Written by Maureen Werther
Photos by Susan Blackburn Photography + Rachel McNair (The Content Agency, Inc.)
[From the 2026 Home & Garden Magazine]
If you’re thinking you’ve been to all the good brunch venues in and around Saratoga, think again.
Standard Fare, located on Phila Street at the former home of Ravenous, has been serving guests lunch and dinner for about a year, and has recently opened its doors to offer a Standard Fare brunch that is anything but standard!
The restaurant is co-owned and operated by Zac Denham and Clark Gale, who permanently relocated to the area from NYC in 2024. Both men have extensive experience in opening and operating restaurants and were looking for new opportunities in Saratoga Springs.
Their vision for Standard Fare is to create a place where exceptional food and service combine with genuine hospitality to offer a truly delicious, enjoyable, and relaxed dining experience for the Saratoga community.
The newly redesigned and reimagined space the team has created on Phila exudes a charm and sophistication that is at the same time characteristic of the downtown scene, with the familiar vibe of a favorite West Village restaurant.
The decor is vintage mid-century with cream leather chairs and vibrant paintings featuring local artists on the walls and a spacious modern bar. The capacious front windows give diners a view of the bustle outside as they sip on signature cocktails and enjoy a menu of timeless favorites with new twists, served on cheerfully colored dinnerware.
Standard Fare’s ambience is a blend of busy Saratoga combined with a hint of laid-back Louisiana that lets diners know this is a place to relax, sip, eat and enjoy. That southern influence comes from co-owner Zac, who was born and raised in New Orleans.
Michael Wiggin is the Beverage Manager for Standard Fare and he works alongside co-owner Clark to create exciting new cocktails featuring yummy delights like Banana Pancakes, Hair of the Dog, and their signature “Tiny ‘Tini’s.” The Black-Tie Gibson is just one example of the team’s focus on fresh and unexpected, with ingredients that include a splash of shallot vinegar - shockingly delicious!
The team will use the 2026 Spring season to continue refining the brunch menu. Current offerings like Clark’s Hangover Helper, Meat and Potatoes, and The Ultimate Breakfast Sammie are bound to become instant classics. The Cereal and Milk Parfait is a Willy Wonka-ish take on the, dare I say, more standard breakfast fare of yogurt and fruit. The homemade biscuits are available in both savory and sweet iterations and are perfect little morsels of goodness that melt in your mouth.
Passing up on dessert at Standard Fare would be a mistake! In addition to their brilliant take on the universally loved S’Mores, Standard Fare also features another deliciously re-imagined American dessert classic, the Coconut Chocolate Baked Alaska.
The team will continue to change and add to the brunch and dessert menus as they prepare to launch the new Spring and Summer menu, which includes fresh takes on American comfort food, shared plates, and seasonal salads. Food is sourced locally from regional favorites like Oscar’s Smokehouse and Foothills Farms, among others.
The team also hopes to become an affordable and delicious destination for local working members of the hospitality, racing, and other industries who need late night dining and relaxation options.
Standard Fare is Zac and Clark’s second restaurant they have opened in downtown Saratoga. Their first endeavor, Bocage Champagne Bar, is located across the street and offers an elevated and relaxing space to sip bubbly and connect with friends. The pair like to think of Phila Street as the block for “grownups” and Caroline as the place for “kids.”
