How We Can Have Nice Things

Today I have something to ask of you. And it’s something important.

Presumably, if you are reading the FLB, there is at least a small part of you that cares about good food. And most likely, you happen to live within spitting distance of the Capital Region. Without a doubt, the food in this corner of the world has been slowly but steadily improving. And that’s thanks to people like you. People who support some incredible ethnic restaurants like Tara Kitchen, Ala Shanghai, La Mexicana and Parivar.

These places are well beyond the comfort zone of many diners. They offer bold, authentic flavors of cuisines that may seem familiar on their face, but in practice present plates that defy expectations. Yet, by all outward appearances, the restaurants above seem to be surprisingly successful.

There is one other restaurant that is a relative newcomer to the area, and it needs your help. Despite its favorable write-up in the Albany Times Union, and several glowing posts from the region’s culinary cognescenti, this delicious destination hasn’t been getting the traffic it deserves. Albany Jane noticed this fact recently.

Part of the problem could be the restaurant’s name.

Shwe Mandalay may not roll off the tongue, but after going there to eat, your tongue may be too happy to speak. This small restaurant is on Central Avenue in a building that used to house the Hong Kong Bakery once upon a time.

It even has off-street parking. This is huge for people from the suburbs who may not feel comfortable venturing out anywhere near downtown Albany.

The menu may also be a bit overwhelming and jam-packed with a host of unusual yet delicious sounding items. Yes, I know that we should all have such problems. However, it can be a bit paralyzing. And paralysis is a significant barrier to entry.

Fortunately, portion sizes are relatively modest, and the prices are low. And while you may not *need* to order two (or maybe even three) dishes per person, you might simply *want* to try as much as you can on your first trip out.

And there’s nothing wrong with that.

Almost everything is delicious. The Southern Shan Sausage is what I’m craving the most after my first visit. Small, well-caramelized bite-sized  links of sausage are filled with a silky mixture of sticky rice, beef, pork, and vermicelli. Man, that stuff is fantastic, and I’ve never quite experienced anything else like it before.

The pork curry with coconut rice, was amazing. So was the paratha with vatana beans. Soups, noodles, salads, appetizers, entrees were all delicious. Perhaps the chicken dishes weren’t quite as good as everything else. But still, this is a very special place.

Very special places will only continue to exist if we support them.

Get there. Do it this week. Or maybe this weekend. Go with your friends. Try to get a table of six so you can try as many things as humanly possible. Forgive the speed of service, for they probably weren’t expecting you.

This is a tough town in which to do well if you aren’t a chain restaurant. Albanians sure do love their chains. I’m sure there’s a metaphor to be found somewhere in there. But regardless, things are on the upswing. It’s within your power to keep this forward progress.

Move beyond your comfort zone. Try new things. Be amazed. And if Shwe Mandalay can make it through, I’ll be a very happy camper indeed. This place is great. It would be a shame to lose it.