I don't even know where to begin with this review. Went here with the wife and some out-of-town friends for brunch on a Saturday. And we rarely leave Saratoga for food because it's a foodie town. So we walk into this apparently somewhat southern barbecue place right away great atmosphere we order a few cocktails and let's just skip to the beat. The menu is insanely complicated for brunch and a good way. we get a couple of biscuits with some honey butter that is completely out of control. At the end of the day, everybody had a great breakfast, but I care about is what I ate. In arguably the best home fries of my life. Just amazingly crispy on the outside and super light and fluffy on the inside. I had a bacon scallion waffle, with an unbelievably delicious fried piece of chicken topped with bacon and an egg and sausage gravy served with a side of defibrillators holy shit that is breakfast. Couple of different pennies on the table along with some other waffle chicken thing I don't know and I don't care but I was absolutely blown away. It literally put me in a food coma and slept for two hours when I got home. It was like Xanax on a plate. Sometimes it's good to leave the nest to find the nest read more

Another visit to this wonderful quant place. But this time it was just in time for brunch. I ordered the pork belly meal which came with a sliced buttermilk biscuit, poached eggs, pimento sauce and house fries. I don't even normally really like my potatoes cut big but it was well seasoned. The pork belly pieces tasted like bacon. I was just sad it only had 3 pieces of pork belly. I had the southern belle drink but it was pretty weak even with me asking for grey goose. I'll probably order something different the next time I go. I sat by the bar and our bartender Shauna (I hope I spelled her name right) was a delight. Very sweet, attentive and quite funny. Thanks again Shauna I hope to see you again! read more

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What a fantastic upstate addition. The place is stunning. As soon as you walk in you, you're wrapped up in the beauty and the charm of it all. No detail was overlooked. Light, chairs, finishes, glass choices, etc. Loved all the elements. Felt like something you'd find in a more metropolitan area. Big fan coming from NYC! The food was awesome. It was comfort food through and through. Made me think of so many dishes I love from New Orleans. I got the scallops topped with savory onion jam atop the creamy corn and spicy poblanos. So freaking good. The cocktails were really tasty. Loved the twist with the banana old fashioned. Nice wine list as well. You honestly have a great home in the 518 and cannot wait to visit when I come back to my hometown. read more

The Nest - Banana walnut old fashioned - Southern Near Me - Schenectady, New York

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Lovely atmosphere, thoughtfully crafted cocktails, and delicious southern comfort food! My friends and I love coming for brunch. read more

The Nest - Eggs Benedict - Southern Near Me - Schenectady, New York

My wife and I finally got a chance to check out "The Nest" and we had an amazing experience. Please note: A reservation is strongly suggested. We were luckily enough to time a couple leaving the bar to be seated as a walk-in. Environment is very nice. As this was the old sliding dirty, the format does not seem to have changed, but has a nice open flow. Food was reasonably priced and I was pleasantly surprised by the portions size (large). Food was delicious, every item ordered did not disappoint and even had some left over to take home for later. Overall: Great brunch and highly recommend. Pictured: - Kaytrin's Biscuits - Lobster Benedict - Cowboy Stack - Cinnamon Bun All food items above, plus a coffee and mimosa came to about $65 before tip. read more

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Excellent food and great staff. Nice and clean. Friendly staff. Good choices of food. Looking forward to go there again.

The Food was Soooooooo good, I had my whole hockey team which is around 17 people, And the food still came out in under 15 minutes. My waitress was natalie, She was amazing, like 4 people on my team got shurley temples, They did not have much Rena dine, so she got us all new shurley temples, and a thing of Rena Dine! Also Somehow she sat us all in 1 table, also, It was so cozy and the ambience was great. I got the fried Chicken and waffles, It was amazing, It might of been the best chicken I have ever had, and the waffles Oh my god Mmmmmmmmmmm, they were so good, so In the end It was a bery good lunch! read more

From afar, it almost looks like they're overdoing a yuppie appropriation of southern food, but a bite of that fried chicken eases any suspicions. It's superb, with a more well-rounded flavor than usual, perhaps because of the brining. I can't even imagine the origin story of the Nest Egg but it's a delightfully daring combo. Pea risotto, meet Tennessee prosciutto (which is bacon-adjacent). The service was first-rate. read more

Have been many times for brunch before Proctor's shows. Service is great and food is fantastic. The cocktails are also wonderful.

Loved every thing about The Nest - ambiance, service, food. We ate before a show at Proctor's and it was busy. However, our server never seemed rushed or distracted and didn't make us feel rushed. I made reservations for brunch before I left. The Nest has perfected every detail to deliver an amazing dining experience. read more

Good service. Nice environment. Good drinks. Food was okay. Fried green tomatoes the best. I had chicken and waffles. My food was cold. I did not complain. My husband did not care for what he ordered, and it was exchange for something else without any problems. read more

Just an awesome dining experience! From the ambiance to the table settings to the decors to the service everything was great. And then you have the food which is above average and great combinations of flavors and culinary style. And please have a drink because they do an amazing job with their mixology! Everything is well done and garnished appropriately. The menu changes often too! Lastly please save room for dessert. They always have a couple of house made options that truly are excellent. This time we had a peanut butter cheese cake which was epic. Ps- I haven't had brunch here but I've had it at the coo koos nest this couple other restaurant and it was decadent and I can only imagine this place has the same! read more

We made a reservation at The Nest to spend a nice evening as we waited for our daughters who were attending a show at Proctors with a friend. When I approached the entrance, I was welcomed by a hostess, who asked if I had made a reservation, which I did. I was waiting for my husband to meet me, so I wanted to have a cocktail at the bar first. There was room for me. Captivated by the unique features in the bar menu, I couldn't decide what I wanted to have. I knew I wanted it to be special, though, especially after a long, arduous work week. So, I asked the bartender what she would recommend. Ultimately, she recommended a Pom. The cost was high for what it was. The flavor was somewhat dull; it was something I certainly could create at my home bar with ease. Once my husband met me, he ordered the bourbon special, which was incredibly unique. Nearly worth the $16 cost, it featured quality bourbon followed by a spicy shot of flavor at the end. Both cocktails and the bar service set us up for an evening of competent, attentive customer service. When we finally sat, we took a hightop table on the front windows, a picturesque view overlooking downtown Schenectady. We begin the pork belly appetizer. It was phenomenal. The pork belly was soft and flavorful on the inside and crispy and caramelized on the outside. The Chicharrón was a nice touch, offering a crispy surprise with each bite. My husband ordered the shrimp and grits as his entrée, and I ordered the Delmonico for myself. I can easily say that this was one of the best steaks I've eaten in the Capital District. The meat was tender and juicy, and the spices were potent and smoky. I initially questioned the chef's choice of side, thinking fries are too basic for the $40 cost, but the flavor of the spices coating the potatoes was something I had not tasted before. My husband's shrimp was delicious, served on a bed of warm, creamy grits. They literally melted in my mouth with each fork full. Overall, the bill was hefty in the end, but if you are looking for a delicious meal in a cozy, urban atmosphere, check out The Nest! read more

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If you're looking for an upscale vibe, great food and service that doesn't break the bank, the Nest is your spot. Love this spot

I cannot believe that in 2025 we are still dealing with RACISM, DISCRIMINATION, and INJUSTICE. My Hispanic family has been turned away on Easter Sunday due solely to the color of our skin.. My parents and younger brother arrived at the restaurant prior to my wife and I. They inquired about a table for 5 and were told "I don't have space for you guys". The establishment was pretty busy, but with a Quick Look around you could see various open tables. After being turned away, my parents overhead a group of approximately 6 Caucasian come in asking for a table and denying having a previous reservation. As you can guess, they were quickly accommodated, so quickly that my family didn't even have time to exit the restaurant before seeing this group of people heading to an empty table. Once I arrived and was told about what had occurred by my parents, I decided to enter with my 2 year old toddler in hand to inquire about a table for 5. I guess I fit the "look" for this restaurant as I was told they could push two smaller tables together to sit my group in about 30 minutes. The interesting fact is that when I first inquired about the table, the hostess (older white lady) asked me if the table was for the previous party of 5 that had just entered, and I said "no" to see if they were truly too busy or if they were just discriminating. For me she was willing to move tables around but for my family she just "couldn't fit them". It is truly sickening and disgusting to experience this, specially in front of my family who were visiting from over 100 miles away. read more

Great spot near proctors. Delicious comfort food. Fried chicken, shrimp and grits, dessert. Everything was delicious. Can't wait to go back!

Food was amazing! Well prepared, great portions and delicious. Small plates were also great. We had the mussels, green tomatoes and wings. The wings were amazing and saucy galore. Chicken and waffles were also well prepared. Juicy and not dry. Service was also efficient and fast. Thank you for a great evening. read more

Amazing experience. Decor is spot on. Food on point. Amazing staff and service! I can't wait to go back. What a Gem in schenectady! Must stop! read more

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Amazing food, reasonable prices. The ambiance is cozy and chic, perfect for a date. Service was also great, and they gave me a free glass of bubbly on my birthday. Highly recommend the mac n cheese and the lemon crème brûlée. read more

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Cute place in downtown Schenectady! The service was slow but friendly but the food was good and the place was quaint!

I ordered the short rib entree and everything about it was really good. It was very tender and the potatos were very savory. Highly recommend it. read more

The Nest - Short Rib entree. - Southern Near Me - Schenectady, New York

Still the Best date night spot around! The Nest is casual dinning with a flare. Food is spot on every time. Made reservations for 4 people for 7:15pm, arrived and sat down right away. As usual we we greeted within a responsible timeframe, our sever was very efficient, knowledgeable and attentive. Everything is made to order so the server did allow some in our party to switch up things such as sides/ sauces and when dinner came out it was correct and to their likings. The only downfall this time was one in our party ordered a double tall mixed drink and FYI they do charge you double the price. Now most places don't charge you like that for the cocktail when ordered that way, $30 for a gin and tonic..... that was absurd in my eyes as I can buy a whole bottle for that at empire. I didn't let that affect my review as it was one little small detail, just figured I would let people know for future so none gets sticker shocked like us when the bill came!!! But nonetheless everything is on point here. Would definitely recommend to anyone who wants to get out of the house dress up a little for an epic, memorable night and hell of a good meal! read more

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Brunch was great. Biscuits and the grits are a must Food was on point and rich. Cappuccino $7 flavored way too sweet. Would not recommend. Stick to the Bellini read more

The Nest - Fried chicky benny - Southern Near Me - Schenectady, New York

This place is amazing- I travel to this area for work from Pittsburgh and stay a block from The Nest just so I can walk here literally every night for dinner. Staff if knowledgeable and friendly- drinks are perfect and the food is seriously amazing. A must try . On my way there now. Cheers! read more

Awful service, avoid this place, they sat us and ignored us, 4 different servers waited on the table next to us, they acted like we weren't even there. read more

I love the nest I've been there about six times now and hasn't let me down yet from the Nashville hot chicken sandwich was a bit spicy to The chicken fried steak Favorite drink so far is the pineapple express read more

The Nest - Southern Near Me - Schenectady, New York

I sat outside alone and took over 5 minutes for them to acknowledge I was sitting there (after being sat by hostess). I was 1 of three tables occupied, so wasn't overly busy at the time. Finally ordered food 15 minutes after begin sat. Food did come out quickly once ordered and was decent. Negative was the automatic 20% tip for any table size, which I guess is needed if the service is so slow. I do normally tip over 20% but an automatic tip feels like a cop out for sub par service. And final annoyance, they charge...for ketchup. read more

I was really excited about the menu because everything sounds so good! I ordered the pork belly Benny for brunch....the home fries were actually my favorite part (I like them crispy and they were CRISPY). The egg was perfectly cooked, but I didn't love the pork belly. It was cooked a bit hard and the flavor wasn't really there. I actually ended up using some of the hot sauce my friend had with their chicken and waffles which helped. The service was okay. Refills weren't offered and if you needed to ask for anything, you had to try flagging down a server. Overall, a fine experience. If I drive through Schenectady again, I'll probably pick a different restaurant...but for this visit it was fine. read more

Food is good and the service. I really enjoy their biscuits and their drinks are amazing. Can't wait to go back and try some of their other dishes. read more

I arrived here earlier, and the meal was fantastic. This visit around my dish was charred. I still believe you should visit this spot, I feel, because I came with a large group and they were rushing to prepare the food. But everyone else's meal was excellent! read more

This restaurant is incredible! I've been here a few times and have not had a bad meal, or cocktail! The most recent visit started with the pork end appetizer. Wow, wow, wow! The mashed parsnip that went with it was to die for. And the bourbon soaked pears were so delicious! I ordered the short rib entree and I don't have words. The meat was perfect, the SMOKED CARROTS were so flavorful and the mashed potatoes were divine. This plate was awesome! We finished off our meals with their homemade chocolate pecan pie - outstanding! Our waitress was one of the nicest waitstaff I've ever experienced. She was fabulous. Make the trip out here, definitely worth your while! read more

The food is so good. I had the half chicken, and it was delicious. I also tried the pork and loved it even though the portion size was small. The price is a little expensive but worth it. read more

Absolutely delicious, wonderful service, and the vibe was incredible. We loved our meal - I got the biscuit breakfast sandwich with their homemade corn beef hash which was SO good, and my fiancé got their special which was eggs Benedict with gravy. So good! read more

The Nest - Mimosas - Southern Near Me - Schenectady, New York

This place is UNBELIEVABLY AMAZING! We went for my birthday because on my bucket list is authentic fried chicken. My husband saw they served fried chicken and waffles, so this place was my birthday surprise. But besides the food that is delicious and the atmosphere on the second floor that is so special, the staff is so caring. My mother can not do stairs, and even though I really wanted to be in the loft area for dinner, we were going to sit on the first floor for our meal. When our hostess approaches us my dad said "my wife can't do the stairs and it's my daughter's birthday, you wouldn't happen to have an elevator hidden around here?". Without hesitation she said "of course we do, just wait here a minute". Moments later the manager introduced himself and offered to take her up on the elevator that is in their building next door. My mom said they made her feel so welcome, and that what they were doing was not a big deal. So was our food delicious -yes, and was the decor stunning -yes, but it's the people that are the reason went this place should never be empty. We went in a Saturday, had reservations but it was really busy. read more

I loved everything in this restaurant from décor to food to service. With high ceiling, the restaurant looks very open and wide. The decor made me think I am in a upscale restaurant with causal flare. We were here for brunch. All 6 of us ordered different dishes and they were all delicious. We made a reservation and it was necessary. This is a very popular restaurant and customers continuously flowed in. read more

My boyfriend and I went on a date last night and the food was incredible. We ordered the pork belly, crab dip, Steak, and Fried chicken and waffles. The pork belly practically melts in your mouth, the crab dip was delicious and had a generous amount of seafood paired with old bay crackers, the steak was delicious, smoked with a horseradish aioli, and the fried chicken and waffles were so good! The hot honey sauce and bourbon maple syrup really topped it all off, not to mention the honey butter! The service was great and our waitress was very kind and helpful. Overall a beautiful experience. read more

All I have to say is wow!! We dined on the second floor and there's a nice view out the elongated windows. The interior decorating is authentically pleasing. I opted for the mushroom omelette and was not disappointed! I ate every bite. My boyfriend got the avocado toast and we shared a side of Mac n cheese. Both were equally delicious! We ordered a bottle of brut for apple cider mimosas. The waitress was fantastic and we will be back! read more

The Nest - Mushroom omelette, apple cider mimosa - Southern Near Me - Schenectady, New York

We stopped in for lunch to kill some time before a wedding. Food was top notch, fairly priced for quality and portion. Service was even better we sat at the bar. Our bartender Shauna was so helpful with my wife's picky food choices. I would highly recommend anyone traveling through the area to stop in and enjoy a great meal! The restaurant is a cool mix of modern and classical styles. read more

The Nest - All three Pappy's - Southern Near Me - Schenectady, New York

I believe The Nest is a sister restaurant of Cuckoo's Nest in Albany. The food here was tasty & well seasoned. -1 star as it was a bit heavy for my taste. The ambiance and decor, however, were exquisite. It is a two story restaurant and all the furniture, wall art and lighting complement each other. A good find that I was happy to try but likely won't return to. read more

The Nest - Fried green tomatoes and crab dip - Southern Near Me - Schenectady, New York

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We came for dinner on a Saturday night. It was packed. (We had reservations) it was such a chaotic atmosphere-the waitstaff were hustling like crazy...we were seated promptly, but did not get our drinks for about 20 minutes. We made sure our server was aware we were due for our show at 7:30 at theater next door.. My drink was the greenhouse. It was not made properly, but it was tasty. There was no poblano in it, or lime-and it had a strange vanilla flavor. It was too hard to pin down our server to let her know. Our appetizers were decent. My partners grit tots were quite delicious. My green tomatoes, were properly cooked, but were lacking flavor-the pimento cheese didn't come through-and the dill on top overpowered and really didn't work with the dish. Both of our entrees were delicious. I wish my shrimp were de-tailed, trying to pull the shrimp out of its shell was difficult and mess with all the sauce, and soft grits. My boyfriends entree portion was much more generous than mine. My dish was a lot skimpy on the grits. Overall very pleased with food and flavors, but they need more staff. They are running around, so harried...it made the whole experience feel rushed and stressful. read more

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