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“Clam chowder is one of those subjects, like politics or religion, that can never be discussed lightly. Bring it up even incidentally, and all the innumerable factions of the clam bake regions raise their heads and begin to yammer.”
Louis P. De Gouy
This past weekend, February 4th-6th, was Chowder Fest in Saratoga at participating locations. From what I could find it was the 3rd Annual event and even though the weather was awful, it was still a lot of fun. Participating locations gave small cups of chowder to those willing to pay a dollar for it. This also included some “dessert chowders” read as “ice cream” from participating locations that serves frozen treats such as Ben and Jerry’s. This year, they offered a $5 mug for your chowder in an effort to make the event more environmentally friendly. I don’t know my way around Saratoga so I found it difficult to figure out, even with a map, where to go to get which chowder. The list was posted online the day before so you could map out where you wanted to go. I didn’t get to try any of this years winners because of the amount of people as well as the weather conditions but in case you want to go back another day to check them out, here’s the list:
Chowderfest 2011 Winners:
People’s Choice Winner: The Parting Glass
Best On-Broadway Winner: Cantina
Best Off-Broadway Winner: Seven Horse Pub
Best Non-Downtown Winner: Longfellows Restaurant
Best Newcomer: American Culinary Federation
Most Chowder Served: The Parting Glass
I had three chowders in total (and one scoop of Ben & Jerry’s Ice Cream). The first was from Black Diamond Caterers who was serving their Creamy Tomato Crab Chowder in a booth on the street. I didn’t hate it but it didn’t have much flavor to it. I didn’t have much crab and it really wasn’t all that creamy either. Since we arrived toward the end of the event, that could have been the reason for the low crab count.
Next, I had Peabody’s Sports Bar & Grille’s Corn & Crab Chowder and this was my favorite of the three. It was a little salty but chowder is supposed to be chunky and this was perfect. I got just the right amount of corn and crab and if they serve this at their bar, I would order it and pay for a whole bowl.
The last I tried was Stadium Cafe’s Seafood Chowder. My cousin is a fan of their food and they won in 2009 but when we tried the chowder, I realized why they didn’t win last or this year. The seafood was good but as with the first one, it didn’t have much flavor.
I know that there were a lot of restaurant’s with great chowder but I didn’t get to them. Even though I spent most of the time walking in the snow and sleet and getting pelted in the face, I had a great time. Even if you don’t like chowder and don’t spend your time and money going bar to bar to try different chowders, just go to the nearest bar and hang out. Each bar had some sort of drink special and tons of people. These were the biggest crowds that I’ve seen at a bar around 3:00PM on a Saturday and when you get hungry? Chowder’s right there for $1!
“Ideas are like pizza dough, made to be tossed around. “
Anna Quindlen
Though I didn’t get to attend Pizza Wars, in hopes that it is going to happen again next year I wanted to give everyone a heads up on something I didn’t realize.
For those who didn’t know, Pizza Wars happened on February 3rd, 2011 at Proctors in Downtown Schenectady where for $3.00 you could try pizza from various locations in the 518 and then vote on which were your favorites. I figured this not only sounded like a great way to have dinner cheap but to try all the pizza places in the area that tend to go unnoticed. What I didn’t know was, so did everyone else. I didn’t see much advertising for this event so I figured I could walk in, try some pizza cheap and then leave, no problem. What I didn’t realize was that no only was it packed, so was every restaurant in Downtown Schenectady. This was a bigger deal than I imagined!
My friend and I were ready to attend, until we saw the line outside. 
The line went from the whole inside of Proctors up until almost Aperitivo and apparently the same out the back door as well. Since we figured this line was too long to wait for pizza, we decided to go to Bombers where a table of 4 had a wait of an hour and a half- it seemed as if others had the same idea as we had. Nico’s, next door to Bombers, is known to have great pizza and was also happy to accommodate those who couldn’t stand in the line with their kids but were craving pizza. I love when local places get business, but it was almost impossible to wait in that line for pizza wars. It was like this outside and filled to capacity inside, I wonder how anyone got to try pizza.
The eventual winner was 5th & 50 Pizzeria in Scotia of best overall pizza. I just hope next year, this is at a bigger venue or over the course of two days so more people could have had the opportunity to try local pizza without having to spend the night waiting in line outside because the inside had reached capacity.
If anyone was able to go to Pizza Wars, I’d love to hear how it was, some of your favorite pizzas and if it was too crowded or not. Comment here and let us know!
“Part of the secret of success in life is to eat what you like and let the food fight it out inside.”
Mark Twain
A few weekends ago was the Jay St Italian Festival as well as St. George’s Greek Festival. 
I went with my Mom and we planned to have dinner at the Italian festival and dessert at the Greek festival.Our first stop was at Cornell’s Restaurant (39 North Jay St)
who had a small menu of food to choose from and a buffet of the foods.The choices were: Minestra (Greens & Beans with Pepperoni), Calamari Marinara, Veal & Peppers and Rigatoni with Bolognese Sauce all for $6.00. We ordered the Calamari Marinara and Rigatoni with Bolognese Sauce. In my opinion, the Rigatoni wasn’t much different than any pasta I could make. 
Since they served everything out of a buffet setting, though, I wouldn’t judge their usual pasta on this particular day.
Cornell's Rigatoni with Bolognese Sauce
Every time I looked at Cornell’s, there was a line so the time and focus that they usually put on individual meals probably wasn’t there so I wouldn’t rule it out as an option if you decide to eat there. I didn’t dislike the food, it was good, but when I think of Cornell’s I tend to think of a higher quality than what I can do in my kitchen and this wasn’t an example of that. The Calamari Marinara on the other hand was fantastic! It was non-breaded calamari in a lot of sauce. I would say it was less sauce than a soup and more sauce than a stew, somewhere in the middle.
The calamari’s were cooking beautifully, perfectly tender and the sauce was a good complement. I had wished that we ordered two of those instead of the rigatoni (my Mom went back and ordered some more), I highly recommend trying that if you ever find yourself at Cornell’s for dinner. Then we continued down the street, listening to music and seeing what else they offered including: fried dough, pizza & other types of pasta. We also walked in to Civitello’s for some of their famous Italian ice but the line was out the door,
Cavatelli from Cornells
plus we already promised ourselves Greek food for dessert. Before we left, I bought myself one of my favorite sandwiches from Perrecas (read about it in one of my previous blog entries) then we were on to Greek food.
I don’t know if you’ve ever been to a Greek best but they’re a lot of fun. The night starts out about food and music and then as more and more people drink more and more Ouzo, more and more dancing and singing add into the mix. Inside the building was a huge line wrapped around the parameter waiting to get the Greek goodies like baklava and my personal favorite Greek dessert, kourabiethes which are powdered almond cookies. I don’t exactly now what makes them my favorite, there isn’t a particular different taste than a regular cookie but with the crunchy consistency along with the powdered sugar and that almond taste I can’t get enough!
Baklava and Kourabiethes
Outside where all the dancing and music was happening is the line for souflaki and gyros. The prices were very fair. My gyro was $8 and each dessert was about $1. The most pricey item was probably the alcohol. I tried Mythos which is Greek beer and if you’re a fan of Budweiser then I would give it a shot. It’s a little less flavorful than Bud, probably closer to a Bud Light but still worth it if you’re at a Greek fest looking to try new things. Something I’m not so quick to recommend is Ouzo. Ouzo is the Greek’s tequila. One shot of this and you’ll feel a heavy buzz. Taste-wise? I wasn’t a fan. It tastes and smells like black licorice which is one food you will not find me writing about on my blog, I hate it. Therefore, I hated the taste of Ouzo but it’s just not my thing. 
If you’re looking to get on that Greek stage and dance with the best of them but are a tad nervous, a shot of Ouzo will do the trick. Designated drivers be weary, one shot of this will most definitely hinder your driving abilities so steer clear!
I love food festivals and the Greeks and the Italians are the best mix of fantastic food and a great time. If you missed this particular event this year, no worries! I assume that they’ll be doing this again soon and there are Greek & Italian fests all over this area in the late summer early fall so look out! Check the blog’s Facebook page HERE for mentions of various food festivals, you’re guaranteed to have a great time and leave full without spending a ton of money.
“Food which is worth eating is worth discussing.”
X. Marcel Boulestin
As I grew up, the Empire State Plaza in Albany (Madison St, Albany) was my playground. 
My Mom worked in one of the Agency Buildings as far back as I can remember and that’s where I spend a lot of my time growing up on days off from school to spend time with her. She has since retired and because of that, I don’t tend to visit the Empire State Plaza as often, even though on a beautiful day with beautiful weather, it’s just that- beautiful.
Every year, the Empire State Plaza is home to a Food Festival. If anyone has been to the ESP for Fourth of July, you know that on either side of the pond there are types of gyros and hot dogs and that fantastic lemonade containers. This food festival was that- doubled. Food trucks from various 518 eateries, stands, even a wood fire stove trailer! There was also a Farmers Market behind the whole festival if fresh foods are more your appetite.
My Mother and my first stop was Spacey Tracy’s Deep Fried Pickles from Rhinebeck, NY. 
We saw a sign for a “Garlic Dog” and we were sold. My Mom and I split the hot dog covered in Whole Roasted Garlic Cloves and ate it before I was even able to take a picture of it. My *tip? Share the hot dog with someone. It was probably the best tasting hot dog I’ve ever had but my stomach was no happy with me for the rest of the night and I only ate half, therefore, eat only half and follow it with some Tums- but it’s worth it! I couldn’t taste the hot dog itself but the garlic was soft and squishy and delicious. I wish I tried the Fried Pickles but my Mom and I figured that we’d go to a different truck.
Out next stop was the Capital Q Smokehouse (329 Ontario Street, Albany) truck which can be found in the ESP Monday-Friday from 11am-2pm. 
When the truck says that they’re the best BBQ in the Capital Region, I have to give it a try! My Mom and I ordered a Pulled Pork Sandwich. Normally, these are a perfect amount for one person but we wanted to try a little from various stations, so we split one. The pork was cooked perfectly. It was supposed to come with pickles but didn’t, I didn’t notice until I read the sign again. The sandwich was great without it, the perfect amount of spice to meaty flavor.
The Dunkin’ Donuts truck was there offering samples of Iced Coffee and various mixed flavors of Coolatas to the public.
Pulled Pork Sandwich
We also received stress balls from the NYS Lottery who tend to be in the ESP during these events allowing the public to buy lottery tickets and win the big money! The perfect pairing was PIE placed right next to ICE CREAM so we could get a piece of pie and add a scoop from their neighbors for $1 which was a great deal. The pie was awesome, Strawberry Rhubarb with big chunks of Strawberry. The ice cream was smooth and tasty and went perfectly with the pie. YUMM! I had a great time, I don’t spend enough time in our State’s capital and this was a perfect afternoon to try foods from all over. If I was still hungry I would have tried one stations Alligator Nuggets but I was full by that point. Make sure you look out next summer and come hungry!
