NORTHERN
ITALIAN
Café
Capriccio
49
Grand St., Albany, 465-0439, www.cafecapriccio.com. Gourmet
Italian dining, with a menu that includes seasonal specials,
homemade pastas and Mediterranean gourmet fare as well.
Try the ravioli Della Sera and the calamari neri.
Serving 5:30-10 Mon-Thu, 5:30-11 Fri-Sat, 5:30-9 Sun. Reservations
strongly suggested. AE, D, DC, MC, V. $$$$
Café
Lucia
80
Church St., Lenox, Mass., (413) 637-2640. Enjoy the cuisine
of chef-owner Jim Lucie, who takes loving care with his
ingredients to turn out variations on Italian and continental
favorites. Full bar and award-winning wine list. Private
parties. Reservations recommended. Serving dinner 5:30-9:30
Tue-Sat; closed Sun-Mon. Open extra hours during July and
August: 5-10 Tue-Sun, closed Mon. AE, CB, D, DC, MC, V.
$$$$
Cella
Bistro
2015
Rosa Road, Schenectady, 381-2080. Enjoy tapas at the bar
and full meals in the dining room. Spring rolls sport artichoke
hearts and goat cheese; homemade pappardelle in a Bolognese
sauce is a killer; duck two ways includes a brilliant confit.
Full bar. Serving dinner Tue-Sat 5-9. AE, MC, V. $$$
Chianti
il Ristorante
208
S. Broadway, Saratoga Springs, 580-0025, www.chiantiristorante
.com. Start with antipasto del Chianti and discover how
delectable such simple ingredients can be. Innovative Northern
Italian fare (with a good presence of garlic) served in
a rustic Italian, newly expanded dining room. Full bar.
No reservations. Serving 5:30-9:30 Sun-Thu, 5:30-10 Fri-Sat.
AE, MC, V. $$$
Elda’s
203-207
Lark St., Albany, 449-3532. The luxe dining room has balcony
seating at this classy addition to the family of the original
Elda’s. The classic Italian menu includes veal dishes, seafood,
chicken and beef dishes. Fresh pasta and bread made on premises.
Gourmet desserts. Outdoor patio. Full bar. Catering and
takeout available. Delivery available for orders for 10
or more people. Serving lunch 11-3 Mon-Fri, dinner 4-11
Mon-Sat. AE, CB, D, DC, MC, V. $$$
Lo
Porto Ristorante
85
4th St., Troy, 273-8546. Martin Scorsese’s favorite Capital
Region restaurant is still going strong, serving Italian
specialties with a Sicilian flavor. Full bar, off-premises
catering. Space available for private parties. Takeout available.
Serving lunch 11-3 Mon-Fri, dinner 5-10 Tue-Sat. Closed
Sun-Mon. Reservations strongly suggested for dinner. AE,
D, DC, MC, V. $$$
Luisa’s
Italian Bistro
Exit
17, Route 9, Saratoga Road, S. Glens Falls, 745-5055, www.luisas
italianbistro.com. Serving Northern Italian dishes from
the restaurateur’s home in the Emilia-Romagna region of
Bologna, the restaurant specializes in veal, chicken, seafood
and pasta in an intimate setting. Updated menu includes
extensive appetizers, light bar menu and more, with dinner
specialties daily. Takeout available. Reservations recommended
for parties of six or more. Serving 4:30-9 Sun-Thu; 4:30-10
Fri-Sat. AE, D, MC, V. $$
Mallozzi’s
1930
Curry Road, Schenectady, 355-0340, www.mallozzis.com. A
banquet house offering custom-designed menus for special
occasions. Serving a Wednesday night grand Italian buffet
offering myriad Italian specialty dishes and chef’s specials
in an elegant setting. Full bar, banquet facilities. Serving
dinner 5-9 Wed. Reservations suggested. AE, MC, V. $$$
Mangino’s
Route
9P, Saratoga Lake, 584-5599, www.manginos.com. Serving Northern
and traditional Italian specialties for more than 50 years
at the same beautiful location at the south end of Saratoga
Lake. Specials include lobster, shrimp, veal, certified
Angus steak, prime rib and fresh seafood. Serving 4-10 Tue-Thu,
4-11 Fri-Sat, 1-9 Sun. Closed Mon. Reservations suggested.
AE, D, MC, V. $$$
Mezza
Notte
2026
Western Ave., Guilderland, 689-4433. Meals emerge from a
presentation kitchen and they’re innovative and tasty, featuring
good meat, fresh seafood and an innovative way with pasta.
Try the carpaccio as a starter and osso bucco for a hearty
entrée. Comfortable and handsomely appointed. Full bar,
good wine list. Serving 5-10 Mon-Thu, 5-11 Fri-Sat. $$$
Milano
Newton
Plaza, 594 New Loudon Road, Latham, 783-3334, www.uniquecatering.com.
Northern Italian cuisine featuring homemade pasta, gourmet
pizza, grilled meats and seafood. Selection of gourmet foods
and baked goods for takeout. Full bar, off-premises catering
by Unique Catering. Winner of the Wine Spectator Award
of Excellence. Serving lunch 11:30-3 Mon-Sat; dinner 5-10
Mon-Sun. Reservations suggested. AE, CB, D, DC, MC, V. $$$
Nicole’s
Italia
20
Mall, 2080 Western Ave., Guilderland, 456-8242, www.nicolesitalia.com.
Southern and Northern Italian specialties served in an intimate
atmosphere. Full bar, banquet facilities, on/off-premises
catering. Takeout available. Serving lunch buffet 11:30-1:30
Mon-Fri, dinner 4-9 Sun-Thu, 4-10 Fri-Sat. Reservations
suggested. AE, D, MC, V. $$$
Nicole’s
Restaurant
556
Delaware Ave., Albany, 436-4952, www.nicolesrestaurant.com.
The menu offers Southern and Northern Italian specialties
in an intimate dining room with a metropolitan feel. Full
bar, banquet facilities, on/off-premises catering. Takeout
available. Private luncheons by reservation any day. Serving
lunch 11:30-2:30 Tue-Fri, dinner 5-10 Tue-Sun. Reservations
suggested for dinner. AE, CB, D, DC, MC, V. $$$
Pagliacci’s
Ristorante
44
S. Pearl St., Albany, 465-1001. An unassuming restaurant
across the street from the Times Union Center. Here you
will find fine dining that reflects Northern Italian culinary
traditions, with daily specials. Full bar, banquet facilities
and a rooftop patio. On/off-premises catering. Gift certificates
also available. Serving lunch 11-3 Mon-Sat; dinner 4-10
Mon-Sat; closed Sun. On Times Union Center event nights,
kitchen stays open after the event gets out. AE, MC, V.
$$$
Panza’s
510
Route 9P, Saratoga Lake, 584-6882, www.panzasrestaurant.com.
Distinctive Italian cuisine is given a continental flair.
Full bar, banquets for all occasions, on/off-premises catering.
Serving dinner 5-close Wed-Sun. Closed Mon-Tue. Reservations
suggested. AE, MC, V. $$$$
V
& R Restaurant
136
Madison Ave., Albany, 626-0001 or 626-0700. Northern Italian
cuisine featuring pasta, chicken, veal and seafood. Soups
and desserts made from scratch. Full bar, catering, private
parties up to 70. Takeout available. Reservations suggested.
Serving 11-10 Mon-Fri, 3-11 Sat-Sun. AE, CB, D, DC, MC,
V. $$$
The
Wheat Fields
440
Broadway, Saratoga Springs, 587-0534. www.wheatfields.com.
Serving fresh pasta and fine wine since 1988, along with
veal, fish and chicken specials daily. Full bar; space for
semi-private parties available. Reservations accepted. Serving
11:30-10 Mon-Thu, 11:30-11 Fri, noon-11 Sat, noon-10 Sun.
AE, D, MC, V. $$$
Columns
& Opinions
