Category Archives: Eating

Here we celebrate the best kind of food enjoyment: eating somebody else’s cooking, whether it be in a fine dining establishment or a hole in the wall.

Where to eat in Saratoga Springs during the racing season

Posted on July 27, 2015 by Burnt My Fingers

The 147th season of the Saratoga Race Course began last week, and my town is choked with tourists. It’s fun to observe the passing crowd with their big hats, limos and cigars, but it can also be very difficult to … Continue reading →

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My first barbecue judging

Posted on July 14, 2015 by Burnt My Fingers

Although I am very judgmental about barbecue, I had never officially judged a barbecue event until last Saturday, when I got to give my opinion on chicken, ribs, brisket and pulled pork at the Troy Pig Out thanks to an … Continue reading →

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What a great meal!

Posted on July 9, 2015 by Burnt My Fingers

I put together a Yelp list of my regular dining rotation in Saratoga Springs, New York, and was embarrassed to discover I’d used the word “great” in almost every review although maybe never coming out and just saying “what a … Continue reading →

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A Texas-style cookout

Posted on July 6, 2015 by Burnt My Fingers

I was gratified by the hundreds of hits on the Vincent’s Garlic Cole Slaw recipe over the holiday weekend, along with Texas-Style Potato Salad and Highland Park Squash Casserole. Makes me feel good that folks are celebrating with the same … Continue reading →

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How not to close a restaurant

Posted on July 2, 2015 by Burnt My Fingers

The middle eastern place closed down in my town. I figured this out by showing up two nights in a row at prime dinner hour and finding the door locked, the room dark, with no sign of activity. I called … Continue reading →

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Who wants some serviceberry pie?

Posted on June 26, 2015 by Burnt My Fingers

Local blogger and grain aficionado Amy Halloran was kind enough to share the semi-secret location of her favorite serviceberry bush. My son Gratis and I picked a quart in about 20 minutes and my wife Carol baked them into a … Continue reading →

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My forgotten oyster tasting

Posted on June 11, 2015 by Burnt My Fingers

There is a story about Robert Benchley, or maybe it was James Thurber, in which he was awakened in the middle of the night by a brilliant story idea, scribbled furiously on the note pad at his bedside, then fell … Continue reading →

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Looney for uni (sea urchin gonads)

Posted on June 1, 2015 by Burnt My Fingers

The email from Catalina Offshore Products brought some exciting news: premium uni, normally $18.99 for a 120 g tray, was on sale for $13.99 for one day only. There was a minimum purchase of $50, meaning I had to commit … Continue reading →

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15 Church shows how to make a good restaurant great

Posted on May 12, 2015 by Burnt My Fingers

Had Mother’s Day dinner at 15 Church in Saratoga Springs, NY, a place that’s been open just about a year and has recalibrated our definition of fine dining in this amiable but touristic destination. The pre-opening expectations were high: a … Continue reading →

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How to steam bread in a home oven

Posted on April 7, 2015 by Burnt My Fingers

Every home baker tries to get more steam into his/her home oven, and most always we fall short. I’ve tried spraying water on the oven walls, pouring water into a cookie sheet in the bottom of the oven, dousing the … Continue reading →

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