The Saratogian
By KEVIN GOODWIN, The Saratogian
07/22/2007

Head 'South' this summer

Caterer Kim Klopstock is used to serving delicious creations to her customers, but through her new venture, Fifty South Restaurant and Bar, she'll be able to do that in her own space.

The new eatery is set to open Aug. 1 on Route 50 just outside the village of Ballston Spa.

Klopstock, owner and chef of The Lily and The Rose catering company, is beginning this new venture to have a centrally located base for her business and to create a fun place for people to hang out. She does catering throughout New York and also in Washington D.C., and Greenwich, Conn. She's even catering an event in Florida this winter. She said she's been in the business for 15 years and now that her catering business has gotten so big, she needs a place to expand.

"The restaurant allows me to have a strong home base in the community that I love," Klopstock said.

The restaurant at 2128 Doubleday Ave. was most recently known as Sharp's Pub (and Leo's Diner before that).

"I've been looking for a place for two to three years," Klopstock said. She said the three kitchens were the selling point for her, so she could work the restaurant along with her catering business.

"I'm still a caterer," Klopstock said. "The restaurant is going to be fun." Klopstock said Fifty South will be open seven days a week for breakfast, lunch and a "twisted tapas" dinner menu. Everything from chicken wings to pan-seared tuna will be offered. Cold beer and a variety of wines also will be available.

The restaurant is styled as a diner, and she hopes it will provide people a place to eat, drink and be merry. Klopstock also pointed out there is plenty of parking on site.

She said Craig Canty will serve as restaurant manager and chef. Klopstock said Canty, who had been working as an engineer, decided sitting behind a desk was not for him any longer and wanted to return to the restaurant business.

"He preferred being creative and has a real love for food," she said. In the fall, Klopstock said she would like to have "celebrity chefs" come in with a menu of their own and invite guests as a fundraiser for a charity of their choice. She also plans to host Monday Night Football events during football season.

Klopstock said she has many more ideas for the restaurant, which she describes as continuously evolving.

Fifty South is located 2128 Doubleday Ave. To reach the restaurant, go to www. fiftysouth.com or call 885-8588.