12: things can change so quickly
I started drafting this edition before Tuesday’s Election Night results (or non-results,) wanting to capture the moment before we knew what the next four years might bring. While this space is not exclusively political, but will also inform the country's leadership during the current pandemic.
Over the weekend, the jubilation turned into extreme stress as COVID-19 cases have significantly impacted the restaurant community in both the Berkshires, Capital Region, and beyond. New York State rolled out new guidance for restaurants and in-home gatherings starting yesterday, which match closely to those in Massachusetts.
Many of my friends and I have been affected by these new cases locally and are taking a beat to make sure we are ok, and quickly have moved back to quarantine life at home. This shift made me also take a moment to reflect on what to say here. For now, it's about focusing on food, the people behind it, and spaces and products that can give us a little joy in the kitchen (or on the plate). What would you like to see? I created a Google Form for readers to share would like to see, especially in light of recent lockdowns.
Restaurant Notes:
The Berkshires
Due to the recent rise in cases in the city of Pittsfield, local dining restrictions roll back to take-out and delivery only.
Pittsfield-based BBQ restaurant Food & Wine included Smokey Divas and founders of 92nd Sauce (barbeque sauce) in their piece "The Best Barbecue in Every State." Congrats to Lorraine, Penny, and Olivia! Keep up with their take-out options and news over on their Instagram account and Facebook.
A-OK Berkshire BBQ is offering a new way for customers to give back. “Feed it Forward According to a recent Instagram post “These meals are then distributed, every week to local charities, who will pass them on to those who are hungry right now.” Click here to place an order for those in need. Thanks again to friend Darcie Sosa for putting this on my radar.
The Capital Region
While you will always find some of my favorites in the 518, if you are looking to do a deep dive in food in the Capital Region, the Facebook group 518 Foodies may be a useful resource. With almost 36k members, if you are looking for a specific type of food in the area, it is a massive resource.
In Troy, The Taproom at 518 Craft is now featuring chocolatier Primo Botánica and Alias Coffee Roasters. They will be having a socially distanced opening on the 25th, but check out these two small businesses out online in mean time for pickup or takeout sales.
Saratoga’s Broadway Deli has graciously offering a free roasted chicken to families in need between now and 12/31. Just call, leave a message with your information and when you need it by, no questions asked. Please refer to this Facebook post for more.
What I'm cooking/eating/reading/thinking:
Pasta! A friend gifted us a pasta extruder attachment to our mixer, and there has been a lot of bucatini, rigatoni, and other extruded pasta in my house right now. Dinner lately has been some of that with a spicy Amatriciana sauce from the region of Lazio.
This beer writer is getting into wine! Lately, I'm reconnecting with my love of Lambrusco. I've been holding on to a bottle from my trip to Modena from Giacobazzi, and based on the advice of wine writer Julia Coney I'll be pairing it with some spicy food. I know some fabulous wine writers who are subscribers, so I'll put out there that I'm *new* to this, but I'll share some of my learnings here.
I was excited to learn I had made it in Samer Khudairi's Best in 2020 Critic's List on Craft Beer & Brewing as someone to pay attention to in craft beer. It means a lot for someone to see what you're doing and call you out for it. Thank you, Samer!
I also encourage you to share what you’d like to see again on the Newsletter Feedback Form. This has been a wonderful outlet, and I’d like to bring as much value as I can.
If you have a spot you think should be featured, food news to share, or great food in the Berkshires or Capital Region, please email me at thestephanita@gmail.com or message me on Instagram at StephanitaEats.