5 things we're loving right now in the Capital Region

Hey 518 readers, FOMO alert: If you missed our Sundae Morning cafe popup this past weekend, you missed a really lovely gathering. More than 70 folks came out to celebrate National Ice Cream Day at our home. Stay tuned for the next Sundae Morning, happening sometime in September.

Our next event is The 518 Dinner Club, taking place in downtown Troy on Wednesday, July 29, at 6:30 pm. Seats are filling up fast, and bookings will close soon.

It’s a delicious way to make new friends in the 518. Mimi Evans, who came out to Sundae Morning, told us that she’s gone to every Dinner Club. “I still stay in touch with the people from our first dinner. We have a group chat!” Bravo, Mimi 👏 That’s exactly why we started the dinner club.

Today, we’re getting back to a regular feature we haven’t done in a hot minute—5 things we’re loving right now in the Capital Region. Enjoy!

5 things we’re loving right now 🏆️ 

Here are some awesome things in the Capital Region catching our attention at the moment…

🥞 Little City Lunchonette

Yes, it lives up to the hype. Brought to you by the folks behind Albany Ale & Oyster, Little City Lunchonette may be the best brunch spot in Albany right now, rivaling an old favorite—the Iron Gate Cafe. Everything here is thoughtfully prepared and just so good, like the City Style buttermilk pancakes. They also have a few hard-to-find menu items definitely worth trying: Dutch babies, made-from-scratch pot pies (only 12 per day!), latkes, and matzo ball soup. Here’s a look at the menu. Be prepared for a wait on the weekends.

🦪 The $1 oysters at Jack’s / Ale & Oyster

For just a $1 per oyster, you can experience one of the prettiest restaurants in town—Jack’s Oyster House. The special is offered all day at the bar. Get two dozen for $24, some fries, a couple of drinks, and it's an elegant but casual date night that won’t completely break the bank. By comparison, we were in Los Angeles for a business trip recently and spent $48 on a dozen oysters—and the whole dinner was very meh. The other place to get the $1 oyster special is at Albany Ale & Oyster—Sundays only. Pair it with a cold craft brew on the patio and it’s perfection👌 

🍰 Chateau Homemade Bakery

Asian desserts are having a moment. The mango sticky rice sundae at Cafe Panna in NYC is drawing huge lines every day. Locally, we’re drawn to the elegant Vietnamese desserts coming out of Chateau Homemade Bakery—”made with sweet love, baked with Asian soul.” At the TroyAsia night market in May, they were one of the first vendors to sell out. Try the pandan honeycomb cake or cookies with unique Asian flavors. Better yet, take home one of their Cake Boxes to sample a bunch of their sweets. On Saturday, find Chateau Bakery at the Niskayuna Farmers Market, and the Schenectady Greenmarket on Sunday.

👗 Big Emotions Studio

The whole vintage / thrift trend is on fire. One of our favorite new discoveries is Big Emotions Studio, a new shop at 296 Delaware Avenue in Albany. In fact, we invited them to join our Sundae Morning cafe popup this past weekend. Lovingly curated by Jammella Anderson, a Black queer activist known for their free food fridges, Big Emotions Studio is a whole vibe—part shop, gallery, and sewing studio. The focus here is on truly rare vintage gems, not just old stuff. Expect prices to match.   

🕹️ Troy Rewind

Seriously, why do all of the coolest things pop up in Troy? Troy Rewind is an arcade bar and retro lounge where you can drink adult beverages and play vintage arcade games, all day for $12. You’ll find games in the Pac-Man, Donkey Kong, and Mortal Kombat era, plus classic Atari and Nintendo consoles. We absolutely love that they have real pinball machines—an old childhood favorite. They’re also putting on some cool events, like a Y2K Rewind Night (that’s tonight!) and Christmas in July on Sunday. Don’t forget the full bar with fun arcade-themed drinks.

🍪 The brand-new Scotia Sweets Drive-Thru at 35 Freemans Bridge Road in Schenectady soft-opened on Monday—and it’s absolutely adorable. The whole butter-yellow vibe is 🤌. Get there for cold brew coffee, and giant cookies and pastries.

☕️ Also just opened is Cafe 66 on State Street in downtown Albany, serving coffee, pastries, breakfast and lunch. You might know them because they supply the bread and desserts for Jack’s Oyster House, The Vault and Izakaya.

🌴 The Verandah, a new Jamaican restaurant in downtown Troy inspired by the flavors, hospitality, and culture of the islands, is celebrating its grand opening at 1 pm Friday, with festivities going until 10 pm. On the menu is Caribbean comfort food: Jerk wings, curry and brown stew chicken, slow-braised oxtail, and fried snapper. Yum! The interior looks upscale, too.

🍕Pizzeria Mari in Troy got a rave review in the TU. Of course, loyal readers of The 518 know that we profiled them back in January, calling the artisan pies from Alex Chronopoulos our new favorite pizza in the 518.

We can’t get enough of these solid historic homes. It’s the rich textures that make this brick beauty in the Village of Athens so special, from the well-worn wide-plank flooring to the lush, Insta-ready hand-plastered walls. Other standout details include the graceful arches and marble backsplash quarried from the Alford Marble Works. Upgraded electric and plumbing seal the deal. The home is just two blocks from a marina and kayak put-in, and a stone’s throw from Hudson, the Amtrak and the Thruway.

The deets: 3 bd, 1 ba, 2711 sf. Asking: $535,000. Days on market: 4. See the full listing here.

THIS WEEK’S TOP 5 PICKS

⭐️ 🎸 Get to Schenectady’s Music Haven for the WEXT Local 518 Music Fest, featuring some of our favorite local talents, including Sirsy, Shannon Tehya, Alec Lewis Group, The Sugar Hold, and more! The first 250 attendees get a free festival t-shirt, btw. Sat, 2-9:30p, free.

⭐️ 🎤 Wha?? Wu-Tang Clan in Albany? Ghostface Killah closes out the Capital Concert Series at the Empire State Plaza with a local DJ battle. Wed, 5:30-8p, free. Afterparties at the Fuze Box and Lost & Found.

⭐️ 💐 Pick up to 18 stems to put together your own stunning summer bouquet at the Forts Ferry Farm Bouquet Bar. Plus, shop the Mini Market and find your next summer read at the Dilly Dally Books popup. The flowers are in full bloom, so this is a terrific time to visit this charming farm in Latham. Sat, 10a-12p, $20 per bouquet.

⭐️🪁 This looks really fun. June Farms invites you to bring your own kite to its first-ever Kite Festival. Come enjoy a lovely summer day on the 120-acre reality-show famous farm, drink some craft brew, and watch the kids (and kids-at-heart) send their kites soaring into the air. Sat, 11a-4p, $11.65. Btw, the Mamma Mia screening and sing-along later in the evening looks like a blast as well.

⭐️ 🎡 Now in its 82nd year, the Punkintown Fair in Voorheesville is classic Americana. Think carnival rides, greasy fair food, cold beer and wine slushies, and a fireworks show to cap off the night. Best of all, admission is free. Thu-Sat, 11a-6p, free.

SUMMER FUN

🎡 The Saratoga County Fair opens today. Get there for classic summertime fun, carnival rides, and animals.

SHOUTOUTS

🖼️ Context Collective is inviting artists to submit work that “explores the narrative potential of environments” as part of its Set a Scene exhibition.

🦺 Citizen Preparedness Corps is coming to Albany, thanks to the Love Your Block Program. Each family that attends the Preparedness Workshop will receive a handy preparedness kit to take home. Don’t delay, register for this free workshop today.

WEDNESDAY

🪕 Bluegrass and roots stars Alison Krauss & Union Station play Albany’s Palace Theatre.

THURSDAY

👩‍🎨 Get to Context Collective for the ΕΛΕΥΘΕΡΙΑ Artist Talk with photographer Kiki Vassilakis.

🖼️ Tang Museum director Ian Berry will lead the Curator’s Tour of Kathy Butterly: Assume Yes.

FRIDAY

🎸 Legendary Pink Floyd tribute band Run Rabbit Run drops into Saratoga’s Putnam Place.

SATURDAY

⭐️ 🎸 Rockin on Burden Lake is a family-friendly affair featuring the Spider Murphy Band, food trucks, and plenty of swimming under the hot sun. Also on the bill: Ken & Billy Cioffi, The Brit Beat Band, and Shut Up Sam. Sat, kicks off at 1p, $20 (free for kids 12 and under).

💃 The Havana Night Summer Series at Wolf Hollow Brewing Company in Schenectady brings a free salsa lesson (zero experience necessary) and dancing until 10 pm! Btw, Wolf Hollow’s new Scotia taproom is now open.

🏃‍♂️ Remember kickball? Kicking It for a Cause brings the first annual Kickball Tournament to Albany’s Lincoln Park to support youth programs and the fight against cancer. Free.

🏳️‍🌈 A Big Gay Market presents the Summer Sapphic Market at Saratoga Arts, featuring 23 curated vendors, live print making, and a sapphic open poetry mic! After the market, head out to Congress Park for a "gay-ass picnic” 😂 

🎭️ Watch improv teams duke it out for laughs and bragging rights with full audience participation at Mopco’s Theatresports!

🎸 Trampled by Turtles, with special guests Richy Mitch & The Coal Miners, plays the Frog Alley Summer Stage. Annie in the Water also performs at the afterparty.

SUNDAY

🌭 All dogs will be celebrated at Nine Pin’s Hot Summer Dog event. Amy Z. Photography will be capturing shots of your 4-legged BFFs, plus Piece of Heaven will be serving up their specialty dogs. Remember that 518 readers always get 10% off all cider pours by mentioning “The 518 Crew.”

🌿 Bring the kiddos to the Eco-Art Event at the Schenectady JCC to learn about nature and sustainability through the lens of art.

ART ON VIEW

Our music listings are now published separately on The 518 website. Click here.

GET YOUR EVENT ON THE LIST 🎸

Our rolling deadline is the Saturday before your event!

 💌 GET IN TOUCH!

Got an awesome business, event or personality we should feature? Let us know! Contact: [email protected]