The food was great here, but the service was below average and slow. Also the mimosas are good but I don't think the bottomless had much alcohol and neither did he normal. I would go back but I think I'd leave more time and expect that it could take awhile to get food/drinks. read more

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Both food and service were bad. It took forever to get our food and when it came it was pretty bad. The calamari appetizer was chewy. The risotto (one vegetable and one seafood) was overwhelming with too much cheese and salt. Even the simple kids orders were a disaster: for an order of simple spaghetti with butter we received tagliatelle pasta (not that it matters but I expect them to know the difference) that was all stuck together and unevenly cooked. The meatballs were huge and unappealing. We didn't bother to stay for dessert. This is by far the worst dining experience I have had in Albany. read more

Great food. Loved the Smoke and Spice Chicken and Waffles. Mimosa deal is a good price, but overall a little overpriced. Will still go back! Lol read more

First visit last night. Sat near the bar without reservations and it was noisy for the first 1/2 hour. The rest of the evening was quiet and enjoyable. As for the food and service, absolutely no complaints. We had smiles and patience from our waiter and everyone who came to our table. All were very welcoming. The appetizers and our meals were excellent. We didn't know salads came with the meal so we over ordered. No worries because now I am looking forward to leftovers! We will be back for sure. read more

I've been here twice now and both experiences were great. Loveeeee the aranchinis or as I like to call them, Risotto Balls.

Really great lunch menu. Crab cake sandwich is amazing. Creative grilled risotto wraps were excellent. Oh, and nice hummus and warm pita to start. read more

Had Brunch here yesterday. Unlimited Mimosas and Poinsettias. However, the star was the food. I had chicken and waffles and my husband had the spicy chicken and waffles. I am picky about what I eat, but I lapped everything up and even though I am not a fan of champaign, I loved the Pinot Griggio. Spot on and only $6.00/ glass. We will be coming back here for dinner and we already have reservations for Christmas Eve. brunch. This gem is hidden away in a strip mall, but do not let it fool you. The food and service are to die for. Albany does not have a tremendous offering as far as food goes, but I guarantee you will fall in love with this diamond. read more

I love this place. The food is great but they have to do something about the smell. It's just unappealing. And they also need to do a thorough cleaning! Bathrooms, etc. read more

Stopped in for lunch, and the grape leaves and chicken cheese risotto, sea salt caramel crunch for dessert. Food was proportioned correctly and done right. Servers were attentive. Worth a return trip! read more

Nice meal! Service was quite smooth. each dish was interesting in a different way going back soon read more

A friend told us about this new restaurant across from Memorial Hospital on Northern Boulevard. It's in a strip mall at the end where there used to be a dry cleaners. It's very nicely designed in black, tan, and white. The menu is just as stated - Mediterranean. Italian dishes mixed with Middle Eastern . We ordered the Mediterranean sampler as an appetizer. Tasty home made babaganough, tsatsiki, falafel, hummus, and stuffed grape leaves. Very tasty and served with ample warm pita slices. Entrees were excellent. I had the chicken francais. Served over couscous with grilled asparagus. I have to say it was the best francais I've had anywhere in this area. My wife had the four cheese ravioli in a very tasty tomatoe vodka cream sauce. They were quick to state that the ravioli is the only thing not made from scratch. No matter. The ravioli was large and perfectly cooked. My sister ordered the Philly Risotto - one of a half dozen risotto choices on the menu. Flat iron steak atop creamy perfectly cooked risotto flavored with beef broth and mushrooms and a hint of provolone cheese.. Portions were above average and the prices reasonable. Our waitress, Ally, was attentive and helpful. Ispoke to the three cooks responsible for this excellent meal. Young, enthusiastic guys who have talent beyond their years. I would have given them 5 stars but since they've only been open for a month and a half, I don't want to give them a big head. We'll be back and I expect they will get the fifth star. read more

I've been to Risotto for lunch and dinner and was pleased by both. I highly recommend the sweet and spicy salmon.

This was our first time there. I had the mixed grill, consisting of grilled salmon, teriyaki steak and andouille sausage with roasted potatoes, my wife had the chicken parm with risotto. The appetizer was also good, greens and beans and crab cakes, also came with a salad. The service was great and staff was friendly. The prices were also good and the portions were great. As always we ate to much, highly recommend this place. read more

1 star for service. I called several weeks in advance to book the private dining room for our work group of 12 people for our holiday party. Since we had a tight time schedule, I asked that we have dinner from 6:15 - 7:45 since we had to get to an 8:15 team event. Since we had a shortened time, we pre-set the menu so that the food would come out as soon as we got there, and they insured me that the timeline would work. When we arrived, we were sat at 2 separate tables of 6 people in the main eating area, instead of the private dining room for 12. After asking multiple times to start being served (and being ignored by the wait staff), the let us know at 6:50 that our appetizers were starting to be made. At 7:05, they brought out the appetizers. I then had to leave dinner to call the corporate office of our team activity after to see if we could arrive late and push our reservation back to 9:15 instead of 8;15 or try to get our money back. Throughout the entire dinner, I had to continually ask to clear the plates, bring out the main course, clear the main course plates, bring out the dessert. I continually reminded them that we had to leave but we still did not get out until 8:45. I begged to get the bill and even stayed behind while the rest of the group left to wait for it. Honestly one of the worst service experiences I have ever had. Staff had no regard to our timeline and what we had planned, and never cared to apologize. We will definitely not be back. read more

Really wanted to like this place given their unique/interesting food options and reasonable prices but their service is poor and they take ages to bring out the tepid food. Went in at noon on a Sunday (peak brunch hours) with a party of 3 - no wait and got seated quickly (they even take reservations!). We put in our order then the waitress disappeared entirely. After 30+ minutes of waiting in a largely empty restaurant, I flagged her down to ask about the food. She came back with food ~5 min later and promptly disappeared for the remainder of the meal, completely avoiding our table until it was time for the check. The food itself was just ok, mostly because it came out luke warm. Risotto ingredients were solid but the gyro was a disappointment (not actual gyro meat, just preformed cutlets). I would be willing to give them another shot but, if they can't serve up a hot meal in a half empty restaurant, I don't think it's a fluke. The table behind us already had their drinks when we sat down but didn't get their food til we were about to leave, over an hour later! read more

I went tonight for dinner with my father before work and it was a week after its opening and there were only two people there.The atmosphere was nice,not much decoration(but the waiter explained to my father and I that they had not gotten all the accompanying items because they have not had there "grand opening" yet) also the waiter was polite and friendly.NowI know what your thinking, cut to the chase,what about the food?! Well you will be happy to know that The food was very good. First I had there pan-seared crab-cakes,they were great especially with the mango sauce,then I had (of course) risotto balls with a light lemon glaze which was also very good ,and last (and least) were the mussels,they were good.........besides the grit and dirt in them they were pretty good. Over all it was a very good experience and i will most definitely come back soon. read more

Terrible service and mimosas were unlimited with pure orange juice. I am a server and I will not return here again.

A friend went here for lunch and truly enjoyed it! So it was an easy choice for our little group of friends, okay the 3 of us, to do our monthly dinner out and catch up. We all got there early and enjoyed a glass of wine each with the Taste of the Mediterranean-appatiser which consisted of Hummus, tzatziki, babaganough, tahini, grape leaves, falafels and kalamata olives and servered with warm pita. They were not crowed around 5:30ish so it was nice to relax and chat, when it came time to order dinner the choices made where Duck Confit risotto, chicken Franscaise and the chicken special which consisted of roasted red peppers, mozzarella cheese, cappicola stuff into a panko encrusted chicken breast and covered with a very light hollandaise sauce and was accompanied with grilled asparagus. All of the meals were enjoyed, we ended the night with coffee , tea and dessert to share. The staff was overly attentive and I believe one of them was a owner. I definitely will be returning! read more

Risotto - Stuff Chicken special , roasted red peppers, cheese and covered with panko crumbs and hollandaise sauce - Mediterranean Near Me - Albany, New York

Little hidden gem. If you like risotto then look no further. Those who have made it know how difficult it is to make. Let me tell you, simply amazing. Both the chicken Francaise and the Sweet Corn Shrimp Risotto were some of the best I had. A must try! read more

I went with a friend for lunch. We both had pitas. I had the lamb, which was excellent. The spice on the lamb and the preparation were perfect. She had the falafel which she enjoyed. It did take a little bit of time to get served, could be a problem if you were on a lunch hour. We were not, so it did not bother us. Staff was pleasant, as was the front of the house manager, who I believe is also part owner. I am eager to go back and try their dinner menu. read more

Eggplant roulade is the best with crumbly goat cheese, veggie soup and the Mediterranean plate rounded off a tasteful meal after a long drive. Quick service and welcoming staff. Great vegetarian options with one gluten free soup as well read more

Came for tapas- awesome! Love the variety! Really good healthy options. This is my second time bringing a friend here- sweet spot. Thank you

Went for brunch. Food was good but mine came out cold. I've been here before and it's normally great, just this time it wasn't unfortunately. read more

I went to Risotto tonight along with 3 friends. We made reservations (although we realized it wasn't necessary once we arrived) for 7pm and were seated immediately. There were probably only 2 other tables occupied in the restaurant. We started with drinks, and after having heard that they'd just received their liquor license, we were a bit dismayed at the poor selection of beer available (Heineken, Amstel Light, Budweiser, Corona, etc., but no Ommegang or other micro-brews). We were assured that they would be expanding the selection to include a full bar as soon as possible with the goal of pairing dishes with drinks. We ordered the Babaganhough as an appetizer and it was great. It was served with well flavored pita, which wasn't too greasy or too dry. The dip itself was very flavorful without being overpowering. It's a crowd pleaser and there was plenty of it for the four of us. After running out of pita on the first round, the waiter brought us more. After the appetizer, the waiter brought out small dinner salads with a refreshing vinaigrette made with spring mix and a few veggies (literally 1 slice of cucumber and a cherry tomato for each salad with some grated carrot on top). Two of our dinner party had the Philly risotto and two of us had the Telemecca. The Telemecca was filled with roasted red peppers, a healthy serving of chicken, and large chunks of artichoke hearts along with the fresh spinach. It was herby and complex and unbelievably fantastic. The cheesiness that we were expecting from the Telemecca risotto was not missed until we tried the Philly risotto, which was very cheesy (to be expected with anything associated with Philly) and the steak, ordered medium-rare and served as such, was fit enough for a meal in itself. Everyone was very pleased with their meals and even the biggest eaters in the bunch came away with boxes full of risotto to take home. We will definitely be going back again! read more

Was amazed at the food quality and tastes. Also impressed by the fair cost for the great food provided. We shared apps, both were excellent and for the greens and beans may be the best I've ever had. They are not afraid to use garlic and we loved that. We had two risottos: 1st was duck and the 2nd was the vegetable. Both very well prepared, tasty and plentiful. Shared a flourless choc cake for dessert and it was rich and good tasting. Both the decafe and regular coffees were strong w/good flavor and very nicely done. All in all, the best meal I've eaten in the Cap. District. We will return as often as possible when in the area. read more

My dad raved about Risotto so we went there last night. We started with the mushroom Napoleon which was delicious. I had the harvest salmon and my dad had the lamb risotto. Both of our dishes were good, but I thought the grilled salmon was a little dry and he didn't like the lamb risotto as much as he had loved the tuscan swordfish. The service was great and the restaurant was lovely. A nice addition to Albany. read more

Love this place. Appears upscale however staff is warm and friendly. Food is incredible!

This is my new fave in the capital district. First two visits were for the middle eastern veg option; hummus, falafel etc. That was good, on a par with good felafel I've had elsewhere. After that, I began venturing into the seafood and that's where things really took off. They offer a wide range of tapas, all things I like such as mussels, scallops, crab cakes, a small cioppino and of course calamari. I can report on the following : the cioppino is excellent, ditto for the mussels and the calamari. The mussels where the freshest, plumpest ones I have had in a long time. The calamari is served with the tentacles as it should be and it had a light, crisp coating. On to the main course, the only one I've tried, the swordfish. This is a creation topped with oyster mushrooms, artichokes and capers with a sauce of white truffle oil served on a bed of couscous. This dish was as good as it sounds and the swordfish itself was melt-in-your-mouth tender. I only have minor quibbles. The salad is a head of lettuce, scooped out with gorganzola and peppers and tomatos as a filling. I prefer a traditional type of salad. They have a large beer selection but it consists almost entirely of well know brands from large brewers. I would like to see them add some craft/local type beer but I don't know if they have the cooler space to add more varietys of beer. The front and the back of the house are overseen by Joe and Dave, the partners so it's a very hands on operation and those are the best kind. Both the service and the food have their signiture on it and both are top notch here. With so many seafood options here, I want to come back again and again to try more. And to repeat what I've had since I limit meat meals to a couple of times a week. They do have chicken, beef and lamb and every dish that went by looked very good. Best of all the location is great, right off I-90 at the Northern Blvd. exit in a small plaza with plenty of parking. It would be hard to go wrong here. read more

Very nice lunch venue. I loved my beef, bacon and cheddar omelette and the coffee was delicious.

This was one of the best meals I've had since moving to the Capital Region 4 years ago. I and my significant other made a reservation on a Friday evening for dinner. We were seated in a cozy corner booth. Our server was cheerful and friendly, and service was impeccable. We ordered the Ahi Tuna appetizer, which was light and full of flavor. We also received warm pita bread with a garlic puree in olive oil. I ordered the Sweet Corn with Scallops risotto (highly recommended by our server), and it was incredible. My partner was similarly satisfied with the Clams Tarragon risotto. Warning: portion size may look a bit small, but the meal is very filling and satisfying, and you will most likely have leftovers. Overall, we were beyond pleased, and we will definitely come back here again. read more

Absolutely delicious mushroom risotto!! Ordered takeout and was blown away by how good all the food is. We will definitely visit in person.

I probably should have known better when I waited over 5 minutes for a hostess to come to the front of the restaurant because for some reason they also had her bussing and serving tables. When the hostess finally did get a chance to come to seat us, a total of ten people had collected in the waiting area. The dining area is extremely cramped and poorly laid out. The sheer amount of unnecessary walls amplified the noise so much that it was nearly impossible to hear the person sitting across from me. Atmosphere aside, I was still hoping the food would be good, but I was most definitely mistaken. My order came out immediately after my drink order (coffee) and less than ten minutes after I ordered so I knew something was off. Not only was the portion size small for the price, but the food had clearly been sitting under a heat lamp long enough for it to be completely dried out to the point where it was almost inedible. It's pretty bad when you have trouble cutting a piece of chicken with a steak knife. Additionally, this place also charges 20% gratuity for parties of 4 or more, which I find a little ridiculous, but it's not my business and thankfully I didn't come with more people. I was mainly disappointed because this restaurant bills itself as more upscale, but has diner quality food at best. If they lowered their prices, I still wouldn't have come back based on the food quality, but I wouldn't have been disappointed in the entire experience. read more

Went for our anniversary dinner. Had a seafood tapas and bruscetta appetizer. Can't believe we got fresh oysters on the half shell on a Monday night! I had the seafood risotto and my wife had the strip steak. We loved it read more

I went there with my family the other night and I couldn't have been more pleased The server was extremely friendly and was able to help my sister find a suitable meal since she has allergies and is gluten free. The interior was elegant and inviting. To top it all off the food was amazing, the sweet corn scallop risotto was " off the chain". I would highly recommend this to anyone looking for a night out with family or friends read more

Nice atmosphere,upscale doesn't really fit the mall neighborhood. The barmaid was impersonal and reactive, had to ask for silverware and didn't know menu had to look everything up. Ordered calimara which was a confusing mix of flavors. Had to put ice in the wine. I asked for water but never asked my companion. This place has potential for 4+ stars read more

I love this restaurant. I call in for their Pitas and salads for lunch and just pick them up. The food is fresh and tasty. Instead of fries, they have a daily salad that you can have instead. read more

Came here with my husband on a Tuesday evening. We were pleasantly surprised to learn they have a three course $45 menu for two. We ordered chicken parm risotto, steak risotto, Aranchini and the peanut butter brownie cake. The place starts you off with hummus and pita which is in a bathtub of EVOO. I realize it's customary to drizzle olive oil on hummus but this was a dollop of hummus in olive oil and we just didn't love it however the pita was seasoned well with herbs and spices. The Aranchini appetizer came out quickly and was accompanied by a generous portion of spicy tomato sauce. That sauce might have been my favorite part of the meal. It was very good. The Aranchini were good however the portion was small. My husband really liked his steak risotto however I didn't love my chicken parm risotto. The chicken was huge. Way more than I needed or expected. I wish it was pounded thinner. The risotto was spread on top of the chicken and I just really wished I had twice as much risotto and half the amount of chicken and wish the chicken was on top of the risotto. All the components were good I just would have preferred the proportions and assembling to be different. We would try risotto again and are looking forward to enjoying our leftovers as our main course portions were huge. read more

Did not love our 2nd visit to Risotto in the last 6 months. While the ambience (noise level, music) and greens and beans soup appetizer were pleasant enough, neither of us enjoyed our entrees.The risotto florentine was too rich with cheese and an orange-like sauce drizzled around the dish. The mediterranean "sampler" (an appetizer we had as an entree) was also a let down. The falafel was tasteless, as was the hummus. The service was fine, but we likely won't be back for another meal. read more

A friend and I went a few weeks ago. We got a few little plates to share and everything was amazing. So flavorful and cooked perfectly. Very nice staff and the tasty dessert was a great little treat. A wonderful gem where you'd least expect it. It's worth every penny. read more

Imagine this: you are savoring the wonderful flavors of sweet and spicy salmon, when suddenly your nose and mouth are filled with a sharp fragrance of some horribly strong cleaning chemical. It turns out the hostess had just "sanitized" the table next to us. No, I don't want desert or coffee, now. The entire experience was ruined! This is a restaurant that we really want to love because it has a nice menu and it's so close to our home. But the only thing worse than having my dining experience ruined, was the hostess's non-apology explanation that they have to sanitize the tables because of Covid. She certainly didn't have to do it at that moment! It was nearing closing time. The kitchen had been closed for 30 minutes, and there was no reason for her to be in such a hurry to "sanitize" while we ate at the next table. We were not the only people still eating, so it's not like we were holding them up from closing, and the bar stays open later. This is a restaurant with potential, but it always misses the mark. It has fine dining aspirations, but they really just don't know how. read more