Event Recaps

A New York State of Mind
Article by Christina L. Richards, vice chargée de medias sociaux
and William M. Harris, bailli

On Sunday June 24, 2018, 41 Chaîne members and guests attended a New York State themed dinner at Chez Mike in East Greenbush, NY. The restaurant is situated in a strip mall nestled between a Sherwin Williams Paint store on one side and a dental clinic on the other, hardly the site for fine dining one might think, but after ...

Irouléguy for Dummies
Article and Photos by William M. Harris, bailli

Under the skillful guidance of Vice Echanson Michael Thomson, our Mondiale events have become an educational opportunity as we are introduced to wines heretofore unknown to most of us. On June 19, 2018, Dr. Thomson continued this exploration at the Cuckoo’s Nest Restaurant in Albany for 22 adventurous Mondiale members and guests. How this all came about is best expressed in our Vice Echanson’s brilliant invitation letter, a portion of ...

[forged, farmed, fished]
Article by William M. Harris, bailli

It is always a pleasant surprise when we encounter gourmet fare in unlikely places. This was indeed the case when 37 Chaine members and guests enjoyed our April 22nd dinner at [forged] Restaurant in a markedly unique venue, namely Hudson Falls, a sleepy village of some 7,000 souls located about 50 miles north of Albany. Vice Chargée de Médias Sociaux Christina L. Richards and Maître Rôtisseur Andrew J. Richards opened [forged] in the ...

A club where there is no “white wine”
Article by Christina Richards, vice chargée de medias sociaux

On Sunday, February 18, 2018, 29 Albany Chaîne des Rôtisseurs members and 16 guests were welcomed to a handsome brick building on Washington Avenue in Albany, home to the historic Fort Orange Club. In July of 1880, the Albany Evening Times opined “there was not a clubhouse in the country more pleasantly located, appropriately and richly furnished”. A club of “elevated character, worthy of ...

Feast of the Seven Fishes at Café Capriccio

Article and Photos by William Harris, bailli

A late cancellation by an Albany restaurant (whose identity will not be disclosed) forced us to scramble for another venue in a hurry or risk losing our December 3rd date. Maître Rôtisseur Jim Rua rose to the challenge and orchestrated his version of “Festa Dei Sette Pesci” or, for those not fluent in Italian, the Feast of the Seven Fishes. This is a traditional meal celebrated by ...

Albany Chaine Cruise to Nassau, Bahamas

Article and Photos by William Harris, bailli

On November 11, 2017, 12 intrepid voyageurs from the Albany Bailliage departed on a liquor laden luxury bus and headed south to Port Liberty, New Jersey to board Royal Caribbean’s leviathan Anthem of the Seas. Our destination was Nassau, Bahamas, with stops at Cape Canaveral and Coco Bay along the way, but as they say, getting there is half the fun. One advantage of a mega liner is the ...

A Culinary Journey from the Queen of Lakes to the King of France

Article by Christina Richards, vice chargée de media sociaux

Photos by William Harris, bailli

Chevalier Victor Gush had raved about the food at the Lake George Club, a venerable private club on the shores of Lake George, and this enticed us to make the hour and a quarter journey north to see what all the fuss was about. An enthusiastic Tony DeStratis, the longtime Executive Chef at the club, promised ...

Induction Dinner

Article by William M. Harris, bailli

Albany induction dinners are always special occasions and our 2017 event was no exception. On Sunday, May 7th some 64 members and guests assembled at the Empire State Plaza to enjoy a seven course feast.  But wait, we are getting ahead of ourselves.

The Champagne reception was held on the observation deck of the Corning Tower, the tallest building in perhaps 100 miles. From 42 stories up, Chaine members and guests were treated to spectacular ...

It’s All Greek to Me

Article and Photos by William M. Harris, bailli

On Sunday, March 19, 2017, 48 members and guests of the Albany Chaine convened at Athos Restaurant in Guilderland, NY, just outside of the Albany city limits. The kitchen is overseen by the unflappable Lou Agostinello, a CIA trained Executive Chef. Chef Lou has worked under some of the finest chefs in the country, including Albany’s own Certified Master Chef and Maitre Rotisseur, Dale Miller. While Athos is unquestionably a Greek Restaurant, Chef Lou, who is skilled in the cuisines ...