Blog Archives
Friday, February 24- Sunday, February 26
Friday, February 24
- ALBANY at Bogies at 7:00PM is Subzero, Sentries, Dangerfield, Forlorn Hope, Primrose Path & Rush the Gates
- ALBANY at the Bistro Bar at 74 State at 8:00PM is Bronte Roman Jazz Emsemble
- NORTHVILLE at Lapland Lake is one pass full price, second pass half price for all elementary and secondary school teachers with ID
- SCHENECTADY at Katie O’ Byrnes at 10:00PM is O.W.L.
- SCHENECTADY at the Schenectady Museum & Suits-Bueche Planetarium at 12:30PM-3:30PM is the LAST DAY for February Break Activities @ the Museum
- TUPPER LAKE at the Wild Center at 7:00PM is APO: How the Universe Works: “Alien Galaxies” for FREE
- ALBANY at the Palace at 7:00PM is Black History Month STEP OFF for $17 in advance/$22 day of show http://www.palacealbany.com/eventsandtickets/eventtickets/event.aspx?eid=6bffb49f-5275-4dcb-8c03-b000ac67a9d8
- SARATOGA at the Saratoga Winery & Tasting Room at 6:00PM-9:00PM is Seth Warden Duo LIVE! NO COVER CHARGE!
- ALBANY at Christian Brothers Academy at 6:30PM-8:00PM is CBA indoor Yard Sale Preview Night for $5
- SARATOGA at the Saratoga Springs Public Library at 11:00AM-3:00PM (3 performances: 11am, 1pm & 3pm) is The Legend of Sleepy Hollow Presented by the Puppet People for FREE
- COLONIE at Central Steak at 8:00PM-11:00PM is Winchester & Young for FREE
- SARATOGA at Vapor at Saratoga Casino and Raceway at 8:00PM is New York Players for FREE
- MALTA at DiDonna’s South Shore Restaurant at 8:00PM-10:00PM is Laughter is the Best Medicine Comedy Night for $15/pp
- SCHENECTADY at Proctors Theatre at 7:30PM is Looking Through a Glass Onion: Deconstructing the Beatles’ White Album
- ALBANY at the Palace Theatre at 7:00PM is the Annual Black History Month STEP OFF ($17 in advance/ $22 day of)
Saturday, February 25
- ALBANY at The Egg at 8:00PM is Hot Tuna
- INLET at 12:00PM-7:30PM at Fern Park is Frozen Fire & Lights Festival
- LAKE GEORGE at 6:30PM is FIREWORKS!
- ALBANY at McGeary’s Irish Pub at 8:00PM is Fundraiser benefit for Maggie Zeoli-Delvalle and her battle with AML Leukemia for a $20 suggested donation
- SARATOGA at Vapor at Saratoga Casino & Raceway at 9:00PM is CrushFM with DJ Reel for FREE (21+)
- BOLTON LANDING at Up Yonda Farm at 10:00AM-1:00PM is the 4th Annual Snowshoe Hike for Hospice $20/pp donation or pledges
- LAKE GEORGE at YMCA Camp Chingachgook at 10:00AM-4:00PM is Winter Wonderland; FREE for Y-members and $5/pp for non-members
- LAKE GEORGE on Shepard Park Beach at 12:00PM is Chicken Wing Cook Off
- SCHROON LAKE at Mountainside Bible Chapel Gym at 11:00AM-2:00PM is the Schroon Lake Chiki Book Off- $1 per taste, $5 per bowl or $15 for unlimited
- ALBANY at Different Drummers Kitchen, Stuyvesant Plaza at 12:00PM-2:00PM is Everyday Japanese- Hands On – $65/pp
- ALBANY at the Colonie Family Recreation Center at 9:30AM-11:30PM is Party Your Heart Out ZUMBA FUNraiser! Doors open at 8:45am
- SCHENECTADY at Katie O’ Byrnes at 10:00PM is Funk Evolution
- ALBANY at the Bistro Bar at 74 State at 8:00PM is Lee Shaw Trio
- SARATOGA in SPAC at 8:00PM is The Winter Ball, BOND: Shaken Not Stirred- REGULAR pre-sale at $65 and $70 after 2/15
Sunday, February 26
- ALBANY at the Times Union Center at 2:00PM is Siena Men’s Basketball- Blonde vs. Brunettes 2EndAlz Night for $20/pp
- SARATOGA at Saratoga City Center at 11:00AM-3:00PM is the 5th Annual Enchanted Wedding Expo for $5/pp
- CLIFTON PARK at Northern Lights at 5:00PM-7:00PM is Enter the Guinness Perfect Pint Competition; $10 per person, includes light fare & Guinness drink ticket. Glass and t-shirt given to first 500 customers. Best pints will be entered to win a trip to Ireland, Home Draft System, Guinness Refrigerator & MORE! Benefits Project Link to help find a cure for Autism!
ONGOING
- SCHENECTADY (Feb 20-26) is RESTAURANT WEEK
- ALBANY (Feb 24-25) at the Times Union Center is NYSPHSAA Wrestling Championships for $12
- LAKE GEORGE (Feb 24-26) at the Queensbury Hotel is a Murder Mystery Dinner Theater- Glens Falls Community Theater; FRI-SAT 6:00P & SUN 1:00p
- ALBANY (Feb 25-26) at NY State Museum at 10:00AM-5:00PM is the 19th Annual Gem, Mineral & Fossil Show & Sale for $4/pp
- ALBANY (Feb 23-26) at UAlb Performing Arts Center is Great Expectations; look at website for times and prices http://www.albany.edu/pac/
- SARATOGA (Until Feb 25) is Saratoga Beer Week http://www.saratogabeerweek.com/
- LONG LAKE (Feb 17-26) is WINTER WONDERLAND WEEK
- ALBANY (Feb 24-25) at The Comedy Works at 9:00PM is Tommy Koenig & Melvin George
- SCHENECTADY (Until Feb 26) at the Schenectady Museum & Suits-Bueche Planetarium at 2:30PM-3:30PM is Hidden Power Demos, every Thursday-Sunday in February
- ALBANY (Feb 24-25) at the Times Union Center at 9:30AM is 50th Annual NYSPHSAA Wrestling Championships
- SCHENECTADY (Feb 17-26) at Proctors is Classic Theater Guild Inc. presents One Flew Over the Cukoo’s Nest http://www.proctors.org/events/ctg-one-flew-nest
- LAKE GEORGE (Feb 25-26) in Lake George Village is the FOURTH WEEKEND of the Lake George Winter Carnival
“Me want cookie!”
Cookie Monster, Sesame Street
Unless you dislike sweet treats as a whole, I feel as if everyone has that feeling from time to time- “Me want cookie!” Also, on the website for Bake For You (475 State Street, Albany), 
owner Linda Kindlon used another favorite Cookie Monster quote of mine “C is for cookie, that’s good enough for me” so I felt this was an appropriate quote to start with for this blog entry.
Linda recently invited me to her hidden kitchen to not only taste some of her delicious creations but see where everything is made. She emailed me the address beforehand and I knew the general neighborhood but I still had trouble finding where she was, especially since the address I was given was a church and I assumed something had to be wrong. Luckily, I wasn’t.
BakeForYou is based out of the kitchen of St. Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran Church. When asked if she had her sights on a storefront anytime soon she said that she was happy with the way things were right now and her relationships with each of her clients. Don’t worry though if you want to try these delicious sweets, her cookies are available at Bob and Ron’s Fish Fry, Elena’s Italian Cafe, Our Daily Grind, Andy’s Italian Imports, Hudson River Coffee House, Irongate Cafe, Uncommon Grounds, and many others! If you’re looking to order a bigger selection of cookies check out her WEBSITE for delivery.
Linda had mentioned that she was working on her menus but I was sure to grab a cupcake menu before I left! Cupcakes have become quite a big deal in the Capital District over the past year or two and though I didn’t get to try any of them, I think the Guinness cake is calling to me:
- The Traditional: Yellow Cake, choice of vanilla butter cream or chocolate butter cream
- Guinness Chocolate Cake: Moist subtle chocolate cake topped with vanilla butter cream or chocolate butter cream
- Classic Carrot Cake: sweet carrots, pineapple, coconut and cinnamon topped with cream cheese frosting
- The Velvet Supper: traditional red velvet cake topped with cream cheese frosting
- The Addison: yellow cake with fresh orange zest topped with orange butter cream frosting
- The State Street: coconut cake topped with creamy coconut frosting
- Cheers to You: white champagne cake with raspberry filling topped with white frosting
- Walk in the Park: lemon poppy seed cake with a lemon glaze
- The Sprague Place: vegan chocolate cake topped with chocolate frosting
- Always Fall: pumpkin cake topped with cinnamon frosting
I did get to sample two delicious cookies Bake For You has to offer, the signature cookie, White Chocolate and Craisins and the S’mores cookie with chocolate and marshmallows. 
I started with the White Chocolate and Craisins cookie and was so impressed how this cookie that was rather crusty on the outside was soft on the inside with the chocolate semi-melted. I don’t normally like Craisins but it paired so well with the white chocolate that I didn’t even notice. It was almost more like I was eating a scone than a cookie. I knew if that was their signature cookie, the next was going to be just as delicious.
As you can see in the picture, the marshmallows on the S’mores cookie were toasted brown but don’t let that fool you, they are just as mushy on the inside as the cookie itself. Along with big chunks of chocolate this tasted just like a s’more, with the cookie texture acting as a graham cracker. I luckily was able to take some of them home and I honestly ate one each day until they were gone, I’m going to have to go to one of the locations she sells them in to grab some more! Next time I’ll have to try dunking them in hot chocolate. With the marshmallow on top, it’s like that’s what it was made for. Linda had mentioned an Earl Grey cookie and since I have such a love of tea, I can’t even imagine what it would taste like in cookie form but I’m going to have to give those a try as well. Overall her cookies weren’t sickening sweet as some cookies could be which is either good because it makes each experience just as delicious but bad because my sweet tooth doesn’t get that sugar shock and I could probably finish a dozen of these by myself!
I love to support business owners that don’t just “do this” for the sake of owning a business but actually have a passion for it and in each bite of the cookies (yes, multiple) I had from Bake For You, you could taste the passion. I had visited Linda the day after Valentine’s Day and in between discussing how busy it had been for her the past couple days, she had said that she has turned people away in the past who wanted to order cookies when she hit her limit. Some may think of this as a bad business decision but I think it goes to the quality of her product. She said that if she’s not going to make it to the best of her ability than she’d rather not make it and have a cut off so she can guarantee you the best her product could possibly be.
Not only are the cookies delicious but she makes them all organic and all with local products. The eggs are free range from Mountain Winds Farm, the flour and butter are from Vermont, the organic raisins, organic tea, spices, soy milk and cheeses are from the Honest Weight Co-Op in Albany & when the fruits and vegetables she needs are in season she buys them local. I had asked her how she decided upon which local places she was going to use for her products and it was based on which made the best cookie in her opinion. Her belief is that “great ingredients make for wonderful sweets” and with that mantra, how could you go wrong?
Monday, February 20- Thursday, February 23
Monday, February 20
- NORTH CREEK at Tannery Pond Community Center at 9:00AM-4:00PM is Widlund Gallery” Taff and Jack Fitterer and Paul Chapman for FREE
- TUPPER LAKE at The Wild Center is Winter Homes- learn about and help construct a quinzee, meet live animals and build a unique craft to take home- Also, Winter Birding for $15 for adults, $9 for youth and $13 for seniors
- WEVERTOWN at Wevertown Community Center at 2:00PM is NYS Battle Flags of the Civil War for FREE
- SARATOGA at the Saratoga Springs Public Library at 2:00PM-4:00PM is Family Movies- The Lion King for FREE
- TROY at Experimental Media & Performing Arts Center at 12:00PM is Ryan + Trevor Oakes: The Periphery of Perception for FREE
Tuesday, February 21
- ALBANY at The Egg at 7:30PM is Zee Avi with special guest Bryan Thomas
- SARATOGA at the Saratoga Springs Public Library at 2:00PM-3:00PM is Andrew Simmons’ Wildlife for FREE
- ALBANY at UAlbany Uptown Campus, Ballroom at 8:00PM is Michio Kaku, physicist and author and cofounder of “string field theory
- GLENS FALLS at Charles R. Wood Theater at 1:00PM-9:00PM is Adirondack Regional Theaters Auditions
Wednesday, February 22
- SCHENECTADY at Katie O’ Byrnes at 7:00PM is Frank Jaklitsch
- ALBANY at the Empire State Plaza Ice Rink at 6:00PM-8:00PM is Let’s Skate hosted by BlueShield of Northeastern New York
- ALBANY at UAlbany Performing Arts Center at 7:30PM is Oswego Jazz Project- $12 general public, $10 seniors and UAlb faculty & staff and $8 students
- ALBANY at the Albany Institute of History & Art at 7:30AM-9:30AM is Corporate Breakfast Series, “Technology and Museums Today”- FREE but pre-registration required & from 10:00AM-5:00PM is CELEBRATE 221 Years with $2.21 admission!
- SARATOGA at the Saratoga Springs Public Library at 11:00AM is Animal Tracking Snowshoe Hike for FREE
Thursday, February 23
- SCHENECTADY at Jewish Community Center at 1:00PM-2:00PM is Magic Show with Melvin the Magnificent- members are $3/ pp and $8 per family, non-members are $4/pp and $12 per family
- TROY at Experimental Media & Performing Arts Center at 7:30PM is Last Year at Marienbad for $6
- ALBANY at Massry Center for the Arts at 7:30PM is Backstage with Paula Cole ($25)
- SARATOGA at Maestros at 7:00PM is Pull Your Own Pint for FREE
- SARATOGA at Longfellows at 6:30PM is Harpoon Beer Dinner
- SARATOGA at Circus Café at 7:00PM is Randal the Enamal Animal and Dogfish Head for FREE
- SARATOGA at Bookmakers at the Holiday Inn at 7:00PM- 9:00PM is Samples of ADK Brewery for FREE
- SARATOGA at Prime at 7:00PM-10:00PM is Meet the Brooklyn Brewery Team for FREE (beer and food are additional costs)
- SARATOGA at Irish Times Pub at 8:00PM-10:00PM is Goose Island Sampling Night/ Longtrail, Otter Creek, and Wolavers Organic beer sampling for FREE ( beer and food are additional)
- SARATOGA at City Tavern at 5:00PM is Five Floors of Beer & at 9:00PM-12:00AM is Redhook Trivia Night with Head Brewer for FREE (beer and food are additional)
- SARATOGA at Stadium Café at 7:30PM-11:00PM is Craft Brewers Alliance Tap Takeover with Head Brewer for FREE (beer and food are additional)
- SARATOGA at Saratoga Brewery at 4:00PM is Kick Off Party for Saratoga Beer Week ($7) & at 4:30PM-10:00PM is New York State Brewers Meeting for FREE
- SARATOGA at Long Fellows at 4:00PM-6:00PM is Long Trail Sampling
- SARATOGA at The Springs at the Saratoga Hilton at 5:00PM is Redhook Lounge for FREE
- SARATOGA at The Saratoga Hilton Lobby at 3:00PM-6:00PM is Beer Week Registration for PASSPORT HOLDERS ONLY
- ALBANY at Albany Public Library, Main Library Auditorium at 2:00PM is Pit Bull Education Workshop for FREE
ONGOING
- SCHENECTADY (Feb 20-26) is RESTAURANT WEEK http://www.sayschenectady.org/
- SCHENECTADY (Feb 17-26) at Proctors is Classic Theater Guild Inc. presents One Flew Over the Cukoo’s Nest http://www.proctors.org/events/ctg-one-flew-nest
- SCHENECTADY (Until Feb 26) at the Schenectady Museum & Suits-Bueche Planetarium at 2:30PM-3:30PM is Hidden Power Demos, every Thursday-Sunday in February
- NORTHVILLE (Feb 21-Feb 24) at Lapland Lake is one pass full price, second pass half price for all elementary and secondary school teachers with ID
- ALBANY (Feb 23-26) at UAlb Performing Arts Center is Great Expectations; look at website for times and prices http://www.albany.edu/pac/
- SARATOGA (Feb 22- 23) at the Saratoga Springs Public Library at 9:30AM-11:30AM is Exploring and Interacting with Media Websites for students, call 584-7860 to register
- LONG LAKE (Feb 17-26) is WINTER WONDERLAND WEEK
- ALBANY (Until Feb 21) at Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences at 7:00PM is Eighth Annual Africana Film Series for FREE- This week is Long Night’s Journey into Day: South Africa’s Search for Truth and Reconciliation
Friday, February 17- Sunday, February 19
Friday, February 17
- ALBANY at Valentines at 8:30PM is B-Scene Productions with Rebel Rose Presents: Continental (Featuring Rick Barton, Original Dropkick Muphys)
- ALBANY at The Egg at 7:30PM is Laughs Against L&L to benefit the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society
- ALBANY at Red Square at 8:00PM is DNBC Presents: Bassfix
- ROUND LAKE at Lake Ridge Restaurant is the LAST NIGHT of the 5 Day Valentine’s Celebration
- QUEENSBURY on West Mountain is Fire on the Mountain featuring Audio Stars from 8:00PM-Midnight & Rich Ortiz 9:00PM-1:00AM
- CLIFTON PARK at the Clifton Park-Halfmoon Public Library at 10:30AM is Stories of African Americans
- SARATOGA at the Saratoga Winery at 6:00PM-9:00PM is Aaron Mittler Live for FREE
- QUEENSBURY at Six Flags Great Escape Lodge Ballroom at 7:00PM is An Evening with Elvis- $30/pp, call 518-824-6060 for reservations
- SARATOGA at Vapor at Saratoga Casino and Raceway at 8:00PM is Cryin’ Out Loud for FREE
- GLENS FALLS at Glens Falls Civic Center at 7:00PM is Phantoms vs. Manchester
- DELMAR at St. Thomas School at 7:00PM-11:00PM is Hair of the Dog for $25
- ALBANY at Recital Hall, Performing Arts Center at 7:30PM is The Films of John Sayles: Honeydripper for FREE
Saturday, February 18
- SCHENECTADY at Proctors at 7:30PM is Party Horns NYC: Brooklyn Qawwali Party
- SCHENECTADY at Proctors at 2:00PM & 8:00PM is Blast!
- ALBANY at Valentines at 7:00PM is Abandon Me!
- ALBANY at The Linda at 8:00PM is Willie Nile LIVE for $23
- COHOES at Michael’s Banquet House at 5:00PM-9:30PM is Stupid Cupid Valentine’s Day Dance Party- $25 in adv and $30 at the door http://www.michaelsbanquethouse.com/images/Valentines%20Day%202-18-12.jpg
- LAKE GEORGE at 6:30PM is FIREWORKS!
- LAKE GEORGE on the ice is a Hot Air Balloon Moon Glow starting at dusk http://www.lakegeorge.com/winter/carnival.cfm
- LAKE GEORGE at YMCA Camp Chingachgook at 10:00am-4:00pm is Winter Wonderland Day- $5/pp + $5 optional lunch
- ALBANY on Lark Street starting at 12:00PM at Lionheart is the 2nd Annual Lark St. Magic Hat Mardi Gras Charity Pub Quiz & Crawl
- TROY at Revolution Hall at 2:00PM-5:00PM is Brown’s Brewing Co’s 2nd Annual Firehouse Chili Cookoff ($10)
- ALBANY at the Times Union Center at 7:00PM is Albany Devils Hockey
- TROY at Experimental Media and Performing Arts Center at 8:00PM is Annie Dorsen: Hello Hi There ($18)
- GUILDERLAND at the Guilderland Public Library at 10:00AM-12:00PM is Finding Your Revolutionary Patriot for FREE! Learn how to trace your lineage to a family member that served or aided the cause of the American Revolution
- QUEENSBURY at West Glens Falls Emergency Squad at 10:00AM-2:00PM is Bone Marrow Drive in honor of Emily Ziegler https://www.facebook.com/events/360500220643579
- ALBANY at Different Drummer’s Kitchen, Stuyvesant Plaza at 12:00PM-2:30PM is Memories of Poland ($65)
- LAKE GEORGE at Shepard Park Beach at 12:00PM is Chowder Cook Off http://www.lakegeorge.com/winter/carnival.cfm
- TUPPER LAKE at The Wild Center at 1:00PM is The Color of Ice for 15 adults, $9 youth and $13 for seniors; look at close up images of ice with Peter a research scientist with NASA
- GLENS FALLS at Crandall Public Library at 10:00AM-4:00PM is Cabin Fever Baby Festival for FREE
- LATHAM at Latham Farms Petsmart at 10:00AM-1:30PM is Peppertree Rescue Adoption Clinic
- ALBANY at the New York State Museum at 10:00AM is Catalyst, Conflict, Conclusion: New York’s African American Civil War Legacy for FREE
- SARATOGA at Vapor at Saratoga Casino and Raceway at 9:00PM is Vinnie Guadagnino from Jersey Shore sponsored by JAMZ 96.3 http://saratogacasino.com/vapor-nightclub/sightsandsounds/vinnyjerseyshore.aspx
- ALBANY at the Albany Marriott at 11:00AM-2:30PM is the 3rd Annual Mac & Cheese Bowl to benefit the Regional Food Bank of Northeastern NY- sample 30 different Mac & Cheese dishes from your favorite restaurants—tickets available at all Price Chopper Supermarkets (Adults $15, children 5-12 are $5 and children under 5 are FREE) http://www.rfbneny.com/events/3rd-annual-mac-cheese-bowl/
Sunday, February 19
- ALBANY at the Times Union Center at 7:00PM is Albany Devils Hockey
- ALBANY at Playdium Bowling Center at 11:00AM-3:00PM is Bowling for PAWS- STRIKE the Waiting List – raise $25 or more to bowl! http://www.pawsnycapitalregion.org/
- TROY at Hilton Garden Inn & The Rensselaer Banquet & Conference Facility at 11:00AM-3:00PM is Hilton Garden Inn Bridal Show, registration required CALL 518-953-1983
- SCHENECTADY starting at the City Hall Rotunda at 12:00PM-4:00PM is the Key to Schenectady Open House Tour; dozens of Schenectady properties will be open for viewing- you can accompany City officials including Mayor Gary McCarthy, Police Chief Mark Chaires, Fire Chief Michael Dellarocco and school district reps. To properties on Keyes Ave, Ardsley Rd and Waverly Place http://www.cityofschenectady.com/pdf/development/schenectady-open-house2.pdf
ONGOING
- ALBANY (Feb 17-18) at the Palace Theatre at 7:30PM both days and 2:00PM on the 18th is STOMP
- SCHENECTADY (Feb 17-26) at Proctors is Classic Theater Guild Inc. presents One Flew Over the Cukoo’s Nest http://www.proctors.org/events/ctg-one-flew-nest
- SCHENECTADY (Until Feb 26) at the Schenectady Museum & Suits-Bueche Planetarium at 2:30PM-3:30PM is Hidden Power Demos, every Thursday-Sunday in February
- INDIAN LAKE (Feb 18-19) at 10:00AM-3:00PM is Winter Wonderland Craft Show for FREE
- SARATOGA (Feb 18-19) at Irish Times Pub at 9:00PM is Who Are You- A Celebration of THE WHO for FREE
- ALBANY (Feb 18-19) at Academy of the Holy Names at 10:00AM-5:00PM is Antiques Show and Sale
- SARATOGA (Feb 17-19) is The Flurry Festival Annual Dance and Music Festival http://www.saratoga.com/winter/dance-flurry.cfm
- LONG LAKE (Feb 17-26) is WINTER WONDERLAND WEEK
- COHOES (Feb 9-Feb 19) at Cohoes Music Hall is the Pirate of Penzance
- SCHENECTADY (Feb 10-12 & 16-19) at the Schenectady Light Opera Company is BABY, the musical
- LAKE GEORGE (Feb 18-19) in Hague is the Hague Winter Weekend
- SCHENECTADY ( Jan 20- Feb 19) at the Capital Repertory Theater is The Sisters Rosensweig
- LAKE GEORGE (Feb 18-19) in Lake George Village is the THIRD WEEKEND of the Lake George Winter Carnival
Valentine’s Day Dinner Deals
- MALTA at DiDonna’s South Shore Restaurant is a Valentine for Two with a Lake View ($50 for 2 people); Includes beer or wine, soup or salad and a choice of either a 10oz Prime Rib dinner, NY Strip Steak or Cajun Shrimp then a choice of a shared serving of ice cream nachos, hot brownie fudge sundae or peanut butter explosion! RESERVATIONS not required.
- SARATOGA at the Saratoga Winery at 12:00PM-6:00PM is a Wine and Chocolate Tasting ($50 for 2 people); Includes gourmet chocolate covered strawberries, keepsake wine glasses, sparkling Saratoga waters, a red rose and MORE!
- SARATOGA at Ravenous starting at 5:00PM is a Valentine’s Day Dinner Special ($19.99/pp); Includea a dinner crepe, organic side salad, small cone of pommes frites, your choice of any homemade dip sauce and any dessert crepe.
- ALBANY at the Ten Broeck Mansion starting at 6:00PM is a Romantic Valentine’s Dinner ($115 per couple); Includes a 6 six course dinner with a sparkling aperitif, wine pairing, tax and gratuity- call 518-436-9826 for RESERVATIONS
- ALBANY at Taste is Valentine’s Day: Menu for Two; Includes: http://www.tastealbany.com/menus/2012valentines-day-dinner-for-2/ each meal at a different price
- LOUDONVILLE at Blue Stone Bistro starting at 5:00PM; Includes: http://www.blustonebistro.com/dnn/valentinesday.aspx ($150 per couple)
- LAKE GEORGE at Holiday Inn Resort has a Surf and Turf Dinner for Two ($49.95 per couple); Includes a Bottle of champagne or wine, house salad, 8z filet mignon and a 5oz lobster tail, dessert will be chef’s choice; RESERVATIONS recommended 518-668-5781
- ALBANY at The Olde English has a Tea for Two Meal ($60 per couple); Includes: http://518bitesandsights.com/2012/02/13/valentines2012/
- SARATOGA/CLIFTON PARK at Wheatfields has a special Valentine’s Day menu; Includes: http://www.wheatfields.com/pdfs/VDay%202012_Clifton%20Parkweb.pdf in CLIFTON PARK & http://wheatfields.com/pdfs/VDay%202012%20Saratogaweb.pdf in SARATOGA
- SCHENECTADY at Katie O’Byrne’s ($15.99/pp); Includes Osso Bucco with twice baked potatoes and mixed vegetables with a complementary glass of house wine
- ALBANY at Marche at 6:00PM-10:00PM ($59/pp); Includes: http://www.74state.com/V-DayLetter.pdf
- ALBANY at Mingle; Includes drink specials like chocolate covered cherry martinis $7, bellini $6 and appetizers such as coconut shrimp and mussels, sea bass and crab cakes for an entree and tiramisu and chocolate dipped strawberries for dessert
- COLONIE/DELMAR/CLIFTON PARK at Blue Spice at 4:30PM-10:00PM (9:30PM at Delmar & Clifton Park locations) at is a Special Valentine’s Day Menu ($50 for 2 people)
- COLONIE at Central Steak is Valentine’s Day Specials in addition to their regular menu- couples will receive a special invitation to join again in March to win prizes including desserts, wines and complimentary dinners (SALAD BAR IS BACK!)- same offer is being held at the other related restaurants such as Creo, Bountiful Bread, Mangia, and Log Jam
- SARATOGA at Nove Italian Restaurant is a 3 course meal of Valentines Specials; Includes shrimp nove, burrata arugula salad and homemade fettuccine for a first course, surf and turf, 16oz veal chop, yellowtail snapper, dover sole for the main course and either a chocolate flourless cake or chocolate covered strawberries for dessert
KEEP LOOKING BACK HERE for continuous updates as I hear from them/find them. If you know of any restaurants doing any special deals, feel free to comment here, on my Twitter or my Facebook page.
Saturday, February 10- Sunday, February 11
Saturday, February 11
- ALBANY at the Washington Ave Armory is Rusko
- SARATOGA at Caffe Lena at 7:30PM-9:30PM is The Last Five Years to benefit the American Cancer Society
- LAKE GEORGE at the Lake George Land Conservancy at 10:00AM & 2:00PM is Walk on Water to Dome Island with snowshoes, walk or skis!
- LAKE GEORGE at 6:30PM are FIREWORKS
- SARATOGA at Vapor Night Club at 9:00PM is Sights and Sounds with J.Will and DVDJ Dread
- SARATOGA at Saratoga Winery at 7:00PM-10:00PM is Sweetheart’s Surf and Turf Wine & Food Pairing for $35/pp
- CLIFTON PARK at Bath & Body Works at 10:00AM-4:00PM is a Valentine’s Day Party
- LAKE GEORGE at the Adirondack Winery Tasting Room at 11:00AM-6:00PM is FREE Valentine’s Day Event http://www.adirondackwinery.com/adirondack-winery-events.htm
- LAKE GEORGE in Shepard Beach at 12:00PM is BBQ Cook Off
- EAST GREENBUSH at Northeast Theraputic Massage Associates at 1:00PM-3:00PM is Ladies Afternoon Out for FREE
- SARATOGA at Saratoga City Center at 6:30PM-12:00AM is 15th Annual Bartender’s Ball for $50/pp
- BROADALBIN at The Historic Broadalbin Hotel at 6:30PM-10:30PM is A Murder Mystery Dinner- $95 per couple, $50/pp
- QUEENSBURY at Aviation Mall at 1:00PM-4:00PM is the Aviation Mall Bridal Show for Free
- LAKE GEORGE at West Mountain at 9:00AM-3:00PM is Salomon BBR Free Demo Tour http://www.salomon.com/us/minisites/bbr/
- CLIFTON PARK is the TOWN OF CLIFTON PARK 2012 ANNUAL WINTERFEST for FREE
- WARRENSBURG at 9:00AM-7:00PM is the Hickory Telemark Festival for $50 http://skihickory.net/
- COLONIE at AlbanyCrossfit at 9:00AM-6:00PM is the Crossfit Tristate Throwdown, FREE for spectators http://www.albany.com/event/crossfit-trisate-throwdown-44169/
- SCHENECTADY at Proctors at 6:30PM is the Capital Region Wine Festival Grand Opening-Romancing the Grape http://www.proctors.org/events/capital-region-wine-festival-grand-opening
- ALBANY at The Egg at 7:00PM & 9:30PM is John Pinette
- ALBANY at The Egg at 7:30PM is Peter Wolf
- ALBANY at the Palace Theatre 5:00PM & 8:00PM is Larry the Cable Guy
Sunday, February 12
- ALBANY at The Egg at 7:30PM is Anat Cohen Quartet ($24)
- NORTH CREEK at Gore Mountain at 8:30AM-4:00PM is a FESTIVAL FOR KIDS! Free tubing for kids 12 and under with accompanied by one full-paying parent starting at 6:00PM
- TROY at Franklin Plaza Ballroom at 12:00PM-4:00PM is a Wedding Expo: Celebrating Marriage for ALL for $5
- NISKAYUNA at the JCC at 12:00PM-4:00PM is Mid-Winter Summer Blowout for FREE
- SCHENECTADY at the Schenectady Museum at 1:00PM-2:30PM is Be My Valentine! For FREE with museum admission
- TROY at Troy Savings Bank Music Hall at 4:00PM is Albany Pro Musica’s High School Choral Festival for $10
- LAKE GEORGE on the Ice of Lake George Village at 11:00AM-3:00PM is the LGWC Polar Golf Tournament- $10/pp
- ALBANY at the Academy of the Holy Names at 1:00PM is an OPEN HOUSE
- MENANDS at Menands Firehouse at 8:00AM-12:00PM is St. Patrick’s Club Sweetheart Breakfast- Adults $7, Seniors $6 and children 5-12 $5
- SCHENECTADY at Proctors at 2:00PM is II Trittico – from the Royal Opera House http://www.proctors.org/events/il-trittico
ONGOING
- SARANAC LAKE (Feb 3-12) is the Winter Carnival
- SCHENECTADY (Until Feb 26) at the Schenectady Museum & Suits-Bueche Planetarium at 2:30PM-3:30PM is Hidden Power Demos, every Thursday-Sunday in February
- LAKE GEORGE (Until Feb 12) at Adirondack Winery at 11:00AM is a Valentine’s Day FREE Tasting for Lovers and Learners
- ALBANY (Until Feb 12) at the Empire State Plaza is the Great Northeast Home Show
- ALBANY (Feb 10-11) at The Comedy Works at 9:00PM is Tom Anzalone & Nore Davis
- COHOES (Feb 9-Feb 19) at Cohoes Music Hall is the Pirate of Penzance
- SCHENECTADY (Feb 10-12 & 16-19) at the Schenectady Light Opera Company is BABY, the musical
- SCHENECTADY ( Jan 20- Feb 19) at the Capital Repertory Theater is The Sisters Rosensweig
- SCHENECTADY (Feb 10-11) at Proctors is the Capital Region Wine Festival at 6:30PM 2/10 and 1:00PM on 2/11
- LAKE GEORGE (Feb 11-12) in Lake George Village is the SECOND WEEKEND of the Lake George Winter Carnival
- LAKE GEORGE (Feb 11-12) at Adirondack Winery is a Valentine’s Day Wine Tasting- SAT 11:00a-6:00p & SUN 11:00a-4:00p
“Caesar salad is one of my favourite lunch foods. You can shovel it in and talk at the same time.”
Janet Street-Porter
I’ve heard of Bountiful Bread, I’ve heard about the food at Bountiful Bread, I’ve walked past Bountiful Bread, checked out the Bountiful Bread menu but until two weeks ago, I had never personally experienced it.
I was surprised to learn that Bountiful Bread was invented in Albany in 1998, it’s not a franchise- it’s hard to tell the difference these days. It started out as just a “bread operation” as they put it on their website but have since expanded to salads, paninis, soups, desserts and catering. I took a peek at their dessert options and next time I might just have to grab a scone or cookie for the road!
After going to Stuyvesant Plaza for some light shopping with my Mother, we decided to eat at Bountiful Bread since neither of us had been there. I ordered the Greek Salad, Wild Field Greens, Thin Red Onions, Tomatoes, Greek Olives, Feta Cheese, Cucumbers, Croutons and Balsamic Vinagrette for $8.25. 
I thought the price was fair for the amount of salad I got. Everything tasted great. They offered to mix up my mother’s salad but not mine which made it really difficult to eat. The Balsamic Vinagrette was some of the best I’ve had in awhile and it made for great dunking for the bread that came with it. Everything tasted very fresh and hit the spot exactly since I was craving a salad.
For dinner that night, we decided to pick up a loaf of bread covered in spinach. I didn’t see an official name but it may have been one of the best things I’ve ever tasted. We put it in the oven for a bit and let the cheese melt with the spinach and oh my goodness, this is something to be experienced.
I did end up picking up a loaf of bread for FREE when I bought a jar of Saratoga Peanut Butter Company peanut butter. I decided on the multigrain but that will have to wait for another blog entry. I’m surprised this is my first time eating at Bountiful Bread, I feel like I’ve been wasting time. I enjoyed this salad a lot more than it’s counterparts like Panera for example. I feel like I got better tasting and more ingredients for the same price.
Monday, February 6- Thursday, February 9
As always, feel free to post events you know of coming up/ read more events posted to my:
FACEBOOK PAGE — https://www.facebook.com/518BitesNSights
TWITTER – http://twitter.com/#!/518bitesnsights
Or send them to my EMAIL — 518BitesNSights@gmail.com
Monday, February 6
Tuesday, February 7
- ALBANY at the Valentines Music Hall at 7:00PM is Nitty Gritty Poetry Slam
- ALBANY at the Albany-Colonie Regional Chamber of Commerce at 7:30AM is Quickbooks 101 & 201 for $10
- ALBANY at UALBANY at Business Administration 220 from at 6:00PM is UAlbany School of Business Graduate Programs Information Session for FREE http://www.albany.edu/business/graduate_info_sessions.shtml
Wednesday, February 8
- LAKE GEORGE at the Holiday Inn Resort at 9:00AM-1:00PM is First Aid/CPR/AED Training – Full course $100 & CPR/AED only $75- call 518-623-2352 for more information
- TROY at EMPAC at 6:00PM is John D. Barrow- he will discuss the observer effects principle and the impact of images on the development of science throughout history- FREE
- VOORHEESVILLE at Old Songs Community Arts Center at 7:30pm is Irish Slow Session for $3
- ALBANY at the Hilton Garden Inn, Albany Medical Center at 5:30PM is What’s the Klout of Your Professional Presence? For $15- demonstrate your expertise beyond just your resume!
Thursday, February 9
- ALBANY at Bogie’s at 7:00PM is Lock Up and Goatwhore
- GLENVILLE at the Water’s Edge Lighthouse at 3:00PM-7:00PM is Tails of Treasure sponsored by the Animal Protective Foundation; assortment of beautiful jewelry and you can also bring gold or silver for appraisal and donation to the animals ($3 per person, cash bar)
- ALBANY at City Beer Hall at 7:00PM-12:00AM is Metroland Heartbreaker Bash
- ALBANY at the Capital District Center for Independence at 12:00PM-1:00PM is Ketchup is NOT a Vegetable: From Mindless to Mindful Eating for FREE- call 518-459-6422 to register
- LATHAM at The Pilates Principle at 7:00PM-8:00PM is Vibrational Sound Bath & Gong Healing Meditation for $20- call 518-774-4957 to register
- LATHAM at Siena College at 7:00PM is Harlem Wizards Game to benefit ALS
- GLENVILLE at The Joyful Quilter at 10:30AM-1:30PM is Hugs & Kisses for $20
- ALBANY at the Albany-Colonie Regional Chamber at 7:45AM is Give Your Business a Stronger Online Presence for FREE
ONGOING
- ALBANY (Until Feb 9) at Stuyvesant Plaza at 10:00AM-6:00PM is the International Artist’ Expo as Sorelle Gallery for FREE http://www.sorellegallery.com/
- COHOES (Feb 9-Feb 19) at Cohoes Music Hall is the Pirate of Penzance
- SARANAC LAKE (Feb 3-12) is the Winter Carnival
- SCHENECTADY (Until Feb 26) at the Schenectady Museum & Suits-Bueche Planetarium at 2:30PM-3:30PM is Hidden Power Demos, every Thursday-Sunday in February
- SCHENECTADY ( Jan 20- Feb 19) at the Capital Repertory Theater is The Sisters Rosensweig
Friday, February 3- Sunday, February 5
Friday, February 3
- SCHENECTADY at Proctors at 7:00PM is Eddie Murphy Raw showing at the GE Theater, sponsored by Jamz 96.3 http://www.proctors.org/events/eddie-murphy-raw
- ALBANY at the Albany Institute of History and Art at 5:00PM-8:00PM is 1st Friday at AIHA for FREE
- ALBANY at Taste at 5:30PM-8:30PM is Night Out in Fashion- Fashion Week Upstate NY Party- $21.50 ONLINE and $25 at the door
- CLIFTON PARK at HealthPlex Fitness Center at 6:00PM-7:30PM is ZUMBA Party! For the American Heart Association for a $10 donation
- SARATOGA at the Canfield Casion at 8:00PM-11:00PM is Saratoga Independent School’s Casino Night Scholarship Fund for $65-150
- SARATOGA at Vapor at Saratoga Casino and Raceway at 8:00PM is The Refrigerators for FREE, 21+
- COLONIE at Central Steak at 9:00PM is Winchester & Young perform, open to the public
- ALBANY at Red Square at 7:00PM is 4th Annual Beat*Shot Spins
- ALBANY at the Times Union Center at 7:00PM is Siena Men’s Basketball
- SCHENECTADY at Proctors is Branford Marsalis & Joey Calderazzo Duo and the Branford Marsalis Quartet at 8:00PM
Saturday, February 4
- SCHENECTADY at Proctors at 8:00PM is Cinematic Titanic – staring the cast of Mystery Science Theater 3000
- SARATOGA, Downtown from 11AM-4PM is CHOWDERFEST 2012
- ALBANY at ROCKS is Milan from Ru Paul’s Drag Race for $10 at the door, 18+
- FORT ANN at The Boar’s Nest at 9:00AM is the 4th Annual Purple Ribbon Cancer Ride
- NORTHVILLE at Lapland Lake Nordic Vacation Center at 9:00AM is Moonlit Night Skiing ($20 adult, $18 ages 12-17, $10 6-11 and under 6 FREE)
- ALBANY at the Washington Ave Armory at 6:00PM is Albany All Stars Roller Derby: Heartbreaker’s Ball
- ALBANY at Michael’s Banquet House at 6:00PM is the Cohoes Music Hall Gala 2012
- LAKE GEORGE at Lake George Elementary School at 10:00AM is 2012 Polar Cap- $20 preregistered, $25 race day registration
- BRUNSWICK at Brunswick Agway at 10:00AM-1:30PM is Peppertree Rescue Adoption Clinic
- OLD FORGE at McCauley Mountain at 11:00AM is the Snowshoe Challenge
- GLENVILLE at Indian Meadows Park at 11:00AM-3:30PM is the Town of Glenville WINTERFEST for FREE
- SARATOGA at Prestwick Chase at 12:00PM-3:00PM is Winterfest Cardboard Sled Races for FREE
- LAKE GEORGE at 12:30PM at Shepards Park Beach is a Chili Cook Off and at 5:00PM is a Bon Fire on the Beach & 6:30PM is FIREWORKS
- SARATOGA at Vapor at Saratoga Casino and Raceway at 9:00PM is Sasha Grey for $10
- SCHENECTADY at Brown School at 1:00PM-3:00PM is Brown School OPEN HOUSE
- TUPPER LAKE at The Wild Center at 1:00PM you can Meet a Live Porcupine! Adult $15, Youth $9, and Senior $13
- ALBANY at the Times Union Center at 7:30PM is KO at the TU
- STOCKBRIDGE, MA at the Norman Rockwell Museum at 1:00PM-3:00PM MEET Curious George!
- LAKE GEORGE at Thurman Town Hall at 1:00p-3:00p is Valentines for Vets, create valentines for our servicemen overseas
Sunday, February 5
- ALBANY at the Times Union Center at 1:00PM is Harlem Globetrotters
- ALBANY at the Albany Institute of History and Art at 1:00PM is the Washington & Lincoln Spelling Bee
- MALTA at DiDonna’s South Shore Restaurant at 1:00PM-4:00PM is SupHER Bowl Party for FREE- Sunday Shopping Event!
- CLIFTON PARK at Shenendehowa High School East at 10:00AM-4:00PM is the So. Saratoga County Woman’s Club 36th Annual Antique Show & Sale for $3
- GLENS FALLS at Glens Falls High School Pool at 9:30AM-11:00AM is FREE Discover SCUBA! Contact Rich Morin at 761-0533 for details
- GLENS FALLS at Glens Falls Elks Lodge #81 at 8:00AM-11:00AM is All You Can Eat Breakfast to Benefit Youth Programs- $7 adults/ $4 children under 12
- SCHENECTADY inside Proctors is the Schenectady Greenmarket (EVERY WEEK) at 10:00AM-2:00PM
- SCHENECTADY at the GE Theater at Proctors at 5:30PM is Super Bowl XLVI- watch it on the BIG SCREEN
ONGOING
- ALBANY (Until Feb 9) at Stuyvesant Plaza at 10:00AM-6:00PM is the International Artist’ Expo as Sorelle Gallery for FREE http://www.sorellegallery.com/
- LAKE GEORGE (Feb 3-4) at the Crandall Library is Friends of Crandall Library Book Sale- FRI 9a-5p, SAT 9A-4P & SUN 1p-4p–FREE!
- ALBANY (Feb 4-5) at the Empire State Plaza Convention Center at 9:00AM is the Albany Gun Show ($5-6)
- ALBANY (Feb 10-12) at the Times Union Center is the Great Northeast Home Show; 3:00PM on Friday and 10:00AM on Saturday & Sunday
- WILTON (Until Feb 5) at Wilton Mall at 10:00AM is Cabin Fever Arts, Crafts & Lifestyle Show for FREE
- CLIFTON PARK (Until Feb 5) at the Clifton Park-Halfmoon Library at 1:00PM-5:00PM is Friends of CPH Library Used Book Sale: Friday 1-5PM, Saturday 10-4PM & Sunday 12-3PM
- OLD FORGE (Until Feb 5) is OLD FORGE WINTER CARNIVAL!
- SARATOGA (Until Feb 5) is the 15TH ANNUAL SARATOGA WINTERFEST! http://www.saratoga.com/winter/winterfest.cfm
- GLENS FALLS (Until Feb 4) at the Charles R. Wood Theater – Friday at 7:00PM, Saturday at 1:00PM & 7:00PM ($15)
- SCHENECTADY (Feb 5-13) at Proctors is Puss in Boots; look at the website for times http://www.proctors.org/events/puss-boots
- NORTH CREEK (Jan 29-Feb 3) is GORE MOUNTAIN RESTAURANT WEEK
- SARANAC LAKE (Feb 3-12) is the WINTER CARNIVAL
- SCHENECTADY (Until Feb 26) at the Schenectady Museum & Suits-Bueche Planetarium at 2:30PM-3:30PM is Hidden Power Demos, every Thursday-Sunday in February
- LAKE GEORGE (Feb 4-5) in Lake George Village is the FIRST weekend of the Wnter Carnival
- SCHENECTADY (Jan 27-29; Feb 1-5) at the Schenectady Civic Players is The Ives Have It
- SCHENECTADY (Feb 4-5) at Proctors at 11:00AM & 1:30PM is Mummies: Secrets of the Pharaohs– recommended for 5th-8th grade (Also showing, March 3-4 & April 7) http://www.proctors.org/events/mummies-secrets
- SCHENECTADY (Feb 4-5) at Proctors at 12:15PM & 2:45PM is A Rainforest Adventure in 3D, narrated by Dame Judi Dench (Also showing Mar 3-4 & Apr 7) http://www.proctors.org/events/rainforest
- SCHENECTADY ( Jan 20- Feb 19) at the Capital Repertory Theater is The Sisters Rosensweig
Monday, January 30- Thursday, February 2
Monday, January 30
- SCHNECTADY at Proctors Theater at 2:00PM, 3:30PM, 5:15PM & 7:00PM is Being Elmo: A Puppeteer’s Journey
Tuesday, January 31
- MALTA at 20 State Farm Place at 10:00AM-12:00PM is Mobile Marketing Tips & Trends Seminar- $10 for clients of Mannix Marketing, $20 for non-clients
Wednesday, February 1
- GLENS FALLS at the Glens Fall Civic Center is Megadeath featuring Motorhead, Volbeat & Lacuna Coil
- SCHENECTADY at Proctors at 3:30PM, 5:30PM & 7:30PM is a showing of the movie Drive at the GE Theater http://www.proctors.org/events/drive
- SARATOGA at the Senior Citizens Center of Saratoga at 6:00PM-7:00PM is Saratoga Springs Grandparents & Relatives Caring for Children Public Forum for FREE http://www.grandparentsforchildren.org/events.asp
Thursday, February 2
- ALBANY at the Washington Ave Armory at 8:30PM is David Guetta
- SARATOGA at Vapor Night Club, Saratoga Gaming and Raceway at 9:00PM is En Vogue
- ALBANY at the Albany Marriott Hotel at 5:30PM-8:30PM is ESSAE’s 33rd Annual Meeting and Awards Banquet – members are $45 and non-members are $60
- LAKE PLACID at 6:00PM is the BEGINNING OF THE EMPIRE STATE GAMES!
- CLIFTON PARK at the Vischer Ferry Nature Preserve at 7:00PM is Moonlight Ski for FREE
ONGOING
- ALBANY (Until Feb 9) at Stuyvesant Plaza at 10:00AM-6:00PM is the International Artist’ Expo as Sorelle Gallery for FREE http://www.sorellegallery.com/
- SCHENECTADY (Jan 27-29; Feb 1-5) at the Schenectady Civic Players is The Ives Have It
- NORTH CREEK (Jan 29-Feb 3) is GORE MOUNTAIN RESTAURANT WEEK
- SCHENECTADY ( Jan 20- Feb 19) at the Capital Repertory Theater is The Sisters Rosensweig
