I have never been a victim of crime in the County of Schenectady -- I am not afraid to drive ANYWHERE in the county.    The only time I have  ever been a victim of a crime was outside Clifton Country Mall back in the 19880's --- so I guess based on that one experience, I should NEVER venture into Saratoga County ever again.

I have lived in Detroit and Baltimore --- NEVER had a problem .... I have driven and visited other major US cities including New York City, Houston, Washington DC, Richmond, Denver, Chicago, Indianapolis, Boston  and Dallas  etc -- NEVER had a problem.

The key thing is that you can't let the "possibility" of something bad happen cripple you ... you take necessary precautions and pay attention to what is going on around you ... but you certainly don't stop living your life -- and you don't stop going to awesome family run restaurants like Petta's.

Quoted from Patches

Many of my HS friends are living in othere states....they left Schdy a long time ago...They come back for HS
reunions and are so ashamed they are from Schdy....went on a tour a few years ago , of their old neighborhoods
and will never go back....totally surprised and ashamed that for the City who once "Lights and Hauls the World"
has become a trashy city with trashy neighborhoods full of criminals and undesirables.

Same here! We have some family and friends who moved away too. When they come back they ride around the entire county and say beyond a doubt that they are glad they moved away and would never move back. They are sickened by whatthey see. The trashiness and the blight! When folks ask them where they are from, they never say schenectady....they just say 'upstate ny'.

They all live in different states, and yet they all have great jobs, nice homes, low taxes and live in clean, safe and sound communities. We have visited a few of them....and if it weren't for family, we'd be outta nys too.

Quoted from DemocraticVoiceOfReason

The only time I have  ever been a victim of a crime was outside Clifton Country Mall back in the 19880's --- so I guess based on that one experience, I should NEVER venture into Saratoga County ever again.

I'm sure they'd appreciate it if you didn't.  

Anyone who can't see that quality-of-life crimes are at astronomic levels has blinders on. It has never been so bad as it has these past few years. petty vandalism, minor theft, panhandling, trash being strewn about from gang-banging cars, hate-hop music blaring louder than a jetplane making your walls shake, cars busted into, windows busted, people throwing missiles out of their cars at pedestrians and other cars.

Absolutely no respect and utter degradation of the human species that lives in the city and it is creeping into the town. You can ignore it and pretend dishonestly that it is not real, or you can stand up and demand the community and the politicians take it on. The police do what they can do but if they utter a word to a "youth" the "youth" is more like to say "F you MF" the cop because LIBERALISM has told them they should.

They are all entitled, and if you don't GIVE them something for free, they will TAKE it. This is a differnt city than 20 years ago, entirely. NYC scum lives here now and they have the scum culture with them. You can't mix dirty water with clean water and get clean water. You get dirty water.

It is truly sad, but you are right and it doesn't seem to be getting any better.

Since this thread is about a GREAT  Italian restaurant -- I will share my thoughts about what I consider to be good Italian food.  

First - I am NOT a huge fan of pasta smothered in tomato sauce ... tomato sauce is ok and simple enough to make at home .. if I am going to eat Italian food out, I prefer to order something in a good pesto sauce or some other sauce that is more complex and exquisite than a simple tomato sauce.     Of course -- pasta is best eaten when tossed with a blend of butter and olive oil with some fresh herbs.

Second - I simply love seafood .... and calamari - prepared in any way - is one of my favorite seafoods.

Third - If I am not ordering seafood ... I am partial to pork ... and one of the best meals that I ever had was made with Wild Boar  (served at Trattoria Rustica in Pittsfield)  --- that meal was one of the top 3 most heavenly culinary experiences of my life.

Quoted from DemocraticVoiceOfReason

I am partial to pork

Ya, we know ... it's all around town.  Urban too.

And it shows.

One of the best Italian restaurants was the place on Rosa Road (long since closed, - a few other restaurants have opened in there since) --- corner of Gerling Street ---  they had the most exquisite Seafood Fra Diavlo in the world.  

You never did answer the question about where on Duane Avenue a Renaissance has occurred.

Why don't you ask Mike Petta the next time the DEM luncheon or fundraiser happens at Petta's.

Thinking that once the Gazetto Head Honcho buys Cornell's there is going to be QUITE a few DEM dollars going that way. If the DEMS couldn't even file the financials for Mike, what makes him think the party will keep coming to his restaurant for buffets?

  

Your comments show that you have never truly had a good tomato sauce...and to say it is simple enough to make at home shows you have no clue how to make a good marinara. Experiencing good other sauces is important and adds variety, but the basic tomato sauce, made correctly, is still the intended dish.  Others have become famous and are expereiments that have gone well.  Personally I prefer a good Alfredo and variations on that theme...again, not simple to make and have it taste right. Use the wrong cheeses and it's awful!!!!

DVOR has argued the public safety issue the opposite way under the guise of GG. In any case don't bother to argue with him because he thinks he's making logical intelligent points when he's not.
You people who post about Italian cuisine on here make me hungry. There really isn't better food, is there? There may be some equally as good, but is there a country that has brought us BETTER food? I think not.

No one in their right mind wants to get robbed or shot going to a lousy Italiano joint. There are too many better like Ferrari's, New Ritz Terrace on Van Vranken or Canali's closer to home. Duane Ave is in the toilet like the rest of Ham Hill since the DEM implosion team dumped $100 million into 2 blocks around Proctor's. Haven't been to Petta's since they stopped lunch. Given the disgusting smear campaign Mike Petta ran never going there again. Doubt it will make a 65th anniversary. Too many better alternatives with much better food.

oh oh


lest we not mention other ethnic cuisines....guess it goes along with the "E> I> O<" thinking...

Pig Out Barbecue is now open, BTW.

I make a very awesome tomato sauce at home --- so I very rarely order anything in a tomato sauce at a restaurant.

I have already stated which Italian restaurants that my family and I choose to patronize -- and choose not to comment about the others.

And I still maintain that Petta's Restaurant IS a part of the Renaissance of Schenectady because it is a business that has survived and flourished for 60 years  --- and it draws many wonderful people into the Hamilton Hill neighborhood to enjoy the great food and great customer service.   Hopefully - other businesses will choose to open in the neighborhood and will one day celebrate 60 years in operation.