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Restaurant Week: The Hollow Bar + Kitchen

By on April 24, 2013 in Food & Beverages, Gallery

I went on a date with myself on Monday at The Hollow Bar + Kitchen for Downtown Albany Restaurant Week and I have to say it was a good start. Last month, owner Mike Phillip announced his plans to rebrand The Bayou Cafe at 79 North Pearl Street and make food a new focus, and from the small crowd stepping in on a Monday night, people have been receptive to the idea.

The Hollow, which sits at the foot of Sheridan Hollow, is previewing its new menu and new space this week for Restaurant Week and rolls out a full menu next week. The Restaurant Week menu is promising and worth a look, and Mike has done a beautiful job of transforming the Bayou dining room with exposed brick walls and black tablecloths bathed in light from a chandelier of mason jars. My only concern is that, with the attention the dining room has received, the space seems incongruous with the bar and back room, both drab in the early evening light, and in need of an update to fit with the new concept.

I started my evening at the bar with a Victory HopDevil IPA (Downington, Pennsylvania), which along with Peak Organic IPA (Portland, Maine), was the best beer on tap, as Ithaca Flower Power IPA (Ithaca, New York) had been kicked. I was disappointed drinking craft beer from a Bud Light pint glass, and I am sure I am not alone in this, but I’ll try not to hold it against The Hollow for now.

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Ticket Giveaway: Hudson Valley Hops 2013

By on April 4, 2013 in Food & Beverages

On Saturday, April 20, 2013 from 4–7pm, the Albany Institute of History & Art present their second annual Hudson Valley Hops event.

From the event listing:

Discover the history of beer and brewing in Albany, New York, while enjoying samples from local breweries. This year’s brewers are Adirondack Brewery, Brown’s Brewing Company, Brewery Ommegang, Chatham Brewing LLC, C.H. Evans Brewing, Crossroads Brewery, and Keegan Ales. Our speakers this year include Kathy Quinn speaking about the history of The Quinn and Nolan Brewery, Craig Gravina speaking about the history of brewing in Albany, and Dietrich Gehring on heritge hops.

This is an awesome event for any beer lover, and the fact it’s all New York breweries makes this even cooler. For more information check the event on the Albany Institute’s website.

To enter to win a pair of tickets (which were graciously provided by The Albany Institute of History and Art) hit the jump and fill out the form below!

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Review: FLOW From the Garden

By on April 3, 2013 in Albany, Food & Beverages

This past week, I stopped into FLOW From the Garden for their Wine Wednesday Dinner. The spot caught my eye as I was walking by in early February and saw that something was ready to open, so I was happy to finally be able to check it out.

The wine class requires a reservation, and starts promptly at 7pm. Guests are asked to show up a bit early so they can get everyone’s dinner order in and start on time: a reasonable request. I got there at 6:45ish and there was a handful of people already there drinking a glass of wine before the class and chatting. I really like the idea of the long table, which seats about half of the 20 possible seats. There’s people who will want to use an outing like this as a date, but it’s also really fun to meet new friends and this atmosphere is a perfect place to do so.

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The Charles F. Lucas Confectionery Expansion: Photos

By on March 26, 2013 in Food & Beverages, Gallery, Troy

Yesterday morning, Vic Christopher and Heather Levine exploded all the local news outlets with the news that they are expanding their exceedingly successful wine bar. It’s so successful that many people want to rent the space for parties or private functions, but there’s no way to do so without interrupting the entire flow of the current operation. On a busy weekend night, the single unisex bathroom doesn’t help either.

So, onto the next. Vic and Heather have already bought the property at 207 Broadway. Luckily for them, the back connects to the back of the current space, at 12 Second Street. This will make for a second entrance, an outdoor patio, and another, separate room for private functions. In addition to that, they’ve now storefronts facing Broadway. Vic imagines a little grocery going in, with maybe a smaller café version of the Confectionery operating a few days a week. But in his words, “I’m not a planner, I’m a do-er”, so we’ll see what it is when it opens. Nice little gift for the people Troy.

I stopped by earlier today and took a few photos to give you an idea of the scope of this project. Before looking at the photos, remember that all the others who have seen this building were interestsed in turning it into a parking lot.

Hit the jump or click the photo above to launch the gallery. Continue Reading →

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The Bayou is now The Hollow Bar + Kitchen

By on March 23, 2013 in Albany, Food & Beverages

hollow-kab

While wasting time on facebook, a page for a new spot called The Hollow Bar + Kitchen at 79 North Pearl Street came across my feed. This is particularly interesting as 79 North Pearl is what most of us know to be the Bayou.

The TU has the full scoop:

Bayou Cafe in Albany is changing its name to The Hollow Bar & Kitchen and next month will refocus on food service with a new menu and an updated interior.

Recognizing the changes in downtown Albany, Philip said he wants to appeal to a more mature crowd by offering a casual, comfortable atmosphere with a greater emphasis on good food.

More establishments of actual quality that are opened for more than just lunch on Pearl Street is what that area needs. The Merry Monk is doing awesome on Pearl Street with more than just deep fried bar food and is held in high regard by many, all while not catering to the club goers. Chris Pratt’s new venture is aimed at a more mature crowd as well. This is a good trend.

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Albany Distilling Co. launching their rum this Saturday

By on March 21, 2013 in Albany, Food & Beverages

This Saturday at the Albany Heritage Area Visitors Center in Quackenbush Square, The Albany Distilling Company will be launching their rum, called Quackenbush Still House Original Albany Rum. This is their first non-whiskey product to date, and the beginning of their offering of spirits not entirely made of New York State ingredients. The product launch is tied in with an exhibit opening at the Albany Visitors Center with artifacts from the original Quackenbush Still House. Because of some boring legal stuff they unfortunately can’t sell or have tastings of the rum at the distillery, but many local bars and liquor stores will be stocked on March 23rd.

For the interested, you can read more about the creation of their rum on their blog. You can check out more details on the event on facebook.

Also, rum just further reminds me that I can’t wait for Spring. I will be drinking this rum and singing this song for a week straight once this weather gets itself sorted.

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Building sold, no lease renewal for Mahar’s

By on January 1, 2013 in Food & Beverages

mahars

Randy just sent over a link to a post on his blog with some bad news.

I introduced myself and thanked him for establishing a terrific joint. He said I should enjoy it while I can–he was informed this morning that he’d lost the lease. Mahar’s (Albany) will only be open for a couple more weeks. The space will be rented (has been sold?) to the folks that run Junior’s, The Point and Madison Cafe.

This absolutely sucks. Mahar’s is one of the very few establishments we have here in Albany that’s in a league of it’s own. It’s the best spot hands down to try hard-to-find, rarely stocked beer in this city, and it’s a favorite establishment for among beer aficionados far and wide.

Do we really need yet another Junior’s/Madison Cafe/The Point owned establishment on that same block at the expense of a landmark? Randy calls for a start a campaign to save this neighborhood treasure and I can’t help but agree. I hope they simply move instead of close.

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