Anyone been to Sciortino's yet?

http://blog.timesunion.com/tablehoppi...

I didn't get to MAD for curry eggs, etc. before they closed . . .

Been back a few more times. Dining companions had the veal chop. The menu is a little challenging for me since I only eat poultry and fish. I've had the scallops a few times. It's better for meat eaters. That said, I just save my calories for dessert and leave happy.

Went back recently for breakfast with some friends visiting from out of town. Some of us had waffles. Others had eggs. Everyone enjoyed their meals.

Also went for lunch and had chicken salad on a waffle. Wasn't sure how they's pull this off. It was actually a very thin waffle, more like a crepe. Undersalted, otherwise very good.

Love the location, vibe and menu. Food is very good, often locally sourced.

Has anyone been recently? Are the kinks worked out? Is it ready for prime time now? Love the location and space. How's the food and service these days?

Went back recently. Menu has really changed:

http://www.angelosprimebarandgrill.co...

Sat at the bar. Very good service. Started with the tuna tartare with avocado, scallions, almonds, currants, ginger-soy citrus dressing. Never could have imagined currants in this dish, worked well. Very good.

Had the seared halloumi with arugula, garlic, tomato, pistachios, lemon oregano vinaigrette. I never had halloumi served in cubes before. Kind of reminded me of saag paneer, presentation wise. Very good dish.

I was getting pretty full but considered ordering the salmon or scallops. I just had to try the pan roasted scallops on cauliflower puree with baby spinach. Very good.

This was one of my better meals at Prime Bar and Grill. Might have to go back again, sooner rather than later.

I've been to Kabuki several times. For Japanese, not Korean.

We ended up going to Harvest and Hearth . . .so I still haven't been.

Thanks for the report, Roger K. I'm going for the first time later this week. Peppers and sea salt . . . Most of the menu is better for meat eaters. I did see a seafood paella. Cold beverages and heat don't go together!

Finally found our way to 51 Front Street since the ownership change:

http://www.bizjournals.com/albany/blo...

The menu is "inspired Mediterranean and sourced locally."

Good service. Pacing was a little relaxed.

We started with foccacia, olive oil and olives. The olive oil was really good.

The amuse was lemon soup garnished with parsnip crisps and served on a spoon. Very good.

SO and I started with a few apps:

Falafel crab cake, encrusted with chickpeas seasoned with cumin and coriander and served with mixed greens, tahini yogurt and preserved lemon.

Cornmeal oysters - breaded oysters on the half shell drizzled in sauce choron on a bed of roasted fennel. This was my favorite dish.

Grilled octopus - grilled octopus with smoked potato salad and almond butter. SO liked this better than me. I have impossible standards when it comes to grilled octopus and Periyali's is probably the best I've ever had outside of Astoria.

SO had the pan roasted veal sweetbread deglazed with crushed peppercorn and red currant demi-glace over grilled portabello which he really enjoyed. Not sure why he left the portabello behind?

I had the rocket salad with smoked duck breat over arugula with warm roasted shallot vinaigrette, roasted pears, blue cheese and candied nuts. I didn't care for the blue cheese which was broiled or the pears. The duck was very good. I probably wouldn't get this salad again.

They have espresso!

We shared a couple of desserts. One was orange and chocolate.

Better than the last time we went. . .

The Jonesville Store is now closed:

http://blog.timesunion.com/tablehoppi...

Finally got there myself.

Really like the decor, branding, music on the patio, etc. Our server was excellent.

Ditto Roger K re: noise. It was so loud I couldn't hear my server or the list of beers. They need a beer menu, even if they change it daily.

Our table ordered several apps - habanero wings and mussels. Both apps were good. I had the fish tacos. Three large fish tacos served in a skillet. I prefer Jacob & Anthony's take on fish tacos (and noise level is not an issue there). A few people had burgers, a few of us had fish tacos and someone had the cubana sandwich. I didn't try the mac and cheese. SO said it was okay. No one wanted to take the mac and cheese home. Every dish was under-salted.

Maybe my expectations were too high after reading the menu online. Looking for more of a Zip City vibe. Not in a hurry to return. Can get similar food where I can hear.

Going back in a few weeks. Probably on a Friday again so SO won't order veal. He's had meh veal dishes twice recently . . .

At least we'll get some good Italian food without going to Schenectady or Troy.

http://www.draymonds.com/ordereze/def...

Sadly, Bloomer's has closed.

Twenty 8 Tables is closed. Panza's 28 Tables is in the location and Chef Ireland (The Wine Bar) is back in Toga.

The Yelp perspective on The Gingerman:

http://www.yelp.com/biz/the-ginger-ma...

Thanks, unagi1. We still have not been to The Gingerman and hope to get there soon.

unagi1, thanks for the report. Really enjoyed your descriptions of the wine. SO is a wine guy and will appreciate your post.

We're going for the tasting menu soon and will return after Jason Baker leaves. His successor has big shoes to fill.

BTW, what are the other restaurants in your top 5?

Tomorrow's the big day . . .only 80 or so parking spots. Police will be on hand to direct traffic :)

Finally tried Clifton Park Pizza on Route 9. A non-descript place with a few benches inside. Pizza was pretty good! I had a broccoli slice. Better than Jimmy's (Malta) but not as good as Our Original Pizza on Crane Street (Schenectady). Also had a regular slice. Crust was good. My red slice was a little soggy. Flavor was good.

TJ's opens on Wolf Road this weekend. And Fresh Foods has been in Latham for awhile (similar to Whole Foods).

I hear good things about The Farmhouse at the Top of the World (NOT new) but have not been yet. There is a long thread on Lake George/Adirondacks if you want to do a search of this Board. Don't remember seeing much about new restaurants on this Board . . .

A thread on Queensbury restaurants:

http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/807050

Maybe there'll be one you haven't already been to. . .

Druthers Brew Pub just opened in S. Springs.

http://druthersbrewing.com/

http://hudsonvalley.ynn.com/content/t...

Menu looks really good on paper . . .

Anyone been?

So how's the food?

Civitello's has a patio! It's really nice with the lawn behind it. Seating looks comfortable. Amazing what a little competition in the neighborhood does for the dining public. Not sure if they're open for dinner. They have grills on the patio and you can get a hamburger, etc. for lunch. I took it all in while I ate my chocolate hazlenut gelato.

The new townhomes on Union Street near the Whitney and Bier Abbey (more outside seating) are just around the corner. Schenectady's looking (and tasting) pretty good in the Little Italy/Jay Street vicinity.

gerchak198, we enjoyed their breakfast.

We've been twice for dinner and what bothers me is both times they served food that should not have left the kitchen. Burned grilled vegetables served burn side down and salmon slathered in sauce (to hide that it was bad?). If SO smelled it was bad at the table surely it must have had an odor when it was raw? Our server did take the salmon off the bill. And she was excellent.

Went to Pasta Pane with SO recently. We had the rice balls as a starter. They served warm bread with olive oil. He had a veal dish for his entree. He didn't seem that enthused when I asked him how it was but there wasn't much left!

I had the $20 prix fixe. Eggplant rollatini for my appetizer, chicken cacciatori (thigh) with olives and artichoke for my main course and risotto w/cherry rice pudding for dessert. Espresso. Delicious, just the right portion size for me and an excellent value.

Consistently good food and service. DZ gets it.

Still my favorite dinner place in Clifton Park.

Had "Breakfast with Beverly" on the porch recently. I had the homemade blackberry muffin served warm with rasberry butter and a side of turkey bacon and "gobble" sausage (patties not links if you're particular about that type of thing). SO had the baguette French toast and pork sausage. I tasted the French toast and it was delicious. Coffee was very good. Service was excellent. Will definitely go back for breakfast and maybe try lunch.

I've never seen kids at the Albany location.

http://www.cafecapriccio.com/Capriccio_menu-autumn11tuscan.pdf

I have seen children at Capriccio Saratoga.

http://www.capricciosaratoga.com/Capr...

Neither restaurant has a kids menu. If your kids like pasta or pizza they should be fine.

njkori, look forward to hearing about your experience . . .

SO went recently and had a different take. He said he prefers Sperry's and Chianti's. Also Mio Posto. He thought the foie gras portion was small for the price. He liked the calamari but commented it wasn't crispy. Not sure what else he had, will try to get more info. and report back.

NO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

http://www.adventureinfood.com/

Great for his kids. Maybe he'll do some guest chefing from time to time? Farming and cooking are tough gigs . . .