First night in Albany brought us to Albany Ale and Oyster…read more Great food and beer here! Whenever there is a Main Brewing Company beer on tap anywhere I am sure to get it. They are an elite beer company. The tuna tartar was delicious and fresh, I really enjoyed it. The oysters on the east coast are always amazing. My wife loved the clam chowder, I tasted it and it was very flavorful. The people with us got an amazing charcuterie board! It was very well put together. There is lots of conversation going on around us but not so loud you can't hear your own.

My partner treated me to lunch at Ale & Oyster. While I was excited to come, my expectations for…read morethe resto were not entirely met: -Our server ignored us for at least half an hour. We couldn't easily flag someone down to take our orders. -Our waters tasted like fish water :( -I ordered a house salad with added shrimp, but I only got 3 pieces of shrimp. It didn't feel like it was worth my money. Not sure if I would return again.

Union Seafood on Central Avenue in Albany is described as "Chinese meets Louisiana," according to…read morethe restaurant's website. I've been there before and the crazy, giant fiberglass crab on display in the entrance is always a hoot. So is the fiberglass shark head on the wall in the dining area. I like a place with a sense of fun and humor. I also like this place for its seafood boils. The good news is that this restaurant--which was very good to begin with-- has gotten even better. Last time I showed up, the server brought the seafood boil still in its boiling bag and cut it open in front of me. It was up to me to reach into the hot bag and pull out its contents. There was steam everywhere. A hot mess, indeed! This time, the kitchen took care of the boiling bag for me. Instead, they beautifully arranged the boiled seafood on a large platter. Wow. It looked amazing and tasted even better! This time, I'd asked for a Number 4 with mix of seasonings, including garlic and butter. There were: one big lobster tail, plenty of shrimp, clams, crawfish, potatoes, corn on the cob, hard boiled eggs and extra veggies. It was described as enough to feed three people. Coincidentally, we were a party of three. We also ordered a Cajun Fried Rice for good measure. We really didn't need it. We were so full. The fruit drinks were great, too. Union Seafood is a franchise with locations in Troy and Schenectady. They're owned by Larry Weng who also opened Ji Bei Chuan Rice Noodles & Ramen on Western Avenue in Guilderland, according to local news reports. In celebration of May being AAPI (Asian American Pacific Islander) Month, it's probably fair to say that Asian-American owned restaurants such as Union Seafood have added much variety to the overall dining experience in Capital Region. Vive la différence.

Union Seafood is one of those spots that keeps things simple and lets the seafood speak for itself…read more Everything had that fresh, straight-from-the-kitchen feel, and the portions were satisfying without feeling overdone. I also liked that the flavors weren't trying too hard just good seafood, seasoned well and served hot.

My wife is from Albany, and I've been making the trip to the Capital Region for the past 14 years…read more During all that time, I can honestly say this is the best meal I've had in the area. Every course was exceptional. The crab cake was outstanding, the pasta was cooked perfectly, and, as my wife said, it was the best blondie dessert she's ever had. The service was warm, attentive, and professional from start to finish. The cocktails were also outstanding--easily on par with some of the best we've enjoyed in major cities across the country. This restaurant exceeded our expectations in every way. It's clear the team takes pride in every detail, from the food and drinks to the hospitality. My wife and I will absolutely be back. Bravo to the entire staff for an unforgettable dining experience!

Great ambiance, nice staff, good food, decent portion sizes, but slow service…read more I feel like it would be rude to give this a harsh 1 star review like the others, we ordered two orders of truffle fries and a salad and it took 25 minutes to get them. In the mean time the wife and I just drank. Had a Lyre Rum Moscow Mule Mocktail, it was similar tasting to the real thing.

Wow! I can't believe it took me so long to get here. I haven't enjoyed a meal this much in a while…read more I don't get over here much, but I think I will be back soon to try more of this menu. The restaurant is gorgeous, in a former bank, they have a parking lot and a small patio. We loved the dark and moody vibe of the place. I was very excited to try some of this chefs work after drooling over the menu for weeks. We were welcomed by Vince, who was super friendly and knowledgeable on the menu. He provided great service through the whole meal. We started with martinis, they have a great cocktail program. I ordered a dirty martini with blue cheese olives and it was perfect, and strong. We also opted to try the Oyster Shooter, how fun! It was an oyster served with a little shot of gin with cucumber. The shot was sweeter than I expected, but I simply had to try it. We probably didn't need an appetizer, but luckily the Bao buns were the perfect size for two. The Korean fried chicken was crisp and moist and coated with a thick sweet and spicy sauce. It definitely had some heat, but it was a nice heat. The peanuts and cilantro paired great with the buns. Besides the menu, they had a number of specials for the evening, so keep your options open. We did decide to stick to the menu though. I ordered the signature duck and my sister ordered the porcini ravioli. The duck dish was stunning, I couldn't take enough photos of it, and the taste blew me away. The duck was so crispy and tender, the fatty flavor reminds you of a holiday. The carrot puree, potatoes, greens and cherries added complexity and balance to the plate. I never finish my dinner, and I ate every morsel on this plate. The porcini ravioli was no different, it was incredible. The thick creamy sauce had so much flavor we were trying to guess what was in it. It was so rich and dreamy and the additional of walnuts was a fun crunch. If you love mushrooms, get this. We loved this meal, and I will rave about it. I am coming back for the pork belly dish, soon.

Dinned at Coray Kitchen to celebrate my wife's birthday, it was my first visit and I look forward…read moreto a return visit. Start to finish every staff person we interacted with was welcoming, attentive, friendly, and knowledgeable. Definitely appreciated and noteworthy over the usual, requisite pleasantries. We both had specials - scallops with squid ink risotto and pork belly with tostones. Each dish was thoughtfully and creatively prepared, the proteins were cooked perfectly, and I appreciated the inclusion of some fresh, on-site grown veg. Also enjoyed the Latin American flare/flavor incorporated into both dishes. Dining prices in Albany have (bewilderingly) been on par with Boston and NYC for years now, so Coray Kitchen is certainly reasonable for a high quality meal. I also appreciate that the specials were priced similarly to on-menu items. Will definitely be back to sample the paella and fresh pasta, unless enticed away again by specials!

Stopped in here while I was in town for work and had a pretty mixed experience. The atmosphere was…read morenice and it seemed like a good spot to grab seafood, but the service was noticeably slow throughout our visit. It took a while to get drinks and place our order, and we found ourselves waiting more than expected between courses. That said, the food itself had some highlights. The crab was absolutely amazing--fresh, flavorful, and definitely the standout of the meal. We also really enjoyed the shrimp cocktail, which was well-prepared and hit the mark. Unfortunately, the mussels didn't live up to the same standard; they lacked flavor and just weren't our favorite. Overall, it's an okay spot with some strong dishes, but the slow service and inconsistency in the food would make me hesitate before returning.

I went here while on a trip to Albany to see the capitol building. It was nice…read more I ordered one of the seafood boil combos. It was a delicious mess. It had shrimp, crab legs, beef sausage, potatoes, and a half ear of corn on the cob. It came drenched in sauce, which was messy, but the taste was well worth it. The servers were very friendly, and the food came out in decent amount of time. Not super-fast, but not slow either. The place was also nice and clean. I would definitely go again, if I'm ever in the Abany area again.

I absolutely love it here. The only thing I've tried that I haven't liked has been the Brussels…read moreSprouts. They have, by far, the best happy hour. Sitting at the bar is relaxing and nice as well as sitting at a table. The food is delicious. The wait staff and bartenders are knowledgeable and fantastic.

Absolutely the best steak house that my wife & I went there for our 15th wedding anniversary. 1st…read moretime there. ABSOLUTELY EVERYTHING WAS OVER THE TOP. From Michael the manager, meeting & greeting us to checking in on us while we were dining, to Emma, our server waiting on us, anticipating our every single need, to the food being cooked to perfection. I cannot recommend enough how this is the go to place in upstate NY. THIS IS THE PLACE We waited for a few members of our party with two martinis at the bar, which cost $38. I deconstructed the Cosmo, which was a splash of peach and kettle one which was a three dollar of charge for an $18 drink. We had the back room for a large party (9)Servers staff were friendly and accommodating. I was surprised at how long it took too get seated. The seafood tower of lovely had asked for warm butter. The side dishes are all à la carte but the potatoes and the asparagus excellent. Mistakes were done as ordered just been prepared for price shock. I recommend the crème brûlée for dessert and the naughty Irishman coffee.. overall was a nice experience with attentive, weight, staff and creative and with a sense of humor! I personally cannot afford to go there except for very special occasions. A meal at Ruth's Chris feels like an event. There's so much anticipation. Yes, the prices are high but it seems that you get what you pay for. A wonderful meal with top notch service and ambiance. I did not find it pretentious. I was concerned that it might be. There is no dress code. While some dressed up, others were casually dressed. One man even showed up in a very wrinkled shirt and the staff treated him as well as any other guest. The wait staff is amazing. Our server was Valbon. He was gracious, helpful and very thorough in describing food preparation. My friend had a Porterhouse Steak prepared medium well done with just a bit of pink. It was a massive steak. He said it was prepared perfectly. Same for the mashed potatoes and asparagus. I don't eat much red meat. Valbon recommended the sea bass for me. It was remarkably tender. I enjoyed the sautéd vegetables, too. I was amazed that I finished my entire meal. My friend took part of his giant steak home and enjoyed it the next day. I asked for a light cocktail. A vodka-based Lemon Drop martini was recommended for me. It's a popular drink there. It was just right. Ruth's Chris is a chain. I know that some people frown on eating at restaurant chains because of quality concerns. But Ruth's Chris is fine dining and the food preparation is apparently held to high standards. Our meals were enjoyable. It was our first time trying this restaurant to celebrate my wife's birthday. They added decorations on our table and also gave my wife a small cake and candle which was a nice gesture. Steak was great and service was excellent. Our server was very friendly and even the manager stopped at our table to greet us. We will definitely come back.

$300 to eat on a plastic tablecloth on Valentine's Day, not even a candle on the table. I'm…read moreembarrassed I suggested the spot to my date. The experience felt stingy and rushed. I'm sad because I loved this spot and I'm disappointed the quality has gone down so drastically. Portions were very small and the food didn't taste special or interesting. The octopus came out room temp and had been sitting out. Entres lukewarm. The drinks were by far the best part of the meal and it took half an hour to get them. Service was all over the place but they get a pass because it's Valentine's Day. Do yourself a favor and try Rosanna's instead.

RESERVATION ONLY * WOW! What an amazing meal! Best carbonara I've ever had. Husband ate all of his…read morevodka pasta with chicken. High quality ingredients. Lovely glasses of wine. Service was great. You can tell the people working here take care of their space. Someone was always cleaning. Tiramisu was light and flavorful. What a great gem in Albany.

Visited Albany on the way back from a wedding in Vermont and needed a good hearty meal after a long…read moreweekend of fun! No reservation, and a smaller restaurant we tried on a whim and were offered two seats at the bar promptly and decided to stick around. Immediately upon entering Nicole's, the atmosphere takes you to a small Italian restaurant scene depicted in many a movie. Dimly lit, but not dark, fragrances of perfume overpowered by garlic, tomato, and all the fresh seasonings and herbs in their dishes, and many many happy customers with big plates of pasta, bread, and red wine on the table. After receiving our app of fried artichokes, which came with a wonderful dipping sauce, and a side order of meatballs that melted in our mouths, but were not soft, or squishy we decided we did only needed one meal after a long day of travel. One of my go-tos when trying a new to me Italian spot is always the clam sauce, and this one hit it out of the park. I highly recommend Nicole's, and looking forward to returning again in August for my next visit to the area.

A really perfect experience. The ambiance of Nicole's is romantic, intimate but not too crowded…read more Perfect for date night or girls night out. Highly recommend starting with the short rib and burrata flatbread. The pear martini is a very refreshing sipper cocktail. For my entree I had the chicken Marsala which was prepared wonderfully, great balance of sauce and mushrooms over the chicken and pasta. Enough to bring some home without being a huge portion for no reason. Highly recommend a visit here!

This is a lovely restaurant that is well designed and comfortable. The food is outstanding and the…read morewait staff highly professional. The wedge salad and the pork belly entree are particular favorites of mine. Ralph, the bartender, is attentive and pours a good drink. We'll be passing through Albany again tomorrow and look forward to another dining experience at Black & Blue. Thank you.

Went here for an anniversary dinner and it was alright. Definitely a good celebratory spot, we were…read moregiven a free champagne toast which was lovely. The pork belly was tasty but a fairly small portion. The calamari was poorly executed, breading was soggy and some bites were chewy. My steak was cooked perfectly, the truffle butter was hard, nearly frozen so took a bit to actually use on the steak and the bernaise was just okay. The salmon was tasty but also a small portion. Sides were all really good as well. Would come back but not exactly rushing to do so

food was great highly recommend seafood Alfredo it's amazing very nice waitress and very cleanread more

Excellent lunch menu! Food was FIVE Stars. Moderate, fair…read morepricing for the good quality of food served and for the skilled preparations. Ordered: *Calamari app with marinara sauce --average; crispy coating was light and bland. Salmon with white beans, rice and vegetables -- *Salmon was cooked perfectly, moist not dry, fresh veg. Medley was not overcooked, flavorful. $20. *Strip Steak with mushrooms, baby potatoes and veg. -- Steak was cooked medium as ordered. It was tender and juicy, not fatty or tough. Liked it very much. The fresh mushrooms on top were good. The sauce/gravy was plentiful, a little too much for my palette. $25. White cloth tablecloths and cream cloth napkins on tables were very nice and elevated the dining experience. There was one pleasant server who did everything. She was very busy, so it took a little too long to pay bill. Warning to anyone with mobility issues-- There are eight steep steps to reach the front door. There was a good railing on one side. The restroom is up a long flight of stairs on the second floor! Happy I did not need to use it.