Ready for their close-up
Ticket to ride: Saratoga native Erin O’Brien and her husband, Liam, welcomed the Today show’s Savannah Guthrie aboard their Doolin Ferry for a sail along Ireland’s famous Cliffs of Moher. A few weeks later she tells the Dispatch, “County Clare’s rugged coastline really couldn't be more different from Saratoga, but it has become a very special place to call home.”
From the editor
Hey, Dispatchers.
Or should I say, “What’s the craic?”
There’s something Irish in the Saratoga air this week.
On Wednesday, Saratoga Arms owner Kathleen Smith kept me entranced with her tales of visiting Ireland. And today I have the story of Spa City native Erin O’Brien — who just found herself on the Today show after she and her Irish husband, Liam, welcomed Savannah Guthrie aboard their Doolin Ferry.
The O’Briens took the TV crew on a sail along the famous Cliffs of Moher, which I hiked in my much younger days. This time, I’m happy to see them through Erin’s eyes, and to hear how one ferry ticket led to four kids and a family home that’s 300 years old.
Sláinte!
— Abby
In this issue:
🚨 Last call: 11/11 Dinner Club tix
🇮🇪 Love at first ferry
🦃 Thankful for … delivery?
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🚨 IRL
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ON THE MOVE
Saratoga native finds love — and a new life — on Ireland’s Wild Atlantic Way
There’s no place like…: Erin O’Brien (LEFT, at the track with friends) found love across the Atlantic, but still visits Saratoga twice a year. “Saratoga,” she says, “will always be home.”
Erin O’Brien grew up trailing her siblings around Saratoga’s old hockey rink and loved playing lacrosse and field hockey at Saratoga High. But after graduating from UAlbany, she left the Capital Region for an Irish study abroad adventure at the University of Limerick graduate school.
While there, she bought her fateful ferry ticket...
The man behind the counter at the Doolin Ferry office in County Clare was local (really local) Liam O’Brien. They fell in love — now 20 years and four children later, the couple run his family’s ferry business together, carrying visitors to the Aran Islands and the Cliffs of Moher. Their home has been in Liam’s family for more than 300 years, and their son is the seventh generation to live there.
Erin has now spent half her life in Ireland, but she still calls Saratoga home. Most of her large family lives here, and she comes back at least twice a year so her four kids can experience real seasons: “snowy Christmases,” “autumn leaves and pumpkin patches” and, every year, summer in Saratoga.
“I also love the thought,” she says, “that New York is quite literally just across the ocean!”
📌 ICYMI…
🎭 THEATER
Stop the presses: iTheatre takes on freedom of the press
Spoiler alert: The press matters. (I may be biased.)
iTheatre Saratoga’s world premiere of I Saw Hitler, by Mary Jane Hansen, follows real-life American journalist Dorothy Thompson to 1934 Berlin. There she’s handed an Order of Expulsion (payback for an unflattering interview with the future Führer) and given 24 hours to leave the country — she spends them fighting to keep reporting.
I Saw Hitler runs Nov. 13-22 at Saratoga Arts. Get tickets
Breaking news: “The current siege on the free press,” says iTheatre founder Will Severin, “parallels one of the play’s underlying themes.”
🦃 HOLIDAY
Feasts to go — order ahead for a fuss-free Turkey Day
Close your eyes and imagine a heaving table of delicious Thanksgiving fare that just appears without days of shopping, planning, preparation and toil … that dream can be yours, Saratogians. Thanks to the incredible roster of chefs ready to roast all of the birds and prep all of the fixings in our fair town, you can have all of the togetherness and tastiness, without any of the stress.
Splurging or saving? Classic or Tuscan? Feeding two or 14? Here’s where to order.
Family-Style Luxury
Salt & Char, 353 Broadway
If you’ve never dined at the excellent Salt & Char, now is your chance. The farm-to-table steakhouse has earned the loyalty of many stalwart gourmands who’d rather not enter the kitchen themselves on Thanksgiving. This year’s menu ($225 for four, $385 for six) includes a whole brined turkey and a range of accompaniments including charred Brussels sprouts (with bacon and pearl onion) and buttermilk mashed potatoes. There’s a choice of desserts, with the usual suspects (Dutch apple pie, classic pumpkin) and a dark horse (black bottom chocolate cream pie). No word on when orders are due, but I’d get it in earlier rather than later. Pickup is Wednesday all day, or Thursday before 11 a.m.
Individualized Comfort
The Brook Tavern, 139 Union Avenue
If you’re flying solo, have a smaller crew, or can’t stand turkey, The Brook Tavern should be your go-to. Brook is offering a three-course meal with a choice of roast turkey, salmon or filet mignon, with a starter choice (soup or salad) and fresh-baked bread. Plus … pumpkin pie. The meal is also a steal, at $55 per person, and $29 per child. Order by Saturday, November 21. Pickup is Thanksgiving from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Tuscan-Inspired Turkey
Forno Bistro, 541 Broadway
Take a trip to Italy on Thanksgiving with Forno Bistro. The extensive dinner includes the classic bird with Tuscan-flavored sides — think focaccia stuffing with apples, garlic mashed potatoes, and the usual classics. And apple pie for dessert! The meal costs $250 and serves four to six people. Order by Sunday, November 22. Pickup is Wednesday, November 25 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Pick-Your-Own Adventure
Cardona’s Saratoga Market, 222 Washington Street
If you have an army headed over — and they expect a feast but you want options — call up Cardona’s. The beloved market is prepping a complete Thanksgiving meal for 12 to 14 ($425), which includes a hefty roasted turkey, all of the classic sides (mashed potatoes, green beans, cranberry relish), and of course — pie! Cardona’s is also offering a feast for up to six (same menu, $215), or completely à la carte options if you want to roast your own bird but would love someone else to whip up some killer arancini ($30), make the gravy ($16.99 per quart), and/or whip those potatoes with cream. Or … make all the sides and just grab a bird ($135 for a 22-24 pound turkey). Order by November 21. Pickup is Thanksgiving from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Flex Feast
PDT Catering, 32 Ralph Street, Ballston Spa
Whether you’re planning on dinner for two or 12, PDT has your back with a scratch-made Thanksgiving feast. Options abound, ranging from the full meal for 12 (turkey breast, gravy, sausage stuffing, mashed potatoes, and all of the classic sides, with pumpkin or Dutch apple pie to finish) at $405. Or, you can order the same for two at $105, and/or grab all of the sides for between two and 12 people, or grab them à la carte. Plus, if you’re intent on making the feast, but would love someone else to cover appetizers like grazing boards ($110 for 12) or shrimp cocktail ($75 for 12), PDT can help out. Order earlier rather than later as PDT does tend to sell out. Pickup is Wednesday, November 25 from noon to 6 p.m., or Thanksgiving morning, from 8 a.m. to noon.
📰 IN BRIEF
Stewart’s has debuted a Lego-like toy set for under the tree, to go along with its collection of ornaments.
Georgetown University gave Skidmore a lovely shout-out for impressive faculty interaction with prospective students during this “tough time for higher ed.”
🕶️ Psst. Paid subscribers already got the first issue of Incognito Mode. For $10/month, you’ll never miss the next one — and you’ll help keep the Dispatch free for everyone.
