March, 2005
Three Businesses Working Together To Be The Best!
Story By Pam Broiles
pbroiles@hotmail.com
AMSTERDAM--Sometimes it takes
a while to get the right combination of people to transform a business
from humdrum to humming but it's happened at the Best Western on Market
Street, where motel manager Susan Maye, Pasqualli's Chef and restaurant
manager
Pat Aragona and Pub managers and hosts Dennis Slechta with partner Ed
Liberantowski are making sure the Best stays in front of Best Western.
"We have made many changes", Susan explained over Sunday
coffee. "The dining room has been totally redecorated as well as the
banquet rooms and Cooper's Pub." The lobby and hotel rooms also have a new
look. Plush couches, potted plants and polished coffee tables give a
welcoming appearance to the lobby. The rooms are spacious and spotless
with
attractive bed spreads, and in room coffee.
With a reputation of being the largest chain in the country
the Amsterdam facility is a full service hotel with 125 rooms, equipped
with cable TV, internet and fax hookup as well as a seasonal indoor pool,
restaurant and lounge. It's also centrally located to many area
attractions such as Cooperstown, Saratoga Springs, the state museum, and
closer in, the National Shrine of N. American Martyrs, Fonda Speedway,
Howe
Caverns and many lakes and hiking trails.
Pat, a seasoned chef, took the best of his Italian
grandmother's recipes incorporating them into an extensive menu of
Italian-American cuisine the public can enjoy at his Pasqualli's
Restaurant, which serves breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Let's start with dinner and work down. Highlights of the
Appetizer selections include Bruschetta - Slices of Italian Bread covered
with Marinated Tomatoes and Mozzarella toasted until golden brown. Roasted
Red peppers with Fresh Mozzarella, Little Neck Clams, or try a Mixed
Basket-A Platter with Chicken Tenders, Onion Rings, Mozzarella Sticks and
Wings.
There's always a nice French Onion soup and Soup of the Day
before moving on to a large selection of salads. Entrees which carry the
name "House Favorites" include angel hair pasta with homemade sauce. Pasta
de Pasqualli's which includes artichoke hearts, roasted red peppers and
mushrooms in a butter, garlic and wine sauce. Pasta Florentine, Eggplant
Parmigiana and Ham Steak.
There are also nightly specials. From the Sea you can
choose from shrimp to scallops, clams to haddock. On Pat's menu are also
five delicious sounding chicken selections, four Veal dishes and five Beef
meals.
Pasqualli's is "Home of the King Prime Rib", boasts Pat. "If
you haven't tried mine, you haven't had anything". He's referring to the
King cut roast prime rib served on Friday and Saturday only. There's also
the Queen cut, and petite cut for your whole royal family, and a small and
large NY strip steak char-broiled to order. All dinners come with soup or
salad and your choice of baked potato, fries or pasta.
If you're looking for something light there's a menu of
specialty sandwiches waiting to be cooked up special for you.
Half pound burger's deluxe topped with lettuce, tomato and onion served on
a Kaiser roll with fries and a pickle. Step it up with cheese or best yet
bacon and cheese. Mamma Mia recommends the Italian burger, topped with
roasted red peppers and mozzarella. That's Amore! You'll also see on the
menu a strip steak sandwich, Chicken Breast Deluxe, Chicken Parm and Hot
Roast Beef or Turkey. Pat has also designed five Kid Pleaser meals.
Breakfast at Pasqualli's can be as simple as the two eggs,
toast and coffee special for $1.99 or the weekend all you- can -eat
buffet. Come hungry and enjoy all the fresh fruit, pastries, eggs dishes,
bacon, sausage, pancakes, French toast, and hash browns you can enjoy for
only $6.95 for adults and $4.95 for kids. A regular breakfast menu is also
available. The restaurant is open Mon-Fri. 7am-1pm and 5pm-9pm. Sat.
7am-Noon and 5-9pm. Sun. 7am-Noon and 4-8pm.
Down the carpeted steps from the restaurant is Cooper's Pub,
a full service bar and fine place to enjoy cocktails before dinner or just
hang out listening to music from the jukebox, or talking to Dennis and Ed.
If you fancy yourself a crooner, rocker or diva you can make like American
Idol with Saturday night Karaoke beginning at 9pm. Cooper's is open
Mon-Sat. 5pm-until "the last person leaves", Dennis said and Sun,
4pm-ditto.
Best Western Amsterdam has also redecorated their multi use
banquet hall and with the use of moving panels can accommodate 30-190
people comfortably for a big wedding or intimate dinner.
For anyone planning a special occasion such as a wedding,
reunion, anniversary party, shower or special business conference Susan,
Pat and Dennis will sit down with you and help turn your ideas into
realities.
"We'll work with you on menu's, and even hire D.J. or decorate if that's
what you're looking for", said Pat.
Besides serving the needs of travelers the trio would like
to extend an invitation to the local community to come in and enjoy a nice
spot in their neighborhood. If you are looking for the convenience of big
city service and a small town life style, the hotel and their staff is
waiting to accommodate you and make your meal, special occasion or stay,
the best ever.
For Reservations Call (518) 843-5760 or 1-800-528-1234.
Pasqualli's Restaurant on location 843-1974.
Reprinted with permission from:
Sacandaga Publishing Inc.
2424 State Highway 30
PO Box 217
Mayfield, NY 12117
518-661-6822
fax-518-661-6935
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June, 2005
Where the Sky Meets the River
Story By Pam Broiles
AMSTERDAM-- Imagine a place where you can sit in the
cool breeze under an awning and watch the clouds reflect off the
sparkling waters of the Mohawk River, part of
the historic Erie Canal. Add some live music to this and good
food with a refreshing beverage. Occasionally, a boat will pass by or a
family of ducks paddle upstream. The kids are at the playground. The
sun's out. The smell of fries is in
the air. There's no traffic. And suddenly your senses wake up ...wow,
it's summer! If you think I'm writing about some far off place, I'm
not. Where I'm talking about is right in the neighborhood, and it's
called Pasqualli's Riverlink Cafe, situated in Amsterdam's jewel, the
Riverlink Park.
This year, Pat Aragona, who also owns the popular restaurant at Best
Western, along with Mike Smuk, will be serving a light menu at
the cafe, special concert dinners and booking for river side banquets
and bbq's in the new outdoor covered pavilion.
Riverlink, as you know, is the result of what community minded citizens
and officials created with the help of grants, lots of determination and
willpower. Located between the canal and
Amsterdam Mall, it's the destination place for concerts, picnics,
mooring and great eating at the Cafe.
All week, Pasqualli's will be open with a menu of appetizers, salads,
their famous burgers, dogs, platters, sandwiches, wraps and ice cream of
all varieties and shapes, like cones, shakes, sundaes and banana
splits. You can also enjoy
cool beverages, including wine and beer too.
If you're boater out for the day or cruising the Great Loop, there is
600 feet of dock space available, with overnight rates of $1.00/foot
and consideration for extended stays. For this you get 30 or 50 amp
service, potable water, dock attendants, groceries, laundry and shower
facilities on site. Keys are provided to boaters returning to docks
after hours. Taxi service is also available for those looking to
access some of the city's attractions. Or you can just walk the
short distance into town. And, if you have been out on the water so
long that all you've been dreaming about is a big, juicy steak, Pat will
arrange for you to be driven over to the restaurant at Best
Western, where your appetite will be graciously accommodated, as well
as your wallet. Boaters moored at the dock receive a 10% discount
coupon.
While I sat with Pat and Mike he pointed out the
large area by the water that can be booked for weddings, company
parties, family reunions or gatherings up to 300 people. They have a
big tent and can put on a chicken barbeque, clam bake or help you choose
from the extensive banquet menu, and you can expect expert advice in
planning your special occasion.
Roll out those hazy, lazy, crazy days of summer on the weekends when
Riverlink will be alive with free music both Friday and Saturday nights
this year. The schedule for Friday is still being finalized, but a
large donation from the Cafe's Friday night's business will be donated
to St. Jude's Children's Hospital. The
concert lineup looks sensational, as do
the special dinners Pat's got
planned.
Sat. June 18, Alex Torres Y Su Orquesta with a Fried Chicken
Dinner starting at 4pm. July
9th - 10 is CANAL FEST weekend which holds a full schedule of events
both days including a classic car exhibit, music, boat rides, the
symphony orchestra and fireworks. Check out the full schedule of events
at Riverlink's website,
www.amsterdamwaterfront.org.
Pat is planning two great meals Canal Fest weekend....a giant Clam Bake
for July 9 and Classic BBQ the following day, July 10. July 16- is the
Wilders; July 23, Mundo Nuevo; July 30, Importante El Seriosa; August 6,
Three Dog Threshold; On Tuesday, Aug. 9, Enjoy a Prime Rib Dinner before
the Schenectady Symphony Orchestra.--Pasqualli's famous slow roasted
Prime Rib, vegetables, desert and coffee. Reservations are suggested for
this one. Fri. Aug. 19, 7pm- The
Wizard of Oz, shown again on Sat. Aug. 20 at 2pm. , Sat. Aug. 20 7pm.
Rockfest, featuring SoulCrutch and others. Final concert is
Aug. 27 and BBQ night when 'they'll be dancin in the streets' to Doc
Scanalon's Rhythm Boys. Partial proceeds of all dinners will benefit
the Amsterdam Waterfront Foundation. Concerts
are funded in part by the NYS Council on the Arts decentralization
program and NYS Assembly. Additional support is provided by the City,
Amsterdam Area Community concerts and Women's Health of Amsterdam.
Pasqualli's Riverlink Cafe is open seven days a week. Mon-Thurs.
11am-7pm, Fri. 11am-10pm, Sat. 9am-10pm, Sun. 9am-7pm. You may
also check out their website for further information and to make
reservations for the Prime Rib dinner at
www.pasqualli.com/riverlink_cafe.htm or
phone them at (518) 843-9406 or (518) 843-1974. Riverlink
Park is located between locks 10 and 11 on the historic Erie Canal and
off Exit 27 of the NYS thruway.
Summer's here and the time is right for good food, and music. A short
walk over the Riverlink Bridge into the park, may be just what you need
to renew your spirit and give you that summer time feeling.
Reprinted with permission from:
Sacandaga Publishing Inc.
2424 State Highway 30
PO Box 217
Mayfield, NY 12117
518-661-6822
fax-518-661-6935
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