Brunch in Albany was a new experience for me. I decided to try this spot out and was pleasantly…read moresurprised. The atmosphere is very modern, with all the bells and whistles. The color scheme is amazing, and the service is second to none. They move efficiently throughout the restaurant; they don't have just one person assigned to each table but use a group approach, and you can order at the table with the app, which is cool. Bartender Benny was great! The food, I'll say, was fair. I do believe the prices don't fully reflect the quality, but the overall feel is great. The champagne machine is a great touch, so that was unique. This is a very upscale brunch, but it's worth the hype for the decor. Parking is not the easiest, but it's worth it.

Its a very high-toned place. The whole interior and exterior is extravagant looking and cozy. The…read moremain issue I had was that the tables were sticky and not clean. When we received out food the syrup was spilt by the server but they never refilled it for us. We also were given silverware and not napkins which to me feels a little odd. Our drinks arrival time was Staggered as well so we were not able to enjoy our drinks at the same time lest they become cold or no longer desirable. Despite all this both the food and drink were very good.

Live in the area my entire life and went to Iron Gate for the first time, sorry I've missed it!…read more Food was delicious, table of 5 and everyone loved everything, pancakes, omelet, sandwich, all yummy! Our server was sweet, attentive and easy to talk to, she shared some history of the building. Now, the building, absolutely beautiful! The architecture is stunning, perfectly decorated and used in a way to preserve the look of the mansion! Will definitely be back!

Iron Gate Cafe has that cozy, tucked-away charm that makes brunch feel like an actual experience…read more The atmosphere is beautiful and relaxed, and there's something really special about sitting back and enjoying a meal without feeling rushed. It's a great choice for a slower morning, catching up with friends, or treating yourself to a nice brunch in Albany.

Great place with great food and service. We took the dogs and sat on the patio. Great experience…read moreoverall. The server brought the pups water bowls right away. A couple next to us which was clearly very hard to please complained about virtually everything; ie. their poached egg being runny and their steak being overcooked yet they finished their plates. Beware if you see such a review and don't pay it any mind. Fantastic place. Highly recommend. Oh, the bar drinks were top notch too.

What a cool spot! First time visiting Cafe Madison! We called ahead and got our names on the list…read moreahead of time! Highly recommend otherwise it would be 15-30 min wait time. Service was great! The cafe itself is super cool and open on the inside. Ordered a water and coffee to start. No issues at all. For the first brunch meal we ordered the fried chicken sandwich with fries. It was delicious and well balanced though a bit messy! Ask for extra napkins! The other brunch meal we ordered was the eggs benedict special that had a spicy sauce and prosciutto as well. It was delicious! Though the sauce was a bit separated. That's an execution issue and not a flavor issue. The flavor was there! If you are in the area. Call ahead get on the wait list and give this spot a try!

Now since I was splitting the area for points Northeast & needed a large breakfast for filling up…read morepurposes good thing I had some weird sleeping last night & in turn after turning in my room key for place we'll cover after you'll see why. Opted for two pancakes, two eggs (over hard) home fries & sausage patties & yes black coffee. Overall portions done well/accurate & service was promptly done (one who was my servers Mothers Day remembered me) and even if after the opening bell still adequate time to get set, served, eat & go from there and still same atmosphere (checked on the music played & turns out mix of Puerto Rico & Mexico) & if you noticed the photos yes they have unique plates/cups.

What an awesome little diner! It gives the feel of an old 50's style diner. Our waitress was super…read morefriendly and helpful and attentive to our needs. The food was amazing, cooked fresh and served hot. We will definitely be back next year on our annual trip out this way.

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.

First time, got a savory crepe the cheesy chicken pesto. Was pretty good! Crepe had a great…read moretexture. Probably a 8/10. The Johnny crepe was also very good, would want to get that again next time. Service was quick and friendly. You order your meal and there is self service coffee and water which is great. Second visit, came with a group of 7. And one party of 3 before us. We all were standing around for 5-10minutes before anyone greeted us. Unfortunately they were short staffed, and many people were sat at tables and still waiting for food. We were told it was going to be a 10-15minute wait and that we cannot be seated (although it is a self order type of thing?) We were not allowed to sit at the table just to sit. We were offered the couch until they were ready. However as we were waiting, other parties came in and directly walked up to the register? And so we were kind of turned off by that...There has to be a better system :/. Was super excited to eat here again. Hopefully they will improve

The place is cool, clean, and welcoming. The staff is also nice. Wait time was minimal and it's in…read morea great downtown location. You must get a seat first, then go to the counter and order your food, and then they will deliver it to your table. My matcha with oat milk was great. The brownie wrapped in a crepe, with vanilla ice cream and strawberries was disappointing. Although a large dish, the brownie was more like a dry piece of layer cake with an ultra-subtle essence of chocolate. I will give them a second chance because I know the establishment does much for the community.

Absolutely loved my brunch experience at The Nest! This place is truly a gem in Schenectady. The…read morerestaurant itself is super charming with an antique feel. Our server was the sweetest, and gave us some great recommendations. We started with the honey butter biscuits, which I highly recommend! We also got the friend green tomatoes which I enjoyed too. They really do a great job a southern cuisine here. Would love to come back to try some items from their dinner menu.

I think this is the, absolute, best place to sit down and eat. The food is impeccable. Southern…read morecomfort, right on Broadway, the fried chicken and short rib dishes are undefeated. They have a hot honey sauce to pair with the chicken, please stop by. Service is excellent, once I left a bit late and I'm so sorry I did but management was super polite about it.

The atmosphere and vibe of this cafe is amazing!…read more The entertainment on weekends are nothing that I have experienced anywhere else. Mr. Ventura is always polite, attentive and accommodating. The staff are as well! Really giving you that welcoming hometown coffee shop feeling. Considering I drive 30 minutes out of my way to grab a bite to eat. That should say enough about how delicious the food is. But if I must, the food is just as excellent! The Love Salad is my favorite! They also have gluten free options! This is Just a steller place to experience!

Nice cafe. The coffee was excellent. Lots of chicory in the Vietnamese coffee that I got. Was as…read moregood as what one gets in a Vietnamese restaurant. I also got the chocolate torte. It was gooey, sweet and very chocolaty. I am sure the small piece had 1000 calories They were getting ready for a sold out show so we didn't stay for long. A nice cafe to visit if you are in the area.

Great little resturaunt in Troy - basic fare as well as some more creative options- such as French…read moreomelets, leek gravy and goat cheese. Also a good selection of vegetarian options. I got the basic 2 eggs, homefres, toast and bacon. I usually steer away feom home fries because many places under cook them. They cooked their home fries perfectly. Son got the French toast which he absolutely loved. It was thick, covered in cinnamon sugar and you could tell it was homemade. Great vibe, super nice waitstaff , would come here again.

Cute diner serving house made sausage egg sandwich. Perfect for arriving to town post red eye…read moreflight. Teen liked his generous pancakes. Staff is super friendly.

Umana Yana - Washington Ave, Albany, NY If you're looking to…read morestep outside of the ordinary and experience bold flavors in a welcoming atmosphere, Umana Yana is a must-visit. This was my second time here--my first visit was dining in with friends, and this time I ordered takeout. Both experiences were consistently impressive. Known for its Ethiopian dishes and outstanding vegan cuisine, Umana Yana brings African culture to life through its vibrant décor, flavorful food, and thoughtfully crafted drinks. Every detail reflects passion and authenticity. It's no surprise that actress Tabitha Brown made a stop in Albany to experience the restaurant's highly praised vegan offerings. That's a testament to the reputation they've built. For my meal, I ordered the jerk lamb lollipops, jollof rice, and slaw. The lamb was tender, juicy, and packed with just the right amount of jerk seasoning. The jollof rice was rich, well-seasoned, and full of flavor, while the slaw added a fresh, crisp balance to the meal. On my previous visit, I tried the wings and waffles, and they were equally delicious. Two visits, two different meals, and not a single disappointment. Whether you're a longtime fan of African cuisine or looking to try something new, Umana Yana offers an experience that's just as memorable as the food itself. If you don't know, now you know. Add Umana Yana to your list--you won't regret it!

Service: 1 Just…read morebought some property in Albany, NY with my man, all the way from Los Angeles, CA!! It was a cloudy day, we wanted some decent Caribbean food & found Umana. Black businesses in LA respect their people and take their businesses very seriously, so I assumed this place would do the same. Unfortunately, we were treated like pests over a small misunderstanding. The waitress-Mercy, misheard me on our drink preferences & began giving us the good ol " Caribbean" cold shoulder . Why so sensitive? The sorrel sangria had way too much cinnamon. Also, I wanted pikliz with my meal, but she did not return after the drink mishap. We quickly learned, this is not a BLACK BUSINESS, this is an AFRICAN BUSINESS & they will quickly show you the difference. Food & Drink: 3 Goat roti gave a a little stomach ache, but it was decent. Oxtain was not tender, not good. The plate was mostly bones & gravy & rice. Plantains & jollof were good. The drinks were delicious though, but they were not strong at all. Price: 2 Spent 100$ so basically 25$ for each item, including the drinks. Overpriced and very small portions. The sides are literal pints, like the babyfood jar size. I was like ??? We usually pay this much at high scale Haitian restaurants in Manhattan, and completely understand the price because we are experiencing amazing customer service, food, ambience &scenery. Better to order takeout, but i heard it very difficult to do that here. Idk lol weird. Black/Indigenous Americans, do not bring your money here. You are not completely welcome here.