Albany/Latham, NY?

Mapquesting for my new store opening 664 New Louden Rd., I see there's a strip club just up the street(Louden/nee' "new" Louden Rd.)...but what about things you can eat?

I'm relatively easy to please and free time is, as always, at a premium: a decent NY-esque slice? etc.?

Help?

P.S.

if Latham offers good eats, will splurge

Albany doesn't have a lot... I spent a substantial part of 1999-2003 up there for work as well as a couple of weeks over 2007-2009. Out on the west side of town (technically Colonie, I think) Barnsider and Butcher Block are reasonable choices independent places for steaks and similar - a notch and a half above the chains, two notches below "great steakhouses." Barnsider is a little "nicer" and Butcher Block is more of a place where you'd feel comfortable sitting at the bar and eating dinner watching the baseball game.

Returned from a week in Latham last night.

Ate lots of Taco Bell, Burger King, McDonald's, and my first Red Robin(surprisingly good).

Drank yuengling always.

Enjoyed the company dinner at the Delmonico's outpost. It's not a serious steak, but the protein(and manhattan) hit the spot.

There's a very popular local deli, Bella Napoli, across from the new store, but I don't see what the fuss is about; it's just your everyday, passable East Coast Italian sandwich shop/bakery. Others enjoyed it quite a bit more(and it IS packed)...so one's mileage may vary...

Unfortunately I did not see this thread until today.

I live in the Capital Region and last year I drove to Chicago for pizza. In a nutshell that pretty much tells it all.

I'm going to Albany for a night next week. Some of the steakhouses mentioned upthread sound (sorta) interesting. Any new intel on decent places to dinner solo?

Thanks!

Habibi wrote:I'm going to Albany for a night next week. Some of the steakhouses mentioned upthread sound (sorta) interesting. Any new intel on decent places to dinner solo?

Thanks!

Here are a few suggestions that come to mind.

For steak one of the more popular restaurants now is 677 Prime. Right in downtown Albany which is convenient if your staying in the city and won't have a vehicle.
http://www.677prime.com/

Other then steak but worth mentioning.

The Wine Bar and Bistro on Lark. "One of the areas better chefs"
http://winebaronlark.com/

Cafe Capriccio. "My most recommended to those visiting the area"
http://www.cafecapriccio.com/

Garden Bistro 24. Fairly new, simple food made with care and a bargain! If driving from Albany take Route 5 "Central Av." heading west to Colonie.
http://gardenbistro24.com/

Keep in mind none of the above are jaw dropping meals or anything unique. But they are better then average for the area and you'll at least get your moneys worth. If I can be of any more help be sure to let me know.

Also here is a link to the Times Union restaurant reviews. Our areas newspaper.
http://web.timesunion.com/entertainment ... 1&zipcode=

there used to be a local chain called lums. intersting.

If you like beer, Mahar's is one of the country's great beer bars. Was waaaay ahead of the curve on quality beer in the US. Unique place.

http://www.itsonlybeer.com/

I'm going to be spending about a week in downtown Albany next month without a car. Does anyone have any updated intel on downtown restaurants?

I really liked the City Beer Hall, located smack in the middle of downtown, for their great selection of beer, free pizza and better than average bar food. Great location and setting as well.

http://thecitybeerhall.com/

The Wine Bar and Bistro. Chef Jason Baker has raised the bar in the capital district. Unheard of 10 years ago in Albany.

http://winebaronlark.com/index.php

Habibi wrote:I really liked the City Beer Hall, located smack in the middle of downtown, for their great selection of beer, free pizza and better than average bar food. Great location and setting as well.

http://thecitybeerhall.com/

Nice call. Excellent beers. The pizza was cracker thin crust and hit the spot while waiting for my brussels sprouts suateed in dijon with applewood bacon

I recently had occasion to sample a coupla Capital Region food oddities.

The Troy-style fish fry was a particular oddity unlike anything I've seen in a Midwestern fish fry.

Contrary to the woodpaneled supper club charm, Ted's Fish Fry more closely resembles a Roy Rogers.



I'm told they mostly use cod, though if it were pollock I wouldn't have known unless it was a filet-o-fish, not that it bears any resemblance, these fish frys are uniquely identifiable.



Served simply on a hot dog bun with their signature chili sauce which is a cross-pollinated picallili catsup concoction. The fish is impeccably fried though, and even if you're not a fan of the sauce, there's plenty of extended fish that's uncontaminated.

The other regional foodstuff is (of course) a hot dog not unlike Birmingham style, including its Greek origins. Again, these differentiate themselves from any other in appearance, coming in mini size (3 inches), the pale pink dogs topped with mustard, onions, and a relatively bland and mushy meatsauce. These are available at a number of places in the area - Gus's (Watervliet), Famous Lunch (Troy), Hot Dog Charlie's (multiple), even Ted's Fish Fry (multiple - pictured below is from the Latham outpost, as above).



Amidst all the junk food in the area, Troy actually has an excellent farmer's market. Following a walkabout grabbing every toothpick sample in sight, we popped into the Lucas Grocery and made a picnic of salty sweaty meats and cheeses in the nice courtyard adjacent to their wine bar restaurant.



Could have been a lot worse over there.

I was in Albany last month for a concert at the Times Union Center and had dinner at the Merry Monk. The food was great, grilled fish sandwich, someone had a French dip sandwich made from brisket that she raved about, great berry selections, accommodating staff, outdoor seating. I loved it and were I ever to be in Albany again would definitely make it my first stop.

http://www.merrymonkalbany.com/ordereze/default.aspx