In the kitchen at Central Steak

Yeah, I know I'm a little late to the party since they already broke this story over at Table Hopping, but the folks at Central Steak are pretty creative.

How many local restaurants can you name with their own Youtube channel and their own Facebook fan page? Check out this video and watch Chef Dave cook up a Guinness Marinated pork chop. If I wasn't a threat to burn down the house every time I tried to cook, I'm sure I'd try this one at home.

3 Calzones and One Hot Shirt

Why is it that a “show about nothing” can be connected to everything? Between today’s crummy weather and my ongoing feature on Italian import shops, the time is right to take a look at the lighter side of food.

Quick, somebody find me the number for DeFazio’s! They said I can stick anything I want in my calzone, so I’m sure they’d be open to warming up a shirt or two. I know their calzones are big so I’ll even fold everything up before I hand it over. And I promise I’ll leave a big tip (no I won’t try to reach back in the jar for it). All I want to know is: can I pay in pennies? Last time I tried that maneuver was when I ran out of bread way back during my college days. All I had to pay with was pennies but the guy wouldn’t take it. Come on man, cut me some slack, it’s still American currency!

Buon Appetito Part 1: Ragonese Italian Imports & DeFazio's Pizza

I opened my own personal Pandora's Box by mentioning Genoa Imports in Loudonville a few posts back. Now, all I want to do is post about all of the wonderful mom and pop Italian "corner stores" we are so fortunate to have in the Capital Region.

I spent a few recent lunchtimes trying not to get sauce on my shirt after frequenting two such establishments. DeFazio's, a South Troy icon, is the main mast on the steamship known as Little Italy. I spent a lunch, a dinner, and a follow-up lunch eating the Chicken & Spinach Calzone I ordered. I am dead serious, it took me three sittings to eat every bite! This thing was so delicious and the sauce is perfect for spreading, dunking or just dumping on top. The only question I have for myself is when should I go back?

Similarly, Ragonese Italian Imports on New Scotland Avenue is an anchor tenant to one of Albany's solid middle class neighborhoods. It's amazing how these Italian stores are still so central to neighborhood life. Average Joe split time between a chicken parm sandwich and an eggplant parm sandwich, with a side of perfectly seasoned pasta salad, and tasty pepper shooters (a mildly hot pepper stuffed with prosciutto and provolone). A more than satisfying and gut busting meal, but to be honest the best thing from Ragonese is only available on the catering menu -- trays of their unbelievable sesame chicken have been part of my family's Christmas Eve tradition for about 10 years. I make sure I get the detail to pick them up and then I spend the ride from the store to meet the family at church snacking.

A Perfect St. Patrick's Day Lunch - Corned Beef & Slaw

I wandered over to the Victory Cafe (note I said wandered, not stumbled) for my St. Patrick's Day lunch.  If you have never been there, Victory doesn't have menus. All of the specials are written on chalkboards in the dining room. After working my way past the full bar, I had today's corned beef & slaw sandwich special. It was just perfect. Sorry I didn't take a picture but it just couldn't wait for the camera.

Snapshot Around Town: Part III

Formal Dining:
The final part of the Snapshot Around Town feature looks at the places you go to for the big night on the town. Maybe you’re celebrating a special occasion like a loved one’s birthday. Or perhaps this is just how you roll. Either way these are the places you bring your A-game to along with your best outfit – leave the baseball cap at home. You hope they understand the extra trouble you went through and, in turn, you feel like they are going through a little extra trouble for you. If you want to feel special or impress a date, look no further. The staff at Yono’s and dp An American Brasserie have repeatedly exceeded my expectations when it comes to service, knowledge and, of course, food. Certainly the menu at Yono’s can be intimidating and I prefer the Robinson Square location of yesteryear over today’s jammed in a hotel lobby look but once you’re inside, it’s hard for an Average Joe to not be impressed. One constant they have had from Robinson Square to the car dealership (What were they thinking?) to their current location in the heart of Downtown Albany is a professional, courteous staff. It’s hard not to feel like a celebrity in a posh Manhattan nightspot when dining on the lighter fare at dp. Ditto for its more formal big brother. It goes without saying that Yono’s menu could intimidate the layperson but you’re also paying for the experience. Besides, you have to remember to treat yourself every once in a while.

It's officially spring in the Capital Region: Jack's is back (open)

Today is one of those days you make sure to circle on your calendar every year. Now that Wynantskill's Jack's Drive-In is open, spring has officially begun.

YNN was savvy enough to run this important news this morning, check out their coverage here.

Attention Coffee Drinkers

They say there's no such thing as a free lunch, but Cumberland Farms is making sure you can at least score some free java this Friday. Don't miss out, the promotion lasts just two more days: this Friday, 3/18, and next Friday, 3/25.