New Wine & Food Festival Announced!

The Hudson-Berkshire Beverage Trail has organized a new Wine & Food Festival to take place this Memorial Day Weekend, May 25-26, at the Columbia County Fairgrounds in Chatham, NY.

Join many of the area's award-winning wineries, breweries, distilleries, cheese-makers, creameries, bakeries, and more at this sure-to-be excellent event. In addition, attendees will also enjoy seminars, classes, and book signings by some of the region's foremost experts on craft brewing, cheese making, wine, food, and cheese pairings!

The event is sponsored by the Hudson-Berkshire Beverage Trail, New York Wine & Grape Foundation, and hudsonvalleywinecountry.org!

For more information on this event, as well as additional Hudson-Berkshire Beverage Trail events, please contact Trail Director Karen Gardy at 518-732-7317 or karen@goold.com.

A Little Bit of Italy at Scrimshaw

              Scrimshaw, the AAA Four Diamond Award winning restaurant, located within the Desmond, will play host to a special Wine Dinner on Thursday, February 7 at 7pm. The event will feature wines from southern Italy as well as conversations with wine connoisseur Greg Taylor, Vice President of wine importer Fredrick Wildman and Sons.
               Tickets for the event are on sale now at $70 per person for a night that includes a five course meal paired with the fine Italian wines.  Reservations are required and can be made by contacting Scrimshaws directly.

Honoring Jack's Legacy

Editor's Note: Today marks the 100th anniversary of the day Jack Rosenstein opened Jack's Oyster House in downtown Albany. This tribute was written by Nicole Lemperle Correia for the 2013 Visitors Guide, which will be available mid-February. Please join us in celebrating this Albany landmark throughout the year. Special event dates will be announced soon on www.albany.org.

A stack of Jack's menus.

Jack's Oyster House, State Street.

When you step into Jack’s Oyster House from State Street you will feel time shift as you stand on the bridge between Albany’s storied history and bustling present. The dining room is adorned with handsome woodwork, black and white tiles, large photos of old Albany, and deep private booths that are perfect for important conversation. Jack’s is the kind of place where things happen: deals are made, legislation is negotiated, elbows are rubbed, and probably more than a few romances are ignited. There’s a good chance you’ll see one (or many) of New York State’s politicians seated across Jack’s dining room, down from the capitol for dinner with colleagues.

Jack Rosenstein opened the original Jack’s Oyster House in 1913. According to an article by William Kennedy in a 1985 issue of Esquire, Jack didn’t like oysters, but nonetheless as a young boy he became one of the best oyster shuckers in Albany. That skill started him down the path that carried him through Albany’s great restaurants, and into ownership of his own Oyster House. Stories about Jack always mention the thing that defined him and still defines the restaurant he founded: he did things right.

Since 1913, the Rosenstein family has operated Jack’s: the original restaurant was opened by Jack himself, and is now run by his grandson, Brad. It is clear from the preparation of the food, the attention to detail, and the recent seamless additions to the space that the restaurant is treated as a beloved member of the family - and so are Jack’s patrons. From the moment you enter Jack’s Oyster House and are greeted warmly (often by Brad himself), you will feel like royalty. The feeling is mutual: generations of Albany residents have considered Jack’s a member of their family: a place to return again and again, where milestones were celebrated and meals savored.

The food at Jack’s, of course, is as outstanding as the service. Each component of each meal is prepared with care: fresh, unique, and delicious. Whether you choose one of Jack’s signature oyster dishes, filet mignon, or crab cakes, your meal at Jack’s will be memorable and likely to inspire you to plan your next visit even before you leave.

As Jack’s celebrates its 100th anniversary this year, the tradition of above-and-beyond service continues, along with its custom of serving seven-days a week, all year long. It has closed for just one day: in 1987, the day of Jack Rosenstein’s funeral.

Settle into a booth at Jack’s. Order a martini. Leave your cellphone in your pocket, and imagine you’re in another, slower, time. Take pleasure in each heavenly bite of your meal. Have a civil political debate with your dining partner. Sip your beverage. Celebrate. Notice the lighting and the silverware. For just a few hours, let Jack’s take you back in time. 

."..deep private booths that are perfect for important conversation."

A Banner Day for Jack's Oyster House!

               Mayor Jennings, local media, and the Jack's Oyster house family gathered on the corner of State Street this afternoon for the unveiling of Jack's 100th Anniversary Banners. Two signs hang proudly over State Street feet from the restaurant.

               Though the official birthday date is tomorrow, January 24, Jack's and the City of Albany plan to celebrate this monumental event all year long! Make sure you check out the banners on your way to eat and be part of this deliciously historic celebration.

For more information on the 100 year celebration check the Jack's Oyster House website and the Albany CVB events page, which will feature up to date information on this years celebrations!

Wine & Spirits of Slingerlands to Host Inauguration Food and Wine Tasting!

Have you ever wanted to be part of a moment in history? Here's your chance. According to Steve Barnes, Wine & Spirits of Slingerlands will host an evening of food and wine tasting Friday, January 18 from 4 pm to 8 pm. The menu will be based on New York delicacies all of which are set to be served as part of President Barack Obama's Inaugural lunch in Washington D.C. next week.

The menu will include Lobster appetizer, Hudson Valley apple pie with products from Cooperstown Cheese Co. and Finger Lakes Dry Riesling.

The entire menu is available online and will be created by Francine Lynch of Cuisine by Francine.

Taste to Offer New Menu

Begging tomorrow, Wednesday, January 16, Taste will offer a new Winter Dinner Menu.

Executive Chef Paul J. Ozimek created the menu which will offer a wide variety of delicious and healthy items including: Blood Orange Crusted Scallops, Rutabega Hash Crusted Salmon, Braised Phesant and Peppers, and Prosciutto Wrapped Filet Mignon.

The entire Winter Dinner Menu is available online, Taste is open for dinner Tuesday through Saturday, 5 pm to 10 pm.

Peaches Cafe to Recieve $100,000 Renovation!

The Business Review reported yesterday afternoon that Peaches Cafe in Stuyvesant Plaza will receive a $100,000 makeover. The bistro-style restaurant which has been a part of the community for 30 years will get an updated look as well as additional seating.

Peaches will stay open throughout the construction process and will be completely funded by company profits, according to the article.

Carmine's Brazilian Grill Transitioning to Italian

Steve Barnes of the Times Union reported yesterday morning that Carmine's Brazilian Grill, an all-you-can-eat churrascaria-style restaurant that opened nine months ago on Sheridan Avenue in downtown Albany, will be transitioning to an Italian-style restaurant, similar to what Chef Carmine Spiro originally owned on Central Avenue years ago.

The restaurant will re-open tomorrow, January 4th. The menu will include a number of appetizers, small dishes, and entrees priced between $16 and $24, according to the article.