B-rad is a Friend of Mine

Have you heard that buzz around the Collar City?  No it’s not the annual construction season.  No it’s not fireworks up at the Joe.  It’s coming from a new spot on good ol’ 5^th Ave, B-rads Bistro & Catering.  Open for just over a month, B-rads has already established itself as one of Downtown Troy’s go to spots for lunch. 

My body can only handle Famous Lunch once a week, so it’s nice to have new weapons in my arsenal.  During my first pilgrimage to B-rads, I ordered conservatively, and strongly based on title.  I’m Average Joey from Troy (South Troy against the world!), so you’re crazy if you think I was ordering anything but the Troy Club. 

O-M-G.  Yup, it was so good that I just went 14 year old girl on you.  This sandwich is right up Billy Fuccillo’s alley….because it was HUUUUUUUUUUUUUGGGGGGGGGGGAAAAAHHHHHH!  Turkey, bacon, lettuce (hold the tomato), WOW. 

B-rads has a new Superfan, and his name is Average Joe.  I can’t wait to go back and try all the other great options on their menu (I’m looking at you Dorito Crusted Tuna Melt).

A Summer Tradition

Kay’s Pizza in Burden Lake is a summer tradition if you grew up in Rensselaer County. Every once in awhile during the winter I would go to their website to count the days --- literally. They have a countdown clock touting the days, hours, minutes and seconds until they open in the spring. I can’t bear to look at that ticker now, as it counts the “Days left to enjoy Kay’s Famous Pizza this season” (55 days from this posting).

 

Don’t expect air conditioning, the ceiling fans work fine. When you walk through the door it’s game on for a seat. Someone from the wait staff may greet you hello in passing, but there’s no “wait to be seated” here. You immediately put your hunting glasses on and try to skulk around the nearest table with scraps of what was Kay’s Famous Pizza. Regulars know the advantage of going in the second entrance that leads to the main eating area. It sometimes can feel like parking at the mall in December--- even if you’ve been waiting with your blinker on for 5 minutes, someone may pull in the other side and grab the spot.

Why Kay’s? Why travel on country roads for some time to get pizza, wings and beer when I can just about get it anywhere? Does it bring back memories of a simpler time? Is it the waterside view? Maybe, but deep down those that have gone know it’s the food. It’s the perfectly cooked pizza with a soft crust and plenty of cheese and sauce. This day I choose pepperoni and bacon as my extras.

The food is ALWAYS just right. Not once can I remember something being “off”. I always start with an order of wings, extra crispy of course, and then move on to Burden Lake’s most famous of all pizzas.  Oh, sorry…. and a pitcher of beer!!! Truly a summer tradition.

Midnight Rendezvous at the Brown Bag

I've always been into brown bagging it, everyday, because that's how I roll, but recently I found a new way to enjoy brown bagging, on 4th street in Troy. I've realized that I get hungry at the late hours and have no where I really want to go, I always just settle. As you can see from previous posts I am a fan of the Taco Bell, but even that place closes when I need it open. The Brown Bag in Troy is open 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. and is always there when you need it.

You aren't looking at anything fancy here, but that's exactly what you need for the late night cravings. A good juicy burger, or better yet a hotdog combined with the classic grilled cheese sandwich. I also dabbled into the grilled asparagus too, quite nice. You can enjoy fries with your friendly meal, they have a little bit of a kick to them, just a heads up.


So the next time you're out late, hungry, tired or even feeling it a little bit still from the party last ngiht, this is your jam.  Everyone comes accross a place like this eventually and it's a good find. When I'm in the need of late night food, and maybe even a little bit of bacon, I know where to go.

What seals the deal is that the bag was actually brown when I ordered this to go...

Nothing Better than Football and Beef

Friday was one of my best days of my life. I was fortunate to meet one of the best quarter backs in the NFL, Eli Manning. I spent my Friday afternoon enjoying the sun and some championship football training camp at SUNY Albany.

The afternoon was complimented by night out and about Albany. I initially wanted some Doritos Tacos but I found my way to the Center Square Pub. This is where the inspiration for my next blog.

Center Square Pub is located at the corner of Dove and State in Albany. I haven't been to this pub yet and I thought there is no better time than now.

I usually don't ask the waitress for any recommendations but on Friday night I decided to let the waitress decide what I will have for dinner. I asked the best best sandwich Center Square Pub has in their menu. She suggested the "Lancaster". I agreed to the sandwich before I realized what was on it.

The Lancaster is named for Lancaster street two blocks away from Center Square. The sandwich was filled with roasted beef with onions, peppers, mushrooms and a choice if cheese. Obviously, i went with the habanero cheese melted on top. It adds a nice bite to the sandwich. The roast beef was cooked perfectly as the beef just pulled apart and melted with each bite. This sandwich is a variation to the classic Philly cheese steak. The order came with a side of fries (so many options). They had regular, sweet potato, onion rings, curly fries, crinkle cut and my favorite, the waffle fries.  
After dinner I walked down Lancaster, full of beautiful brownstone apartments. I will definitely be coming back to CSP, as the pub regulars abbreviate Center Square Pub. I hear their chicken wings are some of the best in the city. Only one way to find out, a Albany chicken wing contest for the city's best chicken wing crown.