A Hidden Treasure

With the freezing temps and snowy weather on Saturday night, Average Joe found himself wanting to stay in for dinner.  However, Average Jane was in the mood to go out.

So, we compromised and decided to go out to someplace close by, an old neighborhood favorite of ours, The Hidden Café.

The Hidden Café is located in the Delaware Plaza, tucked into the back corner in a “hidden” passageway.  The décor is, what I would call, “over-the-top Mediterranean”.  But the crowd of people, the candles and the intimate dining room make it a cozy, inviting space.  Perfect for a chilly Saturday night.

The menu features a wide array of delicious Mediterranean options.  We chose to start with some red wine and the falafel appetizer.  The falafel was brought to the table piping hot and perfectly cooked, and the hummus that accompanied it was terribly addicting, although a bit garlicky for my taste.

Our entrees, the seafood capri and the lamb kebab, didn’t disappoint. Delicious seasonings, perfectly cooked meat/seafood, and portions large enough that we had enough for lunch the next day.  What more do you need in a meal?

If you’re a fan of Mediterranean food, I would highly recommend stopping in Delaware Plaza to find the Hidden Café. It's a delight every time!

Average Joe goes to the Big Easy

With the winter weather making itself known here in the Capital Region, this Average Joe was recently in the mood for a taste of warm weather.

Unfortunately, tickets to Acapulco are a bit outside my budget. So instead, I decided to try a bit of Cajun flavor at Cafe NOLA.

NOLA is located on a little strip of eateries on lower Union Street in Schenectady. The decor fits the name: there are lots of beads, bright colors and alligator heads adorning the tables and small bar.

Speaking of the bar, it serves an array of beer and wine you aren't likely to find many other places (no liquor back there, so don't expect to order a Hurricane). That includes a huge range of Abita beer varieties and homemade sangria.

Maybe it's because we tried a few of the alcohol options, but we decided to order a handful of dishes to sample. Chicken wings "Cajun style" were impressively flavorful, and satisfyingly crispy. Alligator bites came with a remoulade sauce that was quite good, but the deep fry job left them a bit greasy for our liking.

An order of crawfish nachos, however, was a delight. In a twist from your barroom stack of Tostitos, the nachos are served with crawfish etouffee. Delicious. And given the howling arctic wind outside, orders of gumbo were as good as you're going to get short of booking a trip south.

Cafe NOLA also has Po Boys, blackened sandwiches and full-on dinner favorites like Jambalaya on the menu. If you're looking for a ray of warmth this winter, keep NOLA in mind next time you're in the Electric City.

You can dress Average Joe up, but can you take him out?

By now, you’ve noticed that I try to find the best deal in town without sacrificing taste. “Baller

on a budget” if you will. But every once in awhile, you have to throw on that clip on tie, and enjoy some of our area’s finest dining. And that’s why I found myself at Albany’s best, 677 Prime for lunch recently.

First, here’s a free lesson. If you want to try a place, but don’t want to match their dinner prices, go there for lunch. The lunch menu often carries similar items, at a lesser cost.

I’ve heard a lot about 677. Apparently it’s the place to be seen in the Capital Region. I was more concerned with seeing the food, and I was not disappointed. I started with the soup special of tomato and basil. Considering my previous tomato soup experiences were from Campbell's, I was quite satisfied. For my meal, I knew I had to involve steak, as that is what 677 is known for. I went with the Open Faced Steak Sandwich, appropriate for lunch while fulfilling my desire.

I was very pleased with my visit to 677, but I know this isn’t exactly a place I will be making a regular appearance. Until I hit Mega Millions this weekend!

Showtime at Johnny's

Not too long ago I was heading to the infamous Proctors Theater for a show, and came across the newest addition to State Street Schenectady, Johnny’s Restaurant. If you are looking for a nice Italian dinner, before your performance, Johnny’s is the place to go.

Not only is the location very convenient, but Johnny’s does old school Italian, like Mom makes it, large portions with that tomato sauce that hits the spot. Not only was the food tasty, with a wide variety of options, but also the service was wonderful. I had told the waitress we were going to see a show at Proctors, so she was courteous enough to make sure our food was prepared quickly and served in time for us to get to our seats promptly.  Surprisingly, I was also seated immediately without a reservation, more brownie points!

Johnny’s meals are also very reasonably priced, for being one of the more upscale restaurants on State Street. Don’t let Johnny’s elegant interior fool you though, the restaurant still has a very casual dining atmosphere, with many people who just come to drink at their bar.  The Mallozzi family did not disappoint. So next time you find yourself at Proctors or in the downtown Schenectady neighborhood, stop into Johnny’s, your inner Italian will thank you.

Excellent B-Rad vs. Just Plain Bad

Two lunch excursions this week offered up the best and not so best of what Downtown Troy has to offer the lunchtime crowd.

First the Good:  B-Rad’s Bistro and Catering, at 1809 5^th Street in Troy is great food at a great price.  Tasty, innovative entrees and sandwiches, daily specials, interesting and definitely-not-from-a-can soups provide a range of options to meet any level of hunger and bankroll.  Take out or eat in.  The service is fast, efficient and best of all, personal and friendly.  Check them out.  Tell them Average Joe sent you.

No such referral for Bruegger’s Bagels at 55 Congress Street, across from Sage Colleges…more like a warning.  I have nothing against chains, and at lunchtime, Bruegger’s fare is ok in a pinch.  But the staff…well, they make me wanna heave and leave.  It’s not just that they come off as uninterested in what they do, or that they seem incapable of making eye contact, or that they often shove your change at you like they are practiced with a shiv.  It is that they seem to actively dislike you for making them work.  Whatever the case, I shall refrain from doing so from now on. 

What's In the Mix at Hudson Deli?

So not too long ago on River Street in Troy, Hudson Deli shows up as the new guy on the block there, Subway over there in Monument Square is probably starting to feel it. Eventually you just get tired of the old "Italian Herbs & Cheese" bread I suppose. However, you still can't go wrong with the "Honey Oat." Hudson Deli's keeping it simple, it's not much, you have a few tables, a few plants, a Keurig and some great bread.

You need that lunch right, well it's a good place to have in the mix. Subs/sandwiches and the weekly specials keep it going with some great surprises. One day you're getting the turkey swiss, the next you're getting the Thursday special, goulash. They seem to close before dinner, but if you're on the lunch break its not a bad place to grab a bite and change it up.

Francesca, will you marry me?

I love Francesca! There I said it and I want the world to know. I have spent time dining in and around all of the downtowns of the Capital Region and well into the hinterlands (ie. Clifton Park).  Yet, I am always amazed when I finally try a place I have passed by a million times.

I have no idea why I didn’t find Francesca’s earlier. Perhaps part of me simply didn’t want to be spotted by the staff at The Record located across the street.

Yesterday was one of those great days where the whole big Italian family got together for lunch.  We ordered from Francesca’s and we all agreed – Francesca needs to be in our family! 

Papa Bear had the Chef Salad, piled with fresh greens and super fresh smoked mutz and turkey, ham and roast beef. Mama Bear had the Troy Sandwich. Straightforward and in your face – ham, turkey, swiss, mayo and Dijon, pickle. Pow!  Sisters and brothers and cousins tried everything else – The Ciccia sandwich, the Julius Caesar, The Blossom Salad, The Capri, and the Tuna Melt.

Roasted peppers, artichokes, red onion, olio evo, blue cheese crumbles.  These ingredients make your mouth water every time.

If you haven’t been to this spot, you haven’t tried food in Troy.  Grab a copy of The Record outta the box and head over for lunch. You’ll be glad you did!