DOWNTOWN DINING
Seneca celebrates its recent Spa City opening
There’s a new place to dine in downtown Saratoga Springs with the opening of Seneca.
Located at 17 Division St., Seneca opened last month offering a menu built around local fruits and vegetables as well as seasonal steaks and seafood prepared on a woodfired grill.
The restaurant, the city’s first to feature a wood-fired grill, is owned and operated by husbandwife chef team Mike and Michelle Spain, both graduates of the Culinary Institute of America.
The Spa City couple first met while working at a Connecticut restaurant that featured a wood-fired grill, and when it came time to begin their own entrepreneurial endeavor, they decided to make that the focus of their kitchen.
“It’s unique, the flavor you can get from woodgrilled,” Mike said. “When we thought of Seneca, thought of this concept, we were like ‘100 percent, we’re going wood-fired grill.’”
Prior to starting Seneca, Mike served as executive chef at Druthers, where
“When we thought of Seneca, thought of this concept, we were like ‘100 percent, we’re going wood-fired grill.’” — Mike Spain, owner and operator
Michelle worked too. Helping open two new Druthers’ locations over the past few years gave Mike the confidence to open his own restaurant from the ground up, he said.
In designing the Seneca concept, the Spains aimed to create a place that they would enjoy as diners. “When we go out to eat, this is what we love,” he said, noting the restaurant’s craft cocktails, wine and multiple course options.
The Seneca menu, which changes often to incorporate fresh produce from local farms, is inspired by the area’s resources, the Spains’ personal experiences dining out and what can be made on the restaurant’s wood-fired grill.
Popular dishes include korean short ribs, pierogis and wood-grilled hangar steak.
The 65-seat restaurant, designed by local interior design firm Sensory Six, includes stylish tiling, seating, light fixtures and a large bar.
Over the past several weeks, feedback from customers has been positive, the owners reported. “Saratoga Springs is a big foodie city, so anytime you open a new restaurant, the pressure is on. There are high expectations,” Mike said, “and I think so far we’ve been exceeding those expectations, which is great.”
Likewise, Mike and Michelle are happy with their audience. “We love the clientele that come in. It’s a fun crowd, that’s the atmosphere we’re trying to create,” Mike said. “We’ve got people in business suits coming in, to people in tshirts and jeans - and that’s what we want.”
The ultimate goal for Seneca, the owners said, is to build a reputation for providing great food, cocktails and wine pairings along with a fun, inviting atmosphere.
Looking ahead to the future, the Spains hope Seneca can be considered one of the top restaurants in Saratoga Springs. “There are some great restaurants in this town,” Mike said, “and we’d love to be in the same category as them.”
Seneca is open for dinner, beginning at 5 p.m., Wednesday through Sunday.
More information about Seneca is available online at seneca-saratoga.com.
Reservations can be made online through Resy, or by phone.