—Carmen Makes Her Pancakes From Scratch
We’ve been busy making Yoghurt, twelve active cultures worth! We serve it with 100% real Maple Syrup (the only kind we serve!) and fresh fruit.
Mimosas, Bloody Marys, Cosmos, and Margaritas available by glass or pitcher, as well as Cortados (Cuban coffee), espresso, and our famous coffee— rich, hearty premium Colombian— plus herbal and regular teas. And did we say Jim-Gerale?
Last but not least, Flan for dessert!
This year, we’ll be open from 9—2 on Friday, Jan. 1st – New Year’s Day – and 10—4 on Saturday & Sunday. We will have some amazing specials, like Orange Pecan Pancakes, Carmen’s Hearty Chicken Soup.
From then it’s on to the new year, and, unlike other times, we are staying open all winter. That’s right, you heard it here first: Carmen’s all winter long, for your brunching pleasure: 9—4 Saturdays and Sundays, with tasty food cooked fresh, and some of the finest specials you’ve ever tucked in to.
Cuban Meatloaf: Savory, spiced in the best Cuban tradition
Vegan Meatloaf: Same as above but vegan. With nuts, and not just the staff.
Sopa de Gallina: Spanish Chicken soup. Pretty much like American, except an awful lot of chicken.
Sopa de Vegetal: Vegan soup, stuffed with amazing amounts of nutritious goodness
Grilled Queso de South Troy Sandwich: Sharp cheddar, plus grilled onions and tomato. Perfect with the Sopa, or….. order empanadas with your soup — veggie or carne
Slow Jim Fizz: Jim-Gerale cocktail made with hard cider– a South Troy specialty
And, of course, Jim-Gerale
The Nellies Return To Carmen’s Cafe for the Troy Victorian Stroll—amazing alt-country band brings their friends
The Nellies get into the spirit of the party as they bring their freinds for a rotating lineup, a reunion of some of the most remarkable players and singers you’ve ever seen. They enjoy music and it shows. 2-6 pm
Gluten Free Pancakes: an amazing recipe— Carmen has been tweaking it all week, and I get to sample! They keep getting better and better, and they started out pretty great. With our own Mango–Banana–Peach purée
Black Bean Omelet: Light but it’s got staying power! Black beans with garlic, tomato, onion and cilantro. Sounds Mexican but it’s Cuban now! (shown above with fruit, but we’ll serve it with salad, guacamole and English muffin).
Gluten Free Pancakes: an amazing recipe— Carmen has been tweaking it all week, and I get to sample! They keep getting better and better, and they started out pretty great. With our own Mango–Banana–Peach purée
Apple Omelet: My new favorite in a light summer breakfast! Butter-sautéed apples and ham, set off with award-winning Maytag Blue Cheese (shown above with fruit)
Gazpacho: Getting raves all over. Fresh vine ripe tomatoes, cucumber, and garlic… and it’s absolutely vegan!
Gluten Free Pancakes: an amazing recipe— Carmen has been tweaking it all week, and I get to sample! They keep getting better and better, and they started out pretty great. With our own Mango–Banana–Peach purée
Vegan Eggs: Mock eggs jimmied up (love that word!) from groats and polenta. Served with roasted veggies and plantains (shown above)
Chilled Cucumber-Dill Soup: you tried her gazpacho, now taste the way she’s elevated a traditional recipe. Perfect to beat the heat!
Plus some favorites:
Topped off with Vanilla and Chocolate Egg Cremes, Minty Iced Tea and Jim-Gerale
And CocoLoco for dessert!
We’re going to the annual family picnic.
A wonderful 4th to all !
The Café is open for breakfast brunch lunch on Sunday July 5th 9-4.
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Our Sunday Specials are: Tostada: Eggs layered with a crispy fried tortilla, home fries, veggie or chorizo hash, manchego cheese, and lime crema, plus ranchero sauce made from vine-ripe fresh tomatoes.
If it wasn’t Vegan we’d call it Ice Cream–but it’s smoother and creamier than any ice cream we’ve ever tried, and we make it here at Carmen’s!
Help us name it and win a bowlful, with all the trimmings
I mean, if it isn’t ice cream, what is it? We aren’t asking about what to call the flavors— yet!!
So far, we’ve tasted Vanilla and Chocolate. I want to try Cubano Pecan, with our famous Cuban Sauce, and Carmen is holding out for Lemon Zest.
Huevos Tostados: Layers of flavor, Perfect savor!Picture this: a crisped tortilla topped with home fries and chorizo or veggie hash, manchego cheese, and a pair of sunnyup eggs— then some spring greens and avocado. And don’t forget the ranchero sauce or the lime crema on top!
And yes, that is a small side of cucumber pico just to set it all off.
Lox and Chevre OmeletteSmoooth blend of tastes make a delicate dish
Goat cheese (chevre) and lox, capers and onions fill a delicate spring omelette
Michael Gwozdz & Renata MemoleSaturday April 25 Reception— 3-6pm
Carmen’s will be open with tapas samples and a light dinner menu till 6. Meet & greet the artists!
C’mon, folks, this is what makes Troy such a fun place!
Metroland Reader’s Poll came out, and we’re in it!
Thank you for your votes— thank you for any time you mention us to your friends or online. Thanks for scheduling your meet-ups here, for hiring us for catering, for your wonderful support.
We try to give you the best food at reasonable prices, in the nicest atmosphere. It feels wonderful to be acknowledged!
Your votes placed Carmen’s Cafe second in two categories and the “add your own category”: Best Brunch, Best Breakfast and Best [???] add your own category Best Cuban Food: Carmen’s Café.
Ice on the Canal— The Poestenkill where it flows into the Hudson. There’s still ice in the railroad bridge that’s nearly two feet thick. And look at that beautiful stonework just beyond! I’ll show you a picture of that sometime next month. You’ll be amazed at Troy’s hidden treasures.
We have been working with flavors in a new way. We write about them, here and in posts to our website/Twitter/Facebook, but I never feel like I am really describing what’s going on. It’s something about layering flavors and textures— making a Fritatta, for instance, with six different preparations in it, and the tastes all combine like magic. Take any two, any three, or hey, all at once, and you get an interesting combination. It’s not that they are all the same savor, like for instance in a hearty stew, but that the flavors combine to make something larger than the whole.
It’s different than I’m used to, especially for breakfast. And I can’t say enough about it because I think you’ll love it too. But don’t take my word for it, come in and try some! Ranch eggs, Huevos Tostados, Cuban Fritatta, Orange Pancakes. All winners, all great, all part of that good ol’ Carmen’s magic!
What’s Snoo in the Snooze:
Cuban FritattaTraditional Spanish dish done Cuban style—open faced omelette is Carmen’s newest taste treat!
It starts a lot like any omelette. Then you add potatoes, onions, garlic, mushrooms, and sautéd spinach. Top with Manchego cheese, and leave it open faced. Use the right spices, and POW, you have it!
While it’s true name is Tortilla Español, we felt it was too confusing— Mexican tortillas are nothing like this omelette. So we renamed it Cuban Fritatta, and it’s our most popular new special.
Huevos TostadosPicture this: a crispy fried taco topped with home fries and chorizo or veggie hash, manchego cheese, and a pair of sunnyup eggs— then some spring greens and avocado. And don’t forget the ranchero sauce or the lime crema on top!
And yes, that is a small side of cucumber pico just to set it all off.
Orange pancakes
with 100% pure maple syrup!Light and fluffy, just what the doctor ordered to chase the wintertime blahs away! Some whipped cream, a little fresh fruit garnish— 100% pure maple syrup! Why? Because we’re Carmen’s! And it tastes so gooooood!
Would you believe it’s Berry Season?In the middle of Winter? Well, technically, it’s Spring, and yes, they are good ol’ raised in the USA berries. They are so special, and so good, we are offering them as a breskfast appetizer. We give you a few as a garnish, but here’s your chance for a small bowlful.
Come in and enjoy the fresh goodness and natural phytogens of blackberries, blueberries, raspberries, and strawberries!
Next Week at Troy Night Out:Kevin Maul and Friends– the area’s premier Dobro guitar player, with guest Peggy Lecuyer. Refreshments by Carmen
Barista-Sangrista
Carmen might do the food, but Jim makes the drinks.
Not the bartending drinks, that’s Paula. You know, Bloody Marys and Margaritas and Mimosas and such. But Jim blends the sangrias, mixes the secret recipe for Jim-Gerale, brews iced tea, and pulls shots for Espressos and Cortados. Truly, he steams milk like no other. And don’t worry— Carmen tastes everything he mixes, and sets him straight if it’s wrong ;?)
Winter HoursJust open weekends till we can catch our breath: Saturday & Sunday 9-4
Of course, we’ll still open special for a private party. Call us at (518) 326-2064
Carmen's Bistro 