Fantastic all the way around. I'd spend every evening here if I could! Ambiance, great service, a…read moreterrific selection of wines to choose from, and a clean, well designed vibe.

This spot is straight outta my Pinterest board: specialty cocktails, fire pits, couches, dim…read morelighting, charcuterie, s'mores dip, a novelty wine wall experience. Fair warning, everything was good, but for the price tag it's really the experience you are paying for. Attended a party in one of their private rooms. Furniture is a little too big for the room, making it a little tight. Also wished they had a server solely dedicated to us because I didn't feel like our server came around enough. Overall, worth the trip at least once!

Ooooh so this is where the middle aged singles come to be seen, hangout and drink wine! We had fun,…read morebartender was great and fast, drink menu was awesome.

Strolling through Saratoga confused what to choose from and we walk in to this place as there was…read moreno wait time. No wait time doesn't mean they don't have good food. We ordered soup of the day (Smoked chicken chowder), crab cakes and grilled salmon. The food was consistent and good. My rating of 4 was totally based on food. The food. Like I mentioned earlier was good but I have had the same better elsewhere. The service and ambience are great and would rate it a 5 star. They have a great selection of wines to choose from. This place is good for every occasion and a heaven for someone who loves wine.

Great Saturday happy hour, fantastic bar, friendly staff. Nice mix of options although we like…read morethe flatbread pizza.

What a fun spot for a delicious dinner! Our group had a wonderful evening from start to finish. The…read morestaff was incredibly welcoming, friendly, and attentive, making us feel right at home. We kicked off the meal with creative cocktails and a selection of appetizers before diving into our entrées. Everything was delicious, and the generous portions made it easy to share and sample each other's dishes. I especially appreciated how flavorful and perfectly cooked the fish was. They are also pet-friendly, which is something you don't see very often and makes the experience even more inviting. We thoroughly enjoyed our evening and look forward to returning.

What a delightful surprise! A couple of foodie friends and I decided to check out a couple spots in…read moreSaratoga and we landed on a new spot, Familiar Creature. We had read that it was the same people who run Hamlet and Ghost, so we wanted to check it out. The inside is gorgeous, bright and welcoming. Very cute wine bar vibes with excellent cocktails and a small, but mighty, menu. All of our cocktails were gorgeous and well crafted, even some great mocktails. The menu is Montreal inspired, which we noticed immediately, and loved. We just wanted to split a couple things to try, so we ordered the poutine with duck confit and the steak tartare. The Poutine was fabulous! They ultra crispy house made fries had such good flavor on their own, but were made incredible with the gravy, melty cheese curds and decadent duck. This dish was amazing. The steak tartare was also very good and fresh, the house made chips were also killer. Last but not least, the maple soft serve. Heavenly! Ultra creamy and smooth with a great depth of maple flavor. The caramel swirl and crunchy nibs on the top were so good. I am not a big sweets person, but I would order this again for sure. Delicious. This is a hidden gem and surprised us all! I can't believe I haven't heard more about this place. 10/10 recommend.

An incredible experience from start to finish! We enjoyed the fresh air on the patio, and our…read moreserver made excellent recommendations. Every bite was delicious, and I can't wait to come back and try more of the menu. The atmosphere inside was lively, the beverage selection was extensive, and the service felt genuinely thoughtful and intentional. Definitely a place we'll be returning to.

I've only dined at Next Door Kitchen & Bar once before, and that was 8 years ago. I don't think I…read morewas completely hooked then. What a difference a few years can make. This was an amazing experience. Every touch point was a pure joy, from the moment I entered and was promptly and politely seated, to the last few minutes as I chatted with one of the owners, Chris. Every single interaction we experienced gave us the comfort of being amongst friends who were happy to see us, and more importantly happy to be here. From our fully engaging server to the wonderful highschool sophomore who never let our water glasses get below half full, each and every person made our experience just that: an experience of excellence and perfect attention to detail. Our meals were just as delicious as the people. The Grilled Double-Cut Pork Chop was an absolute triumph--impeccably juicy, beautifully charred, and perfectly balanced by earthy morels, rich creamed ramps, and the bright, sweet pop of local cherries. The reimagined "Ratatouille" was a stunning work of art, featuring a beautifully seared zucchini steak, smoky eggplant crème, and a crisp, fresh nest of squash topped with plump, perfectly grilled shrimp. For the perfect conclusion, the Espresso Crème Brûlée delivered a silky, robust coffee custard beneath a shatteringly crisp caramelized crust, brilliantly elevated by the crunch of cacao nibs. What truly elevated the evening, however, was how flawlessly they handled my strict wheat- and grain-free dietary needs. Navigating menus with these restrictions can often feel stressful, but our server and the chef made every possible effort to accommodate me. They proactively verified every sauce and reduction to ensure they were safe, and the kitchen effortlessly modified the dessert by putting the biscotti on the side. To enjoy a multi-course, world-class meal with that level of meticulous care and total peace of mind is incredibly rare. They didn't just accommodate a restriction; they crafted a masterpiece around it. We certainly won't be waiting another 8 years to return.

Great cocktails, amazing food, warm atmosphere. A great neighborhood favorite. You always feel like…read moreyou're welcomed there.

Last night we had an absolutely wonderful dining experience at Vice and Virtue…read more From the moment we arrived, it was clear that this restaurant takes pride in what they do. The owners were there the entire evening, personally overseeing everything and checking on our table several times to make sure we were enjoying ourselves. That level of care and attention is something you don't find everywhere. The menu is incredible, with so many tempting options that I already know I'll have to come back multiple times to work my way through it! Everything is made fresh from scratch, and you can truly taste the difference. I ordered the Buffalo Chicken Salad, and it was so good that I completely forgot to take a picture before digging in! To drink, I had not one, but TWO Razzleberry Sparkling Lemonades, made with Tito's Handmade Vodka, lemonade, muddled blueberries, strawberries, and raspberries, topped with Prosecco. They were absolutely delicious and dangerously easy to drink! Two of my friends ordered Mojitos, and they were beautiful, refreshing, and looked absolutely delicious. My husband ordered the Shrimp Ravioli, and in his words, it was "excellent" and trust me, he's not easy to impress when it comes to food! He finished his meal with the tiramisu, which was fresh, flavorful, and the perfect ending to the evening. Two of our friends enjoyed the Shepherd's Pie. It was originally intended as a St. Patrick's Day special, but it became so popular that they've added it to the regular menu permanently. After hearing the rave reviews at our table, I can see why! Another friend ordered the Slammin' Piggy Tacos and couldn't stop talking about how good they were. Our other friend had the Jerk Shrimp Tacos and loved those as well. For dessert, I chose the Chocolate Pie, which was absolutely delightful and the perfect sweet ending to a fantastic meal. One thing I especially appreciated was how accessible the restaurant is. It is completely handicapped accessible, which can sometimes be difficult to find, and there is a convenient parking lot right next door that makes getting in and out easy. If you're looking for fresh, homemade food prepared by local owners who genuinely care about the quality of every dish they serve, you need to check this place out. We left happy, full, and already talking about what we'll order on our next visit. We'll definitely be back soon because there are still so many items on the menu I can't wait to try!

A wonderful bar and grill in Downtown Schenectady full of fun and great food. A nice place to enjoy…read morea family dinner or a party with friends

If I could give ALTA Restaurant & Wine Bar more than five stars, I would. The pork cheeks may have…read morebeen the best meal I've ever had--perfectly cooked, incredibly tender, and packed with flavor. Every bite was unforgettable. What made the experience even more special was the hospitality. After the Tanglewood concert on a Sunday night, the staff recognized that many concertgoers were looking for a place to eat and graciously stayed open later to accommodate everyone. That level of customer service is rare and speaks volumes about how much they care about their guests. Outstanding food, exceptional hospitality, and an experience I'll be talking about for a long time. I can't wait to come back.

Excellent restaurant! The pork cheeks were tender and delicious. Loved the extensive organic wine…read moreselection. This is a progressive and forward thinking restaurant with stellar food. No wonder it was so packed and lively! A gem not to be missed.

Lovely evening. Food reliably good. Lovely service though they were very busy. The restaurant had a…read morevariety of seating areas.

We finally made it to The Thirsty Owl in Saratoga after passing it by for years. The Thirsty Owl is…read moreowned by the Fjnger Lake Vineyard of the same name and we were drawn in by a Saratoga Restaurant week special and we had a nice lunch in a surprising venue. First, I gotta say that parking was a bear. There is a small lot behind where there is an entry direct to the bar area. That lot was full and spaces that were open were marked for other business and threats of being towed, same with the adjoining lot. We did find a spot about 150 yards away in the street. We sat at the bar area (because the dining room was full with reservations for lunch?!?) which was in a bright open room filled with wine by the bottle for sale. All wine is bottled by Thirsty Owl Vinyards, beer on tap is local beer and alcohol is NYS distilled. We were immediately attended to. Every bottle for sale is also sold by the glass and the bartenders will tell you about the wine and its characteristics- very knowledgeable! (husband and wife owners perhaps?) Chardonnay was decent as was the German white. I would stick with semi sweet or sweet. A good hint- most people were drinking the Sangria. I had the burger and chose the pumpkin soup and both were great! Wife had the vegetarian flatbread, which was a little bland. Could have used more balsamic vinaigrette. Local beer was very good. If you're a serious oenophile, you'll know about NYS wine, so this might not be the greatest place for you. That being said this is a very nice place, service is top notch attentive and knowledgeable. If you favor local NY wine, beer and spirits, this place is for you! 2 lunch entree specials, two glasses of wine ($10 & 11) and two beers was $72 ($30 of that was food) before tip. Enjoy!

Only open Friday and Saturday! Wonderful, try them!…read more We thought it was closed but NO, we love this place.

This review isn't of the food here, because I haven't had the food. It's a review of the cocktails…read more Sometimes in my reviews I mention that I don't know much about the cuisine that I'm reviewing and you should take my opinions with a grain of salt. That won't be the case here, because I'm a big weird cocktail nerd, and I'm putting my hands on your shoulders, looking you straight in the eye, and telling you that cocktails at 288 are very, very good, and not in an I'm-grading-on-a-curve-because-there-aren't-many-places-around-here-serving-truly-good-cocktails kind of way. The drinks here are well-balanced and tasty, but also INTERESTING, which makes this end of Lark Street with 288 and The Savoy officially the best place to get legitimately good and creative cocktails in the Cap District. The cocktails at 288 are good because the bar manager, Emmanuel, is an absolute pro: he was the reason that the cocktails at the late, lamented Speakeasy 518 were the best around, and now he's brought his expertise to 288. He's working with a much smaller bar here, but describing your favorite flavors to him and letting him surprise you is still a great idea. If you want to order off of the menu, the Commodore #2 (with house-made grenadine) might be my new official drink for fall/winter 2021. Really, though, you should just order whatever looks good, and be prepared to end up ordering another.

Our family went for lunch last weekend, and it felt a bit like coming home. We all grew up on the…read moreopposite side of Ballston Lake and have been coming to this establishment, in its various iterations, since the days of Romano's Good Times nearly 70 years ago. This may be the best version yet! For anyone who hasn't been back since Finnigan's on the Lake closed due to the owner's health issues, I strongly encourage you to return. The food was delicious, and the service was truly exceptional. The Tavern has been beautifully upgraded, the views of Ballston Lake are as spectacular as ever, and, most importantly, the owners and staff go out of their way to make every guest feel genuinely welcome and appreciated. It's wonderful to see this longtime Ballston Lake gathering place thriving again. We'll definitely be back!

We used to go to this restaurant many years ago but then, due to family illness, it closed. It then…read morereopened with a new owner but it never matched the quality of the original. After being closed for quite a while it reopened as the current rendition. The tavern burger was fantastic and my wife's ale battered ship was simply outstanding. The view of the lake from their deck was always a winner. Happy to see that the restaurant is back in business. The food was great and the view from the deck is a treat. We will definitely be going back again and highly recommended that you give this place a try.