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The Bread Butler is opening a new bakery and cafe at Colonie Center.
When I tell you Italian is my jam, it’s my jam. I recently had the pleasure of visiting Italy a few months ago and really exploring the cuisine there. There’s quite a difference between American Italian cuisine and actual Italian. In Italy, they focus a lot of fresh, bright and simple flavors. A few months ago, Modena opened in Greenville. Formely Mountain View Brasserie, this restaurant is owned by the lovely couple Danielle Corellis and Todd Graves. Danielle has a background at Cafe Capriccio, the popular authentic Italian restaurant in Downtown Albany. She executed many roles there, specializing specifically in pastries. Her husband Todd might be well known to most serving as the executive chef of Cafe Italia. Upon entering, the restaurant is stunning. They did an amazing job transforming it into a contemporary Italian restaurant. With dark wood accents, and subtle sage green hues, it really is beautiful. The atmosphere is warm, inviting and perfect for a date night or special occasion. The wine list is extensive, specializing specifically in beautiful Italian wines you won’t find elsewhere. It’s a nice mixture of familiar favorites, and also Italian classics. It’s a very well-versed menu created as a collaboration between the owners, Jonathan Stewart of Frederick Wildman and Breeda Phoummany from Santa Margarita. We opted for the Pinot Noir as a light start, then the 20 Rows Cabernet, which is in my opinion one of the best Napa Valley Cabs. It’s buttery, velvety and rich in flavor. The menu itself is small, which is a wonderful sign in my opinion. That means they’re really focusing on the dishes they’re offering. They are sourcing local from surrounding farms, and getting ingredients imported right from Italy. Tomatoes are something that you could deem as so simple, but as a true foodie, you know there’s a difference. Modena cuts no corners. They’re bringing in San Marzano tomatoes for their sauces, and local fresh heirlooms for their bruschetta. For starters, we chose the bruschetta. The bread was soft, yet had a perfect crunch. The bruschetta was sweet, balanced and delicious. They really left the flavor of the tomatoes shine through. For entrees, we opted for the two specials of the evening: the Chilean Sea Bass served francese style over sautéed spinach and the Eggplant layered with four cheeses — the gorgonzola added a nutty and sour flavor that complemented the richness perfectly. We also split a half order of Pomodoro Basilico which was housemade tagliatelle, San Marzano tomato sauce, EVOO, garlic, basil, parmigiano. I just need to mention the homemade pasta again. Cooked a perfect al dente, the sauce was bright, acidic and absolutely delicious. How a real Italian red sauce should be. With Danielle’s background in pastry, of course we needed to order dessert. A slice of Ricotta Pie AKA Italian Cheesecake and Tiramisu were the most delicious sweet ending of the night. The ricotta pie had notes of orange zest and cinnamon which was bright and light, and the tiramisu was simply decedent and creamy. Overall, the experience was flawless. The food was impeccable, the atmosphere was inviting, and the service was great. Make the trip to Modena.
The Hedge Bistro is planning for their grand opening on April 1st at the Western Turnpike golf course in Guilderland. They will offer American pub fare and classic Italian dishes.
518 Donuts in Troy is closing, BUT... that doesn't mean it's the end.
Located in Albany County, is the quaint and desirable village of Altamont. In the early 18th century, the Dutch settlement was known as Hellerburgh. Changing in the early 19th century to Knowersville, the area was established in the rural part of Albany county just below the Helderberg Escarpment. Eventually, it became known as Altamont. Altamont was a very popular summer vacation spot because it could be reached by train. The old train station now houses the Altamont Free Library and the village itself is lined with history plaques telling the story of the people and places that made Altamont what it is today. The Village is home to generations of locals and a wide array of businesses including: a restaurant, a liquor store, a florist, a local newspaper, and a new brunch establishment. Long the site of the Home Front Cafe, now houses the cheerful Main Street Cafe & Bakery. Run by Jennifer Venduro, Main Street offers a full breakfast and lunch menu. They are open Tuesday thru Sunday, 8am to 3pm. We had to try it for ourselves, and have come to the conclusion this place is an absolute hidden gem. What a breath of fresh air in this town that has been desperate for a breakfast and lunch spot. Immediately upon walking in, you’re greeted by one of the staff members. We chose a table close to the window, so we could utilize the natural light for taking pictures of our meals. The menu consists of a wide array of breakfast items including omelets, breakfast sandwiches, eggs, corned beef hash, pancake and more. The Irish Benedict was immediately intriguing. Our server informed us that the corned beef was made in-house. “IMMEDIATELY, YESSSS” was our reaction. We also ordered the peanut butter cup pancakes. I mean, how can you resist a little bit of sweets with such a savory meal? The light and fluffy pancakes were topped with Reese's peanut butter cups, chocolate sauce and peanut butter. The vibes were comfortable, the food was fantastic and the location was even better. The owner let us know they’ve been open since October and most of their customer base are locals. This place is 100% worth the drive, add it to your list!