Being an adventurous eater and drinker has its pros and cons. Pro: You have a ton of options to choose from when you go out to dinner. Con: You actually have to choose one.Â
Not so, say these six Capital Region restaurants that have co-opted the idea of flights—small servings of several types of a food or drink—from the craft beer and wine industries. Sure, you’ve been able to get an appetizer combo platter from Applebee’s for years, but it’s just not the same. Perhaps the novelty lies in the similarity of flavors in a flight. Comparing a New England IPA to an Imperial IPA is fun. Comparing boneless wings to spinach and artichoke dip? Not so much. Or maybe a photo of a flight just looks really awesome on your Instagram grid.
Whatever the reason, diners can’t get enough of them. Here are six flights to try around the Capital Region this holiday season.
1. Saratoga Winery
Saratoga Springs
You can’t drink flights all day if you don’t start in the morning! In addition to beer, wine and cocktail flights, Saratoga Winery offers mimosa flights in a rotating list of seasonal flavors.
2. Manory’s
Troy
What’s better than an espresso martini? Three espresso martinis. The Collar City’s oldest restaurant serves them up Tuesday-Sunday from 7:30am-3pm.Â
3. Margarita City
Colonie
Even if you want a flight, you’ll have to make a decision when you go to Margarita City:
Do you want mimosas, mojitos or margaritas? Seems like a win, win, win.
4. Tipsy Moose
Troy, Latham, Albany
At Tipsy Moose, mac and cheese is so much more than pasta and cheddar. That’s why they offer flights of their many flavors, including BBQ pulled pork, buffalo and jalapeño brisket.
5. The Shaker & Vine
Schenectady
These aren’t your grandmother’s meatballs! Schenectady’s favorite wine bar serves a meatball flight complete with four types: General Tso’s, Korean barbecue, boom boom and Thai chili.
6. Next Door Kitchen & Bar
Ballston Spa
OK, the desserts in this flight trio are all different, but Next Door calls it a flight, so we will, too. After dinner, indulge in chèvre cheesecake, chocolate decadence cake and lavender crème brûlée.
