Live in the area my entire life and went to Iron Gate for the first time, sorry I've missed it!…read more Food was delicious, table of 5 and everyone loved everything, pancakes, omelet, sandwich, all yummy! Our server was sweet, attentive and easy to talk to, she shared some history of the building. Now, the building, absolutely beautiful! The architecture is stunning, perfectly decorated and used in a way to preserve the look of the mansion! Will definitely be back!

Iron Gate Cafe has that cozy, tucked-away charm that makes brunch feel like an actual experience…read more The atmosphere is beautiful and relaxed, and there's something really special about sitting back and enjoying a meal without feeling rushed. It's a great choice for a slower morning, catching up with friends, or treating yourself to a nice brunch in Albany.

New books bookstore(cookbooks/children and young adult choices/plus non-fiction and…read moreliterature(new&old) plus(depending on the day) coffee shop/cafe or bar/restaurant. If it sounds eclectic and usual, you're right - but rest assured all are executed with equal excellence. Some of the best bagels to be found in Greene county(with delicious flavored cream cheese or sandwich fillings). Friday's feature cocktail and one pot dinner might be my favorite time to be here.. Relaxed fine dining and fun and so close to the riverfront park in Coxsackie.

We stopped into Shipwreck News, Books & Café after checking into the James Newbury Hotel because it…read morewas the only place open for lunch. The café is very small, with just four counter seats and four small tables, and it's undeniably cute inside. I was especially excited to see a vegan sandwich on the menu. After we were seated, our drink order was taken. Unfortunately, they didn't have iced coffee, lemon for tea, or any diet soda, so we settled for a regular soda and a black tea. Once our drinks were ordered, we were told we had to get up and order our food at the bar, which felt a little odd after being seated and waited on initially. I ordered the vegan sandwich, and my husband had the biscuits and gravy with scrambled eggs. The food took a while to arrive. As soon as I saw my sandwich, I knew I'd made the wrong choice. It consisted of sautéed kale, a chickpea patty, vegan cheese that looked and tasted like Velveeta, and a single slice of tomato that cost an extra $2. The sandwich was completely flavorless and honestly disappointing. My husband's biscuits and gravy weren't much better. They were so overloaded with black pepper that his nose ran through the entire meal. It's too bad some of that seasoning didn't make its way onto the vegan sandwich! When we finished, we had to get up once again to pay the bill. Overall, the service felt slow and disorganized, with an awkward mix of table service and counter service. It's a very charming little spot with plenty of potential, but the food and service both need significant improvement to create a better customer experience. Unfortunately, this isn't a place we'd be eager to return to.

We are pretty consistent Fellows patrons. Their coffee is great- even just the drip is very…read moreflavorful but a latte is a treat. Their baked goods- yes, the cinnamon rolls but don't overlook the seasonal GF cake they have- dates, cranberries- it's always delicious. The lentil bowl or the Lockwood are both savory morning choices and hit the right flavors and the scene is ... always the scene. Servers get the food and coffees out quickly even when it's busy

This is a tough review because I genuinely wanted to give this place a 5/5…read more I worked with the team to cater brunch for my fiancé's birthday and the planning process was fantastic. Communication was seamless, they helped create a custom birthday cake with flavors I requested, and the entire ordering experience was smooth and stress-free. The food was outstanding. From the bread and cinnamon rolls to the focaccia and cake, everything was fresh, delicious, and a huge hit with our group. Every item felt thoughtfully made, and it was clear why so many people rave about their bakery. The only reason I'm not giving 5 stars is the pickup experience. I had a prepaid order of over $250 scheduled for 8:00 a.m. pickup, right when the café opened. We arrived about 15 minutes early.. because it was raining and simply hoped to wait somewhere covered until pickup time. We weren't expecting the order early or asking anyone to rush. Given the size of the order, the custom cake, and the fact that I had brought someone with me to help carry everything, we just wanted to avoid standing outside in the rain. When I knocked on the door, I could see several staff members inside. One employee looked at us and gestured toward the clock, essentially pointing out that they weren't open yet. I completely understand that we arrived early, and I respect opening hours. What bothered me was how the situation was handled. A simple "We'll be open at 8" or "Sorry, we can't let anyone in until opening" would have been perfectly reasonable. Instead, the interaction felt unnecessarily cold. Even once we were inside, the employee helping us came across as dismissive and unwelcoming. It was especially disappointing because every interaction I'd had over email leading up to the event had been so thoughtful, friendly, and accommodating. The food was exceptional, and the planning process was excellent. I just wish the same level of hospitality had carried through to the pickup experience. Had that interaction been handled with a bit more warmth, this would have easily been a 5-star review. Ratings: * Food & ambiance: 10/10 * Communication email: 10/10 * Pickup Experience: 4/10

I first went to Mr. Bumbles Cafe when they originallh opened and had a fantastic experience…read more Now, after a several year time period of living out of state, I have returned to try them out again and I was not disappointed. The service was warm and friendly. The food was outstanding, utilizing fresh sourced produce and baked goods. The cafe was spotless, as was thd rest room. The decor is friendly and inviting. I will definitely be back!

Mr. Bumbles had been on my radar for a while, so when I had an appointment not too far away, I knew…read moreI had to visit. I can find a lot of good words to include here: Cozy, charming, unique, friendly, welcoming. I could taste the freshness and quality in my made-to-order breakfast sandwich. That was a small coffee?!?!?! The decor is fun. Street parking is very convenient too. Similar types of stuff I could get at fast food places closer to my home just can't compare. If I lived closer, I'd be here all the time. Even with a slightly longer drive, I still want to come back here more often.

The staff is welcoming & efficient. The chicken salad sandwich on a…read more croissant was delicious! The Store has a warm, quaint, charming vibe, with the period wide board floors, old time cases brimming with pastries & salads & the long, inviting table to sit at with friends & neighbors. Love it!

I was so disappointed to find the new owner of this store/cafe has traded the previously locally…read moreproduced ingredients, pastries, and goods for corporate (US Foods) and cheap souvenirs. The formerly quaint and cozy atmosphere now feels tourist-y. The service was fine, and the food was acceptable, but I'm afraid this local favorite is now devoid of local charm.

This place is a gem for a breakfast, lunch, or Sunday brunch! I had an egg and cheese crepe with a…read moreLondon fog. The breakfast crepe came with some side greens and was light and fresh. The London fog had a hint of lavender for perfect slight sweetness needed on a frigid winter morning. I will definitely go back there again!

The starving artist Café makes decent food for the Berkshires. But it is not a place that has…read moreamazing crêpes by city standards or French standards. I'm not sure what is missing, but it feels very suburban or country which it is and there's nothing necessarily wrong with that, but it doesn't taste like authentic crêpes. I really do like the fact that it's a cute spot decent coffee and decent breakfast in small town USA with friendly service and you feel like you're supporting a local business. We will keep coming back, but I do wish some of the crêpes for me being more authentic versions of what they are today.

Really love this place but they are literally never open. They treat this place like a hobby and…read morenot a real business. The inconsistent hours are so irksome and disruptive. And the reasoning for being closed is always "short handed". Why don't any of your staff stay? As a business owner myself, I'm literally shocked that this place has existed this long. Which sucks because where else can I get a vegan breakfast sandwich? (Also, the owner left a condescending response on my Google review so definitely doubling down)

I didn't realize this was a vegan coffee shop. Which is fine but I like my coffee drinks with…read moreregular milk and not alternative. So I didn't end up getting anything. My son got a matcha and avocado toast. The toast was pretty good. Its made with local sourdough. Not sure why but there seem to be bees and flies, flying around inside the place. There's plenty of parking.

I needed some cannolis and looked up online local bakeries…read more lake George was closed so while I was in Saratoga I searched and found Ms Londons Took the chance, in winter sometimes I worry bc it's sort of off-season but I stopped by and luckily they did have them! It was for a birthday I made cannoli cake but didn't want to make the actual cannolis to save time but wanted a higher quality version than price chopper I also got a latte and it was very good- nice and hot (some places they're kinda cooler) The service was great a woman with short brown hair helped me & made the latte. It was a very cute cafe /bakery and idk if they make their desserts but if they do- great job! Im happy either way and the birthday boy said the cannolis were perfect.

This is a tragedy. And that is not a word I use lightly either…read more What kind of person buys a gem like Mrs. London's and doesn't take the time to learn the recipes, master the craft, and maintain the standards of what was once arguably the best boulangerie and patisserie in America? Seriously, there is someone here to blame. What is their name? I want to know. Sure, it's not a civil or criminal offense. But it's a crime against food. It's a crime against the people of Saratoga Springs. And it's just plane offensive. I regret if anyone was driven to try Mrs. London's based on my previous glowing reviews. I am so sorry. I had no idea. But I was just there this morning. I gazed into the pastry case at the croissants, and my heart sank. I felt sick. The croissants looked like something you would see in an airport. I think the croissants at Costco might be better. These were flat, flabby, and pale things. Far from the perfect, golden, flaky, structured, glistening beauties of the past. And this isn't about fond recollections. I have receipts. Photos from the past and pictures of the present. It's night and day. If the new owners aren't going to preserve Mrs. London's food, they should have the decency to put someone else's name on the joint. I too asked about the breads, and was told "their baker retired". Fortunately, Michael London taught other people to bake amazing artisan bread, and his legacy lives on elsewhere. Unfortunately, nobody at the shop bearing his name bothered to pick up the torch. What a shame. It is so sad. I am literally heart broken. This was one of my favorite bakeries in the country. I went out of my way to make a special stop in my limited time passing through the region. But I suppose nothing lasts forever, and this is a valuable reminder of that unfortunate fact. My days visiting Mrs. London's are over. I can no longer recommend it in good conscience. Perhaps the hot chocolate is still good, and the decor is still lovely. However, if you look closely at the glowing reviews, they all point back to a time that has now sadly passed.

Little Goat How do you cap off a magical month of Mozart at…read moreBard College at Annandale-on-Hudson? By heading to the charming Little Goat at 6380 Mill Street in Rhinebeck, NY! We have been meaning to try it since our neighbors raved about their Thanksgiving meal there last year. We entered and were immediately greeted by a basket of baguettes from Sparrowbush of Hudson at the counter. The browned crust reminded of us of our holy grail of bread from Balthazar that a guest had brought to our home 30 years ago. We've been unable to find a comparable baguette until we found one at the recently shuttered Fletcher & Lu's. We'd make monthly pilgrimages to stock up, and were saddened when our bread fix was no longer available. We snapped one up to test it out (had it for breakfast and it's glorious!) The interior is painted a warm butter yellow, the shelves house white ironstone pitchers, and baskets of wildflowers abound. Simple, but homey, yet at the same time elegant. The table settings are understated, and much like those I grew up with my grandmere from the southwest of France, who settled in the Napa Valley. My cousin Thérèse runs a restaurant in Beauregard in the Lot department that reminds me greatly of the Little Goat. We were in good hands with our server, Lennon (yes, named after THAT Lennon!) She was attentive, animated and very charming. We started with a Churchtown Dairy (Hudson) Copperwaite, local honeycomb with spelt bread appetizer that was on point. For our wine we had 4 glasses of Gamay, Coeur de la Reine, Loire, France 2023 (nice and plummy, but recommend getting a bottle rather than by the glass for a better value!) I had the Roasted Petite Filet, with Smoked Pepper Butter, Tallow-Fried Onions and Bernaise on the side. Tender, flavorful, and a generous portion that was enough for another meal. With that I had the barbecue-spiced crispy potatoes, a perfect combination. My husband had the Rigatoni Pork Ragu, Sourdough Soffrito dusted with Parmigiano. (Disclaimer: after 50 years together, if this dish is on the menu, I know he will order it. He did...and loved it, ranking it among the best he's ever had ), pairing it with Braised Romano Beans, Sofrito, and Smoked Pecorino. For dessert, we "shared" (ok, he had one bite and I devoured the rest) the Chocolate Budino,* Creme Fraiche, Oats dusted with Fleur and topped with a crisp Tuile. * A budino is what you get if a pot de crème hooked up with crème brûlée for a steamy night and had a baby! What is so charming about this restaurant is that it is so family-friendly. Several tables had babies and toddlers galore and it gave the room a welcome liveliness. Definitely not stuffy, and a welcome relief from snooty dining establishments. Kudos to Erin Winters and Taavo Somer for bringing such an extraordinary dining experience to my beloved Hudson Valley. You excel at what you do. And Five Toques to Chef Paragas...you slay!

Whoever doesn't leave this place 5 stars is clueless. This is the only spot in Rhinebeck I'd come…read moreback for. No offense to everyone else but damn this place has got it going on. Dinner was insanely good. The old fashioned, halloumi, and CHICKEN blew us away. The cheesecake too was to die for. Came back again the next morning for breakies, and that egg sandwich didn't disappoint. The ONLY thing that could use a little improvement was the iced coffee, it was a bit too strong / dark / bitter but honestly, that's just personal preference, I'm sure it works just fine for others. Old fashioned lemonade tasted like regular lemonade, nothing special there. Staff was nice. Atmosphere is perfect. Might do breakfast again here tomorrow it was that good. Oh yea, and don't sleep on the strawberry galette!!!

It's been so long since I've visited the Daily Grind. I really cannot say why I stopped going. It…read moreis a local gem that has served the area for decades. The breakfasts and coffee are solid. The staff is helpful and courteous. I showed up for breakfast recently. I ordered the Chorizo. Two eggs, two chorizo sausages with pepper jack cheese and spicy mayo on a sandwich roll. It was as good as I remembered. I also enjoyed the coffee included in the $11.45 price. I took the meal upstairs where there's additional seating. I ate it while seated inside the picture window, which is a good place to the activity along Lark St. The eatery is as eclectic as ever. There are signs and artwork on the walls from different eras that don't go together. The place is old and perhaps a bit musty. Still this place had so much history with the area and its mismatched decor is a part of its charm. Change may be good. But in the case of the Daily Grind, I'm happy to still be able to get a delicious meal at a reasonable price from a nice staff after all of these years. Comfort food at its best.

Still thinking about this sandwich!! Daily Grind is definitely going to be my new go to spot for a…read morebreakfast sandwich and coffee! It's no wonder why they are so popular and also one of the oldest cafes in Albany and still doing so well today! The cafe is a cute spot, with stool seating indoor and some tables outside. It's a bit unassuming but the bustle of the place definitely reflects how popular it is. They have so many options of sandwiches and to create your own and it is delicious!! The rolls were perfect and not tough at all, the sandwiches were so well done, I highly recommend the Lark street, the eggplant was so crispy and yum! They have fun specialty lattes and coffee as well. The girls working were welcoming and nice. While there was a bit of a wait, it's worth it and the do have an order ahead option too.