What has been on the menu at SPAC’s many food-centric spots over the years? Let\u2019s dig in as we explore what’s on the menu in formal dining rooms and gala, lawn picnics, and from take-out concessions options for SPAC’s patrons.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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Concert Concessions<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\nLooking Forward<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Before Governor Cuomo became a household leader on national television during the COVID-19 pandemic, Gov. Cuomo granted $1.5 million to SPAC for a $9.5 million visitor facility complete with a new concessions area. Coming in summer 2020, the visitor facility will replace the concessions tents.<\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"http:\/\/mdocs.skidmore.edu\/SPAC_stories\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/spac-concessions-tents.jpeg\")
<\/figure><\/li>![\"\"](\"http:\/\/mdocs.skidmore.edu\/SPAC_stories\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/spac-construction-hc-2.jpg\")
<\/figure><\/li><\/ul>Current Concessions Area and Rendering of Future Facility<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\nLooking Back<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Before the new visitor facility cooks up new treats, attendees for New York City Ballet and Philadelphia Orchestra performances as well as Live Nation concerts received sustenance at the concessions tents. For at least the last thirty years, SPAC continued its commitment to serving food made on site. In the early 1990s, SPAC built pizza ovens on-site because \u201csizzle sells\u201d especially when guests can witness the sizzle right before their eyes (and mouths).[2]<\/a> Since the 2019 summer season, SPAC still makes fresh pizza and chicken sandwiches.<\/p>\n\n\n\nOver the years, SPAC also sought to balance their menus with classic concert fare and culinary variety. In 1992, the balance looked like the standard fare of Subway sandwiches, hot dogs, and nachos while also serving \u201ca fresh fruit plate, a cheese platter and quiche.\u201d[3]<\/a> Recently, SPAC added vegan and gluten-free options as their changes mirror evolving cuisines trends in American culture. SPAC maintains its mission to leave all guests with a full stomach of their favorite snacks and meals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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Hall of Springs Dining<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"http:\/\/mdocs.skidmore.edu\/SPAC_stories\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/crop2.png\")
<\/figure><\/li>![\"\"](\"http:\/\/mdocs.skidmore.edu\/SPAC_stories\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/pcrmenu-crop.png\")
<\/figure><\/li>![\"\"](\"http:\/\/mdocs.skidmore.edu\/SPAC_stories\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/foodhallofsprings.jpeg\")
<\/figure><\/li><\/ul>Hall of Springs 1977, Patrons’ Club Menu 1995, Patrons Club’ Fare 2019<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\nFrom the days of the Hall of Springs with its mineral water dispensing bars to today\u2019s SPAC Patrons\u2019 Club Restaurant and weddings, dining remains a staple at the Hall of Springs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
SPAC Patrons, community members committed to the mission of SPAC with their support and generous donations, can dine at the exclusive Patrons\u2019 Club Restaurant in the Hall of Springs before performances. Ensuring plenty of time before the show, SPAC Patrons dined on locally sourced, farm to table cuisines such as Maine salmon or chickpea eggplant curry with ample libation options in 2019.[4]<\/a> Twenty-four years earlier, correspondence shows a proposed menu featuring tournedos portibello, \u201ctenderloins (2) broiled to perfection and dressed with a sauce of portibello mushrooms, sundried tomatoes and wine.\u201d[5]<\/a> Despite cooking different meals over the years, the SPAC Patrons\u2019 Club Restaurant hopes to provide honored members and guests with a hearty and full stomach before consuming more delicacies: the orchestra and ballet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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Picnics on the Lawn<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\nFrom SPAC\u2019s beginning, fans have flocked to the lawn for a pairing of picnic snacks and music, as seen in photos from the 1960s, 1980s and 2000 (below). The 1983 image features a group dining al fresco before the annual New York City Ballet Gala. The 2016 image, taken from a performance program, says it best, “SPAC is one of the few outdoor performing arts venues whose sloping lawn is perfectly suited to fully view the amphitheater while enjoying a picnic on the lawn with friends.”[6]<\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"http:\/\/mdocs.skidmore.edu\/SPAC_stories\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/picnic1.png\")
<\/figure><\/li>![\"\"](\"http:\/\/mdocs.skidmore.edu\/SPAC_stories\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/picnic2.png\")
<\/figure><\/li>![\"\"](\"http:\/\/mdocs.skidmore.edu\/SPAC_stories\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/picnic3.png\")
<\/figure><\/li><\/ul>1968, 1983 & 2016<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Saratoga Wine & Food Festival<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"http:\/\/mdocs.skidmore.edu\/SPAC_stories\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/wineandfood1-1.png\")
<\/figure><\/li>![\"\"](\"http:\/\/mdocs.skidmore.edu\/SPAC_stories\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/charcuterie-board-1-1024x683.png\")
<\/figure><\/li><\/ul>2008 Brochure & 2019 Charcuterie Board<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\nIn 2019, SPAC revamped the Saratoga Wine & Food Festival, the largest fundraiser for its educational programs, with a focus on farm-to-table and the cultural and culinary richness of the Capital Region.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- <\/figure><\/li><\/figure><\/li><\/ul>
Current Concessions Area and Rendering of Future Facility<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n Looking Back<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Before the new visitor facility cooks up new treats, attendees for New York City Ballet and Philadelphia Orchestra performances as well as Live Nation concerts received sustenance at the concessions tents. For at least the last thirty years, SPAC continued its commitment to serving food made on site. In the early 1990s, SPAC built pizza ovens on-site because \u201csizzle sells\u201d especially when guests can witness the sizzle right before their eyes (and mouths).[2]<\/a> Since the 2019 summer season, SPAC still makes fresh pizza and chicken sandwiches.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Over the years, SPAC also sought to balance their menus with classic concert fare and culinary variety. In 1992, the balance looked like the standard fare of Subway sandwiches, hot dogs, and nachos while also serving \u201ca fresh fruit plate, a cheese platter and quiche.\u201d[3]<\/a> Recently, SPAC added vegan and gluten-free options as their changes mirror evolving cuisines trends in American culture. SPAC maintains its mission to leave all guests with a full stomach of their favorite snacks and meals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Hall of Springs Dining<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
- <\/figure><\/li><\/figure><\/li><\/figure><\/li><\/ul>
Hall of Springs 1977, Patrons’ Club Menu 1995, Patrons Club’ Fare 2019<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n From the days of the Hall of Springs with its mineral water dispensing bars to today\u2019s SPAC Patrons\u2019 Club Restaurant and weddings, dining remains a staple at the Hall of Springs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
SPAC Patrons, community members committed to the mission of SPAC with their support and generous donations, can dine at the exclusive Patrons\u2019 Club Restaurant in the Hall of Springs before performances. Ensuring plenty of time before the show, SPAC Patrons dined on locally sourced, farm to table cuisines such as Maine salmon or chickpea eggplant curry with ample libation options in 2019.[4]<\/a> Twenty-four years earlier, correspondence shows a proposed menu featuring tournedos portibello, \u201ctenderloins (2) broiled to perfection and dressed with a sauce of portibello mushrooms, sundried tomatoes and wine.\u201d[5]<\/a> Despite cooking different meals over the years, the SPAC Patrons\u2019 Club Restaurant hopes to provide honored members and guests with a hearty and full stomach before consuming more delicacies: the orchestra and ballet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Picnics on the Lawn<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
From SPAC\u2019s beginning, fans have flocked to the lawn for a pairing of picnic snacks and music, as seen in photos from the 1960s, 1980s and 2000 (below). The 1983 image features a group dining al fresco before the annual New York City Ballet Gala. The 2016 image, taken from a performance program, says it best, “SPAC is one of the few outdoor performing arts venues whose sloping lawn is perfectly suited to fully view the amphitheater while enjoying a picnic on the lawn with friends.”[6]<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- <\/figure><\/li><\/figure><\/li><\/figure><\/li><\/ul>
1968, 1983 & 2016<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Saratoga Wine & Food Festival<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\n- <\/figure><\/li><\/figure><\/li><\/ul>
2008 Brochure & 2019 Charcuterie Board<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n In 2019, SPAC revamped the Saratoga Wine & Food Festival, the largest fundraiser for its educational programs, with a focus on farm-to-table and the cultural and culinary richness of the Capital Region.<\/p>\n\n\n\n