Drawing: A Moveable Feast 2014

HAF Moveable Feast 2014 logo

Drawing's closed!

The Historic Albany Foundation's annual fundraiser A Moveable Feast is coming up March 29. The way it works: About 300 people meet up at Albany Law for cocktails and hors d'oeuvres, then they're randomly assigned to groups for gourmet dinners (with mystery menus) at historic homes around Albany, and then everyone meets back up at Albany Law for dessert and coffee.

We have a pair of tickets to A Moveable Feast, and we're giving them away. To enter, please answer this question in the comments:

If you could dine anywhere in the Capital Region, where would it be?

And by anywhere, we mean anywhere: dinner in a specific booth at your favorite restaurant, drinks on top of The Egg, lunch at a counter that no longer exists, wherever. Non-redeemable bonus points for a quick line about why you'd like to dine there. We'll draw one winner at random.

A Moveable Feast starts at 5 pm on Saturday, March 29. Tickets for the general public are $119.60 each, and available online.

Important: All comments must be submitted by 11:59 pm on Tuesday, March 18, 2014 to be entered in the drawing. You must answer the question to be part of the drawing. (Normal commenting guidelines apply.) One entry per person, please. You must enter a valid email address (that you check regularly) with your comment. The winner will be notified via email by noon on Wednesday, March 19 and must respond by noon on Thursday, March 20.

AOA is a media a sponsor of this event.

Comments

I'd love to go back to Basement Bistro someday.

The Million Dollar Staircase, for the history

I'd love to have one more chance to eat at the former CoCo's Restaurant in Guilderland. They had so many wonderful dishes, and an amazing Sunday brunch. I worked there in college and have many fond memories!

Governor's Mansion.

So many choices, but a spring picnic on the roof with Nipper would be fun! I've been admiring him from a far since I was a little girl, it'd be nice to tell him I love him over a glass of lemonade. :-)

Rita's Lebanese Cafe formerly on Allen between Central & Lincoln. I can still taste their salad and mujadara. I haven't been able to find mujadara quite like it since. I still frown every time I go past the empty space.

At the Governor's Mansion with Teddy Roosevelt. Because how awesome would it be to dine with the man known by such names as 'The Lion,' 'The Rough Rider' and 'Teedie'!

I would like to dine at Casablanca, the long-gone Moroccan restaurant near the FuzeBox on Central Avenue. The salmon tagine was amazing; the housemade cookies were delicious; and the service was warm.

The downtown Albany merry monk!

I'd like to set a 12 piece table on top of the New York State Museum and have a seven course meal.

Definitely the Governor's Mansion

I've lived in the Capital District long enough to see a lot of restaurants come and go. But lately, one I've really been missing is Spyro Gyro, a little basement cafe on Lark Street run by two super awesome sandwich masters. I used to eat there on a weekly basis, and have amazing sandwich wraps on the world's most delicious flatbread. I wish I could eat there again for a brie and grape Spyrodilla.

Easy choice. . . . The Fountain!!!!

Jonesville Store in Ballston Lake, because that closing hurt!

I'm going wayyyy back and saying school 19 little gym

Hate to say it... Shades of Green. A pineapple/apple juice, crazy veggie sandwich of the day, and hummus to go, which would be consumed at the Washington Park Monday night music series. Albany was pretty rad in 2003!

New World Bistro. Never hears anything but amazing things and am dying to try!

I'd love to see the lake house in Washington Park be turned into a cafe.

Cactus Jacks, it's where I went on my first date with my husband, or Cafe West because the food was incredible and neither one is here any longer. I have great nostalgia for both of them.

It probably wouldn't be the cleanest, but a picnic on top of the U-Haul building would be a stunning view.

I've heard amazing things about Basement Bistro...

There's a little island in the middle of the Battenkill I want to paddle to and have a picnic dinner at this summer...

I like the eating with Nipper idea someone else posted; but, I suppose if I could eat anywhere in the capital region I 'd be content enough to turn back time to eat at JG's Pizza again - I'll always miss their potato bacon and cheddar pizza, tis the simple pleasures...

677 Prime.

I would want a picnic lunch of sandwiches from Iron Gate and a bottle of wine from Capital Wine & Spirits while sitting in the Halfmoon atop the D&H Building!

Does anyone remember Cactus Jacks- the mexican joint the was on the corner of Wolf and Sand Creek Roads? Man that place was good!

Sadly, a bank occupies the property now.

Overlooking Saratoga Race Course.

Bob and Ron's Fish Fry before they sold the place

I'd go back in time and eat at Joe's.

The old shades of green. Needs to make a come back

I would choose a candlelit table for two on the bridge in Washington Park. Think bottle of wine, ripe summer fruit, and delicious cheeses. Despite the nay-sayers, Washington Park is such a great place in the warmer months. I think it would be pretty darn romantic. Also, it would be catered by Lark Street's Wine Bar & Bistro so it would be pretty darn delicious, too.

The lunch counter at the now -gone Kessler's Pharmacy on New Scotland Ave.

Would have to be Cavaleri's on second Ave. I can still taste Bro. Doms special gravy!

Miss Albany Diner! (sniff sniff)
Or a nice picnic in any of our lovely parks... Thacher, Washington, Buckingham Pond, Landis Arboretum... outside is the best. Spring, please come soon! :)

Picnic at thatcher catered by the city beer hall or taste!

The best burger I ever ate in albany was at the corner of 2nd ave, a little dive bar with questionable enforcement of cigarette smoking laws inside. They made a rare burger, and it was delicious. I wish it was still there.

The gazebo in Prospect Park (Troy) about a year ago. Stunning view of downtown, the river and (former--grr Price Chopper) St. Patrick's church in Watervliet

I would have a sunset picnic in Thatcher Park, catered by Al-Baraki with gelato from Crisan and wine from Capital Wine. :)

I've never at eaten at Jack's and would love to because its an Albany institution.

City Beer Hall and I wouldn't be against the Wine N Diner being resurrected.

Living in the moment, I'm a fan of a bar seat and a weeknight dinner at Finnbar's Pub in Troy. YUM.

If it were a "real place" to go for dinner I would want to sit on this one really flat rock under the waterfall on the Indian Ladder Trail in Thacher Park, it is the most wonderful place to enjoy a moment.

But if I had to pick a real restaurant, The Olde English Pub at Christmas time, because it is truly adorable

I'd like to scale the Corning Tower, Spiderman style, and set up one of those extreme suspended rock climbing sleeping platforms - and challenge myself to see if I have the nerves to eat. Wine first, of course.

Picnic lunch on the steps of the sesame street set in the nys museum :)

Verdile's in Troy....haven't been in years and been craving a trip back for a while. Hope to make it there soon!

Dine on the Plaza a dusk with the fountains going.

I know this is corny, but I'm going to put my "dream dinner" in Washington Park a few days before Tulip Fest. The flowers and activity around make for a beautiful backdrop. All you need to add is a few take-out dishes from various places on Lark and you have a great afternoon.

If I could dine anywhere in the Capital Region…Miss Albany Diner, 2nd booth from the back, stuffed french toast and coffee.

Right outside the capital with a giant burrito from the best food truck, surf's up. Hang Ten!

The old Chez Sofie in Saratoga. A fine tea with brunch or lovely wine with scrumptious dinner. We miss it.

There are so many good ideas here! I second the longing for Miss Albany Diner. I want the Georgian Eggs! I loved those...

we would zoom back to the early 1900's and dine in one of those little trolleys rolling around Albany, revamped as a dining car. we would check out the city views. maybe even take a ride to schenectady and back.

677 Prime

The brownstone on Willet Street with the statue of a woman holding a plate on the front steps - the owners always decorate her for the season!

Floating in a kayak down the Kinderhook Creek in a spring morning mist, from Nassau to Valatie. A toasted everything Bruegger's bagel with smoked salmon, snips of fresh dell, splash of lemon, a quick grind of coarse black pepper. A thermos of Stewarts coffee. Nothing else is needed.

At the governor's mansion, giving cuomo a piece of my mind.

Dr.Richard Holub's Home on New Loudon Road. Where the Greater Loudonville Association dinners are held. What a treasure. So enchanting in the evening, any time of the year, gazing down that sweeping driveway it looks like something out of a fairytale.

Scholz-Zwicklbauer Hofbrau on Warners Lake
The Highlands
Crooked Lake House
Cambridge Hotel
Bavarian Chalet

I wish for a meal at any of these restaurants which for various reasons all share million dollar locations but couldn't seem to thrive.

Short of that, any good German restaurant, if one existed locally.

I would love to set up a dinner at the monument in Washington park, so many great memories as a child in that park!

Inside the New York Court of Appeals courtroom.

A picnic on a warm summer evening while enjoying the views from the escarpment in Thacher Park.

I'd pick a nice summer evening on the 4th patio of the museum. Rides on the carousel included!

The Wine Down Lounge - it was in the building that's now the Bier Abbey.
The Wine Down was the perfect spot for a romantic dinner. The food was delicious, expert unobtrusive service, and a selection of Joseph Carr.
If we went on a Wednesday, chances are good that we would be the only people in that tucked away back dining room (maybe that's why they closed?).
I think the ambiance of the Wine Down led me to keep that relationship going past its prime. When the Wine Down folded, so did we. C'est la vie.

Picnic at the top of the Corning Tower

Citone's on Quail - loved his sauce and that gem of a wine cellar. When he was going out of business, we'd go for a simple meal and two or three bottles of mid-70s vintage Amarone at table wine prices.

I'm going to get real: I'd like to go out to a dinner with my husband where the napkins aren't paper and the entrees are creative, and the drinks are stiff. We love the eclectic menu of New World Bistro, but there are so many other places we'd love to try out. With two little ones under three, we don't get to go out much.

I'm thinking some kind of restaurant with an amazing balcony in Rensselaer overlooking the Albany skyline (Sidenote: someone please let me know if this actually exists!)

Eating a hot dog and drinking a cold beer in the stands of any baseball team from the past (Trojans) to the present (Valleycats)

At Jumpin Jacks on a summer day during either a ski show or Freedom Park concert.

Picnic at Thatcher near the overlook.

I'd love to take my hubby to Shades of Green....or maybe just get take out.

On the steps outside the Smith building, looking at the capitol, on a sunny day, eating sliders from slidin dirty with my 4 year old. Nothing better.

If I could dine anywhere in Albany, it would be at Cafe Capriccio! Hands down, my favorite restaraunt in the Capitol Region. The Rua's have created an exquisite menu and serene ambiance in their Albany Dining room. Reading everyone's preferential dining locations was so nostalgic. I miss Shades of Green too. :)

Drinks on the top of the D and H building, followed by
"cave" seating at the Lark Street Wine Bar, Coffee at Daily Grind, $1 Gelato at Crisan, go uptown and grab a 5 dollar classic film at the new Madison Theater. Say goodnight to your lover and return home to your husband.

I would love for there to be a clam shack or seafood-type place in the Corning Preserve overlooking the Hudson. So I guess my location is 'on water!'

On top of the ice, when the waterfalls are frozen and the water runs fast underneath, in Plotter Kill Preserve in Schenectady County.

One more meal at Saso's Noodle House is all I ask. One more bite of the Sophie Roll. Please.

Parivar . . .craving some chaat right now.

I would dine at the Governor's Mansion. Never been there.

I would have to say Sutters. So many memories...that's where I first ate in Albany when I came with my parents to visit UAlbany. And it has been the local for many a drunken Friday nights for karaoke with college friends throughout our four years together. To see it completely gone now is so sad!

I would want to dine at the overlook at Thatcher Park… at sunset with full wait service and food from D’Raymond’s in Loudonville.

Eating breakfast food at madison cafe at dinner time!

I'd love to dine (along )with my lovely wife) on a picnic blanket next to the RCA dog. He sounds like he'd be a good companion and he (she?) could have leftovers.

My dining room with friends - love trying new recipes on unsuspecting guinea pigs!

The Prohibition-era gin joint where Meryl Streep sings "He's me Pal" in Ironweed. Drinking a Manhattan and weeping.

A large passover seder by the Moses statute, surrounded by tulips, in Washington Park!

McGearys- lots of beer, lots of friends, on a warm summer night

Ogdens. I never got to go there when it was open.

Tough call. But, I can use Tara's kitchen honey-infused tea right about now. Such a simple drink but they put their own twist that make it unforgettable.

How about a picnic at Tanglewood with a nice girl and a bottle of Chateau Montelena Chardonnay?

Washington Park Playhouse in fall

A black-tie dinner on the steps of the million dollar staircase.

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