Grappa '72
Ristorante is a stellar Italian dining establishment that
we have visited many times when we have been in the Albany area. We've
had both lunch and dinner here, and it has always been a really great
experience. Though it's upscale and decorated very nicely, it's still
relaxed and very comfortable. The food is the true gem here, with
delicious imported cheese plates and fantastic sea bass. Also be sure
to try the portobello mushroom appetizer, it's to die for! The service
is truly excellent here, and the chef/owner has greeted us personally
several times, making sure that our meal was top notch.
818
Central Ave
Albany,
NY 12206
(518)
482-7200
Yono's
Restaurant is a true Indonesian treasure
located conveniently on Chapel Street. It's a gorgeous and intimate
location for romantic dates and casual dinners alike. We love their
wonderful wine list, and they have a wide array of appetizers to please
even the most finicky palates. The hot sauce is always great to kick up
the heat of any of the dishes, and we'd recommend the chicken sate as
well as the truly delish crab cakes. Our friends all agree with us that
this is one of the best restaurants to visit when you are in the Albany
area. Be sure to try them out the next time you're traveling with us.
25
Chapel St
Albany,
NY 12210
(518)
436-7747
Shining
Rainbow Restaurant is a funky little Japanese dim sum
restaurant that we simply cannot get enough of when we are in the
Albany area! It's very casual and the ambiance is very understated, so
you don't have to wear your Sunday best, just bring your hearty
appetite and dig in! Despite the low key vibe, the atmosphere is very
nice, and they keep it exceptionally clean here. The staff is always
friendly and inviting too. We love the chive and shrimp dumplings, and
the beef triple with scallions and ginger is really out of this world.
Try the taro wrapped fried shrimp balls too! And the lotus wrapped
sticky rice is essential.
209
Central Ave
Albany,
NY 12206
(518)
396-3881
When you are craving delicious
Vietnamese food in Albany, there is only one place that we'd recommend
and even rave about, and that's Van's
Vietnamese Restaurant. We are so hooked on their fried tofu
pho, and the tofu steak and spring rolls are also very highly
recommended. For nonvegetarians, the beef dishes are especially
delicious. We have found that the prices are a bit higher here than at
other Vietnamese restaurants in the area, but the food is just
wonderful and we believe it's worth the higher price. The service can
be a bit hit or miss here, but overall we have had mostly positive
dining experiences here, and the food is always the star of the show.
307
Central Ave
Albany,
NY 12206
(518)
436-1868
The Ginger Man
gets such rave reviews from everyone that goes there, and we finally
had to try it for ourselves! At the time of this writing, they've got
happy hour specials on the weekdays from 5PM to 7PM, which will shave a
buck off all their well drinks, draft beer, and house wine. They also
have wonderful appetizers at this time that are just $3.00 to $5.00.
This is such a great place to quench your thirst and satisfy your
appetite at the same time. What's our favorite thing on the menu here?
We'd have to say it's the lobster mac and cheese. The French onion soup
is also to die for.
234
Western Ave
Albany,
NY 12206
(518)
427-5963
Looking for a new spot to get your
drink on in the Albany area? Give Wolff's
Biergarten a try. We have fallen in love with the authentic
Bavarian atmosphere. They've got a massive amount of German beers on
draft, and all the peanuts you can eat. Just throw the shells right on
the floor! Who doesn't love that? We really enjoy coming here for
Oktoberfest, but any day of the week will do. We're very much addicted
to their delicious bratwurst, knockwurst, and of course those amazing
mashed potatoes. All the traditional favorites are just amazing here.
It's like you've stepped back in time. Don't miss this place when
you're in Albany!
885
Broadway
Albany,
NY 12206
(518)
427-2461
Another great place to drink and dine
in the Albany area is McGeary's Pub.
The live music is always great here, and we really enjoy the more
mature crowds that gather here. We're talking about behavior and
mindset here, not necessarily age. Just very cool people who know how
to enjoy a great pub! Happy hour, at the time of this writing, is from
3PM to 7:30PM and the specials are worth coming in for... Two and three
buck drafts plus three buck single liquor well drinks. Fantastic!
They're known for their beef on weck sandwiches, and we'd recommend it
very highly!
4
Clinton Sq
Albany,
NY 12206
(518)
463-1455
Appletinis
Cafe is one of our favorite late night hangouts in Albany,
with great live music and DJs, great drink prices, and really good
food. This isn't anything fancy, just a great neighborhood bar, and
that's exactly why we love it so much. If you're from the area it can
quickly turn into a high school reunion, but we see that as a good
thing! The food is incredibly inexpensive yet really delicious. The
barbecued ribs are really out of this world! Of course the specialty
martinis are the big plus here, and we also enjoy their great selection
of beer that's both in bottles and on draft.
1118
Central Ave
Albany,
NY 12206
(518)
489-2990
We just had to list Fuze Box
here, especially for the dance lovers. Of all the clubs that we have
visited in Albany, this one stands out among the crowd. Coming in on a
Friday or Saturday night always results in a great time, and 80s Night
is a must. We especially love the huge mix of ages and races here.
Definitely a celebration of diversity and we love it. Though the place
is small, we love the ambiance, and we especially enjoy that retro
vibe. The booths are very comfortable and we love sitting at the bar
because you can tell it used to be a counter for an old fashioned
diner. Retro cool at its best.
12
Central Ave
Albany,
NY 12206
(518)
432-8866
It seems like there's a bar or
nightclub called Envy
in just about every city we've been to, but Envy Lounge in Albany has
definitely made a name for itself even among all the echoes. In the
daytime it's an upscale restaurant, and in the night time it's a wild
club where you can dance the night away. Gorgeous staff, hot crowds
that gather... there's a reason that they call it Envy. It really is
the place to be in Albany. Moderately priced and just an all around
cool spot to hang out on a weekend evening. We recommend Envy for both
a delicious lunch in the daytime and a wild party with your friends at
night!
55
North Pearl Street
Albany,
NY 12206
(518)
694-3689
