that with The Adirondack Winery’s Syrah, and you’ve got a perfect match!

What’s great about the festival is that you are able to sample lots of products giving you the opportunity to try before you buy. Seeing as though the Adirondack Winery puts the event on, I thought we’d start at their tent for some samples. It was a warm sunny day and their Sauvignon Blanc really hit the spot. So much so, we ended up grabbing three bottles (and plan on going to their new sampling room in Bolton Landing this weekend to pick up more:). Another favorite was the Saratoga Sparkling Rosé from Galway Rock which was light, dry and crisp with the perfect amount of sparkle.  The 1911 Grapefruit Cider was a delicious new discovery and provided a tart refreshing splash of refreshment. The distilleries offered a lot of great options as well, and Saratoga Courage Distillery’s Pick 6 vodka is one of our favorites to use in Moscow mules or just over ice. The Peach Tea Cider from Nine Pin  will cool you off on a warm summer day too so I recommend grabbing it while you can.

After lots of sipping, it was time to check out the food vendors. The Empanada Sonata food truck was calling our name and we got the Hawaiian BBQ chicken empanada which was fried to perfection. The crispiness on the outside paired well with the flavorful pulled chicken smothered in Hawaiian BBQ sauce on the inside. Delicioso!

Nettle Meadow Farm had a nice display of cheeses to try which were all wonderful and I ended up grabbing the Sappy Ewe to go with the Saratoga Crackers I had purchased. It was a match made in heaven! The cheese is described as a bloomy rind cheese consisting of sheep and cow curds coated with an Adirondack maple reduction and aged to perfection. I couldn’t agree more! After a few other nibbles at the Cheese Filled Company and Lake George Olive Oil Company, it was time for dessert. When I saw that Martha’s Dandee Creme was there with ice cream sandwiches, I knew what had to happen. The only problem was picking a flavor.  Since we couldn’t decide on one, we got two (hellooooo salted caramel)!! It was a sweet way to end the day.

Like wine and cheese, The Adirondack Wine and Food Festival just gets better with age. If you weren’t able to make it this year, mark your calendar for June 23^rd and 24^th 2018. You don’t want to miss out! Cheers!

Patio Party

It’s the most wonderful time of the year! Summer is in full swing, and what better way to celebrate than with cocktails and great food at many of the outdoor patios in the area. I put together a list of my favorite places to dine and wine al fresco. I’d love to hear where you like to go, so let me know by commenting or sending me a message. I’m sure there are plenty that I missed. :)  Cheers to warm days and fun outdoor nights!

Southern Saratoga County

Lake Local

Doc Browns

The Mill on Round Lake

Carson’s Woodside Tavern

Troy

Dinosaur BBQ

Brown's Taproom

Lucas Confectionary

The Hill at Muza

Adirondacks

Blue Water Manor

The Boathouse

Chateau on the Lake

The Algonquin

The Sagamore

UpRiver Café

Lake Placid

The Cottage

Top of the Park

Smoke Signals

Artisans at The Lake Placid Lodge

Saratoga

Hattie’s

Salt and Char

Forno Bistro

Saratoga National

Mouzon House

Sperry’s

Druthers

Schenectady

The Van Dyck (Mad Jack Brewing)

The Water’s Edge Lighthouse

Albany

El Mariachi on Hamilton St

Olde English Pub

Iron Gate Cafe

Hope to see you this summer!

Fun Filled Food Adventures in Maine

We headed to Maine this past weekend for a little getaway, and I discovered some great new places in addition to visiting old favorites.

David’s KPT located right on the water in Kennebunkport, showcases Maine ingredients with a contemporary twist, and in addition, offers a great happy hour  from 3-6. We had dinner plans so we decided to go light and get the cheese plate which was a nice accompaniment to the happy hour rose´.  The BBQ Pork Steam Bun with pineapple-honey BBQ sauce and Bruschetta with white bean hummus and corn & black bean relish really appealed to me too. This has always been a favorite of ours, and I’d highly recommend stopping in.

Another Kennebunkport gem is Rococo’s Ice Cream. They offer an array of artisan ice cream flavors like Banana Red Hot, Amarula Pecan, Ginger Sour Cherry Jam and Green Tea Ginger. I tried a lot of samples before deciding on Speculoos & Chocolate Pretzel on top of Horchata Rum Cake in a pretzel cone. I have to say that the Salty Sweet Cream was AMAZING and I wish I got that one too. Thankfully my husband did and he’s used to sharing (a lot).

Apparently, I’m an "eat dessert first" kind of person because we had this BEFORE going to dinner. I guess it doesn’t really matter which order things go in, as long as you get to indulge. I read a lot about Old Vines Wine Bar which is in the Lower Village so we decided to try something new and check it out. I would definitely put this place on your list because we loved the vibe, food and atmosphere. The cocktails were fantastic and the OVWB hand cut fries were to die for! They consisted of Maine potato, taro root and sweet potato fries topped with Cajun dust and served with tamarind ketchup. You’d be remiss not to get these as either a starter or side. Their cocktail list offers a lot of options like the Bee’s Knees which had Plymouth gin, honey, lemon and lavender and the On a Whimelet made with barr hill gin, lime, honey, egg whites and brandied cherries.  Both hit the spot on a sunny evening by the fire pits on their patio.

While driving through Wells, ME on our way to Ogunquit, I spotted a candy shop on the side of the road that caught my eye called Perkins Cove Candies. Figured why not see what they have since we didn’t eat enough this weekend. Well let me just say that they had amazing chocolates and may take the prize for one of the BEST dark chocolate covered sea salt caramels I have ever had. The caramel was rich, soft and buttery drenched in delectable dark chocolate. The sea salt on top is what took it over the top though. It was a nice combination of small and big pieces that added the perfect amount of crunch and saltiness. Glad to see they take online orders because this would make a great gift or nice treat for yourself.

We continued down Route 1 as we headed into Ogunquit, and decided to stop and walk around the town as well as check out the beach. Apparently I can’t stop eating sugar because there was this beautiful looking chocolate shop called Harbor Candy House that was calling my name. I swear I was just going in to browse, but everything looked so good that we had to get a couple of treats (at least we try and share cutting the calories in half. Or at least attempt to;).  One thing that really jumped out was the Trifection which is white, milk and dark chocolate with a layer of hazelnut butter and almond butter. I use the term “share” lightly here since my husband may have only gotten a third. They also had something called Sucre a la Crème which is described as “a deliberately brittle fudge made with brown sugar, butter and fresh heavy cream.” It was like having penuche fudge on steroids.  Next time you are in the area, stop in and check out their confections and maybe try a Caramallow?? Apparently that’s their specialty and they looked deliciously decadent.

As we headed out of Maine for the weekend, we stopped at Robert’s Maine Grill in Kittery which is a farm to table restaurant and raw bar. I recommend sitting upstairs and outside to get a view of the water. They offer a lot of New England staples which pair nicely with their craft brew list featuring many local Maine brewery’s. It was hard to decide on what to get because the menu offered so many great options. You can’t go to Maine and not get seafood, so we started with oysters, clam chowder and the fish taco served with napa cabbage and cilantro lime crema. For lunch, we went with the House Smoked Turkey served on herb cranberry bread and topped with bacon, onion and goat cheese. The Haddock Rueben looked exceptional too and was served with ale braised cabbage, Swiss cheese and spicy tarter on Rye. You really can’t go wrong with either one of those sandwiches. Since we needed a little green, we ordered the Grilled Romaine Salad with bacon, romano, roasted tomatoes and sweet garlic vinaigrette. I can’t wait to try grilled romaine at home after having this. It was such a nice way to change up the lettuce routine. Robert’s Maine Grill is the place to check out if you are in or passing through Kittery. Oh and did I mention it’s right next to the Crate & Barrel outlet?!?!?!

If you are headed to the charming New England towns of Maine, I would recommend trying any and all of these places. Each one offers something unique and delicious! #mainelocalequalsgood

Vischer Ferry General Store

If you’re looking for a breakfast or lunch spot, check out the Vischer Ferry General Store. They have a nice selection of soups, sandwiches, salads, pastries, desserts and plenty more.  I really enjoyed their macaroon, but the flourless chocolate cake was calling my name! Maybe next time.  They also sell handcrafted items like jewelry, soap, paintings, bags and other goods. Stop in and see them! You'll be happy you did! Also, check out the "Bite Me Show" link for the full video.  

Saturday in the city of Uncle Sam

It’s March which means cool rainy days and more free time on the weekends. It’s kind of nice when things aren’t so busy, so we thought we’d take advantage of a free Saturday and head to Troy. We started at Superior Merchandise Company with a great cup of coffee that was really unique and delicious.

I tried the Mexican which is described as having flavors of baking spice with a caramel aroma and a creamy body. They offer other pourover options as well like Honduras and Burundi along with espresso and cappuccino. Not a coffee fan? Check out their other beverages like Masala Milk and Winter Tonic Tisane. The Toast menu looked very tempting too. Offerings inlude fig and rosemary chevre on sourdough topped with a balsamic reduction or smashed avocado toast with cracked pepper, sea salt and sriracha. Since we had plans for lunch, I decided to skip the toast today but plan on going back for both those options and maybe a third depending on what the seasonal toast is.

After fueling up, we headed over to the Troy Farmers Market which is held in the Troy Atrium during the winter months. The place was packed and the selection of fresh produce was impressive for this time of year. There are so many great vendors and food items at the market, it makes me want to buy one of everything! I decided to try something new this time and went to the Caribbean food vendor on the second floor who was selling lots of traditional fare. I tried the beef patty which had a nice little kick to it and went really well with the sweetness of the fried plantains that came as a side. It was just what the doctor ordered on a cold rainy day. I was channeling palm trees and the beach while enjoying it. There was another vendor on the second floor selling vegetarian bowls that were quinoa or cauliflower based which looked fantastic, and will be on my hit list for our next visit. They had quite a line and people I talked to really enjoyed their bowls so it would be worth checking out (also upstairs in a corner near the Caribbean vendor). Looking for something sweet? You can’t beat the waffles from Pikas and it would be a sin to leave the market without some beer from Browns or Pak Dong from Puckers Gourmet.

After stocking up at the market, it was time to head over to AMC Jewelry which is a quick walk from the Troy Atrium. I’ve been following them on Instagram and lusting over a lot of the beautiful pictures they post.

There were a few geode necklaces that really appealed to me so I wanted to see them in person. Of course there were about 10 other things I wanted once I got there. :)  AMC Jewelry is definitely worth checking out if you are looking for a locally made unique piece for yourself or as a gift. I will be going back and getting a few things once my husband isn't with me :). Their stuff is beautiful!

Slidin' Dirty was dangerously close so why not swing in and have a slider or two. We grabbed a spot at the bar and decided the get the special which was The Dirty Leprechaun consisting of corned beef and provolone topped with a potato pancake, slaw and horseradish cream. We paired that with the Old Faithful Slider which comes with cheddar, arugula, tomato and secret sauce. I highly recommend getting the side of pickled veggies too.

Oh and did somebody say Bacon Old Fashioned?!?! If you need a little hair of the dog, this is a good replacement for a Bloody Mary. It had Rye Whiskey, bacon simple syrup, angostura bitters and a piece of bacon of course.

Whether you have a big appetite or just need a small bite, Slidin' Dirty is a great way to go!

If you’re looking for something to do on Saturday, head on over to Troy. Check out some of the places I visited or head to Troy Kitchen, Sunhee's Farm and Kitchen or Rare Form Brewing. You can’t go wrong at any of them!

Let me know how you Enjoy Troy and send me a note. Happy Friday!

The Cozy List-My top 10 Restaurant and Bar Picks to Warm You up This Weekend.

Spring may officially start this month, but it’ going to be cold AF this weekend. I’ve put together a top 10 list of some of my favorite cozy spots from Troy to Lake Placid to warm you up while we are under the deep freeze. Whether it's the blazing fireplaces or just the warm and inviting atmosphere, the following bars and restaurants are a nice way to relieve your cabin fever during the cold winter months. The Cottage Lake Placid- This is a favorite of mine all year round, but winter is a great time to visit. They have an outdoor patio with a wood burning stove to stave off the cold winter air.  If you prefer to be inside, sit by the fireplace and gaze out over Mirror Lake while watching the dogsleds.

The Inn at Erlowest Lake George- You can’t beat the views of Lake George while warming up inside next to one of the many fireplaces. Take advantage of their winter special where you can stay overnight, have a 3-course dinner and wonderful breakfast for two! It’s a lot of fun and makes for a nice little getaway.

Olde Bryan Inn Saratoga- This is a no brainier but I’d be remiss if I didn’t include it in the list. With their giant wood burning fireplace, this could be one of the coziest bars to go to during the winter. Their sister restaurant, Longfellow’s is another great spot to warm up at as well.

Lucas Confectionary in Troy- I love sitting at the bar under the dim lights and grabbing a cheese and charcuterie platter. Although they don’t have a fireplace, the atmosphere is warm and inviting. Pair the cheese with a nice glass of red and have a truffle for dessert, you really can’t go wrong!

The Wishing Well in Wilton- Another staple in the area, the Wishing Well has multiple fireplaces and is the epitome of cozy. I can’t recommend the slider trio or roasted brussel sprouts highly enough!

Great Adirondack Steak and Seafood Lake Placid- Grab one of their award-winning craft beers and socialize next to the outdoor fire pits, or stay inside and enjoy the rustic bar with a beer flight. Either way, you will be warm from the inside out. My recommendation is the Abbey Ale.

The Log Jam Lake George- Who doesn’t love a rustic Adirondack atmosphere with a crock of homemade soup warming over a wood burning fire? Well you can have all of that paired with your favorite libation at the Log Jam. It’s one of our favorites after a few hours of outlet shopping.

The Mill  on Round Lake- I love going to The Mill over the summer since they have such a great outdoor dining area, but going over the winter months is always really nice too! The wooded ceiling and walls combined with a blazing fireplace will help you forget about the snow and ice outside. Grab some friends and play a round of darts or pool to keep your winter blues away.

Henry St Taproom Saratoga- Rounding out my top 10 list is Henry St Taproom. Who doesn’t love a blazing fire with 2 leather chairs right in front of it? Their rotating tap list is a great way to try a lot of different beers while noshing on some of their small plates or specials.  Check out their nacho night on Thursday’s, you will not be disappointed!

Spring is almost here! So hang in there and stay warm my friends. Cheers!

Rocco's on Main St in Jonesville

Rocco’s on Main St is a charming place to check out in Clifton Park. I’ve been there a few times to have appetizers and a glass of wine at the bar, but this past Saturday we had our first sit down dinner there.  The atmosphere was warm and inviting and they had an excellent wine selection. We started with oysters and Arancini smothered with the most delectable red sauce I've had in a long time. It’s worth the trip to Rocco’s just for these, they are wonderful (and addicting)!

It was hard deciding on what to get for dinner since there are so many things I’d like to try on the menu.  I ended up going with the Filet Au Poivre which was cooked to perfection and came with whipped potatoes and grilled asparagus.  My husband had the Angus burger topped with aged cheddar, cipollini onion jam, pickle chips and hand cut fries. I loved the chilled spicy pickle chips on top of the hot melted cheese and onions. It was a really great burger that hit the spot on a cold night.

Rocco’s is one of my favorite spots and I can’t wait to go back and try some other dishes. If I can make one recommendation, get a glass of the Rodney Strong Cabernet and the Arancini, they're a match made in heaven!

Continuing to Enjoy Troy

If you’re a fan of Sushi, you need check out Unagi Sushi in Troy. They have an amazing selection of rolls to choose from like the Congress which was bright and delicious. It contained salmon and mango topped with yellowtail, thin slices of jalapeno and Thai chili cilantro sauce. The Godzilla was incredible too. It’s a deep-fried roll with bacon, scallop and asparagus topped with mango salsa. The food is not only delicious, but beautifully presented too. I can’t wait to go back and try some of their other selections.

Another cool spot to try is Plumb Oyster Bar, also in Troy. They have an ever-rotating selection of oysters, all with a different flavor profile. The day I went they had a nice offering ranging from briny to sweet. I had katama, bluepoint, pinkmoon, willapa, St. Simons, and Irish point. Paired with the Prosecco on tap, the combination couldn't be beat. I may need to add one of those to my kitchen!

The selection of places to go in Troy continues to grow. It’s exciting to see and experience the love and creativity these entrepreneurs put into their establishments. Can’t wait to see what the future holds for this budding food city. #reallyenjoyingtroy

Dirty Sliders and Pulled Pork Kimchi Eggrolls

It has been a while since I’ve written a new blog post, but that’s not to say I haven’t been out and about eating at some of the great places in the area.  We finally had a chance to check out Next Door Kitchen and Bar in Ballston Spa, and immediately fell in love with the décor.  It consisted of reclaimed barn wood, funky light fixtures and a really cool vibe. I’ve been eyeing their Pulled Pork and house made Kimchi Eggrolls for some time now, so I was excited to try them.

The Fava Bean Bruschetta and Brown Butter Brussels Sprouts also looked wonderful, but I had my eye on the prize.  I also tried the Kale and Apple Salad which had almonds, lemon, shaved pecorino and a champagne vinaigrette.  The Fettuccini Carbonara was really good too and I liked how they used asparagus instead of peas for a little twist. This is a nice place to grab a seat at the bar and order some small plates.  Great way to try a few items on the menu.

A new/old favorite of ours is Slidin’ Dirty which now has a permanent location in Troy. We’ve always been a fan of their food truck, but now we don’t have to track them down when I have an Avocado Fry craving.  The new restaurant is located at 9 1st Street in Troy.  The atmosphere is great and the sliders are even better!! We tried a few different ones, but my absolute favorites were The Dirty Pig (pulled pork, coleslaw, buttermilk fried onion, BBQ sauce) and The Dirty Cowboy (beef, bacon, cheddar, arugula, tomato, jalapeno, buttermilk fried onion, BBQ Sauce).There are still a bunch on the menu I haven’t even tried yet, so that list may get longer. I also like that each slider can be made with chicken, beef or vegetarian black bean. You can’t go there and not get the Avocado Fries though. They are SO good. There are a ton of great new spots in Troy, and this one should be added to the list. You will not be disappointed.

I’ve heard good things about the new Cooking School at Market Bistro in Latham, but never really took the time to check out the class line up.  My mom emailed me and was interested in the Make & Take class where you prepare a meal at the school, then bring home 4 portions to have for the week.

It sounded like a lot of fun, so we signed up.  Chef John was a great instructor and I learned some useful kitchen techniques that will come in handy for sure!!  He taught us how to prepare the meal, then we got hands on and started cooking.

We prepared Chicken Sorrentino which is breaded chicken topped with eggplant, prosciutto, red sauce and mozzarella.  To accompany that, we made a creamy orzo pasta with sun dried tomatoes, artichokes and fresh basil.

To top it off, we were listing to some great music while sipping wine. If you are looking for something fun to do, I highly recommend looking into the classes at the cooking school.  It would make for a great date night, girls night or just a way to eat some delicious food!

First Annual Adk Wine and Food Fest and more!

So excited about the first annual Lake George Wine and Food Festival! It will be held on June 27^th and 28^th at Charles R Wood Festival Commons in Lake George.  The festival will showcase some of the areas wineries, breweries, distilleries, gourmet foods and food trucks among other vendors.  Check out the site for more information. Another exciting thing happening in the area is a new place called Troy Kitchen. It will be a food court with space for 4 vendors and a coffee shop.  Lots of money was invested in an empty space to overhaul the building in what is becoming a true rebirth of Troy. It will be located at 50 Fourth St.  Check out the article here.

The First Friday in Albany will now have a Fork in the Road feature which includes some of the areas local food trucks. Can't wait to see what Emack & Bolio's has! I can only imagine it's like an ice cream truck on steroids!

If you’re looking to treat yourself and happen to be in the Glenville or Albany area, you must try the chocolate covered potato chip cluster from Krause’s Homemade Candy.

The salty sweet combo was so good and the potato chips stayed nice and crunchy.  Can’t go wrong with one of their chocolate covered pretzels either.  Thinking a (huge) candy assortment would make a great Mothers Day Gift!  Especially because I'm planning on her sharing :)

New local show will feature a "Bite Me" segment

So there’s a new show being put together which focuses a lot on the local Real Estate market including tips from attorneys, how to get your home ready for sale, and other informative material on the housing market.  Each week the show will have different segments, and I will be hosting the portion highlighting the local food scene. I was honored and humbled when Filmworks 109 asked me to be a part of this, and it’s so much fun getting to showcase the great businesses in our area.  We did our first shoot at Bake For You with the always-lovely Linda Kindlon. I had the immense pleasure of helping her make Cannoli cookies that were to die for! There’s ricotta cheese in the dough and are they are sprinkled with crushed up cannoli shells!

If you have a severe sugar addiction like I do, Bake For You will help you get your fix in a really good way!  We traveled next door to The Cheese Traveler where the cheesemongers seem to have a PhD in cheese.  It was really amazing to hear them talk about where the cheeses are made, what type of milk is used, and what tasting notes to look for.  There are so many wonderful options that it makes you want to sample everything and take home pounds of it!  One of the best cheeses I‘ve ever had was the truffle Brie.  It was out of this world and I still can’t stop thinking about it.

Next on our hit list was The Whistling Kettle in its newest location and hotspot, Troy. They have an enormous variety of teas to choose from and you can even check out their “Sniff Bar” to see what teas might appeal to you.

The Marzipan Roobis was one of my favorites but Belgian Chocolate is a close second.  If you are not a tea fan, stop in to check out their amazing food. It really is wonderful and I was lucky enough to try the “Afternoon Tea”.

It comes as a 3-tiered dish and the combo I got was a home run! The sandwich was Spicy Thai Roast Beef which has sautéed onions, Brie and Provolone on ciabatta, the next tier had salad with house made Greek dressing and the dessert was the moistest (hate that word but it’s the only one that’ll work here :) ) decadent carrot cake.

We headed across the street to check out Nibble Inc. which is a new donut shop located on Broadway as well.  They actually put mashed potatoes in the donut dough making for a rich and very dense donut.  Some of the flavors I got to try were the Maple Bacon, Pineapple Habanero, and the Milkman, which is one of their stuffed donuts. It was like the donut version on a bread bowl! Hollowed out and filled with gooey sugary deliciousness!!

Nibble Inc. has got it goin’ on when it comes to donuts, but they also make knishes and pocket sandwiches using the same donut dough. Oh yes they did!!!!  Be sure and check out one of my new favorite spots located at 461 Broadway in Troy.

It’s a lot of fun working with all of these amazing entrepreneurs and I look forward to discovering more wonderful places right here in the Capital district.

Want to see where we are shooting next? Check out BiteMeShowNY on Instagram, “like” us on Facebook under “Bite Me” or on Twitter @BiteMeShow. Thank you for your support!

It’s Christmas time in THE city! Let’s eat!

The holiday season is one of my favorite times of year and being in New York City in December is magical. The energy, people, holiday lights, festive decorations, tree and of course food are all so much fun to be a part of.  We booked our trip a few weeks back which meant I needed to start doing some research on which foods we will be eating and where we should have dinner.  Baked by Mellissa cupcakes have been on my hit list for a long time so they were a top priority for me.  What I love about these mini cakes is that they are all about the size of a quarter which allows you to try a lot of different flavors.

I tried the S’mores, Cookie Dough, Chocolate Chip Pancake, Cinnamon, Peanut Butter cup, PB & J, Red Velvet and the mini of the month which is a vanilla cake with fudge stuffing, vanilla icing and a snowflake coconut crunch topping.  They were worth the wait because they were all delicious.  The cake was moist and the flavors were great.  My favorites were the PB & J, Snowball (mini of the month) and Cinnamon although I really loved all of them.  After my “mini” sugar fix, we headed to the holiday shops in Bryant Park.  I stumbled upon the French macaroon booth which not only got me psyched for more sugar but looked beautiful as well.  The array of colors and flavors offered by Woops macaroons and cookies was so much fun to look at.

If your lucky enough to get to New York over the next few week, I hope you get to enjoy all of the amazing food the big apple has to offer.  My picks for the day were the Baked By Melissa cupcakes, Caramel Fleur de Sel Macaroon by Woops in Bryant park, and the Gingerbread popcorn at Garrett’s.  Happy Holidays!

Warm donuts and two food festivals

I know this isn’t a news flash, but there are two new incredible looking donut shops in the area. One is in Albany called Cider Belly Donuts and the other; Nibble Inc. is located in Troy.Both of these great new spots serve fresh, warm and delicious donuts hoping to satisfy your sweet or savory (Nibble’s Cheddar doughnut with a tequila jalapeno lime glaze looks amazing!) cravings.

Both businesses saw a need for freshly made products that didn’t come from a chain and it looks like they both have accomplished their goal.  I’ve heard nothing but great things about each, and I can’t wait to try BOTH of them this weekend! #fatpants

Looking for a great way to experience a TON of local food businesses this weekend??  The first annual Saratoga International Flavorfeast in happening in downtown Saratoga on Saturday from 11-4.  Local restaurants will be offering something that is specific to the ethnicity they represent.  This is similar to Chowdefest in that each sample will cost $1.  Some of the highlights are the Jerk Pork Tostadas with Jamaican beans and rice with mango habanero hot sauce from The Wine Bar and the Pork Schnitzel with braised red cabbage and fresh lemon from Park Side Eatery.  There are approximately 25 businesses participating. The rest of the line up can be seen by clicking here.

On Sunday, Troy is holding their annual Chowderfest on River St from 12-4.  Around 20 local businesses will be serving up specialty chowders to keep you warm on a cool fall day. Some chowders that look incredible are the Chicken Cordon Bleu chowder from B-Rad’s Bistro and Catering and the Autumn Pear Chowder from Mallozzi’s.  To check out the rest of what’s being served, click here.  Hope you have a locally delicious holiday weekend!

Butternut Hard Cider, Ice Cream Macaroons and Crab Cake Croquettes. Oh my!

There are lots of exiting things happening in our area so I wanted to mention a few new places to be on the lookout for. The first is Cake Placid located in Lake Placid and now in Ballston Spa as well. They make an array of baked goods including cupcakes, cookies, cake pops, muffins, breads and so much more. Their new location is at 88 Front St in Ballston spa. Right down the street is Next Door Café located where Strata used to be at 51 Front St. Although they aren’t open yet, they plan on featuring locally sourced food and NY craft beers. Can’t wait to see what the menu looks like! Dinner and dessert are covered!

Another notable mention that is high on my hit list is 15 Church in Saratoga.

They offer a wonderful looking menu with starters like crispy Kurobuta pork belly with pork jus, pine nut risotto and saffron infused apples.  Maybe you’d like to try the lump crab cake croquettes with ginger hazelnut aioli, frisee salad and roasted red pepper.

I think it would be hard to get past the appetizers since the selection looks incredible! Join them for happy hour between 4:30-6 for $6 glasses of wine and $3 select drafts along with 25% off specialty cocktails and appetizers. Could be a good way to try a few things and check the place out. If you didn’t feel like indulging in one of their decadent looking desserts, head on over to TC Paris on Henry St in Saratoga for their latest creation. It’s a chocolate macaroon with rich vanilla custard based ice cream in the middle.

The pictures alone have me dreaming about it! While you’re there, pick up a bag of their chocolate covered pretzels; they are some of my favorites!

Last but not least, Nine Pin Cider which opened just recently, offers an array of hard ciders all made from locally grown apples.

Some of their products include a blueberry cider, their original signature blend, Ida red, which is made with only red apples and a butternut cider that sounds incredible!! Check out their tasting room on Thursdays and Fridays from 4PM-9PM or on Saturdays from 1PM-9PM at 929 Broadway in Albany. On select Thursday’s this summer, they will be hosting a Cider & Sliders event featuring Slidin’ Dirty food truck from 4-9 PM. I can’t recommend the Avocado fries highly enough! Check them out on Facebook to see which nights they will be there. Hope you’re as excited as I am to try all of these great local goodies!

VT Local = Good (No, Great)

Burlington, VT is one of the coolest cities in the Northeast. With amazing views of Lake Champlain, and the wonderful cobblestone streets boasting big and small businesses, it’s no wonder people flock to this quaint city for vacations. We were headed there for one of my favorite events, the Vermont Brewers Festival. It’s such a blast and it’s held right on the waterfront where you can sample over 150 beers from lots of craft breweries for 4 hours while overlooking the lake. It really doesn’t get any better then that. We always head in on Friday via the ferry, which is the best way to kick off the weekend. We’ve been to this event 2 other times, so I knew which Vermont goodies I was after from prior experiences. Burlington has some AMAZING food and one of our first stops was Lake Champlain Chocolates.

Now I know that you can get their chocolate at a lot of places, but this is a retail store so the selection is huge. They have some of the BEST chocolates in my opinion so we popped in for a treat. I went with my stand by which is dark chocolate and caramel with sea salt- outstanding! We also ordered a few almonds coated with toffee crunch, dipped in chocolate then rolled in cocoa power. Ummmmmm I don’t think I need to say anything else.

They also had caramel apples that they were making fresh right in the front window that looked divine. Thankfully they are right on the main drag so you can easily find them and treat your sweet tooth. Next stop was Farm House Tap and Grill just off of Church St at 160 Bank St.They have one of the best outdoor patios in the area. We only stopped in for a drink, but the menu looked wonderful with offerings like a summer quinoa salad with grilled zucchini, mint yogurt, hazelnuts, lemon and feta or how about one of their housemade burgers or charcuterie all farm to table. We decided to head elsewhere for dinner since the wait was fairly long, and I have to say that we made a great choice in doing so despite the awesome menu at Farm House. With no prior knowledge of a lot of the restaurants, and a huge variety to choose from, we ended up at Sweetwaters. All 4 of us were raving about the food and it’s a MUST try if you are in the area. We started out with pulled pork nachos and I had the sesame encrusted tuna paired with some of the best Thai peanut noodles I’ve ever had.

I’m still dreaming about this dish (and the killer nachos). My friend had the Mahi bruschetta which was also delicious and highly recommended. Later that night, we were in the mood for a little something sweet and stumbled upon My Little Cupcake- JACKPOT! It’s exactly what we were looking for. Lots of mini cupcakes with all sorts of fun flavors to choose from like Salted Caramel and French Toast. We tried the Butterfinger along with Coffee and Donuts which is a cappuccino cupcake with vanilla buttercream topped with the cutest housemade glazed donut! These cupcakes Hit. The. Spot! After a day and night of fun, we decided to head to bed so we could be ready for the beer fest.

On Saturday mornings, the Burlington Farmers Market is held right in City Hall Park from 8:30-2:00. There are a ton of local vendors offering all sorts of local products like salsas, baked goods, soaps, crafts and lots of ethnic foods. It’s a fun thing to check out! As we headed for the festival de heavenly (AKA VT Brew Fest), I knew there was one spot we’d be grabbing a snack once inside, and it’s at A-Maize-ing Kettle Corn. The name really does say it all.

This is some of THE BEST kettle corn and it’s always served warm and fresh. It really makes for the perfect snack and will satisfy your sweet and salty tooth. They also have a cart on Church St so keep an eye out for it. I’d say you could start with a small bag but you’d just regret it. Go for the gusto and get the big boy. The people you are with will appreciate it (that’s if you’re willing to share). Another street vendor that’s an absolute favorite is Hong’s Chinese Dumplings. Please do yourself a favor and visit them. The dumplings are made from scratch by the sweetest little woman and they will knock your socks off. After a fun day of drinking craft beers, it was time for dinner, and our tradition is to head to Splash.

It’s right on the water and always offers a cool vibe and great sweet potato fries.  Between the 90 degree sunny day and the palm tree planters on the dock, we almost felt as though we were in the Caribbean. Such a great spot! Unfortunately Sunday was upon us and it was time to leave the Green Mountain state, but the trip would not be complete without a stop at The Skinny Pancake (Ironic, I wasn’t feeling too skinny when I left :).

They offer all sorts of savory and sweet crepes like Apples and Brie, Brownies in Bed (OMG the description for this looks insane!) and Cannelloni crepes. I decided to go with the Breakfast Burrito crepe which was delish, but you can’t have breakfast without dessert so we ordered my absolute favorite, the Nutella crepe.

This is something that I must have every time I’m here and you should too! It’s SOOO good! Burlington has some excellent local food businesses and it’s a great place to not only visit, but eat!

It’s time to visit the Home of Uncle Sam

Troy is becoming one of the area’s hot spots when it comes to getting great food.  I was introduced to Brown’s Brewing only a few years ago but it was worth the wait and has become one of our new favorite spots. I dream about their wonderful beers and warm pretzels served with a honey mustard sauce that I could bathe in! It’s hard to say whether the beer or the food is better (okay, I’m giving it to the beer for obvious reasons). Over the winter we discovered the Charles F Lucas Confectionery and Wine Bar. If you haven’t had the opportunity to get over there yet, you’re missing out. The ambiance is beautiful and the food and drink selection is divine.

It’s yet another contributor to the greatness Troy is experiencing. Dinosaur BBQ has also decided on Troy as it's Capital District location (not that that’s news but a testament to Troy’s presence in the culinary world) and they obviously made the right choice because it’s always packed.

I never thought I liked BBQ until their pulled pork made its way into my life via a Slider. The soft potato roll and house made pickles make it my go to dish every time. Now when we go to Troy, I have a battle with myself in terms of where we should go because I want one of everything from all of these amazing places!! A new player in town is Sweet Sues.

Sweet Sues offers delectable desserts along with a nice lunch menu. Her cupcakes are beautiful and I can say that the salted caramel truffle was everything you could ask for in a salty and sweet treat! With desserts like Strawberry Mango Daiquiri Bavarian's and cupcake flavors including Dark Chocolate Pomegranate and Pistachio Grapefruit with Candied Edible Flowers, you really can’t go wrong! This place should be on your radar, especially if you need dessert.

There are a few other places that I’ve heard great things about so they deserve a mention. The first one is Bacchus Wood Fired located at 3 Second St in the basement. It may be tucked away, but they are known to have excellent pizza!

Another Troy hot spot that’s been on the radar is The Flying Chicken. I need to book a flight to this place because it’s supposed to have some of the best fried chicken (besides Hattie’s of course) in the area. Finnbar’s Pub has opened in the last year specializing in Irish-American fare and Beirut will fulfill all of your Lebanese or hookah cravings.

If you’re looking for some new places in the Capital District, you should strongly consider Troy as a starting point. Where to go once you are in the home of Uncle Sam is a tough call. There are so many great options, but that’s a good problem to have. Oh did I mention that Bombers opened last week too!?!?! The 12180 is becoming the place to be when it comes to getting some good eats. Hope you enjoy Troy as much as I do!

A blogging slacker is back and promoting new winery

Hello friends. It’s been a LONG time since I’ve posted anything because I’ve been a total blogging slacker!Between starting a new job and the lack of motivation I have over the winter months, nothing has been accomplished.After thinking about the true intention of “Bite Me,” the blog posts will be changing a bit going forward.The main goal of the blog, Facebook and Twitter page was to promote local food and beverage businesses in the Capital District.Somehow along the way, it became a food review blog and that’s not what it was intended to be (plus I hate taking pictures of my food while I am out).Going forward, the blog will feature local businesses only.If I think something is delicious, it will definitely get a mention but if something isn’t that great, I will keep it to myself.These business owners work hard so who am I to say what’s good and what isn’t. Who the heck am I anyway?!?!!?!The goal is to grow readership, which will in turn help get more exposure for the great places in our own backyard.Who knows, maybe a TV series will accompany the blog soon too!If there is place that you love, let me know!There’s nothing more exciting than trying a new local eatery, winery or brewery.Thanks for checking out the blog and I hope it helps you find some cool new spots to check out.

To kick off my first blog post in months, I wanted to mention that The Thirsty Owl winery is now open in Saratoga. The original Thirsty Owl Wine Company is a destination winery, midway up the west side of Cayuga Lake, dedicated to producing high quality wines. They have decided to open a second location in Saratoga which is to our benefit. They remodeled a building that’s been around for a while and it’s beautiful.We did a tasting and I have to say that the Malbac was a favorite of mine.The Thirsty Owl is now pouring full glasses of wine as well and they intend to open a restaurant in the front of the building.If you are in the area, it’s worth stopping in and checking out.The winery is located at 184 South Broadway.