See ya later Saratoga

I only have about a week and a half left in this great town, and am reflecting on foods and beverages that I will miss most. I will refrain from listing chains (Panera!!) and you may be surprised at what has been included and excluded. In no particular order....

1. Ravenous Pomme Fritte. I have only been to Ravenous a handful of times, but these have to be the best french fries ever made anywhere on earth. Freshly made, perfect size & shape. Perfect balance of crisp and soft. My favorite thing is the entire menu of dipping sauces. A menu of dipping sauces!! Pesto mayo is my favorite, but there are 9 choices, I think. Brilliant.

2. Springwater Bistro. Gone for good, Springwater left town before me. I've blogged about this place before so won't rehash all my favorite bites, but I think this place is where I matured as an eater. I learned to just trust the chef and was never disappointed. I remember feeling like quite the sophisticated foodie when seated next to an elderly lady and her young teen granddaughter: "Can I get just a chicken breast? Plain?" Go to Burger King lady, where they'll make it your way.

3. Augie's. Technically in Ballston Spa, I really wish I had discovered this place earlier. Believe I already posted on this place as well.

4. Humpty Dumpty's. Best soft serve. There's loads of soft serve in Rochester, and frozen custard which is better than soft ice cream. I hate that they take the name of the store quite literally, and decorate it will all sorts of tacky/creepy Humpty Dumpty egg men. Menu offerings include soft serve coated in the waxy goodness that is Dip, a great chocolate shake for $2, or my favorite- The Romeo. Layered as follows in a plastic cup: vanilla, hot fudge, chocolate, hot fudge, whipped cream, nuts. I think it costs $2.25, fits in the cup holder of your car, and on many summer nights has been a useful and soothing stress reliever on the way home from work.

5. Saratoga Water. I know that they sell this at Wegmans (where they also sell Stewart's soda...Donk! That shit don't need to be exported) and I'm sure I'll reach for the blue bottle out of nostalgia many times post move. It's also the best water I've ever tasted. Plastic bottle is certainly fine, sparkling is great, but the still water in the blue glass bottle is a wonderful treat.

6. Quesadillas from Spring Street Deli. I've done a lot of research on quesadillas during my time in Saratoga. This is consistently the best. Others are too greasy, overly cheesy, or not flat enough due to inappropriately sized pieces of chicken. Spring Street has none of these flaws. Well proportioned and well seasoned (they give hot sauce automatically now), I would be suprised if I found it's equal.