Author Archives: Carmen's Bistro

Bringing you Specials and Events from Carmen’s Cafe, a Cuban-American Bistro in the Heart of South Troy

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SensemayaSensemaya Trio Plays Carmen’s

This Friday, September 26 — Shows @ 6 & 8, $5 cover each

One of the greatest Latin bands around, and they are coming to Carmen’s Friday!

Interesting—  Sensemaya and Mundo Nuevo share Walter Ramos (second from left)

Wanna dance? Great music. Wanna listen? ditto.

Gambas al Ajillo Grilled Jumbo Shrimp in a garlic and wine sauce over cous cous

Gambas al Ajillo
Grilled Jumbo Shrimp in a garlic and wine sauce over cous cous

—Tapas Specials for Friday 9/26 Troy Night Out

Pan Seared Tilapia w/ Garlic-Wine-Cilantro Sauce over Saffron Rice

Gambas al Ajillo Grilled Jumbo Shrimp in a garlic and wine sauce over cous cous

Braised Beef Short Ribs over mashed potatoes

Pernil Pulled Pork over saffron rice w/chimichurri sauce

Desserts: expanded offerings:

Flan

Apple Bread Pudding

Key Lime Pie

Rawspberry Chocolate Cake

Full Tapas Menu Here

Full Upcoming Events Calendar Here

Love Live Music? Mark your Calendar Now:

Mundo Nuevo – 10/24
Elizabeth Kasius & Heard– 11/21
The Nellies – Victorian Stroll
Mundo Nuevo – 12/19

Tapas¡Lunch! We make it great, fresh cooked and tasty!

Cubano Sandwich: by popular demand— pork, ham & swiss w/ mustard & pickle on Cuban bread

Picadillo

Check out our full menu!

Though for a real treat, come in and see what’s on our Specials Board

Perfect Omelets

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Like our Harvest Omelette: butternut squash, slightly firm yet roasted sweet, dusted with cinnamon; with herbed ricotta and cheddar cheeses.

Add Plantains and Rock Hill Bakery toast. It doesn’t get better!

Ride Bikes with the Mayor / Freedom Square Free concert / Mouth-Watering Specials

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Squash-Rules

Thurs. Sept. 18 to Sun. Sept. 21 Take the challenge!

Anonymous Donor Puts Up Long Green for Bike Racks
Ride with the Mayor: noon Thurs. 10/2 from Monument Square
A heartfelt donor came back from health problems by riding a bike, and wanted to give something back at the same time as he showed others a key to health— exercise.

Our anonymous donor put up $1000 for bike racks for Troy. “Troy has none!” he moaned. “Get some already! You want people should just flop their bikes on the sidewalk? What is this, third grade!???!?”

The details were quickly dumped on Andrea Davis, who doesn’t have enough to do already. She is hunting down matching funds so we have more reach with this generosity, plus figuring out who and how and all the other questions.

Here’s the skinny— We need 50 people to ride their bike to work or school for a week, starting with the PreRamble Festival on September 27. Email Andrea at diyRestoreit@gmail.com to register, or stop by the Transport Troy table at the Farmer’s Market. You’ll get a chance for a free kayak paddle at the PreRamble when you sign up. Plus a 45 minute ride with Mayor Lou Rosamilia on 10/2!

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PreRamble 2  Sept. 27

  • Free Helmets for Kids
  • Bike Safety Course
  • Free Bike Tuneups
  • Walking and Biking Tours of Washington Park, the Burden Iron Works Museum and the New Riverfront Trail

Upstate Kayak Rentals will bring their boats to the Troy Boat Launch at Ingalls Ave for the PreRamble 2.  Rent a boat for $10 an hourStoryHarvest:  Finishing up with Free Concerts at Freedom Square

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StoryHarvest 3:30-6 September 27 at Freedom Square

Free concert featuring Nation Beat plus Alex Torres and his Latin Orchestra
Chef’s Consortium prepares healthy food for a free community meal

How many different ways can you say free in one story? But it’s all wonderful and all free!

Help out w/ food donations: have extra fruit or veggies from your garden? Bring them to the Sanctuary for Independent Media, 3361 6th Ave N. Troy, Fri., 9/26 noon-4 or Sat. 9/27 from 8am-noon.

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New Breakfast Special: Desayuno de Reyes

And this Desayuno (breakfast) is sure fit for a Rey (that’s king!
Two Eggs Over, topped with Pico (diced pickled peppers, but that’s another story for bedtime) on Veggie Hash, with sides of Croquettas and Fried Green Tomatoes.

Then jazz it up with a Cuban Coffee— a Cortado!

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¡Lunch! We make it great, fresh cooked and tasty!

Cubano Sandwich by popular demand— pork, ham & swiss w/ mustard & pickle on Cuban bread

Picadillo

Check out our full menu!

Though for a real treat, come in and see what’s on our Specials Board

~

—Tapas Friday

Gambas al Ajillo Grilled Jumbo Shrimp in a garlic and wine sauce over cous cous

Braised Beef Short Ribs over mashed potatoes

Pernil Pulled Pork over saffron rice w/chimichurri sauce

Mejillones en Salsa Verde Mussels sauteed in a garlic-parsley green sauce

Cortado Art

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Cortado ArtIs it a hooded disciple of the famed South Troy Yogini?
Or a perfect rose? And which would be more emblematic of the spirituality manifesting now in South Troy?

This South Troy Bistro is full of Spirit, or at least full of something, this week. You decide, we just present That Which Comes Forth. And take a look at what’s coming forth from our kitchen these days:

New Breakfast Special:

Breakfast of Kings
–Desayuno de Reyes

Gentle blend of flavors, tangy and sweet and sharp and spicy. Keeps you reigning all day, without raining on your parade!

Desayuno de ReyesDesayuno de Reyes
And this Desayuno (breakfast) is sure fit for a Rey (that’s king!
Two Eggs Over, topped with Pico (diced pickled peppers, but that’s another story for bedtime) on Veggie Hash, with sides of Croquettas and Fried Green Tomatoes.

Then jazz it up with a Cuban Coffee— a Cortado!

Yogini Discovered in South Troy Garden

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YoginiSouth Troy has been called many things,
but never Divine

Visitation to South Troy Bistro Causes Stir

Bistro Owner Carmen Gonzalez was cutting into a garden fresh sweet pepper Tuesday when she was stopped in her tracks. “I almost dropped the knife on my toe. I just couldn’t believe it!” said the restauranteur.

There, in the heart of the pepper, was a Yogini!

She noted that Albanians, living in the shadow of the State Capital or near the Governor’s Mansion, are used to visits from the Divine. South Trojans have not been so lucky— until now.

The Yogini, an emanation of the feminine aspect of the Divine, appears deep in meditation, bowed over in an attitude of worship. Or bent backwards, gazing in awe at the Heavens. It is said that divine Beings appear differently to everyone.

I picked up my spoon and stirred the picadillo for all I was worth,” said breathless Carmen. “When you are blessed, you cook while the griddle is hot!

Ms. Gonzalez later confessed she learned that saying from her mother.

Pico Express

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Chopped Pickled Peppers and Manchego Cheese, cooked to perfection. Garnish just so, add the sweetest, crispiest plantains you will ever taste, and a ramekin of Pineapple Slaw.

A breakfast to die for!

Cortado & Cubano

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What a lunchtime combo— a Cubano sandwich, with its long marinated, slow roasted pork shoulder playing off the pickle, ham & Swiss.

Break up that savory flavor with sips of a Cortado: the special blend of espresso is roasted for flavor, not burnt, and sweetened with naturally caramelized steamed milk.

This one features a perfect rose!

Tapas Specials / Expanded Dessert Offerings / Fall Music / Chardapalooza

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TapasFriday Tapas
 Specials

Pan Seared Halibut w/ Chopped Chard-Tomato Ragu & pineapple cilantro slaw

Roasted Vegetarian Napoleon w/ Roasted Red Pepper Coulis & Sautéed Swiss Chard

Costillitas de Cerdo— Cuban Spare Ribs w/ pineapple guava glaze

Pan Seared Beef Tournados w/ apple brandy cream sauce.  Tomato Jam w/ potato hash & sautéed chard

Cubano Sandwich by popular demand—  pork, ham & swiss w/ mustard & pickle on Cuban bread

Picadillo

~ Full Tapas Menu ~

DessertsExpanded Dessert Offerings:

Flan

Key Lime Pie

Chocolate Raspberry Cake

Carrot Cake

ChardChardapalooza!

Rainbow, Dinosaur, and Swiss Chard, Fresh Grown & Organic! What’s to become of it?

 A great veggie special, that’s what! Come in Friday for 
Roasted Vegetarian Napoleon.

also on the menu:

Cuban Sliders topped w/ caramelized onions & avocado

Picadillo

Music This Fall

Sensemaya – 9/19
Mundo Nuevo – 10/24
Elizabeth Kasius & Heard – 11/21
The Nellies – Victorian Stroll, 12/7
Mundo Nuevo – 12/19

~ Bookmark the Upcoming Events Calendar ~

Cuban Spare Ribs

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R-r-r-r-ibs! Need some spares? We got em!

Topped w/ guava-pineapple glaze. I’m having mine with Cuban Mashed Sweet Potatoes

Weekend Menu Served All Week / Friday Tapas Specials / Fall Music Calendar

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Weekend Breakfast Menu Served All Week!

And why shouldn’t we serve it all the time, when our scrumptious breakfasts are what first made Carmen’s famous? Any time you want Huevos Flamencos, Cuban Eggs, Flan French Toast or a Ricardo Omelet, come on by!

Weekday Specials:

Cuban Sliders topped w/ caramelized onions & avocado

Picadillo

Plus our regulars

Friday Tapas Specials

Friday night, and maybe over the weekend too

Grilled Salmon over couscous

Costillitas de Cerdo Cuban Spare Ribs w/ pineapple guava glaze

Cubano Sandwich by popular demand pork, ham & swiss w/ mustard & pickle on Cuban bread

Picadillo

(Full Tapas Menu Here)

Fall Music Calendar

(Bookmark the Event Calendar Here)

Sensemaya 9/19
Mundo Nuevo 10/24
Elizabeth Kasius & Heard 11/21
The Nellies Victorian Stroll 12/7
Mundo Nuevo 12/19