Fish to open new cafe on Congress this spring
Moving on: Hungry Fish closing, owner to open Cafe Congress
TROY >> Out with the old, and moving across town to start anew - Sarah Fish, owner of The Hungry Fish Café and her partner Josh Sheehan are refocusing their energy into a new endeavor.
The two are purchasing 336 Congress St., alongside Prospect Park, to open a new restaurant called Café Congress, expected to open in late May.
The Congress Street location has been vacant for the past few years, since the last of several failed pizzerias closed, Fish said. The last business in the building was Pauly’s Parkside Pizza. Fish plans to live in the apartment above the business.
Their proposal was approved last Thursday and the deal will be closed in mid-March. Fish and Sheehan will then start to remodel the building to meet their vision.
Café Congress will include two stories and two menus. Upstairs, laid back dining such as tapas and shareable plates will accompany live performance. Fish hopes to host music and burlesque shows. Owned by two music and artlovers, they’re excited to bring those elements into the restaurant. Fish plans to compliment the entertainment with creative event- specific menus. Guests can also book private events upstairs.
Rather than choosing a restraining restaurant theme, the downstairs menu will showcase international street cuisine, tying in favorites from all over the globe. “Everyplace in the world has street food,” Fish said. As always, Fish will be making everything completely from scratch.
Café Congress will offer lunch on weekdays, dinner on certain nights and occasional brunch. The seating capacity is similar in size to the current café.
The new restaurant will be licensed to serve beer and wine, another new ability. However, “I don’t want it to feel like a bar,” Fish said.
Café Congress will hire about five new employees between the wait staff and kitchen, Fish said. Currently, Fish and Sheehan are the only employees at The Hungry Fish Café.
With three years as a chef and business owner now under her belt, Fish is eager to plant her new roots on Congress Street. Thrilled with her new menu ideas, “I’m really interested in exploring the craft,” she said. Fish is personally excited to embrace the new business, and leave The Hungry Fish behind. The Hungry Fish Café plans to close in late March, but will still be open on weekends into April. The café originally opened in 2011.
“I’m really happy to have a permanent location,” Fish said. The Hungry Fish Café has been leasing their current space at 615 Pawling Ave. for a year and a half.
For the city, “I think it’s something that Troy really needs,” Fish said. She hopes to enhance the growing Congress Street scene.
A benefit show entitled Rockin’ to Relocate will take place at 6 p.m. on March 21 at River Street Pub in Troy, featuring the Mysteios, the ElDorados and Shift the Paradigm. Funds will go toward the acquisition of the new property, which Fish and Sheehan will own, as well as relocation expenses. Admission is $12 in advance, $15 at the door and tickets are available at the Hungry Fish Café and River Street Beat Shop.