The great reviews for Chez Mike caught my interest. The first thing I noticed when I walked through the door is that the staff is very friendly. The decor is attractive though the lighting is a bit dark for my taste. There is an extensive menu. I couldn't decide. I asked the very helpful server for suggestions. She said the Seafood Chowder, which is offered as an entree, is so good that it never comes off the menu. Well, that was all I needed to hear. I make my own chowder, Cioppino and bouillabaisse. I always make red soup for health reasons, never white, which is generally richer because of the cream. I wondered if charging $37 for a big bowl of chowder was pricey but when it arrived it was delicious. To me, it was wonderfully decadent. The were several freshly cooked clams, shrimp, scallops and a fairly large and tender portion of white fish. Of course, as usual, I only managed to eat half. So there was enough left over for another meal. I was so full. Part of the reason is that Chez Mike serves the most awesome warm crusty bread and herb butter. The bread was perfect for dipping into the chowder but I had to resist the urge to eat more than two slices of bread since I'm diabetic. It was a weekday. The restaurant started filling up by 6:30pm. According to the server, many customers were walk-ins. Based on the familiarity with the hostess, it seemed that many were repeat customers. Chez Mike is located in the East Greenbush Hannaford Shopping Plaza on Columbia Turnpike. There are Italian, French and Mediterranean dishes. It seems the food is often described as just "American." Also, Chez Mike is accommodating to those with disabilities. A couple of guests used walkers and one arrived with a wheelchair. All seemed to be enjoying themselves. read more

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Not sure how I haven't reviewed Chez Mike yet. This is one of our favorite spots, service is always friendly and quick. Coat rack made of silverware is adorable. I get fried calamari almost everywhere I see it on a menu and Chez Mikes is the best I've had BY FAR. Menu changes with the seasons, the olive butter with bread is fantastic, even for those who don't love olives I'd recommend it. Hidden gem! read more

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Last night's dining excursion took us to the always superb Chez Mike. It's one of our local favorites. They always deliver outstanding food and superb service. We started with the Spring Asparagus and the Shrimp Toast. Both were superb. G/F had the Monkfish and I had the Calves Liver. We cleaned our plates. Chez Mike is consistently excellent and we highly recommend it! read more

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Thirteen years is a long time to have been away from Chez Mike. We've mentioned it multiple times over those years as a possible dinner location but somehow always ended up someplace else. Gathering with friends on this occasion seemed to be the trick. The restaurant was reasonably busy when we arrived at 5:15 on a Tuesday and all of the unoccupied booths already had reserved signs on them. When we left at 8 p.m. it was still almost full of customers. We sat at the bar with a Chatham Helles Lager ($7) and a refreshing Mocktail ($5) made with cucumber and mint while we waited for our dining companions. Upon seating our party of four into one of those reserved booths, my wife and I started with the Seared Halloumi Cheese ($13) as a shared appetizer. This dish was so attractive and appealing looking that our dining companions also ordered it after we were almost finished with our serving. Maybe our raving about the wonderful flavor of the cheese, the beautiful sear markings, the refreshing aspect of the watermelon pieces, the texture contrast of the pistachios, and the flavor of the honey-sherry vinaigrette also had something to do with their decision. For her entrée, my wife ordered one of the daily specials, Pan Roasted Cod ($35). Served with steamed rice, braised Swiss chard, sweet potato, and a slightly spicy "Holy Trinity" creole sauce, she was very pleased with the dish. My taste of it echoed her sentiment. As I've written previously, I don't get to enjoy lamb at home so I will frequently order it when it's available while dining out. Therefore, the Lamb Feta Burger ($23) had my attention. It was served on a toasted baguette (the same that is served as the delicious bread for the table with calamata olive butter), with caramelized onions, arugula, garlic aioli, and French fries. The lamb was fresh, moist, very mild in flavor, but with only a slight noticeability of the feta cheese. It was delicious! The French fries were served perfectly, hot and crispy on the outside and soft on the inside. Cups of coffee after dinner were rich and full flavored. Finally, the cubes of brown sugar that I was so pleased to see served thirteen years ago are still being served. Hurrah! Service was friendly and welcoming. read more

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Chez Mike is easily one of my favorite places around town! The spare ribs are absolutely amazing--so tender, flavorful, and cooked perfectly. I always leave satisfied and can't recommend this place enough! read more

Went Friday before Valentine's Day . Restaurant was busy but not full. Our server was excellent although service was slow. Food - not good! Calamari was tough difficult to chew. Sent it back and was taken off bill. My wife had pork dish. Breading was tasteless and pork was tough. We both tried it. Waitress took that back and reviewed menu to recommend an alternative. Butternut squash soup was my wife's preference which was good. I had calves liver which was excellent. We were not charged for soup but the pork dish was left on bill.none of this was the fault of our server and that was reflected in the tip. First experience here probably not go back read more

Amazing place with amazing food crafted by a chef that truly loves food. Don't miss this place.

Good food and attentive service, it was a nice date night out. I had the short ribs mainly due to all the positive reviews and they were delicious. Overall a great dining experience for special occasions. read more

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Innovative dishes and professional service in a casual/elegant dining room. Don't let the shopping plaza fool you, it's an upscale meal.

We didn't have a reservation but were quickly sat at a high top. The staff was extremely welcoming, knowledgeable and friendly. We ordered the broccoli rabe with burrata for an appetizer and it was delicious. Our dirty martinis were spot on. My husband said his entree was "amazing", a compliment not frequently given. Overall I gave my food an 8.5 and my husband gave his a 9/10. Above all, the service and food were fantastic, and the food and drinks were fairly priced, which I greatly appreciate!!! We are looking forward to going back and had a great time. Would recommend for any occasion! read more

Chez Mike - Cauliflower Mac and cheese - New American Near Me - E Greenbush, New York

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Chef has an upscale menu and excellent food. Chef does a great job and it is close to Schodack where we live...

The previous reviews on Yelp helped us decide to check out Chez Mike while traveling on I90 and staying overnight in Rensselaer. We were well rewarded not only with finely executed food preparation and presentation, but also prompt and patient service. So close to I90 exit for Rensselaer, Chez Mike was a wonderful find for travelers seeking a quality meal as a reward for driving instead of flying. read more

The menu is really eclectic and for someone who likes to "try" this is a definite place to try. They have calves liver, duck over biscuits and much more. I had a Seafood Chowder and it was brothy and delicious. With 6 clams , scallops shrimp and white fish. My wife went light with the dinner Caesar Salad. I tried the specialty Old Fashioned it was mulled and sweet. We finished with the Crème Broulee it was good. The service we great and our waitress was prompt without being interfering. The seating is comfortable with tables and booths. read more

Chez Mike - This is the chowder I love the broth it was not thick it was broth - New American Near Me - E Greenbush, New York

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Just go here. You'll love it. Their seasonal menu and eclectic style makes this place niche. My husband loves that he can order a half portion of his two favorite dinners. The service is always on point. Well trained staff. read more

Get the liver. I know. EVERYONE hates liver but Mikes is the best I've had since I left home 50 years ago. It's fork tender and juicy with yummy bacon and onions on top next to a bed of perfectly mashed potatoes. It is delicious! But their short ribs are pretty good as well. Mikes is just good food. read more

Came here for an early birthday celebration and requested a candle with my dessert. The server asked if it was my "real birthday," and after I explained it was an early celebration, the dessert arrived without a candle--while other tables received them. The food was good, but the experience felt dismissive and embarrassing. A simple gesture would have made the evening special; instead, it left a negative impression. read more

What an amazing find! Attracted by the good reviews and the menu we headed to Chez Mike while on a road trip to the Hudson Valley. You wouldn't expect a place with such quality food hidden in a mall. It's not big either (no problem with that). The food is creative and the menu is small, but with a variety that allows everybody to find something to their liking. You can tell that the menu was crafted with love by the chef, not your average bar food. Kudos, we'll be back for sure when we are in the area. Btw. as a plus, we were able to charge the EV on a fast charge in the parking lot while dining. read more

The food lived up to the hype! Delicious entrees and great apps -- cocktails were fantastic as well. Service was a bit slow at the start but with a packed house, understandable. Will definitely be back again soon! read more

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Chez Mike is one of the best kept secrets and the capital district. In a strip mall in East Greenbush, one would never guess that a restaurant of this quality could exist, and indeed thrive, there. Including during the pandemic. One of their specialties is short ribs, and I literally have traveled long distances to have them! Their beef and steaks are second to none! Service and ambience are also fine. read more

This is the place to go if you want well-executed creative food without the pretentiousness. Attention to detail without being showy is here. Olive tapenade butter with warm bread, good balanced wine menu, well-thought specials, and tiny treats at the end are some of the little things that make this a enjoyable experience. The seasonal menu offers a great range of items. I am partial to the short ribs and seafood chowder. The specials are spot on and usually a great choice. The last time I went, they had seared sea scallops with an artichoke purée which was fantastic. I have been here about a dozen or more times since 2020 and I have yet to have a poor experience. I can recall only once did I have an "ok" (fish) dish, a little overcooked and small-ish portion, while everything else on the plate shined. I guess it stands out to me because I will take "ok" as an outlier low-point given the number of times I have dined here. I have been in the capital district for several decades and have frequently been to many (if not all) of the "fine restaurants" touted in annual rankings. All I will say is that the level of skill involved in both the creation of the menu and execution of the food at Chez Mike is unsurpassed in the region. This is an unassuming place next to a supermarket in a strip mall. That may be a deterrent to some. I think that gives it a little ironic charm. The interior, which was fully redone over a couple of years ago, is open and bright, giving it a light welcoming feel. The service matches the food - friendly and attentive. As I mentioned above, this is the place to go if you want well-executed creative food at a good price without the fussiness of other fine dining establishments. read more

Haven't been there in years, so happy to return! The food was just as good some new items on the menu. My husband had the short ribs and was blown away. Thank you for a lovely evening. We will be back. read more

Never in my wildest dreams did I expect to find such good food in Albany. The chicken here is something I think about from time to time, which is something I can't even say about some three Michelin star dishes I've had! read more

Chez Mike - a plastic container filled with fruit - New American Near Me - E Greenbush, New York

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Wow! Excellent cuisine! I enjoyed the pulled pork over ratatouille! Delicious! The chicken was also great, sorry, no photos this time. The service was very good! The atmosphere was more like a cafeteria then a upscale restaurant. This was the only turn off. The strip mall location is not really an issue, but the inside need a upgrade. The dishes are with the trip. Enjoy! read more

We love this restaurant as it's consistently delicious. Our visit last night was a bit disappointing though. We couldn't help but notice that the portions on all our dishes (except the short ribs) were significantly smaller. We ordered the special salad for $10.00 and the bowl came out practically empty with only a handful of lettuce. Similar thoughts regarding the calamari, chicken and fish. Still one of our favorites but yikes - can we get some more please ? read more

Great restaurant. The staff is knowledgeable and professional. Get the short ribs. They are absolutely amazing.

This is by far my most favorite restaurant in the whole of Capital District of New York. The food is often a step above any other I can get in this area, and it is more in par with food served at a top restaurant in Paris or New York City, without all of the fanfare. The atmosphere is relaxed and the service is friendly, but professional. Every season a new menu is created by the chef which makes visits interesting and fun. I recognize many of the patroons by face, clearly indicating that I am not alone in valuing this restaurant a top choice. Beside the specials of the day its menu is very varied and appealing. My most loved aspect of this restaurant is Service. Many of the servers have worked in this restaurant for several years yet their service remains very professional. This proves that chef Mike takes pride in his work and the operation of his restaurant. read more

A culinary gem in a town with relatively few dining options, Chez Mike's does a great job of delivering excellent takes in the "American Comfort Food" genre. First rate bar, and excellent service. read more

The food was absolutely stunning! But don't let how good I promise the food is convince you that it's some stuffy, pricey place you can't go if you're not some kind of aficionado! It's a nice quiet spot, without feeling like you have to come in a full suit and tie. You'd get a meal half as good for twice as much with half the portions and none of the great service if you were in NYC! I didn't know meat could be so tender! A must if you're in the area! read more

Chez mike fucking slaps! What a great dinning experience, not only was the staff very nice but the food was on point. Would recommend this place to anyone in the area I was staying near the NYST and did not mind the 40 min drive to this place . read more

Chez Mike - Short ribs - New American Near Me - E Greenbush, New York

Always interesting and pleasing menu. Seasonal changes show imagination. It is always surprising to find such a gem in such an offbeat location. read more

It's a small restaurant in a shopping center. Don't let that fool you though. Once inside you will find a very nicely designed dining room. The servers are very good. The menu alternates so there are often new dishes available. The food won't disappoint. I look forward to going again when I'm in the area. You will be pleased I'm sure! read more

Wow! This restaurant was recommended to us. We're on a road trip to New England, we didn't know what to expect. The fine details, preparation, presentation, flavors, imagination and service, all in one package. Highly recommend! read more

We are giving Chez Mike 5 stars starting with our service. Her name is Jen and there is no other way to describe it but excellence. Her delightful and personable manner as well as attentiveness to our needs is without a doubt deserving of 5 stars. Her knowledge of the menu was spot on! After ordering, our food choices arrived, mine the short ribs were the best that I have ever had. The seafood chowder was flavorful, extremely fresh and memorable. Portion size was generous, but not overly so. The lasagna with lamb bolognese sauce was delicious with the perfect balance of cheese to sauce to pasta. At Jen's suggestion we shared the chocolate flourless torte which completed a truly memorable dining experience. I would highly recommend. Try it and ask for Jen! She's the best! read more

I think that the food was okay and the ambience was weird and loud. We were seated very close to another couple and I didn't really like sitting next to a stranger like that. It is worth trying once but make sure you bring lots of cash to cover the bill read more

The food and service are always great. I wish Mike would do that old fashioned turkey dinner or sandsandwich on regular basis. I used to love the lunch one he served. read more

Nothing was going to keep me from ordering my favorite burger at Chez Mike's. Walking through the door is entering not only a beloved restaurant, but a relaxing atmosphere of like minded people who love great food. There is nothing I wouldn't order, with little exception, and enjoying each bite. When I'm hungry and need a delicious protein source, the burger is my choice. Perfectly prepared with the freshest tomatoes, onion and lettuce atop, the cheddar cheese takes it to the next level with its aged taste. The strip of bacon was a perfect surprise adding another depth to the perfect hamburger. Ambiance is light and open with conversations and laughter bringing the room together as a happy group of diners under one roof. Beef tips, salads, everything Chez Mike's has to offer, is your perfect choice. There are no bad choices on the menu. I must say the success of this beloved restaurant comes from the top; Mike himself. He's a husband, father, local business owner and esteemed member of the community. The staff is happy, the diners are happy and it's Mike who sets the tone for his passion to deliver the finest food to the legions of grateful customers. For years, the bar Mike sets has been high yet he achieves every night. Don't take my word for this review. It really is something you must experience. You will have no regrets and I'll say "you're welcome" now in case I miss your terrific review! read more

Love this place.... great food, service and atmosphere!!!! I will recommend to make a reservation before you go. read more

Chez Mike - Pork belly and kimchi - New American Near Me - E Greenbush, New York

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Went a few weeks ago with husband and kids, glad they had a kids menu. Staff was really friendly and food was good, oysters were delicious! I'd recommend and will return, I love the small business feel with plenty of parking and no pretentiousness. read more

This is a Fantastic lil spot. Don't be fooled by the modest outside outsideI was pleasantly surprised on the inside. Modern bar but cozy. nice decor and warm staff. Had the brick chicken and short ribs both very flavorful the chicken was better crispy but so tender on the inside couldn't have been cooked better mashed potatoes are creamy and warm. The short ribs were good could have been a little more complex in flavor easy fix is to tighten up sauce at the end if you aren't getting any depth.. olive butter nice unique touch will be stealing that one good job. great wine list Tabitha was delightful as we dined at the bar. The Best part was the small plate of lemon poppyseed cookies at the end of the meal that they just bring you... what?! Those tiny lil wafers of decadence pack a experience punch that takes this gem to a whole new level. Vey nice touch! Unexpected! This place will be a repeat for me. If I had to change anything I would dim the lights a tad in bar area. Try it and see what your regulars think? Change it up ..Lighting is so powerful, and an inexpensive way to freshen up the look. read more

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Really liked this place. Bartender was great, short rib meal apparently a signature dish for them was delicious and I loved their olive infused butter an bread. Great price the experience. read more