Chianti (Saratoga Springs)
Chianti gets a lot of love on this Board. SO likes it better than me. We both wish they would take reservations. So we found our way over to Chianti's again . . .
This is what I remember. Our server was excellent. We had a table in a corner and lots of noisy, loud people around us. I was grateful to be in the corner. Now on to the food:
The octopus carpaccio was excellent.
I really enjoyed the polenta and gorgonzola cheese with dandelion greens.
I had a pasta and seafood dish that was okay.
I don't remember what SO had, probably a fish dish. He usually gets a meat dish or veal.
I really want to feel differently about Chianti. Maybe it's better for meat eaters or I don't order the best dishes when I go. My few meals there have not been memorable.
I'll take the Italian food in Schenectady or Troy any day. Where is mother Ferro when you need her?
By financialdistrictresident
on May 14, 2011 10:49 AM
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I think Chianti is OK. I am not familiar with any of the places outisde SS so I can't comment or compare. I never ranted and raved about Chianti, but others want to go, so I go. LOL. I am there during the track season, so I expect certain things. Yes, it's crowded, too crowded for me. I am not talking about the size of the crowd, but for my taste, the tables are too close together and the place is "cramped" so to speak. I think David Zecchini's efforts after he relocated were good -- menu, pricing, etc.
The food IMO is OK. Nothing special. A few times my meal was OK to good. Nothing really memorable, but it was OK.
I like Forno Bistro more. Yes, different kind of place I guess. There are other IItalian restaurants in SS, and of course they are different styles, types, etc.
What other Italian restaurants in SS do you like? Thank you in advance.
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I have not been to Forno Bistro. I don't really think of SS when I want Italian food. I like 28 Tables. Gotchya's and Harvest & Hearth (pizza) on the lake for a casual, inexpensive dinner.
Really looking forward to Capriccio Saratoga . . .
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have you tried pasta pane yet in clifton park? i think we like it best of his three places. still haven't tried cafe capriccio but it's on the list so we are also looking forward to the new location.
sounds like it's time for a get together! :-)
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davmar77, I haven't tried Pasta Pane yet. I think SO's been. I've been to Bellini's. We usually head to Schenectady, Albany or Troy for Italian food . . .A long thread on Schenectady Italian food:
http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/645569
PS The Montreal Board folks have hound get togethers :)
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We've been going to Pasta e Pane with some regularity, halfway between work and home. It has some of the good qualities of Chianti, friendly and attentive service, reliable cooking, a good bar, nice buzz. More of a neighborhood place than a destination, but a very welcome addition among the Clifton Park dining options. Zecchini has put a lot of thought into each of his restaurants, like 'em or not; he's tried to moderate his prices, contributes a portion of the proceeds to a series of charities, which he happily publicizes, gives attention to service and design. I'm very happy he bought the Lum's, years ago, and gradually turned it into the first Chianti.
A get together would be a fine idea; I think there are rules for how to organize 'em, though.
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Finally got to Pasta Pane. Liked it. Good value. Lively place, IMHO better around 8 PM. For Italian in CP much preferred over Bellini's (to be fair, only been a few times) or Wheatfield's (to be fair, been once).
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went to past pane last night. for my app, i had porcini crusted sea scallops with champagne grapes and almonds over an artichoke puree. the grape almond mix was cooked down kind of like a fresh cranberry dressing served warm with the scallops. it was out of this world. this restaurant never disappoints and they hit a home run with this dish.
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Capriccio Saratoga is open now:
http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/795633
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Chianti's will now accept reservations and is on OpenTable.com:
http://www.opentable.com/opentables.a... 7:00:00 PM&scpref=110
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Hi FDR - Just got an email from Chianti's saying that they have a limited number of tables that can be reserved through opentables. Going to 28 tables on Wednesday. Let's see if they have hiked the prices with the Track openning. That is one thing that Chianti has never done. I can't say that for the a lot of SS restaurants.
Oops - I was commenting to your post at the top. When it posted it came to the bottom and I see you already knew about the reservation change. See ya...
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Found some of SO's Chianti leftovers in the fridge. Baby octopus in a red sauce with white beans. The octopus were cooked perfectly, even after re-heating. Very good!
Opening my mind . . .
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That's my usual starter, followed by the grilled bronzino. Tuna carpaccio is good, too; there's a swordfish carpaccio, but I like the tuna better.
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