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FOOD & DRINK
Best Restaurant Café Capriccio 49 Grand St., Albany As close as youll get to a Tuscan trattoria on this side of the pond, and thats because chef emeritus Jim Rua established a dynamic menu approach and service system early in the eaterys two decades plus of top-notch dining. Celebrate dolce vita in the downstairs dining room; bring your special-event party to the private room upstairs.
Best New Restaurant Dale Miller 30 S. Pearl St., Albany We always knew hed be back. Award-winning certified master chef Dale Miller plies his craft in an eponymous restaurant in the Omni Plaza, in a restaurant as beautiful to look at as it is elegant (and delicious) to dine in. The Miller touches include inventive recipes and eye-catching plates.
Best Restaurant Worth a Drive Rose & Kettle 4 Lancaster St., Cherry Valley Chef Clement Coleman and his wife, manager Dana Spiotta, just returned from a sabbatical in Rome. The restaurant, duly refreshed, caters to the Glimmerglass Opera crowd in summer, but its a year-round bastion of excellent fare and artistic sensibility in a village that has long been an artists dream.
Best International Creó Stuyvesant Plaza, Albany Chef Andrew Plummer and manager Paul McCullough join forces again in a comfortable, newly built restaurant that sets no limits on its culinary influences. Pan-Asian, Middle Eastern, European and pan-American touches abound. Creó is a striking place that puts you quickly at ease, whether in the bustling bar or the well-appointed dining room.
Best Global Comfort Food New World Bistro Bar 300 Delaware Ave., Albany Ric Orlandos long-awaited return to Albany arrives in a spectacularly handsome restaurant that brings his Woodstock menu and unique approach to cooking to Delaware Avenue. A full array of meal plates, large and small, in a casual space with a fine-dining sensibility. Welcome back!
Best Continental Max Londons 466 Broadway, Saratoga Springs The crazy jumble of tapas, big plates, pizzas and more actually has some method to it. Chef-owner Max London is catering to the customer, making sure that you get the dining experience that makes the most sense to you. The offerings in his well-appointed restaurant run a multinational gamut spiced by the chefs unique skill.
Best American Café Madison 1108 Madison Ave., Albany Chef Jennifer Hewes helms a kitchen that offers the land- and sea-based items you know and love, crafted with the innovative stylings that (at long last) have given American cuisine a unique identity. The restaurant is in a quirky space thats been dressed to whisk you off the Albany streets and into a (somewhat European) world of comfort.
Best Steakhouse The Bears Steakhouse Route 7, Duanesburg High-end steakhouses have been a halting area trend. Dining at them often is more about power than steak. The beef-lovers true paradise is found at the Payne house in Duanesburg. It starts with the choice of material, and Papa Bear (Bob Payne) has a reputation for accepting only the bestwhich is why his restaurant has thrived for more than 40 years.
Best French Chez Sophie Saratoga Hotel, 534 Broadway, Saratoga Springs This is a bittersweet award that serves as a tearful goodbye. One of our all-time favorite eateries shutters at the end of September as owners Cheryl Clark and Paul Parker relocate to France to run a posh vineyard, giving their nonpareil French cooking back to the French, the lucky bastards.
Best Fusion The Hidden Café Delaware Plaza, Delaware Avenue, Delmar The fact that the Hidden Café remains a little hard to find daunts none of the ever-growing base of regulars. Chef-owner Joseph Soliman presents a menu inspired by his native Egypt but embracing the cuisines of France, Italy, Greece and many other European and Middle Eastern regions.
Best Vegetarian Antipastos Vegetarian Bistro and Wine Bar 1028 Route 146, Clifton Park This perennial winner just gets better and better. With delicious vegetarian-friendly Italian fare and one of the superior wine lists in the area, Antipastos is a rare gem. Try one of their gourmet pizzas, veggie burgers or pasta pesto. Their Caesar salad is as good as youll find anywhere. The food, music and personality will keep you coming back for more.
Best Brew Pub Browns Taproom 417 River St., Troy Travel the world over, drink its beer, and then come home to Troy and settle into the best IPA or Oatmeal Stout that the beer gods have to offer.
Best Diner Peter Pause Restaurant 535 Nott St., Schenectady Weve promoted Peter Pause from last years Best Breakfast because this is what a diner should be, notwithstanding the fact that they serve only breakfast and lunch, and only on weekdays. Italian lunch specials change daily, the portions are generous and everything is served with the familys homemade bread.
Best Barbecue Capital Q Smokehouse 329 Ontario St., Albany Whats the recipe for best barbecue? You can do it Troy style, and throw $2.2 million in tax breaks at an incoming barbecue joint, or just follow Sean Custers lead and fire up the smoker and put out the areas best brisket and ribs and pulled pork. Dont forget the great array of side dishes!
Best Caribbean First Choice Caribbean American Cuisine 451 Fulton St., Troy Do not head here expecting a fancy restaurant or silver-platter service. Do head here expecting mouth-watering, authentic Caribbean cuisine that will fill your belly and warm your soul. Visit the lunch buffet for a heaping helping of a little bit of everything.
Best Thai Capital Thai 997 Central Ave., Albany Were seeing a small efflorescence of Thai restaurants, but Capital Thai remains the favorite for its consistently superior food, like the khao soi that beckons us back so often. Short on ambiance, long on friendliness, offering a menu replete with pan-Asian dishes and a good sushi bar.
Best Japanese Sasos Japanese Noodle House 218 Central Ave., Albany The Japanese dining experience humbly requests you to leave lifes concerns outside, and Sasos aids this process with a peaceful dining room that impressively contrasts with the oppressiveness of downtown Central Avenue. The menu of traditional Japanese favorites (noodle soups a specialty) is enhanced by the toothsome sushi crafted by the master
Best Japanese Steakhouse Koto 260 Wolf Rd., Colonie Ah, those knives clang, the shrimp flies, something arcs up into the chefs tall hat. A plume of flame erupts from a volcano of onion rings. Its the teppanyake show, and nowhere is it better than in Kotos magnificently sculpted rooms. Calmer seating also is available for the traditional Japanese menu.
Best Chinese Emperors 10 Wolf Road, Colonie We continue to marvel at the endurance of this local staple in that chain-restaurant city known as Wolf Road. The menu is as extensive as you could wish, with items youll not find otherwise north of Manhattans Elizabeth Street. Also a great place for vegetarian items and fresh, inventive seafood specialties.
Best Italian (Northern) Chianti il Ristorante 18 Division St., Saratoga Springs David Zecchini has moved his handsome enterprise to a quieter piece of Saratoga, but you still may well hear him crooning to a lucky customer in the new dining room. This style of dining requires fresh ingredients and a menu thats lively enough to make the best use of them, and Chianti excels on all counts.
Best Neighborhood Italian (Albany) Sams 125 Southern Blvd., Albany Montemurro native Salvatore (Sam) Rappoccio and his wife Angela parlayed a pizza shop into the restaurant thats been serving the neighborhood for nearly 40 years. Visit once and youll be overwhelmed by the sense of family; visit twice and youre part of it. Low prices and traditional specials give it the consistency a neighborhood craves.
Best Neighborhood Italian (Schenectady) John Riccitello 1687 Foster Ave., Schenectady Schenectady was once the Italian restaurant center of the universe; John Riccitello thrives on a side street as a reminder of how a place like this holds a neighborhood together. Our visits over the past two decades find that little changeseven the prices stay lowand the sense of family endures into the second generation.
Best Neighborhood Italian (Troy) Testos 853 4th Ave., Troy Staying power is a challenge as a neighborhood changes, but Testos has endured for 33 years and now defines the neighborhood. The sauce is good enough to enjoy its own sales on location and in local stores, and the menu covers the gamut of what red-sauce restaurants do best.
Best Pizza DeFazios Pizzeria 266 4th St., Troy Its a one-stop Italian specialty shop, with pizza the stareverything made fresh and finished in a wood-fired ovenand ancillary items (sauce, sausage, you name it) sold next door. More than 50 years of experience pays off in a pie that makes time stand still.
Eldas on Lark 205 Lark St., Albany One of the culinary fixtures of Lark Street, Eldas recently added a take-out menu and gourmet pizzas. And oh what a pizza it is. Delicious crispy crust and fresh ingredients. Try the Pizza alla Elda if you want to be in heaven. Olive-oil-brushed dough, topped with marinara, eggplant, spinach, sausage, Pecorino and provolone. Delicious!
Fireside Pizzeria 1631 Eastern Parkway, Schenectady Look upstairs for the pizza-and-wings buffet if your appetite is inextinguishable; otherwise, join the family of regulars in the main dining room for a pie thats old-school, thick-crusted and delicious. Get it to go, of course, but try the sit-down dinner every once in a while to enjoy that extra measure of conviviality.
Marinos Flying Pizza and Restaurant 1301 State St., Schenectady There are a few unspoken litmus tests one must pass in order to consider themselves a true OG Schenectadian, and being in the know about the best pizza in town is certainly one of them. For decades, Marinos has typified the Schenectady experience: friendly people of all kinds, old school charm and great food! The flying pizza is as perfect as it getsold-school, thin NYC style, everything you want from a classic slice.
Minissales Wine Cellar Café 1 14th St., Troy We recently discovered this charming little café, tucked into a side street near RPI, and we sure are glad we did. The service is friendly, the atmosphere is homey and romantic, and the pizza is nothing short of perfection. The spicy, lively sauce highlights the crispy tender crust and fresh toppings. Start with the generous antipasto and a bottle of a nice cabernet.
Smiths Tavern 112 Maple Ave., Voorheesville This has nothing to do with the fact that they named a pizza after us. Well, its symbiotic. We enjoy the excellent pizza; Smiths enjoys good write-ups. Theyre doing more of the work. Its an out-of-the-way pub if you look from an Albany perspective. To many Vooheesvillians, its home.
Best Polish Muza 1300 15th St., Troy At the heart of this very European- feeling restaurant is a menu of Polish specialtiesthe golumbkis, wursts, pierogies and such that make for a rich, tasty meal. Family run, it makes you feel as if youve stepped into a large and generous household, and the cheerfulness keeps you smiling long after the meal.
Best Mexican Casa Oaxaca 54 Philip St., Albany Dont look for luxury here. Its a casual, intimate café on a busy corner where youll find a surprising bounty of truly native food, including that most Oaxacan of dishes, the nut- and pepper-based mole. Owner James Santaski and chef Francisco Vazquez, join forces to keep it authentic and delicious.
Best Latin-American Salsa Latina 315 Central Ave., Albany When youve worked up an appetite, nothing beats the Bandeja Tipica, which gets you a big plate of grilled beef, beans, rice, pork rind, fried plantain, arepa and a fried egg atop it all, but youll find the porkchops, stews, chili, burritos, enchiladas are refreshingly unique, all in a festive downtown Albany restaurant row.
Best Tapas Jose Malones Mexican Irish Restaurant 405 River St., Troy The only restaurant in the region that will serve you bangers and mash with a side of guacamole is notable not only for its bizarre cultural mash-up and stellar margaritas but also for its top-notch once-a-week tapas menu. Chef extraordinaire Ryan Cusack is the mastermind behind these menus of mouth-watering Mexican, Spanish and Latino dishes, and he consistently delivers unique culinary works of art.
Best Indian Karavalli 9B Johnson Road, Latham; 47 Caroline St., Saratoga Springs No other cuisine has spread through the area as fast as Indian restaurants, recklessly propelling Capital Region well into the mid-20th century. Theres a cookie-cutter sameness to many, so we appreciate that Karavalli offers a wider range of the regional cuisines and nicely appointed places in which to dine.
Best Middle Eastern The Phoenicians 1686 Central Ave., Albany New, charming, delicious. Need to know more? All right: Its Lebanese-based fare, long on lamb and that mouth-watering mystery loaf that rotisseries into authentic gyros and other shawarma dishes. Seek the expectedhummus, falafel, baba ganoujor an array of less- commonly found preparations of veggies and meatstuffs.
Best Mediterranean Ali Baba 2243 15th St., Troy During the course of nearly eight years, Ali Baba has redefined its corner of Troy, drawing a huge customer base seeking its consistently excellent menu of Turkish delights, including kebabs, salads and, improbably, pizzas. Start with a mixed appetizer plate, which comes with a puffy loaf of lavash, and travel from there.
Best Falafel Al-Baraki II 185 Lark St., Albany Were tempted to go so far as to call Al-Barakis falafel not only the best of its kind, but also the best lunch deal on Lark Street. Sure, you can get all sorts of cheap Lebanese eats from the unassuming little storefront, but the garlic-saucy $3.75 falafel is more than worth the walk. When Paul asks you if you want it hot, say yes please. Just make sure to pack your Tic Tacs.
Best Burger Olivers Cafe 181 Freemans Bridge Road, Glenville When youre running an everything-from-scratch restaurant, youre probably not going to stint in the burger department. Warren and Claudia Bush do not disappoint in this respect, and their daily menu of freshly made burgers (along with so much else) makes them perennial Best Of winners.
Best Retro Drive-In Burger Experience Jumpin Jacks Collins Park, Scotia Does it need any more commendation than the fact that it outlasted an upstart McDonalds? Jumpin Jacks is an institution, a place of mass- produced burgers served in a charming outdoor plaza between the Mohawk River and Collins Park. The line moves quicklymake up your mind well before you hit the window.
Best Little Hot Dogs Famous Lunch 111 Congress St., Troy Folks around here are serious about their little hot dogs, and the competition is as competitive in this category as the connoisseurs are dedicated. Famous Lunch remains our favorite spot to pound down a plate of the cute little buggers. This is the pinnacle of greasy-spoon ambiance. And just about everything is better with Zippy Sauce.
Best Fish Fry Bob & Rons Fish Fry 1007 Central Ave., Albany That huge blinking arrow is beckoning you in. Submit. This place is a Capital Region institution, frying up fish with 60s flair. The result is a just-right, not-too-greasy platter of deep-fried seafood goodness. We suggest the fish fry platter, clams and onion rings, andif youre feeling truly decadenta chocolate milkshake to wash it all down.
Best Tacos Bros Tacos 319 Ontario St., Albany Sometimes an eatery appears on the scene and redefines its category. Bros Tacos, lets face it, is a hole in the wall, but those tacos are truly terrific. Dont be thinking Old El Paso herethese are little masterpieces in their wrappers of corn, and the selection is impressively varied.
Best Subs Andys & Sons Importing Co. 265 Delaware Ave., Albany Rolls that could stand as a meal on their own, piled high with classic and creative combinations of the best meats, cheeses and veggies you can find, plus Italian specialties like eggplant caponata and fresh mozzarella. These guys have been making sandwiches on Delaware for 50 years, and they have definitely mastered the craft.
Best Sandwiches Debbies Kitchen 456 Madison Ave., Albany If you want your sandwich simple, theyll make it simple. Or if you like it complex, with a variety of veggies and meats and toppings, they do that too. Debbies Kitchen makes delicious sandwiches of all combinations and sizes. We know, because theyre just up the block from Metroland world headquarters.
Best Wings Ale House 680 River St., Troy If you are hungry for Buffalo wings, there is no better place in this world or the next than this Trojan institution. The Ale House takes its wings very, very seriously. The sauces range from flavorful mild to mouth-melting spicy, with a seductive tequila-chipotle in the middle. Deep fried until crispy, these plump, juicy wings are second to none.
Best Fries Red Dot 321 Warren St., Hudson Not just any fries, but the cone-shaped container of Belgian fries, offered as a starter or the inevitable scene-stealer of a meal. This intimate Hudson destination is also a good place for a burger and a beer, a welcome break after a day of antiquing.
Best Cheap Eats Applewood BBQ 19 Central Square, Chatham Located on the Vehicular Nightmare (formerly known as The Circle) in downtown Chatham, Applewood BBQ is quietly providing outstanding barbeque at an affordable price. The meats are smoked on the premises with applewood, and everything from the soups to the coleslaw is homemade. Gnaw on some ribs as you watch bewildered, confused and reckless drivers shred their tires and flirt with death. The best food and the best show in town! (Its a small town.)
Best Ice Cream Moxies 1344 Spring Ave., Wynantskill Get on Spring Avenue, and just keep driving. Eventually you will run into the gem that is Moxies ice cream stand. The business has been around since the 1930s and runs out of an old dairy building, complete with screen windows where you place your order. Chock full of unusual homemade concoctions, they also carry their own illustrious recipe for Blue Moon ice cream, a favorite of many. They are open rain or shine, and it is definitely worth the trip.
Best Soft Ice Cream Guptills Coney Express 1087 New Loudon Road, Latham Consistently good, its creamy and smooth and always looks perfect on the cone. In addition to vanilla and chocolate, black raspberry is always on the menu. You can even have a black raspberry and vanilla twist if you choose, and the only way you can top that is to dip it in chocolate. Yum!
Best Cheesecake Cheesecake Machismo 219 Hamilton St., Albany If youre in the mood to indulge, this is the place to do it. The folks at Cheesecake Machismo do one thing: make cheesecake. And boy, oh boy, do they do it right. Their rotating array of flavors is as surprising as it is delightful, and each is more delicious than the last. Pick up a whole cheesecake to impress at your next schmancy-pants party, or enjoy a slice-and-a-coffee special for five bucks at the kitschy hole-in-the-wall shop. The latter makes for a great cheap date.
Best Desserts Mrs. Londons 464 Broadway, Saratoga Springs Want to live that cliché of the kid in a candy store? Stare at the Mrs. Londons counter and try to make up your mind. Its a cornucopia of tarts, pastries, napoleons, you name it, decorated with fruit, covered with chocolate, spiced with lemonthe possibilities go on and on. Order a coffee, settle at a table, and get to know what sinful means.
Best Wine Bar The Wine Bar and Bistro 200 Lark St., Albany Get comfortable in the tastefully designed bar area, side room or lovely courtyard, and enjoy a glass of winethere are plenty of them to choose from, and the knowledgeable servers will be glad to assist you. The place would stand on its own as a wine bar, but chef-owner Kevin Everleth also offers an eclectic, ever-changing menu of delicious plates both large and small.
Best Coffee Spillin the Beans 13 3rd St., Troy We love our coffee, need our coffee, and this is gourmet coffee at its best.
Best Coffeehouse Uncommon Grounds 402 Broadway, Saratoga Springs; 1225 Western Ave., Albany You need a place to fire up that keyboard while your cappuccino steams nearby. And it doesnt hurt if theres a good bagel to help your concentration. And you dont have to pay for Wi-Fi. Uncommon Grounds remains the premiere such outpost, especially at its large, couch-laden Saratoga store.
Best Breakfast Café Madison 1108 Madison Ave., Albany A perennial favorite for creative twists on standard breakfast fare, including a variety of tempting omelet combos, stuffed French toast, raspberry oatmeal pancakes, and eggs benedict featuring layers of grilled vegetables. The breads are baked fresh. On weekends, get there earlyor bring something to read.
Best Lunch Iron Gate café 182 Washington Ave., Albany A repeat winner for the consistently excellent, freshly made soups, salads, sandwiches, wraps and creative specials. The super-friendly and efficient staff always make you feel welcome, and keep things moving at a brisk pace.
Best Business Lunch Angelos 677 Prime 677 Broadway, Albany It takes a lot of raps because of the pricier items on its menu, but Angelos 677 Prime is worth it. For starters, its a beautifully maintained steakhouse, the kind that makes you feel special the minute you walk in. The staff is able and friendly. But its really about the food, isnt it? And Prime is consistently good and fresh. Flash-fried calamari is crisp and light, and offset by the piquancy of banana peppers, watercress, arugula and a chili sauce for dipping. Salads are crisp and well flavored, especially the very satisfying salad of endive, watercress, radicchio, arugula, dired cranberries, candied walnuts, gorgonzola and balsamic glaze. A lot of beef is available, including a just-what-I-needed open-faced steak sandwich. New additions like the grilled swordfish avocado club, the pulled pork adobo dipwich and the New England lobster roll further enhance ones ability to hold court with business associates while still getting your feedbag on.
Best Late-Night Dining Justins 301 Lark St., Albany A perennial winner because the foodsandwiches, burgers, salads, and café plates like ropa vieja and meatloaf & mac and cheeseis reliably good; but even more so because the kitchen is always open till 1 AM. You just dont find that in very many restaurants around here.
Best Way-Late-Night Dining Café 217 12 1/2 Delaware Ave., Albany Where else can you get raspberry crêpes, a chili cheeseburger or a salmon filet with dill cream sauce by candlelight at four in the morning? Nowhere. Thank you Café 217.
Best Outdoor Dining Waters Edge Lighthouse 2 Freemans Bridge Road, Glenville Its Glenvilles oldest building, refashioned by Pat and Karen Popolizio into a riverside dining sanctuary that puts you right up close to the Mohawk. The menu has an Italian influence complemented by other Continental favorites, and its also an inn should you wish to make a weekend of it.
Best Emerging Dining Matrix Ballston Spa Ballston Spa All of a sudden theres fine dining at 51 Front, traditional fare at Pauls, a southwestern menu at the Sunset Café, tea and sandwiches at the Whistling Kettle, bagels and coffee at Coffee Planet, hot dogs, pizza, and moreall crowded into this little village thats too long lain in the shadow of Saratoga.
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