By ELIZABETH SCHAEFER
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SCHENECTADY — Sometimes a girl just needs a good bloody mary.
Between work, workouts, kids back to school and throwing a move in there, I was more than desperate. But, then the question arises, not only do I need a bloody mary, but I need food, and I need to feed my daughter and boyfriend as well. So the only answer to this very quandary is Ambition in Schenectady. Tucked away on Jay Street, it is one of those places that is easy to miss, but once you go, you won’t forget about it. I have only have been there for brunch, but I have heard great things about their lunch. Ok so back to me and my desperate need for a bloody mary.
Ambition has a décor that is hard to explain, retro and fun would be the best way. All sorts of fun old posters, and signs on the walls, retro booths and tables and just a totally relaxing atmosphere. We seated ourselves and when the server came over to say that he would be right over, I told him that was great, but please send over a bloody mary immediately.
He came back quickly with our menus and to my delight, my beautiful drink. Served in a mason jar style mug, it comes with a cucumber garnish as well as a lemon and lime. It is perfectly spicy, not overpowering at all, and way too easy to drink! The first sip is always as good as the last, and the same goes for when you order a second (which on this particular day, I did). There is something just a little different about their bloody’s, something that makes them extra refreshing. I haven’t been able to decipher exactly what the difference is, but whatever it is, I like it!
Their menu is simple, which I like, because in general that means to me, you can’t go wrong. That everything is going to be good. They always have a quiche special as well as some sort of other special (a fancy French toast, pancake or waffle dish usually). I ended up with the Greek Omelet, which is spinach, feta, and mushrooms. I substituted egg whites, which wasn’t an issue at all. My boyfriend went with their “square start” which is basically eggs, toast, home fries and meat. My daughter wasn’t in the mood for breakfast (it was nearly 11:30) so she instead went with the Turkey Avocado Sandwich.
While we waited, my boyfriend enjoyed a coffee (their coffee is outstanding) and she had chocolate milk and I started in on my second bloody mary. This one, I took much slower.
The food is usually quick there, and the Sunday we were there was no different. Our meals came quickly, and they were hot and delicious. My omelet was large, and the fillings were plentiful. It also came with toast and home fries, so it was a lot of really good food for a super reasonable price. Her sandwich was really quite big, more than enough turkey, at least a half an avocado, and two really good looking strips of back. She usually finishes her meals, especially something like a sandwich, but she actually ended up bringing a decent size piece home. He was starving, so his meal was gone before I really had time to even look at it, but he was happy, so that is what counts.
Even with two “real” drinks, and three meals, I don’t recall the exact amount but our bill was very reasonable, which is what I knew to expect.
So, if you are a bloody mary person (they do have a variety of other brunch drinks as well), a coffee person, or just looking for somewhere fun and funky for brunch, definitely swing by Ambition. Plus, if you go on a Sunday, you can hit the Farmers Market on your way in or out!
Elizabeth Schaffer is a regular contributor to our Restaurant Review section. you can often find her reviews within the pages of TheSpot518 and online at TheSpot518.com.