Exclusive! Cult new dish alert, Noah’s update, Caroline St. lawsuit
PLUS: Bite-sized updates on Tyromance, 13 North and Standard Fare
Exclusive! Cult new dish alert
Exquisitely colorful loaded baked potatoes — and where to find ‘em
‘Tis the season for loaded baked potatoes — and Alaturco Gyro Mediterranean has a stunning new one.
“Saratoga Dispatch readers will be the first to hear about this!” says Nurgul Uslusu Ziya, the talented entrepreneur and chef behind the burners. “We are introducing Kumpir in small batches at local farmers markets in the Capital Region. We are new, and we love to test new items directly with the community.”
Kumpir, for the uninitiated, is a classic loaded baked potato, filtered through a Turkish lens.
“It’s a giant baked potato, mixed hot with real butter and cheese until it becomes creamy like mashed potatoes,” Ziya says. “And then it’s loaded with different toppings like Russian salad, olives, corn, sumac onions, Turkish tabuleh, tzatziki, pickles, and more.”
With a creamy and rich interior that serves as a canvas for a blend of tangy, bright, spiced and pickled flavors and crunchy and soft textures, Kumpir is as customizable and personal as it is instantly warming and cozy.
Ready to dig in?
“In the next two weeks we will run our first public Kumpir service at Troy Farmers Market,” Ziya says. “After that, we plan to serve it at our Ballston Spa location as well.” (Abby here: I’m addicted to their delivery! Think feta cheese, the best tahini, falafel, plus gyros and shawarma wraps.)
Troy Farmers Market runs Saturdays 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Find Alaturco Gyro Mediterranean Restaurant 142 Milton Ave. in Ballston Spa.
Check out Kathleen Willcox’s next-level wine, food and travel Substack, Good + Tasty!
BITES
13 North
Fans of 13 North have been following the restaurant’s journey to open on Phila Street by watching Instagram. Anyone in the food industry knows how tricky non-sexy issues like permits can be, and Elody — as the new spot will be called — decided to share. “Our application’s in,” they reported earlier this week, explaining they needed an extra review because of how saturated Phila Street has become. (They’re moving into the spot formerly held by Phila Fusion.) This morning’s post? A celebration dinner at Hamlet and Ghost. “We have been approved for our new liquor license!” they captioned the share. “We’re excited for the remodeling phase this upcoming week.”
Tyromance
Tyromance is now offering cheese plates! And these beauties include cheeses you won’t find anywhere else. So if you’re headed out to the Saratoga Farmers’ Market today, prepare to load up. I’m a bona fide ‘cheese please’ fanatic, so prepare to dig into a longer story this week.
Keep reading!
Say ‘cheese’: new Farmers’ Market star’s tasty new ventures
Noah’s Italian
Foodie content creator Saucy Suraci got an inside peek of Noah’s Italian — and she’s a stunner! While technically postponed (#permitting), the future hotspot is rocking and rolling on the hiring front. “We’re ready to open as soon as the paperwork is signed,” an employee told me last night.
Today’s Dish Saratoga was brought to you by…
Opera Saratoga presents La boheme, a concert version of Puccini’s timeless masterpiece. Featuring local and national talent, this first-ever holiday production brings together the magic of Juilliard, The Metropolitan Opera, Skidmore Chorus and Excelsior Vocal Ensemble.
🎭 UPH | Friday, Dec. 5 at 7 p.m.
🎟️ Tickets: atuph.org
Standard Fare
Standard Fare is now on DoorDash! Don’t skip the delivery fries — they come with a fun surprise.
(Another) Caroline Street bar lawsuit
A family dispute has landed in court over ownership of Saratoga City Tavern, according to a Nov. 6 article in the Albany Business Review. “Patrick Fitch is alleging that his brothers are proceeding with the vote to sell the business ‘despite Plaintiff’s dissent and without reaching a fair buyout agreement,’” reports the outlet.
Keep reading!
A potential lawsuit brews on Caroline Street
Nine Pin brings back crowd fave
Capital Region fave Nine Pin is bringing back its crowd-pleasing Black Cherry Cider just in time for the holidays. The popular beverage is crafted from 100% New York apples grown at Samascott Orchards in Kinderhook and blended with sweet cherries from Bittner-Singer Orchards on Lake Ontario and black currants from Walnut Grove Farm in the Hudson Valley. “The result is a deep red cider, reminiscent of holly berries, that captures the warmth and color of the season in every pour,” the company said in a statement.
Saratoga hotspot jumps on state-wide ‘drink NY’ Bartender Week
Co-founder ‘excited’ for Saratoga’s debut
The second edition of New York Bartender Week is rolling out across the Empire State November 17-23, with a roster of new participants — including one in Saratoga.
This year marks the debut of the Bar Star Awards, which recognizes inspiring stories from bartenders about their journey into and through the industry. Winners will be announced Nov. 16. In the meantime, get ready to hit The Night Owl in Saratoga — or Troy’s The Whiskey Pickle — to see how they tell New York’s story in liquid form.
The celebration was created to showcase the incredible talent of mixologists across the state, while also showcasing bartending as a noble career path that marries creativity, innovation, and storytelling … through the glass.
“We are very excited to see Saratoga Springs participating in the second edition of New York Bartender Week, which celebrates the bar community and encourages cocktail tourism,” says Michael Anstendig, New York Bartender Week co-founder and editor in chief of Hanna Lee Communications, the multimedia PR and marketing agency that produces the event. “On a personal level, we have visited Saratoga Springs, and it will always hold a very special place in our hearts. We look forward to bringing the national and global spotlight to this fine city that deserves the attention of drinks enthusiasts and foodies.”
This year, 130 bars and 31 local spirits producers are participating in the festival, with each bar serving up an original New York State-themed cocktail that includes a local spirit.
“We believe bartending is more than a job,” Anstendig says. “It is a powerful vehicle of storytelling, community building and cultural exchange,”
For more info and a list of participating bars and spirts, visit hannaleecommunications.com.
Cheers!
Great bubbles alert! Part-time Saratogian Barbara Konstantin recommended Dr. Konstantin Frank’s 2021 Brut, and man was she a showstopper. “Great way to get the party started!” recommended wine extraordinaire Kathleen Willcox, the Dispatch’s new wine writer whose recs I’d follow the world over.
Check out Kathleen Willcox’s next-level wine, food and travel Substack, Good + Tasty!
ICYMI… (the week’s hottest stories, in no particular order!)
Why I’m contributing to the Saratoga Dispatch
What you didn’t see on TV. (Inside peek: Election Night)
A new form of escapism unlocks Saturday — do you dare?
‘La bohème’ — think ‘Rent’ but in Paris — arrives Dec. 5
Beloved Saratoga horse racing fan lands photo in Racing museum
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