Thanks to these local culinary exploratory bloggers, we no longer have to “guess and check” when it comes to great dining in the Capital Region or in our own kitchen! Here we give a nod to our favorite foodie blogs so you can give them a read and bookmark them for your next kitchen experiment or Pinterest board.
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Blog: FUSSYlittleBLOG
In One Word: Fussy.
In Many Words: Daniel Berman is a food critic of conviction. He sets the bar high for what should be considered “quality food.” He is passionate about quality local cuisine, and his blog is a colorful expression of his never-settle-for-less approach toward food. Fussy Little Blog will raise your standards and challenge you to look at food with a more distinguishing palate.
Snapshot Post Quote: “One stick of butter later and I had everything I needed.”
Site: http://fussylittleblog.com/
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Blog: Albany Eats!
In One Word: Comfort.
In Many Words: Written unapologetically casual. Expect phrases like “really awesome” and short, simple sentences. Blogger Jane knows her stuff though, and intersperses restaurant critique with stories of her own foray into baking and cooking in posts like “How To Roast A Rack of Lamb.”
Snapshot Post Quote: “More people means I can order wings and they can help me eat it.”
Site: http://albanyeats.blogspot.com/
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Blog: The Ridiculous Food Society of Upstate New York
In One Word: Real.
In Many Words: This guy (Mr. Dave of Delmar) is hilarious, and tells you about the things you can relate to. He gives recipes you will actually use on a regular basis. Smattered throughout are also refreshing posts on stories and tips that are just enjoyable to read recreationally, including an entry on a dive bar game he created called “Chardonnay-ing.”
Snapshot Post Quote: “Tremble in fear of my hot dog skills.”
Site: http://www.ridiculousfoodsociety.com
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Blog: Table Hopping
In One Word: Thorough.
In Many Words: Steve Barnes is a known name for food critique and restaurant news in the Capital Region, although there is more of the latter. A staff blogger for the Times Union, expect less of cooking and personal posts, and more restaurant/food news and some serious food reviews mostly from Bryan Fitzgerald. News posts give you straight-forward information from himself and the writers under him. Expect re-posts from national food news as well.
Snapshot Post Quote: “Call for more information.”
Site: http://blog.timesunion.com/tablehopping/
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Blog: Treats Eats And Repeats
In One Word: Well-Designed
In Many Words: Christin Pickett has a background in restaurant management and now uses her passion for local business to give tips and reviews on local eats and events. She doesn’t infuse much extreme food knowledge into her writing, so luckily for the common man, her posts are as easy to read as Yelp reviews. Web designer Eric Harrison has pitched in to turn this food blog into a resource that is easy on the eyes and pleasurable to discover.
Snapshot Post Quote: “Lisa’s salad came with their house dressing and had radishes and lots of other color.”
Site: http://www.treatseatsandrepeats.com/
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Blog: AllOverAlbany
In One Word: Interesting
In Many Words: The food section of this site, edited by Mary Darcy and Greg Dahlmann, features reviews by Jeff Janssens as well. The blog is a perfect balance of food news (only the information you need), interviews, re-tweeted question and answers and reviews. Using posts from chef’s Facebook pages, news from places like Gourmet magazine, first-look interviews and knowledge of the area, this blog comes together as a real knowledgeable voice in the Albany food world.
Snapshot Post Quote: “All the elements combined with a burst of runny yolk from the fried egg is a little like tasting Beethoven’s symphony.”
Site: http://alloveralbany.com/tags/food
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Blog: Average Joe
In One Word: Average
In Many Words: Average Joe blogs in third person and makes it known he is not here for fancy dinners and apple foam puree, just good food. Joe seems like your local guy bud, just letting you know where to get the best burger. He’s not writing from press releases or media pitches and not interested in the newest restaurants. Expect a look into random places he discovers and how to order a great sandwich at the local deli.
Snapshot Post Quote: “Tell them Average Joe sent you.”
Site: http://traveragejoe.blogspot.com/
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Blog: Albany Dish
In One Word: Smart
In Many Words: These bloggers know how to blog correctly, and for the most part remain anonymous (besides referring to each other or guests with their initials or as “Zena, Goddess of Fire”). Reviews are generally knowledgeable, but it’s the cooking posts that really set them apart. These guys are a bit of culinary nerds who know what they are talking about, so expect phases like “I calibrated my oven by melting sugar only to discover it was running 44 degrees below the set point” and “I can now calculate the number of molecules of glutenin in chocolate chip cookies.”
Snapshot Post Quote: “Squirters!! (There’s no translation for this. Really.)”
Site: http://albanydish.blogspot.com/
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Blog: Capital Region Dining Blog
In One Word: Cute
In Many Words: Written by husband and wife team Scott Lemieux, a political science assistant professor, and art lover “Ms. Garlic,” this blog combines both colloquial accounts of food in the region, with advanced recipes and deep thoughts courtesy of Ms. Garlic.
Snapshot Post Quote: “Last night was the last episode of Bridezillas ever, how is that even possible?”
Site: http://capitalregiondiningblog.blogspot.com/
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Well, there you have it, foodies, our take on the best local food blogs. Now, go explore the digital world of local food! Can you think of one we missed? Tell us in the comments below!
It’s not technically “capital region,” but Glens Falls Gourmet is a great blog by a few different Glens Falls ladies who give recipe ideas you can make at home and they also go out and do restaurant reviews. https://www.glensfalls.com/gourmet