A reader writes:
Hello, I am looking for a restaurant in or around Schenectady, New York that has really good macaroni and cheese. Can you help me?
Hmmm…that is a great question. I haven’t had macaroni and cheese in a long time, and when I do I make it myself, so this is toughie.
Here’s what I do know: readers of Steve Barnes’ Table Hopping blog have recently expressed interest in organizing a mac-and-cheese cookoff, and apparently plans are underway for sometime early next year. Being a professional events planner, and amateur chef, I think is something that I MUST attend. I’ll keep my readers posted about developments…can someone say “Field Trip”???
Back to business. Sometime last year, I had lunch at a downtown Schenectady restaurant called The Backstage Pub & Grill on Smith Street, behind Proctors. It was a Friday during Lent, because they were serving fish fry as the lunch special, with a side of mac and cheese. I thought it was great! Very creamy, several cheeses used, and with a deliciously buttery crumb topping. The perfect side dish for a fish fry (well, that and cole slaw, but I digress). Here’s the problem: The Backstage Pub recently changed ownership, and most likely changed chefs. So, I cannot guarantee a similar experience today.
I had a not-good-at-all mac and cheese at my favorite quick-bite spot, The Halfmoon Diner. There are many, many things that the Halfmoon Diner does well – macaroni and cheese is NOT one of them.
Readers, I need your help with this one – does anyone know a good spot for mac-and-cheese in and around Schenectady?
In the meantime, for my all-time favorite homemade macaroni and cheese recipe, click HERE. And don’t worry – it’s from Cooking Light magazine, so it won’t kill you!
A colleague clued me in to another mac & cheese hotspot – Katz Kafe on Jay Street in Downtown Schenectady. Apparently they make a mean mac & cheese – but only as a special on certain days. I advise calling ahead.