Excellent food and service! The restaurant has a lovely modern Asian ambiance and is definitely one of the nicer restaurants on Lark Street! The servers anticipated our every need and were very friendly. The portions are large for sharing and flavors were on point! We will definitely be back again! read more

Ordered garlic stems, salt and pepper squid, bass with ginger soy sauce, and some dim sum. Very average restaurant. Squid was good but it lacked any flavor without the fried garlic. Bass was steamed too long and I can cook a better version. Portions were small as well. read more

Rain Modern Chinese - Salt and pepper squid - Dim Sum Near Me - Albany, New York

Best Chinese I've had in Albany. Fresh ingredients, humongous portions and fantastic service. The lo mein is the best I've ever had - especially with beef! Order a glass of wine and some wonton soup for good measure and i promise you'll be satisfied. My fiancé enjoys the salmon chef speciality and his mother enjoyed the half pineapple with chicken - impressive presentation with that one! YUM. I can't wait to return! read more

Nothing like what it looks like! Great looking large room Lot's of waiters. Nice tables. Absolutely the worst Peking Duck I've ever had. Salted throughout??? Why? One dim sum came in minutes. The Singapore noodles came next The steamed shrimp in rice noodle dim sum came next along with the Duck. The noodles were dry, the shredded pork was dried and tough The Peking duck was infused with salt and overpowered the dish. One waiter took the order for the dim sum and another for the cooked food. Everyone was polite, but no one was providing service. We use chopsticks and push the forks to the edge of the table, but the waiters left the forks on the table, even when removing other dishes. I asked for a glass of water and it was ignored. I noticed that the two tables nearest us had received oranges and when I paid the bill asked to have the waitress tell me about the oranges. She told me that "they know who want them" and give them accordingly. It is too expensive to give them to people who won't eat them. I will never enter the place again unless there is something dangerous outside here and I need a place to hide. read more

The aesthetic is great! There is a parking lot for customers which is great because lark street does not have a lot of available parking! The food was amazing and very reasonably priced! The staff was tentative and polite! I would definitely go back again and recommend to anyone! read more

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I'm a super snob about good Chinese food. As a native NYCer who grew up eating authentic Chinese food dinners and dim sum every sunday with my family, I've been hard pressed to find a decent Chinese food meal upstate. Well, after years of peeping in the windows and wondering, we popped in here for dinner a few weeks ago and had an unbelievably yummy meal. So good, I've been dreaming about returning again ever since. Today we went for Dim Sum Lunch, and it was aces. Not top top, but hey, I'm spoiled by places like Shun Lee in NYC and of course my many trips to many different China Towns around the country (and Europe). They don't do the thing with the carts, however, you can order made to order dishes like crispy delicious oversized spring rolls, fried taro root dumplings, amazing pork steamed dumplings, fried shrimp dumplings and pan fried sticky rice (that's what we had today) and these weird spare ribs in black bean sauce that didn't really do it for me as much. Service is attentive and helpful, and the vibe in there is pretty trendy and hip. Prices are reasonable too considering how upscale the atmosphere is. Looking forward to another visit soon. Definitely a worthy stop on Lark Street. read more

Pretty good! I had shrimp Lo mein. Zero complaints! Nothing out of the ordinary but good!! read more

Rain Modern Chinese - Shrimp Lo mein - Dim Sum Near Me - Albany, New York

So I happened upon Rain on Sunday 2/9/14 while walking through Lark St and searching for lunch to bring home to the family. Initially I was lured in by the nice facade and promise of more upscale Chinese food and I have to say that the interior is posh as well. It truly looks like a contemporary Asian restaurant inside, very clean, and great aesthetics. Unfortunately the food quality did not match the restaurant's billing. I ordered the crispy mango chicken, chicken with broccoli (which is not on the menu but they did make it for me), chicken lo mein, kung pao chicken, and an order of pork dumplings. This order totaled just over $60 which is almost twice what I'd pay for a regular Chinese take-out place like Amazing Wok next door. First, the crispy mango chicken was basically a panko coated thin-sliced breast with a sugary sauce including fresh cut mangoes embedded in it. The breast itself was practically tasteless and only helped by the included sauce. (For a house special it was definitely disappointing.) The kung pao chicken, chicken with broccoli, and chicken lo mein were all bland. I'm not sure what kind of sauce they put on them but it really had weak flavor at best. The pork dumplings were good but weren't any different from ones you can get at a takeout place or buffet. My biggest problem with Rain is that they charge premium prices for food that doesn't live up to the cost. When you compare it to places like Plum Blossom in Troy or, God forbid, corporate chains like P.F. Chang's they can't even match the food quality and are probably slightly below the average, greasy Chinese takeout. That's unacceptable. Until they improve the food quality I'm not going to pay a higher price for the restaurant's outer wrappings. I predict they won't be around much longer unless they adjust the pricing or hire a new chef. read more

Rain Rain Rain, i was a bit disappointed, Came here with a group of fellow Yelpers. expecting sweet lady pushing carts serving fresh Dim Sum, but i already knew as soon as i walked in, this looks to classy for lady in carts...The Hostess did mention they had carts when they first opened but it didn't last long. Either way the Dim Sum menu was limited. There are 2-3 items that i usually always get when having dim sum, which is the preserved egg Congee, beef tripe with brown sauce (usually slow cooked with Daikon) and soybean curd. oh not to mention there was only 1 selection of Tea. I usually get the sunflower blossom tea, as that has a nice natural sweet flavor to it. which they didn't have. other then that i'd go back again. read more

Ordered from door dash and was so disappointed. Imitation crab Rangoon, tasted like frozen store bought. The shrimp was the same way small and rubbery. Just very unimpressed and paid almost 50 dollars. Wish I knew this before I ordered. read more

Went opening night and not impressed with the food even though Rain offers wonderful decor and I love the big windows and colorful bar. The staff was a bit awkward but that's to be expected opening night with big expectations and everyone is new to the place. Basically, stick with the American-style dishes with lots of spicy and sweet and you should be OK. I had fish, a vegetable dish, soup and a chicken dish on opening night. And 3 other dishes from a doggy bag several weeks later. It's probably a good date place since it's fun and right on Lark. If they keep the service and decor up they should stay in business. Food not as good as CCK but oh well. Did anyone notice if Sysco boxes are being opened in the back room or delivered? Nothing wrong with using Sysco products as long as a restaurant is not just unboxing and serving. But was just curious if anyone has noticed? (I do not want a reply from the owner or owner's agent to this review.) read more

Oh how I wish this place existed in Rochester. The soup dumplings were the star. I also had a noodle soup. It was cold and snowy so I wanted something comforting. The soup dumplings are great to share, although I was dining alone and had them as my meal and 6 dumplings is the perfect portion for one person too. They had a hint of ginger and the broth was rich and complex. Be careful, they're pipping hot! Don't let the juice leak out when you take a bite, that's the best part. The ambiance is cool -- dark and trendy. The staff is very accommodating. It was a quiet night when I visited, but there were a mix of politicians, and young 20-somethings dining in the restaurant. Good for a casual dinner or date night. I'm looking forward to coming back to try more entrees on my next visit to Albany. read more

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I had horrible experience at this restaurant. An appetizer did not came out until i finished with my entree. I called the waiters and waitresses several times to check my order but they ignored my raised hand and my voice. I finally had a chance to asked for my check and they gave me the check like about 10 minutes later. I read more

Delicious food! I got their sesame tofu and my boyfriend got kung pao chicken, both were really good. They're currently doing takeout and their delivery time was short. They have an extensive menu and are very vegetarian friendly. I highly recommend this place for great, affordable, Chinese food read more

So the first time I went here I was ecstatic because I loved their pork bao buns and their soup dumplings were amazing. I was meaning to write an excellent review but didn't get a chance. In the meantime, I paid them another visit and was actually pretty disappointed. The food was not good at all this time around. Its really important for a restaurant to be consistent in their quality and taste- I hate to go in with the high expectations I had from my first visit and end up with mediocre, at best, food that I received last time. read more

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Delicious upscale Chinese we have never had anything that we didn't love! And Simon is our favorite waiter but they are all wonderful!

We like going for happy hour, when we can sit at the bar, have Polynesian inspired cocktails, and share some small plates. If you want to have dinner, there are a number of delicious options on their extensive menu. I recommend the mango chicken. The decor is nice, and it never seems too loud in there, even when they're busy. It's a nice spot for people watching too. read more

Visited on Sunday November 24, 2013, which I believe was their opening weekend. Our group of 6 six arrived during their dim sum brunch service. Let me start off in saying that the space is beautiful and modern. I was really impressed. We were seated immediately and a server was at our table in no time. We ordered dim sum, 3 entrees and a soup. While the three entrees were delicious ( I love pretty much all Chinese food), they were standard Chinese fare which didn't excite me as much as I hoped it would. I think I will have to return to try some of the more "different" offerings they have like the foie gras soup dumplings. I didn't enjoy the dim sum at all. While the menu looked tasty, the way it was presented and the way the server fumbled around looking for the correct options made it awkward. The condensation on all the dishes looked rather gross and in turn made everything soggy. Flavor was there, but my appetite was a little lost. I think its worth giving it another chance to see if they worked out the kinks. I hope they do. Loved the Shanghai soup dumplings a lot. read more

Really surprised this has 4 stars! Ack! I'm not sure I can trust Yelp in Albany... hmmm... Service and atmosphere were excellent, but the food left a lot to be desired. Bland, salty, tasteless. Overpriced. I had Cantonese pan-fried noodles with seafood. ($16!!) The sauce was icky -- kinda like snot (seriously! That's the best analogy I can think of!) Not much flavor. My friend had sesame tofu. It was so bad that she only ate a few bites and left the rest. To their credit, the staff noticed that she hadn't eaten any of it and offered to bring her something else. That was nice. Unfortunately the replacement dish ("three vegetables" or something) was equally unpalatable. Too bad... Nice place, but not if you actually want to eat the food! read more

Do not listen to the other review that said the peking duck was not good! I came here last night for the first time and everything (including the duck) was AMAZING. We were sat immediately and in about 15 seconds were greeted by our waiter who poured us a hot cup of tea! They also poured us tea throughout the whole meal which was very nice. We ordered the pork bao, soup dumplings, and garlic tofu for appetizers. 10 minutes after taking the app order we were greated by what we ordered... I was SHOCKED. The service was so amazingly fast. I have lived in NY my whole life and have never gotten service this fast anywhere EVER. The pork belly was tender and flavorful- the bao was soft and light. The soup dumplings were very good as well. The garlic tofu was so amazing... the tofu was clearly very very fresh, and of the silken variety (my favorite). For dinner we ordered a whole peking duck (which is very reasonably priced) and some vegetable fried rice. The peking duck was cut tableside and it was so flavorful and delicious all on its own! It was served with scallion, bao, and hoisin sauce which were all amazing. The duck skin was crisp like a chip and crunched in your mouth and the duck meat and fat just melts in your mouth! The vegetable fried rice was very good as well. Unlike many chinese places which put minimal vegetables in the rice, they put a load of nice FRESH vegetables in. It was very good. Overall my experience was amazing here and we will be back very soon! The staff were very kind and attentive throughout dinner. read more

Great Food, Drinks, Service and ambiance. I will definitely go back!! They make an amazing sesame chicken !!! read more

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For upstate NY standards, Rain can make it rain dim sum all day long. With family-style huge tables and a dim sum menu that's extensive, order away! (as you can tell... we ordered a lot...) With hot tea at your fingertips, you'll be sure to wash away each bite so that you can order more. Good for: casual night out with a big group of friends or for a family affair. The bar looks swanky enough to impress a date too Worth ordering double: Pork Siu Mai, STUFFED EGGPLANT WITH SHRIMP!!!, STICKY RICE IN LOTUS LEAF!!!, Shrimp dumpling, Baked Roast Pork Bun, SOUP DUMPLINGS!!!! Recommended: egg custard (dessert!), bean curd skil roll with pork, fried shrimp & pork dumpling, shrimp dumpling, beef tripe with ginger sauce, If you're still hungry/ the okay list: seasame seed ball, spring rolls, coconut jelly cake, beef short ribe with black pepper sauce (such a tease being only a few pieces of amazingness) Pass on the: fried taro puff, beef tripe TIP: this is upstate NY / Albany, so let's keep it real and do NOT expect a "dim sum cart" read more

I've been here for dim-sum and I've tried their lunch too. This place is pretty good. It's almost an authentic Chinese place but also slightly adapted to local American customers. The staff are extremely nice. Food is affordable and tasty. They also have their own parking lot since parking is always an issue on Lark Street. read more

When I first heard the idea that a "modern" Chinese food restaurant was opening on Lark Street, I'll admit I wasn't sure what it meant! Wow I totally get it now!! Amazing ambiance (you will feel like you are in downtown Manhattan vs smallbany) -from the first greeting at the door, right down to the table service which is top notch (our first night we watched one of the staff prepare steamed flounder table side!!) and so cool, not to mention of course the food did not/has not disappoint/ed. I am so excited to have a place like this on lark street especially since now I can get sea bass, squid and oysters etc. I would be remiss if I didn't mention how much I also love the cleverness of the fancy drink menu too-reminds me of the virgin drinks I used to get as a kid with the fancy glass and umbrellas grown up style and nice touch!! You must try; the head hunter, the coconut kiss, the soup dumplings, the Shu Mai shooters, steamed sea bass, chicken with black bean..yup I'm trying it ALL!! Embarrassingly I've been three times since they opened on the 18th and have to say this place has ruined me forever (in a good way) I am so glad I won't be settling for the standard typical fare I grew accustomed to! Great for date night, groups (brought a group of 8 for our community watch night and they had two servers helping us!! Family gatherings (we brought the in laws on thanksgiving eve-who are usually pretty fussy-and they can't stop raving!! Ok nuff said-if that didn't convince you.. read more

Rain Modern Chinese - Shu Mai shooters, dumplings and a fru fru drink!! - Dim Sum Near Me - Albany, New York

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this used to be a great restaurant but now it is no longer good. i have given it so many chances. it's not one thing, but the cleanliness, the surliness, getting the wrong order, the food's being cold and raw. i wish i had stopped coming here sooner. read more

I have ordered from them several times, they are usually early or on time. I always like what I ordered.Average price but food quality is better than most chinese places. Fresh ingredients. I live in saratoga county so whenever I'm around albany, I am blessed with better Chinese restaurant choices. One of my go to places! read more

We always enjoy the fresh authentic flavors of Rain! We keep coming back for more. I love the Singapore chow mei fun.

Went to Rain last night for the first time, celebrating my son's birthday. What a delight! The dining room is beautiful...Rain is situated on a corner, and it's all windowed, perfect for people watching. I ordered the mango chicken; it was breaded, differently than other Asian restaurants I've been to and a real treat. We were also served tea immediately upon being seated. And, we certainly weren't in any hurry, but did I mention the service was super quick? Staff was friendly and attentive. Dining room and lighting is pleasing to the eye. I can't wait to go back! read more

Walked here from New York State Museum I the rain and it was well worth it. Interior very calming and modern. We had the lunch special roast duck noodle soup which was an amazing bargain. The duck rivals what we have had in nyc Chinatown. Dim sum was solid, especially the soup dumpling. Service is prompt, courteous, professional. When in Albany I will definitely be back. read more

New restaurant opened about a month ago. Came here for dinner and enjoyed it. Basic Chinese cuisine you can get at any Chinese take-out spot but prepared with more effort and more care. Nice presentation, since it is new, the interior was pleasant and clean. I had hot and sour soup and chicken lo-mein. Both dishes were good, fresh and hot. They also have a full bar, can order any drink you want. Service was great and prices were very reasonable. Between two people, a dinner consisting of two entrees, two beers and soup came out to $40. They also have a great selection of desserts, but because the size of the dishes is fairly decent, I was too full for dessert. It's a nice spot for a random dinner outing if you don't feel like making reservations and splurging, but at the same time want to have a nice sit-down atmosphere. Would definitely come back here again. read more

My favorite Chinese place. Excellent service. Everything is fresh and the staff all accommodate dietary needs if asked!

Are waitress was awesome and actually tried different things on the menu so she could give intelligent recommendations. I asked her about the scallops and shrimp chefs special and she offered to have the chef make it less spicy for me. When the dish came out it was absolutely tasty and perfect not too spicy. My friend asked for her dish to be extra spicy and it was made as such. The wonton soup was really good with pork and shrimp. I also really enjoyed the green turtle cheesecake but it was a bit too overbearing with the chocolate cannot on the top. I simply picked off the ganache and the cake was delicious. My friend also tried many drinks on the menu including the mai tai and they were excellent. All in all a really good place to stop for a meal but I will warn you that is a bit on the pricey side for Chinese. I will say though that our waitress was phenomenal and I really enjoyed my experience here read more

Rain Modern Chinese - Dim Sum Near Me - Albany, New York

I ordered delivery, got the mango chicken specialty. The guy I spoke to was very polite so no problems there. The delivery time was pretty good, took about 40 minutes, I am about a mile away. Unfortunately the food wasn't great. The chicken was thin slices of chicken filet cut into strips. Under the strips of chicken was some sauce and vegetables, it was not the mango sauce because that was put into a separate 4 oz plastic container, it didn't taste bad but it wasn't great either. The chicken was the disappointing part. The portion was fair but several pieces of chicken were rubbery. The mango sauce had a syrupy liquid consistency. It had in it what looked like diced green peppers and chunks of mango. It was sweet and had a light mango taste. Overall, not great, but hey this was only one of the many menu items they had. read more

One of the beat places for Chinese food. The staff is extremely friendly and the food is fantastic.

I love this place! Best Chinese in Albany by far! Great atmosphere, great service and the food is consistently awesome. The orange beef and Peking duck are killer. All the soups are out if this world. If you like spicy try the hot and sour soup. If this is the last meal you have you will die happy. read more

Rain Modern Chinese - My daughter digging into the terrain of egg drop chicken corn soup. - Dim Sum Near Me - Albany, New York

The shanghai dumplings here are absolutely mesmerizing. The atmosphere is really nice and upscale. They easily accommodated a large party on more than one occasion on a Friday evening just walking in. The spicy garlic edamame was delish and everyone else's plates looked just as good. Highly recommend. read more

I'm Chinese and I think they have good Chinese food. Even though decoration-wise, they seem to be geared towards the American customer, their Chinese dishes (depending on which ones you order) are quite authentic. The "egg tofu" on the "specials menu" is very good. And this salted egg fried shrimp (not sure if it was on the normal menu or not). They also have dim sum all the time during dinner. We always get the chicken feet from the dim sum menu. The sauteed snow pea leaves with roasted garlic is not bad for a veggie dish--pretty authentic. read more

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Friendly waiters and the food quality is reasonably good. Dim sum during the weekend is very good. read more

Rain Modern Chinese - Dim sum. Sat sun only - Dim Sum Near Me - Albany, New York

Nasty, dirty cups and plates! Food was extremely tasteless! Did not get offered water or asked if I wanted a drink the entire time beside the little teapot that was already on table. Horrible service & horrible food WILL NEVER GO BACK. Use to be good but they let the place go super ghetto now. read more

We started with vegetable dumplings. They were awesome. I had steamed flounder. My wife had the Cantonese pan fried noodle. I liked the fish but it was my first time eating flounder so I found the eggs part weird. The noodle was good but was a bit greasy for me. The waiter was friendly and helpful. The atmosphere is nice. Great addition to Lark street.. read more

Rain Modern Chinese - Flounder w/bone - Dim Sum Near Me - Albany, New York

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