Albany food and wine fest has extra possibilities

The focus of the 8th annual "Albany Chefs' Food & Wine Festival: Wine & Dine for the Arts" is the Hilton Albany. But, that doesn't mean the spirit of the event hasn't lapped over into other venues.

While the main events will be held at the downtown hotel this Thursday through Saturday and nearby venues, 11 local restaurants are offering specials this week, from daily food and cocktail features to one-night dinner events. They are (and you can see their offers here):

• Albany Marriott
• Angelo's 677 Prime
• The Point
• The Hollow Bar & Kitchen
• Wellington's
• Charter at Hilton Albany
• Rascals
• Ama Cocina
• dp An American Brasserie
• Yono's
• The Capital Bistro

As noted in earlier postings here and on my Dowd On  Drinks blog, grand tastings are set for Friday and Saturday, and a "Slider Slam," a gala dinner and competitions for chefs, bartenders and baristas also are on the main schedule.

Tickets prices come in many forms, from $50 for the slider competition to $1,000 for an all-festival pass for two. Go here for details, but jf you haven't done that earlier you may be disappointed since many sell out early

Statistics for the festival are impressive: more than 2,500 domestic and imported wines, beers and spirits; food from more than 70 regional chefs from the region; more than 3,000 people expected to attend; and more than  $675,000 raised for local arts organizations in the first seven years.

You can see the list of beneficiaries here.

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• Go here to visit the Capital Region Brew Trail
• Go here to visit Dowd's New York Wines Notebook
• Go here to visit Notes On Napkins 

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