The Weekend Beofre Thanksgiving
Did I tell you that Mrs. Fussy left me? Again.
Yep. She’s off traveling somewhere in America. I think it’s some big city. And I’m not entirely sure when she’ll be back. I do know that I am 100% responsible for the kids for this weekend. So that is going to put a crimp in what would be my stunning weekend plans.
Sure, Mrs. Fussy will be back. And yes, I never really do anything on Friday nights anyhow. It’s true. And it’s also true that Saturday has to be leaf day. I haven’t raked once this season, and the leaf truck is coming by early next week. Saturday promises to be gorgeous. So while the kids watch hours upon hours of Phineas and Ferb, I’ll be dragging leaves into the street.
Man, being an adult sucks sometimes. But I bet it will suck for many of you too. It’s the last weekend before Thanksgiving. This is when the supermarkets become a complete shitshow as everyone tries to gather all the ingredients they will need to make a Thanksgiving feast. If you’re planning to go to a supermarket this weekend, may God have mercy on your soul.
All that said, there are three events happening this weekend, that you should know about.
Friday
Indian Ladder Farmstead Cidery and Brewery is hosting its Cocktail Kick Off Party. Yelp is a marketing partner for this event too, so I went down to the farm yesterday to drop off some Yelp shot glasses and flasks.
Man, the new space is sweet. The bar is downstairs, underneath the farm store. You can pull in to the east entrance off Altamont road, before you get to the main building. There is parking down there, and a door that will lead you into this basement realm.
They’ve done a great job converting a storage area into a place where you might want to hang out, and drink a beer or two. And now there will be spirits. Albany Distilling Co will be there mixing up cocktails. Sounds like my kind of party.
Saturday
Albany Ale & Oyster is celebrating its two year anniversary. Wait, you say, but isn’t Albany Ale & Oyster a brand new business? No. No, it’s not. It’s just The Beer Belly with a new name. And it’s been two years since the restaurant and bottle shop opened its doors.
They will be selling beer. The beer they will be selling is amazing. Come early, or you’ll miss out. I will probably miss out. But if I can rake like the wind, maybe I can show up and pick up a bottle or two of whatever remains.
Sunday
Wild horses couldn’t keep me away from the very last Rock N Roll Brunch at The Low Beat. This is it. If you’ve ever been curious about what all the fuss is about, your time is up. It’s now or never.
Fortunately, Josh Coletto is bringing out some of the best dishes from over the years. Unfortunately, you won’t be able to eat them all. I’m still torn between the breakfast poutine, the posole roja, and the rocky mountain high version three.
As much as I loved the posole, I have a fighting chance of being able to make that at home. And between you, me, and the wall, I’m hoping to wrangle that recipe from Josh sometime next week. At the moment, the sous vide pork cheek on the rocky mountain high, and the fries with gravy are the most tempting choices for my last Rock N Roll brunch.
Most likely I will have to make a gameday call.
And then it’s Monday again. Next week, I want to talk about my visit to Chester’s Smokehouse, in which I met Chester, ate my way through his smokehouse, and got to see his marvelous toys. There was also a stunning letter sent out by Penzey’s Spices this week, which I think deserves even more attention. Plus, I may have something to say about Thanksgiving.
Have a great weekend. And seriously, unless it’s a dire emergency, avoid the grocery store at all costs.
That letter from Penzey’s (and the subsequent followup on Facebook) was truly remarkable! Can’t wait for them to reopen in Stuyvesant Plaza.
“As much as I loved the posole, I have a fighting chance of being able to make that at home.”
Exactly what I was thinking! If you need (canned) white hominy, the only place I’ve been able to find it lately is the Shop Rite in Slingerlands.
Kerosena, you might want to also try La Mexicana Grocery in Schenectady, I can’t recall if I’ve seen it there. I haven’t yet been to Oaxaquena Triqui in Albany to see what they carry, but a call to either of these places could save you a trip.
I find canned white and yellow hominy at Walmart super centers and various sized Price Choppers.
I’ve found the dried hominy in some Goya sections (those with larger selections) and find it superior to canned, although it takes soaking, of course.
There is also a supply that would list many lifetimes at La Mexicana in Schenectady.
Market 32 in Latham has it…as does Walmart
I too am a left behind home-alone husband for the weekend. This gave me the opportunity to make a big pot of New England Fish Chowda, something she won’t touch. First time using steaks, not fillet. A good opportunity to use some of the ghost pepper I grew this summer.