Chocolate Gecko A Rare Find-that's easier to find!

Where can you find Chocolate Geckos, Salty Iguanas, Galapagos Turtles, and Chai Buddha Truffles? Right on Colvin. The Chocolate Gecko, the well-known Capital District confectionary has relocated to 21 Colvin Avenue. Since their grand opening Saturday co-owner Chris Migliaro says that the crowds have been queuing up for a taste of these idiosyncratically-named goodies.

The Chocolate Gecko was started eight years ago on Delaware Avenue by Lissa D'Aquini, who wanted to make award-winning gourmet chocolates using the finest ingredients and minimal packaging.

Migliaro and his co-owners Terra Stratton and Esti Zarza were lifetime customers of Chocolate Gecko, and stopped in often to grab the delicious treats, particularly the Kimodo Crunch candy. Then a year-and-a-half ago, the trio decided to purchase the candy company from D'Aquini who was looking to sell. Migliaro said the trio saw an opportunity, and looks forward to making this candy company into an even bigger success. The first step they took was to remodel the Colvin storefront and move the business to its more centrally-located location. "We're really excited to be here," Migliaro said. The next thing will be to revamp the company's website, Migliaro said.

The company specializes in chocolate dipped fruit, molded truffles, and offers handmade gift baskets.

All candy is made right on premises, and then sold at the shop and through mail-order. Chocolate Gecko is also available at local merchants like the Spectrum 8 on Delaware Avenue.

Stop in and visit their chocolate menagery at 21 Colvin Avenue Monday through Friday 11-6pm or Saturday 10-2pm. For more information, please call 436-0866.

Salsa Latina adds South American Spice to Central Avenue

Luis Uzhca and his family opened their restaurant Salsa Latina on Central Avenue because they wanted to introduce Albany to South American food, said Uzhca. The Latin American restaurant offers Mexican favorites, but also a mix of South American specialties, including treats from Columbia, and Uzhca's native country, Ecuador. "We wanted everyone to try our food and see something different."

The top-selling item on the menu, and also Uzhca's favorite, is Bandeja Typica. The dish includes grilled steak, pork tips, chorizo, fried egg, white rice, beans rancheros, avocado, and arepa, a thick bread made with corn meal, "a little bit of everything, so you can try it all," he said. The dish has been incredibly popular, especially for deliveries to Albany Medical Center, St. Peter's Hospital, and the DMV, Uzhca said. "I didn't think it would be a big hit, but it has been."

The other big hit has been the homemade bread, sold fresh from the bakery counter in the restaurant. Uzhca had such trouble finding good bread when he moved to Albany five years ago--"You can't find any Mexican bread here"--he had to pick up loaves in Boston and New York when he traveled. He decided to open a bakery in the restaurant for others who might be in the same position. The loaves range from 50-90 cents--that's right 90 cents, and right now, the restaurant is running a special--15 loaves for $10.

With its ceramic tile and the colorful tissue paper flags dangling from the ceiling, the Latin American and Mexican grill feels like an outdoor marketplace, and the tile roof that extends over the bakery case of homemade breads only adds to that atmosphere.

Uzhca likes the Central location, and has said surrounding businesses including WAMC, have been very supportive of the new restaurant. Lots of businesses are coming to the area, especially international restaurants, and Uzhca hopes Salsa Latina will benefit from this influx of customers. Uzhca was born in Ecuador and grew up there, before immigrating to Queens at 15. In 1998 he returned to Ecaudor to live, and then in 2003, he and his family moved to Albany to open Salsa Latina. Uzhca owns the restaurant with his cousin, who is a chef, and with another long-time family friend who was a professional chef in Manhattan before coming on board at Salsa Latina.

Visit Salsa Latina today at 315 Central Avenue and can be reached at 426-7050, or visit the website at www.misalsalatina.com

Word on the Street: Summertime and the livin's easy

Summer is here, and life just feels better. Here, district neighbors share what they like best about summer:

"Hiking at Thacher Park, Alive at Five, swimming in the Mohawk, outdoor dining, going to ballgames in New York, and barbeques."

--Rosanna Borden, Waitstaff, Saso's Japanese Noodle House

"The weather. Being able to canoe and hike. Watching nature in action."

--Alan Lasker, President, National Business Promotions, Inc.

"The weather. Summer is off to a good start."

--Shafi Muhammed, Owner, Medina Mart

"Everybody's attitude changes. It's a positive attitude. People are smiling more and you go out and see your neighbors more."

--Adrienne Scherzer, Co-owner, Rosen's Uniforms