Author Archives: Carmen's Bistro

Gabriel’s Groove

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Gabriel’s Groove: Friday May 4th.

Marcus Benoit, well known local jazz artist, saxophonist, pianist and composer who performed and recorded with the Cole Broderick Quartet for ten years and is featured on his Seasons of Saratoga CD series. Since then he has recorded three original music CDs that incorporate the musical styles of jazz-fusion to blues to R&B and beyond.

Noelle Marie is native to this area. Noelle has created and directed various small choral groups and church choirs over the past 15 years. She is a song-writer/collaborater/lyricist on Marcus Benoit’s last CD release, “Let’s Get Away” and is co-writing and producing on his newest CD to be released late in 2010.

Music Link.

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Cafe open from 5–10pm with music in two live shows from 6–7:30 or 8–9:30 5$ Cover.
Call 518 326 2064 for reservations.

~ Friday May 4th  Tapas Specials ~

Pork Pernil (pork shoulder)
marinated and slowly roasted, served with saffron rice and black beans

Chicken Tamales
with a spicy tomato sauce, served with yucca fries

Pan-seared Tilapia
with a white wine-lemon-garlic-cilantro sauce, served over saffron rice

Fried Tofu
with curried nappa cabbage, and sauteed peppers and onions

~ Appetizers ~

Eggplant Sliders
with avocado and a spicy guava sauce

Zucchini Fritters
with an herbed sour cream dipping sauce

Gideon Freudmann calls it CelloBop

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April 27th:  Gideon Freudmann

Cafe open from 5–10pm with music in two live shows from 6–7:30 or 8–9:30 5$ Cover.
Call 518 326 2064 for reservations.

“I never knew anyone could play so many instruments on the cello!”

… Cello innovator, composer, songwriter, improvisor, plays a fusion of Blues Jazz, Folk, Classical, Rock and more Gideon plays an electric cello with real time looping gear and fertile imagination

He calls it CelloBop.

“Taking a modern artist’s approach to the four-stringed instrument, Gideon Freudmann has brought the cello to a new realm. His latest album is a dreamy cinematic tour-de-force!”

– The Boston Globe

“Gideon Freudmann is a talented, experimental cellist that got the ear of producers from NPR’s All Thing’s Considered. There is sense of humor, a spirit of eclectic adventure and mastery of classic and jazz forms in these pieces. This fusion of talent and experiment makes for a peerless and unforgettable collection of gems.”

Cafe open from 5–10pm with music in two live shows from 6–7:30 or 8–9:30 5$ Cover.
Call 518 326 2064 for reservations

“Gideon Freudmann is a talented, experimental cellist that got the ear of producers from NPR’s All Thing’s Considered. There is sense of humor, a spirit of eclectic adventure and mastery of classic and jazz forms in these pieces. This fusion of talent and experiment makes for a peerless and unforgettable collection of gems.”

– Perfect Sound Forever


~ Friday Night Tapas Specials April 27th~

Fricassee de pollo…
Chicken Fricassee over rice

Grilled Churrasco skirt steak
served w/ yucca fries

Seafood Bouillabaisse
served over saffron rice

Vegetarian Cuban stuffed peppers
drizzled w/ spiced tomato tapenade

Cuban Eggrolls
pork, ham, swiss, pickles – wrapped in tight eggroll wrapper, deep fried,
served w/ Dijon mustard sauce on the side.

Earth Day in Troy

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Hey, Downtown Troy Earth Day Clean-Up people!

We at Carmen’s Café have to work on Earth Day, so we can’t get away, but we are happy to support you. Come in wearing your 2012 Earth Day volunteer tee shirt and we’ll give you free soda or juice. Tell us about your project, and if it’s cool enough, or you worked hard enough, we’ll make it an icy cold sangria!

Carmen & Jim
Carmen’s Café
198 First Street Troy

Earth Day Cleanup

April 21, 2012 8:00 AM – 02:00 PM

Annual City of Troy’s Earth Day Cleanup will be held April 21st. For information contact Vito Ciccarelli at (518) 279-7162.

Charlie Smith & Rob Aronstein: The Blues Men Return

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Get rhythm when you get the blues. These guys have the stuff to get your feet happy as you start tapping your toes, bopping to the beat these cats lay down as they have for decades. Charlie can evoke that sophisticated big city Chicago blues in the vein of Otis Rush, or just as handily, take you on a river cruise of the Delta. Rob is going to tickle those ivories in a perfect weave to Charlie’s guitar licks. It’s a killer combination, it’s a blues sensation.

Cafe open from 5–10pm with music in two live shows from 6–7:30 or 8–9:30 5$ Cover.
Call 518 326 2064 for reservations

~ FRIDAY April 20th TAPAS SPECIALS ~

Brisket,
marinated and slow-cooked, served with seasoned roasted potatoes

Poached salmon
in a lemon-lime-ginger broth, served over saffron rice

Slow roasted chicken,
served with yucca fries

Zucchini coin presses
…ruby red jasmine rice wrapped in zucchini slices, drizzled with basil cream sauce

Sensemaya Trio: Hot Latin Dance Rhythms with Jazz Improvisation

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April 13th:  Sensemaya Trio

Sensemaya Trio fuses hot Latin dance rhythms with the cool sophistication of jazz improvisation.  Their repertoire includes funkified interpretations of classic salsa to originals written in the revolutionary timba style of Cuba.  Their own uniquely fresh Latin jazz compositions include a variety of styles from Puerto Rico, Jamaica, Brazil and the Dominican Republic. While Sensemaya can cater to the intimate jazz listener, their true purpose is to get audiences out of their seats and on to the dance floor.


Cafe open from 5–10pm with music in two live shows from 6–7:30 or 8–9:30 5$ Cover.
Call 518 326 2064 for reservations

~ FRIDAY April 13th TAPAS SPECIALS ~

Gambas al Ajillo
Shrimp Sauteed In A Garlic White Wine Sauce
Served Over Wild Rice

Arroz Con Pollo
Chicken Marinated and Cooked
In An Herb Broth with Saffron Rice

Cuban Meatballs in Sherry Tomato Sauce
Over Roasted Potatoes

Vegetarian Grilled Flatbread
Topped W/ Grilled Veggies & Manchego Cheese

Joy Adler & the Souls of Evolution Record Debut

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April 6th: Joy Adler & the Souls of Evolution

We’re so thrilled Joy is debuting her new record here at Carmen’s this Friday!!

The Songs of the Troubadour by Joy Adler & The Souls of Evolution

Winner 2008 Toronto Magazine Awards for “Best International Pop CD/Album” & “Best International Female Artist.”

Rare, stunning, transcending; Joy Adler is an extraordinary vocalist who sings from the depths of her being and risks revealing it to the world to create one-of-a-kind concert experiences.

Although Joy first began singing music in church as a child, because of the power and range of her voice, she began her career as a rock singer. She specialized in bringing her own interpretation to songs traditionally sung by men, like Robert Plant, Jimi Hendrix, Elton John, and bands such as Bad Company, Thin Lizzy and the like.

Later she perfected her stage performing and stretched herself vocally by singing r&b as well as lighter musical influences like pop and jazz standards on the stages of Atlantic City.

As Joy begins to hit her stride, enthralling audiences with her original songs played by her own group of talented musicians known as “The Souls of Evolution”, as well as performing as lead singer and lyricist of The Patricia White Buffalo and the Heaven on Earth Ensemble. She continues to garner critical acclaim for her energetic performances and the raw emotion she emits onstage, as well as her songwriting.

~ FRIDAY April 6th TAPAS SPECIALS ~

Braised Oxtail
Served w/ Garlic Mashed Potatoes & Veggies

Crab Cakes Over Saffron Rice
Served W/ Chipotle Aioli Drizzle

Marinated, Pan Seared Chicken Breast
w/ Black Beans & Pineapple-Mango Salsa

Rolled Eggplant Cutlet
Stuffed w/ Asparagus & Leeks
Topped w/ Manchego & Citrus Tomato Sauce

 

The Christine & Elliot Spero Duo

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March 30th: The Christine & Elliot Spero Duo– Playing a mix of Jazz, Latin & Pop Our unique versions of Jobim to Joni / Brazil 66 to Burt Bacharach, Carole King to Carlos, Beatles, Originals & more. Jazz,Latin,Brazilian improvisational NU jazz Music Group.

Cafe open from 5–10pm with music in two live shows from 6–7:30 or 8–9:30 5$ Cover.  Call 518 326 2064 for reservations

The Christine & Elliot Spero Duo- Playing a mix of Jazz, Latin & Pop Our unique versions of Jobim to Joni / Brazil 66 to Burt Bacharach, Carole King to Carlos, Beatles, Originals & more. Jazz,Latin,Brazilian improvisational NU jazz Music Group

~ FRIDAY March 30th TAPAS SPECIALS ~

Pan Seared Tilapia
with Leek–Tomato Salsa
Served Over Rice

Cuban Stir Fried Steak
With Peppers, Onion, Tomato
Marinated in Orange, Lime, Cumin & Garlic
Served Over Fried Yucca

Grilled Pork Chop
Served Over Rice With Warm Pineapple–Mango Chutney

Border Blend Pasta
With Sauteed Veggies
Served In White Wine Sauce

The Doc Scanlon Trio: Friday March 23rd— Swingin’ Jazz from the 1920’s to the 1930’s

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Doc Scanlon Trio – Playing 1920’s–40’s Fats Waller to Early Bing Crosby to Jump Blues Classics. $5 Cover. Friday March 23rd 6:15-9:15pm. $5.00 Cover.

~ FRIDAY March 23rd TAPAS SPECIALS ~

Seafood Bouillabaisse of Shrimp, Scallops, Mussels & Clams
Over Saffron Rice

Roasted Chicken W/ Garlic Mashed Potatoes
Topped w/ Manchego
Cheese & Crumbled Chorizo Hash

Carne Asada…Beef Marinated & Slow-Roasted
In an Herbed Broth, Served w/ Yucca Fries

Polenta Cake on a Grilled Portobella Mushroom
w/ Seasonal Veggies Topped W/ a Sun Dried Tomato Tapenade

Todd Nelson Trio TN3—

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Friday, March 16th:  Todd Nelson 4 – Jazz

Todd Nelson Trio TN3 mixes elements of jazz, rock and electronics, playing original songs and new arrangements of unusual covers, including pop, folk and gospel and any other genre signified by the muse.
The music of TN3 is improvisational but not noise; exploratory in texture and sound but melodic; arranged but open-ended; structured while embracing the random; aware of the past without repeating it; unafraid of space, subtlety or beauty, and it rocks.

Two Shows 6-7:30 & 8-9:30, $5 Cover

Friday, March 9th: Taina Asili – World Music

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Friday, March 9th:  Taina Asili – World Music: Puerto Rican vocalist Taína Asili and Sicilian guitarist Gaetano Vaccaro come together as a captivating duo intertwining potent vocals and enchanting classical guitar, performing unique and unforgettable representations of some of Latin America’s best loved folkloric classics. They have studied music under some of the world’s finest flamenco musicians, and have toured nationally in various musical projects. As a duet, they traveled the world together from California to Mexico, and from Puerto Rico to Spain enchanting audiences with their música latina. Two Shows 6-7:30 & 8-9:30, $5 Cover

WITH YOUR SUPPORT The Reclaim the Thunder US & European Tour seeks to raise $15,000 to offer 15 free shows to organizations and schools!

Taína Asili and Sicilian guitarist Gaetano Vaccaro come together as a captivating duo intertwining potent vocals and enchanting classical guitar, performing unique and unforgettable representations of some of Latin America’s best loved folkloric classics.

Taína Asili and Sicilian guitarist Gaetano Vaccaro

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dinner Specials
for Friday, March 9

Ropa Vieja
shredded beef
slow cooked in tomato broth & spices
served with yucca fries

Fried Chicken
served with garlic mashed potatoes

Tilapia
in a cilantro-garlic-white wine sauce
served with wild rice