New wood-fired restaurant opening in downtown Schenectady

SCHENECTADY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- In September, Zen Asian Fusion Lounge closed at 469 State Street in Schenectady. Now, the same owners are getting ready to open Ember & Cork in the same space.

Marc Alvarez is the Executive Chef and Director of Operations for Ember & Cork. He said the Zen Asian Fusion owners brought him on to change the restaurant's concept.

Alvarez has been a chef for 40 years. He grew up in the Bronx and worked around Manhattan, opened a restaurant called Ember in Anguilla, and has been living outside the country for the past nine years. Alvarez recently returned to the Capital Region as his wife is from Niskayuna.

Zen Asian Fusion Lounge closed on September 7. In a note on Facebook, the owners said, "After 11 wonderful years spent with you, we have decided it is time to close our doors and begin another adventure. We hope you have enjoyed this time with us as much as we have enjoyed it with you. Thank you for your generosity, hospitality, and patronage over the years."

The space went through some renovations including turning the sushi bar into a crudo (raw) bar. They also changed up the décor, tables and chairs, and overall feel of the restaurant.

Ember & Cork will be focusing on wood-fired cuisine. The menu includes oysters, clams, a seafood tower, grilled avocado, octopus, short ribs wraps, tuna, salmon, steak, lamb, burgers, pasta dishes, and a crispy suckling pig, which Alvarez thinks will be a hit.

"It's eclectic," said Alvarez. "It's a mixture of French, Italian, little bit of Japanese, and a little Asian."

Ember & Cork also has an extensive list of 150 wines. The list leans heavily on French, Italian, Spanish and New World red wines, and Alvarez said most are reasonably-priced.

Alvarez is planning to have the restaurant open to the public on Tuesday, October 29. Ember & Cork will be open for reservations on Resy before the official opening.

The restaurant will be open for dinner Tuesday through Thursday from 5:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. and from 5:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. on Friday and Saturday. Ember & Cork will also be having brunch on Sundays from 10:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Alvarez said they'll eventually be adding lunch as well.

"We're happy to introduce a new concept to the neighborhood," said Alvarez.