Windowbox Cafe

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Category: Restaurant Reviews

Written by Brian

Now that the holidays are behind us, we can try to get caught up on some reviews that should have been posted a while ago.  Windowbox Cafe has become our go to breakfast location.  It is in Slingerlands in a small strip mall.  It is a smaller location, but we've never had problems with being seated or finding parking.  Windowbox has a 'homey' feel to it, and within a few minutes of being there, you can tell that most of the people are regulars.

The review I'm writing is based on our first time there.  We were greeted and sat immediately when we walked in.  Their specials are written on a white board, but often need some basic deciphering (S.O.S. or Rodeo Benedict).  Josie ordered eggs and hash (since she was told their hash was homemade) and I ordered a simple french toast with a side of bacon.

The french toast was the best basic french toast I have had at a diner.  They didn't use any special bread or gimmicks it was just battered and seasoned and cooked perfectly.  My only problem with this dish is that I felt it was overpriced.  I don't remember the exact amount, and they don't have a menu online, but I believe it was around $7 for two pieced of white bread.  The bacon (not pictured) was amazing.  It has been cooked from limp to crispy in the different times we've been there, but it always tastes great and leaves you wanting more.  Josie ordered the eggs (poached) and hash.  Her poached eggs were a bit overdone, but still runny.  She really enjoyed the hash.  The best way I can explain it, is that it was just like the canned version, but used fresh ingredients.  Similar in ratio and texture with a nice crunch.  She has ordered a side of hash every time we have returned.

Service was friendly, but it was our waitresses first day, so it was a little on the slow side.  The biggest downside for visiting Windowbox would be the fact that you feel like an outsider.  Everyone is still polite and friendly, but you feel like you are missing out on a connection that most of the other customers seem to have.  A small price to pay for quality food, and original specials.  Windowbox gets 4 Forks and our repeat business.  (and just as an FYI, the rodeo benedict is eggs benedict with house-made pulled pork on it.  I had it at a later visit, it is one of the best dishes there)

Eggs and Hash	French Toast

View of open kitchen / bar

Pride of New York Harvest Fest 2013

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Category: Events

Written by Events

Orange Mango Opens

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Category: News

Written by Brian

CRFoodies just recieved an email from the owners of Orange Mango:

Hello,
   Orange Mango is now open and would like to invite you to come in a try our modern Thai Cuisine. We have a happy hour Sunday-Thursday 4-630 with great drink and appetizer specials. We hope to see you soon and thanks from our staff here at Orange Mango!

Orange Mango's menu is similar to Blue Spices, with a few new additions.

Orange Mango is located at the old location of Blue Spice at 1614 Central Ave. in Colonie

ALBANY's “FUSION” FOOD & ART EVENT

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Category: Events

Written by Kent

Albany, N.Y. – Albany Barn with the Albany Chef’s Food & Wine Festival: Wine & Dine for the Arts will present “FUSION,” a perennial arts and artisan event taking place on Friday, October 18, 2013 at the Washington Park Lake House in Albany, NY at 7:00pm.

Last year’s “FUSION” drew some 350 attendees and featured cuisine by several of the area’s most iconic chefs, including Yono Purnomo and Ric Orlando.

Albany Barn was founded to provide opportunity for emerging artists and artisans. In that spirit, this year’s “FUSION” will instead highlight the culinary styling of six “rising star” chefs from the Capital Region chosen by the Albany Chefs’ Food & Wine Festival:

• Brian Bowden, Executive Chef, Javier’s
• Chris Faraci, Executive Chef, Carmen’s Cafe
• Sarah Fish, Chef/Owner, The Hungry Fish Cafe
• Marla Ortega, Executive Chef/Owner, Illium Cafe & Wine Bar
• Michael Pallozzi, Executive Chef, Carney's Tavern
• Zach Welton, Chef de Cuisine, New World Bistro Bar

Fusion-inspired dishes will be accompanied by signature cocktails prepared with spirits from Albany Distilling Company, craft beer by Druthers Brewing Company and wine selections by Empire Wine.  Dessert & Coffee is presented by Chocolate Gecko, The Cookie Factory & Starbucks.

“FUSION” will also feature: pocket performances, fashion and live art installations created by regional artists, as well as custom lighting designs by Nicky Lightz and “music mixology” by Space, Time and Spacetime

The price for a regular ticket is $60 and can be purchased online at www.albanybarn.org/fusion

Special "Catalyst Committee" packages are are available for $125 (single) and $175 (couple) and include admission to the event, name(s) listing on the "FUSION" event site and event program, as well as special edition Albany Barn glassware.

Albany Barn is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to developing a sustainable creative arts incubator and community arts center in Albany, NY. Albany Barn has partnered with the Albany Housing Authority and City of Albany to redevelop St. Joseph’s Academy, a long-vacant former school building in the Arbor Hill neighborhood, into 22 low-cost live/work artist residences, and 15,000+ square feet of multi-tenant creative enterprise space called “The Barn.”  Renovation of the St. Joseph’s Academy building are expected to be complete in early 2014.  Tenant applications are being accepted now on Albany Barn’s website: www.albanybarn.org/live-a-work-here

Proceeds from "FUSION" will benefit Albany Barn’s "Raise the Barn" campaign, specifically underwriting operations and the purchase of equipment during Albany Barn’s first year in the newly transformed St. Joseph’s Academy.

Major Sponsorship for "FUSION" provided by Albany Housing Authority, Key Bank, Phillips Lytle, LLP, All Over Albany, Elite Venture Media, Fort Orange Press, MHA Innovations, Times Union, and WAMC/Northeast Public Radio.

WHAT:  "FUSION" presented byAlbany Barn with Albany Chefs’ Food & Wine Festival: Wine & Dine for the Arts
DATE: Friday, October 18, 2013
WHERE: The Lake House in Washington Park, Albany, NY
TIME:    7 p.m.

Tickets and more information:
www.albanybarn.org/fusion