ALL STORIES
The full collection. Every story, interview & review, all in one place – you’re welcome.
IS THIS MELON FLUFF MILK PUNCH THE COOLEST COCKTAIL IN SARATOGA?
Hamlet & Ghost Bar Director Sonia Castellani is known for her culinary, clarified cocktails. Here she combines the fresh fruit of her French childhood with marshmallow fluff + milk tea.
TASTE: KRAKOA — Channeling Utopia at {pretty to think so}
Channeling a Marvel Universe Utopia, Keshonn Hatcher blends Japanese sake with tiki indulgence for a taste of spring.
IN A NEW ROLE AT MORRISSEY’S, BAR MANAGER SHA BHATTI CRAFTS A KYOTO ALIBI
In a new bar manager role at Morrissey’s Lounge at The Adelphi in Saratoga Springs, Sha Bhatti shares his inspiration for a Kyoto Alibi.
TASTE: THE GYRO-INSPIRED “GYBSON” MARTINI
Milas bar director Andrew Patterson finds inspiration for this Gibson riff in a lamb gyro.
TASTE: Apricot + almond leads in Sonia Castellani’s subtle SMOKE SHOW
Hamlet & Ghost Bar Director Sonia Castellani takes mezcal in a more subtle direction with almond and apricot.
SEAN JOSEPHS, MASTER BLENDER of Pinhook Bourbon, talks about the Saratoga Maiden custom blend + why he thinks like a winemaker.
For the official launch of Saratoga Maiden at Lucy’s in Saratoga, we talked with Pinhook Bourbon’s master blender, Sean Josephs about creating a Saratoga blend, his winemaker approach, and the future of American whiskey.
MEET: VERONICA AGAMA, Viva Empanadas Latin Grill + Wine, Latham + Albany
Veronica Agama—Latina, mother, entrepreneur + chef—talks food trucks, the diversity of Latin cooking + moving her Viva Empanadas business upstate.
— We also have her exclusive announcement of a new third location!
REVIEW: BLOOM, Albany
Upper New Scotland Ave in Albany’s Helderberg neighborhood is quietly blooming. We review Bloom Boutique Bar & Eatery, a new all-day new American restaurant inside The Rise/Midtown Square apartment complex.
GUEST SHIFT: SONIA CASTELLANI, Hamlet & Ghost
Sonia Castellani, bar director of Hamlet & Ghost in Saratoga Springs, talks about growing up in France, the importance of culinary flavors + the women who inspired her career.
ART BAR? 3 UPSTATE BARS WHERE ART IS THE DRAW
Is art best served in a bar? In Hudson, Troy and Schenectady, these 3 bar owners are drawing a crowd.
TASTE: UBE MILK PUNCH — Sonia Castellani
At Hamlet & Ghost, the team leans on kitchen ingredients to coax flavors out of cocktails. Bar Director Sonia Castellani’s hot pink Ube Milk Punch is a clear case of less is more.
Hello, gorgeous. LITTLE CITY LUNCHEONETTE IS OPEN — and it’s a love letter to the neighborhood.
INTEL: Little City Luncheonette is open on New Scotland Ave in Albany with comfort specials, breakfast cocktails + two familiar young chefs. We dropped in for stacked pancakes, breakfast cocktails + matzo ball soup to get the early dish.
TASTE: BREAKFAST COCKTAILS + HAPPY HOUR is a real thing at Little City Luncheonette
Open 7 a.m. to 3 p.m., but breakfast cocktails + happy hour is a real thing at the brand new Little City Luncheonette in Albany, N.Y.
ZERO PROOF: Making a LADY MARMALADE with Trinel McDermott, bartender + founder of Synergy 1 Fitness
Bartender, trainer + wellness coach Trinel McDermott (June Farms/McGeary’s) shows us how to craft a bittersweet Lady Marmalade cocktail for The Dishing’s Zero-Proof series.
TASTE: PEARLESCENCE, Itameshi
In Albany’s Warehouse District, Itameshi’s Bar Director Will Hoschek is inspired by rock samphire for a mermaid-inspired Vesper of the sea.
GUEST SHIFT: WILL HOSCHEK, ITAMESHI (Albany)
Will Hoschek, bar director of Itameshi in Albany’s Warehouse District, talks hot cocktails, kosho, ferments + why he came back to the industry he loves.
REVIEW: PRETEND RESTAURANT at C. Cassis Tasting Room, Rhinebeck
In Rhinebeck, the C. Cassis tasting room is worth a visit anytime, but you should plan ahead and reserve your seat for their occasional Pretend Restaurant.
ZERO PROOF: Making a NOGRONI with Trinel McDermott, bartender + founder of Synergy 1 Fitness
Bartender, trainer + wellness coach Trinel McDermott (June Farms/McGeary’s) uses Monday Gin + Sentia Red to craft a N/A No-Groni for The Dishing’s Bartender Series.
INTEL: THE HI-NOTE OPENS IN SARATOGA WITH ABSINTHE DRIPS, FERNET SHOTS + YOUR MOM’S BASEMENT VIBES
INTEL: Welcome to The Hi-Note in Saratoga Springs. Canned beer, a Fernet club, wood-clad walls + ‘80s basement vibes are all in place at The Hi-Note.
REVIEW: LITTLE GOAT, Rhinebeck
Little Goat (Rhinebeck) serves up polished farmhouse and community appeal with an all-day bakery, Mediterranean-inspired menu + the martini service of our dreams.