Saratoga Steakhouse Planned

Bobby Mitchell to open eatery block from his Wheat Fields

ROBIN K. COOPER , The Daily Gazette 08/12/2003

SARATOGA SPRINGS - Broadway chef and restaurant owner Bobby Mitchell will open a new steakhouse on Putnam Street next month, just one block east of The Wheat Fields, the well-known Broadway pasta house he took over eight years ago.

Mitchell's newest endeavor, Doc's Steakhouse, will be located in the former Graham's Restaurant site in the Diamond Brady Building at 63 Putnam St.

The menu will feature a wide range of prime rib and porterhouse and New York strip steaks, fish and a salad and bread bar.

The entrees will run between $15 and $20, Mitchell said.

"My philosophy is to stay consistent with service and the kitchen and offer a fair value that will keep local families coming in year-round," he said.

The building has been idle since fall when Graham's Restaurant & Bar closed.

The owners of Eartha's Restaurant, a Court Street eatery, leased the Putnam Street location in hopes of moving to a larger facility.

Those plans were scrapped after the owners said the move would have required too much work.

Mitchell said he has purchased the contract from Adam Madkour, owner of Eartha's and the Saratoga Springs Water Co.

Mitchell said he will run the kitchen's at Wheat Fields and Doc's.

"I already work seven days a week, so I don't think there will be much difference," he said.

The Putnam Street restaurant has a 6,000-square-foot floor, about double the size of The Wheat Fields.

The facility will seat about 120 inside and 40 people or another 10 tables will be available on the patio.

The steakhouse will employ 25 to 30 people year-round and 50 to 60 during the summer months.

Mitchell said he plans to spend several thousand dollars renovating the interior.

The restaurant underwent nearly $400,000 in upgrades three years ago before it was opened as Graham's.