Not Eggs Benny with Emily: Cock N’ Bull
Sometimes when you need something, the universe delivers.
Here I am, weary from travel and in a strange new land, and Emily sends me a guest post by email. It’s not even a brunch post, so I don’t even feel compelled to save it until Friday. Plus it has a cheeky title.
I don’t know if I could go to a place called the Cock N’ Bull without giggling. But Emily did. And she filed this report.
When a restaurant is worth the drive
Yes, I know. Another eggs benedict-less post. But between work and personal trips, I haven’t had too much time to get my brunch on in Albany (but did brunch out of town). However, this summer has been filled with hitting many restaurants on my bucket list; those places you hear so much about, but never find a reason to drive out to. But isn’t food enough of an excuse to travel?
Recently, I joined friends for a dinner at The Cock N’ Bull in Galway, located in Saratoga County. I have to confess; I had never been to Galway before. The drive was very scenic, but rural; we only passed one stoplight in our drive. Opened over 40 years ago, this barn turned restaurant has been through several renovations and upgrades. However, the food quality and service has made this a destination for visitors and residents across the region.
The menu relies heavily on meat and seasonal ingredients. While there is a standard menu, The Cock N’Bull is well known for their daily specials. We headed their on Monday; by 7 pm, they were already sold out of several of the night’s specials. Not terribly hungry, I decided to opt for a salad. My friends order two of the specials of the night; the wagyu beef and the seafood bisque.
Service was slow, but it let us enjoy the copy atmosphere. Surrounded by wood panels, comfy chairs, and a fireplace, this is a restaurant to dine in, not simply to eat (as part of Daniel’s larger debate). We were served warm crusty homemade bread with fresh butter. Dinner was served and we got down to the business of eating.
Salads at restaurants can be hit or miss. This one hit the target. Using local fresh greens, heirloom tomatoes, local blue cheese, and grilled chicken, this one of the best salads I have had this summer season. The chicken was perfectly cooked and full of flavor; the blue cheese was strong and complimented the chicken perfectly. My friends’ dishes were also phenomenal; the wagyu was like nothing I ever had before and the chowder was filled with seafood.
The Cock N’ Bull is a special restaurant well worth the drive. By using local ingredients, working with local farms, and changing the menu based on what is available, it is made Galway a destination for those who enjoy food, good service, and a dining experience.
Now, where should my next food road trip be in the Capital Region? Tell me your favorite food destination and why it is worth the trip.
That is an interesting question. It sounds like Emily is looking for places on the fringes of the region. Outside of Hudson there are some great places worthy of exploring. But I have to confess I haven’t been to many of them myself.
Heck, I haven’t even been to The Bear’s Steakhouse, which I’ve come to learn is more about the experience than the food itself. But I’m up for paying to get a glimpse of a bygone era in upstate dining. At least once. Especially if I can do it with good friends.
Surely there are other suggestions for Emily. What say you?
FUSSYlittleBLOG 
Waiting for the trip to Bear’s, which I believe was discussed around January. Priorities! And for you, it’s not out of the way at all… jus a quick hop down Western Ave.
La Cosina Mexicana in Queensbury http://www.lacosinamexicanarestaurant.com
Outside it’s an off-putting cinderblock building. Inside it’s an explosion of fun, hand-painted color. Like the mexican version of Dorothy entering Oz. We found this place by accident one day and it’s our favorite mexican joint. Family owned, excellent home cooking made to order, warm & friendly service. Everything we’ve tried has been excellent: the enchiladas mole poblano (oh that mole sauce!), the black bean soup, beef burrito, everything. Love, love, love the fresh salsa and chips that appear on the table.
So much about food and dining is personal preference. For our family, LaCosina beats LaMexicana in Schenectady and Oaxaquena Triqui in Albany, hands down for the food, atmosphere, and service. For us, it’s well worth the drive, though we visit the Lake George area enough that we rarely need to make a special trip.
The Bears quickly came to mind for me as a destination, though I was only there once 20 years ago.
We were absolutely blown away by the Owl at Twilight up near Pottersville / Schroon Lake – though that is more of a fine dining place.
I wanted to visit The Bears for years — and when I did, I walked away disappointed. It was unreasonably expensive and the food was not spectacular. Yes, the meat was good and plentiful — but for what you paid? Not worth it. As for the atmosphere, it’s nothing special and the service bordered on weird.
Maybe I went on the wrong night, but it left me wondering about the people who rave about that place. Are they the same folks who come back from a cruise and talk about how good the good was? Perhaps.