Honest Weight Food Co-Op moves into the Plaza! **UPDATED**

The Honest Weight Food Co-op is scheduled to open a cafe inside the main cafeteria at the Empire State Plaza on January 6 This will be the businesses first attempt at a remote branch. Hopes are high that this will in turn open the door for similar possibilities around the area as time goes on.

Honest Weight Food Co-op recently opened a new hub store on Watervliet Ave in Albany replacing the original store built in 1976.

The Honest Weight menu will offer healthier choices for the many visitors and employees on the Plaza grounds. The menu will include soups and sandwiches made with local/organic ingredients, smoothies, fresh-made organic juices, and salads. Vegan and gluten-free items  will also be available daily.

The cafe comes in replacing Sodexo USA, the food services group that left the plaza at after their contract ended last November. Honest Weight's will run on a temporary contract through May 23. If successful, the cafe could stay open beyond the spring.

Updated: The opening of the Honest Weight Food Co-op has been postponed until January 6th while the state adds some finishing touches to the Café.

Stewart's Raises $1.3 Million for Kids Charities!

Stewart's Shops raised $1.34 million dollars for its 27th Annual Holiday Match-Fund Drive. The chain stores raised $670,000 and matched it dollar for dollar. The campaign runs annually from Thanksgiving through Christmas.The same exact amount was raised as last year, however there were six less days to contribute this year. A perfect sign of peoples continually growing generosity. 

The money raised will be dispersed to a variety of children's charities in March. Charities can still apply for funding at a store or at stewartsshops.com through January 31. You can read all about Stewart's success here in the original Business Review Article.

The New Years Eve Guide!

The Capital Region will be a buzz in just under a week to celebrate the end of 2013 and beginning of 2014! If you're looking for a place to ring in the New Year, we have good news for you. We've compiled a list of parties, dinners, family events, and more scheduled for New Years Eve!

Click here to find the New Years Eve Celebrations list! Be safe, have a designated driver, and enjoy the end of another year! Free Cabs will be available throughout the night as well. You can find out more about Free Cab Rides by clicking here. Reservations are a strongly recommended for any restaurant celebrations.

Merry Christmas and have a very happy and healthy New Year!

Christmas Cuisine: A Guide for Dining Out on Christmas Eve & Day!

Whether you're looking for to dine out on Christmas Eve or looking for the big feast on Christmas Day area restaurants are here to help. Below is a list of restaurants that will be on Christmas Eve and or Christmas Day. Reservations are Strongly recommended. Call, reserve, enjoy, and have a merry day!

Christmas Eve-

Blu Stone Bistro

661 Albany Shaker Road

(518) 869-9976

Hours: 4 p.m.-9 p.m.

A special menu will be available for Christmas Eve, regular menu will not be served.

Buca di Beppo

44 Wolf Road

(518) 459-2822

Hours: 11 a.m.-8 p.m.

Buca di Beppo will offer their full menu. Reservations are recommended.

The Capital American Eatery and Lounge

55 North Pearl St.

(518) 694-3122

Hours: 4 p.m.-10 p.m.

Three-course holiday menu that includes Caesar salad, crab cake, seafood linguine for $30 as well as specials and the regular menu.

Simpsons Grille

660 Albany Shaker Road

(518) 869-8100

Christmas Eve dining will be available all day long with Breakfast, lunch, and dinner menus.

 

Tala American Bistro

626 New Loudon Road, Latham

(518) 486-8252

Hours: 11:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m.

Tala will offer Christmas Eve Lunch only.

The Tavern at the Desmond

660 Albany Shaker Road

(518) 869-8100

Hours: 11:30 a.m.-10 p.m.

The Tavern will offer enjoyable lunch and dinner dining on Christmas Eve.

Christmas Day-

Bistro/Bar

74 State Street

(518) 434-7410

Hours: 5 p.m.-11 p.m.

Bistro/Bar at 74 State will offer their full menu of food and drinks to enjoy on Christmas night.

Bucadi Beppo

44 Wolf Road

(518) 459-2822

Hours: 11 a.m.-8 p.m.

Buca di Beppo will be open to serve you on Christmas day. Reservations are recommended.

Jack’sOyster House

42 State Street

(518) 465-8854

Hours: Seating’s hourly

Jack’s Oyster House will offer a special Christmas Day menu on top of their traditional dinner menu. Reservations are required, some seating hours are already full.

Marche’

74 State Street

(518) 434-7410

Hours: 6:30 a.m.-10 a.m.

74 State’s Farm to Fork restaurant Marche will offer a delicious breakfast sure to fill any appetite.

Scrimshaw at the Desmond

660 Albany Shaker Road

(518) 869-8100

Hours: 1 p.m.-6 p.m.

Scrimshaw will be open on Christmas day to serve a dinner menu.

Simpsons Grille

660 Albany Shaker Road

(518) 869-8100

Hours: 7 a.m.-Noon/1 p.m.-9 p.m.

Simpsons will offer a Christmas Day Breakfast from 7 a.m. to Noon with a limited Holiday Menu from 1 p.m. to 9 p.m.

The Tavern at the Desmond

660 Albany Shaker Road

(518) 869-8100

Hours: 11:30 a.m.-10 p.m.

The Tavern will offer enjoyable lunch and dinner dining on Christmas Day.

Carey Conference Center to host Farm-to-Glass Class

On Saturday, December 7, the Carey Conference Center will play host to a workshop for novice mead makers, beekeepers interested in selling honey to brewers, brewers and mead makers looking for local honey, and anyone interested in craft mead production.

The course will feature the following speakers: Paul Cappy of the Apiculturalis NYS Agriculture & Markets, Peter Voelker, Owner/Operator of the Helderberg Meadworks, and Head Brewer of Cave Mountain Brewery Jamie Caligure.

The two hour session is $20 per person beginng at 10 a.m. at the Guggenheim Pavillion at the Carey Institute for Global Good, Rensselaerville, NY. Light refreshments will be provided.
Sarah Gordon can be contacted for reservations by phone at (518) 797-5100 or via e-mail at orsgordon@careyconferencecenter.org.