CARIBE Restaurant - Schenectady, NY…read more I've had the chance to visit CARIBE twice now, and both times were for birthday celebrations. This is a cute Caribbean/Dominican restaurant with a casual order-at-the-counter setup and dine in- gives off a welcoming island vibe. The restaurant was clean, colorful, and full of Dominican flair. Both visits started with the Dominican Appetizer Platter, which in my opinion is perfect for sharing between 2-3 people depending on how hungry everyone is. It comes loaded with sweet plantains, crispy fried plantains, chicharrón, fried chicken tenders, fried cheese, salami, tostones, and French fries. If you're a fry lover, don't skip these! On my first visit, we ordered the pork chops and the pernil. The pernil was delicious--juicy, flavorful, and with the crispy top!! that my friend absolutely loved. The second time around, we both went with steak. I ordered the Bistec Salteado (sautéed steak) medium, while my friend ordered the grilled steak. Unfortunately, my steak came out well done. When I mentioned it, I was told that's how it's traditionally prepared Dominican-style. Needless to say, I wasn't happy and ended up not eating much of it. I did try my friend's grilled steak, and it was much better (for my taste). The birthday girl ordered the seafood rice and really enjoyed it. It was packed with seafood--definitely a dish for seafood lovers! For her birthday she got a choice of dessert and got the Flan- and a island girly her self she critiqued and loved!! Next time I'm in the area, I think I'll skip the entrées and order à la carte so I can sample more of the sides and appetizers. Overall, the food was good, the portions were generous, and the atmosphere was welcoming. The steak was a miss for me, but everything else was enjoyable enough that I'd return to try more of the menu.

A little history to start, what do the Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, and the Philippines have in…read morecommon? They were all Spanish colonies. Caribe leans to Dominican and Puerto Rican dishes and those same dishes have a familiar feeling to my Filipino palate. When I visited, I opted for the Chicharron plate over yellow rice. The Filipino version of this dish is called Lechon Kawali. What is it? It's a carnivore's dream, a deep fried slab of uncured bacon. Repeat, deep fried pork belly. Other than foie gras or bone marrow nothing comes close to meat fat decadence than this stuff. It's bad for you but oh soooo good. The garlic sauce tries to cut through the fat but it's a losing game. There's a tiny bar next to the cafeteria style take out displays. There's also extra dining space and bathrooms up a small set of stairs. It's comfortable and clean in there. I liked the vibe. I'll definitely be back. I'm not getting the Chicharron next time, however good it is. I think people my age should only be allowed to have it once a year. If that dish is any indication, there are several items on their menu that will also satisfy.

The food and drinks are seriously the best i've had. The food is authentic and staff is so sweet!read more

This Mexican bistro recently opened in the Hanford Plaza in East Greenbush. I admit that I was…read moreskeptical. Frozen Margaritas are not really my thing, and this place specializes in them. But good Mexican food is hard to find nearby, so I headed over there tonight with a few friends for dinner. The staff at Grand Margaritas were all extremely welcoming, courteous and friendly. Our waitress, Dayana , was cheerful and helpful. Our first decision was drinks; we normally order a pitcher. Fortunately the restaurant offers a variety of non-frozen Margaritas, and we had some trouble deciding on which to choose. The Tamarind sounded good; and Dayana offered to bring us a sample round. Nice! Having settled on the drinks we turned our attention to the menu which offered a nice set of choices. We started out with the Guacamole Grande for $16. It was a generous portion of guac, flavored with onions and tomatoes. It was delicious and was plenty for the four of us to share. I ordered Tour de Mexico for $26. This was a combination dish with a Chili Releno, a beef tamale, a chicken chimichanga, a beef burrito, a chicken enchiladas, a crispy beef taco and sides of Mexican rice and refried beans. The meal was delivered to the table on two heaping plates and easily enough for two people. Each item was delicious; nothing disappointed! One of our group the Three Mariachis, which included a generous serving of ribeye steak, chorizo sausage, served with pico de gallo, tortillas and sides of refried beans and Mexican rice. All for $28. I tasted the steak which was well marinated and grilled. It was excellent. With a pitcher of excellent Margaritas, appetizer for the table and 4 entrees, our tab came to about $178 total. Everyone enjoyed their meals, and the experience as a whole was great. I'd highly recommend this restaurant.

Copper Crow is a great Albany spot if you're looking for a more elevated dining experience without…read moreit feeling overly formal. The atmosphere has a nice energy, and the menu gives you plenty to explore. I really enjoyed the overall vibe it feels like a place you could come for dinner, drinks, or a night out with friends. Definitely worth adding to your Albany rotation if you like restaurants that balance good food, cocktails, and a stylish atmosphere.

First visit to The Copper Crow and definitely not our last!…read more We had a 6:30 reservation and were seated almost immediately. It took our server a few minutes to make it over to us, but the restaurant was hopping, so it was understandable. She asked if we were heading to a play afterward (smart question--I imagine they're great at getting theater-goers in and out on time). Since we had nowhere to be, we were happy to relax and enjoy the atmosphere. We started with the Crab Rangoon Dip... and WOW. Ridiculously good! If you're debating whether to order it, don't. Just do it. Our entrées were very good--maybe not the kind of meal I'll be dreaming about for weeks, but definitely well above average and full of flavor. Service was on the slower side, but honestly, it gave us more time to soak in the ambience and enjoy the evening. The menu is unique, and there were several other dishes that caught my eye, which gives us a great excuse to come back. Overall, a wonderful experience, and we're already looking forward to our next visit!

Beautiful atmosphere! Great drinks! Even better food. This is a must visit in Albany.read more

Bloom is still relatively new and is a great addition to the Capital District dining scene. I went…read morethere last night and had an outstanding experience. The bang bang shrimp appetizer was delicious and a perfect amount tl share for two. My companion had the tuna entree and I had the salmon entree, both delicious. The service was excellent and the ambiance was perfect, volume level in the restaurant felt just right so it was a lively atmosphere but easy to have a conversation (no TVs and no loud music).

Where to start. First, a New Mexican restaurant in one of my favorite towns. Second, perfect…read moreatmosphere, the decor and colors work wonderfully. Third, but the best is the Food & Service. I haven't had a crisp Chimichanga in years, this one was perfect. My husband had the Jalisco which he couldn't get enough of. Everything was fresh and tasted the way authentic Mexican should. The staff is extremely attentive and friendly. And for the Train Buffs out there get a window seat so you can watch the trains go by. We will definitely be back many times and we wish La Herradura all the best!

Recently went out to dinner with a friend that loves chips and guac as much as I do. Neither of us…read morehad been to the restaurant in Altamont so we were excited to share a new experience together. Before I even left, I was planning my next visit. The service was so friendly. The food delicious. One of my favorite guacamoles I've had. The sangria was light and refreshing, went down a little too easy. We each ordered three tacos à la carte to create our own platter but I'd recommend adding a taco trio to the menu. Also the Al pastor was too spicy for my palate but to be fair i truly have no tolerance for spice. Lastly for my fellow parents, their kids meals are $5.99!!!

For context, I rate products and businesses on a simple scale: 5 stars means I love it, 4 stars…read moremeans I like it, 3 stars is okay, 2 stars means I didn't like it, and 1 star means I hated it or think it's unsafe. The Roosevelt Room in Troy was a great experience from start to finish. I was honestly expecting a standalone building, but it is tucked into a strip mall near HVCC. That said, parking was easy and stress free, which is always a plus. This was our first visit as a party of four, and the service was superb. The attention to detail really stood out and was noticed immediately. Our waitress checked in at the right times, kept drinks filled, and made sure everything came out exactly as expected. Meals are made to order, so substitutions were no issue at all, and it was nice to see gluten free options available. When you walk in, you pass through a curtain and are immediately greeted by a coat attendant who takes your coats, which instantly gives the place an upscale feel. The ambiance is well done, with soft lighting and nice background music. It is on the smaller side and dimly lit, but that is clearly intentional. The menus actually light up, which was a unique and thoughtful touch that fits the atmosphere perfectly. We had reservations and were seated right away. It did not seem necessary on this particular evening, but I would definitely recommend them on a weekend given the size of the space. The food itself was excellent. Everything we ordered was very tasty, and the presentation across the board was impressive. Desserts are prepared by a pastry chef and were just as good as the rest of the meal. It is definitely on the pricey side, but that is to be expected for the level of service and atmosphere. This feels like a special occasion type of place, and in that context, it is worth every penny. We really enjoyed our night and would absolutely come back. There was also a sign mentioning live jazz on Fridays, which sounds like a great added touch. Overall, a very strong 5 stars.

Finally got to visit The Roosevelt Room. What a treat! We stopped in one late afternoon for happy…read morehour. I LOVE when nice places offer nice happy hour deals! Located in a strip near HVCC, once through the doors you are greeted by a friendly to welcome and direct you and we were directed to our goal- the bar. First, the design and decor are beautiful. It has clean, updated mid-century modern design that's very cool and elegant. At the bar we we had the pleasure of being served, hosted, by Erika and Ed. Wonderful mixologists who made our time there a true delight. We had scrumptious, perfectly made cocktails and our apps were delicious. Before our apps arrived, we were given an amuse bouche (manchego cheese with fig.) What a nice touch. Will definitely be back.

Never did I think that I would have to write a post like this, but I also never thought I would…read moreencounter a restaurant that provided both horrible food and drinks. Although the scenery and overall aesthetic make the place look like an inviting attraction, once inside, the concept feels more like a Venus flytrap. (If it were possible to give a half-star or no-star review for the quality of the food and drinks I was served, that would be my rating instead of the 1-star review I gave.) While eating, I found myself constantly wondering how other people there were enjoying the food. The demographics seemed to represent a specific group, yet it was difficult to understand how such a similar experience could be perceived so differently. Even though, the food and drinks were terrible, I can say that the service was not. That is the only positive aspect I can point out. We were seated quickly, and our waitress was attentive and responsive, even during busy moments. This made me wonder if they receive overflow customers from nearby restaurants with holding. As this was the following position that me and person that I went with were positioned in. Below are the items we ordered, along with detailed feedback on their overall taste: ------------------------------------------------- Items Ordered: - 2 orders | Birria Tacos ($$37.90) comment: I never thought it was possible to receive birria tacos where both the meat and the sauce were completely tasteless. No matter how much I tried to use the sauce and other condiments provided, nothing improved the flavor. While eating, I kept thinking that even Taco Bell would have made more decent tacos. - 2 order | (Custom Order) Strawberry Mojito ($28.00) comment: Might as well have ordered straight liquor, as the mixed drinks just tasted exactly like that with some sort of sweet syrup that did nothing to appease the overall taste. - 1 order | Fried Mexican Cheese Sticks ($12.95) comment: Upon trying it, the first thing that stood out was a flavor that resembled cardboard, with only a very slight (and I mean slight) hint of Dorito chips. - 1 order | Expresso Martini ($15.00): comment: Tasted like straight vodka, nothing else - 1 order | Crunch Wrap Supreme ($20.90) comment: This was the only slightly decent item we ordered. Even then, when compared to a fast-food chain like Taco Bell, they would likely make a better wrap than what was served here--and for a lower price. CONCLUSION: ------------------------------------------------------------------------- I hope they take this feedback as encouragement to improve their food and drink quality, because what was presented was truly disappointing. I came in expecting to enjoy a lunch date, and while it at least gave us something to laugh about, I'm serious when I say the items we ordered were atrocious. I would rate everything a 1/10, except for the Crunch wrap Supreme, which gets a 3/10.

Nicely styled cantina with tavern vibes with great tacos and other Mexican food options. Would like…read moreto try their drinks sometime soon as well. Service was great, despite there being only 1 server when I was in. Food was great. Had the carne asade fries to start, it's served on crispy waffle fries and the carne asade was super tender. I was about to go for some Birria tacos but decided to try something a little different and ordered the chopped cheese burrito. Delicious. Looking forward to coming back for more!

And tonight and didn't request Kueny. We were looking for an old menu item that they still have…read moreall the ingredients for. Kueny happened to pass by after 10 minutes waiting for waiter to send the manager over to see if we can get it. Kueny checked with kitchen and accomoded us . He is what keeps coming back.

Great food, great service, fun interior, can't really go wrong if you're looking for good Mexican…read morefood! Birria tacos were very good, as were all the dips in the trio sampler. Lots of other great sounding options on their menu so I'm looking forward to coming back for sure!