A Fresh Start (With a Full Glass… or Not)
January is our reset month - but don’t confuse that with slowing down.
The holidays may be over, but the energy is still very much on. From cozy winter dining and comfort-forward takeout to celebratory moments worth planning ahead, January is all about easing into the new year in a way that actually feels good.
Whether you’re leaning into Dry January, planning a Galentine’s celebration, or just looking for an excuse to stay in and let us do the cooking, here’s what’s on the horizon across all three restaurants.
Calling all besties, bridesmaids, coworkers, and ride-or-dies - Galentine’s Day is about to be extra this year.
677 Events is giving one lucky group the ultimate Galentine’s experience: a private dinner on Friday, February 13th in our draped upstairs space at 677 Prime. A cozy 5 PM reservation, a gorgeous setup, and a full chef-curated menu paired with champagne, rosé, and two types of wine for the entrée course.
Here’s a taste of what the winner gets:
Family-Style Starters
Surf & Turf Tempura Roll + Trio of Bruschettas
Paired with: Champagne
Bright Winter Salad
Roasted beet, feta, citrus, and candied walnuts
Paired with: Rosé
Entrée Spread
Sliced tenderloin with sauces, shrimp scampi, and three signature sides
Paired with: Pinot Bianco & Pinot Noir
Dessert + Cocktails
Sticky Toffee Bread Pudding
Paired with: The Maple Marquis or The Espressway
A stunning space. Perfect pairings. All your favorite people. It’s everything a Galentine’s celebration should be.
Details on how to enter are coming soon!
Galentine’s Giveaway with 677 Events
Your Year, Wrapped
2025 Across Our Restaurants
Before we dive into what’s next, we’re taking a moment to look back at a year worth celebrating.
From unforgettable meals and milestone celebrations to cocktails shaken, oysters slurped, and tacos devoured - we have a “Wrapped”-style look at 2025 across 677 Prime, Sea Smoke, and Toro Cantina.
By the Numbers
Total Guests Served: 139,854
677 Prime: 45,871
Sea Smoke: 40,495
Toro Cantina: 53,488
What We Served Up
26,352 avocados smashed, sliced, and scooped at Toro
15,500 lbs of lobster served
64,000 oysters shucked
32,000 lbs of potatoes transformed into comfort food
25,000 lbs of steaks fired, rested, and plated at 677 Prime
A year of full tables, bold flavors, and moments worth savoring - and we’re just getting started.
Chef Ken’s Winter Recipe
Nothing says January like a cozy, chef-driven dish you actually want to make at home.
Chef Ken is sharing a winter recipe straight from the kitchen - comforting, seasonal, and perfect for staying in without sacrificing flavor.
French Onion Soup Mac and Cheese
Ingredients:
For the “Soup” Base:
1 tsp. Cooking Oil
1 Tbsp. Butter
1 Large Yellow Onion, Jullienned
2 oz. Sherry
1 ½ Cup Beef Stock
2 Sprigs of Thyme
1 Bay Leaf
For the Mac and Cheese:
4 Tbsp. Unsalted Butter
4 Tbsp. Flour
2 Cup Milk
¾ Cup Heavy Cream
1 Cup Gruyere Cheese, Shredded
1 ½ Cup Mozzarella Cheese, Shredded
½ Cup Grated Parmesan
16 oz. Elbow Macaroni, Cooked
TT Salt and White Pepper
For the Topping:
½ Cup Gruyere Cheese, Shredded
1 Cup Sourdough Breadcrumbs
Method:
In a medium sized saute pan, heat the cooking oil and 1 Tbsp butter over medium high heat. Add the onions and saute until they start to brown and soften
Reduce heat to medium low and allow to cook until well caramelized, approximately 45 minutes to 1 hour
Add the sherry to deglaze
Add the remaining ingredients and bring to a boil
Reduce heat to a simmer and cook until the liquid is reduced by ¾
Remove from the heat and reserve for the mac and cheese
In a large sauce pot, melt the butter and then whisk in the butter to make a roux
Add the reserved soup base and stir until combined
Then add the milk and cream and bring to a simmer
While at a bare simmer, whisk the mozzarella, parmesan and 1 cup of gruyere into the sauce mixture just until melted
Fold in the cooked macaroni and remove from the heat
Place the mac and cheese mixture in a large baking or casserole dish and top with the ½ cup of shredded gruyere and breadcrumbs
Bake at 375 degrees for 25 to 30 minutes or until the top is golden brown and the mac and cheese is hot and bubbly
Remove from the oven and allow to rest for 15 minutes before serving
Takeout, Upgraded
January is peak stay-in season, and we’ve got you covered.
Whether it’s a cozy night on the couch, an easy family dinner, or a “we don’t feel like cooking” kind of evening, takeout is always on the menu at all locations.
Same quality. Same favorites. No dishes.
January, Your Way
Bubbly, Barrel Aged, or Booze Free
January doesn’t have to be one-note. Whether you’re easing back into sipping, leaning fully into Dry January, or just looking for a little winter perk, we’ve got something for every mood.
A Little Bubbly Motivation at Sea Smoke
Winter deserves rewards.
All month long at Sea Smoke Waterfront Grill, enjoy a complimentary glass of Prosecco with any food purchase of $20 or more. A small sparkle, on us - because waterfront vibes don’t hibernate.
Be sure to screenshot the coupon below!
Barrel-Aged January at 677 Prime & Sea Smoke
Cold weather calls for bold pours.
This January, enjoy 10% off any whiskey or bourbon cocktail at 677 Prime and Sea Smoke.
Think smooth, warming, and perfectly suited for darker nights.
Must mention this from the blog to receive 10% off on whiskey and bourbon cocktails (up to a $50 pour).Dry January, Still Delicious
Going alcohol-free? We’ve got you covered.
At 677 Prime, Sea Smoke Waterfront Grill, and Toro Cantina, we’ll be featuring thoughtfully crafted mocktails that bring just as much flavor, balance, and fun - minus the booze. Because Dry January should still feel like a treat, not a compromise.
No matter how you’re sipping (or not), January tastes better with options. Cheers to that.
Wine & Dine Weekend: Back at the Albany Chef’s Food & Wine Festival
January doesn’t slow us down - it sets the tone.
We’re excited to once again be part of the Albany Chef’s Food & Wine Festival, a weekend dedicated to great food, thoughtful craft, and celebrating the talent that makes our local dining scene shine. The festival’s mission to support sustainable agriculture and the arts aligns closely with what we care about, and we’re proud to bring a taste of our restaurants to the table.
You can expect bites and pours from 677 Prime, Toro Cantina, and Sea Smoke Waterfront Grill, plus a few familiar faces from our teams behind the scenes. Whether you’re coming to sample, sip, or simply soak up the energy, it’s always one of our favorite weekends of the year.
At the Festival Gala, Executive Chef Ken Kehn will be taking center stage, preparing the featured entrée for the evening. It’s an honor to showcase his work as part of one of the festival’s most anticipated events - and a true highlight of the weekend.
Battle of the Bartenders: Round Three
If you know us, you know we love a little friendly competition.
We’re heading back into the Battle of the Bartenders once again, ready to defend our reputation one shake at a time. Over the past few years, our bartenders have brought the creativity, precision, and confidence it takes to stand out - and this year is no different.
Expect bold flavors, smart technique, and plenty of personality as our team steps up to represent. Come cheer them on - your support matters more than you think.
A Little Something Extra: Festival Vouchers
Because no festival weekend is complete without a reason to come back.
During Wine & Dine Weekend, we’ll be sharing restaurant vouchers valid across all our locations - a small thank-you for stopping by, saying hello, and celebrating with us. Consider this your reminder to swing by our booth and grab one while you can.
Good food, good drinks, and a reason to return? We like that combo.
MEZCAL OF THE MONTH
MEZCAL OF THE MONTH
LET’S TALK MEZCAL.
Meet our Mezcal of the Month: Smoky Sunrise
Warm, bold, and just a bit dramatic - this January sip is all about starting the year with flavor.
The Smoky Sunrise blends Siete Misterios Mezcal with fresh orange and lemon juices, finished with our housemade grenadine. It’s smoky, citrusy, and perfectly balanced. A little warmth, a little brightness - perfect for easing into the new year.
Available all January. Cheers.
What’s Next?
January may be all about fresh starts, but February is already lining up to bring the fun.
Think cozy gatherings, celebratory dinners, and a little extra love for your favorite people. From Galentine’s plans in the works to seasonal menus, special events, and reasons to get out of the house (and into a booth), we’re setting the stage for a month worth celebrating.
More details coming soon - but trust us, February is one you’ll want on your calendar. Stay tuned.