All Over Albany

Where to buy a whole fish?

Barry emails:

My family and friends are having a traditional Italian "Feast of the Seven Fishes" on Christmas Eve. One fish dish must be a whole fish - I am trying to find a good source for a sea bass called branzino. I have heard nothing but negative things about Two Cousins, and wondered if there was another fish market worth visiting. Thanks.

That has not been our experience with Two Cousins -- on the contrary, they've been helpful on the few times we've dealt with them. If you have thoughts on that account, please share.

And got a suggestion about where Barry should look for a whole fish? Please share!

photo: Flickr user takaokun

Where to get t-shirts made?

Leigh asks via Twitter:

A friend has a digital picture he wants to have professionally applied to a t-shirt. He may need more than 1 but it won't be a huge order. What's the best place in Albany to have it done?

We'll expand Leigh's question a bit to include custom t-shirts in general, not just ones with photos applied to them.

Got a suggestion for Leigh? Please share!

blank t-shirt image from Flickr user Erika Hall

How to avoid the mall for holiday shopping?

With holiday shopping in mind, Chrissy emails:

I'm trying to shop local and eco-friendly this year for Christmas gifts but am getting tempted by the one-stop shop appeal of the mall. Does anyone know of an area around here where there are a lot of local shops close together that sell stuff for kids and adults? I've tried Etsy but to be honest, I like to see the stuff in person especially with baby toys. All the stores I know of are pretty spread out so I thought you guys could help. Thanks!

If you're looking for a more in-person experience than Etsy, one local option is the TightKnit market in Troy on Saturdays (a little bit like Etsy in real life).

But that's just one spot -- we're sure there are a bunch of others around the Capital Region. Got a suggestion for Chrissy? Please share!

photo: TightKnit

Where to get a side of pork?

Looking beyond turkey, JB emails:

Where can I get a reasonably priced side of pork? I want to butcher one, and would prefer that it lived a humane and natural life. Also, it should be within 60 miles of Troy, because local food is better food.

The first placed that popped into our mind was Flying Pigs Farm in Washington County. By all accounts, they raise excellent heritage breed pigs under good conditions. But: they might not qualify as "reasonably priced."

So, anyone have a suggestion for JB? Please share!

Earlier on AOA:
+ A good local butcher?
+ Grass fed beef shares
+ Buying the whole cow

photo: Flickr user MMChicago

The Cheese Traveler

Eric Paul helping customers at the Delmar Farmers Market

A great cheese shop needs to have a few basic things:
1. A handpicked selection of amazingly delicious cheeses
2. A passionate individual to help select a cheese that's just right for you
3. The tools of the trade like knives, scales, cheese wrap, labels and such

Some might argue that you also need a building to put it all in.

When it comes to that last point, Eric Paul is proving otherwise. Eric has an amazing cheese shop -- it's just that he's missing the shop part.

He is known as The Cheese Traveler. True to the name, Eric and his cheeses can be found as they travel to events around the area. But it is worthwhile to track them down, because his cheeses are unlike any others you'll find in the region.

And it's as much about the cheeses as what he does with them, and why.

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A bank with online banking you won't totally hate?

Christopher asked via Twitter yesterday:

hey all over albany, HSBC just screwed me. What banks in the area have the best web interfaces?

We re-tweeted, and the handful of responses are after the jump.

We're hoping you might have a few suggestions, too.

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Best place for a massage?

Mindy asked via Twitter over the weekend:

Where's the best place for a first-timer to get a massage (preferably not too far/hard to find from Clifton Park)?

We re-tweeted her question and got a handful of responses -- they're after the jump.

And, of course, if you have a suggestion for Mindy, please share!

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The new H&M at Crossgates

The new Crossgates H&M -- smaller but with more stuff.

The monstrous Crossgates H&M that lived in the old Caldor space (oh yeah, I totally remember and loved Caldor) has moved. It's now divided up into three connected spaces, both upstairs and down at the mall.

I had been really excited about this renovation, mostly out of hope that the new store would include some of the H&M's higher-end lines. Also, I like shiny new stores.

It wasn't until I saw the new store that I realized that our old H&M was a bit outdated.

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Christmas in October

Well, maybe a small Christmas tree could be used as a snow brush.

After noticing that our ice scraper had run off during the summer, we stopped by the Home Depot in Albany Friday to pick up a new one ahead of Saturday's snow.

After a search of the store with an associate's help, we found no ice scrapers. (Update: Save Pine Hills says there were ice scrapers there at some point recently.) But there was an entire section of Christmas trees and decorations. Before Halloween.

We were headed up Central Ave, so we stopped at Phillips Hardware next. Phillips had a selection of ice scrapers and snow shovels -- and, as far we could tell, no Christmas trees.

Phillips wins.

Where to find Victorian clothing?

Mary emails:

Now that the leaves are turning its time to think about Troy's Victorian Stroll (This year it is Sunday, December 4, noon to five pm). Do you or your readers have any tips on where to locate a Victorian style bonnet?

This might be a tough one. Our first thought was costume shops -- but we're not sure how popular the Victorian look is right now for costumes (you know, unless it's "sexy Victorian"). And a bonnet like this probably goes way beyond "vintage."

Anyone have suggestions? Please share!

photo: Sebastien B

Nadine Medina Designs

"People love to match, and I want to encourage a more abstract sense of what it means to match."

Troy jewelry maker Nadine Medina gets inspired by the most ordinary of objects. 

Remember those macaroni necklaces that were all the rage in 2nd grade? To a seven-year-old Nadine, the idea that you could take an everyday, household item and turn it into a work of art was a mind-blowing revelation. 

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Best Cleaners Autumn Refresh: Laura Perfetti

Laura in her "sad black tee" with ponytail

Next up in our shoptastic adventure is the lovely Laura. To say we enjoyed spending a day with Laura Perfetti is an incredible understatement. She was fun, positive and open to new ideas. And the always fashionable Kaitlin Resler had a few in mind.

Laura is the mother of a 1.5 year old boy and feared she had fallen into "frump mode." But she works in a performing arts center and wanted a look "as eclectic as the art we present." She has a high school reunion coming up soon, and she wanted a look that would wow her old classmates, but be something she could still pull off for work.

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Best Cleaners Autumn Refresh: Asa Gismervik

Asa "all dressed up" for a cruise.

Well, the shopping, trimming and styling are done and it's time to unveil the results of the AOA/Best Cleaners Autumn Refresh.

We start with Asa.

First, we totally have to say what a great sport Asa was. He tried on clothes and shoes in stores all over Saratoga and Wilton and was open to whatever Erik suggested. As an IT consultant, Asa's work uniform is a red t-shirt and baggy jeans -- a look he carried over into the rest of his life. He wanted to move from his trademark t-shirt and jeans to a business casual look -- largely for the sake of his girlfriend.

We think she'll be impressed...

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Best Cleaners Autumn Refresh winners

Thanks to everyone who entered the AOA/Best Cleaners Autumn Refresh contest.

The winners have been selected... so, who gets the refresh?

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Best Refresh II: autumn edition

Last spring fashion writers Kaitlin, Carey and Rob helped take Mike from camo to crush-worthy, and Emily from being buried in sweaters to total dish.

Well, it's a new season and we know some of you are looking in your closets and saying, "Yeah-- I have to change something up." So it's time for another refresh. If you, or someone you know, is in need of a little autumn wardrobe pick-me-up, AOA and Best Cleaners may be able to help.

The plan

Two winners -- one male, one female -- will get a shopping trip in Saratoga with style writers Kaitlin Resler (AOA, All This Happiness) and Erik Dollman. Each winner will get an outfit worth $250 courtesy of Best Cleaners. They'll also get a fresh hairstyle from Rebecca at V Salon.

So, up for a wardrobe refresh? Here's how to enter...

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Where to buy outdoor furniture?

Jonathan (@MrDraper63) asks via Twitter:

Almost finished with new deck and looking for outdoor furniture with @elisdraper. Any suggestions for good local deals?

Now that we're at the end of the season, maybe Jonathan and Elisabeth can score a deal.

So... got a suggestion about where to look, which place has good selection, or where to find good prices? Please share!

photo: CrinkleCrankle via Flickr

Albany is Eggcellent once again

The t-shirt company New York Old School -- which produced all those New York-themed shirts, notably the "Albany is EGGCELLENT" shirt -- says it's shipping orders again.

People ask us about these shirts every now and then. It's been a while since they were available firsthand (years?).

We got the word today via an email from the company. The full text is after the jump -- it includes details on other designs, new stuff coming up...

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For sale: lots of eclectic stuff

This could be worth a look: a "giant sale of eclectic offerings" in Cohoes this Friday and Saturday. Blurbage:

Hundreds of Estate items gathered from private residences from NYC, the Hudson Valley Region, and the Capital District.

Vintage and Used Furniture, Pottery, Industrial, Extensive Lighting- 1910-1980s, Glassware Antiques, Collectables, Outdoor Furniture, Garden and much more.

Here are what look like a few pics from the assortment. Recently added: art and "vintage medical."

The sale is at the former Cohoes Mill End Fabric building on Saratoga Street. It runs from 8 am - 3 pm each day (it's probably better to show up earlier than later -- the best stuff tends to get plucked quickly at these things). It's cash and check only.

(Thanks, Madonna!)

Pass It On Sale summer 2011

The big Pass It On Sale for kids stuff starts today with the private pre-sale, and then throws open the doors to the general public Wednesday.

What is Pass It On? It's basically a giant exchange for parents to pass on "gently" used kids items to other parents looking for a bargain. And it's enormous. The sale takes up the 20,000 square foot field house at Albany Academy. (There's a sale each August and March.)

We checked out the sale a few years back. It looked like there were some great bargains. And be ready to shop like you mean it -- the sale can get a little intense.

The sale opens today for consignors, volunteers, and new parents (you had to register ahead of time). The sale open to the general public Wednesday (9 am - 8 pm) and Thursday (9 am - 5 pm). Friday (9 am - 5 pm) and Saturday (8 am - noon) are half price days. It's free to enter.

Where to get a record player fixed?

Susan emails:

I have a broken record player that I would like to get repaired. It is one of those old school 70s types. Not sure where to go around here.

There was a question last year about places to get small appliances fixed -- and it sounds like Eric had success at Lake Electronics.

Got a suggestion for Susan and her record player? Please share!

photo: Flickr user stevecadman

HSBC selling upstate branches: the "world's local bank" may no longer be our local bank

HSBC announced this morning that it plans to sell 195 of its branches to First Niagara Bank, including 183 branches in upstate New York, to cut back on costs and shift its focus to emerging markets like Brazil and Mexico. [AP] [HSBC]

Update: The list of local branches that are being sold is after the jump (thanks, Bill). It appears that all of HSBC's locations in the core Capital Region are included -- that would mean no more HSBC retail banking here (the company says it will continue its corporate banking operations upstate). First Niagara says it will be consolidating redundant branches after the takeover. [TU]

First Niagara is a Buffalo-based bank, and some may be happier with the idea of supporting a bank based in the state, rather than one based in London. Other bank customers might lament losing the worldwide reach of HSBC, which allowed them to do their banking or use ATMs while in other parts of the country or world.

What's funny is that this is first time we can recall an international conglomerate bank being replaced by a closer-to-home name. HSBC itself first entered the Capital Region in the early 2000s when it bought up Marine Midland bank branches. The HSBC retail brand entered the Capital Region when the parent company changed the name of Marine Midland branches in the late 1990s (HSBC had bought Marine Midland in the 80s). [Daily Gazette archive]

The switch might be a good opportunity to become a banking free agent. What's your bank -- would you recommend it to free agents? And what do you look for in a bank?

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A good place for furniture upholstery?

JoJo (@TheyCallMeJoJo) asks via Twitter:

I'm looking to get some cushions reupholstered. Any reccomendations for places to go?

Got a suggestion for JoJo? Please share!

Aunt Katie's Attic

De-clutter? Not here.

You won't find Aunt Katie reading up on the de-cluttering trend.

That stuff, she says, is written by "totally anal people."

Yes, the proprietor of Aunt Katie's Attic in Scotia is not your average antiques dealer.

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Which way to IKEA?

There's a lot more to consider than distance.

One thing is clear from the recent discussions about chain stores: people around here love IKEA. And AOA very often gets search referral traffic for the query "closest IKEA Albany."

There are two primary IKEA options for the Capital Region: Paramus, New Jersey and New Haven, Connecticut.

So, which IKEA should you go to? We've broken down the decision...

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What's the closest (chain store for which people have a remarkable longing)?

See what you've been missing at Cabela's.

Following up on Chuck's much-commented Soapox post about chains people would like to see come to the Capital Region, we figured it'd be fun (if that's the word) to see where the closest current locations are for some of the most-mentioned chains.

The list is after the jump, sorted from closest to farthest. Aside from IKEA, we're not sure why you'd necessarily drive all that distance for one of these places -- but, hey, to each their own (chain).

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