Press & Post
DZ Restaurants Raises $25,000 for Cancer Research
DZ Restaurants is proud to share that Corks & Cuisine 2025 raised $25,000 for the Richard Bambara Memorial Fund at Albany Medical Center. This total was made possible through event attendance, a silent auction, and generous contributions from our guests and partners.
Every ticket purchased and bid placed helped support cancer research at Albany Medical Center. This cause means a great deal to the DZ Restaurants family, and the support shown at Corks & Cuisine reflects the love and generosity of our community.
We are grateful to all who supported Corks & Cuisine 2025. Thank you to the vendors and donors who helped make this event possible:
BelGioioso Cheese
DeCrescente Distributing Company Inc.
Empire Merchants North
Frederick Wildman & Sons Ltd
Hoffman Carwash
James & Sons Tobacconists
Max Level Fitness
Opici Wine Group
Saratoga Arms
Saratoga Hilton
Saratoga National
Southern Glazer’s Wine and Spirits
US Foods
Wilson Daniels
Wolf Hollow Brewing Company
A portion of every Richar’DZ Brew sold supports the Richard Bambara Memorial Fund at Albany Medical Center. Join us in supporting this cause by ordering a Richar’DZ Brew at your next visit to Boca Bistro, Forno Bistro, or Chianti il Ristorante.
Richar’DZ Brew Is Pouring This Winter
Now pouring this winter at all DZ Restaurants, Richar’DZ Brew is our modern take on a West Coast-style IPA, crafted for guests who appreciate bold flavor with a clean, balanced finish. Built on a backbone of Pilsner malt, it pours pale and bright with intense aromatics and expressive hop character. A crisp, dry finish from Nova yeast lets the Citra and Mosaic hops shine with notes of tropical fruit, berries, citrus, and subtle floral character.
As part of our Helping HanDZ initiative, a portion of every Richar’DZ Brew sold benefits the Richard Bambara Memorial Fund, allowing each pint to support a cause that is deeply meaningful to our DZ family and our community.
You can now enjoy Richar’DZ Brew at Boca Bistro, Chianti il Ristorante, and Forno Bistro. Whether you are meeting friends for a winter night out, enjoying a meal at the bar, or pairing it with dinner, Richar’DZ Brew is a fresh way to experience the season.
Now pouring this winter at all DZ Restaurants.
ThoroughbreDZ Beer Raises $3,000 for B.E.S.T. During Summer 2025
Raising a Glass for a Great Cause
This summer, DZ Restaurants was proud to once again turn great beer into meaningful community impact through our annual ThoroughbreDZ beer program. Thanks to the incredible support of our guests, team members, and partners, we are thrilled to share that $3,000 was raised for the Backstretch Employee Service Team (B.E.S.T.) during the summer of 2025.
Available at Boca Bistro, Chianti il Ristorante, and Forno Bistro, ThoroughbreDZ beer was more than just a seasonal favorite. With a portion of every pint sold donated directly to B.E.S.T., each pour became a way for our guests to give back to the people who help power Saratoga’s racing community behind the scenes.
Why B.E.S.T. Matters
The Backstretch Employee Service Team provides vital support services, healthcare access, education, and emergency assistance to the hardworking men and women of the Saratoga Race Course backstretch. Their work touches thousands of lives each season and plays a critical role in strengthening our local community.
At DZ Restaurants, supporting local nonprofits through our Helping HanDZ initiative is core to who we are. Partnering with B.E.S.T. allows us to connect our love of hospitality with real, tangible impact.
A Community Effort
From locals who made ThoroughbreDZ their go-to summer beer, to visitors discovering it for the first time during track season, this fundraiser was truly powered by the Saratoga community. Every order placed at the bar or with dinner contributed directly to this meaningful total.
We are incredibly grateful to everyone who raised a glass, spread the word, and helped make this campaign such a success.
Thank You for Making a Difference
To our guests, staff, and partners, thank you for proving once again that when our community comes together, amazing things happen. Your support helped turn a simple summer beer into $3,000 in direct support for B.E.S.T., and we could not be more proud.
We look forward to continuing our mission of giving back and finding new ways to support the organizations that make Saratoga such a special place.
Here is to another season of great food, great drinks, and even greater impact.
Corks & Cuisine Returns to Forno Bistro!
Saratoga Springs food and wine lovers, get ready! Corks & Cuisine, the annual wine and food tasting event hosted by DZ Restaurants, is back this fall at Forno Bistro. Join us on Sunday, October 19, 2025, from 1:00–3:00 PM for an unforgettable afternoon of wine, spirits, craft beer, food, and community support.
Sip, Sample & Savor
Guests will enjoy:
- A curated selection of wines, spirits, and craft beers
- Delicious small bites prepared by Forno Bistro, Chianti il Ristorante, and Boca Bistro
- A silent charity auction to benefit the Richard Bambara Memorial Fund
- The first pour of our latest Helping HanDZ beer, “Richar’DZ Brew”
It’s the perfect pairing of flavor and fun, set against the rustic charm of Forno Bistro in downtown Saratoga Springs.
A Special First Pour
Guests at this year’s event will be the first to taste Richar’DZ Brew, our newest Helping HanDZ beer created with Wolf Hollow Brewing Co. and Brewmaster Richard Peters.
This refreshing West Coast IPA balances bright hop character with crisp drinkability — and like all Helping HanDZ beers, it’s brewed for a purpose. From October through May, a portion of every pour will support The Richard Bambara Memorial Fund, which benefits Uro-Oncology resident education and research at Albany Medical Center.
Supporting a Legacy
Corks & Cuisine is more than a tasting event — it’s an opportunity to celebrate community while giving back. Each year, the event supports The Richard Bambara Memorial Fund, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to advancing Uro-Oncology resident education and research at Albany Medical Center.
As DZ Restaurants Vice President & COO Nancy Bambara shared:
“We’re honored by the support we’ve received over the years and look forward to coming together once again for a cause so close to our hearts.”
Event Details
📍 Forno Bistro – 541 Broadway, Saratoga Springs, NY
📅 Sunday, October 19, 2025
🕐 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM
🎟️ Suggested donation: $40 per person
👉 Pre-register today at shop.dzrestaurants.com to secure your spot.
For more information, call us at 518-583-1142.
Join us as we raise a glass to great food, fine wines, local craft beer, and a cause that matters. Don’t miss this opportunity to sip, savor, and support!
Now Pouring: ThoroughbreDZ Lemon Pilsner
Just in time for Saratoga’s summer racing season, we’re proud to introduce ThoroughbreDZ Lemon Pilsner, the latest release from our Helping HanDZ initiative — an annual brewing collaboration between DZ Restaurants and Wolf Hollow Brewing Company.
Crafted with intention and heart, ThoroughbreDZ is more than just a refreshing summer beer — it’s a way to give back. Proceeds from this limited-release lemon pilsner will benefit B.E.S.T. Saratoga (Backstretch Employee Service Team), a nonprofit supporting the health and wellness of the dedicated workers behind the scenes at the Saratoga Racetrack.
This year’s brew draws inspiration from Japan’s premium lagers, brewed with rice to lighten the body and dry out the finish. Expect bright citrus notes and subtle herbal bitterness thanks to Sorachi Ace hops, a variety known for its distinct lemony aroma.
Check out the photos below from our first pour event with special appearances from legendary race caller Tom Durkin, Hall of Fame jockey Ramon Dominguez, and celebrated trainer Chad Brown! Guests enjoyed the first taste of this crisp, citrusy pilsner while showing their support for a great cause. You can now enjoy ThoroughbreDZ on tap at Chianti il Ristorante, Forno Bistro, and Boca Bistro — all summer long.
Cheers to a great cause!
