From the editor
Hey, Dispatchers.
Haven’t made Thanksgiving plans yet? You’re not alone, but you might want to hurry.
I visit every participating restaurant before Dinner Club (last night’s was magical), and when I popped into Morrissey’s yesterday, the host was just wrapping up a holiday reservation. He hung up with a huge grin: “See you on Thanksgiving!”
Kathleen rounded up the best spots to eat out on Turkey Day. Judging by that phone call, tables are already going, so book fast!
— Abby
In this issue:
🦆 Funny you should ask
🙁 Losing laughs
🦃 On the town
🥃 All in the family
🗓️ What to do
The Saratoga Dispatch is your 3X-a-week insider’s guide to the city you love.
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🦆 GOOD QUESTION
You ask, we answer.
Where do Congress Park’s ducks go in winter?
By Monica Frydman
Traffic fowl: It’s not summer without spotting a flock of ducks casually crossing busy Broadway — and sometimes they stop to shop. In 2013, about 50 reportedly waddled through CVS’s automatic doors. No damage — just a quacking surprise for shoppers.
In summer, there are so many ducks in Congress Park that we know to watch out for the ones loitering outside The Adelphi. Then … the pond freezes and most of the regulars disappear. Where do they go?
Not far, as it turns out.
Lou Flanders has watched the flock for 14 years as the city’s Department of Public Works supervisor for Congress Park. He puts the summer crowd at about 150. After a deep freeze? Closer to 25.
Let’s get to know our ducks. Their usual menu is algae, mites, insects and grass, but years of handouts have given them a taste for bread. The ducks may love the freebies; their bodies don’t. And the snack runs can be dangerous: Flanders says a duck gets hit by a car about once a week in summer.
Most are mallards, though some have domestic ducks in the family tree. They stick together to stay safe from hawks, and some can even sleep with one eye open.
So where do they go, Roberta? Wherever there’s open water. Flanders says most head to Saratoga Lake, Fish Creek, the Hudson River or Lake Lonely — usually within about 15 miles of their glitzy home base.
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🙁 ON THE MOVE
Saratoga’s comedy club dips out
By Jonathon Norcross
After a dozen years in the Spa City, Comedy Works is closing its club on Broadway and heading to Schenectady.
Rumors of a relocation surfaced over the weekend, so on Monday, Saratoga Dispatch reached out to Comedy Works for confirmation. The next morning, the club took to Facebook to announce that its new home will be the lower level of the former St. Mary’s Church at 820 Eastern Ave., with an anticipated opening date set for April 1. Until then, shows will be held at The Parlor at Schenectady Municipal Golf Course.
Comedy Works has hosted a number of notable comedians over the years, including Shane Gillis, Aziz Ansari, Chris Kattan, Jamie Kennedy, Gilbert Gottfried, Tim Meadows, Carlos Mencia, Tom Green, and Jim Norton.
All told, thousands of standup shows were held at the Saratoga location at 388 Broadway, which hosted its final performance last month.
🦃 EATING OUT
Best bets: where to grab a seat on T-Day
Here for the gratitude, but not the dishes? We hear you, Saratoga! If you’d like a Thanksgiving feast with a side of zero cleanup, there are several restaurants that are opening their doors with epic warmth and welcoming feasts. Call right now before they fill up!
Morrissey’s Lounge & Bistro for a Mid-Day Buffet, 365 Broadway
Gather at the Adelphi for a chef-curated buffet from 11:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on Thanksgiving. The festive spread includes (adults $79.99, children 12 and under $34.99, free for kids 5 and under) an array of appetizers like deviled eggs and roasted beet salad; an epic carving station with turkey, ham and prime rib; plus all the fixings and desserts. Kids will appreciate the chicken tenders, fries, and Mac n’ cheese. Book early!
Heritage at Saratoga National for a Three-Course Meal, 458 Union Avenue
For a decadent three-course meal in a gorgeous setting, head to Heritage. You’ll have a choice of appetizers (including pumpkin bisque, autumn greens), a family-style dinner with the usual suspects, and a family-style dessert that includes apple pear pie, pumpkin pie cheesecake, and French silk pie. If you’re not into the bird, or want additional options, a la carte ribeye and salmon are available, as is a seafood tower. $72 per adult and $30 per child for the set menu.
Panza’s Restaurant for Turkey with an Italian Twist, 129 South Broadway
The only thing that makes Thanksgiving better is a side of Italian food. Hit up Panza’s for T-Day done Italiano. You’ll have a choice of appetizers and entrees (including turkey, roasted salmon, prime rib, chicken parm, locally foraged mushrooms + pappardelle), with classic sides and an array of traditional desserts. $69 for adults, $20 for children.
Morton’s Steakhouse for a Memorable Feast, 342 Jefferson St.
If you want all of the classic Thanksgiving fare, upgraded — go to Morton’s. You’ll have a choice for the first course (butternut squash bisque, lobster bisque), the second course (salads), with the main event (with optional additions like lobster Mac n’ cheese), and a less traditional dessert course (pecan streusel cheesecake, or upgrade to the hot chocolate cake). Starts at $72 per person.
📌 ICYMI…
🥃 Good taste runs in the family
John Brophy was a college kid working part time at his grandmother’s liquor store when he started taking his cues from the people who knew how to find customers just the right bottle. His grandmother, Saratoga legend Gail Brophy, was paying attention.
“Gail took notice of my sales effort and graciously offered to pay for my WSET (Wine & Spirit Education Trust) certification,” John says.
Fourteen years and one certification later, John’s gone from picking the right bottle to helping pick the whole barrel. You can taste the team’s picks at the second annual Barrel Night at Purdy’s.
Purdy’s Barrel Night: Thursday, Nov. 19, from 4 to 7 p.m. Free.
Barrel to bottle: That tag on the Buffalo Trace means Purdy’s picked the barrel and is the only one allowed to sell it. These days, John Brophy, grandson of Gail Brophy, helps make those important calls.
Presented in partnership with Purdy’s.
🗓️ WHAT TO DO
Search by “free” or “family-friendly” · Got an event? Add it to the calendar.
SOME HIGHLIGHTS
THU · NOV. 12 🎬 Saratoga Film Forum at the Dee Sarno Theater · SPAC — A screening of The Marching Band as part of the fall film series.
FRI · NOV. 13 🎸 The Suitcase Junket Album Release Show · Caffè Lena — Hear new music from October’s To Go On in a deeply personal performance.
SAT · NOV. 14 🎤 Comedy Show · Artisanal Brew Works — Catch comedians from the Capital Region and beyond in the taproom.
SUN · NOV. 15 🎶 The Reset: An Immersive Sound Healing Experience · Universal Preservation Hall — Improvisational vocals, live looping and electronic beats in an electro-acoustic performance.
TUE · NOV. 17 📖 Lotus Girl with Helen Tworkov · SPAC — Join a conversation exploring Helen Tworkov’s spiritual journey and memoir.
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