The food was excellent, and the ambience warm. we shared several small plates, and each was delicious and filling. The only negative was that the very pleasant young woman who was our server simply wouldn't leave us alone. She must have checked in ten times. It was really annoying and negatively affected our dining experience. This is not good customer service. read more

Had the pleasure of visiting on Restaurant week. We came with a party of 3 for dinner and experienced the 3 course dinner menu for $40. The ambiance was very nice and inviting. We started our meal with crab cakes, biscuits and fried green tomatoes. The sauce that accompanied the crab cake was exceptional, I loved it. It made me crave for more. The biscuits were soft but what took it over the edge was the butter that came with it. The fried green tomatoes were fried very well and had a great crisp and the sauces on top brought out more flavor. We also ordered some drinks which I was not too much of a fan of and really wanted to like. Our drinks consisted of the last survivor, thunderstorm and black heart. The last survivor was strong and tasted of straight liquor. The thunderstorm was a drinking experience and looked very pretty, I enjoyed drinking it. Black heart was a disappointment, I was really hoping for more out of the drink but it tasted water downed and I thought it would be sweeter. For the second entree we tried the Pecan Salmon, Jambalaya and fried chicken (which comes with two sides). Each meal was delicious. I was anticipating more flavor from the crusted salmon but over all the meals were good. The chicken was juicy and did not disappoint with the crispyness(I no it's not a word). I do have to commend them on service. Everything came out promptly. We did have a reservation, which I always advise for any restaurant, especially during this week. Restaurant week does give you a taste of what the restaurant can offer, so I am glad that I came and would come again to try other meals. read more

See all

Awesome service and even better food! looking to plan an event there because it was so good!

We ate outside on the front patio since we had a large party at night. Its an interesting crowd outside at night. Homeless yelling at each other and constant police sirens. At first it seemed as if they forgot we were outside as it took awhile to get service. Food was mediocre nothing special. Cocktails were above average. Menu is smaller. read more

See all

The food was really good, staff was friendly and knowledgeable, and the outdoor patio was really nice! I got the shrimp and grits and they were sooo good (probably the best grits I've ever had). They also have GF options/modifications available for those who need. read more

All the food was excellent! Except for the carrots on the short rib dish! They tasted like they were marinated in liquid smoke for a week. Yuck. read more

See all

I had the seared scallops here and they were perfectly seasoned and cooked. All the other stuff that accompanied the scallops were just ok but not really necessary to be honest. The scallops were pricey though - well over $40. read more

The Nest - Seared Scallops - Southern Near Me - Schenectady, New York

chicken and waffles. How are you supposed to eat chicken and waffles when they give you bone in fried chicken pieces .I've never seen this before. It was really a chore trying to assemble it. Fried chicken got soggy really fast too, in the beginning it tasted good. Service was slow. read more

Fantastic find in the heart of Schenectady! My wife asked around for recommendations in Schenectady and a chef friend recommended The Nest...and Wow! I seriously cannot believe we have never tried this place - I guess it was started by a graduate of Schenectady County Community College Culinary program...and I'm thinking this person got an A+. At a high level, the restaurant is a high end southern menu. Drink menu was excellent, but the star, the food. Here's a run down, had to try to biscuits with honey butter - and no joke, they're the best biscuits I've ever had - crisp outside and soft inside...amazing. Move aside Bojangles - you've been aced. The jambalaya was great, but the wife's plate - chicken and waffles was an absolute star. Brilliant fried chicken. Lastly, for dessert - a house made chocolate ribbon pecan pie with homemade whipped topping - Oh. My. God. Simply Brilliant. We seldom have reason to head to Schenectady - until now. read more

See all

The perfect spot for brunch!!! The vibes. The food. The drinks. Everything was 10/10 We were in the area visiting friends and they took us to The Nest for Sunday brunch. They couldn't stop raving about the Chicken & Waffles and Fried Green Tomatoes so we had to order both of these plus some biscuits for the table. Everything was amazing, I mean everything! We made a reservation and was seated right away but had some mixups with our server. Took a little to get our order in but food came out pretty quickly once that was situated. The FGT was the table favorite! The Fried Chicken with the Chicken & Waffles was cooked perfectly and seasoned so well! They served us hot honey hot sauce, maple syrup and bourbon maple syrup. We couldn't get over the decor and everything else about this place. It's absolutely a must visit! read more

See all

First time coming to the Nest, I've been to Crave and the Cuckoos Nest in Albany prior to this, so I was excited to try the food here. Started off with the grit tots, they were delicious. Chicken and Waffles:, The chicken was fresh and the waffle was perfectly crispy and chewy. Short-Rib Hash: Yummy, adequate amount of short ribs, I would love to try this with shredded potatoes, but the potatoes that were in the dish were good. Funfetti Waffle: Delicious cream in the middle We all left full, and it was worth the money. We didn't have a reservation but they found a spot for us. Can't wait to try dinner here sometime. read more

See all

Great southern cooing and food in a hip environment in downtown Schenectady. Service is very good. Look forward to returning.

I stopped in on a Friday night after dropping my son off at Proctor's. There were two seats left at the bar so I quickly grabbed one. The place was quite busy with an office Christmas party and most of the tables full. The bartender was a blast. She was quick to manage both the servers' drink tickets and her own customers. She was playful to all her patrons and appropriately so. I ordered the chicken wings with cherry pepper Carolina BBQ, crunchy garlic, dill, and buttermilk ranch drizzled over the top. They were pretty good, and the sauce was really good. I'd say they were perfectly cooked and well sauced, but I did find the meat to be a hair under seasoned. The description didn't say they were brined like other cuts they sell, and that might be why the seasoning fell a little short. The price was, well... WAY too high and definitely my gripe. It was $17 or $18 for 8 wings. Other nearby restaurants with outstanding wings sell 10-12 wings for the same or less. Even though the price for wings has returned to $1.99 per pound in stores, many restaurants have yet to reduce their prices. All in all, this is my second time eating at the Nest (first review). I have to say the food is definitely solid. The service is great, and don't get me wrong, the chicken is delicious. I have to say 4.4/5... maybe 4.5. I will return for the wings again and get a better pic ;) read more

The Nest - Chicken Wings - Southern Near Me - Schenectady, New York

A nice reasonably cool Evening in Schenectady. Seated outside in nature. Sadly the yellow jackets were in force. No matter. Back to the food. Nice beer selection and by the Looks of neighbor table the mixed drinks looked great. My buddy got the fried half chicken. It is brined and absolutely the tenderest he's had. The mash taters had a side of brown gravy that was fantastic. (He said) I had a big lunch so I ordered the mussels. Just not mussels but the sauce/gravy that came with it was amazing. I got a Caesar's salad as well. Everything was fresh and I met Chef Devan and told him so. Going back tonight for the pork chop. read more

The Nest - Small helping mussels. Yum! - Southern Near Me - Schenectady, New York

See all

Food was perfect, loved the Whipped Ricotta. Scallops were cooked perfectly and sauce on it bleded well and upgraded it. We had the menu and the special version of scallops, both were equally good. Cocktails were ok, if not a little overpriced. I mean nothing to brag on or really that original but not bad either. Staff was attentive and nice with good banter. Overall I would revisit for the Whipped Ricotta alone. read more

See all

We enjoyed a nice celebratory dinner at the Nest last week. We were taken to a table for our reservation within minutes of our arrival. We are still a little uneasy about being indoors with large numbers of people if we will not be wearing masks. The dining area was easily 80% filled, but the front door was left open and there was a strong breeze of fresh air flowing even to our table at the back of the dining room. Our server Donna was pleasant and efficient throughout the evening. At one point she even asked if we were celebrating an occasion and my wife replied that we were. Shortly after, two complimentary glasses of bubbly arrived to help with the celebration. We did also try a couple of cocktails from their menu - the Hurricane In The Nest ($15) with dark and light rum, lime, passion fruit, and blood orange was a wonderfully powerful blend of flavors; the Old Square ($15) was equally powerful and delicious, but keep in mind that neither of us have been drinking much alcohol over the last two years. Shishito peppers are a favorite of ours when properly grilled. The Nest's appetizer preparation ($9) was plentiful with chipotle remoulade, smoked sea salt, and lime, but under grilled in our opinion. The smaller peppers were perfectly charred on the grill and tender. The larger ones were too al dente. We also shared a Flatbread Special ($15) with soppressata, arugula, and whipped ricotta. Absolutely delicious, especially the whipped ricotta. For dinner, my wife chose two small plates, Mussels ($14) and the Nest Egg ($13). The mussels were perfectly cooked with a caramelized fennel cream, leaks, dill, celery, and served with herb aioli on toast. A great blend of flavors. The Nest Egg is beautiful, cute, and tasty with a perfectly soft-boiled egg served in a surrounding bed of Carolina gold spring pea risotto, Tennessee prosciutto, shitake, crispy collards, and pecorino. My entrée choice was the Veal Cotoletta ($42) served with andouille, broccoli rabe, tomato jam, and pecorino. I was expecting a small veal chop with bone. Little did I know that Cotoletta meant that the already good-sized chop that the kitchen prepared for breading would first be smashed like a schnitzel to fill the platter that it was served on. The breading was crispy and delicious, the meat was flavorful and tender. I also thoroughly enjoyed the andouille, tomato jam and pecorino. Three-quarters of my Cotoletta came home with me so I'd have room to finish off our celebration with dessert. Blueberry Sponge Cake ($10) with vanilla ice cream fully met that need, but I still couldn't pass up taking home a taste of the owner's family recipe for Chocolate Bourbon Pecan Pie ($8). Damn, that was good the next day after I enjoyed my leftover Cotoletta! read more

See all

I've been to restaurant a few times, and with the exception of once, I've had to send my food back. That one time, I got sick from the grease, that was not drained properly from the chicken. The chicken is bland no matter how it is hyped up. I would avoid this place if you really know how southern food is supposed to taste. This is falls extremely short of that. read more

We were passing through on our way to a wedding when we decided to stop here for a bite, and I am so glad we did. The restaurant has indoor and outdoor seating (or at least it does during the summer) and the indoor decor is kind of industrial like with reclaimed wood and greenery. You immediately enter and are greeted by an inviting vibe and kind wait staff. Our server was very knowledgeable of the menu and made great recommendations for our first time. The cocktails (and mocktails) are delicious as are many of their dishes! We tried various things from biscuits to pork belly, and short ribs to salmon, all of which were incredible. Finding parking was not hard, but as I understand it, maybe we got lucky because sometimes this place requires a reservation and spots can be hard to get! Thankfully, we walked right in and were seated immediately. If we come back, which I hope we do, I would love to try the chicken and waffles. Please give this restaurant a try if you haven't already! read more

See all

I do not particularly care for chicken or fried chicken, but the "That's My Jam" sandwich on the lunch menu was probably the best fried chicken sandwich I have ever had. I inhaled it. Also, the portions are insanely large for the price point. The shrimp po boy looked spectacular as did the chicken and waffles. That's all. Also, the server was very sweet, and the ambiance was cute! read more

Great place to meet and eat. Very busy before a show at Proctor's. High class food. The pork belly was delicious. Love this place

We traveled to The Nest for a bridal shower yesterday, and everything about it was amazing! The service was excellent, and the upstairs room was very cozy. loved the exposed brick and big windows! The food was to die for! Everything was homemade from scratch, and had so much flavor. The biscuits were delicious, with some type of sweet butter, and the brunch buffet had something for everyone! Salad, Fried Chicken, scrambled eggs, crunchy breakfast potatoes, sausage, roasted carrots-all of it was very good. The dessert was strawberry shortcake with homemade shortcake and real whipped cream! everyone raved about the food! I wish we lived closer, I'd be there as often as possible! read more

First time at at The Nest. Aesthetic is cool, presentation of food is beautiful and taste is superb. We ordered the biscuits and honey butter, grit tots, short ribs, and shrimp and grits. Souther comfort food for sure and sooo good!! We luckily were seated right away as a walk-in but it was really busy, so I can see why they recommend making a reservation. Now we know for the future though! Food came out in good timing and the waitress was very attentive. Highly recommend. read more

The Nest - Shrimp and grits - Southern Near Me - Schenectady, New York

See all

Where do I start? This place is amazing. The chicken is unmatched anywhere in the area. Many eclectic dishes and appetizers. The dining room experience is something from a magazine, especially the private party room where I dined with my company. Very good alcohol drinks and cocktails as well. read more

What a wonderful find! And only two blocks from Proctors making this Southern cuisine-inspired restaurant a new favorite. Let's start with the outstanding service. Seriously. From our server, Seth, to the gal who bused our table and the restaurant manager who could not have been more apologetic when he had to move us to accommodate a large party just as we were settling in. The oyster appetizer special was delicious. I couldn't begin to tell you all the flavors that were part of the four Bluepoints' presentation. The Deviled Eggs were ... well, just as expected. I do think, however, that a proper serving might include two eggs (4 halves) instead of only one (2 halves). My husband enjoyed his Jambalaya very much. Shrimp, chicken, and sausage seasoned perfectly with Cajun spices, not overdone. My Fried Green Tomatoes and Burnt Ends Pork Belly were very tasty. I hope The Nest will expand its limited menu because we certainly plan to return the next time we are attending a venue at Proctor's. read more

See all

Brunch date! I was really excited to try out their brunch and I totally loved it. I had visited for dinner and it was fantastic, and this visit was no different. The place was buzzing with guests, mimosas all around. Great vibes. We started with grit tots. They are a must anytime I go here or The Cuckoo's Nest. Crispy grit tots smothered with the most delicious sausage gravy you could dream of, topped with some hot sauce . For my meal I got the Lobster Benedict. It was a struggle to pick which dish I wanted, but I made the right choice. Biscuit, fried green tomato, poached egg, lemon thyme hollandaise and lobster. The flavors all perfectly melded as you broke the yolk, the hollandaise itself was crazy worthy and I only wished for more. Served with breakfast potatoes, super crispy. The dish was also super generous and I only ate about half. Highly recommend! My fiancé got the Tom Tom sandwich, a sweet and savory chicken sandwich on a waffle. He loved it and said the chicken was absolutely perfect and tender. I didn't grab photos of his sides but that mac and cheese was super good, very creamy and cheesy. I also had a boozy coffee which was a great cocktail to enjoy with brunch. You need to get here. Service was great, food was phenomenal. Make a reservation early, it fills up fast! read more

See all

Well it was ok - Food was good, but nothing to brag about ***The sea bass was cold and needed more flavor even after I asked for garlic butter. My pork chop was ok. The Short Rib was good, but needed to be warmer. - Drinks are real good. - Crème Brûlée cold. It's suppose to be warm. - Service was a little slow. It was not busy and on a Friday around 6p Service was ok. Asked for desert menu twice. read more

Server seemed to be in a rush even after we explained we were in no hurry. Appetizers arrived and she wanted to take our order and asked repeatedly. We put it in after she ensured us that she would "course" the entrees so we would have plenty of time. This did not happen. Still had our apps when two dinners were brought out, there were three of us dining. No attempt to clear the appetizers and we had to ask for the third entree after about five minutes. It was clear that it was not prepared as we waited another 5-10 minutes for it to arrive. Server appeared irritated throughout our meal. Although the flavors were good the Salmon was overcooked, first two entrees were not hot when they arrived. We were not asked if we would like dessert. read more

Father's Day dinner with my offspring. Luckily, my son is in the biz and knows them all. The food was excellent ( although my fried chicken was way too salty), his steak and her shrimp and grits were great. The wedge salad was crisp and tangy. The fried green tomatoes were perfect. The unordered extra of Colossal shrimp and lobster tail was over the top good. Calamari rings were very chewy but tentacles were tender. Drinks were very tasty. Service was attentive and friendly and professional. Again, they knew my son and so they treated us extremely well. Thanks Nest. read more

A word of advice: Don't come here for brunch. We've been to The Nest many times and it seems that every time we go something new happens- waiter forgetting to bring us drinks, waiter brining us another table's food, waiter bringing us the wrong check and taking forever to find the check... or this time: food was burnt to a crisp and biscuits were clearly a day old. The pork belly Benny was so over cooked that it actually hurt to eat- not to mention that the eggs were so underdone that excessive white came out (please don't explain to me how poached eggs are made- I know how poached eggs are made). The biscuit was stale and clearly just reused from the day before. Why didn't I take a picture? It was so dark in there you wouldn't be able to see it anyways. You might say- well none of this is really a "deal breaker" sure- but when you need to put a credit card on file to hold the reservation AND a 20% tip is already included in the bill AND if you cancel less than 24 hours before a reservation they charge you $25 PER PERSON- I expect nothing less than excellent food/ service ALWAYS, especially for the amount of hoops I need to jump through. The Nest is trying too hard to be "upscale dining" and is failing. Don't waste your time or hard earned money here- they lure you in with the "exclusivity" then they will rob you blind and you will still have to pay a %20 tip. read more

Election Day!... We try to combine our civic duty on voting day with going out and celebrating at a local restaurant for lunch! DH and I have been to the Albany foodery The Cuckoo's Nest this past summer and loved it so we choose the newly opened just one year, sister restaurant, The Nest Restaurant 512 State St, Schenectady, NY. We walked from the parking lot near the library and walked just a short distance across town arriving at about 12:30 and having no trouble getting a table. Info they do take reservations! Outside there are umbrella tables sprinkled around the sidewalk for warm weather dining. Inside the entrance notice the lovely chandeliers hanging from the high ceiling with a huge long fully stocked bar maybe with 15 or so stools and stairs up to a balcony area maybe for a special party! I ordered Fried chicken breast with onion bacon jam and honey aioli, smoked gouda cheese , bacon on a toasted brioche bun with a side of collard greens. $17 DH had Jalapeno popper sandwich fried chicken , jalapeno cream cheese, and fried onions $15 Dessert was Chocolate Bourbon Pecan Pie just a scrumptious finish to a fabulous meal! read more

See all

Food is very good. I don't know. What else you want me to say?The place was very nice.Was busy people seem to be having a good time,Selections are a little unique, the ambience was great. read more

the setting is gorgeous, the service phenomenal, and the food and beverages we enjoyed were really something special. I would eat a mountain worth of fried green tomatoes, personally. we. MUST. brunch. here v. v. soon. The Nest is a great place to go for celebrations large and small. Highly recommended. read more

See all

A very pleasant experience. Interesting decor if a bit chilly, and great service. Smallish menu but what were ordered was great. The friend chicken was plentiful and tasty. Fried green tomatoes were saucy and yummy, and we were served three. Small plates were very small, all was good. read more

The Nest - Sweet potato gnocchi - Southern Near Me - Schenectady, New York

See all

Second review for the Nest, but just had to report on this trip as it was SO GOOD! I went with three girlfriends and we all could not decide between the many awesome-sounding options so we did a four-way split :) All of the egg entrees were incredible! I will be having dreams about those potatoes as well as the Nest's homemade sweet hot sauce... would HIGHLY recommend asking for some of that and then putting it on everything! The pancakes were not my style personally (I am much more of a waffles or French toast kind of girl), but all three of my friends loved them. Definitely a top brunch spot in Schenectady for me! read more

See all

I am from Schenectady, but having lived in NY for nearly 20 years, my food standards are very high. But I was pleasantly surprised by how good this restaurant is! Everything was so tasty and was made with love! I was also impressed by the wine list because it had high quality, hard-to-find wines (e.g., Flowers Chardonnay). Although I place little value on the ambiance of any restaurant (and value the food as the top priority), I must say that the interior is also very nice. I highly recommend this place - you won't be disappointed! read more

We visited with family here on Thu 1/18/24 5:30pm. We had a reservation for eight. This was our first visit here but were familiar with Devin & Kaytrin's other place the Cuckoo's Nest in Albany, NY. Subway tiles, rough wood, industrial lighting around the long first floor bar & dining area. There is also a balcony dining area above. We ordered our drinks while we caught up and looked over the menu. A modern take on Southern style cuisine running the gamut of buttermilk biscuits to jambalaya. Also must tries are Nola shrimp & grits, fried chicken or fried chicken & waffles. Small plates, salads, & fixins are there for the sampling & sharing. We all enjoyed our small plates and meals. Three of our party had the apple smoked pork chop-large, thick chop Sweet Tea Brined, Cider Braised Cabbage, Apple & Sausage Stuffing, Creole Honey Mustard. A very hearty meal. Biscuits were hot, flakey, served w/ honey butter-if you say you offer southern cuisine you need to have perfect biscuits every time-job well done. Jambalaya was spot on. Nice twist on the crab cake w/ the horseradish slaw. And the high praise for the pork braised collard greens & garlic green beans. Small plates are a value and entrees are from $18 to MP. Next visit I will evaluate their Nola Shrimp & Grits, a good measure of southern cooking. Open: Tuesday - Friday 11:30 am -4:00 pm lunch service 4:45 pm - 9:30 pm dinner service 4:00 pm - 6:00 pm happy hour at the bar Saturday Brunch 10:30 am to 2:00 pm Saturday Dinner Free on street parking after 5pm. Note: The Ziemann group is planning to open Mila, a Mediterranean inspired menu, at 500 State St. in 2024. A good first visit to The Nest. Service & food were very good. We need to visit again. Thank you to all. Nick & Liz Parisi, Albany, NY read more

3.5 stars- This was our very first visit after hearing great reviews. The restaurant is gorgeous and fantastic customer service. We had reservations for our work group and even received a courtesy call to inquire about our arrival. The biscuits with butter and jam was my favorite thing here. I ordered chicken and waffles from the brunch menu. The waffle was pretty good but chicken was so so. Would I order it again? Probably not. I'm also aware that I've had real authentic southern food so it is very hard to compare. Drink menu was okay. Overall, I think if I ever did come back, I'd just get biscuits or try the Nashville chicken sandwich. read more

See all

We went for brunch and it was really great:' we walked in no reservation and sat outside. It was a beautiful day so it was fine. Servers were hustling with the outside tables but it was fine. Food was great drinks and service awesome read more

We went to a weekend brunch and loved every dish we ordered. This has to be the best brunch spot in the Albany area. Food was so delicious and very reasonably priced for the quality and huge portion size. Our server was very kind and our food came out really fast. We'll certainly return to try different dishes on the brunch menu and would also love to try their dinner menu. read more

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

My friend and I hadn't been out in a while, but I've been dying to try this place out since it opened. We figured we'd give it a few weeks to settle in, and work out any kinks, and I have to say that it was a pretty wonderful experience overall. The staff was very friendly and welcoming. Everybody was respectful of one another considering the pandemic. The service was very good, and very attentive. The food came out at the perfect pace, allowing us to enjoy our appetizers and talk, with a small but reasonable wait until the next course came out. We both ordered cocktails from the menu, which were pretty great. My friend got the pineapple Express which I got to taste. It had a beautifully tropical vibe to it, as one might expect from a pineapple drink. It was sweet and festive. I ordered the Porch Sling, which I believe was bourbon and blackberry. It was deliciously refreshing. Food wise, we started with the deviled eggs. They were yummy, savory, and had a nice vinegar edge to them. They really woke up my mouth. Next we split the Brussel Sprouts which really blew our minds. They were beautifully roasted, and what I believe to be sesame oil, which took away their natural bitterness, and allowed their caramelized sweetness to come forward. Then the main course came out. The first dove into the moist cornbread, which wasn't too sweet, and had good flavor. The mac and cheese was also very good. Hot and gooey with a nice bread crumb crust. But the fried chicken was impressively delicious. My first comment was that the pieces were small, but then I realized that's what you get when you have real chicken that hasn't been injected with hormones. I even had extra mac and cheese, cornbread, and a couple of pieces of chicken to bring home. So it was more than enough food overall. Overall, I have to say this was a very pleasant experience and I can't wait to go back. On behalf of Schenectady, I want to welcome The Nest to the downtown area. read more