I visited the Whistling Kettle in Ballston Spa for brunch with a couple of friends and had a mixed…read moreexperience. We arrived right when they opened at 10 a.m. and were seated immediately, which was great. We initially considered sitting inside, but the smell of eggs was so overwhelming/nauseating that we opted for outdoor seating instead. The patio was charming and cozy. The service was friendly, attentive, and one of the highlights of our visit. Unfortunately, the food did not live up to expectations. We all ordered the brunch tower, which included a "fruit salad" that consisted of squishy grapes, sour Granny Smith apple chunks, and canned mandarin oranges. The fruit tasted low quality and unappetizing, and I only managed a few bites. I also ordered the bananas foster crepe, which was severely overcooked. The crepe was so tough that I needed a knife to cut through it, and the texture was far from what I would expect from a crepe. Overall, while the service was pleasant and seating was prompt, the food quality left a lot to be desired, especially considering the price point.

First the food is to die for! This is my go to mea! I love the soup. I get a bowl so I can take…read moresome home. The service is beyond great! The gentleman that served us was fabulous. He helped pack up my left overs including the cream and jam for my scone. He came back with a to go cup for my chai latte! I adore this place. Stop reading this review and just GO!!!

A classic ice cream stand just like the old days. They have classic soft ice cream but also Only 8…read moreand Dole Whip. I got a classic vanilla chocolate twist and it was creamy and good. My son got a pineapple Dole whip. The prices are fair. Next time maybe I'll have a chili dog and a milkshake. I noticed they carry Meadow brook milk. Always good to support a local dairy. We went on a rainy night so we ate in our car.

Great pricing and amount served! Staff was super friendly and efficient. They take card now too…read morewhich was super awesome! There was plenty of seating and the line went fast! Can't wait to come back!

I had a regular size lavender milk tea with boba. It was delicious and had plenty of boba in it…read more The shop was pretty busy but my order was ready quickly, and the cashier was pleasant. I'll definitely be back the next time I'm at the mall.

Pretty good bubble tea! I was in the area for a meeting and planned to grab a cup of coffee...but…read moregot sidelined by a place to get me some boba! I refrained from the milk tea and kept it simple with green tea with raspberry tapioca. Yum! Service was quick and friendly. Will definitely try something else next time I'm passing by.

Had an absolutely marvelous breakfast here - the avocado toast is huge and super fresh. Eggs over…read moreeasy weren't overcooked in the slightest. Staff were lovely. We sat outside with our dog, and were told that since the voice notice for "order ready" wouldn't reach there, check back in 10. They were right on time. Good pricing, lovely people.

This spot is a great quick stop for mornings…read more My wife and I stopped in a few days ago and ordered a smoothie bowl, a bagel, a smoothie, and a matcha. Overall, it was a pleasant experience. The matcha was absolutely delicious and clearly made with care -- prepared in a proper bowl and whisked with a bamboo whisk. I asked for a bit of honey, which really pulled the entire experience together. Honestly, I'd give this place a 5/5 based on the matcha alone. The smoothie bowl (I go the one that has banana, peanut butter, honey, and some other toppings) was great overall, though I did have one small complaint: there were a few large chunks of ice mixed in, and I accidentally bit into them. Aside from that, the bowl was flavorful and enjoyable. My wife ordered a smoothie, which was just okay. I didn't particularly care for it, and she unfortunately didn't end up finishing it. The service was excellent. The woman who took our order was very friendly and helpful, and she even recommended the matcha -- which turned out to be a great suggestion. One last note: we had visited this spot about a year ago, and it looks like the interior has completely changed since then. The new layout is bright and welcoming, no longer dark, and features a mostly gray palette with accent plants and furniture that bring everything together nicely. It feels much cozier than before.

This will be my third visit to this type of establishment, they have several sister stores…read morein the area I usually get a shake for a meal replacement, But today I got a the cucumber, the tea was a little to sweet for me but all in all the staff and service was professional and courteous, and answered my questions about the menu.

Made a trip after the gym and it was exactly what I needed! The Choc-Fit was delish!read more

Nice spot for a coffee near Washington Park! I stopped in…read moreon a weeknight as I'm one of the few people who drink caffeine in the evening and was looking for a coffee shop that was open later. They close at 7pm on weeknights, which is great. I love how beautiful the cafe is. There are tons of tables and good wifi too. I ordered an iced mocha, which was great, and the barista was helpful and friendly. I do wish they had a specialty coffee latte and some more dessert options. There were several savory pastries available when I went and I was having a major sweet tooth moment but thankfully the iced mocha hit the spot!

Albany's Washington Park is a gem in itself but it's also fortunate to have a number of great cafes…read moreand restaurants nearby. Among the more recent arrivals is Java Cafe on Madison Ave. It offers a nice variety of coffees, teas, other beverages and baked goods, all in a relaxing setting. What's more, they tell me that small dogs are welcome. I stopped in recently after taking a stroll in the park with my West Highland Terrier. I was surprised when they told me that my little dog could come in, too. I ordered the most wonderful hot chai latte with coconut milk and a dash of cinnamon. Since I was staying, it was served up in a stoneware cup with saucer. I also ordered a potato borek, which they explained was a small Turkish-style mashed potato pie. It was good. My friend ordered a delicious large house coffee with cream. The cafe is small but inviting with exposed brick walls. There's nice furniture and interesting wall art, including a banjo hung from one wall. But my favorite is the amoeba-shaped full length mirror with the words,"You look amazing," painted above it. How's that for giving customers encouragement? My little dog stood under our table and smiled. She was well behaved. There were several other customers but most of them looked lost- in -concentration over their laptops. It was a delicious and very calming experience for us after a nice walk in the park. Thanks, Java Cafe.

Wow! I waited over a week to visit this place because they were sold out of most of the desserts…read more They're so popular, and the owners take their time making new desserts. They have tea, but I wanted cheesecake. The cheesecake was excellent! You order online or at their kiosk inside. It's best to keep checking online to see if the desserts you want are in stock yet, if they aren't, they're listed as sold out. The ube cheesecake was creamy, sweet, with cream. The triple matcha cheesecake was very good, tasted like matcha, and best if you don't like dessert too sweet. Each piece of cake was around $10-11 would be nice if it was bigger, but it's great as it is because it's dense. It's so cute inside! Service is fast! Highly recommend!

Loved Eggcellent so much we visited twice on our trip in the Albany area! The options are fresh and…read moredifferent from what I am used to having when grabbing a milk or fruit tea. First up, I ordered the Jasmine Tea with Matcha foam and coconut water. This was a super refreshing drink and I am already wanting to have it again. Second we grabbed the Ube Milk Tea float which was a super pleasant taste, ordered with 0 percent sugar which kept it at a perfect level of sweetness. The ube milk tea float comes with a scoop of delicious ube ice cream on top. The service was super friendly and inviting, and the inside was really cutely designed.

In Latham, looking for a healthy breakfast and after searching past the delis, diners and fast…read morefood, came across Fruit Loops. Enjoyed my oatmeal with berries etc and a fruit protein smoothie. Service was very pleasant and the place is an oasis in a nondescript strip mall. BTW, no, there are no fruit loops to be had, but that's ok.

I've been coming here for years, but today's experience ensured I won't be returning. Emma barely…read moreacknowledged me, took an unusually long time to assist me, and then refused service because of an allergy that I have safely managed for years. My explanation was dismissed, despite receiving this same service here many times before without issue. Turning away every guest with an allergy, regardless of how it is managed, is concerning. The interaction felt ignorant and uninformed. It was also difficult to watch Emma be warm and welcoming to other guests while treating me differently, which made the experience feel discriminatory. After years of being a loyal customer, I expected better and I will advise anyone I've recommended to no longer support this establishment.