May 6th 2017:Tulips Galore in Albany NY

It was time again to go look for flowers, and this time it was for tulips, at Washington Park in Albany NY. By the time we got there, we were feeling hungry from the long trip, so we decided to go for a meal nearby at 3Fish Coffee, a cafe which apparently was opened by the bicycle store next door, Downtube Bicycle Works.

We got the Vanilla Chai

and the Smashed Avocado and Dukkah (spice and nut blend) 9 Mixed Grain Bread.

The tea was actually not bad, not having any cinnamon flavor, although it definitely did smell like it. 

The bread itself did not look that impressive, but it was surprisingly flavorful and smooth. Might just come back here again some time.

From here, we headed into the park nearby,

where tulips were aplenty in the main part of the park. Pictures of the flowers follow.

From here, we headed towards

First Presbyterian Church

Old Albany High School,
141 Western Avenue

Old Capital City Seventh Day Adventist Church,
140 Western Avenue

University at Albany

Albany Fire Department Engine 1

St. Paul's Evangelical Lutheran Church

Townsend Park

Washington Avenue Armory

the downtown area, 

New York State Education Department Building

Legislative Office Building

Alfred E Smith Building

right where the New York State Capitol is,

  

where we headed to the Empire State Plaza,

where there are some interesting buildings as well.

Robert Abrams Building for Law and Justice

The Egg

Erastus Corning Tower

New York State Museum

There was a military procession going on today at the plaza as well.

From here, it was on to the New York State Museum, a pretty big exhibition of all sorts of stuff New York. Pictures of the exhibits here follow.

Next, we went up to the 4th floor,

where there is a carousel.

On the 7th floor is the New York State Library, which really is just a public library of sorts.

From here,

Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception

New York State WWII Memorial

we went to the underground level of the Empire State Plaza, where there is somewhat an underground city.

emerging back out,

and heading to the front of the State Capitol, where there was a nice bunch of tulips.

We spent some time in the area

City Hall

Philip Schuyler Memorial,
Eagle Street and Washington Avenue

Old Albany Academy

Albany County Supreme Court

St. Mary's Church

Corning Park, 65 Corning Place

Albany Masonic Temple

City Savings Bank Building

St. Peter's Episcopal Church

Verizon Building, 158 State Street

Court of Appeals

Lafayette Park,
Elk Street and Hawk Street

before deciding to head for lunch at Maggie's Cafe and Sports Grill, a sports bar in town.

We got the Clams (drunken clams served with beer and garlic)

and the Joe DiMaggio Burger (chargrilled burger, swiss cheese, bacon and sauteed mushrooms).

Pretty good food actually for a dive bar.

Next, we headed to the Crossgates Mall in Guilderland NY to walk around for a bit,

grabbing a Mango Shaved Ice from Berry and Berry Frozen Yogurt, a popular dessert place which is located within the mall.

Can see why it's so popular.

From here, we headed for our last activity and meal for the day, at Barcelona Restaurant back in Albany NY. This place is pretty upscale, although I can't tell if it is Spanish, Italian or Mediterranean.

The food we got was pretty Spanish though, with the Caracoles (Escargot, garlic, olive oil, roasted red peppers in a white wine pesto sauce, served over grilled Italian bread)

and the Gambas Al Ajillo (Shrimp sautéed in olive oil, garlic, parsley, & lemon juice, served over saffron rice & vegetables),

which came with a House Salad.

The escargots were cooked just right, not being too hard, while the shrimp were delicious in their sauce. The salad was just alright though. For dessert, we got the Chef Paul's Coconut Flan (caramelized coconut custard made with coconut rum and coconut milk, topped with roasted coconut  shavings).

Pretty good. No wonder this place is so fully booked they constantly kept turning people away. Good thing I made reservations.