Location Means Nothing When There's Good Food

I remember a few years back when I heard a restaurant had opened in a small strip mall in North Greenbush right on Route 4.  I thought that's a tough place for a restaurant.  Luckily, a friend insisted that I go try it out and I'm still grateful for that advice.  Garlic Lovers Corner is a quaint Mediterranean restaurant with amazing food.  It used to be a best kept secret, but that secret is out of the bag.
 

If you go there on a Friday or Saturday night, you had better make a reservation because it gets packed.  Garlic Lovers has a fierce following and has created some truly unique dishes, I used to get the flat-iron steak with blue cheese and was sad when they moved it off the menu.  Recently I have found a new favorite, the seafood fri-diablo.  We stopped in recently and I wanted to try something new, with memories of my former favorite, I almost went with the ribeye but then the chicken dijon caught my eye.  Fried chicken layered with mozzarella cheese, spinach, tomatoes and a dijon sauce over garlic mashed potatoes.   I was very happy that I decided to try something new.  It was an amazing dish and, as always, Garlic Lovers is not skimpy on their portions so I decided to not over do it and I saved some for lunch the next day.   

Average Joe learned an important lesson years ago, in the restaurant business location means very little when the food is so good that it will keep you coming back and back and back.

The Ultimate Meat Lover's Pizza

Hot dogs, pizza, I love both. But, do I love them together? Thanks (or possibly no thanks) to Pizza Hut, I will soon be able to find out. Unfortunately I will have to pack my suitcase and hop on a flight to Great Britain to try the newest invention by Pizza Hut: Hot Dog Stuffed Crust. I would be lying if I didn’t admit my hesitation, but keep in mind I am the same guy who recently tried a Doritos shell taco at Taco Bell. 

What unique food combination do you want to see next? 

Getting My Ducks in a Row

Earlier this week I decided to go duck hunting, and this is what I came back with. A nice crispy duck breast from the Albany Pump Station. Normally I go for the sirloin, but for some reason I decided to be the odd duck, and it definitely was worth it. This was only the second time I've encountered the web footed friend on a plate, he was delicious. I accompanied my duck with the award winning Pump Station Pale Ale.

In the spirit of Easter, if you're looking for something to do after you're done egg hunting, the Albany Pump Station is having an Easter Dinner Buffet. The buffet is $18 for adults and $10 for kids aged 10 and under.

The Greatest Italian Sandwich in New York State

“Heh, come over here, kid, learn something. You never know, you may have to cook for twenty guys someday.  You see, you start out with the a little bit of oil. Then you fry some garlic. Then you throw in some tomatoes, tomato paste, you fry it; ya make sure it doesn’t stick. You get it to a boil; you shove in all your sausage and your meatballs…heh? And a little bit ‘o wine. An’ a little bit of sugar, and that’s my trick.”

Just like that, Clemenza ignited my interest in food in a short sweet scene in the Godfather. The secret to sauce.  I mean it was Clemenza and his fat fingers and also the fact that I used to watch my grandfather butcher fresh meats, and actually used to hear my great gram call out the equivalent of “An-ton-y!! It’s Prince spa-get-tee day!!!” Except the macaroni was homemade and my aunts rolled it on the kitchen table on wax paper covered with flour.

The whole point of this story is that I know Italian food.  I got street cred on this one.

I am going to let Troy in on a huge secret.  It’s secret to the people in Rensselaer County cuz’ it’s a “secret” that exists in Schenectady. I know what you’re thinking. “going to Schenectady is like going to Syracuse.” It’s all way out west.  It ain’t that far and I love Downtown Schenectady.

Perreca’s Bakery in The Electric City’s Little Italy has the greatest Italian sandwich in New York State. I said it. Fuggedboutit.  No need to go to Mulberry Street. It’s here. I tried a few. 

The prosciutto and sharp provolone knocked my socks off.  Fresh baked bread dripped with olive oil.  There’s nothing left to say. If you have not been there, or refuse to make a trip, you don’t know nuthin’ about food.

Caught Up in the Hype

I can’t remember the last time I watched TV and didn’t see an ad for the new Doritos taco at Taco Bell.  So being the curious food lover that I am, I had to make a 1am trip to the drive-through.  We all know that Taco Bell food tastes great when you eat it, but can backfire later on.  Well the Doritos taco didn’t even give me that satisfaction of eating it.  All the hype and it didn’t taste like a Dorito?  It was a taco shell with orange coloring.  That’s what I get for being inspired by a commercial.  What commercial should I follow next?

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.

The College Kids Love this Place

The Deli and Brew located on Vandenburgh Ave in Troy, right next to Hudson Valley Community College.  What else do you need? Subs and beer, the perfect combination for any occasion.  What I like about this place is that the subs are definitely not overpriced and you can get them as big as you need.   Beer and the gigantic subs are important here, but the pizza seals the deal. 

Like I've said before, if your looking for a place with good subs, just follow the college kids.  The Harvard on the Hudson kids know what's going on, that's for sure.  If I was still in college I would be down there every day.  Unfortunately those days are over, but I still know good food.