Bokie's Drive-in: Pinkalicious!

Traveling around the Malone, NY area we stumbled upon Bokie's Drive-In.  It's easy to stumble upon, because it's pink.   It's pink ALL OVER.  The building, the sign, the picnic tables, even the lines for the parking spots.  Pink in true 50's fashion.  Good luck missing it.

Sadly, there are not any roller skating servers, but that didn't detract from the charm.  The inside is gleaming white with black and chrome accents in traditional 50's diner style.   There are booths and small tables for inside dining, if eating at a bright pink picnic table outside isn't on your menu.   The booth tables are a scrap book of a specific year, with news clippings and pictures and ads pertinent to that year.

Bokie's offers lots of fried delights (shrimp, clams, mushrooms) as well as burgers, chicken sandwiches and the traditional "Michigan Dog":  hot dog smothered in a chili sauce, chopped onion and a squiggle of mustard.   Plattsburgh gets to boast that they originated the name "Michigan Dog", which seems odd, but true.  The first record of the name is in a 1927 publication of The Daily Republican, Plattsburgh's local newspaper.  At Bokie's you can have a regular beef hot dog or order a "glazier", which is a red hot dog perhaps more commonly known as a "red hot".  Coming from a person who is not a big hot-dog eater, the experience was delectable.   The chili sauce on the dog was flavorful and didn't overpower the taste of the glazier dog, which I decided to try.  Next time I will leave the mustard off, which is probably a mortal sin but, I like what I like, and I would have liked to taste more chili than mustard.

You definitely want to stop by Bokie's if you're up near the Canadian border or heading to/from Akwesasne Casino in Malone.   The owner himself does some of the serving, along with his lovely daughter.   It's a comfortable, casual atmosphere and judging by the line at the ice cream window that formed while we were eating: a local favorite.

Red Robin....ummmmm?

I was craving a burger.  A really good, juicy, messy burger.  Too lazy to make one myself, I opted for Red Robin which is supposed to have outstanding, gourmet burgers.  It says so on the t-shirts that all the staff wear.  I have eaten at RR before but not had any of their burgers.   I now wish I could still say that.

I ordered the Whiskey River Burger.  In the picture, it looked like everything I needed and more: plump burger, onion straws, their signature barbeque sauce, and a whole-grain bun.  Perfect?  Not so much.  

I will preface this with: I KNOW I should have sent it back to begin with.  However, I was at RR not only for a burger but for an important discussion.  I opted to not make the meeting about my meal thereby detracting from the discussion.  

With that out of the way, here's what I found:

The burger wasn't hot.   It wasn't cold, but it wasn't fresh off the grill either.  

The burger was thin.  It looked NOTHING like the picture in terms of thickness, and we all know how important thickness is.   It was, however, cooked to my specifications.  Yay.

The burger had no barbeque sauce on it.  THE WHISKEY RIVER BARBEQUE BURGER HAD NO SAUCE ON IT. 

I emailed Red Robin and received an apologetic response and the offer of a free appetizer for my trouble.  I suppose that is good customer relations, but I feel a refund AND a free app would have been more fitting since I specified in my email that I feel I wasted my money there.

On the bright side, Chris's BLTA looked and tasted really good.   Get that.  Not a burger.

Because you can't live on chocolate bunnies alone....

In researching to find one piece of information, I found several pieces of information.  Specifically, area restaurants that are offering Easter Brunches and Buffets.  Since I've already compiled the info, I thought I'd save you the trouble.  Enjoy!


The Desmond in Albany has seatings from 10:30am until 2pm. The menu offered by Executive Chef Michael St. John is available at http://www.desmondhotelsalbany.com. Prices are $42.95 per adult, $19.95 for kids 4-12, kids under 3 are free. Reservations are required. 869-8100.

Michael's Banquet House in Cohoes has seatings available 11am-3pm by calling 785-8524. The Easter Bunny will be there along with live music. $32.25 per adult, $16.50 for kids 4-12, kids 3 and under are free. Their menu is available at http://www.michaelsbanquethouse.com.

Fortunes Restaurant at the Saratoga Casino and Raceway is offering an Easter Brunch Buffet from 10am-2pm. $18.95 per adult, children 3-12 are $10.95. Call 581-5790 for reservations. The menu is available at http://www.saratogacasino.com.

McGreivey's in Waterford is offering 2 seatings on Easter Sunday: 9:30 a.m. and 12 p.m. $25 per adult, $12.50 for kids 4-12, kids 3 and younger are free. A la carte dinner starts at 3pm with last seating at 5pm. Dinner menu only. Reservations are required. 238-2020.

Milano's in Latham will host their annual Easter Buffet from 10:30am - 3pm. $31.95 per adult, $15.95 for children 4-12. Call 783-3334 for reservations. Their menu is available at http://www.milano-restaurant.com/.

The Hilton Garden Inn in Clifton Park offers a brunch buffet from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.; $28 adults, $16 kids ages 5 to 10. A-la-carte dinner in Angelo's Prime Bar & Grill is also offered from 2 to 8 p.m. Call 631-6500 for reservations. http://www.onereputation.com/events.htm

Glen Sanders Mansion in Scotia will have a brunch buffet in the ballroom 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. Adults $34, kids 5-10 are $18. They will also serve dinner in their restaurant, Angelo's Tavolo, 12:30 p.m.- 7 p.m. Reservations required, please call 374-7262. http://www.onereputation.com/events.htm

Happy Easter!

Urbana Legend

Chris and I travelled to D.C. in January (no, not for work!  Isn't that exciting???).  Chris thought he read that the week we were there was Restaurant Week, but it turned out to be during the previous week (which was our original travel plan).  The concierge at the Washington Hilton advised us that Urbana was not only a very good restaurant, but also had extended their Restaurant Week and that we should check it out. 

A new restaurant for us AND a great deal?  Chris was all over that. 

P Street is easy walking distance from the hotel and the large, bright sign facing oncoming pedestrians made them simple to find.  Their Restaurant Week offerings were not advertised outside their doors, but the very friendly maitre d' confirmed that our information was correct and exuberantly explained how their RW menu worked which was, he was proud to share, that they offer their FULL menu during RW, not just select items.  We were able to pick any Starter and Entree from their regular menu and then from a choice of 3 desserts all for $35.12 each.  A few items (I believe it was 2 Starters and 2 Entrees) incurred an "upcharge" of $4 to cover costs but other than that, it was go-time.

As a small eater, I was excited to see a "Small Bites" selection, as part of  "Starters".  All items are under $10 and luscious-sounding, so size really does not matter.  They offer bites like "beer" nuts: candied peanuts with sour cream and onion spice; arancini: fried wild mushroom risotto with raclette fondue; dates with bleu cheese and serrano ham; calamari with spicy tomato sauce; beef tongue grilled with charred cauliflower and lemon maynnaise.  I chose the arancini and Chris got the foie brat: housemade foie gras sausage with soubise onion, cider, and herbs.  They were served in twos: 2 brats in a white, miniature casserole-type dish and 2 round arancini in a deep white bowl, floating happily on the raclette fondue.   Each was the perfect amount for one or two people and each was delicious in its own way.  The apple cider was a noticeable, delicious flavor with the sausage.  The fondue was worthy of cleaning the bowl with a finger, or the tongue if that were socially acceptable.  We decided to use spoons and fresh, crusty bread instead.  After all, it is a classy place.

For Entrees, I chose the cacciuco which is a stew of bass, calamari, mussels, shimp and clams with roasted pepper rouille and tomato shellfish broth.   I don't think I can say anything else about it to make it more delicious.   I will tell you this though, I was so taken with the aroma, I held it across the table for Chris to smell.  Fragrant, rich, delicious.  Chris chose the venison, which came highly recommended by both the maitre d' and our server.   The venison is coated in espresso beans and is surrounded by a moat of Japanese sweet potato puree and braised greens.  I haven't had venison since I was a child and my grandfather tried to convince me that this odd-smelling meat was actually steak.  There is no way you could ever confuse the two and I found it so unappealing I haven't had it since.   I tried this venison because, well, Chris insisted and we always share.  Plus, it looked so rare and tender it actually looked GOOD to me.  And it was.  I'm not sure I could eat the whole entree, but the piece I had literally melted in my mouth.  It really was very well prepared and the puree made it even better.   There was another item on the plate that neither Chris nor I could identify, and we couldn't remember what the menu said.  They were over an inch long and resembled worms, but were firm to the touch and crunchy when bitten.   The taste was familiar, like Chinese food.   We finally asked our friend the maitre d' who explained that not only was that one of the top three questions he is asked every night, but they are called "crosnes" (pronounced: crones) and are part of the mint family.  They are pickled which is likely what made me think of Chinese spices (sweet and sour).  In looking them up to write this, I see that they are also called "Chinese artichoke" where it grows wild in Northern China.  Clearly, I have a knack for this.

To end this cavalcade of deliciousness, we chose the pots du creme and the caramel apple.  The former is a thick mousse of dark chocolate creme with hazelnut anglaise and almond biscotti.   Yummmmmm.   Caramel Apple is just that with spiced sugar cookie, peanut crumble and dulce de leche.  It was light and tasty but it was no pots du creme. 

I should have mentioned the bread at the beginning, since that is when we ate it.  Perhaps I was subconsciously leaving best for last.   Eat the bread.  Ask for more.  We requested to take home our partial loaf because it was so good and our server not only bagged up our loaf but gave us an additional full loaf to take in a reusable Urbana tote bag.  Bonus! 


www.urbanadc.com

New Deli

If ya love a big, fat sandwich at a great price, I have the place for you.

Those who live in the Capitol District of NY may be familiar with Krause's Grove, as much a symbol of Summertime in our area as the Track in Saratoga.   In business for almost 50 years, Krause's offers picnics and dinners for groups of all sizes.  It is impossible to leave Krause's hungry and the quality of the food you receive is unsurpassed by other Klamsteams.   Your group may also opt to have a raw clam bar available.  If you do, you will be serviced by an Olympic-level clam shucker.  Tip him well, please, we need the money.

Gary Krause has now taken on a new venture by opening a deli inside Ryan's Farmers Market  in Colonie.  Simply called "The Deli", it's been open about a month now and already he has regular customers with local businesses and offices.  He has a sizeable menu offering sizeable sandwiches and panninis, along with fresh salads and 2 homemade soups every day.   Feel free to order off the menu or make suggestions to suit you.  Gary and his staff will be glad to accommodate you.

The Deli piles on the Boars Head meat and cheese with gusto.  There's even a sandwich called "Pile It On".  Gary himself told me that he makes his sandwiches they way HE would want them made for him.  The Club is literally inches high with any meats and cheese you choose.  The chicken Caesar wrap, called "The Victoria" after his daughter, is the girth of a small log when done; the wrap bursting with fresh chicken, bacon, provolone and homemade Caeser dressing.  It could be shared comfortably between 2 adults, or a small crowd of children.  Every sandwich comes with Kay and Dan's dark chips (addicting!) and a dill spear.   Other items you'll find are The Giuseppe, The Rueben, The Steak Torpedo (an homage to his father, Steve, who first brought us this delictible creation), The Jerk, The Hit, and The Italian One.  These creatively-named sandwiches are available at the bargain price of $6.95 each. 


The Deli has another feature that I think is terrific.  They have delicious French Onion Soup daily and even if it's to go, you will receive it in a ceramic crock complete with croutons and melted Swiss cheese on top.  "But what happens to the crocks?", you ask?   People bring them back.  I swear, they do.  I've seen it.  Most of the time they also come back clean, but that is not necessary.   The Deli does not make you sign anything or leave a deposit, but really do appreciate it when they come back.  More importantly, they appreciate that YOU come back.


The Deli (at Ryan's Farmers Market)
114 Railroad Ave., Albany
482-DELI (3354)
Owner: Gary Krause

http://www.krausesgrove.com/
http://www.ryansproduce.com/

 

 

Moose in Hoosick?

I've driven Rte. 7 from Troy to Bennington hundreds of times, easily.  I remember passing a deli with a smoking metal pig out front, but we never stopped to check it out.  It was just one of those things we noticed, but didn't take interest in.  We were more interested in getting through the traffic to get camping in Bennington. 

Last week, Chris and I decided to stop and check it out.  We took notice of it in recent months not because of the smoking pig (which he and I didn't see) but because of the "bling" all over the store.  We're not sure exactly what's different about the place:  did they extend the awning over the porch?  Are there more moose adorning the outside?  More signs?  More...more...something?   Whatever it was, we noticed and on a sunny fall day we stopped in to check it all out.

The Big Moose Deli and Country Store is small.  I have no other way of stating it.  If you are clausterphobic, you may want to remember this.  I do have a touch of clausterphobia, but since we were the only ones inside the store at the time we were there, I did ok.  It is a mini-maze of souveniers, kitsch, and food.  If you need a gift of moose, this is the place to go.  Magnets, stuffed animals, cutesy statuettes, salt and pepper shakers, back scratchers...you get the idea.  The store pays homage to Vermont and it's not even near the border.  In addition to moose, there are dozens of brands and flavors of jellies, jams, pepper jellies and of course maple syrup.   For a small store, they had an impressive selection.  There was syrup from Vermont and New York, as well as a few from Pennsylvania.   Jugs and bottles of various sizes as well as decorative bottles in fun and beautiful shapes.   I thought the gingerbread man and penguin syrup decanters were particularly cute.   We saw jelly made of dandelion and corn cob.  Chris bought the corn cob jelly, I will have him report back when he tries it.   They also carry an array of candy including some not seen very often, like Nut Goodies, Turkish Taffy, and Candy Buttons. 

Ribbon Candy was the big find for me.  It took me right back to Christmastime with my grandparents and, honestly, I think that's the last time I saw it.   Gram always had ribbon candy out on a fancy dish as part of the holiday decor and snack offerings.  I never ate much of it.  Pure sugar candy like that was never my favorite and we were always warned to be careful and not rip our mouths to shreds because it could be sharp when broken (who doesn't love a candy that results in blood and stitches?).  Regardless, it always looked so pretty just sitting there.  Swirly, sparkly ribbons in Christmas colors of green, red, and pink.  I was tempted to buy some for just that reason, to recapture some of my childhood Christmas experiences.  I did not, but Big Moose is so close that stopping in again between now and Christmas would be an easy thing to do.   Perhaps I can restart the tradition with the nieces.

Before we left, we enjoyed a pulled pork sandwich on a hard roll.   This, of course, is the reason for the smoking pig in the warm weather.   The pork was tender and offered either on a 12" sub roll, 6" sub roll, or the hard roll.  You can get cole slaw on the sandwich or on the side.  Chris didn't care of the sauce, he felt it was a little too sweet.  I disagreed, I thought it wasn't sweet enough.  It was deliciously messy, though.  They also offered some nice-looking homemade pies, both whole and by the slice, and there was a footed plate of sugary, yummy cider donuts.   In the summer, they have an ice cream stand around the back of the store, and a moose cut out so you can stick your face in the hole and take a picture.  Good, wholesome, family fun. 

Next time you're cruising Rte. 7 in Hoosick, we suggest you stop in and check it out.   You might find just what you weren't looking for. 

Big Moose Country Store and Deli
4956 Rte. 7
Hoosick, NY  12089
518.686.5801
(no website but they are on Facebook)
Mon-Sun 11am-6pm

Ruby Tuesday's

Ok, so, it's not haute cuisine...but Ruby's gave me a free burger for my birthday.  Don't judge me.

We have eaten at RT's before.  We got a coupon (we are fans of the coupon) for a free pair of sliders with the purchase of a beverage.   We got a delicious pomegranate iced tea, the sliders, an order of their Shrimp Fondue, and the Parmesan Shrimp Pasta.  I have no idea what Chris was thinking ordering two cheesy shrimp dishes...but he did.   I also don't know why we ordered an app at all given I eat about a cup of food at any given time...but we did. 

The fondue is pretty good...very rich, cheesy, and heavy with discernable shrimp served with low-salt, colorful tortilla chips.   However, paired with an equally cheesy pasta dish, which was delicious, is not a good idea for someone with a tender stomach to begin with.  Just sayin.

The little sign on the table said that Ruby's was having a 'seafood festival'.  This was easily three months ago and today, November 4, the festival still goes on.   Really?

Somewhere between then and now we stopped in again.  No coupon though.  We also did not get the shrimp fondue because we thought that, and that alone, was the culprit for Chris' belly ache.  However, we did indulge in the complimentary biscuits offered to us: light, a little cheesy (there it is again), and slightly salty.   Yum.  I think we got 6.  My thought at the time was that between the biscuits and the seafood festival they were trying hard to rival Red Lobster.   As far as the biscuits are concerned, I'd say they are succeeding. 

So, after that middle visit Chris decided that the Shrimp Fondue was not the sole (ha ha sole...seafood fest...get it?) reason for his stomach issues and we ordered it again.  And two entrees.   (FYI, if the server does not recommend the Shrimp Fondue you get it for free.)   It's still heavy and creamy and cheesy and good but for us, just way too much with full meals following.  Please remind us of this next time we go there.

Chris ordered the lunch portion of Trout Almondine:  lightly breaded/fried rainbow trout filet topped with lemon butter and slivered almonds served with mashed potatoes and broccolli.   The filet was nicely cooked and the almonds gave it a touch of sweet.  I can have difficulty with fish because it can be dry but this was perfectly cooked and barely breaded which was very nice.   I got (for free) the Avocado Turkey Burger, one of their "Handcrafted Burgers".  It's a generous burger topped with thick slices of avocado along with tomato, red onion, pickles, Swiss Cheese, mayo, and applewood smoked bacon.  The turkey, coupled with the bacon, had a great flavor, and the avocado gave it an interesting texture.   Very tasty, very good, and I had the rest of it for dinner. 

I encourage you to sign up on RT's website so you too can get a free burger for your birthday, it's certainly worth it...and would have been worth the $8.99 had I been expected to pay for it. 

Do not get the Shrimp Fondue if you are lactose intolerant. 
Oh by the way, for whatever reason, the yummy biscuits were held up in the kitchen today so our lovely server brought us 4 as consolation.  I also had one of them for dinner.

http://www.rubytuesday.com/