Saratoga Today
Written by Mike Ryan
Friday, 14 September 2007
Klopstock expands with Fifty South
For the past 15 years, Kim Klopstock has catered weddings, dinners, parties and all kinds of events from Montreal to Florida. But for the last four years she's been intent on finding a place to call home base.
Her search ended when 2128 Doubleday Avenue in Milton, which previously housed Sharp's Pub and Leo's Diner, became available. The Route 50 location is perfect for her needs; with three kitchens, easy access to the highway and a "ridiculous" amount of parking Klopstock can run Fifty South, a restaurant and bar, and do all her gourmet catering for The Lily and the Rose under one roof.
Fifty South opened its doors Aug. 1. The eatery has drawn customers of all ages principally from Ballston Spa and Saratoga Springs, and Klopstock hopes to continue attracting interesting people who like food. Although everyone is welcome to the restaurant, the owner doesn't believe the customer is always right and won't tolerate jerks.
The restaurant serves breakfast and lunch seven days a week, and the former is available all day and night. Monday nights during football season people can catch their favorite team toss around the pigskin and enjoy some tailgating food. Wednesday through Saturday "twisted tapas" provide an interesting option for dinner. The tapas feature smaller portions and a greater variety of food, allowing people to sample different things without feeling stuffed.
"This is not a high style restaurant. We offer high quality food in a comfortable, friendly atmosphere," she said. "I want this place to be home. I just want it to be fun."
Klopstock originally established The Lily and the Rose as a way to support herself and two children while still expressing her artistic side. She confessed that she had no idea what she was doing at the start of the venture, and learned by hard knocks.
"I figured I'd make a business out of it or it'd go under and I'd do something else," Klopstock said.
Over the years the 47-year-old has built a reputation for herself and her business. Needless to say, it took a great deal of time and energy. As the owner of a catering business and a restaurant, as well as part of each one's cooking staff, 18 hour days are pretty normal for her.
Using organic products and as much local and natural food as possible is very important to Klopstock. The owner stressed that everything at the restaurant is handmade. Fifty South also recycles, composts, sells fair trade coffee, uses Green Wave biodegradable take-out containers and gives its fry oil to a man to fuel his car.
"We're trying to do our part," Klopstock said.
No one in her kitchen is allowed to be under the influence of drugs or alcohol, and Klopstock said a totally sober kitchen is a rarity in the restaurant industry. She believes the talented team she works with sets her business apart.
"I love to entertain. I think the best thing we do here is create an experience that's fun, delicious and not too expensive," she said.
Fifty South is open Wednesday through Saturday and Monday 7 a.m. - 10 p.m. and Sunday and Tuesday 7 a.m. to 3 p.m.
For more information, call 884-2926 or visit either www.lilyandtherose.com or www.fiftysouth.com, which is still under construction.
