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.

Ive tried this once last year and i like it. Brought my friend there yesterday. They have combo…read morechoices. We chose the 1/2 lb shrimp, 1 lobster tail, clams, crawfish. It's a lot and the seafood is fresh. I would say 3 people could share. We had it mild and mixed sauce. Maybe order hot next time since i did not taste the spiciness. We both enjoyed it. Price is not that bad. The place is huge but kinda datk inside. Service is great though. For dessert we got the coconut cake. It is kinda frozen. But it taste good. Surely coming 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.

Ok, it's definitely Peter Chan in the kitchen after my skepticism in previous update. I know this…read morebecause first, a regular customer came in and called out "hey Peter how you doin?" Second, because the hard working chef is once again quietly exerting his authority with small acts of independence. He brought out my lunch special himself but declined to give me a dinner plate (needed because the serving entirely covers the oval plate it was delivering on) and, once again, my pork with pickled cabbage had no pickled cabbage. Touche, Peter. The regular customer ordered items I would never consider, like walnut shrimp and egg foo young. But I'm sure it was still great, as was my no-pickles pork, as is everything Peter cooks. The guy is a gem. And he looks to be in good health after that mystery hiatus so I hope he'll be around awhile.

I remember reading that Ocean Palace was closing for months to renovate. I was happy to see the…read moreresults. The entrance looks a lot better. Instead of picking up takeout at the front door, customers can now make their way to the counter. I'm glad to see them reopen. I had a lunchtime craving for Cantonese style curry chicken. It was a favorite dish growing up and it brings back fond memories. Another favorite is Roast Pork Lomein. I also bought a shrimp stuffed eggplant appetizer. It was pretty good. There are also new lunch options. Instead of a free can of soda, I was offered soup. I chose Hot & Sour Soup. It was good. This is one of the few local Asian restaurants that offers brown rice which is a healthier option. I always make a point of calling ahead so the food order is ready by the time I get there.

Their food & portions Just terrible . Went today first time…read more. They were at Hewitts in Scotia N.Y. . Hot lobster roll & coke Just shy of $40.00 with tip No straws . Gave me a soup cup to drink my soda EXTREMELY DISAPPOINTING !! Never Never Again !

What a rip off. Go to Market 32 in Latham, you get twice the lobster meat on their roll for only…read more$2.00 more. You actually get identifiable pieces like claw and tail. Never gin Cousins.

The copper crow is great they have unique dishes! I loved the stuffed haddock! Also the calamari…read morewas good! They have lots of seating and a cute lounge area! Great for a date night.

Spending a weekend away in the Lake George / Berkshires area with the hubby and wanted to find…read moresomewhere to try, stopped in after jumping on Yelp to find somewhere close that was cute with decent food. Decided to give a try. The place is a total vibe, dont let the outside and area fool you! It had been a long day by the time we got here, did the outlets all day long and I was coming down with a cold. Ordered a ton of apps, Crab rangoon dip is GOOOOOODDDD!!!!... Ordered Calamari that apparently I didnt get a pic of, but It was good also. I think we got wings, but I truly cant remember. I got the risotto, I didnt love it but the Shrimp were delish, it had a super strong after taste flavor that I didnt love but couldnt truly put my finger on, Hubby said his pasta was good, but just needed "something". Would def go back just not sure how often we'd be in the area. Drink menu was super extensive and they were great as well. Started to feel not well and literally had to take our food to go, the waitress was soo concerned and caring, it was great, and it was no fault of the food or theirs, I think it was just whatever cold I was coming down with that kicked my ass and I felt like I was going to pass out, sorry TMI... But the response was so nice and accommodating from the staff. Def worth a try, just be patient with parking, it was slightly chaotic, or that night we just happened to encounter all the people in the are who couldnt drive in tight spaces, LOL!

- The Chop Salad Left This Earth, and I'm Never Coming Back. ​Walking into Angelo's 677 Prime, I…read moreimmediately felt the need to adjust a monocle I don't own. It has that upscale ambiance, but the food is where they truly flex. ​ ​The Bread: Warm, carb-heavy sorcery. It was so scrumptious I contemplated stuffing an extra loaf into my jacket for later. ​The 677 Chop Salad: Out of this world. I am entirely convinced that romaine lettuce was grown in a zero-gravity greenhouse and massaged daily by angels. ​The Salmon: A perfectly cooked, flaky masterpiece. It was so delicious I almost apologized to it before eating it. ​And honestly? For a place this nice, the bill didn't even hurt. An absolute home run from start to finish.

677 Prime remains one of the premier dining destinations in the Capital Region -- and for good…read morereason. It's an essential stop whenever I'm in Albany, striking that rare balance between upscale sophistication and genuinely warm hospitality. Under the leadership of Jaime Ortiz and Ken Kehn, the restaurant continues to deliver a consistently exceptional experience. We had a 6:30 p.m. reservation for five while celebrating a friend's 45th birthday. We arrived early to enjoy the outstanding happy hour offerings, including $11 well martinis, excellent deviled eggs, oysters, and duck wings. The next day, I reviewed the bar tab and noticed we had been charged $16 per martini instead of the happy hour price. Since we ordered several rounds, the difference was significant and also affected the gratuity, as we tipped 22 percent. To the restaurant's credit, when I returned and pointed out the mistake, the staff addressed it promptly and reimbursed us for most of the overcharge. 677 is a good choice if you're visiting for a celebratory steak dinner, a business meal, or cocktails at happy hour, every detail feels polished and thoughtfully executed. One standout is the Hanging Tomahawk for Two -- a dramatic 50-ounce prime cut, sliced tableside and paired with parmesan- and butter-breadcrumb-crusted fingerling potatoes. It's every bit as impressive as it sounds. What truly elevates the experience is the staff. They don't simply serve guests -- they anticipate needs before you even realize them. In an era when fine dining can sometimes feel formulaic, 677 Prime distinguishes itself through constant refinement and a commitment to making each visit better than the last. Easily one of the finest restaurants in Albany. One pro-tip: review your tab before paying.

The rating begins as soon as I entered. The Hostess was pleasant, and accommodating. We didn't want…read moreto sit at the high table right next to the door. So she seated us at a regular table in the dining room. 5there. The wait staff arrived immediately at out table, took, out drink order, brought water, without having to ask for it. They gave us time to view the menu. Took our order. I got the cheeseburger with truffle fries, my sister, ordered the surf, and turf. Absolutely the best burger we have ever tasted. My sister is picky about ambiance, but she gave a 2:thumbs up. We will definitely be back , oh yeah the price was good, for the meal too. Well worth it!.

Excellent burgers and sweet potato fries!! Both need and beyond burgers. Sit in bar for best vibes.read more

I was in Albany for my doctoral hooding ceremony and subsequent graduation, when I was left…read morewondering where to take my family for dinner afterwards. I was promised that Grappa 72 would exceed my expectations. As an Italian-American AND a foodie, it's hard to wow me at an Italian venue. I can honestly say that this place was all that I was promised and more. What we ordered to share: crispy arancini (special app that day), eggplant parm, fried calamari. I am a red sauce snob, and all three of these delivered on presentation, quality, and overall flavor. Entrees we ordered included: halibut (entree special and my choice), pappardelle loaded with shrimp and chicken (also a special), pork osso bucco (stole the show!). We ended with individual desserts, and their Italian cheesecake was smooth and creamy. Service was reflective of high-end dining, yet the check for six people was moderate to affordable. Considering the quality, quantity, and overall experience, this is a place I need to get back to. Now I need to find an excuse to be in the Capitol Region so I can go back!

My boyfriend, his family, and I arrived at Grappa '72 to celebrate my boyfriend's graduation from…read moremed school! Our hostess was just the sweetest. She had lots of recommendations for what drinks and dishes to order, and she was really attentive towards our party. When we sat at our table, we helped ourselves to the fresh table bread and tapenade while we decided what to order. I decided to get the seafood special, which was a grilled branzino served with blistered green beans and wild rice. While the dish tasted a bit too oily for my liking, there was LOTS of food that came with this dish - enough for me to pack as a lunch the next day! What was also memorable about this experience was the live music playing at front. This is a very nice Italian resto for special occasions and date nights.