Dear Female Figure: I know, I know. Five to seven regular sized meals a day is not the best for you but I’m enjoying this holiday season, the happiness of having close friends in the area and the time spent learning about someone new over local meals. We’ll work that much harder with each workout, no biggie. Dear Voters on Facebook: Holy smokes! You all rock! I love the support, the comments, and the repeat posting of the link. I may have something special coming up to say thank-you. Dear Holiday Shopping: I will officially start and finish you tomorrow. I wish I didn’t wait so long because I would have loved to order more items off of Etsy, my daily email addiction.
I truly can’t complain about anything in my life at this very moment. I have two weeks of paid holiday time off from work. I have picked up a book to read, for pleasure; the first time in over a year. My runny nose is not-so runny anymore. I’m smiling a ton. And my belly is full. Take a look at some of the yummy eats I had within the past forty-eight hours (and gosh, do I wish I took a photograph at each meal).
Oh! Before I forget, my weekend kicked off Friday evening with the fights in downtown Albany. Awesome time with friends old and new.
blurry but a goody.
Saturday morning started at a hidden gem in Troy; one that I hadn’t found until that very decision was made. Correction, I had run by it multiple times but never thought to eat there because, well I suppose, out of sight (meaning downtown), out of mind. Carmen’s on First Street is this little Cuban influenced cafe with a small menu but big flavor. I should have written down the names of the dishes, but others on the menu were The Lucy, The Ricardo, and The Little Ricky; all after our favorite Cuban family.
2 eggs over medium, fresh salsa, rice, beans, avocado and fried plantains=so effing good.
2 eggs over easy, fresh salsa, roasted potatoes, chorizo hash and wheat toast.
Paired with a green tea and coffee respectively, the morning was the perfect preparation for the rest of the day. My friend and I loved it so much, we knew we had to go back for brunch (and mimosas). It was a good thing we asked about their hours because we learned their closing day was the following day until March. It was decided then and there, mimosas it was.
That delicious meal kept me full until dinner time… when my partner in crime and her sister (also my roommate freshmen year of college) came into town from Boston. We knew we were staying local to eat but made the impromptu decision to go to Bacchus partially because it was freezing and they had never been. I’d say it was a pretty good decision.
mozzarella, spinach and olives.
We started off the meal with a delicious artichoke, spinach and shrimp dip and there was so much leftover, Lauren and I dipped our crusts = most genius idea ever. Each time I return, I fall in love with the small, cozy and fresh restaurant.
Of course my partner in crime and I hit the town hardcore and couldn’t resist the food at The Ruck… two, yes two servings of hot fries! Dipped in ranch, duh. And I must add a mini shout out to the DJ that was greatly missed. Typically he’s there every Saturday helping work off calories (aka drop it low) until the wee hours of Sunday but this week he had a “prior” engagement. Okay, I get it. He has a life outside of The Ruck but seriously, I just got him to play my “ghetto” music last week. Shout out to Jared Kingsley!
After hours of catching up with random friends and family members, I headed to a second gem of Troy, a new gem of Troy. The Brown Bag. This late night food joint is open from 9pm until 6am with all of their menu items under $5. Perfect for those late night walks home from the bar, late nights up working on homework- oh wait, I won’t have to worry about that anymore- or late nights watching your favorite Netflix series. Nonetheless, it is fabulous.
I found some holiday cheer along the way.
simple and to the point.
I chose the grilled cheese sandwich with tomato, bacon and an egg over medium with a side of fresh-cut french fries. The bread could have been a little less well-done and the fries could have been a little crunchier for my liking but it was just what I needed at four in the morning.
good food takes time.
ketchup? yes, please.
As promised, I was up and ready for mimosas in no time… and back to Carmen’s we went. They were packed, most likely because it was Sunday and it was their last day until March 2nd. One mimosa and this item below, Huevos Flamenco, and I was satisfied for hours. Seriously, Sunday couldn’t have gotten any better.
yup, that was alllllllll mine.
This giant bowl of yummy was two eggs over medium on top of a chorizo hash spicy stew with fresh potatoes and peppers with a side of a toasted Portuguese roll. This will most likely be the first thing that I reorder in the Spring.
That was my weekend filled with fresh ingredients, tastes and good conversation. Did you try any new hot spots in your local town?
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