hanging around in new york in cubs gear....like they say, there's a fine line between bravery and stupidity!:D

I wondered where you went. I thought you went to the john to pull something else and take a look.

That would have taken him alot longer....

Il Paradiso is owned by the same folks that had Don Peppe's on Leffert Blvd in Queens. They used to have Villa Balsamo out on Rte 50 but that has been shut down for years.

I'm pretty sure that is where we all went on opening weekend before realizing our ragtag crew didn't exactly fit in there (nor did we feel like spending $24 for a house salad).

Villa Balsamo was a Victorian mansion a couple miles past SPAC on the right out Rte 50. As of last year, it was overgrown and appeared to be abandoned.

That is the name of the restaurant where our kind wasn't accepted

Your kind, meaning People of the Windy City?
:D

I believe that it has reopened

Too freaking funny... lmfao

yes :)

Yup, that is the place. Has definitely been reopened. Looked like an awesome place, just not what we were looking for at the time.

Understatement of the year.

We still managed to run up a $750 bill at Auggie's the next night. :rolleyes:

I know... I saw it on my credit card statement and I got a little misty eyed... I miss Sarah's Toga! I wish I could make it back up there before the meet ended.

Paradiso was closed for this summer and Villa Balsamo was reopened. The opposite was the case last summer, one additional time as well. They've been going back and forth a bit between the two.

Personally, I always liked Paradiso better -- bar, in town, a bit more casual, etc.

Eric

I don't understand why the Balsamo family does this. I originally went to Villa Balsamo in '78 or '79. Then it was closed for years and then reopened and then closed again. Then Paradiso opened about 5 or 6 years ago and now it is closed.

I remember back when I first went to VB, they closed Don Peppe's in Queens for the one month meet and the entire staff, waiters and all, went with them and was housed upstairs.

Regarding the prices, it is on the expensive side, but when you saw a $24 salad, it is probably because it is a family style Italian place and the salad is meant to be shared by the table.

Expensive is of course a relative term. If a $24 salad feeds 3 people, and this one has, it's not so bad all things considered.

Anyway, Joe (I think that's his name) B. is no longer involved in the Queens restaurant so the entire shift upstate is not neccessary any longer. As far as going back and forth between the two, every year or two, I have no idea why that's going on. As I said, in recent years it's been every year or two. In 06 Paradiso was open and when I called a friend of mine who is a local food industry guy he told me that for 07 they were going back to VB. Maybe there is something to it or maybe there is no method to the madness, I have no idea.

Eric

We wound up going to Auggie's and getting family style dishes there and at first glance the prices did look high until you realized one dish could feed an army. I think it was more our appearance than anything that was the issue. We were all dressed for the picnic area at the track, not for Villa Balsamo.

Who's tippin a few with me tomorrow night ? I'll be in town and look forward to meeting and greeting. Even those on my ignore list :D

I would guess you could get away with basic "suggested" clubhouse attire (collared shirt, shorts, any footwear other than flip flops) at Balsamo's, but t-shirts and cut offs ain't gonna work.

Another restaurant I have been going to at least once a year forever is Chez Pierre which is 8 miles out Rte. 9 toward Glens Falls. Dress code would be the same as Balsamo's. I always order the Tournadoes Henry IV
http://www.chezpierrerestaurant.com/

Wait a minute... Byk likes that joint too! LOL

That looks delicious and now I'm hungry. :o

Wow great menu...thats on my list for '08

Great place but reservations are needed as it is pretty small

I'll make them under your name....that'll guarantee quick seating for sure!:D

Of course, when I think of going downtown after the Travers, I mostly think "Where the **** am I gonna park?" So, I mostly don't, anymore (used to take the kids, when they were kids, to Ben and Jerry's after the Travers). With a 2 1/2 hour drive to get home, apres Travers often turns into fast food.

I'm well past 30, but have been to the Parting Glass - last time, a couple of years ago - because, I guess ya gotta every now and then, but I confess, I prefer places where I can converse without straining a vocal cord.

Anyone been to Scallions since it moved?

This is why I love having my own parking spot on Broadway :D

Scallions is one place I've been meaning to try.

I'm doing a day trip tomorrow from West Haven CT. Will be in the Travers Bar by noon. Have been working 10 straight days and need a break. Might do Chez Pierre after the races and then head home.

Nice of you to reply SB...have a safe trip, have fun, and all I know of Saratoga is that Caroline St. so I guess I hang there for a while later.

Come behind Carolina BBQ and meet up with the DT'ers. I'm always down for a beer or two (or more).

Spa destinations
 

Thanks to all that responded. I now have choices for food, drinks ,nostalgia and Cub's/ Red sox fanatic fans . I'm flying in tomorrow and like a kid ready for his first camp. Hope to meet DT'rs around Steve's place.

Had a table in the downstairs part of the Carousel and then moved to the Travers Bar after the 5th race. Looked behind the Carolina BBQ near the Carousel and asked a few people if they were DTers.. Did the same at the other CBBQ in the yard near the Red Spring. Didn't find anyone. Oh, well. Did see BTW, but have known him for many years. Went home a $32.40 winner so it was a very good day.

It's the big one behind the Carosel in the picnic area. There are some picnic tables around the "patio" behind the BBQ where people meet, especially the table right under the giant Lite Brite tote board w/ TVs.

I was there a couple times and was trying to figure out which table of degenerates might be the DTers:D Asked a few people that looked like possibilities, but no luck. Spent race 1 to 5 right across from the Carolina BBQ at a table in the Carousel. Oh well....next time. Might make another day trip.

The upprt part of Caroline St was loaded with college students and middle aged teeny boppers.

Yep. That's why I liked Clancy's... Gaffney's was loaded with that opening weekend.

If I was looking for racetrack comeraderie I woud avoid upper Caroline cuz it don't have any. As a matter of fact, I stopped there after the Velvet Revolver/Alice In Chains show Thursday night and not a one went to that concert. Thumbs down to upper Caroline for anyone not a college student.

So if you want horseracing folks, listen to the advice given cuz upper Caroline is not where it's at yall.

I like Desparate Annie's for the juke box....in December

I ate at Chez Sophie tonight for the first time and it has to be one of my favorite spots in Saratoga now:

http://www.chezsophie.com/