Category Archives: Specials

Charlie Smith & Rob Aronstein: The Bluesmen Are Back

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Friday June 8  Charlie Smith & Rob Aronstein bring the Blues back to Carmen’s.

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 Mississippi 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 Night Specials Menu June 8 ~

Appetizer
Bacon wrapped scallops w/avocado sauce.

Tapas Specials

Cuban BBQ Spare Ribs, served w/arroz con gandules (rice with pigeon peas) and veggie.

Fried Chicken…boneless thighs w/ a spicy mango sauce, served with saffron rice and black beans.

Grilled Salmon w/black bean mango salsa, served w/yucca fries and veggie.

Crispy Tofu w/seasonal veggies in a cool coconut curry sauce.

Eggplant sliders….grilled, and served with avocado slices and guava glaze on a multigrain roll.

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

Mundo Nuevo: Latin Jazz Quartet

MUNDO NUEVO RETURNS!

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This Friday, July 29 from 5-10

 Music 6:30-9:30, cover $5
Latin Jazz by Mundo Nuevo

Friday Dinner Specials:

Cuban Bouillabasse
shrimp, scallops, mussels & clams
simmered in spices & served over saffron rice

Pork Roulade
stuffed with red onions and apples
served over pureed yucca

Grilled Steak Strips
over mashed potatoes
with grilled mixed vegetables

Vegetarian and Gluten Free Options Available

World Peace Day—  This Saturday!
Gathering at the Music Shell in Central Park, Schenectady
Featuring Our Own Patti Melita
And Desiree Rain, Daughter of Sonny & Perley

Hola, Compadres!

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Back from the Fourth, refreshed and ready for summer.  First up is our neighbor,
Patti Melita, star of stage and Third Street
She brings her magnificent voice along with Nate Phipps’ wonderful piano to grace our humble bistro.

Open 5-10, showtime 6:30-9:30, cover $5.  You’ll love it.

Dinner Specials for Friday, July 8:

Pernil—  Slow roasted Pork Shoulder in Caribbean spices
w. veggie & mashed potato

Steak Salad
over baby spinach & mushrooms salad

Shrimp Tamale
with roasted poblano in a cream sauce

Braised Collard Greens w. garlic & oil

Yucca w. Onions & Garlic

Sidewalk Bistro Dining is Open

Fundraiser & Meet The Candidate @ Carmen’s, Friday July 14, 6:30-10
Introducing Lynne Kopka and Nina Nichols
At Large Candidates for City Council of Troy
An Array of Tapas and Sangria will be provided by Carmen’s Café
$20 donation goes entirely to the Kopka and Nichols for City Council Campaigns
—  We like Lynn and Nina because they have both shown they are smart and hard workers, and are dedicated to making Troy a better place for everyone

Next Week:  I tell you, it’s a stellar month, and August is just as good.  Next up it’s
Charlie Smith & Stingray Bob Aronstein,
the Capital District’s premier bluesmen
Friday, July 15

Enjoy a breakfast buffet at Carmen's Cafe

This Sunday, June 12: Carmen’s Famous Breakfast Buffet—

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Scrambled Eggs

Scrambled Eggs with Chorizo

Flamenco Stew

Bacon

Blueberry Multigrain Pancakes
w/ Pure Maple Syrup

Fruit Platter
w/ Homemade Yoghurt Dip

Macrobiotic Breakfast Porridge

Miso Soup

Cheese Platter

Toast

Home Fries

Rice & Beans

Fried Plantains

Coffee, Tea and Juice

Cost is $12 Adults, $7 for kids under 12

Friends Of Prospect Park Garden Tour—Thursday 5/26:

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Thursday 5/26:
Friends Of Prospect Park

12th ANNUAL HIDDEN GARDEN TOUR – 4:00-7:00pm
Self-guided tour of some of the city’s surprising and beautiful gardens, held rain or shine. Upon check-in you will receive a map of the neighborhoods and participating garden locations.
Visit Carmen’s Café for tapas & sangria samples
(and we’re the designated restroom)
Check in for the tour @ Sage parking lot @ corner of First & Division, $10
Support Prospect Park!

Friday 5/27:
Readings from Elizabeth McCracken
Poignant and Humorous, always intriguing

Presented By
Troy Savings Bank Music Hall

Friends, we are trying something new with these readings.  We love the way conversations at Carmen’s can flow around the room, and hope these stories stimulate discussion. Open 5-10, with readings at 6:30 & 8.
No Cover

Also new this week are these
Tapas Specials—

Shrimp in Coconut Cream
with sauteéd green beans

Pepper Steak in Sherry Cream Sauce
with plantains

Pollo al Jerez
Chicken stewed in a Sherry sauce
with artichoke hearts, red peppers & capers

Escabeche de Tilapia
Marinated Tilapia
with red pepper, onion and diced potatoes

Tomato and Heart of Palm Salad
with dijon mustard vinaigrette

Enjoy a breakfast buffet at Carmen's Cafe

Return of the Buffet Breakfast Sunday May 15

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Due to popular demand, Carmen’s will have another Buffet Breakfast on Sunday May 15.

Help yourself to:
Scrambled Eggs
Scrambled Eggs with Chorizo
Flamenco Stew
Bacon
Homefries
Toast
Blueberry Multigrain Pancakes
w/ pure maple syrup
Fruit Plate
w/ homemade yoghurt dip
Cheese Platter
NEW! Macrobiotic Breakfast Porridge
both macrobiotic and vegan:
Rice and Buckwheat stewed with mixed vegetables, topped with tahini and tamari
Rice & Beans
Fried Plantains
Coffee, Tea, Juice

Adults… $12, Children under 12…… $7— and don’t forget to tip the waitress!

Enjoy a breakfast buffet at Carmen's Cafe

Easter Sunday at Carmen’s Cafe till 2:ooPM

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CARMEN’S CAFÉ

is OPEN Easter Sunday

Until 2 PM

Specials:

Broccoli & Cheddar Omelet
with homefries

Seafood Crepe
with lobster sauce

the famous Cuban Reuben
with pickle

Grilled Ham & Fresh Grilled Pineapple
with garlic mashed potatoes & spinach

 Carmen’s Café
Carmen & Jim
Fine Cuban American Cuisine

Carmen’s Café
(518) 326-2064
carmenscafe@nycap.rr.com

Tapas on Fridays 5-9,
Breakfast & Lunch Sat & Sun 9-4

198 First Street (Corner of Adams)
Troy NY 12180

Good Morning! Breakfast – Brunch – Lunch is Being Served

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Join your friends this beautiful Spring morning at Carmen’s Cafe. We’ll wait out the rain together and enjoy some great food. You may have some chores to do but you’ll be fortified with a delicious meal before you go on your way.

Patrick Lynskey plays Carmen’s Cafe Tonight

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With a great sound and an eclectic playlist,
Patrick Lynskey plays Carmen’s
Friday April 22
Open 5-9, Music 6-9, $5 cover
From Van Morrison to the Stones to Lyle Lovett to CSN

We’ll be serving that great tapas, along with wine, beer and sangria.
Selected Specials:
Beef Roulade
with garlic-nutmeg mashed potatoes
Grilled Shrimp & Scallops
with brown rice
Seafood Crepes
with lobster sauce
Grilled Asparagus
with slivered almonds
Steamed Broccoli
with roasted red peppers


Next Week:
Graham Tichy Trio