CAPITAL-SARATOGA
The Capital Region, aka the Capital District, encompasses a six county area including and surrounding the state capital of Albany. Dubbed Tech Valley, it is now a center for tech and innovation, but was first settled by the Dutch in the early 17th century. Thriving metros include Albany, Troy, Saratoga Springs, and Schenectady, and for outdoor adventure, visit one or more of Fulton County’s 44 lakes. The food offerings here are a delicious blend of imaginative audaciousness and old-school traditional.
Bon appetit!
Yelp’s Price Range Key:
$ Inexpensive
$$ Moderate
$$$ Pricey
$$$$ Ultra High-End
300 Delaware Avenue, Albany
A global menu with local pride. This 80-seat gastro pub in Albany’s Delaware Avenue neighborhood centers on an Art Deco mahogany bar sourced from the 1939 New York World’s Fair. Defined by eclecticism, the only enduring theme in this restaurant is a commitment to excellence. The menu under former Chef Ric Orlando included dishes like Thai-Fried Brussels Sprouts (with peanuts, chile, and sea plant garum) and Purple Haze Shrimp (butter basted shrimp with ginger, habanero, pineapple, and red cabbage sauce). It has reopened with a new innovative menu by Chefs Zach and Hannah Welton, featuring exciting global mash-ups like Roasted Chile-Cashew Flatbread and Pork Al Pastor, with fire-roasted pineapple, pickled jalapeno and crispy yuca. $$
111 Congress Street, Troy
Famous Lunch has been cranking out mini dogs in Troy since 1932. It’s weird, it’s small, and the dogs — slightly larger than the one-bite wonders dished out at cocktail parties — are delish. They’re served up chubby and grilled, with a chunky Zippy Sauce, redolent of smoked paprika and cumin. Buy four for $3, with a rice pudding, and, if you’re feeling it, Zippyfries. Grab extra napkins. $
Photo: Famous Lunch
15 Church Street, Saratoga Springs
Low and high-brow dining emporiums are always on the menu in Saratoga Springs, and because competition is so fierce (there are 200 restaurants per capita in Saratoga Springs, one of the highest rates in the nation), bad places may come, but they go just as quickly. A perennial destination restaurant is 15 Church Restaurant, housed in a restored historic building in the center of town. 15 Church serves an elegant menu of American classics (Duck and King Crab Bash, Braised Rabbit Pasta with Confit Garlic and Pancetta) outside on the patio. $$$
Photo: 15 Church Restaurant