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Moby Rick’s, Olivia! and some fun food events this Sunday

There are a couple of new businesses that have opened up just recently and both are worth checking out.  The first one is Moby Rick’s located at 173 Lake Ave in Saratoga Springs.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Moby Rick’s is a seafood market offering top-quality fresh seafood.  Rick Lofstad Jr., owner of Pura Vida Fisheries has been a regular vendor at The Saratoga Farmers Market for over two years and has decided to open up a retail location.  Rick says that they will offer all different kinds of seafood like shrimp, crab or anything else his customer’s request.  Don’t expect the market to look fancy though.  The main focus for this fish man is the quality and freshness of the seafood.  Another business that just opened this past Saturday is Olivia!, located in Clifton Park Center (or as I affectionately refer to it as CCM).  Olivia! is a family run business offering an extensive collection of olive oils and balsamic vinegars from around the world.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

They import their products from both hemispheres in bulk allowing them to provide customers with fresh extra virgin olive oil all year round.  Stop in to sample a variety of their products before deciding on which olive oil will be coming home with you.  I plan on swinging around the corner to pick up a loaf of fresh bread from The Meat House and maybe some craft beer to round out my dinner of champions.

Are you looking for something to do this Sunday?  The 4thannual Harvest Festival is happening between 12-4 at the Washington Park Lakehouse in Albany.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This festival first started in 2009 as a way of bringing a lot of the amazing local vendors in the Capital District together for one event. There will be over 45 local businesses and bands including Bake for You, Mingle, New World Bistro, All Good Bakers, 3 Chicks and a P, Bro’s Tacos, Creo, and many many more.  If you haven’t filled up on all of the incredible food at the Harvest Fest, head up to Saratoga for the Henry St Festival which is also from 12-4 happening on none other then Henry St. :) This is a fundraising event for Ballson Spa’s Gateway House of Peace.  There will be a wine tasting at Scallions, a beer tasting and The Forthlin Road Band and Irish music by The Saratoga Celtic Music Session at The Parting Glass. Several local vendors will be in attendance as well including Eat Good Food, Sunnyside Gardens, Thousand Island Winery, The Chocolate Spoon and Chane’s Deli.  There are lots of great local places to check out this week so enjoy your fresh fish sautéed in some EVOO from Olivia!  You’re going to want to eat light leading up to Sunday’s food festivities!

To discover great local food businesses, "Like" me on Facebook and Twittter.  Thank you!

 

 

Thanks MAMA!

So I was asked to do a guest post for the popular blog www.SaratogaMama.com which meant I had to find a business that was not only local, but it had to be food related and kid friendly.

 

 

 

 

 

 

I don't have any kids of my own so there was a slight challenge involved.  After asking some of my friends that are moms what they recommend, I kept hearing about Tiny Tots Tea Room in Clifton Park.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

What a great find!!  To read more about this great local business and the amazing local food products they carry, including their own brand of tea, check out www.SaratogaMama.com

Thanks so much to Colleen at Saratoga Mama!! If you have kids, her website is a great resource with tons of information.

To discover great local food businesses, follow me on Facebook and Twitter.  Thank you!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Getting baked at Bake For You

**READ BELOW TO FIND OUT HOW YOU CAN WIN 2 DOZEN FREE COOKIES FROM BAKE FOR YOU!!** It’s no secret that sugar is my drug of choice (yes, I do love my vino and beer too!:) so when I’m able to get my fix AND shoot an episode of  “Bite Me,” I get really excited.  Linda started Bake for You 3 years ago after friends and family kept asking her to bake for them.  She thought “Hey, I could start a business and call it Bake for You!”  Well the rest is history and now she makes all of her wonderful delights in a commercial kitchen overlooking Washington Park in downtown Albany.  Linda’s favorite things to bake are scones and cookies but she also makes cupcakes, brownies and a variety of other baked goods including a vegan line.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I’m all about butter and eggs so when I found out we were going to be making vegan cookies for the show, I was skeptical. Well leave these specialty type baked goods in the hands of a professional because her vegan cookies were amazing!!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I wasn’t sure what to expect, but it ended up being rich and soft and everything you want in a cookie.  Lucky for me, Linda sent me home with an EXTREMELY generous goodie box which included her cranberry scones, two types of cookies and mind blowing brownies so I got to sample (I use that term lightly, more like scarf) a variety of her items.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

She is truly a wonderful baker and it’s obvious that she puts love and care into all of her baked goods, which are only made in small batches.  Linda hand mixes almost all of her dough’s and uses only organic and local products whenever possible. The other telltale sign that she cares about her baked goods is the fact that she uses Cabot butter from VT.  That’s what I used back in my baking days and there is no question that it makes a big difference in taste and texture.  It looks like Linda’s waitressing days are over.  Because she was bitten by the entrepreneurial bug, she now gets to do what she loves and we get to enjoy her goodies.  To learn more about Bake for You visit their website at www.BakeForYou.com

**COOKIE CONTEST** WIN 2 DOZEN FREE COOKIES from Bake for You!  For five days, I will be taking submissions on the Bite Me Facebook page for a new cookie flavor. Just tell me what your idea is and what you would like to name your cookie.  The Facebook fan who comes up with the winning idea for a new cookie flavor will receive 2 dozen of them for FREE.  Good luck!

To discover local food businesses, "Like" me on Facebook and Twitter.  Thank you!

[vimeo https://vimeo.com/49848298]

Great weekend on tap, literally!

It's Travers weekend folks and you know what that means?! It's time to get Sh#*!ty in the Spa City!  This is one of the best weekends of the year and we are kicking it off at 12 noon tomorrow for the beer fest at the track.   Being able to sample tons of different craft brews while hanging out on a sunny afternoon at the track is pretty fabulous!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

After 4.5 hours of "sampling" it's off to downtown for dinner and more "samples."  I'm sure Toga will be bumping as usual and I can't wait to be right in the middle of it.  We will kick off Saturday with an Ice Cream Sandwich throw down! (Info on the throw down can be found at Saratoga Idiots or FUSSYlittleBlog )

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

As if drinking beers the day before wasn't enough, we are off to Comfort Kitchen, Wheatfields, Creo and The City Beer Hall to "sample" 4 ice cream sandwiches.   My pants are getting tight just thinking about it but bring it on!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

After I recover from my ice cream headache that will be WELL worth it, it's back the the track for round 2! Can't wait to place my $4 bets that I never win on and have a few Corona Lights (I have to balance out the day somehow:) The vibe is always awesome and there's really no other place to be on Saturday except Travers.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

After making a B-line for the car right after the big race, it's time to do it all over again and head for the hot spots in Saratoga.  This weekend is always one of the best, so get out there, place some bets, check out the local restaurants and have a blast!

The Village Sweet Shoppe

Who doesn’t love candy? Well the Village Sweet Shoppe in Ballston Spa, NY is here to fill all of your candy desires.

Whether you’re looking for something old, something new something rare or something blue, they have it!  Joie and her sister Kate purchased this business two years ago when they were looking for a new adventure.  Both Ballston Spa natives and candy lovers, The Village Sweet Shoppe serves as a perfect business for these two.  The adorable pink candy Shoppe is a throwback to the good ol’ days where you can “scoop you own” (similar to penny candies many years ago). They offer a wide variety of everyday favorites along with some rarities like Boston Baked Beans and chewy Sprees. They even had a 24 inch gummy rattlesnake I decided to scoop into my bag which I thought was pretty cool as did the 5 year old boys who happen to be in there (guess I have juvenile candy tastes :) ).  The Shoppe also carries nostalgic candies like Abba Dabba bars, wax bottles, candy cigarettes, Sky Bars and more! If you have a special request, just ask them!  They are more then happy to find it for you because they want all of their customers to feel like a kid in a candy store.  Speaking of kids, the sweet Shoppe also hosts private parties, so if you are in the mood to turn your kid into the Tasmanian devil post sugar consumption, book a party with them.  Your kids will LOVE it and don’t worry, the sugar high will eventually wear off.

[vimeo https://vimeo.com/46853462]

Spanakopita from The Omelette King

Amy Kantor (The Omelette Queen) started her catering business in 1997 after losing her job and she definitely made the right choice because her food is delish!

Amy cooks out of local temples in the area and can cater anything from breakfast, lunch, dinner or special events like weddings, showers, birthdays and more!  She also specializes in traditional Kiddush menus for Bar and Bat Mitzvahs and other Simchas (Hebrew for festive occasion).  All I know is that I am really happy she chose to make her spanakopita for me because it was wonderful!  She starts out by sauteing onions, spices and mint, which by the way is a great addition and adds a wonderful flavor.  She then adds spinach and cooks everything until well combined.  My favorite part was when I got to assist in assembling the triangles with the phyllo dough. There is definitely a technique involved so I’m glad I had assistance.  I think I will stick to just eating them :)  Amy followed her passion for cooking and not only has this thriving catering business, but also teaches cooking classes as well.  I think my husband plans on signing me up for her next one!  If you are looking for someone to cater your next event, Amy and her team from The Omelette King will definitely take care of you!

[vimeo http://vimeo.com/44614892]

Raspberry Rugalagh from Cinnamon Spice Bakery

Another bakery being featured on “Bite Me” means another delectable treat!

In my world, bakers are enablers since they make such wonderful creations and I'm forced to eat them :)  I had the pleasure of trying raspberry rugalagh from Cinnamon Spice bakery and boy am I glad I did!  The raspberry preserves were incredible!  They had the perfect balance of sweet and tart, and the brown sugar made me wish rugalagh weren't so small (although small cookie = many servings in my book).  The outside was light, flaky and still warm which took this cookie over the top!  John, the owner of Cinnamon Spice, has been in the bakery business a long time.  He said that baking is his passion and he never feels like he's going in to work.  John originally had a bakery downstate but moved to the Clifton Park area and continues to bake his goodies for all of us in the Capital District.  It’s definitely to our benefit that he decided to move his bakery here and I hope they have continued success for many years to come!

[vimeo http://vimeo.com/42519537]

Alligator and Beignets from Café Nola

When I found out I was going to try alligator, I was so excited!  It’s not everyday you see something like that on a menu.

Café Nola is a Mardi Gras themed restaurant (no, I did not try and earn any beads;) and when you walk in, you feel like you just entered a big party. The music is fun and the decorations are festive although the best part is the menu.  Everything on it is inspired by New Orleans and some of their specialties include Po’ Boys, ettouffee, jambalaya and dirty rice. Okay, back to that alligator!  I wasn’t sure what to expect although the only thing going through my mind was “it tastes like chicken” which is what people always seem to say.  Kevin, the owner and head chef cooked it up with some of their Cajun blend and served it over a salad.  I thought the flavor was great but it was a little tougher then I expected.  Thankfully my teeth are as sharp as the reptile I was chomping down on so there were no problems there.  I would definitely order it again since it’s something you don’t see everyday and it has a very unique flavor.  The other wonderful thing I got to have while waiting for my alligator to cook were beignets. Fried balls of deliciousness covered in powdered sugar then dipped in a caramel sauce.   Essentially this is Louisiana’s version of a donut and it makes me happy!!

Any way I can feed into my sugar addiction is all right in my book and to think that it’s sugar, covered in sugar then dipped in more sugar is a great way to get my fix! I loved learning about Kevin and how he’s following his dream of being in the restaurant business.  Catch the “Bite Me” episode featuring Café Nola in a few weeks.

[vimeo http://vimeo.com/42274098]

Almond Joy ice cream from The Ice Cream Man

Feeding into my sugar addiction with ice cream from The Ice Cream Man in Greenwich, NY is one of the most delicious ways for me to get my fix.

I’ve been going to this ice cream shop for years so I was super excited to be able to feature them on “Bite Me.”  This quaint little shop actually makes over 300 varieties of ice cream! Yes I said 300!  Although they usually only offer around 30 at a time (It's hard enough to choose from 30 because they all look SO good).  While filming, I got to assist in the making of their most popular flavor, Almond Joy.  Joyful indeed!  This frozen treat starts out with sweet cream and coconut.  I got to add the chocolate covered almonds to the mix which means this batch is going to be extra chocolaty.  The one thing I love about ice cream is that it’s ready to eat right away.  I was able to have a bowlful immediately after making it which makes me happy.   I can see why Almond Joy is their best seller because it was off the charts delicious!  Imagine an Almond Joy combined with the richest and freshest ice cream you have ever had all in one bite.  The Ice Cream Man only uses fresh cream and the best ingredients they can find which is why their ice cream is so good.  Julia purchased this business last year and it was an easy transition for her since prior to that, she was the retail manger for 14 years.  Making the leap from employee to entrepreneur has sure paid off and Julia will continue to sweeten our days with some of the best ice cream around.

[vimeo http://vimeo.com/42274098]

The Van Buren from Hudson River Coffee House

I eat a turkey sandwich almost everyday.  Yes, that may sound boring to some, but I love it.

When I get the opportunity to try someone else’s version I get psyched since it probably features things I would never think of on my own.  The Van Buren (named after President Martin Van Buren) from the Hudson River Coffee House definitely piqued my interest.  The sandwich starts out on a delicious fresh baked hoagie from Rockland Bakery in NY. They then add bacon which I know isn’t too out of the ordinary but awesome all the same (I will never turn down bacon on anything! Not even ice cream:).  Here is where things get a little different.  They take a wonderful apple grown right here in upstate NY, and slice it into thin pieces which takes this sandwich over the top.  Anton, the creator of the Van Buren and owner of the café, started this business after traveling abroad.  Spending time outside of the States made him realize that he needed to work for himself and after returning home, he did just that.  Open for a little over a year now, the Hudson River Coffee House has proven to be a success! It was great filming “Bite Me” with Anton and learning about his journey to becoming an entrepreneur.

[vimeo http://vimeo.com/42239501]

The Crabby Marc from Ambition Café

The Crabby Marc isn’t so shabby! And the owner Marc isn’t too Crabby.

My adventures in filming Bite Me has led me to a fun and quirky café in Schenectady, NY.  Marc says that the way Ambition is decorated would be like looking at him from the inside.  All I can say is Marc must be a lot of fun!  He started this café 12 years ago and told me that he loves what he does everyday.  Ambition Cafe holds a lot of cast parties since it’s right across the street from Proctors Theater and Marc’s gotten to meet many famous people.   Speaking of famous, one of their menu items is legendary and has been on the menu since opening day! It’s the Crabby Marc.  I don’t claim to be a crab cake connoisseur but this thing was awesome!!!! I really loved the horseradish remoulade they put on top and the flavor of the crab cake was excellent! Served with a warm pita and garden salad and I can see why this has been a super star on their menu!

[vimeo http://vimeo.com/42239501]

 

Pixie’s Preserves "Apple Crisp" and "Strawberries In May" Jelly

The other half of one of the best all time sandwiches involves jelly.

I can only imagine the PB&J combos you could make using Pixie’s Preserves since they offer over 37 varieties of jams and jellies!  All of their products are produced the old fashioned way which means it’s made in small batches on top of the stove just like your grandma used to do it.  The ingredients they use are grown locally and nothing contains preservatives.  This all makes a huge difference in the quality of their products since it was the freshest, most delicious jelly I have tasted.  Lucky for me, I got to try the Apple Crisp which contains rolled oats, brown sugar and apples of course!   It’s so good that I don’t know if an English muffin is worthy.  I like to just eat it with a spoon it’s that amazing! The other wonderful flavor I tasted was Strawberries In May which contains May Wine along with Strawberries and Woodruff Herbs.  Imagine the freshest strawberry you have ever eaten with a little extra awesomeness!   I could really use a jar of Peanut Butter right about now. Pixie’s not only makes sweet jellies, but you can also get savory ones like garlic and fiery hot pepper which are great with pork or chicken wings.  If you are looking to jam out, I suggest checking out Pixie’s Preserves and their wonderful assortment of both unique and traditional flavors.

[vimeo http://vimeo.com/42519537]

Chicken Cordon Bleu in puff pastry from Michael’s Banquet House

It was so much fun hanging out with Rick at Michael's Banquet House in Latham, NY while filiming "Bite Me."

I got to assist in the making of their wonderful Chicken Cordon Bleu although I don't take any credit for it's deliciousness.  The filling started out with a generous amount of butter, olive oil and prosciutto.  We then added Swiss cheese and surrounded the chicken in a puff pastry.  Yes and Yes!!!!!!!  After I impatiently waited for the chicken to cook, I finally got to dive in.  The pastry was so light and flaky which was a nice contrast to the ooey gooey cheese and spicy flavor of the prosciutto.  If you are looking to host an event here,  you can be certain that the food will be delicious and the staff will treat you very well!

[vimeo http://vimeo.com/38240624]

The Fortunate Latte from The Fortunate Cup

I love coffee almost as much as I love sugar (and wine, although wine is the clear cut winner).  There is nothing like the smell of fresh coffee. Add any sort of sugary flavoring along with whole milk and I am on board!

The Fortunate Latte starts out with a generous amount of Ghirardelli caramel syrup.  When I saw that going into the mug, I knew it was going to be great!  Add freshly ground espresso and some steamed whole milk and you figure out quickly why this is their signature drink.  The Fortunate Cup is a great coffee shop on the west side of Saratoga.  People were looking for a great meeting place that has free Wi-Fi, great lattes and delicious food and The Fortunate Cup fills that void.  Doreen opened in 2008 after leaving the finance world and she hasn’t looked back.  The name comes from a thoroughbred horse that runs in Saratoga and it brought the owner a lot of good luck.  Doreen thought it would be the perfect name for the café, which has proven to be a good choice since this place really is a winner!!

[vimeo http://vimeo.com/37126216]

Sweet Cream Scone from Wheat's and Sweets

Happy New Year!  I am looking forward to 2012 and uncovering more delectable spots right here in the Capital District.  We kicked it all off at Wheat's and Sweets bakery located in Ballston Spa, NY.

Opened in May 2010, Wheat's and Sweets has been sweetening up peoples lives ever since.  The owner launched this business because he was in search of really great bread and couldn't find any.  He figured if I can't buy it, I'll make it! Well after much trial and error, he not only perfected his bread recipe, but the recipe for all of his cookies, cakes, muffins and scones as well.  After hearing about their Sweet Cream Scone, I knew that's what I had to try.  Faboosh!!!  And to celebrate the fact that I have just been celebrating all of the holidays for 2 weeks straight, I also tried the spritz cookies and the unbelievable carrot cake muffin!  Happy New Year to me!  New Year's Resolutions?!?!?!?! NAH! I'll take a scone with a side of cupcakes please! Especially if they are from Wheat's and Sweets!

[vimeo http://vimeo.com/37126216]

Chocolate cake with strawberry moose and chocolate ganache from Cake in Schuylerville, NY

So I don’t think this will come as a surprise to anyone but I have a serious sweet tooth!

I’m two bites away from a 12-step program for sugar addiction (I kid I kid but I do love sugar☺)  Well I certainly got my fix at Cake in Schuylerville, NY!  I had the pleasure of trying her chocolate cake layered with strawberry mouse and then topped with chocolate ganache!!! Drooling yet??? I am just thinking about it!!  The cake was so rich and had a deep chocolate flavor.  The ganache was a wonderful addition (when is it not) and the strawberry moose was light and tasted like a fresh picked strawberry.  Alissa, the owner of Cake is some baker!  I am pretty picky about baked goods and this place takes the cake (pun intended).  She started this business after years in corporate America.  Alissa decided to quit her job, become a professionally trained pastry chef and start her own business.  Her wedding cakes are beautiful and her cupcakes are decadent!   I am so glad she decided to start this business because it means we all get to benefit from it.

[vimeo http://vimeo.com/38240624]

Fifth and Fifty Pizza in Scotia, NY

There’s nothing like a good slice of pizza and Fifth and Fifty has it!

The crust was thin and very crunchy and I loved the sauce, which is always important.  If the sauce isn’t good then forget it, the pizza is ruined!  All of the items here are made from scratch. No pre-packaged stuff is going on or in one of their pizzas!  One thing that’s really great about Fifth and Fifty is that they offer a gluten free option for all of their pizzas.  Their gluten free pizza is so good in fact, that it won them the number one spot at Pizza Wars earlier this year.  Bob, the owner, bought this business 11 years ago after working for a large food chain.  He said he would rather work double the amount of hours for himself versus slave away for someone else and I couldn’t agree more! He obviously made a good choice since they have been in business a long time.  If you are in the Scotia area, this place is definitely worth checking out!

[vimeo http://vimeo.com/35472736]

Sundaes Best Original Hot Fudge Sauce

Ahhhh the ultimate combination of hot fudge and ice cream. If you are fortunate enough to have Sundaes Best hot fudge sauce on your sundae then you are really in luck.

Katie, the owner started this business 10 years ago using her mother-in-laws recipe.  She quit her corporate job and launched with one flavor. Today you can choose from over 10 varieties including hazelnut, peanut butter and orange.  When I walked inside her commercial kitchen it smelled like something out of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.  Luckily, Katie had a freezer full of vanilla ice cream and after heating up her hot fudge, she assembled a sundae for me using her sundae making expertise.   First, she poured a generous amount of hot fudge in the bowl (because who wants to get to the bottom of the bowl and be out of toppings already!), then she topped it with 2 heaping scoops of ice cream, poured on more hot fudge so that the ratio of hot fudge to ice cream is about 1:1 at this point (shaping up to be my kind of sundae!).  Top it with whipped cream and you guessed it, more hot fudge.  Add nuts, sprinkles etc. and enjoy!  I can say that I thoroughly enjoyed both my sundae and hanging out with Kate while we shot “Bite Me.” Sundaes Best could make everyday the best if you get to eat this!

[vimeo http://vimeo.com/35472736]

Fall off the bone ribs from LT’s Grill

I have the best job in the world because “Bite Me” has led me to LT’s grill in Niskayuna, NY.

The owner L.J. insisted we stop in a week before filming so that he could feed me and my crew.  I guess if your going to twist my arm I’ll come in for some free food ☺ We were lucky enough to try the potato encrusted haddock with dill, chicken wings with a delish dry rub and LT’s specialty, their ribs!!!!! I am not usually a ribs kinda girl but if I were eating here, I would have a change of heart.  They are fall off the bone, lip smacking good!  Not only is the food great, but the owner L.J. treats all of his customers like family.  He practically knows every guests name by heart, but don’t let that stop you from coming in.  If you’re a newbie, L.J. will make you feel right at home and you’ll be a regular in no time!

Customized Whoopies from Whoopies are Good in Ballston Spa, NY

Whoopies are Good was the next place to be featured on “Bite Me.”  These whoopies aren’t just good, they’re great!!

You can now go into their new retail location and order your own customized whoopie pie!  You start out by choosing your cake flavor, then pick your filling and last but not least, a topping to have your whoopie rolled in.  Are you a chocolate fan?? I know I am and they told me that I could have my whoopie take a chocolate bath if I felt so inclined.  Being the sugar addict that I am, I ordered 2 whoopies.  The first one was a vanilla cake with peanut butter filling and crushed peanuts which I had her roll in chocolate chips.  For the second one, I went with their best seller which is a chocolate cake with a marshmallow cream filling that I had her roll in whoopie crumbs.  These were SO delicious and I will definitely be back soon so they can whip up another whoopie concoction for me!!

[vimeo http://vimeo.com/33695918]