SARATOGA SPRINGS>> Mingle Restaurant located at 544 Delaware Ave., Albany, closed its doors Saturday after over 20 years of serving Korean specialty foods to the Capital District. 

“We are saddened to announce that we will cease operations at our current 544 Delaware Ave. location,” said Jose Filomeno, managing partner of Mingle on the Avenue, Saratoga Springs and former owner of Mingle Restaurant, Albany. “We have decided to consolidate and concentrate our efforts on our Saratoga location. We would like to thank all of our friends, family, neighbors and guests who have made our time here on Delaware Avenue feel like home.”

As the doors of Mingle Albany close, Mingle on the Avenue, Saratoga Springs, warmly open their doors to two new chefs and their team. Mingle Saratoga welcomes American Cuisine Federation (ACF) 2012 President’s Award Winner executive chef Un-Hui Filomeno and Saratoga’s own chef de cuisine Brady Dillon. 

“We would like to welcome Chef Un-Hui Filomeno and Chef Brady Dillon to our Mingle on the Avenue Saratoga team!” said Jose Filomeno. “Chef Un-Hui brings over 25 years of award winning international cooking as well as an intimate knowledge of Asian culinary techniques. “

“I am excited to come to the beautiful city of Saratoga Springs and work with my son Jose again. Although I am sad to leave Albany behind, I know that our patrons will visit Mingle on the Avenue in Saratoga,“ said Un-Hui Filomeno. About her traditional style of Korean cooking, Chef Un-Hui said, “I like to prepare Korean dishes from the region I grew up in. I make everything from scratch, the old fashioned way, with the freshest ingredients.”

Dillon, a native Saratogian, grew up in the kitchen at Siros (his father’s restaurant). His unique cooking style is influenced by his time spent working in Hawaii and New York City. Chef de cuisine Dillon said he was looking forward to bringing a new type of cuisine to Saratoga. “The tastes of the Saratoga region have become diverse and the new menu is designed to satisfy the diversity,” he said.

Former owner of Siros, chef Tom Dillon will be on site to see Mingle on the Avenue through the transition. “I wish Jose the best of luck and feel in my heart that they will be an extremely effective team because of Chef Brady’s experience, expertise and drive and Jose and chef Un-Hui’s commitment.”

When asked what type of food guests can expect to enjoy at Mingle on the Avenue, Jose Filomeno responded, “We have always served locally sourced, globally inspired foods. We will continue to do so as we introduce more variety in our menu items that will satisfy the palates of all of our guests. We will be releasing our new spring menu tomorrow which will include authentic Korean specialties as well as crowd pleasing favorites such as Lobster Mac & Cheese!”

Mingle is independently owned and operated and located next to the Pavilion Grand Hotel. “We are excited about the changes and continued success of Mingle on the Avenue and we look forward to the phenomenal dining opportunity these changes will present to the community as well as our hotel guests,” said Susanne Simpson, general manager of the Pavilion Grand Hotel.  “The personal experience and reputation of both chefs precede them!”

Any guests of Mingle Albany with remaining gift cards may redeem them at the Saratoga location or send them to 30 Lake Ave. in Saratoga Springs.

Mingle is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner every day. For more information visit www.minglerestaurants.com.