Tag Archives: tapas

Annie and The Hedonists / Tapas! / South Troy through Outsider Eyes

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Here’s what we have in store for you this weekend in the Heart of the South Troy Arts District:

Annie and The Hedonists return to Carmen’s Friday November 16th— Acoustic blues, swing, and folk! …A band with a great lead singer and tight harmonies, covering an eclectic mix of acoustic music, torchy blues, standards, bluegrass, gospel, labor ballads, early jazz.

Tapas! Tapas! Tapas! All made fresh from scratch because we make everything that way.

South Troy Inspires! We have a wonderful new art exhibit at “South trough  Outsider Eyes.” A lot of young folks are moving in to South Troy and starting families. Housing is cheap, lots are large, access is good, and there is a growing sense of community plus a lot of local color.  We wanted to see what these artists would make of it.

Photo courtesy Katria Foster

Charlie Smith & Rob Aronstein 11/2—Blues

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Friday November 2nd Charlie Smith & Rob Aronstein— Blues

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

Check out their new CD Steppin’ Down Blues Lane. – two cuts were originally recorded at Carmen’s Cafe.

Charlie Smith

 Engaging and dynamic performer, prolific songwriter, blues guitarist and vocalist of the highest caliber are just some of the descriptions one could apply to Charlie Smith. Entertaining listeners in New York’s Capital District for nearly 40 years, Charlie is happy to have found in the players listed below a virtuoso backing group equal to the task of expressing and extending his musical vision. For more on Charlie himself, click here (dedicated page under construction).

Rob Aronstein 
Piano, Hammond Organ, Vocals
Rob Aronstein has been working with and promoting Charlie and the Charlie Smith Blues Band since 1999, performing on and producing Charlie’s CD, “Hardly Ever Blue”. Rob currently performs with Charlie and as a solo and freelance pianist/organist.

This Weekend @ Carmen’s Cafe: Cuban Beat, Tapas, Breakfast & Lunch Specials

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We sure have had an exciting week and the weekend is going to be full of great friends, tapas and that Cuban Beat.

So here’s what’s going on:

So there you have it. We look forward to seeing you this weekend for Mundo Nuevo and Tapas Friday evening and Breakfast/Brunch/Lunch Saturday and Sunday.

Next Week—  Artist’s Reception: South Troy Through Outsider Eyes Thursday October 25, 5-8

9/21: Sensemaya— Latin Jazz

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9/21 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

~ Tapas Specials for Friday, September 21 ~

Cuban Style Chicken Tamales
served w/ Yucca Fries & Veggie

Pan Seared Red Snapper
w/ Roasted Tomatillo Sauce
served w/ Roasted Potatoes & Veggie

Herb Crusted Lamb Chops
w/ Garlic Mashed Potatoes & Seasonal Veggie

Marinated Crispy Tofu
w/ Sauteed Veggies over Saffron Rice

~ Breakfast Specials for Sat-Sun, Sept. 22-23 ~

Huevos Benedictus
Poached Eggs over Saffron Rice Cake & Bacon
served w/ House-Made Hollandaise Sauce & Plantains

Veggie Huevos Benedictus
Drop the Bacon & Plantain, Served on a Bed of Greens

Marinated Crispy Tofu
w/ Sauteed Veggies over Saffron Rice

Mundo Nuevo Live Latin Jazz

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Mundo Nuevo return to Carmen’s Friday March 2nd.

Join us for an evening of – Mundo Nuevo ‘New World’ – Latin Music with a Cuban Emphasis. Like our own Buena Vista Social Club!

Tapas specials and homemade Sangria Wine.

Plenty of on-street parking.

Bring your friends – share the Carmen’s Experience! Good times is our specialty.

Reservations  (518) 326-2064

March 2nd: Carmen’s Cafe Returns

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Welcome Back!
We reopen
March 2nd with Mundo Nuevo and their smooth Cuban jazz!
Mundo Nuevo  —  March 2 at Carmen’s  —  Two Shows 6-7:30 & 8-9:30, $5 Cover

Dinner Specials for Friday, March 2

Carne Guisada
Beef Stewed With Carrots, Celery and Potatoes
Served With Grilled Dinner Roll

Cuban Bouillabaisse
Shrimp, Scallops, Clams and Mussels in a
garlic-wine broth, served Over Saffron Rice

Pernil
Marinated & Slow Roasted Pork Shoulder
Served With Yucca Fries

Charlie Smith Blues Phenom

Charlie Smith w/ Rob Pirokoski – Capital District’s Premier Blues Men

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Charlie Smith Blues Phenom

Charlie Smith

Friday October 14: Charlie Smith w/ Rob Pirokoski – Capital District’s Premier Blues Men.

Engaging and dynamic performer, prolific songwriter, blues guitarist and vocalist of the highest caliber are just some of the descriptions one could apply to Charlie Smith.  Entertaining listeners in New York’s Capital District for nearly 40 years, Charlie is happy to have found in the players listed below a virtuoso backing group equal to the task of expressing and extending his musical vision.

Carmen’s Cafe is Very Social

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We’re now on the Social Web so you can stay up to date with everything going on at Carmen’s Cafe (and share the news with your friends) – Catering Services, Weekly Specials, New Menu Items, Live Music, and Featured Fine Artists — by following us on this blog,  Twitter – @CarmensCafeTroy “Like” our Facebook Fan Page, or send us your email address if you prefer. We also encourage you to share your reviews on Yelp.

Enjoy a breakfast buffet at Carmen's Cafe

Breakfast Buffet Next Saturday & Sunday, April 16 & 17

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Enjoy a breakfast buffet at Carmen's Cafe

Next Saturday & Sunday, April 16 & 17, we are trying something different. Every once in a while we have a Breakfast Buffet instead of our usual cook-to-order. It’s a good time to try something different, to fill your hunger both for the new and different and for the tried and true. Menu:

  • Scrambled Eggs
  • Chorizo Scrambled Eggs
  • Flamenca (Chorizo Stew, eaten with eggs)
  • Bacon
  • Home Fries
  • Blueberry Multigrain Pancakes
  • Fruit Platter w. Yoghurt Dip
  • Cheese Platter
  • Toast
  • Coffee-Tea-Juice

Price is $12 for adults, $7 for children under 12.

If you like it we’ll do it more often, so let us know, even if you can’t come in this weekend.

Olivia Quillio Plays Carmen’s Cafe

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It’s been a bit, I’ve been remiss posting.  But I have to share this bit of video from Olivia Quillio’s live performance last fall.

Some friends dropped in and she included them for percussion and backup/lead vocals.

Olivia has a sweet, sweet voice.  Before we booked her, she said she really wanted a career in music.  I think she could go far.