There is nothing more pleasing than a large bowl of carbs. Red sauce, white sauce, or even soy sauce, give me some noodles and we are all set. Lets take a look at some of my favorite pastas in the Capital Region.
When you think noodles what is the first thing that comes to mind? It’s probably something Italian. Good news is, there is no shortage of good Italian food in the Capital Region and here are just a few of the delicious pasta dishes you should definitely have in your life.
At Cafe Calabria in Guilderland, this family owned restaurant will make you feel like you’re getting a home cooked meal from your Italian grandmother. Order the tortellini alfredo and enjoy a meal large enough to last you 3 days.
Also in Guilderland, Sage Bistro offers a Mediterranean inspired menu, but I recommend ordering the creamy pesto chicken pasta.
In other pasta news, order your choice of homemade pasta at Johnny’s in Schenectady and you’re bound to have a good meal. Of course there are plenty of classic options like spaghetti and meatballs or eggplant rollatini, but if you’re looking for those carbs, choose the chicken alla carbonara.
If you’ve never heard of chicken riggies, you must not know anyone from Utica. The cherished dish consists of chicken, rigatoni, and hot or sweet peppers in a spicy cream and tomato sauce. If you’re looking for this dish anywhere east of Utica, try Delmonico’s in Colonie. It may be known as a steak house, but they’ve got this pasta dish down to a science.
When I find myself in Clifton Park, there is only one destination for dinner: Pasta Pane. With no shortage of delicious options, it’s the bolognese that calls my name every time. It’s not the prettiest of meals, but it sure is the tastiest.
Noodles don’t always have to be covered in sauce though, they can be nice and cheesy as well. I think you know where I am going with this one. That’s right… Mac and cheese. Druthers Brewing in Saratoga and Albany boasts the most robust mac and cheese menu in the region. With unique and seasonal combinations like the harvest mac, with goat cheese and roasted vegetables, or the mexican street corn mac, with queso fresco and chorizo, a skillet full of these cheesy noodles will have you stuffed for days.
One of my more recent discoveries is the deliciousness that is known as pad thai. I’ve started to master this as an at home recipe, but sometimes it’s just a lot easier to order it instead. Get it with shrimp, chicken, or steak, as long as you get it from Jade Bistro in Scotia. Prefer something a little less spicy? Udon, a thick wheat flour noodle of Japanese origin makes for a great meal. Try the steak udon from Shogun in Albany and you’ll understand why this is another asian noodle dish that has my heart.
There is never a bad time for some noodles and they come in so many different types, there’s a noodle for every mood. I firmly believe that the shape of a noodle changes the taste and I’m team penne over spaghetti. What do you think? Let me know in the comments and as always follow along on Instagram.