Culinary for a Cause: Chili Challenge

The Northeast Kidney Foundation will be hosting their 5th annual Chili Challenge on Thursday, November 1, from 5:30 to 9:00 p.m. at the Holiday Inn Express in Latham.

Here's the lineup of restaurants participating:

Bellevue Café
The City Squire
Dinosaur BBQ
The Eatery at Carol's Place
Coxsackie Diner (Exit 21B Diner)
Farmer Boy Diner
Gazebo Banquets
Halfmoon Sandwich & Salad Shoppe
Lark Street Tavern
On Tap Sports Grille
Orchard Tavern
Philly's Bar & Grille
Pig & Whistle at the Grove
Powers Irish Pub
Rafferty's
Salty's Pub & Bistro

If you are interested in attending, tickets are still available for sale at Price Chopper or online at www.healthykidneys.org. And as a sign of appreciation for all of the hard work of utility and storm workers, they will receive 50% off their ticket price at the door with an ID.

Fore more information, please visit www.healthykidneys.org.

Have you experienced Marché yet?

If you haven't been to Marché at 74 State yet, there is no better time. Experience the taste of autumn with their new seasonal menu, made with ingredients from local farms. This time, apples and squash are the main attraction and the menu (below) looks delicious.

Head down after work to enjoy a drink at the bistro bar. They have an award-winning wine list that is sure to please, or try one of their chef-inspired drinks that complement your autumn meal. All of these cocktails are made with spirits from Golden Harvest Farm's Harvest Spirits Distillery, located just south of Albany on Route 9. 

If you want to experience a distillery without the travel, you can walk from Marche to the Albany Distilling Company, located next to the Albany Pump Station at Quackenbush Square. Read about their grand opening, first products, merchandise, and hours of operation here.

Capital City Gastropub now offering expanded Happy Hour and New Menu!

Ask and you shall receive: expanded happy hour promotions at the Capital City Gastropub.

The new happy hour schedule is as follows:

Sunday-Tuesday: $9 Pizzas and $3 Select Drafts all night.
Wednesday: Half-price burgers all night.
Wednesday-Friday: $ 9 Pizzas and $3 Select Drafts from 5 p.m.-7 p.m.
Every Friday: Enjoy live music from 9 p.m.-11:30 p.m. with Carl Daniels, for an additional $2 you can enjoy a select micro-brew, a different brew will be offered each week.

For more information or to check out their new fall menu head over to the Capital City Gastropub Website.

La Serra to host benefit for Starlight Foundation

Le Serre will hold it's second annual Over the Moon cocktail party and reception on Thursday, November 1 to benefit the Starlight Foundation. Festivities are scheduled to kick off at 5:30 p.m. with tickets currently on sale for $85. Proceeds from the evening will go to helping the local chapter of the Starlight Foundation, a group that provides services to Capital Region families with children suffering from chronic and life-threatening diseases.

The evening will include an open bar for beer, wine, and a special cocktail, prizes including performance tickets and sports memorabilia, a variety of hors d'oeuvres, and cupcakes provided by Coccadots.

La Serre is located in Downtown Albany at 14 Green Street.

Living Resources Culinary Cornucopia: An Update

As many of you know, November 11th marks the 22nd Annual Culinary Cornucopia event hosted by Living Resources. That night, at least thirteen restaurants will be participating in the Living Resources annual fundraising event. The chefs participate in a series of closed-door competitions during the day based on guidelines of the . Their dishes are presented that evening to more than 500 guests at the grand reception. All proceeds benefit Living Resources, which provides services to individuals with disabilities.

The participating chefs and restaurants include: Nathan Kutzscher of Albany Marriott Market; Teddy Somboon of Blue Spice Modern Gourmet Thai Restaurant; Luca Brunelle of Brown’s Brewing Company Taproom; Scott Cooper of Capital Region BOCES Culinary Program; James Frese of DZ Restaurants’ Pasta Pane; Dominique Brialy of Epicurean Bistro & Wine Bar; Jeremy Kane of The Hilton Garden Inn Troy and the Rensselaer Banquet and Conference Facility; Will Brown of Mazzone Hospitality; James Simmons of Reel Seafood Company; and Michael Spain of Sperry’s Restaurant.

The Albany Marriott on Wolf Road will play host to the event, which is the single largest fundraiser for Albany-based Living Resources, a non-profit that provides services to individuals with developmental disabilities and traumatic brain injuries.

You'll need to act fast if you'd like to enjoy the reception, dinner, and silent auction, as the event usually sells out at 500 tickets, which cost $150 each.

And let's not forget the fun part! Participating restaurants include Angelo’s 677 Prime, Blue Spice, Brown’s Brewing Company, Pasta Pane, Epicurean Bistro & Wine Bar, Glen Sanders Mansion (Angelo’s Tavolo), Prime at Saratoga National, Reel Seafood Company, Sperry’s, and others. It's sure to be a delicious evening!

To learn more and order tickets, please contact Joan Meyer at (518) 218-0000, Ext. 5330 or email meyerj@livingresources.org.

Wine and Dine Festival is the Recipe for Success for the Arts!

              The Wine and Dine for the Arts Festival is a three day fundraiser that benefits not-for-profit arts in Albany, Mayor Jennings announced that the 4th annual celebration will be held at the Hotel Albany January 17-19, 2013. The weekend-long food and arts celebration markets the top restaurants, chefs, and cuisine from the Capital Region. The weekend also includes education for consumers on healthy, sustainable agriculture.
             Beneficiaries of the event include The Albany Barn, The Albany Symphony Orchestra, Albany Center Gallery, The Albany Institute of History and Art, Albany Pro Musica, Capital Repertory Theatre, Irish American Heritage Museum, and Park Playhouse. The mix of art galleries, orchestras, museums, and theatres enrich the culture of Albany year round, many times working in tangent to provide a strong arts community for the Capital Region.
    Over its three year existence Wine and Dine for the Arts has made a large impact on the local arts community donating $168,438 to the local arts facilities. Park Playhouse has been proof of the positive affect this event has had on its beneficiaries. Over the last several years Park Playhouse has struggled through a rough financial crisis. Help from the Wine and Dine Festival has helped the quality of life for the theatre immensely.
        In 2011 Park Playhouse produced Mel Brooks’ The Producers to warm reviews and loving audiences. In what many called a return to classic Park Playhouse style, the summer stock was able to put on a professional quality production that exceeded expectations. The help from the food festival made an even larger impact in this past summer as the theatre truly came alive in the park with two great productions.

 The Producers was possible due to help from Wine and Dine

 

ended up breaking attendance records. None of this would have been possible without the unending help of Wine and Dine over the last few years. There’s no denying this is a true testament to the hard work and dedication of the Wine and Dine committee. Want to help Park Playhouse and other arts facilities this year? Then purchase tickets to any of the weekend events to make an impact on the arts world while enjoying delicious meals.
           Festivities will kick off on Thursday, January 17 with Mayor Jennings Opening celebration in the rotunda of City Hall. More than 50 chefs and 250 global wine, spirit, and craft beer companies will bring their top entrées and concoctions for the Grand Tasting on January 18. Friday festivities will also include the Slider Slam and VIP Reception and Book Signing with Celebrity Chef Suvir Saran.
           Saturday, January 13 is filled with a slew of events to highlight the final day of festivities. The day kicks off with Barista Albany, a showdown between the top coffee shops from the area. Following the competition is a second helping of Grand Tasting, as well as the Adirondack Appliance Signature Chef Invitational in which 6 chefs compete for the a coveted spot on the 2014 Signature Chef team.
           The weekend then winds down with the Wine and Dine for the Arts Gala where you can enjoy a six course culinary masterpiece themed “Medici’s Feast” prepared by 2013 festival signature chefs Yono Purnomo, Jamie Ortiz, Jim Rua, Dale Miller, Brian Molino, Mark Graham, Ric Orlando, AJ Jayapal, Jonathan Crean, and Dominique Brialy. The night will also feature wines from Empire Merchants North and both live and silent auctions.
           Tickets for all events are on sale on the Albany Wine and Dine for the Arts website. Don’t miss out on these wonderful events to help the arts in Albany.

Chefs For Success

Another exciting event, the 5th Annual Chefs for Success Dinner will take place on Thursday, October 18th from 7 to 10 p.m. at the Van Curler Ball Room at Schenectady County Community College. This year the theme "Cuisines of Asia" will provide a getaway into the culinary masterpieces of 5 fantastic Capital District Chefs.

The evening will begin with a cocktail hour at 6 p.m. and will continue at 7 p.m. with a gala reception, with live stations, gourmet food paired with fine vintage wines and craft beers. At the reception there will be an open bar and seasonally inspired hors d'oeuvres prepared by Michael Stamets, CCC, Instructor, Schenectady County Community College Culinary Students.

The guest chefs include:

Representing Indonesian Cuisine: Chef Yono Purnomo, CEC, CFBE, Chef/Owner of Yono's Restaurant/DP An American Brasserie, Albany

• Daging Rendang-24 Hour Braised Beef Short Ribs (Palm Sugar, Lemongrass, Lime Leaves & Chili),
• Bubur Menado-Creamy Jasmine Rice
• Sayur Daun Sinkong-Kale simmered in Indonesian Spices and Coconut Milk
• Clos du Bois Cabernet Sauvignon & Clos du Bois Sauvignon Blanc

Representing Indian Cuisine: Chef AJ Jayapal Food and Beverage Manager, Malozzi Group

• Stillwater Angus Shami Kebab, Toasted Coconut and Chickpea Salad, Tumeric Preserved Onions, Pappadam Chips, Indu’s Chutney
• Clos du Bois Pinot Noir & Clos du Bois Unoaked Chardonnay

Representing Japan Cuisine: Chef Mark Graham Executive Sous Chef, Max London, Saratoga

• Sweetbread BBQ, Baby Bok Choy and Miso Eggplant, Hoshi-Shitake Dashi with Shrimp
• Clos du Bois Pinot Grigio & Clos du Bois Merlot

Representing Korean Cuisine: Chef Jamie Ortiz, CEC Corporate Executive Chef, 677 Prime, Albany

Duo of Pork: Daeji bolgig and Daeji galbi

Clos du Bois Zinfandel

Representing Thai Cuisine: Chef Marla Ortega, CEC Chef/Owner Illium Cafe, Troy

• Coconut & Curry Braised Chicken; Pad Thai and Thai Pumpkin Soup with Coriander and Lime
• Clos du Bois Classic Chardonnay

Asian Specialty desserts

• Chef Susan Hatalsky and Chef Paul Krebs And the SCCC students

The evening's activities will also include a silent auction and music by Hamilton Street brought to you by your Master of Ceremonies Christina Arangio, NEWS 10 Anchor.

Tickets for the dinner are $75 per person. Proceeds will provide much needed funding for the School of Hotel, Culinary Arts and Tourism. Valet Parking is available. 

For reservations or more information call (518) 381-1324 or send an email to events@sunysccc.edu. 

Restaurant Week takes the cake as Downtown Festivals begin to boom!

          Call the guys, grab a date, text your friends and make plans to come to Downtown Albany for all the great upcoming events. The month filled with fun happenings is headlined by the 8thBi-Annual Downtown Albany Restaurant Week, October 13-19, in which 14 of the top eateries in the downtown area offer special menus for only $20.12.  
          The restaurant line up includes: Wolfs1-11, Victory Café, V & R Italian Ristorante, Taste, La Serre, The Merry Monk,  Kelsey’s Pub, Katrinella’s Bistro, Jack’sOyster House, and Hudson Harbor Steak and Seafood. The list goes on with Franklin’s Tower, Café Capriccio, The Bayou Café, and The Albany Pump Station.

With more than 150 different entrée choices alone one night may just not be enough! So come back and try different restaurants during the week long culinary celebration. Throughout the week different themed nights will be added to the restaurant week fun.

Student Night, for example, will be held on Monday, October 15, Jack’s Oyster House, La Serre, V&R Ristorante, Victory Café and Wolf’s 1-11 Arena grill will offer their 3-course menu to area college students for only $15.12.

Tuesday night, October 16 is Date Night. Be the first of ten couples to show up at any of the participating restaurants and receive a free rose. The following nights, October 17 & 18, the BID will host Capital Ticket night, in which parties of four or more will be offered a chance to win a $200 gift certificate to any Downtown business in the Downtown Albany District.

Prior to the kick off of restaurant week the BID presents the Downtown Albany Fall Car Show from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m. on October 13. Take advantage of the rare opportunity to show off your classic automobile. A mix of modern and classic cars and motorcycles are expected to adorn the North Pearl Street from State Street to Sheridan Ave.

          The events seem to multiply with open house parties for two businesses. Join Mayor Jennings as he welcomes R.O.I Office Interiors on Thursday, October 11 from 4:30 p.m.-8:30 p.m. Meet the friendly staff and see the best in office furniture trends. The parties continue mid way through restaurant week as Salon 109 holds its second annual open house offering demonstrations, consultations, refreshments, and free samples as well as special pricing on products and merchandise.

Whether you’re coming down for a hair cut, a new chair, a good meal or to enjoy the cars downtown Albany is filled with fun events through the month of October. Just as Restaurant week begins to dwindle down the advantage auto group presents the Haunted Trolley Tours will be to haunt the Capital City. So get on board, grab a meal, and enjoy all that Downtown Albany has to offer this month!

Culinary with a Cause: Living Resources sets Culinary Cornucopia date

Mark your calendars for Living Resources' Culinary Cornucopia on November 11. This is the 22nd year the Culinary Cornucopia will take place.

That night, at least thirteen restaurants will be participating in the Living Resources annual fundraising event in which chefs compete throughout the day to earn points based on American Culinary Federation standards.

The Albany Marriott on Wolf Road will play host to the event, which is the single largest fundraiser for Albany-based Living Resources, a non-profit that provides services to individuals with developmental disabilities and traumatic brain injuries.

You'll need to act fast if you'd like to enjoy the reception, dinner, and silent auction, as the event usually sells out at 500 tickets, which cost $150 each.

And let's not forget the fun part! Participating restaurants include Angelo’s 677 Prime, Blue Spice, Brown’s Brewing Company,  Pasta Pane, Epicurean Bistro & Wine Bar, Glen Sanders Mansion (Angelo’s Tavolo),  Prime at Saratoga National, Reel Seafood Company, Sperry’s, and others. It's sure to be a delicious evening!

To learn more and order tickets, please contact Joan Meyer at (518) 218-0000, Ext. 5330 or email meyerj@livingresources.org.