Attention Kmart shoppers!!!
A new modern farm to table restaurant just opened 3 weeks ago in the 12189, actually in the former Latham Kmart, left end where the Garden Center was. There are no Kmarts open anymore in the area.
The place has a modern atmosphere with nice overhanging bar lights, table seating, booths, bar seating, wine rack glass wall, and seating up at the chef's table with a great view of the action in the kitchen. There is an outside garden patio with fireplace. They will have a dessert room too. They also have live music in the bar area, usually on Friday-Saturday evenings.
I made an online reservation for a later seating around 8pm since I had a lot of things to do.
I was seated at a nice table next to the Christmas tree and given a dinner menu and drinks, cocktails, and wine menu. My server Lee arrived promptly and went over the "Blue Light" Specials (without the blue light) such as the Lamb and Swordfish. The dinner menu offers small plates, large plates, salads, and soups. Some plates offered here change often may include French Roast Chicken, NY Strip Steak, Gnocchi, Crispy Seared Striped Sea Bass, Braised Short Rib, Charcuterie Board, Cheese Board, Beef Carpaccio, Oysters, Flatbread, and others. The desserts here are house made by their pastry chef.
I ordered 2 Small Plates including the Chorizo Shrimp ($18 plus tax,) and Raviolo ($18 plus tax). Both small plates were nicely presented and very tasty. The 4 shrimp were very firm and the dish had a good mild spicy flavor, seared Ecuadorian pinks, house made chorizo, smoked paprika garlic broth, arugula, toasted crusty bread. The Raviolo was a fresh pasta pouch filled with house made ricotta & fresh yolk, with jumbo lump crab, asiago cream, crispy leeks on the outside.
I saved room for dessert, but 2 of the items were already sold out including the Campfire Song ($16 - Chocolate sablé tart, southern pecan filling, salted bourbon caramel, dark chocolate, brown butter ice cream) and The Violet B ($20 - Almond Daquoise, huckleberry jam filled cream cheese mousse, meringue, almond ice cream, candied almonds). I decided on the Apple Brioche Pudding ($16 plus tax) which was enough for two people, two soft thick pieces sweet apple cinnamon brioche bread, custard, apple jam, brie, candied pecans, and whipped cream. I was also given 2 complementary macarons. The check was brought over as I finished and it was $56.16 with tax and before tip.
Overall, this was a great meal, just enough food so I didn't need to go boxes. I saw some of the large plates at the next table and the portion sizes were good. The service was professional by my server and Chef Josh came out to say hello to customers. As I mentioned, the menu changes often, so I would definitely return here with my family.
As others have mentioned online, the food here is priced on the higher side for the area, which makes this place the most expensive eatery in the Watervliet, NY zip code and is actually similar to Saratoga Springs and Downtown Boston prices. I will say, you get what you pay for here for a fine dining experience in a non-pretentious casual modern atmosphere and using locally sourced ingredients. I can't wait for the dessert room which is great for people who want to just get dessert and after dinner drinks. Back home, I can still go to The Melting Pot and just order dessert fondue. read more