Revisiting the FLB 4.0

Here’s something to ponder. Yesterday I read two different news stories. One was from Ad Age and the other was from the Times Union.

Ad Age said that Albany, NY was the second best market in the United States for newspaper readership. 49% of adults report reading a print newspaper daily. It goes on to say that the top newspaper, the TU, reaches 17% of adults every day. As the top paper in a newspaper friendly market, one might imagine its readers to be informed by the stories printed on its pages.

Maybe you will recall a certain starred review for a new chain restaurant in the region. It ran in print. It ran online. And Cheryl Clark’s blistering review gave the place a dismal one and a half stars. You can compare that with the glowing three and a half star review she gave the Charles F. Lucas Confectionery & Wine Bar based largely on their well curated selection of cheeses from The Cheese Traveler.

I guess the readers of the Times Union think Cheryl is full of shit. Because the other story I read was the Times Union’s 2013 Best of the Capital Region readers’ choice winners. And you’ll never believe who beat out the Charles F. Lucas Confectionery for Best New Restaurant.

As in past years, I thought it would be good to recap which places were included on the FUSSYlittleBALLOT and try to get a sense of how we did in 2013. Honestly, besides for a few notable omissions, and the structure of some of the categories, this may be the least embarrassing year of the survey results to date.

And frankly, given the clear lack of influence the paper’s journalism has on its readers and the region, I think I may just hang up the FUSSYlittleBALLOT for good. It’s done its job. The big chains are gone from most of the food categories. Maybe in the future I’ll work harder to encourage the paper to break up some of the ethnic categories so we don’t look like country bumpkins who don’t know the difference between Japanese and Chinese food.

Instead, I’ll switch to promoting my own list of recommended places to eat and drink in the region, which you can check out on the Recommendations tab under the masthead.

Anyhow, below are our picks followed by the top three selections from the TU poll. Commentary has been added where I think it is justified.

Best Restaurant to Open in the Past Year – Charles F. Lucas Confectionery & Wine Bar
1. Joe’s Crab Shack
2. Charles F. Lucas Confectionery
3. Johnny’s

This is a travesty. However, it’s good to see The Confectionery in the number two spot. There are still those who refuse to accept it as a restaurant. And it’s really just this small spot across the river in Troy that is selling wine in a decidedly beer-centric region. Love these guys.

Best Family Restaurant – Jumpin’ Jacks (no longer a write-in)
1. Jumpin’ Jacks
2. Red Robin
3. Olive Garden

Yes! Score. This category has lost its juvenile bearings and instead of the best place to bring kids, it’s the best place for a family. Some place outside where the kids can be loud and messy, and where the adults can indulge in some comforting food and pass on the culinary traditions of their forebears.

Best Fish Fry – Off Shore Pier (no longer a write-in)
1. Bob & Ron’s
2. Harbor House
3. Ted’s Fish Fry

Robbed. I would also have accepted Gene’s. But it’s hard to argue with the big neon sign. And Ted’s isn’t bad either. Still, Bob & Ron’s is coasting on its old reputation. Their clam strips are still great though.

Best Hamburger – Max London’s (no longer a write-in)
1. Five Guys
2. Red Robin
3. Jack’s Drive In

Ugh. The Five Guys burger is really tasty. I get a couple every year. But it pales in comparison to something that’s made with really good meat and plenty of love.

Best Pizza – Defazio’s
1. Kay’s Pizza
2. Fountain
3. Purple Pub

I can’t knock Kay’s because I have never tried it. Looks like I have a new place on my list. But I’m going to keep my expectations in check and try to appreciate the pizza for what it is.

Best Sandwich Shop – Andy & Son’s
1. Gerson’s
2. Deli & Brew
3. Halfmoon Sandwich

Best Chinese/Japanese/Korean – Ala Shanghai
1. Koto
2. Plum Blossom
3. Ichiban

No Ala Shanghai? No Taiwan Noodle? It’s a travesty. But with only one Chinese restaurant making the top three, there’s not a lot of room for relative newcomers.

Best Indonesian/Thai/Vietnamese – Kinnaree
1. Yono’s
2. Bangkok Bistro
3. Blue Spice

Again, this is a category that needs to be split, and Indonesian needs to be retired. There’s only one Indonesian place in town. And everyone knows Yono’s is the best. Let’s carve it in stone, and move on.

Best Indian/Pakistani – Aashiana (no longer a write-in)
1. Sitar
2. Karavalli
3. Shalimar

Best Mexican/Central/South American – Mr. Pio Pio
1. El Loco
2. Bombers (Albany)
3. Bombers (Schenectady)

At least El Loco is more Mexican than Bombers.

Best Italian – Cafe Capriccio
1. D’Raymonds
2. Delmonico’s
3. Lombardo’s

Best Ice Cream – The Ice Cream Man
1. Stewart’s
2. The Snowman
3. Guptil’s

Best Hot Dog – Famous Lunch
1. Gus’s
2. Hot Dog Charlie’s
3. Jumpin’ Jacks

More than anything else I’m curious why there is no love for Famous Lunch. That place is awesome. Their dogs are awesome. And their zippy sauce is the only one of the big three that doesn’t taste like raw spices.

Best Sports Bar – Graney’s
1. Wolf’s 1-11
2. Recovery Sports Grill
3. Buffalo Wild Wings

Best Coffee Joint – Caffe Vero
1. Professor Java’s
2. Uncommon Grounds (Albany)
3. Uncommon Grounds (Saratoga)

Next year I’m hoping that Tierra gives these guys a run for their money. The Confectionery is also doing good things. As is Hudson River Coffee. We’re actually getting a little bit of a coffee culture here, and I’m leaving just as it’s launching.

Best Diner – Bob’s Diner
1. Latham ‘76
2. The Alexis
3. Blue Ribbon Diner

Best Barbecue – Capital Q
1. Dinosaur
2. Giffy’s
3. Smokey Bones

Capital Q was totally robbed. Dinosaur at least has good chicken and ribs. Giffy’s chicken is good for what it is. But Smokey Bones? No.

Best Restaurant for Outdoor Dining – Dinosaur Bar-B-Que
1. Jumpin’ Jack’s
2. Dinosaur
3. Lanie’s

Best Restaurant for a Romantic Dinner – Lark Street Wine Bar
1. 677 Prime
2. Jack’s Oyster House
3. Delmonico’s

Best Restaurant in the Capital Region – New World Bistro Bar
1. 677 Prime
2. New World Bistro Bar
3. Delmonico’s

Best Local Grocery Store – Niskayuna Co-op
1. Price Chopper
2. Hannaford
3. ShopRite

Best Wine Store – All Star Wine & Spirits
1. Empire
2. Exit 9
3. All Star

Best Beer Store – Hoosick Street Beverage (no longer a write in)
1. Oliver’s
2. Westmere Beverage
3. Latham Beverage Center

Best Bakery – Mrs. London’s
1. Bella Napoli
2. Villa Italia
3. Schuyler

The Best Ethnic Market was divided into Best Italian Market and Best Ethnic Market (non Italian), maybe we can do the same thing moving forward for bakeries. Because it’s crazy that people here don’t know about Mrs. London’s or Crisan. And now we’ve got Sweet Sue. Not to mention The Placid Baker. Come on!

Best Italian Market – Cardona’s
1. Roma (Latham)
2. Cardona’s
3. Pellegrino Importing

Best Ethnic Market (not Italian) – Asian Supermarket
1. Asian Supermarket
2. Rolf’s Pork Store
3. Euro Deli and Market

Rolf’s is awesome.

Best Farmers Market – Troy Waterfront Farmers Market
1. Troy Waterfront
2. Schenectady Greenmarket
3. The Crossings of Colonie

Best Health Food Store – Healthy Living Market & Cafe
1. Honest Weight Food Co-op
2. The Fresh Market
3. Green Grocer

Best Standalone Butcher – Roma, Latham
1. Fred the Butcher
2. The Meat House (Guilderland)
3. Greulichs Market

And there it is folks. Not with a bang, but a whimper. It could be a lot worse. Heck, it was totally a lot worse when I got here. One day a few of the places that are doing truly excellent work will be recognized for their skill and talent on a broader basis.

I just hope and pray that they keep on keeping on while I’m away. Because if I come back and they are gone, there’s going to be hell to pay.