Ooooh so this is where the middle aged singles come to be seen, hangout and drink wine! We had fun,…read morebartender was great and fast, drink menu was awesome.

Strolling through Saratoga confused what to choose from and we walk in to this place as there was…read moreno wait time. No wait time doesn't mean they don't have good food. We ordered soup of the day (Smoked chicken chowder), crab cakes and grilled salmon. The food was consistent and good. My rating of 4 was totally based on food. The food. Like I mentioned earlier was good but I have had the same better elsewhere. The service and ambience are great and would rate it a 5 star. They have a great selection of wines to choose from. This place is good for every occasion and a heaven for someone who loves wine.

Great Saturday happy hour, fantastic bar, friendly staff. Nice mix of options although we like…read morethe flatbread pizza.

Finally had a chance to try Kindred last week(end)…read more I was honestly won over when we first walked in....we didn't have a reservation but asked if they could accommodate two for dinner. The hostess/server was awesome: not pretentious and looking down her nose at us since we didn't have a reservation. She did say that she needed the table by 7 PM. No problem! That said, it was pretty busy for being early in the evening. Guests kept coming in as we were getting ready to depart. The food that we tried was very good: -the chips with crème fraîche were very nice, but I don't know that I would go out of my way for these again. I really enjoyed the chips themselves... very thin and light ...and quite salty (in a good way). A little bit of fish roe is mixed in for "extra saltiness" and a little bit of a fishy experience in the crème fraîche. -Brussel sprouts for me were the winner! Absolutely delicious and we added some chicken so that we'd have a little bit of protein. Grilled chicken was perfectly flavored and not dry at all. Brussels sprouts had just the right amount of char and umami. -flatbread was honestly my least favorite. We stuck with the basic burrata/Margherita pizza/flatbread, and after eating the brussels sprouts it just didn't hold up in terms of flavor. Some of the other options might be better if you're looking for more of a flavor punch.... but it was served steaming, hot, and freshly made. As more people showed up, it definitely got noisier... so prepare for a bit of a loud environment...pretty much the same situation in all downtown Saratoga restaurants these days. I will definitely go back and try some other items on the menu.

What a delightful surprise! A couple of foodie friends and I decided to check out a couple spots in…read moreSaratoga and we landed on a new spot, Familiar Creature. We had read that it was the same people who run Hamlet and Ghost, so we wanted to check it out. The inside is gorgeous, bright and welcoming. Very cute wine bar vibes with excellent cocktails and a small, but mighty, menu. All of our cocktails were gorgeous and well crafted, even some great mocktails. The menu is Montreal inspired, which we noticed immediately, and loved. We just wanted to split a couple things to try, so we ordered the poutine with duck confit and the steak tartare. The Poutine was fabulous! They ultra crispy house made fries had such good flavor on their own, but were made incredible with the gravy, melty cheese curds and decadent duck. This dish was amazing. The steak tartare was also very good and fresh, the house made chips were also killer. Last but not least, the maple soft serve. Heavenly! Ultra creamy and smooth with a great depth of maple flavor. The caramel swirl and crunchy nibs on the top were so good. I am not a big sweets person, but I would order this again for sure. Delicious. This is a hidden gem and surprised us all! I can't believe I haven't heard more about this place. 10/10 recommend.

Went here for restaurant week and was blown away by the three course dinner with a wine pairing to…read morego with it. I've been back for patio party and just stopping in. This food is incredible. The weekly flavors of soft serve ice cream are incredible. the wine knowledge is incredible. The only thing I didn't like was the soft serve i ordered had meringue on it, but a meringe the same consistency of the soft serve, I might have recommended a stiffer version to provide some texture contrast, but on restaurant week, not a big deal.

I've only dined at Next Door Kitchen & Bar once before, and that was 8 years ago. I don't think I…read morewas completely hooked then. What a difference a few years can make. This was an amazing experience. Every touch point was a pure joy, from the moment I entered and was promptly and politely seated, to the last few minutes as I chatted with one of the owners, Chris. Every single interaction we experienced gave us the comfort of being amongst friends who were happy to see us, and more importantly happy to be here. From our fully engaging server to the wonderful highschool sophomore who never let our water glasses get below half full, each and every person made our experience just that: an experience of excellence and perfect attention to detail. Our meals were just as delicious as the people. The Grilled Double-Cut Pork Chop was an absolute triumph--impeccably juicy, beautifully charred, and perfectly balanced by earthy morels, rich creamed ramps, and the bright, sweet pop of local cherries. The reimagined "Ratatouille" was a stunning work of art, featuring a beautifully seared zucchini steak, smoky eggplant crème, and a crisp, fresh nest of squash topped with plump, perfectly grilled shrimp. For the perfect conclusion, the Espresso Crème Brûlée delivered a silky, robust coffee custard beneath a shatteringly crisp caramelized crust, brilliantly elevated by the crunch of cacao nibs. What truly elevated the evening, however, was how flawlessly they handled my strict wheat- and grain-free dietary needs. Navigating menus with these restrictions can often feel stressful, but our server and the chef made every possible effort to accommodate me. They proactively verified every sauce and reduction to ensure they were safe, and the kitchen effortlessly modified the dessert by putting the biscotti on the side. To enjoy a multi-course, world-class meal with that level of meticulous care and total peace of mind is incredibly rare. They didn't just accommodate a restriction; they crafted a masterpiece around it. We certainly won't be waiting another 8 years to return.

This is simply the best restaurant in the area. I recommended it to a friend who was asking where…read moreto take a friend who was visiting -- who was a chef! They loved it. I was unable to click on food above as "what went well" -- must be a technical issue because I tried to several times-- Anyway, the food is amazing. I've gone with groups and everyone has loved it every time.

Last night we had an absolutely wonderful dining experience at Vice and Virtue…read more From the moment we arrived, it was clear that this restaurant takes pride in what they do. The owners were there the entire evening, personally overseeing everything and checking on our table several times to make sure we were enjoying ourselves. That level of care and attention is something you don't find everywhere. The menu is incredible, with so many tempting options that I already know I'll have to come back multiple times to work my way through it! Everything is made fresh from scratch, and you can truly taste the difference. I ordered the Buffalo Chicken Salad, and it was so good that I completely forgot to take a picture before digging in! To drink, I had not one, but TWO Razzleberry Sparkling Lemonades, made with Tito's Handmade Vodka, lemonade, muddled blueberries, strawberries, and raspberries, topped with Prosecco. They were absolutely delicious and dangerously easy to drink! Two of my friends ordered Mojitos, and they were beautiful, refreshing, and looked absolutely delicious. My husband ordered the Shrimp Ravioli, and in his words, it was "excellent" and trust me, he's not easy to impress when it comes to food! He finished his meal with the tiramisu, which was fresh, flavorful, and the perfect ending to the evening. Two of our friends enjoyed the Shepherd's Pie. It was originally intended as a St. Patrick's Day special, but it became so popular that they've added it to the regular menu permanently. After hearing the rave reviews at our table, I can see why! Another friend ordered the Slammin' Piggy Tacos and couldn't stop talking about how good they were. Our other friend had the Jerk Shrimp Tacos and loved those as well. For dessert, I chose the Chocolate Pie, which was absolutely delightful and the perfect sweet ending to a fantastic meal. One thing I especially appreciated was how accessible the restaurant is. It is completely handicapped accessible, which can sometimes be difficult to find, and there is a convenient parking lot right next door that makes getting in and out easy. If you're looking for fresh, homemade food prepared by local owners who genuinely care about the quality of every dish they serve, you need to check this place out. We left happy, full, and already talking about what we'll order on our next visit. We'll definitely be back soon because there are still so many items on the menu I can't wait to try!

A wonderful bar and grill in Downtown Schenectady full of fun and great food. A nice place to enjoy…read morea family dinner or a party with friends

If I could give ALTA Restaurant & Wine Bar more than five stars, I would. The pork cheeks may have…read morebeen the best meal I've ever had--perfectly cooked, incredibly tender, and packed with flavor. Every bite was unforgettable. What made the experience even more special was the hospitality. After the Tanglewood concert on a Sunday night, the staff recognized that many concertgoers were looking for a place to eat and graciously stayed open later to accommodate everyone. That level of customer service is rare and speaks volumes about how much they care about their guests. Outstanding food, exceptional hospitality, and an experience I'll be talking about for a long time. I can't wait to come back.

A Valentine's dinner that did not impress!…read more Valentine's has always been a very special holiday for me. My husband and I decided to spend the weekend in the Berkshires, which was lovely and quiet. I made reservations ahead of time for this highly rated wine bar and very close to where we were staying. First off, due to the previous weather/storms they had no street parking. But luckily we parked in a nearby lot. Upon arrival, the restaurant bar area was very nice and romantic. The server brought us to our table but I was a bit disappointed in the ambiance. I mean the bar area was a bit darker and the table that we were being seated at had a lot of light. Now, don't get me wrong, It was Valentine's day which screams romantic and there was no romantic vibe to this restaurant. After mentioning this to our server she did move us and turned down the lights a bit which was much better. Food/Drinks: The menu was not big at all which was nice. I ordered a dirty martini to start which needed more olive juice and my husband ordered a rum cocktail which he enjoyed. For starters, I ordered their Over Roasted Parsnip which was very good and filling. My husband had their Beet Salad which he said was excellent. For entrees, I had their Seared Duck Breast. I really enjoyed the caramel sauce but did not love the duck itself. My husband had the Oven Roasted Chicken Statler which was very dry he could barley eat it. Also, since this is a wine bar I will say the wines were nothing special which was also a bit disappointing. I wish they had something unique and special to offer especially being on a Valentine's Day. I feel this place may be more of a summer destination. Service: Service was excellent I will say. Our server was always asking how things were, checking on us and if we needed anything and asking about any additional drinks. etc. Also, the Manager came over to ask how everything was but he spefically looked at me. I think my husband would've mentioned his meal being dry if he looked at him as well but my husband could've spoken up too. We did say something to our server after she asked about the chicken dish, which they ended up taken off the bill which was very nice. Overall: I didn't love Alta Wine Bar my first time here, but I would come back in the spring or summer months when the weather is warm to try it again. Cheers~

Lovely evening. Food reliably good. Lovely service though they were very busy. The restaurant had a…read morevariety of seating areas.

We went for dinner for three on Mothers Day, promptly seated and immediately enjoyed a nice glass…read moreof wine (2) and beer. Ordered an appetizer; scallops wrapped in bacon, six pieces and some nice fresh warmed rolls were served as well. Also, their corn and crab chowder was delicious. My wife and I ordered surf and turf (8 oz filet and 2 scallops). The other order was crab stuffed cod. We had a second glass of wine each and a beer for my FIL. It seemed like it took awhile to get served but that was ok, the conversation was good and wine excellent, now I know why the dinner took so long; the filet mignon's must have been cooking for 30 minutes. Both came out dry and dark gray. I ordered mine medium rare and my wife medium. We did't even try the filet. One of the servers took it away and said he was sorry and it was not cooked right. We were told they would fire another two right up. In the meantime my FIL was enjoying his meal. After about 15 minutes I said to my wife I hope those filets were not cooking the entire time. Ten minutes later they came out and guess what; they must have been cooking the entire time. I did try one piece and quite frankly It was inedible. This just ruined the meal for all of us. The meal, one dinner two apps, and drinks were comped and the manager gave me a bottle of wine on the way out. That was a very nice gesture but we all wanted to enjoy a nice dinner. We came home and made a frozen pizza. I don't know who the chef was but 4 filet mignons and 8 scallops were completely wasted.

Only open Friday and Saturday! Wonderful, try them!…read more We thought it was closed but NO, we love this place.

This review isn't of the food here, because I haven't had the food. It's a review of the cocktails…read more Sometimes in my reviews I mention that I don't know much about the cuisine that I'm reviewing and you should take my opinions with a grain of salt. That won't be the case here, because I'm a big weird cocktail nerd, and I'm putting my hands on your shoulders, looking you straight in the eye, and telling you that cocktails at 288 are very, very good, and not in an I'm-grading-on-a-curve-because-there-aren't-many-places-around-here-serving-truly-good-cocktails kind of way. The drinks here are well-balanced and tasty, but also INTERESTING, which makes this end of Lark Street with 288 and The Savoy officially the best place to get legitimately good and creative cocktails in the Cap District. The cocktails at 288 are good because the bar manager, Emmanuel, is an absolute pro: he was the reason that the cocktails at the late, lamented Speakeasy 518 were the best around, and now he's brought his expertise to 288. He's working with a much smaller bar here, but describing your favorite flavors to him and letting him surprise you is still a great idea. If you want to order off of the menu, the Commodore #2 (with house-made grenadine) might be my new official drink for fall/winter 2021. Really, though, you should just order whatever looks good, and be prepared to end up ordering another.