Wake up! 🥇🏒 It’s party time.
PLUS: Panza’s has some huge news. Restaurant Week.
🏒 🇺🇸 Breakfast beer for the win
Gov. Kathy Hochul sure left us on the edges of our seats, waiting until dinner time last night to lift the “no serving of booze on Sundays until 10 a.m.” law for today. (Canada provinces made the FOMO-inducing call on Friday for this morning’s U.S.A. vs Canada men’s hockey Olympic gold medal matchup, which begins at 8:10 a.m.)
But our local sports bars were ready — and started releasing their party plans in a New York minute. So finish that second cup of coffee and head downtown. We have a historic medal to win!
🥇 Before you go:
U.S.A. men’s hockey last won gold right here in Lake Placid in 1980. Yup, we’re talking “Miracle on Ice.” We beat the considered-unbeatable Soviet Union; Russia was not at the ’26 Winter Games.
On Thursday, women’s hockey took home the gold against Canada. Since the sport was added to the Olympics in 1998, only Canada and the U.S. have won — Canada five times, USA three. (Miracle on Ice captain Mike Eurzione — who scored the winning goal against the Soviet Union — was there to watch the ladies win.)
🍺 Where to watch in Saratoga:
Clancy’s — Griffin Clancy declared on Facebook that he would open at 8 a.m. if Hochul made her exemption. (He hadn’t confirmed yet at the time of this writing.)
The Divot — Love the patriotic spirit! These guys were going to open at 8 no matter what, promising “hot & ready” breakfast before breakfast beer was on the table. (Think breakfast burritos, pancakes and breakfast pizzas drizzled with bacon aioli.)
Bailey’s — Their regular bar menu plus breakfast sandwiches and Bloody Mary’s. Come dresses in your red, white and blue!
Kings Tavern — Pre-game as early as 7:30. Hurry!
The Horseshoe — Party starts at 8; they’re known for their track season parties, but they make a mean breakfast year-round. (Although with my buddy Shane and Gerb being called in for this historic morning bash, they promise “maple syrup will be spilt!”)
The Bunker — No one has more TVs — and the 8 am watch party promises brunch specials.
😋 Back to our regularly scheduled program
Saratoga County Restaurant Week starts Wednesday — make your reservations now, as you’re not the only one who likes a good deal. Ranging from $15 to $45, your favorite restaurants will boast specials for breakfast, lunch and dinner Feb. 25 to March 5. Bonus round: Check the Saratoga County Chamber of Commerce’s website every day for a chance to win prizes and gift cards.
🍝 Tony Panza deserves a break
The tireless and revered Tony Panza has finally called in much-deserved reinforcements so the career chef/owner can put his feet up every once in a while: None other than Elliott Vogel (The Delaware, plus Daley’s on Yates and Siro’s) has been tapped as the institution’s executive chef. “He will bring in some exciting new dishes and put a fresh twist on some things,” Tony’s brother and co-owner Michael Panza told the Times Union’s Steve Barnes.
🙏 And so do I?
In the interest of getting the watch party info to you in time to head downtown, I’m saving the rest of our “weekend vibes” news for tomorrow.
GO U.S.A.!!!!!
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