The best naan bead in the country? Maybe?

Naan is the bomb at Karavalli

Do you enjoy good naan bread as much as I do? Do you live and die by the texture of good naan bread? Really? Me too, how funny. The other day myself and a few of my culinary gifted work cohorts decided on grabbing some Indian food for lunch. If you're ever in Saratoga and your craving some decent Indian, make sure you stop by Karavalli on Caroline Street. (Review to come shortly)

Let's get back to naan bread. So, what makes a good naan? The bread is typically popular in South and Central Asia, Iran and in South Asian restaurants abroad. Generally, it resembles pita bread and, like pita bread, is usually leavened with yeast and unleavened dough  is also used.

Naan is traditionally cooked in a tandoor, or clay oven, from which tandoori cooking takes its name. Cool eh? Modern day recipes sometimes substitute forms of baking powder for the yeast. Yogurt and/or yogurt powder may also be used to give greater volume and thickness to the naan. Typically, it will be served hot and brushed with ghee or butter and can be used as a scoop and or carrier for a filling.

If you've never tried a good naan bread, go out and taste for yourself. It will make the Persian folk very happy.

The Local Pub and Teahouse is offering Growlers you say?

Just add beer

If you live within 10,000 miles of Saratoga Springs, NY and have never been to The Local Pub and Tea House - shame on you. If you've been to The Local Pub and Tea House and have never had the famous fish fry - shame on you again. If you've been there and had one of their clever, crafted beers and the delicious fish fry - you're doing OK.

From The Local's email blast......

Have you ever been to The Local and had a delicious draft beer that you just couldn't get enough of? Have you ever thought, "I wish I could take one of these fresh drafts home." Well, stress no more, because starting Monday we now have Growlers available for you to take home! That's right if you find something you enjoy, why not take some home? Now you can enjoy one of our rare drafts anytime or anyplace you go. So stop in and bring home a taste of The Local today! Great for gifts, BBQ, or sipping on the lake!

So, there you  have it. No excuses. Go get your Growler on.

Is this the best croissant in the world?

Feel the force of the dark side....!

For the folks out there that really know me, I'm a glutton for good croissants - or as the Pompous elite say "Kwessonts". I've traveled all over the country and the world  trying the so-called best croissants and I've luckily awarded that honor to a bakery that's located less than a 1/2 mile from my home. Mrs. London's Bakery and cafe is a world acclaimed Patisserie noted for many of her wondrous pastries and deserts.

What makes a good croissant is that buttery texture and flaky origin that melts in your mouth with every bite. That' exactly what you get with the croissants here. 

One thing that they've done is stick to their guns. According to their website:

Best Ingredients at Whatever the Cost

The notion that "if it ain't broke why fix it?" has never made much sense to us. We've always felt that if there were a better way of making a croissant or if someone showed us a technique that worked better, or we discovered a new way on our own, that we owed it to ourselves and our customers to give them the best we can offer. Moreover, if we didn't, someone else would. And that includes using the best ingredients at whatever the cost. We're convinced that Plugra butter and Valrhona chocolate make a difference in our confections, but we're not stuck on either. Similarly, we use BIODYNAMIC ® and organic grains in our bread. They cost more, but they also taste better. And we're committed to a wholesome and sustainable agriculture.

The problem with many concepts is that they always eventually drift outside of their original essence and culture. You won't find that here, it's commitment remains focused on providing their customers with the gold standard baked goods and breads everyday. If you haven't been, make sure to take a stroll down beautiful Broadway in the heart of Saratoga Springs, NY and make sure you go in with an empty belly.