Great ice cream in a bunch of flavors you don't ever see plus mini golf. What else do you need?read more

My husband and I love there soft serve Ice Cream. Can't wait to go back there next summer.read more

Is there any cake decorated more beautifully than a custom cake from this longtime popular bakery…read morein Schenectady? I do not think so. The cakes are made fresh and not frozen. Today, we had a 10" Carrot Cake for an 18th birthday party. It not only looked picture perfect, it tasted great. The website describes the many flavors of cake available in different sizes in round or sheet cake style. When you call to order, you speak to a knowledgeable staff person to select a flavor, size, frosting, and filling. Then you select the decorations and colors you would like. The signature iconic script handwriting of their decorators is attractive and distinctive. You know it is a Villa Italia cake when you first see it. However, always check a custom order cake before you leave. When we picked up the Carrot Cake, the worker did not open box to show us the cake. They should be trained to show the costumer the cake before checking out! Fortunately, I did open box and saw a pink frosted cake saying HB Jackie. My cake was for an 18 yr old grandson. They fixed it so it looked nice, but it was not quick. Please check out my photos to see a few of the cakes we have ordered and enjoyed!

The cakes are always moist. Filling just enough. Buttercream frosting yes is sweet but one of the…read morebest tasting around. Offer plenty of options for decorating also. Recently the gelato cakes have became a favorite too. Recently ordered cookie & cream ones. Every one complimented the taste. Also able to pay and order on the phone. Service was great.

Great coffee and pastries, great service, and a decent seating area for size of the space! There's…read morea back entrance in case you can't get in the front, speaking from experience lol

I've been to Graham's on central, and needed to try this one. It's so cute and decorated just like…read morethe original Grahams, but has shorter opening hours. I got my usual butterfly pea tea and it didn't disappoint. Plus, Ray is super nice and always remembers my name and drink. Great service with a smile.

I love Stewart's shops and this location is the greatest place I have been too. I enjoy Thier food…read moreespecially their ice cream The bathrooms and service erra is always clean. The shelves are stocked and you can find things easily. The people who work there are kind. They treat me no differently than anyone else. Unlike many places because I have special needs.

Friendly neighborhood Stewart's with happy to help to make your day brighter however they can…read morestaff. The kindness extends to the other regulars we spot inside often while stopping for coffee or ice cream (typically in the warmer months.) A few tables, expanding deli case selection, and great daily specials make breakfast and lunch stops possible; co-workers and I have been known to do so at the outside picnic tables in the summer, too. And of course, this is the only place we buy our milk, eggs, and bread.

**MY EXPERIENCE:**…read more Upon approaching Jumpin' Jack's Drive-In, we were greeted by a sizable crowd, confirming its status as a must-visit destination for both locals and tourists alike. My wife ordered fried fish planks, while I opted for a cheeseburger with barbecue. For her, onion rings followed, and I chose french fries. Post-meal, we indulged in their exceptional ice cream, a highlight of the experience. This establishment is a cornerstone near New York, offering a quintessential dining experience. **HISTORY & CONTEXT:** Jumpin' Jack's Drive-In boasts a storied past, serving as a beloved staple in the New York area since its inception. The drive-in's enduring popularity is a testament to its commitment to quality and community engagement. Known for its iconic menu and vibrant atmosphere, it attracts visitors year-round, providing a nostalgic escape into American diner culture. RATINGS & LOGISTICS: - Atmosphere: 10/10 - Food Quality: 9/10 - Service/Flow: 8/10 - Value: 7/10 - Would Return: Yes

Nice day to enjoy a great fish fry and onion rings from Jumpin Jacks. Customer service always…read morepleasant and quick with placing orders. Plenty of parking available with a nice view of the lake or park. Before leaving don't forget a banana split sundae. Definitely be back.

I order from here more often than I would like to admit and they're decent cookies but 9/10 times…read morethey get our order wrong.

Definitely a front for something but the hours are convenient if you're craving grocery store…read morecookies and hood chocolate milk. Something just doesn't add up, they should at least make their own batter if they're a place that only sells cookies.. or just start selling frozen pizzas to stay on brand

How did I not know about this place before? What a lovely…read morecafe! My friend and I had lunch there yesterday. So many choices (soups, sandwiches, salads, crepes, desserts, TEA!) So comfortable. Great attentive service. Will be back?

Finally made it to this location after previously enjoying the Ballston Spa location (although it's…read morebeen way too long since I've been back there!). Great salads, crepes, soup and teas were enjoyed by three of us. It was extremely busy and we were told by our server that some of the food might take a little longer-which it did-but nothing crazy. We enjoyed our conversation and company as we had this delightful meal before seeing the final Wicked show at Proctors. Would love to go back sometime.

Great drinks and a wonderful atmosphere while visiting nationally touring expos and events like…read morelocal minor league basketball.

The Armory definitely gets a thumbs up for ambiance, as it's a pretty unique location -- a set of…read morerooms upstairs in the old Armory. There's a variety of seating (including some cool very tall-backed chairs), which is a nice change of pace. There's a small menu, drinks, and coffee/sweets. The service is super cheery and prompt. The food is a bit middle of the road and humdrum, and our "hot" beverages were tepid at best. I recommend getting a drink over getting coffee, all things being equal. We'll see if it survives the closing of the Van Gogh Experience, but it's easy to see how with the right management, and maybe a slightly gussied up menu, this could become a destination and not just a stop-off.

I love their cookies and pastries! Not too sweet so that you don't feel like you're eating a sugar…read morecube. Just perfect! Going to try their sandwiches next. Can't wait! The service is friendly and knowledgeable. And the way they restored it to that retro feel is fantastic!

Civitello's reopened under its new owner Mark Novak on July 31, 2025 after renovations which…read moreincluded new plumbing and wiring. The new owner promised to keep the shop looking the same, and it appears he succeeded. Very nice! Booths were reupholstered in the same dark green color. Photos of Civitello family lined the wall. The ceiling was replaced with an embossed metal one that looks appropriate and like the original ceiling. I went to Civitello's at 10:30 am on Tuesday, August 5. The Co-Manager (owner's son) was pleasant and welcoming. I ordered a small Lemon Ice and bought a quart to drop off to my grandchildren. I have been enjoying the Lemon Ice regularly at Civitello's since my childhood. I have even eaten Lemon Ice in Italy. I sat in my car eating the Lemon Ice I had just bought; I ate slowly and with no distractions. The Lemon Ice definitely did not taste the like it did in the past. The texture was the same, but the pure lemon flavor was much less noticeable. Also, there were more tiny pieces of lemon zest in it. This zest did not taste fresh; it tasted prepackaged. I heard many of the family recipes were included in the purchase of the shop. However, I think the Lemon Ice recipe was not given to the new owner. Food-- Pizza (Tomato Pie) was not out yet, and I am eager to return soon see if it is as amazing as I remember it.. After looking at the menu, I asked if Eggplant Sandwiches were going to be available everyday, and he responded yes because the Fryer is now located in the kitchen. Previously, they were served only on Wed. and Fridays because the fryer was outside. Looking forward to having an Eggplant Sandwich, a favorite of mine as well as of many customers. Will it taste the same? Will it be on homemade bread sliced thin? Bakery-- Eclairs looked great. Guy ahead of me bought six. However, I noticed the Butter Cookies did not look as nicely cut out/shaped as before. I did not taste or buy any on this visit. I did not see any almond paste cookies; maybe I overlooked them. The shop was closed on Sunday because they were sold out after the grand reopening, so they may need to restock more of the classic cookies Civitello's is famous for. I plan on updating this review after I taste the Eggplant Sandwich and the Pizza/Tomato Pie.

We have supported this bakery for over 40 years, and it is time to offer a review…read more This Jay Street icon in Schenectady has the best Italian bread. It comes in round or loaf shapes and in one or two pound sizes. It is available in many local stores including the Niskayuna Co-op. True story: Jack Nicholson was filming in the area and found out about the delicious bread from his driver. He got the bread several times and thought it was great. He had it mailed to him. Photos of Nicholson and a related newspaper article are on display. The bread, rolls, and Tomato pie are baked in a coal fired brick oven from Italy. Besides the bread, there are other outstanding offerings including: Rolls! Breadsticks made at the bakery Bread Crumbs for cutlets and meatballs Tomato Pie -- so popular it often sells out Panini Sandwiches made fresh daily for grab & go. Italian olives and cheeses in the case. Italian cookies Parking in front and in a side lot shared with Cornell's Restaurant.

Perrecca's Bakery + More Perrecca's = Schenectady royalty…read more First things first: full disclosure -- my son is a server here. Yes, I'm biased. But also... facts are facts and the facts are DELICIOUS. It was a full-on snowstorm, the weird dead zone after Christmas where everyone else is like "nah, we're closing early," and Perrecca's was like: "We ride." Just me and the wife, snow coming down sideways, and this place is warm, welcoming, and absolutely cranking out hot food. And I mean HOT hot -- not "restaurant hot," but "careful-that-plate-is-trying-to-burn-your fingerprints-off" hot. Love to see it. Food? Super tasty. No notes. Service? Solid across the board. Bathrooms? Clean enough to eat off of (I didn't, but I could've). Parking? Plenty of off-street, no parallel parking Olympics required. Now let's talk about the hostess -- because WOW. She works the room like she personally built the place brick by brick. Touches every table, warm, friendly, checking in -- you'd swear her name was on the sign out front. Absolute pro. Hospitality Hall of Fame behavior. Between the legendary bakery, the attached restaurant, and the fact that they stayed open when the weather said "stay home," this place is a must-see Schenectady institution. Come hungry. Leave happy. Possibly leave with extra bread you didn't plan on buying but somehow needed. Would go back in a blizzard. Would go back tomorrow. Would go back just for the vibes.