First night in Albany brought us to Albany Ale and Oyster…read more Great food and beer here! Whenever there is a Main Brewing Company beer on tap anywhere I am sure to get it. They are an elite beer company. The tuna tartar was delicious and fresh, I really enjoyed it. The oysters on the east coast are always amazing. My wife loved the clam chowder, I tasted it and it was very flavorful. The people with us got an amazing charcuterie board! It was very well put together. There is lots of conversation going on around us but not so loud you can't hear your own.

My partner treated me to lunch at Ale & Oyster. While I was excited to come, my expectations for…read morethe resto were not entirely met: -Our server ignored us for at least half an hour. We couldn't easily flag someone down to take our orders. -Our waters tasted like fish water :( -I ordered a house salad with added shrimp, but I only got 3 pieces of shrimp. It didn't feel like it was worth my money. Not sure if I would return again.

Union Seafood on Central Avenue in Albany is described as "Chinese meets Louisiana," according to…read morethe restaurant's website. I've been there before and the crazy, giant fiberglass crab on display in the entrance is always a hoot. So is the fiberglass shark head on the wall in the dining area. I like a place with a sense of fun and humor. I also like this place for its seafood boils. The good news is that this restaurant--which was very good to begin with-- has gotten even better. Last time I showed up, the server brought the seafood boil still in its boiling bag and cut it open in front of me. It was up to me to reach into the hot bag and pull out its contents. There was steam everywhere. A hot mess, indeed! This time, the kitchen took care of the boiling bag for me. Instead, they beautifully arranged the boiled seafood on a large platter. Wow. It looked amazing and tasted even better! This time, I'd asked for a Number 4 with mix of seasonings, including garlic and butter. There were: one big lobster tail, plenty of shrimp, clams, crawfish, potatoes, corn on the cob, hard boiled eggs and extra veggies. It was described as enough to feed three people. Coincidentally, we were a party of three. We also ordered a Cajun Fried Rice for good measure. We really didn't need it. We were so full. The fruit drinks were great, too. Union Seafood is a franchise with locations in Troy and Schenectady. They're owned by Larry Weng who also opened Ji Bei Chuan Rice Noodles & Ramen on Western Avenue in Guilderland, according to local news reports. In celebration of May being AAPI (Asian American Pacific Islander) Month, it's probably fair to say that Asian-American owned restaurants such as Union Seafood have added much variety to the overall dining experience in Capital Region. Vive la différence.

Union Seafood is one of those spots that keeps things simple and lets the seafood speak for itself…read more Everything had that fresh, straight-from-the-kitchen feel, and the portions were satisfying without feeling overdone. I also liked that the flavors weren't trying too hard just good seafood, seasoned well and served hot.

This is not a typical American Italian restaurant! Villa di Como's chef, Ali, created absolutely…read moredelicious meals for us when we were there this past Friday. We highly recommend this experience to people who appreciate an authentic Italian dining experience. Fresh ingredients, fantastic service, and Ali's craft is truly a gem to be enjoyed. Ali's warm hospitality topped off the night with a taste of his limonchello; a real treat!

$300 to eat on a plastic tablecloth on Valentine's Day, not even a candle on the table. I'm…read moreembarrassed I suggested the spot to my date. The experience felt stingy and rushed. I'm sad because I loved this spot and I'm disappointed the quality has gone down so drastically. Portions were very small and the food didn't taste special or interesting. The octopus came out room temp and had been sitting out. Entres lukewarm. The drinks were by far the best part of the meal and it took half an hour to get them. Service was all over the place but they get a pass because it's Valentine's Day. Do yourself a favor and try Rosanna's instead.

Ok, it's definitely Peter Chan in the kitchen after my skepticism in previous update. I know this…read morebecause first, a regular customer came in and called out "hey Peter how you doin?" Second, because the hard working chef is once again quietly exerting his authority with small acts of independence. He brought out my lunch special himself but declined to give me a dinner plate (needed because the serving entirely covers the oval plate it was delivering on) and, once again, my pork with pickled cabbage had no pickled cabbage. Touche, Peter. The regular customer ordered items I would never consider, like walnut shrimp and egg foo young. But I'm sure it was still great, as was my no-pickles pork, as is everything Peter cooks. The guy is a gem. And he looks to be in good health after that mystery hiatus so I hope he'll be around awhile.

I remember reading that Ocean Palace was closing for months to renovate. I was happy to see the…read moreresults. The entrance looks a lot better. Instead of picking up takeout at the front door, customers can now make their way to the counter. I'm glad to see them reopen. I had a lunchtime craving for Cantonese style curry chicken. It was a favorite dish growing up and it brings back fond memories. Another favorite is Roast Pork Lomein. I also bought a shrimp stuffed eggplant appetizer. It was pretty good. There are also new lunch options. Instead of a free can of soda, I was offered soup. I chose Hot & Sour Soup. It was good. This is one of the few local Asian restaurants that offers brown rice which is a healthier option. I always make a point of calling ahead so the food order is ready by the time I get there.

Their food & portions Just terrible . Went today first time…read more. They were at Hewitts in Scotia N.Y. . Hot lobster roll & coke Just shy of $40.00 with tip No straws . Gave me a soup cup to drink my soda EXTREMELY DISAPPOINTING !! Never Never Again !

What a rip off. Go to Market 32 in Latham, you get twice the lobster meat on their roll for only…read more$2.00 more. You actually get identifiable pieces like claw and tail. Never gin Cousins.

The copper crow is great they have unique dishes! I loved the stuffed haddock! Also the calamari…read morewas good! They have lots of seating and a cute lounge area! Great for a date night.

I'm definitely a fan of this place. This is the second time we've stopped by and we all try each…read moreother's dishes which have been great each time. Today, I got the Korean chopped cheese which comes with fingerling potatoes. The bread is soft but substantial enough to hold all the beef and cheese which is nice and flavorful albeit a tiny bit salty. The fingerling potatoes were different and a good choice since you need the large amount of potato to cut through the richness of the meat and cheese. The menu here is a decently sized and varied, with some Asian inspired ones like this sandwich. Note: some of the dishes, like this one, are quite large and could easily feed two people. The space is large with regular tables and chairs, an area with couches and lounge chairs, and an outdoor patio area with tables and umbrellas. We've opted for the outdoor area each time since it was nice out. Service is nice and friendly. Check it out.

- The Chop Salad Left This Earth, and I'm Never Coming Back. ​Walking into Angelo's 677 Prime, I…read moreimmediately felt the need to adjust a monocle I don't own. It has that upscale ambiance, but the food is where they truly flex. ​ ​The Bread: Warm, carb-heavy sorcery. It was so scrumptious I contemplated stuffing an extra loaf into my jacket for later. ​The 677 Chop Salad: Out of this world. I am entirely convinced that romaine lettuce was grown in a zero-gravity greenhouse and massaged daily by angels. ​The Salmon: A perfectly cooked, flaky masterpiece. It was so delicious I almost apologized to it before eating it. ​And honestly? For a place this nice, the bill didn't even hurt. An absolute home run from start to finish.

677 Prime remains one of the premier dining destinations in the Capital Region -- and for good…read morereason. It's an essential stop whenever I'm in Albany, striking that rare balance between upscale sophistication and genuinely warm hospitality. Under the leadership of Jaime Ortiz and Ken Kehn, the restaurant continues to deliver a consistently exceptional experience. We had a 6:30 p.m. reservation for five while celebrating a friend's 45th birthday. We arrived early to enjoy the outstanding happy hour offerings, including $11 well martinis, excellent deviled eggs, oysters, and duck wings. The next day, I reviewed the bar tab and noticed we had been charged $16 per martini instead of the happy hour price. Since we ordered several rounds, the difference was significant and also affected the gratuity, as we tipped 22 percent. To the restaurant's credit, when I returned and pointed out the mistake, the staff addressed it promptly and reimbursed us for most of the overcharge. 677 is a good choice if you're visiting for a celebratory steak dinner, a business meal, or cocktails at happy hour, every detail feels polished and thoughtfully executed. One standout is the Hanging Tomahawk for Two -- a dramatic 50-ounce prime cut, sliced tableside and paired with parmesan- and butter-breadcrumb-crusted fingerling potatoes. It's every bit as impressive as it sounds. What truly elevates the experience is the staff. They don't simply serve guests -- they anticipate needs before you even realize them. In an era when fine dining can sometimes feel formulaic, 677 Prime distinguishes itself through constant refinement and a commitment to making each visit better than the last. Easily one of the finest restaurants in Albany. One pro-tip: review your tab before paying.

It was our first time at The Hollow and we had a great experience having dinner before the Zac…read moreBrown show at MVP. It was a gathering of old friends, some who eat super healthy and others who are more into burgers and fries. Everyone was thrilled with their food and the vibe! Our waiter, Curtis, was the kindest human and added to our joy of being together. He felt like an old friend. Thank you for a wonderful dinner! P.S. to be fair, the bathrooms needed attention. That should be easily fixable.

What a cool place…read more There's no pretense, just a rugged looking place with friendly and helpful staff and excellent bartenders. Xandra helped me pick the right meal: the scallops with a Thai chili sauce and rise. The five scallops were large, tender, perfectly cooked, and tasted amazing. Thankfully, the Thai chili sauce only had a bit of sweetness to it. Even the rice was fantastic. Xandra was attentive, a great listener, and a real help. My Hendrick's Gin martini was phenomenal. Exceptional actually! The vegan chocolate mousse was creamy and light but too sweet and loaded with cinnamon. So much so that I tasted nothing but cinnamon. I cannot recall ever having cinnamon in a chocolate mousse before. Even so, that didn't destroy the night and I look forward to trying the blackened Ahi Tuna next time as well as trying a different dessert.

I was in Albany for my doctoral hooding ceremony and subsequent graduation, when I was left…read morewondering where to take my family for dinner afterwards. I was promised that Grappa 72 would exceed my expectations. As an Italian-American AND a foodie, it's hard to wow me at an Italian venue. I can honestly say that this place was all that I was promised and more. What we ordered to share: crispy arancini (special app that day), eggplant parm, fried calamari. I am a red sauce snob, and all three of these delivered on presentation, quality, and overall flavor. Entrees we ordered included: halibut (entree special and my choice), pappardelle loaded with shrimp and chicken (also a special), pork osso bucco (stole the show!). We ended with individual desserts, and their Italian cheesecake was smooth and creamy. Service was reflective of high-end dining, yet the check for six people was moderate to affordable. Considering the quality, quantity, and overall experience, this is a place I need to get back to. Now I need to find an excuse to be in the Capitol Region so I can go back!

My boyfriend, his family, and I arrived at Grappa '72 to celebrate my boyfriend's graduation from…read moremed school! Our hostess was just the sweetest. She had lots of recommendations for what drinks and dishes to order, and she was really attentive towards our party. When we sat at our table, we helped ourselves to the fresh table bread and tapenade while we decided what to order. I decided to get the seafood special, which was a grilled branzino served with blistered green beans and wild rice. While the dish tasted a bit too oily for my liking, there was LOTS of food that came with this dish - enough for me to pack as a lunch the next day! What was also memorable about this experience was the live music playing at front. This is a very nice Italian resto for special occasions and date nights.

Cielito Lindo took over the former Ai Lihaaz space serving tacos, burritos, enchiladas, tortas,…read moretostadas, and other Mexican speciaty items, plus Jarritos, Coke, horchata and fruit juices. The space has not changed much since a year ago when Ai Lihaaz was here, same cooler, glass display case (empty now), tables & chairs and decor. There is a TV with Roku on the wall playing Mexican music. I stopped by for takeout and ordered FIsh Tacos (3 for $9.99 plus tax) which took about 15 minutes to be ready and bagged when I was here around noon. The fish tacos had salted grilled whitefish, onions, cilantro in warm soft tortillas radishes and limes on the side. These tacos were simple and tasty and enough food for an informal lunch.

Great food Great service…read more Great ambiance Highly recommend, chicken soup amazing salsas the best ones