***Albany Restaurant Week*** April 9 - 14

Okay, I admit it, I'm a foodie. What does that mean? It means that I enjoy really good food and the whole dining experience. Foodies are experiemental in their choices of cuisine and tend to scope out new tastes, new flavors and then contemplate the occasion. Usually foodies enjoy the social aspect of the experience and often dine in groups. Foodies aren't just drawn to the food though, the atmosphere of a restaurant and the ambience is also important.

When I lived in NYC, one of my favorite seasonal events was Restaurant Week! It happened twice a year where fine restaurants would offer a three course sampling of their typical menu. The price of the pre-fixe changed annually to coincide with the year, so in 2002 the Restaurant Week deal costed $20.02, drink not included. Delmanico Steakhouse, Vine, Roy's New York, are just some of the well known establishments that participated in this event.

I was thrilled last year when I found out that Albany has it's own bi-annual Restaurant Week! For $16.09 you can enjoy a three-course meal which includes an appetizer, main course and dessert! (psst...1609 is when Albany was founded) I went last year and had a wonderful time with friends from my program! All the restaurants are just downtown! (A great way to support local businesses.)

This season the event starts on the 9th of April and runs through the 14th. That's in two weeks right after spring break. Some of the restaurants that are listed include: Jack's Oyster House, La Serre, Mansion Hill Inn. I believe reservations are necessary so if you're interested in this I recommend calling early. This is great way to try new restaurants without having to break the "graduate student " bank. For a complete list click on the link of participating restaurants.

The Only Asian on North Pearl Street

Happy belated St. Patrick's Day! Hope everyone had a good snowy weekend. If you were around on Friday afternoon there was a full St. Patrick's Day meal at the GSO office with corn beef and cabbage, fried fish, shepard's pie, steamed potatoes and baby carrots! :9 We even had cupcakes for dessert! Despite the snow it was a very successful MCAA event where at one point there were well over 25 people in the GSO office socializing around the couches and our conference table. There were also many people who past through to grab a bite! Amirah, I'm looking forward to the next MCAA event!

Saturday evening I took the bus downtown to meet up with a friend of mine to see Jerry Seinfield at the Palace Theatre. It was a good thing I took the bus because it was crowded downtown! I was surprised that North Pearl Street was packed! There were so many people of Irish descent enjoying the festivities of the evening. They were on the streets spilling out of the restaurant's and lounges! I had never seen so many people downtown before! Many of them not only wore green clothing but also had green hats, green beaded necklaces...


As I walked through the street this guy was staring at me and screamed at the top of his lungs "HAPPY ST. PATRICK'S DAY" toward me and then turned to his friend and muttered, "Chinese person" under his breath. I looked around and suddenly noticed that I was the only Asian on North Pearl Street! I had crashed their block party! :D

It was such an interesting cultural experience.

The St. Patrick's Day parade was cancelled yesterday in Albany due to the weather, but will take place next Saturday.

P.S. After 7 years and three kids, Jerry's back! His performance last night, doesn't skip a beat and takes off right from the height of his success! I laughed so hard my cheeks were in pain walking out of the theatre. Welcome back!