Attended a party there today, everything was excellent, the service was phenomenal. The staff are…read moreamazing, caring, and helpfu!

Two of my daughters have celebrated their weddings here at the Mansion at Cedar Hill, which is…read morelocated in Selkirk, just eight miles south of Albany. Both events were fabulous, and much credit goes to Brian and Danielle, the proprietors of this beautiful place built by a former governor in the style of an Italian villa. The venue can host over 150 guests, and offers beautiful grounds in addition to its elegant interior architecture. The reasonable rental rate covers Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. Brian and Danielle are super flexible and helpful, and they worked closely and happily with our chosen caterer (Turf Tavern of Scotia). We can't praise them or their venue highly enough!

On December 6, 2025, our wedding day unfolded inside the Polish Community Center in Albany, and it…read morefelt like stepping into a holiday dream brought to life. From the moment we arrived that afternoon until the last song played, this venue became the heart of our Christmas celebration--warm, glowing, and unforgettable. When we got engaged in October 2023, we searched everywhere for a venue that felt like "us." We visited beautiful places, but nothing gave us that feeling. Then one day, we saw an event at the Polish Community Center online and decided to go see it for ourselves. The moment we walked through the doors that December, surrounded by garlands, lights, and Christmas trees, it was like the universe said, "This is the one." We knew instantly this was where our story needed to be told. We were blessed to work with Barbara, Kelly, and Anna--three of the kindest, most dedicated people we've met. They listened, guided, reassured, and brought our vision to life in ways we couldn't have imagined. They cared about our wedding as if it were their own. During our tasting, we tried their vegetable lasagna with a white sauce for the first time, and it left us speechless. It was warm, comforting, and full of flavor--just like everything else they offered us. Every choice we made with them felt right. Because our wedding fell between Thanksgiving and Christmas, the timing was perfect. The venue became a breathtaking holiday wonderland. The stage was framed by Christmas trees glowing softly behind us. The garland around the mirrors sparkled with warm lights and festive bows. The bar area transformed with tall, beautifully decorated trees. One staff member even hand-designed ribbon and ornament themes for all the trees in the entire building--details we will never forget. The linens and custom-folded green "Christmas tree" napkins completed the look, making every table feel like a page out of a holiday storybook. On the day itself, everything came together like a perfectly wrapped gift. The appetizers during the cocktail hour--bacon-wrapped scallops, spinach artichoke dip, spring rolls, meatballs--were outstanding. Ted and the bar staff created magic with our signature drink, Lucky's Magic Mistletoe, named after our beloved dog. Guests absolutely adored it. Just before our grand entrance, my wife experienced a small wardrobe crisis. A staff member noticed instantly and called Kathy, who arrived like a guardian angel and fixed the dress with skill and grace. She didn't just save the dress--she saved the moment. While that was happening, more staff brought us plates of food to make sure we ate, knowing how easily couples forget to do that. They cared for us in a way that felt genuine and deeply heartfelt. When our guests first walked into the ballroom, the reactions said it all. Gasps, smiles, whispers of "wow." The 12-foot Christmas tree, the decorated bar trees, the glowing garlands, the gold plates reflecting the lights--everything shimmered with holiday warmth. Sitting together on the stage as newlyweds, quietly taking in the view of the room, we were able to breathe, smile, and truly absorb the beauty of the moment. It was a gift we didn't know we needed. Dinner was exceptional--flavorful, filling, beautifully presented. I still tell people that the vegetable lasagna is one of the best dishes I've ever had. Our dessert and candy tables were massive hits. The staff arranged everything perfectly and replenished items all night long. Guests still talk about how friendly the staff was and how incredible the bartenders were. We could never thank the Polish Community Center enough for what they gave us--a wedding that felt like walking into a living Christmas card. A night full of warmth, beauty, and love. A celebration we will cherish forever. To Barbara, Kelly, Anna, Ted, Kathy, and every staff member who helped create our dream: thank you. You gave us more than a wedding. You gave us a memory we will hold close to our hearts for the rest of our lives. We recommend the Polish Community Center without hesitation. If you want a wedding overflowing with heart, care, beauty, and magic--this is the place where it happens.

While this listing is for the Polonaise Ballroom, it is best known in the area as the Polish…read moreCommunity Center or the PCC. I'd been here several times over many years for luncheon meetings and other similar work gatherings. I was aware that there were times when the members of the PCC would make and sell Polish food to the general public, but I never took advantage of the opportunity. With so many restaurants closed or only selling takeout during the COVID-19 restriction period, I decided to take advantage of the PCC's announcement of what I now understand is a monthly event selling a variety of Polish food for takeout. How it works. They announce on their web page the date of the event and ask you to call a day or two ahead to place your order. During the pandemic you can choose between curb-side pickup or indoor pickup. You must wear a mask to be allowed inside. This event is so popular that you are likely to have to wait for your order even though you will have an assigned pickup time. The food for my 4:30 pickup time was not ready until 5:00. A friend with a 5:15 pickup time did not receive her food until 6:15. The menu includes pierogi, golumpki, kielbasa, and sauerkraut. The Polish Platter ($14) has a good portion of everything and comes with some rye bread. Only one filling is available for the pierogi and that is potato and cheese. I will say that even though the organizational effort could benefit from some improvement, if you're a patient person you'll survive the wait and likely believe, like me, that the food was worth the wait.

The first moment my husband and I toured Takk house we knew it was the venue. The building is…read moregorgeous, timeless, and the exact vision we had for our wedding. We chose to go with the all inclusive wedding package, which took care of so many details that would otherwise be stressful. Our wedding planner/coordinator Andrea is simply amazing. She was so easy to work with and took so much stress off of us, which actually let us enjoy the planning. She was there for us every step of the way and we're forever grateful for her hard work and dedication throughout the process. Sarah the in house florist is unbelievably talented, I honestly could've just given her our colors and let her take the reigns. Sarah's way of bringing a vision to life is breathtaking. Julie the in house designer was also a dream to work with! She executed our vision above and beyond and even suggested ideas we went with that were stunning! After all of the planning our wedding day came, and what a fairy tale it was. My husband and I, our families and friends are just speechless at how magical it was. The day from the very beginning to end was perfect. The timeline Andrea put together for us went smoothly. Her and her assistant Hayley were on top of everything, and also had anything you could think of on them. Shout out to the aprons with scissors, tissues, and anything else you would never think of needing during the getting ready process! We also did a first look on the roof top. I will remember that moment forever, it was so magical and breath taking up there. The private moment we got to share together really made us feel on top of the world. Now to the good part, the food! The in house catering meadowlark was perfection! There were so many options for those who had special dietary restrictions but also so many options for those who don't. Everything, and I mean everything was delicious. The way the Takk house team comes together for your big day is beautiful. You can tell that every single one of them loves what they do and will go above and beyond to make your day special. We can never thank them enough for such a perfect day!!

I got lucky enough to be invited to the All Over Albany birthday bash at the Takk House. I was…read morepretty excited to be going, both for the party and because my niece is getting married there this summer and I wanted to check out the venue. The building is pretty nondescript from the outside with a poorly done modern façade but the interior retains the charm of a 19th century brownstone. When you enter the building you can either go up the stairs or down to the coolest looking non working bowling alley. Upstairs is a large rectangular bar and a grand staircase to the second level. Straight ahead is the ballroom, with men's and ladies rooms in the hallway. Heidi, one of the owners, was kind enough to let us take a peak upstairs - there's a couple of rooms, one set up like a bedroom, the other with a dining table and chairs. I think further along is a balcony that overlooks the ballroom. The 3rd floor contains the owner's apartment and a gym that's under renovation. The place is not bright and shiny and brand new, instead it retains its 19th century charm along with some funky cool thrown in. I think if I was looking for a non-traditional (not cookie cutter) venue Takk House would be my pick.

A lovely venue and very elegant. I enjoyed my time here and the catering by Jack's Oyster House…read morenext door was excellent.

Let just start off by saying the venue itself is absolutely gorgeous! I got married here in June of…read more2024. The venue was all inclusive we didn't have to worry about anything and included everything except a photo & music vendor which was a reason we choose it to make our lives easier. But there were a few hiccups on the actual day that I was NOT happy with. The day of my wedding the original bartender scheduled (1 bartender for 100 ppl) apparently got injured the day of. So they threw a brand new girl, who started that day on the bar and the bar was completely backed up and took forever to get drinks because she was new. My husband went to go ask if someone could help her out and no one ever came. The passed hors d'oeuvres only went to certain people, they completely ignored the people that sat in the booths. The hummus, crackers etc that was on the cocktail hour never had utensils put out until my mother had to say something. No one was around picking up glasses or plates so the tables were packed full. Cocktail hour was suppose to end at 7pm and everyone didn't end up going upstairs until 7:30pm so they cut 30 mins into my reception time. We choose prime rib as one of our entrees and half the people couldn't eat it because it was mooing and was completely raw that the whole plate was filled with a plate of blood which was gross. As for the dessert, we had the Italian assorted desserts that were included in our package and mini nothing Bundt cakes. They were thrown in corner on random trays not even displayed nice, I made a sign for it that wasn't there. No one knew it was there so more then half didn't even get dessert. After the wedding was over I returned that Wednesday to pick up my remaining items. I walk in and all my candles were still full of water and not packed up. The wedding coordinator Noura couldn't find half of my vases, the box they came in or the packaging along with my wicker basket. I have been trying to contact her about my personal items to see if she found them, and I haven't gotten 1 response back from her in over a week after multiple reach out. I finally just asked for a reimbursement of the loss of my personal items... again no response. Her communication is absolutely horrible. I've had to reach out to her boss n the past, due to the lack of communication from her) You would think they would want to make it right. But clearly don't care because they already got paid. I 100% would NOT recommend this place at all.

Just had my prom held here! It was a great experience!! Well done! Being on prom committee, I was…read morescared things were going to go wrong or be confusing, but the only thing was that the line to the food was longgg!! but that's not the venue's part! Highly recommend.

So I have one of the most thankless jobs in my office - finding a location for our holiday party…read more I'm on the events committee and we spend a year discussing locations, reviewing options and deciding on a place. One of the other members recommended Franklin Terrace and that's what we went with. They were incredibly well priced for a banquet hall, with a lot of menu options. The place was really well decorated for Christmas, with a cocktail hour and then dinner with stations. The food was plentiful and good, it was banquet food but definitely well done. The staff was outstanding. The feedback I got was overwhelmingly positive and that's pretty rare when 117 people have to agree on something. We've already discussed booking it for next year.

The Altamont Manor is a stunning venue. The gardens, the people, - we didn't have to worry about…read moreanything. Our day was perfect. Why would couples choose anywhere else? When our photographer left, Harvey stepped in to photograph some special moments without being asked. This is more than a service; it's true personal care. The manor is the perfect venue!

Price gauged during COVID-19. Made what should have been the best day of our lives, the worst day…read more Wanted us to pay $1500 more than the cost of a normal Saturday night to have our event on a Saturday night the following year. Then, refused to return photography deposit "because he had to schedule a second shooter." He told us the second shooter would be his wife who lived on the property so that was BS as well. 1/10 would NOT recommend this place.

Nice location, decent food. Lousy hosts, bathrooms far walk and dirty, surrounded by bees .read more

I recently was in a wedding for a family member were the ceremony and reception was at Crystal…read moreCove. Pro's: The weather was beautiful and the scenery of the plush landscape and lake were great for a wedding! The main course was excellent, some of the best wedding food I have had. There was a lot of space and chairs for people to sit and talk outside of the pavilion. Ruth was great and very attentive to the couple and the wedding party and parents. Con's:The couple told me they had problems with getting questions answered timely and there was also confusion on who was a partner vendor and who wasn't. The wedding party didn't get any drinks or cocktail hour snacks while taking pictures. I heard from other guests there wasnt much being passed around and people were starving after waiting in line for a cocktail (one bartender for 150 person wedding). BUGS BUGS BUGS, thank god there was bug spray in the bathroom baskets because they were out and with vengeance. No water on the table- really odd, if you wanted water you had to go to the bar. Also, where was the champagne for a toast? Depending on where the ceremony is you may need to help elderly guests get up and down steep hills. All in all it was a great event for the couple. If the facility took care of a couple minor issues then they would have no problem being one of the best wedding facilities in the capital region!

Katie is great! Super helpful and offered suggestions/referrals without being pushy. We loved her…read more"things to remember" list of often forgotten items to bring for your event. The main room is beautiful (many of my guests said the same). Great experience overall. Definitely would recommend.