toga magazine

S A R A T O G A S 2 0 1 4 S U M M E R M A G A Z I N E | toga 1

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2 toga | S A R A T O G A S 2 0 1 4 S U M M E R M A G A Z I N E

The racing season is in full swing, and a day at the track is a quintessential Saratoga experience. But whatever floats your boat including a gorgeous lake is easy to find.

Thats the idea behind this issue of Toga, The Saratogians summer magazine: Exploring the wide variety of what this area has to offer, day and night.

If youre an out-of-towner, chances are youre in town for the horse races or the plethora of concerts at the Saratoga Performing Arts Center, or both. Saratoga Race Course and SPAC are world-class facilities that attract people from far and wide.

If youre local, you probably know theres much more to the Spa City. But were betting theres a lot you dont know.

Ive lived a good portion of my adult life in the Capital Region and have seen this city as a visitor and as someone who works here daily. I make new discoveries about Saratoga Springs almost every day. Its awesome.

Pam Worth, whos on this years cover and featured in this publication, describes Saratoga Springs as a trunk. You open it up, and all these things come out, she said.

Thats what Toga is all about: highlighting the people, places and things that keep this town hopping all week long and after the days last horse race or when the curtain comes down at SPAC.

Want trendy shops? Weve got that. Plenty of places to get your grub and drink on? Check. Museums, concerts, walking trails and all sorts of ways to get away from it all? Yep.

Many people myself included talk about making the most of their summers. If youre summering in the Spa City, theres no excuse for not getting down with the Toga party.

Charlie KraebelTOGA editor-in-chief

Its a Toga party!

editors note

CHARLIE KRAEBEL@[email protected]

A magazine of The Saratogianwww.saratogian.com

20 Lake Ave.Saratoga Springs, NY 12866

518.584.4242

PUbLIShERMichael F. OSullivan

ExEcUTIvE EdITORBarbara Lombardo

TOGA EdITOR-IN-chIEfCharles Kraebel

TOGA bRANd AMbASSAdORLacey Stirling

cREATIvE dIREcTORChristopher Brown

GRAPhIc dESIGNERSJeff Parker

Samantha Williamson

WRITERSJennifer Grey, Lauren Halligan, Lauren Mineau,

Caitlin Morris, Paul Post

PhOTOGRAPhY SUPERvISORErica Miller

PhOTOGRAPhERSEd Burke, Lisa Miller

AdvERTISING MANAGERBarbara Fignar

ASSISTANT AdvERTISING MANAGERLouise Kilbara

MULTI-MEdIA AccOUNT ExEcUTIvESPat Castledine, Jacklyn Grady,

Brittany Lawrence, Jordyn Moulton, John Skiff

REGIONAL AdvERTISING OPERATIONS MANAGERJacob Loeb

cOvERPhotograph by Lisa Miller

TOGA makes every effort to ensure all advertising copy is correctly printed. The publisher assumes no responsibility for typographical errors. No part of this periodical may be reproduced without express permission of the publisher.

Summer 2014


whats inside

Page

4 More rooms at the inns:

New hotels popping up in Saratoga Springs.

Page

10 Saratoga Lake: Need a break from the track and the busy

downtown? Theres a great big lake next door with plenty of dining and recreation options.

Page

16 Upping the ante: Improvements

at historic racetrack aim to boost attendance.

Page

18 Worth the commitment:

Charismatic shop owner a Saratoga gal through and

through.

Page

26 Night on the town: In the Capital Region, downtown Toga is where its at. Find out what makes this

town tick after the sun goes down.

+Page

30 Now were cooking: Where can you find the regions top chefs?

Right here in the Spa City.

Page

35 Dining guide: Get the lowdown on the best places to get your grub on in the Saratoga area.

Page

38 People that you meet: Reporter

Lauren Halligan introduces you to the people who keep

downtown Saratoga Springs alive.

Page

42After hours: Several retail shops stay open late long after many

stores hang up the Closed sign.

Page

44Whats to do? A guide to special events at the track and around town to keep you busy for the

rest of the summer.

+

10

426

18 30


at the

Moreroomsinns

Story by Jennie Grey

Photos by Erica Miller


OPPOSITE PAGE: The Penthouse Suite, located on the fourth and fifth floor of the The Pavilion Grand hotel, includes two bedrooms

THIS PAGE (clockwise from top): The Penthouse Suite, spa services and a new restaurant are part of the new Pavilion Grand hotel.

Saratoga Springs has attracted visitors throughout its long history people seeking health at the natural springs, people involved with horse racing, those attracted to the entertainment, the architecture, and the enjoyment of a lively little city. Todays downtown continues to draw in tourists to shop and dine and stay overnight.

New hotels in downtown Saratoga Springs are increasing the number of rooms available for overnight guests by about 10 percent. More hotels are in the works, creating more choices and more competition.

The increase in hotels is an indication of the value of Saratoga, said Mark Baker, president of the Saratoga Springs City Center. Our market is desirable and profitable. And with our recent City Center expansion, we are able to attract more and larger conventions.

Another 197 rooms will be added to the 1,794 available in Saratoga Springs hotels this year. Last year, the city had an average yearly occupancy rate of 66.2 percent, according to a report from the Saratoga Convention and Tourism Bureau. That marked a slight dip from 2012, but it still outpaced the national 61.4 percent occupancy rate.

Back in 2008, Spa City had 1,671 rooms and a 56.1 percent occupancy rate.

Local officials say the stable occupancy rates and increased investment in new hotel rooms is an indication of the citys viability.

We have such multifaceted attractions here, said Annamaria Bellatoni, the Saratoga County Chamber of Commerce vice president for tourism promotion. Besides the racing and the arts, we have great outdoor recreational opportunities like hiking, biking and even bird-watching.

As of now, the city has about 25 lodgings ranging from drive-up motels to full-service hotels. The oldest operating hotel is The Inn at Saratoga at 231 Broadway. The newest lodgings are the recently opened Pavilion Grand Hotel at 30 Lake Ave., geared for long-term stays, and the Embassy Suites under construction at 86 Congress St.

More rooms are on the drawing board. Major renovations for the

innsu


are very confident well be well-received.

Some hotel managers, however, worry about supply exceeding demand.

The economy is improving now, but Im still concerned over how many rooms we have under construction, said Cindy Hollowood, the general manager of the Saratoga Springs Holiday Inn at 232 Broadway, noting that Saratoga Springs room occupancy rate hasnt moved in years.

Hollowood and her staff hosted a reception at the Holiday Inn earlier this year to celebrate the

50th anniversary of the hotel, the construction of which was a turning point for the city. This first hotel and convention space of its kind in Saratoga Springs was built with $700,000 raised by local investors large and small. Thats almost $5.28

million in todays money.After the hotel was built, the

Saratoga Performing Arts Center went up, and then came an improved racetrack, downtown shops, diverse restaurants and the City Center. When the city was at a crossroads, the hotel campaigners showed us which road to take, city Mayor Joanne Yepsen said at the Holiday Inn celebration.

Today, one measure to determine the success of the lodging industry is revenue from the hotel occupancy tax, some of which is used to supplement tourism promotion efforts. The local occupancy tax rate

is 6 percent: 1 percent for the city, 1 percent for the county, 2 percent for the City Center, and 2 percent for the Convention and Tourism Bureau.

Hotel room reservations in Saratoga County brought in a

Adelphi at 365 Broadway, built in 1877, are still planned, though on hold for now. Next door the Rip Van Dam could see a return to its original use as a hotel. The long-closed Weathervane restaurant on South Broadway will be replaced by a 108-room Homewood by Hilton. And Saratoga Casino and Raceway intends to have a hotel on its property by the summer of 2015.

Developers of the new hotels believe the city will be able to handle the extra rooms.

Were comfortable with our business plan, said Donald MacElroy of DCG Development

Co., the company building the Embassy Suites, a well-known member of the Hilton group, in the Congress Plaza near the CVS. With the strength of the Hilton brand, reservation system and loyal clientele, plus our location, we

New hotels an indicationof Spa Citys viability

The Rip van dam on broadway in Saratoga Springs.

record high total of $32.7 million during the summer of the 150th anniversary celebration at Saratoga Race Course, from June 1 to Aug. 31, 2013, though attendance at the track itself was down. The Saratoga County take on the occupancy tax was $327,034, a 3.5 percent increase over the corresponding quarter from the previous year.

Convention Bureau President Todd Garofano said the Saratoga Springs hotel room demand is robust, with an 82.9 percent occupancy rate in July 2013, a 2.7 percent increase from July 2012. In August 2013, an 89.2 percent occupancy rate marked a 2.4 percent increase from August 2012.

But there is a challenge to offering plenty of lodging space, said Saratoga County Chamber of Commerce President Todd Shimkus: Its a delicate balance to fill rooms without dropping rates.

Shimkus said Saratoga Springs reported even higher gains with a net record windfall of about $1.2 million from room reservations within its boundaries, a 4.1 percent increase over the prior summer. Overall, net revenue from room reservations within the city reached a record high of nearly $23.1 million between June 1 and Aug. 31, 2013.

Room rates vary widely


depending on season. The average rate for a hotel room in Saratoga Springs is $145, according to Jan Chesterton, president of the New York State Hospitality and Tourism Association. The average hotel room nationwide was $106 in 2012, according to the latest numbers available from the American Hotel & Lodging Association.

In addition to the hotels already under construction, some have renovated to add more space. The seven-story, 146-room Courtyard by Marriott Saratoga Springs has added gathering space to its hotel, including a bistro, meeting rooms and a renovated lobby, as well as the Excelsior Springs Banquet Hall, said Megan Hennessey, general manager there. A touch-screen GoBoard will give guests information at their fingertips, and special media pods let customers plug in their computer devices and do work in the lobby.

The Pavilion Grand on Lake Avenue is designed to accommodate longer-term guests. Coldwell Banker Commercial Prime Properties principal Dean DeVito said he expects such clients as business travelers for companies like GlobalFoundries, track-season visitors and other tourists, convention-goers, and long-stay employees at the Albany NanoTech Complex and General Electric.

The hotels diverse studios, one-bedroom suites, two-bedroom suites and penthouses feature full kitchens, washers and dryers, 55-inch TVs and luxury linens.

On its ground floor, the Pavilion Grand offers retail space that the public can use as well as guests. On one side, All Good Things, a boutique spa from Loudonville, has opened its second location, featuring a juice bar, a small gym, a yoga space and spa rooms. On the other side, the restaurant Mingle on the Avenue showcases a menu pairing East Coast and West Coast; American bistro with international fusion. Indoor and outdoor seating is in an open-floor concept.

Shimkus called the increase in Saratoga Springs hotel rooms modest. However, he said, as the countys designated tourism promotion agency, the Saratoga chamber will focus on drawing in people to fill those rooms.

With the advent of the new hotels, promotion of our region becomes more important, he said. Well be ramping up our marketing efforts.

Garofano agrees that the city needs to be proactive in its marketing.

We are becoming a great source for destination weddings, Garofano said. The bureau even has a staff member whose job title is destination wedding and social market specialist.

The sports market also looks promising. Middle school, high school, college and adult athletes come to meets and competitions in Saratoga.

Sports are year-round and recession-proof, Garofano said. n

THIS PAGE FROM TOP: construction continues at the congress Plaza Embassy Suites in Saratoga Springs, at 86 congress Street.


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Saratoga

LakeStory by Jennie Grey

Photos by Ed Burke


A trio of personal watercraft enthusiasts enter fish creek from Saratoga Lake near the Route 9P bridge.


Ringed by private houses, Saratoga Lake has sometimes seemed an inaccessible gem of sparkling water or, in the wintertime, ice. But among the lakeside enclaves are marinas, restaurants, inns, a park and even a newly renovated public beach. Residents and visitors alike can boat, sail, kayak, canoe, swim, fish, dig in the sand and dine out. Summer is open for business and leisure on Saratoga Lake, for everyone.

The new and improved seven-acre Browns Beach on state Route 9P is scheduled to be open this summer with a swimming beach, a courtesy dock for boaters and a restaurant run by Panzas.

Im ecstatic about turning this beach around, said Stillwater Supervisor Ed Kinowski, who spearheaded the project. Its a jewel.

Restaurateur Tony Panza is equally enthusiastic about the public beach, where he will oversee his new venture in the renovated 100-year-old restaurant there. That historic building is now Dock Browns Lakeside Tavern. Yes: Dock.

Well feature casual dining and drinks on the deck, Panza said. Theres a terrific view of the lake. Well be a great place for events and parties.

>>Revival of Browns BeachFuture summer plans for Browns

Beach include a pavilion, an arcade and boot-camp yoga. The snow time will bring an I Love New York winter carnival, ice-fishing, snowmobiling and a polar plunge.

Were even looking into dog-sledding and racing trotters on the ice, he said. Were excited.

Winter and summer, Browns Beach has played a key role in Saratogas community. The popular destination attracted locals and visitors with a carnival-like atmosphere and public access to the lakes water.

Families used to love to come here because the water is very shallow for a long way out, Kinowski said.

The beach was closed in 2007, and with it closed the publics major swimming spot on Saratoga Lake. Developer DPN Saratoga had planned to build condominiums and a lakefront resort on the

Summer is open for businessand leisure on Saratoga Lake,

for everyone.

Work is underway atbrowns beach, whichhas been acquired bythe town of Stillwater.

property but never completed the proposal.

Then in September 2013, the town of Stillwater bought the land for $4.1 million. A development agreement between the municipality and computer chip maker GlobalFoundries resulted in a promised $3 million donation from the company, whose factories stand partly on Stillwater land. This

money will be paid to the town when Fab 8.2 is built.

The restoration of Browns Beach has been a 10-month-long project for the town of Stillwater and dedicated volunteers, who have cleared land, pulled weeds and taken down dilapidated outbuildings. When the place opens, a private company, Clifton Parks Menneto Powersports, will operate the public

beach and manage amenities.

>>Longtime lake businessesAnother swimming spot

with amenities can be found at DiDonnas South Shore Marina and Restaurant at 113 Route 9P, where four generations have served up food and access to the lake since 1955. This facility, open all year, offers a small swimming beach, 125 u


boat slips, a boat launch and abundant parking, said Kirsten Dahlgren, who works there and is engaged to Tony DiDonna. He is a partner in the restaurant with his cousin Joe DiDonna Jr., and a partner in the marina with his uncle Joe DiDonna.

You can rent fishing boats, pontoon boats and kayaks at our marina, Dahlgren said. In the winter, we offer access to ice-fishing, skating and snowmobiling.

She said theres plenty of lakeshore business to go around. Browns Beach, with its larger swimming access, will bring more people to the lake.

DiDonnas, which has been here for 59 years, is an icon for Saratoga Lake, she said.

The restaurant offers Italian-American fare and is well-known for its pizza. Diners can also choose such specials as seared salmon, chicken marsala and steak piccata. A full liquor license is on its way.

We also have comedy shows, a pool table and board games, Dahlgren said. We even have Tarot card readings.

Saratoga Lake is a beautiful place to be, she said.We have a boat, but were so busy, we havent

used it for two years, she said, laughing. So we enjoy the indoor and outdoor lake views here.

>>Get on the waterBoaters can also launch their crafts at the

Saratoga Lake State Boat Launch just over the Route 9P bridge. The area is open year-round and has parking capacity for up to 144 trailers and 30 cars.

From spring to fall, every warm day, this is an

COUNTER CLOCKWISE FROM TOP: dining options include didonnas South Shore Restaurant; Panzas Restaurant on the southerm end of Saratoga Lake; Manginos Restaurant, also on the southern end of the lake; harvest & hearth Wood fired Artisan Pizza on Stafford bridge Road. at fish creek; cliffs country Inn on Route 9P in Malta


extremely popular place, said Saratoga Spa State Park Manager Michael Greenslade. The Fish Creek regattas also bring in crowds.

Youll find the Fish Creek Marina and its Kayak Shak where Route 67 meets Route 68. The Kayak Shak rents kayaks, of course, and also stand-up paddleboards. Canoes for one person, couples, families or corporate events are also available. Any vessel without a motor can be launched from the Kayak Shak dock.

Theres a craft for all ages, although the Kayak Shak website speaks up for infant paddlers: Our policy is that if you as the parent feel comfortable, then so do we. We do have personal flotation devices for babies. However, if you try to send out your newborn in his or her own boat, we might intervene.

Another family-friendly place in the sun is Waterfront Park, which opened in 2012. The park was formerly the Waterfront Restaurant on Saratoga Lakes northwest bank, with access on Crescent Avenue across from Cassidy Drive.

The space is separated into three sections of different elevation, with parking at the top on Crescent Avenue and water access at the bottom. Residents can use the non-motorized boat launch, fish and enjoy the vista across the lake.

Future plans for the property include a designated swimming area, a playground, a picnic area, restroom facilities and a large pier.

Saratoga Lake is 3,762 acres in surface area and 25 feet in mean depth. When all this water lures fishermen out, they have many places to cast their lines. The lake offers a variety of habitats from shallow weedy zones to steep rocky zones.

Fish found in Saratoga Lake include largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, yellow perch, brown bullhead, northern pike, redbreast sunfish, rock bass, walleye, black crappie, bluegill, chain pickerel and pumpkinseed. The lake produces some decent-size smallmouth bass, walleye and northern pike.

According to the state Department of Environmental Conservation, approximately 8.6 million walleye are stocked in the lake yearly. The department advises anglers in search of northern pike to fish the edges of weed beds. For smallmouth bass and walleye, fishermen should head to rocky shores. Anglers targeting panfish should use small jigs and live bait.

>>Good eatingAfter a day on the water, dinner will sound

good. Saratoga Lake offers all kinds of cuisine, right along the shore.

Harvest and Hearth at 251-B County Road 67, beside the Fish Creek Marina, features artisan pizzas made with local and organic ingredients. At the bar are organic New York state and New England beers and wines. Diners can enjoy the view over Fish Creek, especially striking at sunset.

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In Tony Panzas family restaurant at 510 Route 9P, it will be business as usual this summer, he said; and business is good. This year marks the establishments 76th year by the lake.

Panza has spent a lifetime cooking, taught as a child by his grandmother, great-aunt and father. He still uses the family recipes. One of his best memories of cooking with the family is having to use a step-stool to reach the sauce pots.

Panzas Neapolitan-style brick-oven-baked pizza was its earliest offering, and now the menu includes chicken Tuscany, Aunt Celias eggplant parmigiana and shrimp Sorrentino, among many other dishes.

Besides opening Dock Browns Lakeside Tavern at Browns Beach, Panza will run a seven-room inn there. Both establishments will be available year-round.

Cliff s Country Inn at 57 Route 9P offers a diverse menu that includes prime rib, steak, Italian favorites and classic seafood dishes. The dining room is family-friendly with kid-sized meals available, and the sports bar with its big-screen TVs is a great place to relax with a pub-style appetizer, sandwich, salad or burger. Cliff s is open seven nights weekly and offers takeout.

Manginos Ristorante at 149 Route 9P offers fresh Italian seafood dishes. The restaurant features piano music on Fridays and Saturdays, and its fireplace warms wintertime diners. The facility hosts banquets and parties.

Other restaurants and marinas circle the lakes shores, ready for visitors in summer or winter, in sunshine or snow. Saratoga, enjoy your lake. n

TOP: boaters enjoy a sunny day on the lake

ABOVE: South Shore Marina on the southern end of Saratoga Lake


TOP: boaters enjoy a sunny day on the lake

ABOVE: South Shore Marina on the southern end of Saratoga Lake

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Saratoga Race Course turned 150 years old this year (the physical track is a year younger than official thoroughbred racing in the city) and while preserving the old, theres plenty thats new this season:

A record $17.45 million in stakes purses, with 15 Grade I races alone

Steeplechase races twice a week A first-ever New York-bred

showcase wrapping up Travers Week

Three large new video walls at the paddock, outdoor mutuel bay and near the Carousel Restaurant

500 new high-definition televisions throughout the clubhouse, grandstand and exterior areas, including the back yard

An enhanced sound system 100 additional picnic tables An expanded and improved events

pavilion Trakus a high-tech system that

allows fans and television viewers to follow a horses position during a race.

The New York Racing Association, which runs the state-owned track, hopes to create two nationally prominent days of racing at Saratoga by boosting the purses

for the Aug. 2 Whitney and the Aug.

23 Travers to $1.5 million and $1.25

million, respectively.

The country looks to Saratoga

for the best racing, says Martin

Panza, senior vice president of

racing operations, which wants

to bring more horses here from

California, Kentucky and Florida.

The foundation is being set now

to grow these events. We want to

create more big events in New

York.

Adds NYRA board member

Charles Wait of Saratoga Springs:

and 2013 Belmont winner Palace

Malice is expected to compete in the

Whitney.

The track will host a first-ever

Saratoga Showcase Day on Sunday,

Aug. 24 the day after the Travers

featuring the best New York-

bred horses.

The meet will have expanded

media coverage as both NBC and

Fox plan to cover various races.

In response to fan comments

about the daily programs being

too long, Mondays will have nine

races, with 10 each on Wednesday,

1 p.m. except for 11:35 a.m. on Travers Day, when 13 races will be on the card.

Steeplechase races will be held at 12:35 p.m. every Wednesday and Thursday, preceding the regular flat-track program.

Popular, longtime track announcer Tom Durkin plans to call his last race Aug. 31 so he can relax and watch the Labor Day program in his well-deserved retirement. A special day to honor Durkin will be held in late August.

There will also be a variety of off-track activities. Special themed events will be held each day. Thursdays, Fridays and Sundays will be dedicated to promoting New York state wines, brews and food, respectively. A series of ethnic heritage celebrations will be held Wednesdays celebrating people of Latino, Irish, Italian, Asian and African-American descent.

Mondays are family-fun days, and Saturdays will be dedicated to the fashion world, with companies such as Lord & Taylor on hand.

The goal is to attract new faces to our facilities and our sport, Kay said.

The backbone of the racing industry is the hundreds of grooms, exercise riders and hot-walkers who work long hard hours at little pay to care for the sports equine athletes. Once again, Marylou Whitney and John Hendrickson have organized a daily Backstretch Appreciation program with events scheduled every day of the meet for these people.

This is all done by volunteers,

Track hopes upgrades help boost attendance

My guess is that it will be a strong season and that attendance will be higher than last year. The keys are a good racing product and giving fans a good experience.

NYRA President and CEO Chris Kay said before the season began that Belmont Stakes winner Tonalist might race twice during the meet,

Thursday, Friday and some Sundays. Eleven races will be held Saturdays and select Sundays.

Im a firm believer that more is not necessarily better, Panza said. Nobody wants to be at the track seven or eight hours per day.

There will be no twilight racing this year, and all post times are

Hendrickson said. Not one penny has been used for administration or salaries. There is no legal obligation to do this. It is a moral obligation.

The track is open daily through Labor Day except for Tuesdays. For information about admission, seats, schedules and more, log on to www.nyra.com. n

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18 toga | S A R A T O G A S S U M M E R M A G A Z I N E

Worththe

commitmentStory by Charlie Kraebel

photography byLisa Miller, Studio di Luce

makeup and hair styling by Claire Harris

Boutique owner a Saratoga gal through and through

Thats the greeting youll get when you walk into Spoken Boutique, a trendy womens clothing shop a block off Saratoga Springs famed Broadway corridor.

Looks like the girls are trotting out already, said owner Pam Worth to a group of women forced by a recent rain to trade golf bags for shopping bags.

The charismatic blondes personality is as colorful as her outfits. She knows theres always time to get to the selling of merchandise. First she likes to find out about her visitors.

Everybody has a story; I love listening to them, she said. I want to know where theyre from, if theyre new to the area, if theyre looking for things to do. Then we get in to what theyre looking for.

Saratoga Springs isnt just where she makes a living. Its home, and it has been for all of her 52 years.

I was born and raised in the Spa, Worth said proudly.

Shes a Saratoga girl through and through. She married her high school sweetheart Steve (hes also Saratoga) and raised two children here: her son Connor, who works in the ski industry, and her daughter Madison, who just graduated from high school.

Worth felt the pull to come back to the Spa City after working in the clothing industry in Glens Falls for 23 years. I needed to go back to my roots, she said.

There are a few reasons why Spoken isnt among Broadways long line of shops. Rent is one of them. Luck is another.

Worth had been looking at various spaces, and spent a lot of time praying for directions. Then she got a call from her realtor.

My realtor said she was bringing me the keys to 27 Church, she said. Ask anyone who knows me; 27 is my lucky number. When I heard that, the hairs stuck up on my

Hi,girls!

Pam Worth and best friend and buying sidekick beth Monroe enjoy a Saratoga evening.



neck, and I said bring the lease. Im signing it.

Spoken opened for business on April 1, 2010. Ive never looked back. Ive had a lot of people approach me about locating on Broadway, but Im good here.

Worths goal was to create a comfortable environment for her customers. She wants it to be a fun place. Its one of the reasons she doesnt go into selling mode right off the bat.

With the women whose golf plans were rained out, Worth wondered where theyd been. It didnt take much for the ice to break. Talk focused on breakfast, looking at goodies theyd bought at other shops, pining over the weather, and their golf game.

We call ourselves The Lollipops because we all suck, one of the women joked.

Worth laughs. You should have T-shirts made up, she says. Although this isnt a bad gig getting breakfast, doing some shopping. When its a group of girls, its always fun.

Worth says its the people who make me tick. Launching into an immediate sales pitch or just staring down customers who walk in would be pretentious, she said.

Theyre not going to stay, Worth said. You have to realize that they walked in for a reason.

Because Spoken serves a specific audience (women in their 30s, 40s and 50s Were at that age where we want to look good but have some body changes were going through), Worth said making the customers feel comfortable is important.

This is a fun place, but were very honest, she said. If they do not feel comfortable in their clothing, I will not sell it to them.

Understanding the challenges women have when they reach middle age is key, Worth said. Being

Were making our beautiful town even better. I think theyre brave on Broadway. I think Im

brave off Broadway.


in her 50s herself, she said, I get it.

My best tip for people is to never worry about the number or letter on that label, she said. You have to feel comfortable in your skin.

The average clothing size Spoken carries are 8, 10, 12 and 14, the average American woman, Worth said. Once women understand that, theyll feel more comfortable going into a boutique.

Worth has six part-time employees whom she describes as the voice of me.

I cant thank them enough, she said.

Although shes a block west of Broadway, she says Church Street is totally alive now, and very much a part of Saratoga Springs bustling downtown. She has a strong voice in the local business community, being a member of the Downtown Business Associations board of directors.

I love the Broadway vibe, but I love coming up Church Street, Worth said. There are lots of great shops on Caroline and Phila. All of these little spots off Broadway have their own special little vibe.

A customer listening to Worth agreed. Youre doing OK here, the customer said.

Being here is something Worth plans on doing for a long time.

Saratoga is in a league of its own, she said. Thats not pompous. We want our city to succeed. Were proud of it.

We love having people come to this town. It keeps it more than just the racing and the ballet. Its so much more than that, Worth said. [Saratoga Springs] is like a trunk -- you open it up and all these things come out. n

Pam and beth in front ofSpoken boutique, located at

27 church St, Saratoga Springs


bonac io .com | 18 D iv is ion S t ree t , Su i t e 401 , Sa ra toga Spr ings , NY 12866 | t . 518 .584 .9007 | f . 518 .584 .0496

Over the years, if youve seen a major construction project in the Saratoga Springs area, chances are youll see a familiar company leading the charge: Bonacio Construction Inc. Since its founding in 1988 by Sonny Bonacio, the company helped transform downtowns in the Capital Region like Saratoga Springs and Troy. Some of those projects include three phases of the Franklin Square condo/mixed use development and similar developments at Park Place and Division Streets. Also, the company has been a part of projects that have helped those in need, particularly when it built housing apartments managed by the Capital District YMCA, with many of the clientele being U.S military veterans who need safe, low-cost housing. Bonacio Construction, headquartered at 18 Division St. in downtown Saratoga Springs, employs more than 100 people. Current and past clients include Bowtie Cinemas, Certified Allergy, Fasig Tipton, Fresenius Dialysis Center, Saratoga Hospital, Complexions Spa and Dunkin Donuts, to name a few The company has grown thanks to a long list of award-winning successful development and retail construction projects with an emphasis

12

3 4 5 6 7

8 9 10

Below is a list of the 10 biggest projectsdone by Bonacio Construction, Inc.

Park Place Condo / Mixed Use

The Washington

The SpringsPhase 2

The Springs Phase 1

Franklin Square Phase 4 Condo / Mixed Use



845 Broadway Apartments managed by the Capital District YMCA / Galesi Group

Market Center Apartment / Mixed use

18 Division Street Condo / Mixed Use


bonac io .com | 18 D iv is ion S t ree t , Su i t e 401 , Sa ra toga Spr ings , NY 12866 | t . 518 .584 .9007 | f . 518 .584 .0496

Theres a lot more to Julie Bonacio than meets the eye. In addition to overseeing marketing and sales for Bonacio Construction, Inc., shes also a top agent with Roohan Realty in Saratoga, having sold more than $200 million in real estate throughout her career.

Julies also a hometown girl, born and raised in Saratoga Springs. She attended college at Katharine Gibbs in Boston and started with her dad in sales before going to work with Sonny at Bonacio and building the company.

Julie says working at Bonacio and being in real estate brings something different every day one phone call can turn into an exciting new resident or tenant. In addition to interacting and meeting all kinds of people, Julie also enjoys seeing the development and growth visions of the company transform and come to life.

What starts out as dirt or raw space is often transformed into a floor plan and design, and out of that comes a beautiful building, retail space, etc., that features a clients personal touch.

Being the mother of three children Gianna, 14, Will, 13 and Luca, 11 Julie is much more than a prominent businesswoman in the Saratoga region. She can be spotted cheering on her kids at all their sporting events throughout the year, working out with girlfriends, spending time at their home in Lake George and entertaining friends and family.

A huge focus of Julies is giving back to the community in which she grew up, lives, works and loves by being involved with many key charities and groups in the area. She sits on many committees and supports many different events and fundraisers including Saratoga Hospital, Saratoga Bridges, Center For the Family, Equine Advocates, National Museum of Dance, Sponsor-a-Scholar, Jakes Help From Heaven and Hatties Mardi Gras Event, which supports the Saratoga Hospital Community Care Center.

on vertical integration or production. In addition, Bonacio has adapted to the changes in the construction industry over the years by increasing production efficiency, increasing site safety and its unmatched ability to determine project feasibility for its clients. Bonacio is also involved with several projects in progress, and folks will be able to see the end results soon. The BWP Local Grille owned by Tim and Colleen Holmes will open at The Springs on Weibel Avenue later this summer. Projects at 2 West (leasing 1-3BR apartments with more than 5,000-square feet of commercial space) and the Neumann Active Adult Living Facility on Lake Avenue next to St. Clements are expected to be finished by the summer of 2015. Also, the Complexions Spa on Park Place is scheduled to open in August 2015. For information on residential apartments and condos, as well as available commercial space in Troy, Saratoga and Glens Falls, contact Julie Bonacio at (518) 584-9007. You can learn more about Bonacio Construction by checking out their website at www.bonacio.com and their Facebook page by searching for Bonacio Construction, Inc.


a When the sun goes down, the Toga nightlife proves night in and night out

that summer in Saratoga Springs is not only about betting the ponies. Some towns roll up the sidewalks at 5 p.m., but Saratoga Springs is alive and well until midnight or later sometimes much later on any given night of the week.

To really know the downtown Saratoga nightlife scene, one must be introduced to the citys ultimate party girl, Caroline. Just off Broadway, Caroline Street is the place to be after dark.

If youre not sure where to start, try out one of City Taverns five floors. Start with the bottom floors live music venue, then make the journey up through the sports bar, the lounge, the dance club, and the rooftop.

When your legs have recovered from all of the stairs, if youre looking to make the rounds,

night

townon the

Story by Lauren Halligan

Photos by Ed Burke and Erica Miller

caroline Street is the hub of downtown Saratogas bar scene.


barhopping is a cinch from there, with some of the most popular hotspots all on the same block.

The longest standing of the bunch is the Tin n Lint, known endearingly to locals as T-n-L. If you think Broadway can seem too highfalutin, this is the bar for you. Stepping down into the below-street level bar is telling of the attitude inside: totally down to Earth.

Good old-fashioned country music plays on the jukebox, and if the mood is right, the staff will break out the beer pong equipment. A slew of beers are always on the menu for just four bucks, and its strictly cash only.

According to frequent customer Larry Hunt, T n Ls got the coldest and cheapest beers in town.

As valuable as the bargain drinking is the camaraderie.

Its like the Cheers of Saratoga, said longtime patron David Wolven. Everybody knows everybody.

But the city becomes a menagerie when the tourists start pouring in. Dangos bartender Sarah Baker, a Saratoga native, said she loves her job because she gets to meet new people each night.

The cultures are very diverse because there are people that are coming from different countries, different states, she said. Dangos draws a wide stretch of age groups with its outdoor patio, live entertainment seven nights a week and 5-cent wings every Tuesday.

On the other six nights of the week when your stomach starts growling, Caroline has you covered.

Local Ani Matrazzos hangout of choice is Gaffneys, on the corner of Caroline and Putnam streets across from City Tavern, because of the food. The shrimp scampi and chocolate cake are her go-to menu items.

Matrazzo said she has never had trouble finding a delicious meal in Saratoga Springs.

Pizza 7 and DAndreas cover the Caroline Street pizza scene, but for a true Saratoga treat just beyond the Tin n Lint check out Esperanto (Espos for short) for its unique chicken and cheese creation called the DoughBoy or the DoughGirl, for the vegetarian foodies. On a crazy night, Esperanto sells more than 1,000 of these babies. Drunks and DDs alike line up out the door for their little

handheld pockets of cheese-filled heaven before a good nights end.

Though theres no booze to offer at Esperanto, its as crowded as any of the alcohol-based businesses on the block. We arent a club, but we end up becoming a club anyway every night, said employee Tara Hemsworth.

For those who care to indulge in a puff or two, Smokin Sams Cigar Shop is right in the middle of all the hubbub. In the summertime, its the equivalent of Bourbon Street, said Sean Doyle, owner of

the 17-year-old family business. Theres always a million people in the middle of the street.

Among those whove passed through the shop are celebrities like Barry Melrose, David Cassidy and Rudy Giuliani.

If youre looking for the best of the best, One Caroline Street Bistro shows the streets classy side.

Jazz music, ambience, and farm to fork food make the restaurant a visitors best bet for cocktails and conversation. Bartender Sean Saunders recommends The Beetnik, made from fresh beet juice.

If Caroline just isnt your cup of tea, there are plenty of other places in town for evening time enjoyment.

Phila Street (pronounced file-uh), for example, is like Carolines more artsy, eclectic sister, with an antique store, a psychedelic shop, a creperie, a lingerie boutique, a

bookstore and a paint-your-own-pottery studio. But Philas got a wild side, too. Harveys, the Irish restaurant and bar formerly known as The Irish Times, has been revamped under new ownership.

Its new leader, Nick Adie, hopes for Harveys to be a visitors first stop to grab a Guinness and enjoy the rooftop view, or enjoy live

entertainment on the weekends. But theres competition in the Celtic court the Parting Glass on Lake Avenue is one of the oldest continuously running bar and restaurants in the city, offering traditional Irish fare, spirits and brews as well as entertainment.

Speaking of beer, Saratogas got its own. At the front end of the craft beer revolution, Druthers Brewing Company snatched up the last open space on Broadway just a few years ago, creating a local haven for the exponentially growing

cohort of beer aficionados. Extensive patio seating is a

summertime bonus, and its hard to find anyone not taken in by the restaurants mac and cheese.

Caroline and Phila have a little brother, too Henry Street.

Hes a little less popular, but he also has much to offer downtowns evening scene. The Henry Street

The dart hall at the Parting Glass at the corner of Lake Avenue and henry Street.

Toga gets up whenthe sun goes down


Taproom is a gem lying just a couple blocks east of the Broadway bustle, with extensive craft beer and craft food menus. We offer a local neighborhood place to people who want it and not be in the mess of Caroline Street and Broadway. It still has that downtown feeling and vibe to it, just a little bit less hectic, said owner Ryan McFadden.

Just next door, theres a similar atmosphere at The Merry Monk, a beer-lovers paradise with a Belgian-influenced menu including

mussels in assorted broths. While the revelers get younger as

the hour gets later, the night scene attracts people of all ages, including locals, residents from surrounding communities and seasonal visitors.

Saratoga is unique in the way that it is possible to walk into a bar and have one experience and walk next door to another and have a completely different experience, said Laura Sarsfield of Malta. Nightlife in Saratoga can be enjoyed at any age. Whether

it be a Skidmore college student or a sophisticated retiree, there is something for everyone.

Everyones got their own spot. My favorite part about downtown toga has to be the Circus Cafe on Broadway, said 22-year-old Olivia Fuller. Its me and my best friends go-to place when we need to grab a drink and catch up, and its our ideal place to start off if were going to make a night of it.

Fuller and her bestie love the cheap happy hour specials,

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: The Merry Monk at 84 henry St.; coldest and cheapest beer at Tin n Lint; henry Street Taproom at 86 henry St.; Tuesday is the perfect day to hit dangos on caroline Street for their 5-cent wings; join co-owner Rory Wilson for a slice of dAndreas Pizza; late night quick delight at Esperanto (Espos for short) for their famous chicken and cheese doughboy; stop into One caroline Street bistro for a classy martini


complimentary popcorn, and their favorite bartender, Nate, who always knows their drink order by heart. Her favorite summertime sip from Circus is a watermelon margarita with sugar on the rim.

World traveler Kira Teckenbrock, originally from Germany, spent a year in the Spa City, and she fell in love with the local vibes the downtown neighborhood offers. Out of all the places Ive been to in the States, Saratoga is one of the best ones for going out and having

a fun night, she said. Especially during the summer months its fun to walk around Caroline Street and hop from one club to another, and meet new people on the street who often come from all over the country to see the horse races.

Saratoga is great because even though its a fairly small city, it has a vibrant nightlife with many clubs, bars and pubs all close to each other right in downtown. I often enjoyed going out in Saratoga more than in big party cities like New

York City or Los Angeles since there arent any dress codes, which makes for a better atmosphere, in my opinion, Teckenbrock said.

Saratoga party girl Isabel Roque, 23, enjoys the city year-round as a fan of the areas music scene. Great local cover bands are often her draw into the downtown area. Aside from the outstanding live entertainment, Roque said her city has it all: dancing and drinks everything youll need for a fun-filled summer. n

LAURENS LIKESBest Beer Druthers, Merry Monk, Henry Street Tap RoomBest Prices Tin n Lint, Desperate Annies Best Dancing Mine, Paddock, ThirteenBest Atmosphere One Caroline Street Bistro, Sperrys, Harveys Best Live Music Putnam Den, Gaffneys, Baileys


Nowwerecookin

Story by Caitlin Morris



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FROM LEFT TO RIGHT: Executive chef brady duhame of 15 church; head chef dominic colose of The Wine bar; chef Michael hazard feeds the exclusive guest artists at Yaddo; new head chef Philip fitzpatrick of Sperrys Restaurant.

For Michael Hazard, who has been living and cooking in Saratoga Springs his whole life, the draw of this place is simple.

Theres tourists, pretty girls, money the potential to be recognized, Hazard says. Its not Manhattan, he acquiesced, but its not Albany, where everybody leaves at 4 oclock on a Friday.

But Hazard stepped away from all that 12 years ago to run one of Saratoga Springs most obscure kitchens at Yaddo, the legendary artists retreat, where the only people getting a plate of food are the artists in residence and the staff.

The artist community is a distinct culture, from its hierarchy and management to the guests, whose artwork he may not always understand but whose company, he says, encompasses the best part of his work. The sweeping Yaddo woods, where he walks with his small black dog, Friday, and the kitchen in the back of the mansion, which dates back to 1893, suit Hazard.

Yes, he admits, he misses the company a

Story by Caitlin Morris


u


restaurant keeps the banter of the servers and bartenders, the camaraderie but not, he says, tilting his head back to laugh at the sky, at midnight on a Saturday, when the world is his oyster.

Plus, he doesnt have to compete for business.

That competition, as described by Dominic Colose, executive chef of The Wine Bar on Broadway, is akin to restaurant warfare, especially when sparring against the impossible bright and shiny appeal of the new. Long-timers like The Wine Bar, with 15 years under its corkscrew, derive success from figuring out what they do well and sticking with it, Colose says.

The desire to be a chef was always there, Colose says when he cooked for his family growing up, during his years at Siena College, where he was a professional cross-country runner, and after, when he went into retail and quickly realized he didnt want to be a paper pusher or deal with people. He wanted to cook.

On a late afternoon, shortly before the dinner crowds materialize, the tiny kitchen in the back of The Wine Bar is humming

with haste. Colose, well-reasoned and expectant, a smudge of mashed potato grazing his left cheek, answers a question about his sometimes fickle desire to feed others.

I like the people who appreciate what we do and trust us. I wish more people would just trust that we know what were doing that we know how to put together a dish and maybe take a chance sometimes, Colose says before plunging back into his work.

Taking chances in life and food is on Philip Fitzpatricks menu.

He is executive chef of Sperrys Restaurant, on Caroline Street.

Inside a side door and down a flight of basement stairs reveals the broad Sperrys kitchen, where

Fitzpatrick paces on his cell phone, negotiating with distributors and peering over the backs of his kitchen crew a group of cooks hes known for years and assembled with seeming ease when he left the high-profile position as executive chef at the Albany Hilton a few months ago.

Sperrys Restaurant offered him the chance to roll out a new menu with his own culinary inventions and to play a major role in revitalizing a cornerstone city restaurant that has been in business since 1932.

Backed by a group of investors led by former Saratoga Springs Mayor Scott Johnson, it beckons to not only Saratogas elite, but the horse racing professionals, with caricatures of jockeys, trainers and owners embellishing its dark wood rooms.

Fitzpatrick has a lifetime of experience cooking for the racing industry; he cycled for five years between being a head chef in St. Croix with his own crew during the winter months and the head chef at Siros, an after-racing icon, for the summer. After that, he landed a select corporate job as a chef at

racetracks.He says he wanted to bounce

around, just to see other chef s techniques, when he was younger, and worked on the east and west coasts to define his cooking style.

Some things I still use today and some I dont, but you know, I gave myself the opportunity to see it all, Fitzpatrick reflects.

These days, hes bought a home and a dog that he runs out mid-day to walk, and he has resigned himself, for now, to winters upstate.

Brady Duhame, head chef at 15 Church, the citys newest and already one of its classiest restaurants, returned recently to Saratoga Springs, his home. For more than 15 years, Duhame has perfected his approach to food in

places all over the world Boston, Italy, New England, New York City but the Spa City was always on his mind.

Duhame grew up on Nelson Avenue with a single mother, as one of three kids, and they all had their own chores. One of his was mowing the lawn.

And I kept knocking down this plant. It ended up being rhubarb. I didnt know and I asked my mother after the fourth year. So she had me cut it down, bring it inside. I mowed the lawn, came back in, and she had all these ingredients out to make rhubarb pie. I made it and I just felt the next day I wanted to make another rhubarb pie, Duhame says. It was that moment where I just fell in love with cooking.

Amidst a flurry of activity in the tiny, recently renovated space, Duhame says hes returned at an opportune time. The restaurant is set to double in size soon, with an outdoor patio that will house an outdoor kitchen and waterfalls and a 30-foot bar.

Success in the competitive world these chefs live and play in demands long hours, sore feet and missed time with family (or the opportunity

to have one), but it has its ways of giving back, too.

You get a lot of instant gratification, Colose says. You produce something, you send it out, and then word comes back.

For some cooks, the inclination toward their calling is in their blood.

Fitzpatricks grandfather was a butcher in Ireland, and as he tells it, If you wanted to get a piece of meat in Ireland, you had to go see Jack Fitzpatrick.

He was just 5 when his grandfather introduced him to butchering, a skill that has served him well in job interviews and also in elementary school show and tells, when he would produce cow skulls, reducing little Susie to tears.

Others cook because they want

to feed the world. For Hazard, food is a common denominator between every person, totaling comfort and happiness, but its also a reminder, he says, of escalating food shortages, climate change and reproduction crises. Food prices, he says, have tripled in his lifetime.

I have a little bit of control because I feed 30 or 40 people every day. Ive got a little say in the planet, Hazard says.

He stays abreast of environmental issues affecting food supplies and they factor into his purchasing decisions. Hes stopped ordering lobster for now because of the populations reproduction problems.

I know thats not saving the world, but its my little part of at least stretching the world out a little longer, Hazard says.

For Colose and his small kitchen crew, he emphasizes a sense of responsibility for their roles in the kitchen.

At one of his first jobs at the Caf Capriccio in Albany, Colose says, he was told about a co-worker who, many years before as a teenager from a rough Albany neighborhood, was badly beaten up, picked up by an ambulance and pronounced dead. By the time they realized, at the hospital, that he was still alive, his mother had called the restaurant to notify them of his death. When he woke up with a busted jaw, he got up and said, I have to get to work.

So when people call in sick, I use that story and I say, I worked with a guy who was called in dead and he still came to work, Colose says.

The story speaks to the level of commitment to which cooks striving to be the next head chef ascribe. With the advent of the iconic celebrity chef, things have changed since these veteran head chefs were in the position of their crewmembers.

Tall food is sexy food, says Michael Seahorn, a 24-year-old who pulls 60-hour weeks in Sperrys kitchen.

The art that fine dining plating entails now, with intricate towers and layers of food meant to move the diners eye around the plate like a good photograph, is why Seahorn is drawn to the kitchen.

Chris Berglund, a Sperrys cook with 14 years of experience, says

Spa City draws manyof regions top chefs


CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: chilled Asparagus velout with crab, six-minute egg, preserved lemon and chives at 15 church;

grilled spot prawn with grilled artichokes, a gigante bean salad with tomatoes and dill at The Wine bar;

oven roasted faroe Island Salmon with Roasted Red Pepper flan, Tomato caper Relish and balsamico at Sperrys Restaurant;

grilled flank steak, rosemary potatoes, grilled tomatoes, haricot vert at Yaddo; for resident artists and staff.

the staples of being a chef havent changed, but if anything has really changed, its other peoples view of a chef.

Anthony Vagnini, a 23-year-old cook also training under Fitzpatrick, grew up on the Food Network and chef blogs, memoirs and cookbooks, all ushering him into his profession.

Its all about learning, moving up and just the experience, he says. Everyones got to eat. Thats why we chefs have our love and passion for food. n


PeOPLe THaT YOU MeeTCHRiSTine GouToS

is owner of Rockabella boutique on Lake Avenue. Its not a bad gig for a girl who loves

to shop, she said. Bright colors and open-backs are all the rage this summer. I think its all

about finding that comfortable and cute fashion that works for you,

Goutos said.

Robby DonnaRuma

is an employee at Saratoga Salsa and Spice Company on Broadway. His salsa of

choice is the companys Jamaican Me Hot salsa. A bold choice, Its one of our spicier salsas,

he explained, with habaneros peppers and capers on the ingredient list.

Danielle PaTane,

manager at Encounter fashion boutique on Broadway, said this summer is all about the free

bird style. Trending this summer are maxi dresses, kelly green and hats, but When youre in Saratoga

for the races, the hats are always in season, she said.

are ice cream-scoopers extraordinaire at Ben and Jerrys on Putnam Street. Blackingtons favorite flavor is sweet cream and cookies, while Lessard prefers the raspberry fudge chocolate.

Even with free ice cream at their fingertips, the girls agree that the smiles they see

are the best perk of the job.

HannaH blaCkinGTon

SoPHia leSSaRD

&

anne

ValenTe is owner of Creative Sparks, a paint-your-own pottery studio. You create

a memory and a piece of artwork, she said. In this year are mustache mugs and owl-shaped pieces. The studio is

open until 9 p.m. Thursdays for late-night crafters.

anDy SCullin of the Saratoga Juice Bar is a juice

maniac. Hes lost more than 60 pounds drinking the vitamin-packed drinks and hes on a mission to share it with others. I like pedaling health, he said.

His favorite blend is the Going Green, made from kale, spinach, celery, cucumbers,

pear and lemon.anDy GeTTy

of Mountainman Outdoor Sports Company on Broadway is a happy camper

because he gets to bring his Labradoodle, Captain, to work with him. We take a little lunch

break, walk around town. Its always wonderful, he said.

ali nolan is salesgirl at Saratoga Olive Oil Co.

on Broadway, and she loves her job. Her best recommendation for sampling is the companys

fig balsamic vinegar. Its my favorite in a caprese salad with fresh tomatoes and

fresh mozzarella and basil, she suggested.


The Brook Tavern 139 Union Ave. Saratoga Springs(518) 871-1473 thebrooktavern.com

Just a short stroll from the Saratoga Race course and walking distance from congress Park, The brook Tavern is a favorite neighborhood gathering place nestled at the intersection of Union and Nelson Avenues, right in the heart of historic Saratoga Springs. Taking the entire first floor of what was once an 1800s horse carriage factory, the bar and restaurant has a warm and upbeat interior that tastefully combines hints of nostalgia with contemporary style.diners can choose from a menu of American fare that features

fresh oysters, innovative salads, locally sourced meats and vegetables and an array of artisan spirits and award-winning wines. dinner from 4 p.m. daily. Reservations at 518.871.1473.

Caroline St. Pub 9 caroline St. Saratoga Springs(518) 583-9400

caroline St. Pub is your local sports bar with 13 large hdTvs and a 110 projector screen, 2 dart boards, and one of the few bars in downtown Saratoga with a pool table. We recently celebrated our 1-year anniversary. This is the place

to view all your favorite sports teams and grab your favorite drink. Every Tuesday night enjoy live music by the incredibly talented Rich Ortiz and live bands every friday and Saturday night.

Augies Family Style Italian Restaurant17 Low St. ballston Spa (518) 884-8600 augiesrestaurant.com

Welcome to Augies! Our family-style Italian restaurant is a well-known favorite among capital Region residents. Our delicious entres serve two or more, and almost every guest walks out with generous servings of leftovers lovingly named Augies doggie bag. We offer catering services, host parties and events in our restaurant, and offer our ever-popular take-out for those nights you just dont want to cook.have you stopped by Augies yet? Wed love to serve you but

dont ask us, check out the conversation about Augies on Twitter and facebook. Our repeat guests will tell you just how delicious our food is, and how amazing our service is.

diningguide


Enjoy OurOutdoor Garden PatioGARDEN BAR & PATIO DINING

SARATOGASBEST HAPPY HOUR

EVERY DAY 4-7PM

Every Friday 5-8PM with Rick Bolton & Jeff WaltonLive music nightly with all your local and regional musicians

LUNCH SUNDAY BRUNCH DINNERCatering Available On & Off Premises

16 CAROLINE STREET, SARATOGA SPRINGS587-7359 www.GaffneysRestaurant.com

Saratogas place to be!

CHECK OUT OURNEWADDITIONSTARTING GATE

Home ofThe Dark HorseCollection of GiftsandWearables

368 Broadway, DowntownSaratoga Springs Shop Onlineat ImpressionsSaratoga.com

518-587-0666800-422-6972

Celebrating Saratogas History asThe Graveyard of Champions

Visit our locations at SPAC, SaratogaPolo and Saratoga Race CourseBoutiques at the Grandstand.

TM


Greenhouse: A Chopped Salad Co.33 Railroad Place Saratoga Springs(518) 450-1036 eatgreenhouse.com

for over nine years at Greenhouse: A chopped Salad company, our family has served a fresh, healthy, alternative food selection in a New York style environment. We offer the best value variety in salads, soups and wraps. Everything we serve is made fresh, never processed or with

preservatives, and all of our dressings are original and homemade. With over 50 salad mixns, many vegan and vegetarian friendly, and over 20 dressings we have a salad to fit every pallet. fresh, fast, healthy. Get chopped at family owned and operated Greenhouse Salad.

Dangos Irish Steakhouse 38 caroline St. Saratoga Springs (518) 587-2022

If youre looking for a fun and affordable way to spend your evening on the town, check out dangos Irish Steakhouse. Located on caroline Street in downtown Saratoga Springs, this pub has played a huge role in Saratogas thriving nightlife. dangos causal yet upbeat ambiance makes it a popular spot for drinks and lunch or dinner. Whether you want to see a local band play live on the outside patio or watch sports with some friends, dangos is the place to be. While the pub is known for a variety of beer and cocktails,

sandwiches, salads and pizza are also on the menu. customers often dine here Tuesday nights for dangos weekly special spicy and delicious five-cent barbecue chicken wings. Join us at dangos Irish Steakhouse this summer to experience our quality food, drink and entertainment. Open daily 11 a.m. to 4 a.m.

DAndreas Pizza 33 caroline St. Saratoga Springs(518) 584-3632 dandreasPizza.com

four-time winner of The Saratogians Readers choice award for best pizza, dAndreas is the place to get fast, authentic, and affordable Italian food. This New York city-style pizza parlor, located just a few blocks from broadway, has been a Saratoga hotspot for 20 years. Indulge in a fresh slice of pizza as you enjoy everything that downtown Saratoga Springs has to offer. dAndreas menu includes unusual combinations chicken

bacon Ranch Pizza, fried Mac & cheese Pizza and Onion Ring Pizza, as well as classic Italian favorites including chicken Parmigiana and calzones. Stop by for lunch, dinner or a late-night snack. Open from 10 a.m. to midnight Monday-Thursday; 10 a.m. to 3 a.m. friday-Saturday and 10 a.m. to midnight Sunday.

diningguide


PeOPLe THaT YOU MeeT

DaWn oeSCH

is owner of The Candy Company on Washington Street. Its a candy store we

always party, she said. After being in business for 17 years, shes enjoyed seeing familiar faces come in every day, and watching kids grow up before her eyes. Her sweet tooth just cant decide on a favorite between

red licorice, chocolate-covered pretzels and maple creams.

aDam SimPSon

is an employee at Smoke More tobacco shop on Broadways north end. People come

in here and their eyes sort of light up and their faces sort of radiate, he said. Its really like a candy shop. Simpsons favorite part of the job is engaging in deep

philosophical and political discussion with both customers and passers-by.

liSa ViGlioTTi,

manager at The Stadium Cafe on Broadway, believes in treating everybody

as part of the family when they come to the restaurant. Her ideal meal is the Stadiums

calamari with Joe Carr merlot.

STeVe WellS

is owner at Hungry Spot Cafe on Broadway. In business since 1997, the food

and beverage center caters to the staff at City Hall, as well as many other local workers. Hungry

Spot customers rave about the eaterys turkey sandwiches. People come here daily for our

turkey because its rotisserie-roasted every day, Wells said.

STeVe

VinCiGueRRa has a unique role in the city hes a

crepe chef at Ravenous, Phila Streets very own creperie. His chef s recommendations are The Godfather or The Mama Mia, the

restaurants two Italian twists on the French treat.

PeTeR PaSHoukoS

of Saratoga Guitar is the citys go-to guy for anything guitar-related. Right now, hes enamored with the

Collings D1A. Its just an absolutely outstanding guitar for acoustic

guitar players, he said.

mauRa bannon

of Violets boutique on Broadway said maxi dresses are the easiest way to pull off a

polished, comfortable look this summer. To spice it up, she layers necklaces in search

of the laid-back, Boho look thats in right now.

JaCqueline SCoTTi

is the face of Pipits of Saratoga on Broadway, a

home dcor and gift shop. One of her favorite store items is a unique Saratoga souvenir: a blue glass Saratoga water

bottle, cut into an everyday drinking

glass.


diningguideJaviers Dining Room & Lounge17 Maple Ave. Saratoga Springs(518) 871-1827 javiersny.com

celebrating his second summer in Saratoga, Javier Rodriguez has already established himself as the capital Regions best, winning Saratogians best New Restaurateur, best Lounge, New York Style dining and capital Region Living Magazines best New Restaurant. Javier has recruited the talented Eric Sells from New York city, whos bringing the newest food trends straight from the big Apple right to your table. chorizo & Lobster with a fennel hollandaise is just one of the many delectable new features you can savor in the beautiful upstairs dining room.

Javier aims to set trends in the fine dining industry. With his history of culinary innovation and exceptional service, Javiers will continue to bring a new level of excellence to the Saratoga downtown. This summer, Javiers is hosting a Latin-themed night with dancing Monday nights in the Lounge throughout the track season as well as summer Salsa dancing lessons; inquire today!

Park Side Eatery42 Phila St #1 Saratoga Springs (518) 907-4337 parksideeatery.com

At the Park Side Eatery, were all about great food and a fantastic experience. Located in The Gut of Saratoga, were right on your way to work, home, or play. featuring delicious homemade pies and baked treats, regional bbQ, fine dinners and sides ready for lunch or dinner, its your wholesome meal on the go. We cater weddings, social events, corporate functions and

more with a variety of menus to choose from. Its our mission to feed you the very best and make you feel special. We cant wait for you to stop by!

Peabodys Sports Bar and Grill 39 Phila St. Saratoga Springs (518) 886-8673 peabodystoga.com

completely renovated and under new ownership, Peabodys is Saratogas original sports bar and a local favorite for food, drinks and sports. come by to enjoy our 30+ Tvs, renowned wings, steamers, burgers and pub food, or our wide range of draft beers and liquor. voted best Sports bar in Saratoga in 2014 by the best of

Saratoga Springs Awards and as having the best chicken Wings by saratoga.coms 2014 fab five Awards. Inside or out on our patio, were always serving up ice-cold beer, great food, music and sports. If you cant be there, you should be here.


PeOPLe THaT YOU MeeTmaTTHeW loiaCono

is head coffee roaster at Uncommon Grounds on Broadway. His favorite style of the caffeinated beverage

is anything from Africa. Thats the birthplace of coffee, he explained, and the only place it grows wild. Roasting the beans right

in the cafs dining area is what he does day in and day out and he absolutely loves it. Its as much of an art as it is a

science, Loiacono said.

maRk TabeR of Alpha Dogs is the citys hot

dog guy. In his first summer season, he expects to sell a ton of Carolina Slaw Dogs.

After running hot-dog carts for many years, the Alpha Dogs team has settled in on Phila Street in their first brick-and-mortar location. This is like

a hot-dog cart on steroids, Taber said. The eatery is open until 3 a.m. on weekends,

for late-night snacking or full-on pigging out.

maDi elliS is an ice cream girl at Cold

Stone Creamery on Broadway. Her favorite combo to mix and enjoy is cake batter ice cream with Oreos

and Kit Kat bars. Four weeks into her cool, new job shes got no complaints.

Especially in the summer, its air conditioned in here, and its

all cold things.

loRRaine muRPHy

of Betties Cakes on Broadway is a sweetheart with

a sweet tooth. Every day I get to make people smile with sweetness, she said. Murphy also enjoys baking

as a creative outlet, and runs her own pinup photography

business on the side.

Comptons on Broadway is an early-morning

(or late-night) breakfast and lunch diner that caters to the bar crowd after a long night out.

Theyre a lot of fun, waitress liSa kenneDy said. I dont mind it at all. She said the bacon, egg, and cheese is always a popular item in the wee hours of the

morning, and she cant blame them for wanting the cheap, quick and delicious sandwich.

We have a lot of fun in the middle of the night, Kennedy added.

JoyCe loCkS is a hat lady with a gift. Her Broadway

store, Hatsational, has thousands of hats for customers to browse. If you cant find a hat,

youre not really looking, she said. When helping a client choose, After about a

minute, I know, Locks said.

JenniFeR maRCelluS

is owner of Miss Scarletts fashion shop on Phila Street. Her goal is to

provide affordable boutique shopping options for Saratoga shoppers.

The store also has childrens clothing and even hosts kids fashion

design parties.

JeanneTTe leibeRS

is chef-owner of Sweet Mimis on Phila Street. Her Saratoga sandwich is a great

meal to wake up to, with fresh local sausage, extra-sharp cheddar and eggs how you like them,

all on one of her savory biscuits. On the sweeter side, Leibers has begun pairing her

waffles with signature flavors from Saratoga Gelato.


diningguidePrime at Saratoga National Golf Club458 Union Avenue Saratoga Springs(518) 583-4653 golfsaratoga.com/dining.html

Prime at Saratoga National features fine dining, drink specials and live entertainment all year long. Lunch and dinner are served daily during golf season, and our legendary Sunday Live Jazz brunch is a favorite every weekend no matter what the season!from golf outings, corporate events to weddings, from

breakfast to dinner, Saratoga Nationals exceptional surroundings will provide you with unsurpassed experiences.Your private gathering will be hosted in one of our spacious

areas, providing the ideal setting for successful conferences, beautiful weddings, special celebrations, or other memorable events. come enjoy our first-class service in an atmosphere of casual elegance. Everyone is welcome at Prime!

Sperrys Restaurant30 1/2 caroline St Saratoga Springs (518) 584-9618 sperrysrestaurant.com

Since its inception in 1932, Sperrys has been a destination for great food, exceptional service and an enjoyable atmosphere. That tradition still continues today. Located at 30 caroline Street in downtown Saratoga Springs, we are in the middle of all the excitement that our city has to offer. Our Executive chef, Philip fitzy fitzpatrick, leads our culinary team in providing amazing offerings from our menu, as well as creative daily features. Enjoy a platter of Asian Nachos or one of our signature steaks in the restaurant or outside on our spacious patio.Enjoy your evening by relaxing and sample one of Sperrys

signature cocktails or choose a wine from our award-winning wine list. Whatever you are in the mood for, we will be sure to make your experience memorable and exceed your expectations with our food and service!

The Wishing Well745 Saratoga Road, Route 9 Wilton (518) 584-7640 wishingwellrestaurant.com

The Wishing Well is located in the foothills of The Adirondacks a few miles north of the historic Saratoga Springs Race course. Since 1936 the restaurant has been recognized for warm hospitality, great food and celebrated ambiance. certified Angus beef, fresh steamed Maine lobsters and an array of fresh seafood are featured every night, along with an award-winning selection of fine wines. A seasonal tavern menu offers light fare in the fireside piano bar. Pretty presentations and faithful, enjoyable reproductions of

American classics. hints of flair within a traditional framework, without excessive experimentation. - The Albany Times Union.


a night along Broadway usually involves libations, fine food and atmosphere and maybe a little retail therapy. Several boutiques and other shops have found extended evening hours a win-win for their businesses and summers Broadway browsers.

You get a more relaxed customer in the evening, said Sabine Rodgers, owner of The Saratoga Saddlery & International Boutique at 460 Broadway.

Rodgers shop specializes in equestrian lifestyle products for horseback riders and fans alike.

A lot of people are out, and theyll come in looking for something to wear to the track the next day, she said.

Many women buy Jude Connally dresses, known for their summery floral prints and classic shapes, and

men often leave with a fresh polo shirt, she said.

Many come in to leisurely try on cowboy boots, and often leave with a pair once they get a feel for the buckaroo brogans, she said.

Many people simply dont have the time to browse during the day or even on the weekend, Rodgers said. The Saratoga Saddlery &

International Boutique is open until 9 p.m. during

the week and until 10 p.m. (sometimes later) on Friday and Saturday.

After-hours customers are mixed

from tourists heading into town after a day at the races to locals and visitors wandering up and down the streets after dinner.

Theres a bit of a lull while people are at dinner, but after that, we are steady throughout the evening, said Maddy Zanetti, a partner at Impressions of Saratoga, one of a few shops along Broadway open well into the evening.

Impressions, at 368 Broadway, features Saratoga specialties, including local artists work and souvenirs such as Dark Horse pub glasses.

Customers really appreciate that we are open late. It means they can enjoy downtown that much longer, Zanetti said. Impressions is open until 10 p.m. on weekdays and 11 p.m. on the weekend.

Even if customers dont

Stayingopen

Browse and buy into the night

LateStory by Lauren Mineau


make a purchase that night, Zanetti said, often people come back and pick up the items they perused on their evening trips.

Other shops create a place to gather and meet both before and after a night on the town, like Northshire Books at 424 Broadway.

Our evening customers tend to stay and browse a while weve noticed that in the evening the bookstore has become something of a gathering place, said Rachel Person, Northshires events and community outreach coordinator. Customers will meet here before going out to dinner, extend their evening out by browsing here after a movie, or just stop in to relax for a while. Theres a social feel to our space in the evenings, and its a lot of fun for our booksellers.

The bookstore holds readings as late as 7 p.m. that frequently draw a big enough audience to turn into extended and lengthy literary chats.

Some nights being here for an event I feel like Im in the middle of the worlds best book club, Person said.

Northshire Books is open Sunday-Wednesday from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Thursday-Saturday from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m.

Other shops offering people a place to shop into the evening hours include The Magic Moon at 15 Phila St., which is celebrating its 20th anniversary. The store is open from 10:15 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday thro

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