A New Pub With My Kind of Atmosphere

I hope everyone is having a great St. Patrick's Day. Average Joe has some plans later, but we can talk about the results of that another day.  

Brown's Brewing Co. is shooting for a May 1 opening date for its newest pub, The Malt Room. Brown's is investing $150,000 dollars to open up this new place,  a 2,500 square foot space, right next door to Brown’s existing pub, located beneath the storied Revolution Hall at 425 River St.

I think this will be my kind of place, the atmosphere is expected to attract an older crowd or people who want a place for quiet conversation. Nothing crazy for me.

A Troy Classic: The Notty Pine Tavern

As I'm sure you can tell by now, I'm always on the lookout for solid pub fare. I had a sudden craving the other day so I started scrolling through my mental Rolodex and I remembered a place I hadn't visited in awhile. If you're a Troy native, I'm sure you've heard of the Notty Pine Tavern. It's one of the city's many landmark neighborhood taverns. If you haven't stopped in yet, you need to pencil it into your schedule, especially if you like pizza. It's located off of Hoosick Street near RPI.

The roots of the restaurant date back to 1945. While Italian-American food has always been their specialty, the menu offers an extensive selection of sandwiches from Philly Cheese Steak to Turkey Club to French Dip. On a recent trip, I switched it up and got "The Mayflower" sandwich. How can you go wrong with that classic Thanksgiving fusion?  I was a little thrown by the white bread (it's been awhile since the Missus switched the house over to wheat), but the thing was really solid. I need to put the place back in the regular rotation.

If you go, here's some advice. It's a neighborhood joint so everyone will look you over to see if they know you. It's the type of place where everyone knows almost everyone. All the regulars eat at the bar or at the booths in the bar. If you want to real experience, don't be shy about bellying up. If you're a wallflower by nature, it's also ok to go sit in the dining room too.

Park Pub: Thanksgiving in chowder form? Yes please.

I don’t stroll into a pub expecting monogrammed plates, I just want good food that hits the spot. The menu might not be the biggest in town and the fare might be pretty standard, but sometimes I’m just in the mood for some pub food and a few beers to wash it down with. For days like that, check out Park Pub, in Frear Park in Troy.  We stopped by this weekend and got Thanksgiving Chowder. No photo this time, Average Joe tries to be sly on taking pictures in restaurant because of the "vast right-wing conspiracy" to uncover his true identity.  Now that Bin Laden is fish food, it's freeing up special-ops which gets me nervous.  So, anywho the photo I took of the Thanksgiving Chowder didn't come out because my fat finger was in the way.  Let me say this, Thanksgiving in chowder form, why did we think of this before?  I blame the education system.  You have to try this, it's Thanksgiving dinner = chowder.  How many times can I say Thanksgiving and chowder?  Looks like four, do me a favor go to the Park Pub and try the Thanksgiving Chowder (5), it's thanksgiving meets chowder without the annoying in-laws.  (Six now).

The great thing about pub food is, it's quick, easy, tasty, and goes good with booze.  Check out the one good photo I was able to take of the nachos and, have I mentioned Thanksgiving Chowder in the last 37 words?  Yup.