Carmen’s Cafe @ Troy Farmer’s Market Starts May 2nd

farmersmarket

Carmen’s is at the Waterfront Farmer’s Market

Farmer’s Market Menu:

We will offer quick versions of our favorites:

  • Flamenco
  • Flan French Toast
  • Picadillo
  • Empanadas
  • Cubano Sandwiches
  • Topped off with Minty Iced Tea and Jim-Gerale

Starting Saturday May 2, from 9AM—2PM Carmen’s will be in the Troy Farmer’s Market at Monument Square
AND we will also be open at the Café, 9AM—4PM Saturday & Sunday until further notice.

We will be open at both places:
9-2 at the Farmer’s Market, with some of our specialty foods
9-4 at the Café, with all those specials you have come to know and love

We love you all, and so enjoy cooking for you.

Artist’s Reception for Michael Gwozdz & Renata Memole Sat 4/25

Michael Gwozdz & Renata Memole

Michael Gwozdz & Renata Memole Artist’s Reception, Saturday April 25 from 3-6

Meet the artists, talk about their process.
Tapas and sangria samples!
Limited dinner menu plus full cash bar available

Bookmark our events calendar for news and updates about Carmen’s Cafe.

Ice Cream—Huevos Tostados—Lox and Chevre Omelette—Artist’s Reception

icecreamIf 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 TostadosHuevos 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 OmeletteLox and Chevre Omelette

Smoooth blend of tastes make a delicate dish

Goat cheese (chevre) and lox, capers and onions fill a delicate spring omelette

Michael Gwozdz & Renata MemoleMichael Gwozdz & Renata Memole

Saturday 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!

 

Vegan Tostado

A great idea just got better!

Now available with brown rice tostado— and, as always, with vegan or chorizo hash.

Layer on layer of flavor. Wonderful mouth appeal. As always,

Love,
Carmen

Easter is here, and the weather just broke

Baked HamBaked Ham

Easter is here, and the weather just broke.

It’s amazing how it feels balmy at 38*. Join us and enjoy our baked ham, Cuban style. And if there’s one thing Cubanos know, it’s how to handle their ham.

Baby Lamb ChopsBaby Lamb Chops

Tender lollipop lamb chops with Carmen’s own maple-rosemary sauce. What a wonderful taste for Easter Morning!

Huevos BenedictusHuevos Benedictus with Homemade Hollandaise Sauce

I have to tell you, we don’t have these all the time because keeping the Hollandaise fresh is a real bear. But for you, on Easter, anything goes! Smooth and creamy, with avocado for that creamy taste. That’s why we say it’s the best way to have eggs in the whole wide world!

Huevos TostadosHuevos Tostados

Layers of flavor, Perfect savor!
Picture 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.

Lox and Chevre OmeletteLox and Chevre Omelette

Smoooooth blend of tastes make a delicate dish

Goat cheese (chevre) and lox, capers and onions fill a delicate Easter omelette.

Thank You – Thank You – Thank You!

Metroland

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.

 

Our Food, Our Philosophy

CanalIce 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.

Something New at Carmen’s You might Have Noticed…

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 FritattaCuban Fritatta

Traditional 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 TostadosHuevos Tostados

Layers of flavor, Perfect savor!

Picture 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 PaOrange PancakesOrange 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!

Fresh BerriesWould you believe it’s Berry Season?

Fresh Berries!

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

JimBarista-Sangrista

Jim-GeraleCarmen 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  ;?)

CarmenWinter Hours

Just 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

Tortilla Español

Authentic open-faced Spanish Omelet, made with potatoes, onion, garlic, roasted red peppers and spinach. Topped with avocado, with spring greens and plantains.

You haven’t lived Cuban till you’ve tried one of these!

Butternut Pancakes

Butternut squash, reduced to concentrate the flavor, in our own special pancake blend.

Top it off with 100% pure maple syrup and it’s a taste sensation that can’t be beat!!

Tostada Special