For the seniors across campus, this time of the year means counting down the days until graduation and trying to secure a position in grad school or at a company. There is no better feeling than knowing that the next stage of your life is already lined up, and there is no better cause for celebrating. For yours truly, getting the dream job offer meant treating myself to an amazing meal—and I could think of no other place than Daisy Baker’s in downtown Troy.
Though I had only been there once before, my memories of that visit revolved around some of the best scallops I have ever had, which is saying a lot coming from an avid seafood eater. I wanted to congratulate myself in style, and after hearing several responses of “What is Daisy Baker’s?” I took it upon myself to open the campus’s eyes to dining perfection.
At first glance, both the outside of the building—hidden on a block of gorgeous brownstones—and its quaint interior are easy to miss, but there is a long history behind the space. The room that is used for dining was previously a chapel under the Church of Christian Science, and the organ pipes still lace the walls. Some of the seats were once pews, which enhance the historical value, yet this reviewer’s guest noted that they were not very comfortable.
After being promptly seated, albeit on hard wooden benches, our server immediately tended to our drink orders and rattled off the evening’s specials. The drinks were followed by a basket of warm bread accompanied by the house-made garlic and herb butter, and we had to restrain ourselves from inhaling it all. We ordered the fried calamari appetizer, which arrived within a few minutes, and the aromas from the hot plate were overwhelming. The light yet flavorful breading was excellently paired with caramelized garlic and sliced peppers, and the sweet chili sauce tied it all together nicely. My guest and I polished off the ample serving with lightning speed and did not miss the traditional preparation served with marinara sauce.
For the main course, my guest chose the filet mignon topped with red onion jam and bleu cheese, served with whipped Yukon Gold potatoes and green beans. This part of the meal did require some waiting time, as the filet was ordered medium well, but the results were well worth the wait. The meat was tender and juicy, cooked perfectly, with just the right amount of toppings to enhance—not mask—the flavor. The potatoes and green beans were very fresh and helped let the filet shine without being dull additions to the plate.
For my meal, I ordered the pan-seared salmon filet topped with cilantro pesto and served atop a bed of sautéed spinach and white rice. The dish was finished off with a roasted tomato remoulade on the border, but I tended to avoid the sauce as I am not a fan of the tartar taste. The salmon itself was simply prepared, and the succulent filet broke apart easily—without falling apart—with the use of a fork. The entire dish had a very clean and simple approach to it, though I would have preferred some spices in the rice to elevate it to the fish’s level of taste.
Both my guest and I had been satisfied with the meals, but we asked to see a dessert menu just in case. Our server listed the offerings from memory, and as soon as he mentioned the chocolate toffee mousse cake, our stomachs magically made a little room. We split a decent-sized piece and fell in love from the first to the last bite, though we stopped short of licking the plate clean. The chocolate was rich but not over the top, and the bits of toffee were a nice complement to the main attraction.
Although the menu prices are a bit higher than traditional restaurants, the food is absolutely delicious and the friendly service is unmatched by chain establishments. The appetizers vary from $7–11, while the main courses are priced in the $20–30 range, and though we did not see the dessert menu, the mousse cake was $6. Daisy Baker’s may not be in the everyday budget of most college students; however, if you are looking for a nice dinner out for a celebration or special event, I would highly recommend making the short trip downtown.
