CONTINENTAL

The Arlington House

3532 Route 43, West Sand Lake, 674-1880, www.thearlingtonhouse.com. Once the Arlington Hotel, this is a gorgeous-looking destination where seafood is especially well done and the menu is changed to fit each season. Great homemade desserts, too. Full bar. Patio dining available in season. Serving dinner Tue-Sat 5-9, Sun 4-8. AE, CB, D, DC, MC, V. $$$

Beekman Street Bistro

62 Beekman St., Saratoga Springs, 581-1816. Locally grown meat and produce forms the core of the innovative continental menu, where you’ll find imaginative variants on chicken and rabbit, excellent fish like fresh sardines and a cozy space that doubles as an art gallery in Saratoga’s up-and-coming West Side neighborhood. Beer and wine list. Serving dinner 5-9 Tue-Sun. AE, MC, V. $$$

Bookmaker’s at the Holiday Inn

232 Broadway, Saratoga Springs, 587-8944 ext. 357. Steaks, chicken, shrimp and other continental favorites. Banquet facilities, on/off-premises catering. Light-fare menu available. Separate lounge open until midnight. Serving 6:30 AM-10 PM daily; breakfast buffet 8-noon Sun. AE, D, DC, MC, V. $$$

The Card Lake Inn

29 Main St., West Stockbridge, Mass., (413) 232-0272, www.cardlakeinn.com. Choose between tavern fare (ribs, burgers, chicken wings) and a fancier dinner menu with innovative items like swordfish with a blueberry-peach salsa and standard fare like pasta and steaks. Full bar. Serving dinner 5-10 daily. MC, V. $$$

Elm Court Restaurant

Route 71, North Egremont, Mass., (413) 528-0325, www.elmcourtinn.com. A beautiful old 1790 building with small, elegant dining rooms. The menu, which changes daily, features fresh ingredients and includes great takes on old classics like French onion soup and escargot, as well as more recently devised American fare. Full bar, on-premises catering. Serving dinner 5-9 Wed-Sun. AE, MC, V. $$$$

Franklin’s Tower

414 Broadway, Albany, 431-1920. From pub fare (burgers, wraps, pulled pork) to a full dinner menu featuring such items as tempore shrimp, marinated pork tenderloin, steaks, seafood and pasta dishes. Full bar, on-premises catering, takeout available. Serving 11:30-9 Mon-Thu, 11:30-10 Fri, 5 PM-10 Sat. AE, D, MC, V. $$$

The Georgian at the Gideon Putnam

Saratoga Spa State Park, Saratoga Springs, 584-3000, www.gideonput nam.com. Elegant dining, featuring continental fare, pasta and more, in any of several attractive rooms. Open to the public year-round. Full bar, catering and banquet facilities. Serving breakfast daily 7-10; lunch 11:30-2; Sunday brunch 10:30-2. Dinner served 6-9 Sun-Thu, 6-10 Fri-Sat. Reservations suggested. AE, CB, D, DC, MC, V. $$$$

The Ginger Man Wine Bar & Restaurant

234 Western Ave., Albany, 427-5963. www.albanygingerman.com. Try the traditional and Mediterranean fruit-and-cheese boards with a glass of wine. Fresh seasonal ingredients, fusion flair, and house-made desserts. Menu includes seafood paella, fresh salmon and tuna, salads and daily fish and pasta specials. Extensive, award-winning wine and beer list. Full bar, on-premises catering, takeout available. Serving 11:30-11:30 Mon-Thu, 11:30 AM-12:30 AM Fri, 4:30 PM-12:30 AM Sat; bar open 4:30-1 AM Mon-Thu, 4-2 AM Fri-Sat. Closed Sunday. Reservations recommended. AE, D, MC, V. $$$

Glen Sanders Mansion

1 Glen Ave., Scotia, 374-7262. www.glensandersmansion.com. Featuring gourmet cuisine and seasonal specials. Full bar and banquet facilities, on/off-premises catering. Overnight accommodations available. Serving lunch 11:30-2 Mon-Fri; dinner 5-10 Mon-Sat, 4-9 Sun; brunch 10:30-1 Sun; pub menu 2-10 PM Mon-Fri, 5-10 Sat, 4-10 Sun. Reservations recommended. AE, D, DC, MC, V. $$$$

The Golden Fox

254 Broadway, Troy, 272-4369. Italian and American entrees and a seafood and raw-bar menu fresh and available daily. The full bar stays open past dinner hours. Private parties and on- and off-premises catering. Reservations recommended. Daily Serving lunch 11-2:30 Mon-Fri; dinner 5-10 Mon-Thu, 5-11 Fri-Sat, and Sun 4-9. AE, D, MC, V. $$$$

Good Times Lakeview Restaurant

175 Lake Road, Ballston Lake, 399-9976. www.goodtimesrestaurant.com (coupons online). Family-owned and -operated for 36 years, this restaurant features a varied menu with light fare to hearty dining, an outdoor veranda and panoramic views of Ballston Lake. Homestyle New England country cooking featuring homemade pastas, fresh seafood and chops, with organic vegetables and herbs grown on the property. Early-bird specials, children’s menu. Check out the birds—a bald eagle was spotted here on March 31, 2007—and the year-round mystery dinner theater. Relaxed candlelit dinner available in the main dining room or in the pub. Full bar, takeout and banquet facilities. The private lakeview banquet room fits 30-100. Serving 11:30-9 Wed-Mon. AE, D, DC, MC, V, traveler’s checks. $$

Great American Grill

Garden Inn Hilton, 800 Albany Shaker Road, Colonie, 464-6666. Dine in view of the Hilton lobby and watch the passersby as you sample the breakfast buffet, dig into a sandwich or try one of the exotic dinner specials. Full bar, banquet facilities, on-premises catering. Serving breakfast 6-10 Mon-Fri, 6:30-noon Sat-Sun and holidays; lunch 11-1 Mon-Fri; dinner 5-10 nightly. AE, D, MC, V. $$$

Hobson’s Choice

159 Water St., Williamstown, Mass., 413-458-9101. Chef-owner Dan Campbell has run this very popular restaurant for more than 15 years, offering a reliable menu of familiar continental fare and trying when possible to source items locally. House specialties include grilled elk medallions, herb-crusted baked salmon, and teriyaki filet mignon. Full bar. Serving dinner nightly from 5 PM. AE, D, MC, V. $$$$

La Perla at the Gregory House

3016 Route 43, Averill Park, 674-3774. www.gregoryhouse.com. Specializing in Italian and continental foods including chicken, seafood, pasta, veal and wild-game specials, all served in a relaxed atmosphere. A new room with a firewood brick oven offers pizza Sun-Fri in a more casual atmosphere. Full bar, on-premises catering and banquet facilities for small groups. Serving dinner 4-10 Mon, Wed and Thu; 4-11 Fri; 3-11 Sat and 2-10 Sun. Reservations suggested on weekends. D, MC, V. $$$

La Serre

14 Green St., Albany, 463-6056. This is the place for fresh pasta, grilled fish or veal chanterelle. Garden dining, full bar and banquet facilities. Serving lunch from 11:30 AM Mon-Fri, dinner from 5 PM Mon-Sat. Open some Sundays for holidays and events. Reservations appreciated. AE, MC, V. $$$$

Lanzi’s on the Lake

Route 30, Mayfield, 661-7711. Owned and operated by the Lanzi family. Fine dining for three generations, specializing in steaks, seafood and Italian dishes. Light menu available. Full bar, on/off-premises catering. Serving lunch 11-3 daily, dinner 4-close. Reservations suggested. AE, D, MC, V. $$$

Lippera’s at the Chatham House

29 Hudson Ave., Chatham, 392-6600. www.lipperas.com. Restaurant and tavern with locally inspired fresh seasonal cuisine. Menu changes seasonally. Serving 11:30-9:30 Mon-Thurs, 11:30-10:30 Fri-Sat, 11-9 Sun. Gourmet brunch 11-2 Sun. Affordable tavern menu available. AE, D, MC, V. $$$

Mansion Hill Inn

115 Philip St., Albany, 465-2038. www.mansionhill.com. Chef-owned and -operated since 1984; everything is prepared on the premises. Serving dinner 5:30-close Fri-Sat. Available for private parties. AE, D, DC, MC, V. $$$$

Michael’s Restaurant

4465 Route 30, Amsterdam, 842-7399. Chef Michael Russo presents an Italian-tinged menu featuring beef, veal, chicken and seafood in a variety of guises. Specials include eggplant ravioli with grilled chicken and a spinach marinara sauce. Pub menu and pizza also available. Full bar, banquet facilities. Open from 11:30-9:30 daily. AE, D, MC, V. $$

Midtown Tap & Tea Room

289 New Scotland Ave., Albany, 435-0202. A new restaurant with an old-style atmosphere with great food and spirits. Full breakfast menu, lunch and dinner. An extensive menu of more than 100 herbal and infused teas. A tapas menu is served in the evenings. Full bar, on-premises catering and takeout available. Serving 11-11 Tue-Fri, 7 AM-11 PM Sat-Sun. Breakfast and brunch served Sat-Sun. AM, D, MC, V. $$

Olde Shaker Inn

1171 Troy Schenectady Road, Latham, 783-6460. www.theoldeshakerinn.com. The usual meats and fishes are transformed with imaginative ingredients on a menu offering New American cuisine. Full bar, facilities for small parties and off-premises catering available. Serving lunch 11:30-3 Mon-Fri; dinner 5-9:30 Mon-Sat, 4-9 Sun. Sun brunch 10:30-2. AE, D, DC, MC, V. $$$

Pearl Restaurant and Lounge

1 Steuben Place, Albany, 433-0011, www.pearlalbany.com. This downtown Albany restaurant and martini lounge is located in a thoroughly renovated space in the historic Steuben Building. The menu features steak and seafood specialties, along with veal, chicken and pasta dishes. Full bar; extensive wine list. Banquet facilities, catering, takeout available. Serving 11-9 Mon-Thu, 11-10 Fri, 5-10 Sat. Closed Sunday. Bar menu available until 11. AE, D, DC, MC, V. $$$

The Pillars

860 Route 20, New Lebanon, 794-8007. www.pillarsrestaurant.com. European and regional American cuisine meet in this period cottage on seven acres of rolling lawn. Specialties include beef Charlemagne with mushrooms, onions and hollandaise, and sole Mantua in a lobster cream sauce. Full bar, on-premises catering. Serving dinner 5-9 Wed-Sat, 4-8 Sun. Reservations suggested. AE, MC, V. $$$$

Pinehaven Restaurant & Caterers

Pinehaven Country Club, 1151 Siver Road, Guilderland, 456-7111 ext. 132. www.pinehavencc.com. A warm and friendly restaurant, located in an elegant country club setting. Some of the rooms overlook the landscaped golf course. Serving a wide variety of dishes, from homemade soups and sandwiches to pasta and veal dishes. Daily specials. Full bar; on-premises catering. Takeout available. Serving 11-8 Tue-Thu, 11-8:30 Fri-Sat, 11-7 Sun. Closed Monday. AE, D, MC, V. $$$

Prospect Restaurant

Scribner Hollow Lodge, Route 23A, Hunter, 263-4211. www.scribner hollow.com. The restaurant focuses on creating a Catskill-mountain cuisine using the freshest ingredients, locally purveyed from a wide of regional agricultural micro enterprises. Owner Guy Chirico plans menus that vary seasonally, with emphasis on wild game and closely matched food-and-wine pairings. Eight-time winner of Wine Spectator magazine Award of Excellence. Serving dinner Sun-Thu 5-9, Fri-Sat 5-10. AE, D, MC, V. $$$$

The Red Lion Inn

30 Main St., Stockbridge, Mass., (413) 298-5545, www.redlioninn.com. Three dining rooms—which can seat 275—give you plenty of seating choices in an establishment that dates from 1773. The menu features regional cuisine with a contemporary twist, including seared organic salmon with white-bean puree, roasted cauliflower and extra virgin olive oil. In an effort to support local farmers, Chef Alberg offers a special sustainable-foods menu Sunday and Monday evenings. Full bar, banquet facilities, on/off-premises catering. Serving sustainable breakfast 7-10 Mon-Fri, 7:30-10:30 Sat-Sun; lunch noon-2:30 PM Mon-Sat (until 4 in the tavern), noon-4 Sun; dinner 5:30-9 Sun-Thu, 5:30-10 Fri-Sat. AE, D, DC, MC, V. $$$$

The Reluctant Panther

17-39 West Road, Manchester, Vt., (802) 362-2568, (800) 822-2331, www.reluctantpanther.com. Brilliant gourmet cooking by chef Daniel Jackson complements this accommodating inn; tapas, bouillabaisse and braised scallops are among recent offerings; a veal chop with bread pudding is outstanding. Full bar. Reservations suggested. Serving dinner 5:30-9:30 Tue-Sat. AE, D, MC, V. $$$$

River Street Café

429 River St., Troy, 273-2740. The chef and chef-owned restaurant give personal attention to each item on the seasonally changing menu of fresh, New American fare. Beer and wine. Serving dinner 5:30-close Tue-Sat. Closed Sun-Mon. Reservations suggested. MC, V, personal checks. $$$

The Scrimshaw

The Desmond, 660 Albany Shaker Road, Colonie, 869-8100. Exemplary service and culinary excellence presented in 18th-century elegance. Four-course dinners offered including steak au poivre, veal Oscar and cedar-plank salmon. Extensive wine list and wine dinners offered daily. Full bar. Serving dinner 5:30-10 Mon-Sat. Closed Sun. Reservations suggested. AE, CB, D, MC, V. $$$$

Smith’s

171 Remsen St., Cohoes, 237-9809. Built in 1873, this historic restaurant boasts one of the longest fully stocked bars north of New York City. The menu offers fresh seafood, veal, calf’s liver, pastas, chicken, various prime beef dishes and daily specials. All desserts made on premises. Homemade soups. Full bar, banquet facilities. Serving lunch 11:30-2:30 Tue-Fri; dinner 5-9 Tue-Sat. Closed Sun-Mon (open for private parties). Reservations suggested. AE, MC, V. $$$

Sperry’s

30 1/2 Caroline St., Saratoga Springs, 584-9618. Casual upscale dining on a side street. Noted for soft-shell crab (when in season), Maryland crab cakes, fresh fish, prime steaks, pasta specials and homemade desserts. Extensive wine list. Unique lunch and dinner specials daily. Full bar. Takeout available. Serving lunch 11:30-3 Tue-Sat; dinner 5:30-10 Mon-Sat, 5-9 Sun. AE, DC, MC, V. $$$

The Trillium

The Sagamore, 110 Sagamore Road, Bolton Landing, 644-9400. The Sagamore’s award-winning fine-dining restaurant is completely renovated and reopened with a new menu. Four-course meals featuring Atlantic salmon, Chilean sea bass, London broil and desserts from crème brulee to bittersweet almond torte. Hours vary; call for availability. AE, D, DC, MC, V. $$$$

Wishing Well

745 Saratoga Road, Route 9, Saratoga Springs, 584-7640. Premium steaks and chops, live Maine lobsters and award-winning wine list are hallmarks at this Saratoga landmark. Weekend entertainment. Light fare at bar. Weddings and special occasions. Serving 5-10 Tue-Sat, 4-9 Sun. Reservations suggested. AE, DC, MC, V. $$$$

Wunderbar and Bistro

744 Warren St., Hudson, 828-0555. A true German menu that features an oversized pork schnitzel, an excellent wurst plate, pot roast, and even a tasty burger. And there are pasta and seafood dishes as well, all reasonably priced for this trendy part of Columbia County. Full bar. Serving lunch 11:30-2 Mon-Fri, dinner 5-10 Mon-Sat. AE, MC, V. $$

 

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