Troy goodness: Carmen’s Cafe.

Little traditions are what I love and I think the number one tradition on the list these days with the beau is Sunday breakfy. We’ve found ourselves in a nice routine that goes something like this:

• Wake-up: no alarm. Plenty of snuggle time.
• Workout: typically a long run either in Saratoga or on the bike path. Either way, we both get moving and reflecting on the upcoming week.
• Quick shower.
• Breakfy.
• Loooooooong walk around the city.

And where may you ask do we have breakfy each and every week? Well, Carmen’s of course!

Each week as we walk over, I always find the two of us saying the same things: “this really is a hidden gem of Troy” or “I’m getting the stew” or “I wonder what the specials are going to be?”

There is always a spot for us up at the counter and Paige is always there to greet us with the usual answer to my question, “it’s not too early in the morning for a mimosa, right?” (the answer is NO by the way)

Close friends know I LOVE Cuban food and that my favorite Cuban place of all time is in Aruba- the only reason why I continue to return to that island each year. Carmen’s has that Cuban influence but does offer some traditional items (like pancakes and omelets). But I prefer the heat and spice of this little gem and always order Huevos Flamenco.

The huevos flamenco is that stew pictured on the top row above. I’ve come to realize that it is the perfect meal after my long runs containing the following mix of deliciousness: tomatoes, potatoes, red, orange and yellow peppers, chorizo, and topped with two eggs over-medium and cilantro. You drooling yet? Oh-so-good! Served with a side of Portuguese rolls, I lap up the whole darn bowl!

Last week the beau tried the special “Ranch Eggs” that had two eggs over-easy with a spicy chili sauce, bean puree with fresh salsa and cilantro and a side of chorizo hash and thick toast. I tried it and WILL be getting that this week!

We’ve also tried the Little Ricky, Eggs Jimbo, Cuban Eggs, and some sort of special fried nugget of deliciousness (maybe polenta?- I forgot).

What I love about this place:

• When you are a regular, you get to sample the non-perfect banana pancakes when they aren’t acceptable to serve (irregular in shape that is)
• The chef comes out to makes sure everything is just right
• The owner, Carmen herself, is there, working and talking with customers
• And she takes the business seriously. She is always looking for feedback and listens to her customers. That and she closes during the winter just to strip the place and clean and redecorate.

This place has my stamp of approval- and that means a lot now doesn’t it? We MUST make our way over there for dinner and music one Friday night!

Check out their menu here or better yet, meet the beau and I to try it firsthand. You’ll know where to find us!