As I mentally refine my packing list and finalize travel arrangements for my trip later this month, I’ve got some events, media recommendations and dining suggestions to share with you, my locals. Hope that you can get to some of them!
Up first – TONIGHT, Argos Pizza at Finn’s in Troy. Nick Ruscitto is an all around great guy and one of the finest chefs I’ve ever worked with and I couldn’t be happier to see him back in the game!His latest project, a mobile pizza oven popping up around the Capital District, promises some tasty ‘za and a buzzy crowd. Can’t make it tonight? He’ll be back again next Monday, 11/9 in the same location – calendar that.
In case you haven’t heard, Tuesday is Election Day. 🙄Whether you voted early or are saving your ballot bubbling for the actual day, reward yourself with some delicious soup while supporting Hudson Valley food related initiatives. Queer Soup night is back – this time around hosted in the newish Hudson eclectic Asian spot, Haema. The food and cause are guaranteed to warm your heart.
Since first witnessing the dynamo that is Carsie Blanton in Dublin a few years back when she performed in a John Prine tribute show, I’ve been a fan. Her observations and biting lyrics combine to create contemporary protest music that encourages singing, along with political awareness and action. Because of this, the timing of Wednesday (11/4) night’s show at Albany’s Lark Hall feels particularly appropo to me. Fingers crossed that we’ll be riding a blue wave as we listen to her decidedly red tinged songs.
Sunday’s NYC Marathon had me excitedly tracking a friend’s race as my Brooklyn buddy, Ted, made his way around the five boroughs on a gorgeous autumn day. While I’ll be enjoying my Thanksgiving in Florence (spoiler: there won’t be turkey on the menu!), folks staying local might consider starting their day with a trot around Troy. This race, which features two distances, is a wonderful community event that will stimulate all the endorphins. Information here.
Last week I met a middle school friend in Brooklyn for an event featuring my literary heroine, Barbara Kingsolver. The venue, a gorgeous gothic church on Montague Street, provided the perfect backdrop for a lively conversation about her current work, Partita. Attendees received a copy of the novel with admission and I have been rationing myself to a chapter at a time in an effort to not blow through it with my usual speed. My music teacher reader friends – this one is for you!
Combining the best of local and exciting food purveyors, next week’s First + Adams X Jacob Alejandro event in Troy looks to be a banger night of food and drink. Described on the event website* as a perfectly seasonal menu that will pair beautifully with Coffee Masters Champion Alejandro Griffin-Diaz’s cocktail creations, as well as sommelier Paula Patterson’s wine selections, this prix fixe dinner will stimulate your taste buds and showcase the best of the area’s latest crop of food and drink professionals.
Have you watched Widow’s Bay? I’ve got this new comedy series with a mystery/horror bent saved in my back pocket to enjoy during the dark nights of winter, but now that I’m finished with the far too short latest season of Slow Horses, I’m ready to dive in. All the reviews are stellar and the cast is phenomenal.
Speaking of reviews…the critics (read an exception from the NYT here) roundly panned the latest Tom Cruise project, Digger, but my filmmaker cousin and his ravings, prompted me to get to the Spectrum to take it in on the big screen – especially after he told me the final scene prominently features a sign for Albany Street. The movie is not an easy watch, but Cruise is outstanding and the message is timely. Not sure I’ll be eating tuna any day soon, but I’ll be thinking about this film for a long time.
Another interesting and arty event is coming up soon at the wonderful Opalka Gallery on New Scotland Avenue. Billed as a collaborative event between The Dishing and the Opalka Gallery, Edible Art, is an evening that will feature five artists reflecting upon their process and their work featured in the current Light and Transient Causes show. Sounds like an inspiring and stimulating evening.
The youngest of the Lilly boys has found his way to new digs in NYC. Last week, he treated me to lunch at Panna II Garden Restaurant in the lower east side and we had a terrific Indian meal with lovely service. This place has been around awhile but is experiencing an uptick in visits since it appeared in the recent JFK Jr – Carolyn Bessette series, Love Story. Lunch seatings start at 2pm.
We followed lunch with a couple of darks and lights (iykyk) at the venerable McSorley’s Ale House. It seemed only fitting that I introduce my youngest child to one of NYC’s oldest taverns and I suspect he’ll revisit its sawdust floors with friends in the not too distant future.
Finally, when I had a hankering for brownies last week, this recipe jumped out at me as I searched the NYT cooking site. I doubled the recipe, baking the batter in a glass pan for 40 minutes, and the results were gorgeous. Consider a sprinkle of sea salt flakes to finish or even a teaspoon or so of finely ground espresso beans added to the mixture before baking to add some flair.
Stay busy, stay active and stay well. xo
*With the slightest of edits from yours truly.
