By Jennifer Farnsworth
As the Congress Plaza renovations continue,
new retail businesses and restaurants
are looking to be a part of this Saratoga
Springs location.
Part of the draw of Congress Plaza in
Saratoga Springs renovation is the Main
Street outdoor mall feel, something that
both residents and visitors find attractive.
Entrepreneur Alex Nickola was excited to
announce this as the location for his Three
Vines Bistro and Meatball Room, an Italian
restaurant with a twist that he and his two
brothers-in-law are hoping will become a new
local favorite place to dine.
It will be located in the space between
Purdy’s Wines and Liquors and Rent-A-Center.
The restaurant is looking to hire 20 to 25
people to start.
The concept behind Three Vines is not
the average Italian-style restaurant, but it
will still have all of the traditional Italian
favorites, he said.
Nickola said the “meatball room” notion
is one that is different. It will be centered
around a grand, pub-height table with bar
stools. This area will be able to accommodate
one large group or many smaller
groups who will be able to order off a special
meatball menu.
“This area will be a great place to hang out
and talk while enjoying a menu of 10 to 15 different
meatball choices, including everything
from vegetarian to lobster to gluten free. And
of course, we will have the traditional Italian
meatballs,” said Nickola.
He said this area will have beer pairing for
the specialized menu, including craft beers on
tap and a large variety of wine.
The main side of the restaurant will be
more of a traditional home-style feel. Nickola
said that menu will feature classic dishes as
well as steak and seafood. He said one of the
greatest features is the wood-fire stove where
almost all of the items will be prepared. The
stove will allow the dishes to be infused with
specialized smoke flavors, such as applewood
and beachwood.
“Seventy-five to 80 percent of all our dishes
will come from here,” he said of the wood
stove. “It’s part of our open concept kitchen
which we hope will making eating here now
only delicious but interesting.”
Congress Plaza is undergoing renovations
slated to be completed in the fall. Nickola
said he can’t give an exact opening date, but
is hoping for late September, or early October
the latest.
“It will be a very cool, laid-back environment,”
said Nickola.
The name was inspired by the three brothers-
in-law working together, an extension of
the family tree and each one of them is a vine,
Nickola said.