NEW STATE, SAME QUALITY
Mass. restaurant owners move to Spa City, open Braeburn Tavern on Broadway
SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. » One Broadway restaurant is back open and ready for its first summer season in the Spa City.
New downtown eatery Braeburn Tavern recently opened at 390 Broadway. This location was formerly home to The Crown Grill, which closed on April 1.
The restaurant’s new owners are restaurateurs Scott Brankman and Emily Farnsworth-Brankman, who have reopened the space as Braeburn Tavern.
This husband and wife duo previously owned and operated Jack-Tar American Tavern in Marblehead, Mass. After nearly a decade in business there, the couple decided to close JackTar and relocate from Massachusetts to Saratoga Springs to start this new endeavor.
Both Brankman and Farnsworth-Brankman are originally from upstate New York, and decided to move back to their home state to be closer to family.
A few of their valued Jack-Tar employees even relocated along with them to join the staff at Braeburn Tavern.
Compared to Jack-Tar American Tavern, Braeburn Tavern is a little bit more upscale, but still casual.
“The concept we have here is similar to Jack-Tar, but elevated,” Farnsworth-Brankman said. “We still have pub food and tavern food but we elevate it to the next level, put a little unique spin on things.”
Instead of a standard nacho platter, Braeburn Tavern serves barbecue duck nachos, and rather than bright orange chicken wings, the restaurant offers grilled honey barbecue wings.
“We want our food to be approachable and fun, but elegant at the same time,” Farnsworth-Brankman said.
Other popular menu items include buffalo cauliflower, and a lobster and cod dish.
Chef Brankman’s favorite is the ahi tuna burger, and Farnsworth-Brankman’s is the black bean burger.
“Our goal going forward is just to really establish ourselves in the community,” said Farnsworth-Brankman, noting that they want Braeburn Tavern to be a place for locals to enjoy year-round.
After just a few months in the area, the owners are glad to be part of the Saratoga scene.
“I love it,” Farnsworth-Brankman said. “I’m just so happy here. People up here, they’re just so nice. It’s such a great community and there’s dogs everywhere, which is so lovely.”
The staff members who made the move with their bosses feel the same.
“We’re very happy about our decision,” said one Massachusetts native. “It’s beautiful in town. It’s honestly like nothing else.”
Braeburn Tavern is now open for lunch and dinner seven days a week. Its hours are 11:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday through Tuesday and 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday. Happy hour is everyday from 5 to 7 p.m.
Live acoustic music is offered each Thursday night and on Sunday nights there is a “Bottle and Burgers” deal with halfpriced burgers and $20 bottles of wine.
A ribbon cutting celebration and open house event will be announced soon.
More information on Braeburn Tavern is available at www.braeburnsaratoga.com or the Braeburn Tavern Facebook page.
To contact the restaurant, or to make a reservation, call (518) 430-2002.