Metroland Online - Readers' Picks 2010

Ric Orlando is back in town, and his food is back on the radar of Metroland readers. To be fair, some of us have ventured down to his original New World Home Cooking in Woodstock over the years, but we were thrilled when he and two of the Spectrum principals opened a New World right down the block from the venerable theater.

Best Italian

1. Lombardo’s

2. Café Capriccio

3. D’Raymonds

Hail Lombardo’s, a quintessential old-school Albany establishment that’s been serving up good food with a side of politics for as long as we can remember. The more upscale Capriccio hasn’t lost a step, and for those readers who haven’t stumbled upon D’Raymond’s yet, you should go see what you’re missing.

Best French/Continental

1. Provence

2. La Serre

3. Chez Sophie

Were we more well-versed in that most lovely of romance languages, we’d extol Provence’s virtues in its native French. Instead, we’ll just agree with our readers that it’s mighty swell.

Best Seafood

1. Reel Seafood

2. Red Lobster

3. Jack’s Oyster House

Reel Seafood comes out on top in this tasty category, and Albany stalwart Jack’s Oyster House makes an impressive showing.

Best Chinese

1. Plum Blossom

2. Ichiban

3. Emperor’s

Plum Blossom snatches victory away from its close rival Ichiban by one vote! Clearly, either can satisfy our near-insatiable craving for delicious moo shu.

Best Japanese/Sushi

1. Koto Japanese Steakhouse

2. Ichiban

3. Hana Japanese Steak House and Sushi Bar

The ever-popular Japanese steakhouses, with wide-ranging menus that include the option of dinner and a “show” at the hibachi tables, took first and third here, with Koto in the lead by a fairly wide margin, and Ichiban a respctable second.

Best Vietnamese/Thai

1. Van’s Vietnamese Restaurant

2. My Linh

3. Sukhothai

In the spring-roll smackdown, a long-standing Vietnamese favorite, My Linh, just edged out a long-standing Thai fave, Sukhothai, for second place. But it was Central Avenue mainstay Van’s Vietnamese Restaurant that took top honors by a fairly wide margin.

Best Mexican/Southwestern

1. El Mariachi

2. El Loco

3. Bombers

El Mariachi maintains its position at the top of the bunch, likely because the food is terrific. Perennial fave El Loco hangs in there, along with Bombers and their monster burritos.

Best Southern/Soul Food

1. Hattie’s

2. Capital Q Smokehouse

3. Magnolias on the Park

If you think of fried chicken, you’re thinking Hattie’s in Saratoga Springs. If you think of Southern-style barbecue, you’re thinking Capital Q in Albany. And let’s all say a fond farewell to the now-departed Magnolias.

Best Caribbean

1. Roy’s

2. First Choice

3. Kenneth’s

A few newcomers in island-style cuisine have come and gone, but it’s the stalwarts like Roy’s that deliver great food year in, year out.

Best Indian/Pakistani

1. Shalimar

2. Sitar

3. Karavalli

This area is blessed with excellent Indian and Pakistani restaurants.

Best Greek

1. A Taste of Greece

2. Athos

3. Anton’s

A Taste of Greece’s excellence is an essential part of what makes Lark Street special. And in terms of vote totals, you like Athos and Anton’s almost as well.

Best International

1. New World Bistro Bar

2. Yono’s

3. Creo

It’s unclear if this win says more about Ric Orlando’s culinary prowess or the growing cosmopolitanism of the American diet (New World grabbed top honor in the American category as well), but what’s obvious is how well American catfish, Thai salmon, Korean barbecue, Tuscan pate, and Saigon calamari complement each other. Yono’s has a mantle full of awards to back up its No. 2 spot, and Creo’s kung pao chicken with arugula, goat cheese and toasted cashew wood-fired pizza says it all.

Best Vegetarian

1. Antipasto’s

2. New World Bistro Bar

3. Honest Weight

Every time we pull up to Antipasto’s, tucked into a Clifton Park strip mall, it feels like a well-kept secret. To the veggie set, though, it’s an old standby. The Italian eatery’s menu is a dream-come-true for those looking to avoid animal protein but not culinary precision. This is a balance that New World Bistro Bar has also struck, serving up some of the area’s best (only?) seitan chicken wings. And Honest Weight’s tempeh stir-fries might be the area’s best veggie lunch.

Best Steak House

1. Angelo’s 677 Prime

2. Delmonico’s

3. The Barnsider

If you want an excellent cut of beef, you can’t go wrong with any of these fine establishments.

Best BBQ

1. Capital Q Smokehouse

2. Smokey Bones

3. PJ’s BBQ

When you walk into Capital Q on Albany’s Ontario Street, the frangrance of barbecue is intoxicating. And wait until you actually taste the food.

Best Brew Pub

1. Brown’s

2. Pump Station

3. Davidson Brothers

There’s nothing better than a pint at any of your top three. See you there!

Best Beer Selection

1. Mahar’s

2. Brown’s

3. Wolff’s Biergarten

The nearly 200 votes Mahar’s garnered in this category, while impressive, doesn’t even approach the actual number of beers the bar offers its thirsty clientele. It’s likely that, until another bar installs a computer system to chart each customer’s progress through its beer list, Mahar’s will hold top honor. Brown’s delicious microbrews edged Wolff’s bootful of German beers by one vote for the second spot.

Best Diner

1. Latham ’76

2. Miss Albany

3. Gateway

Latham ’76 is the classic suburban diner, Miss Albany an old-school dining car with a creative menu, and Gateway a fresh face with its spiffed-up look. They’re all worthy, and if you must know, they were separated by precious few votes.

Best Deli

1. Gershon’s

2. Andy’s & Sons

3. Maurice’s

Schenectady favorite leads the bunch in this competive category.

Best Brunch

1. Café Madison

2. Justin’s

3. Gideon Putnam

All three are longtime brunch mainstays; our readers gave the edge to Café Madison, where long lines form on Saturdays and Sundays for the creative omelettes and Benedicts, breakfast tortillas, stuffed French toast, and the like.

Best Outdoor Dining

1. El Mariachi

2. Jumpin’ Jacks

3. Brown’s

El Mariachi’s patio is a spectacular spot, especially with a frosty Pina Colada to cool you off, we agree, and the deck at Brown’s is a big, happy open affair of a boozy good night. Great picks!

Best Cheap Eats

1. Bombers

2. Gus’s

3. McDonalds

Yup, Bombers wins, because the food is cheap, and plentiful, and tasty.

Best Catering

1. Old Daley Inn

2. Classe

3. Glen Sanders

Three lovely winners, for those special occasions.

Best Burger

1. Five Guys

2. Red Robin

3. Sutter’s

There are a lot of choice places our readers could have picked to get great burgers, so these must be top-notch.

Best Wings

1. (tie) Wings Over Albany, Bombers

3. Ale House

Seriously, mention wings in any group of Capital Region types, and one of these three fine establishments will come up in the conversation.

Best Pizza

1. I Love NY (various locations)

2. Paesan’s

3. Inferno

These are some fine pizza parlors you’ve picked, dear reader.

Best Bagels

1. Bruegger’s

2. Uncommon Grounds

3. Price Chopper

We do like Bruegger’s and have eaten many a Price Chopper bagel, but it’s Uncommon Grounds that has our cream cheese-covered hearts.

Best Sandwiches/Subs

1. Subway

2. Debbie’s Kitchen

3. (tie) Deli & Brew, Panera

Just reading Subway’s name flashed that catchy jingle in our brains, and now it’s stuck. We’re going to Debbie’s for their unique sandwich creations or to Deli & Brew for a hearty, meaty sandwich.

Best Ice Cream

1. Stewart’s

2. Ben & Jerry’s

3. Emack & Bolio

Who knew? Our readers picked the ice cream from our favorite regional convenience chain, by a modest margin, over the fancier flavors shipped in from Vermont and Massachusetts.

Best Coffee

1. Dunkin Donuts

2. Starbucks

3. Daily Grind

There are lots of independent coffeehouses in the Capital Region, and we suspect their respective loyal patrons split the vote accordingly, with the Daily Grind standing out in a strong showing. It’s hard to beat the well-established national brands—and if Dunkin Donuts’ runaway win says anything, it’s that a lot of folks still like a good hot cup of regular joe.

Best Desserts

1. Cheesecake Factory

2. Crisan Bakery

3. Cheesecake Machismo

Their name says it all we guess, a factory filled with cheesecake must make a good dessert. And you still got love for your Center Square faves.

Best Wine List

1. Wine Bar & Bistro

2. Wine Bar

3. Gingerman

Our charming little Lark Street favorite carries the day, and we tip our glasses to them. Consdiering their competition, it’s a nice honor.

Best Bakery (Dessert/Pastries)

1. Bella Napoli

2. Villa Italia

3. Crisan

This is no joke: We love the simple fact that these places exist.

Best Bakery (Bread)

1. Panera Bread

2. Perrecca’s

3. Bella Napoli

We gotta give it to Panera, even though they are a chain, they make a mean loaf.

Best Indian Buffet

1. Shalimar

2. Karavalli

3. Sitar

Shalimar is the clear leader in this category, while Karavalli continues to build itself a steady and loyal following.

Best Chinese Buffet

1. Dragon Buffet

2. Capital Buffet

Does the word “buffet” need to be in the name of the restaurant to place in this category? Yes.

Best Restaurant to Take a Date

1. Wine Bar & Bistro

2. Angelo’s 677 Prime

3. Jack’s Oyster House

Lark Street’s charming and cozy basement bistro edges out its close competition, two of Albany’s ritziest restaurants.

Best Restaurant to Take the Kids

1. Friendly’s

2. Red Robin

3. Chuck E Cheese

Certainly nothing matches the childhood joy of going to one of these ubiquitous corporate chain-world restaurants.

Best Restaurant for a Power Lunch

1. Jack’s Oyster House

2. Angelo’s 677 Prime

3. Panera Bread

In a reversal from last year, Jack’s just edges out Angelo’s in a clash of the downtown power-lunch titans where deals are sealed over martinis and steaks. Panera takes third for the second time in a row, convincing our skeptical editors that there is indeed a place for the casual power lunch.

Best Tapas/Small Plates

1. Midtown Tap & Tea Room

2. Vin Santo

3. Aperitivo

If you happen to be in midtown and you’d like some tea and finger foods, then our big winner is exactly the right spot for you.

Best Place to Eat at 3 AM

1. Denny’s

2. Latham 76 Diner

3. Bob’s

Nothing like a Grand Slam after a hard night of drinking, know what we mean?

Best Breakfast

1. Café Madison

2. Denny’s

3. IHOP

Café Madison holds its own against the coporate breaksfast juggernauts!

Editor’s note: In the following “Etc.” categories, we compiled representative answers from the many survey responses to our open-ended questions:

Etc.

Best Use of Public Funds

Alive at Five, new Lake Champlain bridge, public library, Amtrak, street repairs, Albany pedestrian bridge, the Egg, Christmas lights in the park.

Best Misuse of Public Funds

Hudson dredging, Albany High School, mayor’s salary, the police, charter schools, man caves.

Best Way to Lure People to the Capital Region

More festivals, tech valley jobs, legalize pot, better supermarkets, light rail, bury 787, lower property taxes, prostitution/gambling, fix the potholes, legalize gay marriage.

Best Time to Be Had in the Capital Region for Under $10

Spectrum 8 Theaters, stay home, Saratoga Spa park, State Museum, carousel in Congress Park, Pine Bush, movies from Red Box, belly dancing lessons, Hoffman’s PLayland, Tulip Festival, Kurver Kreme.

Best Place to See and Be Seen

Justin’s, 677 Prime, Lark Street, Corning Preserve, New World Bistro Bar, Bombers, Alive at Five, Jack’s Oyster House, Valley Cats baseball games, Saratoga racetrack, Footsy Magoo’s.

Best Thing That Could Happen to Albany

Clean up graffitti, convict Bruno, bullet train to NYC, dump the convention-center idea, get a new mayor, Google moves here, keep the gun buy-back program going, chip plant.

Best Thing That Could Happen to Troy

Develop waterfront, Dinosaur Barbecue, retractable dome, King Harry gone, Black Eyed Peas appear at Flag Day parade, ressurect Uncle Sam, Brangelina move in.

Best Thing That Could Happen to Schenectady

GE comes back, clean up the cops, chief of police contributes portion of “crack and ho” slush fund to tax dept., less people being shot, get rid of slumlords, brew pub near Proctors, move it to New Jersey.

Best Thing That Could Happen to Saratoga Springs

Horses all year, public parking.

Best Thing That Could Happen to the ‘Burbs

Higher taxes, wind power, sidewalks, gas shortage, plant more trees, tear down the McMansions, accept Albany for what it is, Whole Foods, stop building them, village-type development, the Amish move in, locusts.

Best Evidence That the Region Is Looking Up

Obama came, housing market is good, Global Foundries, fewer FBI stings, no one murdered last New Year’s Eve, good colleges, Bob Mirch’s departure, Joe Bruno is going to prison, EMPAC, Albany named “All-America City,” Cohoes, Hollywood filming.

Best Local Celebrity Whom You’d Like to Marry for Their Money

Lydia Kulbida, Rachael Ray, Liz Bishop, Donna Baird, Mary Lou Whitney, Benita Zahn, Sarah Pedinotti, Kirsten Gillibrand, Andrew Cuomo.

Best-Kept Secret in the Capital Region

Quintessence, poetry scene, Schaghticoke, Jay Street, Cohoes Falls, Elda’s, if I tell you it’s not secret anymore, time tunnel, Grafton Lakes, we have lots of falcons eating the rats, Massry Center for the Arts, Five Rivers, I’m a lesbian.

Editor’s note: The following are responses from individual readers to our invitation create their own Best Of categories:

Best After-School Program: New York State Museum! 20-plus years and hundreds of Albany City schoolchildren served.

Best Ballbuster: Mary Panza

Best Beard: Ryan Farrell

Best Alternative To Mainstream Discourse: WCDB Albany

Best Art Car: The red-and-black striped Grand Marquis!

Best Block: Elm Street between Swan and Dove

Best Depression-Era Murals: Dewey Graduate Library UAlbany Downtown Campus

Best Dog: Idgie, the unofficial mayor of Park South

Best Hideaway: Small cove on ’Toga Lake where my dog fetches in water

Best Local Political Prisoner: Yassin Aref

Best Person: Michael Hazen

Best Place to Get off Heroin: Whitney Young MMTP

Best Place to Sleep the Day Away: Flavour Café

Best Place to Stroll at Night: Empire State Plaza

Best Evidence of the End of the World: Stirrup pants are back!

Best Place to Watch Soccer: Wolff’s Biergarten

Best Post Office: Slingerlands

Best at Being Complete Douchebags: Parking Enforcement

Best Way to Save Money: Capital District Community Gardens

Best Waste of Time: This!

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