My wife and I went to 99 on Western Avenue a couple weeks ago. They had some pictures on the wall from Guilderland High School yearbooks from my year and a few years around my year. That was neat.
The food wasn't bad, but it wasn't that good either. Not sure if we'll go back. Probably not. I don't have much more in depth to say about it. Not a terribly thorough review, I know.
Saturday, July 22, 2006
Monday, June 26, 2006
Smokey Bones in Colonie
I just mentioned Mino in Colonie, so now I have to mention Smokey Bones. Had lunch there on Saturday. It's on Central just west of the Northway, next to L-Ken and across from Mino.
We've been going to Smokey Bones since it opened. I remember when it first opened that the food was really quite good. The baby back ribs and pulled pork had great flavor. That stands out in a chain restaurant (Smokey Bones is owned by the same company that owns Olive Garden and Red Lobster -- this particular one is in a former Red Lobster).
We still go there with some frequency, but my enthusiasm is waning. On the plus side, they offer pretty good variety on the menu. I particularly like the healthy sides, such as asparagus and broccoli. They make me feel a little better when I order the pulled pork or ribs. :-)
I had a really good salad there a couple visits ago -- I think it had mandarin oranges and pears, and maybe walnuts. Topped with the optional grilled shrimp, of course.
Anyway, the bad news is that I think the quality of the ribs and pulled pork has declined. Not that it's bad or anything, but it just doesn't have that great flavor it had when they started. Maybe I've just gotten used to it, or maybe they've let the quality of the meat slide just a bit.
I should mention that the place has a sports bar motif. There are a bunch of TVs all over the place carrying 5 or more channels of sporting events. The atmosphere is noisy enough that you can bring kids and not worry they'll annoy others, but it's not too loud either. A good family place with lots of menu choices kids will like. So we'll keep going.
We've been going to Smokey Bones since it opened. I remember when it first opened that the food was really quite good. The baby back ribs and pulled pork had great flavor. That stands out in a chain restaurant (Smokey Bones is owned by the same company that owns Olive Garden and Red Lobster -- this particular one is in a former Red Lobster).
We still go there with some frequency, but my enthusiasm is waning. On the plus side, they offer pretty good variety on the menu. I particularly like the healthy sides, such as asparagus and broccoli. They make me feel a little better when I order the pulled pork or ribs. :-)
I had a really good salad there a couple visits ago -- I think it had mandarin oranges and pears, and maybe walnuts. Topped with the optional grilled shrimp, of course.
Anyway, the bad news is that I think the quality of the ribs and pulled pork has declined. Not that it's bad or anything, but it just doesn't have that great flavor it had when they started. Maybe I've just gotten used to it, or maybe they've let the quality of the meat slide just a bit.
I should mention that the place has a sports bar motif. There are a bunch of TVs all over the place carrying 5 or more channels of sporting events. The atmosphere is noisy enough that you can bring kids and not worry they'll annoy others, but it's not too loud either. A good family place with lots of menu choices kids will like. So we'll keep going.
Mino Sushi/Thai in Colonie
Update: Mino's was renamed Noi's, and we think it may have closed recently. Bangkok Thai is still open and still good.
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I've been there twice, in less than a month, so I must like it, right?
The first time I went to Mino I tried a little sushi. Wasn't bad, but not anything special either. I won't order sushi there again, but that's my picky Japanophile thing.
The important thing about Mino is the Thai food. We don't have a lot of Thai food in the area. Funny that this place located itself within a mile of Bangkok Thai (BT), the only other decent Thai place I know about around here. BT is on Wolf Road near Central, while Mino is on Central just west of Wolf (across from L-Kens).
Like Bangkok Thai, the Thai food here is pretty good. Neither is on a par with the average in NYC or Silicon Valley, but they're good quality Thai food. I haven't been to Bangkok Thai in a while now, so I can't compare the two very well.
I've only had a few dishes in Mino so far. The beef salad dish was okay, but didn't have as much flavor as I expect - that one is probably better at BT. The Pad Thai at Mino was quite good last time. We also got a beef curry dish (red curry, I think). That was an error on their part - it was supposed to be chicken. It was pretty good but didn't blow me away. Decent flavor, but the sauce didn't have the creamy richness I expect from a Thai curry. The first time we were there I remember having the Tom Kha Gai soup (chicken with coconut milk). I remember that being so-so. Maybe the chicken was overcooked.
Don't take the criticism too seriously. I'll be going back. I love Thai food.
I forgot to mention the Thai Iced Tea. Very good (at both places).
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I've been there twice, in less than a month, so I must like it, right?
The first time I went to Mino I tried a little sushi. Wasn't bad, but not anything special either. I won't order sushi there again, but that's my picky Japanophile thing.
The important thing about Mino is the Thai food. We don't have a lot of Thai food in the area. Funny that this place located itself within a mile of Bangkok Thai (BT), the only other decent Thai place I know about around here. BT is on Wolf Road near Central, while Mino is on Central just west of Wolf (across from L-Kens).
Like Bangkok Thai, the Thai food here is pretty good. Neither is on a par with the average in NYC or Silicon Valley, but they're good quality Thai food. I haven't been to Bangkok Thai in a while now, so I can't compare the two very well.
I've only had a few dishes in Mino so far. The beef salad dish was okay, but didn't have as much flavor as I expect - that one is probably better at BT. The Pad Thai at Mino was quite good last time. We also got a beef curry dish (red curry, I think). That was an error on their part - it was supposed to be chicken. It was pretty good but didn't blow me away. Decent flavor, but the sauce didn't have the creamy richness I expect from a Thai curry. The first time we were there I remember having the Tom Kha Gai soup (chicken with coconut milk). I remember that being so-so. Maybe the chicken was overcooked.
Don't take the criticism too seriously. I'll be going back. I love Thai food.
I forgot to mention the Thai Iced Tea. Very good (at both places).
Red Robin - Halfmoon
After a lovely day, we met my in-laws at Red Robin in the Town of Halfmoon. It's on Route 9 near Exit 9 on the Northway, an area many of us think of as Clifton Park.
The place was pretty full, with a lot of kids there. The staff do a Happy Birthday thing for people, and there must have been five birthdays while we were there. They've got someone in a bird suit who comes around too. I guess that's nice for the kids. Our kids seemed to like the place.
My wife liked her salad, and my in-laws apparently like the place too. I had the Carnitas. This is in direct contravention of my low-cholesterol diet, so I hope my doctor doesn't read this. Hey, I skipped the sour cream (well, I told them not to bring me any - they did anyway, and I managed not to eat any of it).
My dish was, well, it wasn't anything special, but it wasn't bad either. There just wasn't any particular flavor to it. I'm not saying it tasted like sawdust, but it just didn't have the right seasonings. That's mainly my fault for ordering a Mexican dish in a burger place. Same reason you don't order Spaghetti at Denny's.
I can't see myself rushing back there, but if my in-laws said they wanted to meet there again I wouldn't say no either.
The place was pretty full, with a lot of kids there. The staff do a Happy Birthday thing for people, and there must have been five birthdays while we were there. They've got someone in a bird suit who comes around too. I guess that's nice for the kids. Our kids seemed to like the place.
My wife liked her salad, and my in-laws apparently like the place too. I had the Carnitas. This is in direct contravention of my low-cholesterol diet, so I hope my doctor doesn't read this. Hey, I skipped the sour cream (well, I told them not to bring me any - they did anyway, and I managed not to eat any of it).
My dish was, well, it wasn't anything special, but it wasn't bad either. There just wasn't any particular flavor to it. I'm not saying it tasted like sawdust, but it just didn't have the right seasonings. That's mainly my fault for ordering a Mexican dish in a burger place. Same reason you don't order Spaghetti at Denny's.
I can't see myself rushing back there, but if my in-laws said they wanted to meet there again I wouldn't say no either.
Monday, June 12, 2006
Aromi d'Italia in Guilderland
Update: Aromi d'Italia has changed names and format. See our post on the new Café Teria.
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Update: Aromi d'Italia continues to vary their menu. The other day they had a fantastic chilled soup - chilled Jamaican pineapple with Coconut ice (using a coconut gelato). One of the best soups I've ever had.
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My wife and I had lunch today at Aromi D'Italia. It's a fairly small Italian place in Star Plaza (SW corner of the intersection of 155 & 20 in Guilderland).
The front of the place has a Gelato counter, and the Gelato is great! A lot of choices (including some relatively healthy varieties and the stuff we shouldn't eat too).
In the back is the dining area with some tables, but not very many - probably less than 20 total, and maybe only 15. The kitchen, or at least part of it, is in between the Gelato and the dining area. It is somewhat open so you can see some cooking going on. I never bother to watch, but it's there if you're interested.
The staff is very pleasant, both at the Gelato and in the dining area.
What stands out (besides the Gelato) is the great menu. They don't have the extreme variety of dishes you might find at some places, and they don't have all the Italian standards on the menu, but they do have a number of interesting dishes you probably won't find elsewhere. They also change the menu once in a while (maybe it's a seasonal thing), so if you keep going back you'll always see something new.
If you like to try something different, this is a great place. Also, I have been told in the past that they will make whatever you want. Just tell the waiter/waitress what you want and they'll make it if they can. So if your favorite Italian classic isn't on the menu, and you want it bad, don't be afraid to ask.
Today I was a bit adventurous and tried a new dish -- stuffed peppers. They were stuffed with a potato orzo pasta and a couple varieties of rice. I didn't love this particular dish, but that's what happens when you try new things. I usually do love the meals I get here. I should mention that my wife liked her Chicken Caesar sandwich (I think they call it a Panini), and we both liked our soups.
And I bought some Gelato too (the healthy kind) and brought it to the office for future indulgence.
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Update: Aromi d'Italia continues to vary their menu. The other day they had a fantastic chilled soup - chilled Jamaican pineapple with Coconut ice (using a coconut gelato). One of the best soups I've ever had.
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My wife and I had lunch today at Aromi D'Italia. It's a fairly small Italian place in Star Plaza (SW corner of the intersection of 155 & 20 in Guilderland).
The front of the place has a Gelato counter, and the Gelato is great! A lot of choices (including some relatively healthy varieties and the stuff we shouldn't eat too).
In the back is the dining area with some tables, but not very many - probably less than 20 total, and maybe only 15. The kitchen, or at least part of it, is in between the Gelato and the dining area. It is somewhat open so you can see some cooking going on. I never bother to watch, but it's there if you're interested.
The staff is very pleasant, both at the Gelato and in the dining area.
What stands out (besides the Gelato) is the great menu. They don't have the extreme variety of dishes you might find at some places, and they don't have all the Italian standards on the menu, but they do have a number of interesting dishes you probably won't find elsewhere. They also change the menu once in a while (maybe it's a seasonal thing), so if you keep going back you'll always see something new.
If you like to try something different, this is a great place. Also, I have been told in the past that they will make whatever you want. Just tell the waiter/waitress what you want and they'll make it if they can. So if your favorite Italian classic isn't on the menu, and you want it bad, don't be afraid to ask.
Today I was a bit adventurous and tried a new dish -- stuffed peppers. They were stuffed with a potato orzo pasta and a couple varieties of rice. I didn't love this particular dish, but that's what happens when you try new things. I usually do love the meals I get here. I should mention that my wife liked her Chicken Caesar sandwich (I think they call it a Panini), and we both liked our soups.
And I bought some Gelato too (the healthy kind) and brought it to the office for future indulgence.
Monday, April 17, 2006
Gershon's in Schenectady
Had breakfast a few days ago at Gershon's. I don't go there much, but this is one of my favorite places. It's more of a traditional deli. I had a smoked salmon platter with a bagel and cream cheese. Very good. They also have great sandwiches, most of which I shouldn't eat because of my crazy cholesterol obsession. And that's probably why I don't go there more.
It's on Union Street in Schenectady. Kind of a landmark institution. Very popular with the Jewish community because it evokes the NYC deli atmosphere.
It's on Union Street in Schenectady. Kind of a landmark institution. Very popular with the Jewish community because it evokes the NYC deli atmosphere.
Brandon's Steak & Seafood - Schenectady
I must be eating out more lately - lots to write about.
I was invited to have lunch in Schenectady with some older gentlemen (older than me anyway). They apparently have a regular lunch at Brandon's, on Van Vranken Avenue.
I had a cup of lentil soup and a mediterranean pasta dish -- it had spinach, roasted red peppers, and shrimp, drenched in olive oil. Other than the shrimp, it was a good low-cholesterol meal. And I didn't eat all the shrimp.
The shrimp were the really small kind, about the size of the fingernail on my pinky. That's a minor turnoff, but the dish was quite good. Lentil soup was excellent. The others had clam chowder and sandwiches, and they seemed quite happy.
Brandon's also has a pretty classy interior. Nice place. I can see why these guys are regulars. There was a decent lunch crowd, so it must have a good following.
I was invited to have lunch in Schenectady with some older gentlemen (older than me anyway). They apparently have a regular lunch at Brandon's, on Van Vranken Avenue.
I had a cup of lentil soup and a mediterranean pasta dish -- it had spinach, roasted red peppers, and shrimp, drenched in olive oil. Other than the shrimp, it was a good low-cholesterol meal. And I didn't eat all the shrimp.
The shrimp were the really small kind, about the size of the fingernail on my pinky. That's a minor turnoff, but the dish was quite good. Lentil soup was excellent. The others had clam chowder and sandwiches, and they seemed quite happy.
Brandon's also has a pretty classy interior. Nice place. I can see why these guys are regulars. There was a decent lunch crowd, so it must have a good following.
Mike's Diner
We take the kids to Mike's Diner (at the intersection of Carman Road (146) and Old State Road in Guilderland) for weekend breakfast once in a while.
It's a pleasant place to go. The parking lot can get quite crowded. Good food. French toast, pancakes, eggs, etc. All tasty. They often have special varieties of pancakes, and that's what I usually get.
With my current low-cholesterol kick, I had a Greek salad (yes, for breakfast). It was yummy. There was enough that I had the leftover for lunch.
My wife had eggs, pancakes and hash browns. All delicious as usual. The hash browns are good solid chunks of potato.
My older daughter had french toast. Since she doesn't eat much, I had to help her. Tough life being a dad. Okay, I only had a little, but it was decent french toast. I tend to like my own french toast better, but I never make it any more.
It's a pleasant place to go. The parking lot can get quite crowded. Good food. French toast, pancakes, eggs, etc. All tasty. They often have special varieties of pancakes, and that's what I usually get.
With my current low-cholesterol kick, I had a Greek salad (yes, for breakfast). It was yummy. There was enough that I had the leftover for lunch.
My wife had eggs, pancakes and hash browns. All delicious as usual. The hash browns are good solid chunks of potato.
My older daughter had french toast. Since she doesn't eat much, I had to help her. Tough life being a dad. Okay, I only had a little, but it was decent french toast. I tend to like my own french toast better, but I never make it any more.
Pearl of the Orient
Had dinner at Pearl of the Orient on Easter Sunday with family. Kind of a Jewish tradition to go out for Chinese food on Christian holidays.
I hadn't been there in at least a year. This is one of my favorite sit-down Chinese restaurants in the Albany area. We like Amazing Wok for delivery, and we used to go to the Dumpling House on Everett Road. There was a problem with their phone number, so we called Pearl of the Orient instead. It's on Albany Shaker Road near Osborne Road (also near one of my favorite Italian places, D'Raymonds).
The restaurant has a lunch buffet, which usually suggests lower quality to me. That thinking does not apply here. The food is excellent. They used to have "black pepper chicken" on the menu. It's no longer there, but you can order it, and I did. They still have black pepper steak on the menu. I had to explain this to the waitress, who said she was new.
My dish was great! My wife had sesame chicken, which she said was too spicy -- not a negative to me. They also had mu-shu pork which they liked a lot. My hot-and-sour soup was also quite good. My daughters (ages 4 and 1) had plain lo mein and they definitely liked it. We were surprised how much our 1-year-old ate.
We also had a dumpling appetizer, but this was not as good as what you get at Dumpling House (I guess that's not a surprise).
I hadn't been there in at least a year. This is one of my favorite sit-down Chinese restaurants in the Albany area. We like Amazing Wok for delivery, and we used to go to the Dumpling House on Everett Road. There was a problem with their phone number, so we called Pearl of the Orient instead. It's on Albany Shaker Road near Osborne Road (also near one of my favorite Italian places, D'Raymonds).
The restaurant has a lunch buffet, which usually suggests lower quality to me. That thinking does not apply here. The food is excellent. They used to have "black pepper chicken" on the menu. It's no longer there, but you can order it, and I did. They still have black pepper steak on the menu. I had to explain this to the waitress, who said she was new.
My dish was great! My wife had sesame chicken, which she said was too spicy -- not a negative to me. They also had mu-shu pork which they liked a lot. My hot-and-sour soup was also quite good. My daughters (ages 4 and 1) had plain lo mein and they definitely liked it. We were surprised how much our 1-year-old ate.
We also had a dumpling appetizer, but this was not as good as what you get at Dumpling House (I guess that's not a surprise).
Friday, March 03, 2006
Le Bistro in Lighthouse Point, Florida
When I started this blog I fully intended to review various restaurants around Albany, and I will get there, but when I go to a great restaurant elsewhere, I figure it deserves a mention.
Yesterday we went to Le Bistro restaurant in Lighthouse Point, Florida. I was looking for something special after going to a couple of ultra-cheap and unmemorable places. Le Bistro had a number of good reviews from local papers, so we took a shot. It was excellent.
For a start we were given four very small pieces of bread with a white-bean dip that had a touch of a curry flavor. Nice touch. Heather had a tomato soup, which was wonderful. I had a black bean soup which was fine, but not as good as the rest of the meal. Then we split the simple green salad, which came with a very good balsamic dressing.
Somewhere in there we were given a small plate with a grape, a chunk of swiss cheese, and something else I forgot. Again, a nice touch. Before the entree we were also given a sorbet, raspberry I think. Probably the best sorbet I've ever tasted, though I rarely eat sorbet.
The entrees were fantastic. Heather had tenderloin in bordelaise sauce. I had surf and turf, with tenderloin, lobster, and the biggest shrimp I ever saw (called Colossal shrimp). It was close to a foot long. Presentation was a touch over the top. Heather's "stick fries" came standing up in a tall wine glass (with paper to absorb some of the oil I suppose), and it also came with grilled tomatoes that were sitting on small puffs of mashed potato. On my dish the lobster and shrimp were skewered together so that they stood up on the plate. There were also two skewers with roasted garlic and olives.
Our steaks were cooked perfectly and the sauces were delicious yet subtle -- the sauces did not overpower the other flavors. My lobster and shrimp were good, but the steak was so good that the other items didn't stand out. I had a side of grilled vegetables and that was good but not in league with the steak. One notable thing about the veggies though -- the waiter (Ron) kept commenting on how the chef uses the freshest ingredients. He was correct. The asparagus and zucchini in particular had a very fresh taste to them. Perhaps the chef didn't oversauce them to show off the freshness. In my experience store-bought zucchini and asparagus are pretty bland. These veggies had a real "green" (I can't think of a better word) flavor.
Heather had chocolate mousse which she liked very much. I had creme brulee, and it was without question the best creme brulee I ever had. I don't eat creme brulee often (more than sorbet), but I've had it enough that this means something. It was served in a deeper cup than I'm used to, and there was more creamy stuff under the caramelized top.
I find that one of the biggest things that separate fine restaurants from the rest is the texture of the food. Le Bistro gets that. The tenderloin is tender. The mashed potatoes are fluffy. Etc. Definitely a cut above.
It was expensive. We broke the century mark ourselves, and we didn't have wine. A couple could easily go over $150 or even $200 if you have a couple more courses. The 6-course tasting menu is "only" $45, which is a bargain if you like the items on the menu that day.
One other comment. While the food is fancy, the menu is clear so you know what you're ordering and it's mostly food you're familiar with. We were looking at another local place and Heather vetoed because so much of the menu was unfamiliar. If you're not the most adventurous type, you'll still like Le Bistro because it's really just regular food, but much better.
Yesterday we went to Le Bistro restaurant in Lighthouse Point, Florida. I was looking for something special after going to a couple of ultra-cheap and unmemorable places. Le Bistro had a number of good reviews from local papers, so we took a shot. It was excellent.
For a start we were given four very small pieces of bread with a white-bean dip that had a touch of a curry flavor. Nice touch. Heather had a tomato soup, which was wonderful. I had a black bean soup which was fine, but not as good as the rest of the meal. Then we split the simple green salad, which came with a very good balsamic dressing.
Somewhere in there we were given a small plate with a grape, a chunk of swiss cheese, and something else I forgot. Again, a nice touch. Before the entree we were also given a sorbet, raspberry I think. Probably the best sorbet I've ever tasted, though I rarely eat sorbet.
The entrees were fantastic. Heather had tenderloin in bordelaise sauce. I had surf and turf, with tenderloin, lobster, and the biggest shrimp I ever saw (called Colossal shrimp). It was close to a foot long. Presentation was a touch over the top. Heather's "stick fries" came standing up in a tall wine glass (with paper to absorb some of the oil I suppose), and it also came with grilled tomatoes that were sitting on small puffs of mashed potato. On my dish the lobster and shrimp were skewered together so that they stood up on the plate. There were also two skewers with roasted garlic and olives.
Our steaks were cooked perfectly and the sauces were delicious yet subtle -- the sauces did not overpower the other flavors. My lobster and shrimp were good, but the steak was so good that the other items didn't stand out. I had a side of grilled vegetables and that was good but not in league with the steak. One notable thing about the veggies though -- the waiter (Ron) kept commenting on how the chef uses the freshest ingredients. He was correct. The asparagus and zucchini in particular had a very fresh taste to them. Perhaps the chef didn't oversauce them to show off the freshness. In my experience store-bought zucchini and asparagus are pretty bland. These veggies had a real "green" (I can't think of a better word) flavor.
Heather had chocolate mousse which she liked very much. I had creme brulee, and it was without question the best creme brulee I ever had. I don't eat creme brulee often (more than sorbet), but I've had it enough that this means something. It was served in a deeper cup than I'm used to, and there was more creamy stuff under the caramelized top.
I find that one of the biggest things that separate fine restaurants from the rest is the texture of the food. Le Bistro gets that. The tenderloin is tender. The mashed potatoes are fluffy. Etc. Definitely a cut above.
It was expensive. We broke the century mark ourselves, and we didn't have wine. A couple could easily go over $150 or even $200 if you have a couple more courses. The 6-course tasting menu is "only" $45, which is a bargain if you like the items on the menu that day.
One other comment. While the food is fancy, the menu is clear so you know what you're ordering and it's mostly food you're familiar with. We were looking at another local place and Heather vetoed because so much of the menu was unfamiliar. If you're not the most adventurous type, you'll still like Le Bistro because it's really just regular food, but much better.
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