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Tipsy Moose chef plans to open own place; Niskayuna Farmers Market returning

Brandon Styles, who as the founding chef of Tipsy Moose Tap & Tavern helped it grow to a three-location business in less than four years in part on the strength of indulgences like deep-fried grilled cheese sandwiches, six variations on poutine and nine mac-n-cheeses, has left the company and is developing a concept with a focus on (mostly) healthy eating.

The irony is not lost on him. “We’ll still have some things like that,” Styles said with a laugh. His new venture, to be called Mr. Bumbles Cafe, will offer breakfast, lunch and early dinner, mostly lighter fare and with an awareness of various dietary restrictions and preferences. He said he also plans to offer a meal-prep service, for individual purchase or by subscription, that will have allowances for diets including keto, vegan, gluten-averse, low-carb and more.

Styles is scouting locations, among them a former’s Domino’s pizza shop next to the Albany Tipsy Moose, which opened in March, just before the pandemic shutdown. The first Tipsy Moose, in Latham, debuted to quickly rising popularity in June 2016, followed by a Troy Tipsy Moose in October 2018. Styles said he prefers the Albany Tipsy Moose area, near New Scotland Avenue’s two hospitals, for Mr. Bumbles Cafe, but he’s also looking at proposals from developers from Cohoes to Gloversville.

Depending on property considerations and factors related to the coronavirus pandemic, an optimistic time frame to open would be in October, Styles said. A Tipsy Moose representative said a single executive chef to oversee food service will not be named at this time.