Pop-up events build buzz for upcoming Troy restaurant, First and Adams

CATSKILL, N.Y. (NEWS10) — A new restaurant is getting ready to open its doors in Troy, but before the space is finished, the owners are giving people a taste of what’s to come through pop-up events across the Capital Region and Sunday was their third one!

The name of the upcoming restaurant is called First and Adams and it’s owned by Paula Patterson and Jake Robins. Sundays pop up was at Subversive Malting and Brewing in Catskill.

News10’s Tyanna Xavier visited the pop up and had the opportunity to speak with Patterson as Robins was prepping food in the kitchen for the big day!

Robins has worked at restaurants across the East Coast and the two met in Troy, bonding over their shared love of cooking and hospitality.

“We started working together in Troy and started to, you know, really just get along, love each other’s ideas. And now we have this fused, business where Jake’s going to be leading the culinary team, I’ll be leading the front of house and beverage program, and we’ll take it from there,” said Patterson.

Russ and Jody Brooks who are friends of Patterson and Robins purchased the building that First and Adams will be in and brought it to their attention. 

“They had approached Jake. They were like, ‘Hey, you know, we have this building. We want it to be a restaurant. We’re wondering if you might want to run the restaurant.’ And he was like, ‘Oh my goodness, of course — I need a business partner.’ They’re like, ‘Okay, go find one.’ So, he immediately came to me — the first person he thought of — like, ‘Do you want to open a restaurant together?’ And I was like, ‘Are you serious? Of course,’” said Patterson!

Since then, the two have been spreading the word about their restaurant while it’s being built. Hosting pop-ups so people can get a taste of their food and build buzz for the grand opening.

“So we did a pop up at the Whiskey Pickle in Troy in early August…Then we did a farm dinner at Croix Farms, which is going to be one of our huge farm partners…Then we have this one [Subversive Malting and Brewing] like I said, back to that à la carte sort of like order at the counter, enjoy with your friends type of thing,” said Patterson.

According to Patterson, the pop-ups have been a huge hit within the community.

“They’re swooning. They’re absolutely losing their minds. I mean, they absolutely love it,” said Patterson.

Pop-ups aren’t just about the food. Local collaborators like Max Ocean from Subversive Malting and Brewing are helping bring their vision to life.

“Jake’s a good friend of mine from high school, and we opened our own kitchen here about three years ago. It’s been a big success. Burgers and fries, kind of standard brewery food, though. Pretty fresh and farm to table,” said Ocean, Co-founder and Maltster at Subversive Malting and Brewing.

“We really just felt like it was a nice thing to do as another local business…So, when Jake found his spot and told me he was going to be opening a restaurant, I offered it as soon as I knew that was his plan,” said Ocean.

Patterson and Robbins have crafted a menu where Ocean will pair drinks with each dish, enhancing and complementing the flavors perfectly. The pop up started at 1 P.M. and there was a line of people already lining up to come in and try it out!

First and Adams is expected to open in mid-2026, and the owners say they want it to feel like home. A place where you can bring friends, share good food, and have a good time. To check put their website go to firstandadams.com.