Wheatfields Bistro and Wine Bar

The Wife and I slipped away this Valentines Day to try out the new Wheatfields Bistro and Wine Bar in Clifton Park. We had spent a number of evenings in the Saratoga Springs edition and had always enjoyed the freshly made pasta and thoughtful wine selection. The Clifton Park spinoff didn't let us down.
Located in the Crossings Plaza just off of exit 9, this little bistro serves Italian staples that are home made and well presented. Though there is nothing too exciting on the menu you will enjoy the available choices.
Since the pasta is made on premises I opted for linguine and pesto. It comes with chicken or shrimp but I wanted to put this new location to the test with a simple dish that is too often overloaded with garlic, pine nuts or basil. I was pleasantly surprised to taste delicious pasta with sauce that was a perfect blend of flavors. It was accompanied by warm bread with two herb spreads. This followed a very ordinary Cesar salad.
My wife ordered the soup special, a blue potato soup that used locally grown vegetables. She reported it tasted like leeks and was exceptionally thick and creamy. It was very flavorful and the blue potato's gave it a unique color. This was slowly followed by a mushroom ragout. It was very earthy as you might expect. Generous with mushrooms, the dish was hearty and a great comfort food for a cold day.
With four glasses of wine, coffee and tea the total was $72.00

Goomba's Pizza

This place is just awful. My 15 year-old threw out his slice it was so bad. Do you know how bad pizza has to be for a 15 year-old not to eat it. I can't even describe how bad the cheese was. It was a color that is yet undefined.

WARNING

Do not go to Goomba's Pizza.

1570 Columbia Tpke Castletn On Hdsn, NY

(518) 935-1038

MezzaNotte Ristorante

On the final night of restaurant week in the capital district I expected a busy scene as Permanent Partner and I walked into MessaNotte on Western Avenue. We were 15 minutes late for our reservation and would not have been surprised if our table had been given away. Instead, we were greeted with a welcoming smile and quickly passed through the waiting throng at the bar to our table.

It was the first pleasant surprise of the night but not the last.

Our server (Yanna?) and the others who briefly crossed our path were perfect in their mixture of attention, willingness to spend a minute to connect and efficient service. The restaurant is just the right size to make you feel you are out on the town without hearing every other voice in the place and not so big you feel part of a convention.

We really enjoy an open kitchen and this was well done. Executive Chef Mark Graham is in easy view as he and his staff worked with ease and grace over an open grill. Chef Graham was most recently at Chez Sophie in Saratoga (one of our favorites) and has brought his best from that experience to MezzaNotte.


As the last night of Restaurant week we opted for the choices in the price fixed option but were impressed with the extent of the menu. I've had the Chilean sea bass on my last visit to MezzaNotte but learned they change the prep style every few days to keep things fresh.

Permanent Partner ordered the squash/apple bisque while I opted for a salad with chunks of goat cheese and vinaigrette dressing that was fresh, balanced and tart. PP raved over the bisque and left me a sampling. It was a wonderful mixture of flavors with the apple neither overwhelming nor obscure. A perfect setup dish for a cool fall evening.

Breaking away from the price fixed fare we also ordered an appetizer version of one of the specials for the evening, a risotto with fennel and prosiutto that was a delightful blend of flavors and texture. Along with a bottle of Joseph Carr Cabernet from Napa Valley we were shocked with the excellence of the cooking and flavor mixtures. We were anxiously now anicipating our entrees.

Our main dish arrived with perfect pace and we dived in. PP had selected the pollo al chianti and I went with one of my favorites - rigatoni a la vodka. As much as I enjoy this dish, and it is relatively simple, my search in the capital district for a well prepared vodka sauce that is not too thick or thin and neither bland or strong has been frustrating. I fell in love with vodka sauce at a small restaurant in Brooklyn 15 years ago and I've never had that perfection repeated until last night. The pasta was fresh and well cooked and the sauce was EXCELLENT. I could not believe the number of flavors and subtlety of the combination. Every bite was taken lovingly and the bread supply was exhausted with sopping up the remaining sauce.

PP's pollo al chianti was divinely mixed with a perfect combination of autumn bounty. The onion and grape chianti sauce delicately topped chicken that was placed over a bed of baby spinach and the right amount of mashed potato. The combination of the vegetables was a nice complement to the moist, marinated chicken.

A small desert of pistacchio flavor gellato with a chocolate dipped short bread topped off the evening.

The price fixed menu was $20.09 each and the wine wa $41. Most entrees range between $20-$30. Our final bill was 98.00.

We may have found our new favorite restaurant in the area and will return again soon.

MezzaNotte, 2026 Western Avenue, Albany 518-689-4433

Roasted Red Pepper

I walked into the Roasted Red Pepper after the dealing with a typical Verizon store hassle and was immediately relieved. The casual strip mall atmosphere was expected but also surprising. I expected the long thin layout, the back left deli counter and the walled off sitting area of 6 small tables. What was surprised me was the quality of the food.

Its walk up ordering but no effort was made to welcome us or point out specials or anything else for that matter. We ordered and were told our sandwiches and salads would be brought to our table. In fairly short order they arrived but two other trips were needed to get us started. Its clear the Roasted Red Pepper prides themselves on fresh ingredients and makes sandwich platters served in red, plastic baskets lined with deli paper. I can personally attest for the chef's salad. The meats were clearly better than usual and my wife and I took notice.

The store also includes racks of italian brand olives, vinegar, olive oil, sause and pasta.

For Yankee fans, there is a prominant Red Sox banner behind the counter.

The food was a little more expensive than the chain sub place next door but don't we want more of the independent operators around. If they could act like they cared, I would care more.

Brandon's Ritz Terrace

Entering Brandon's through their wide vestibule with a 20 foot line of hangers on the right side brought one back 40 years. You could feel the ghosts of Schenectady versions of Tony Bennett and Frank Sinatra imatators who may have passed this way decades before. The dark walls, lines of linen covered tables, low hung ceiling tiles and old pictures harks to a bygone era. When I arrived a mexican mix with nachos was set next to pepperonni and cheese with ritz crackers as free appetizers in the bar. My vodka rocks was served in a stemmed glass rather than my preferred solid based rocks glass but maybe that was how it was done the last time this restaurant was updated.


I enjoyed the vintage music and the retro furnishings as long as the food could pull it all together. It did not. My escargot appetizer was loaded with butter that overwhlemed everything else on the plate. The little snails were served in mushroom tops that were also too heavy for the dish. A tasty cracker or snail shell would have been an improvement.

Next up, a salad that was so wilted and overdressed it may have been more appropriate at a Dean Martin roast. Dom Delouise was still famous when this lettuce was ready.

My entree choice of pesto scallops over linguini must have been prepared by one of the Buttertons. The pesto was drowned and helpless in a sloughing sea of buttery sause. The linguini was over cooked and soggy. An unappetizing mess.

Companions also gave their dishes a resounding no vote. Since co-reviewer, The Conisour, was also on hand, I'm looking forward to his unbiased review.

Overall, though I enjoyed the Schenectady hey day atmosphere, I can give this eatery no more than two stars.

The Phoenicians Restaurant

The Albany area keeps seeing new and diverse cuisine pop up, and the winner is every person who is tired of the same old, lame, wannabe Italian restaurants that dot the Capital landscape. The Phoenicians Restaurant was the choice of new places on this night, five months old to the day, located on upper Central Ave near Colonie.

The Phoenicians is a Lebanese restaurant that caters Middle Eastern food (not Greek). The small, quaint setting of 10 tables with an open kitchen is very inviting. Hand painted designs and figures on the colorful walls describe the "Paris of the Middle East" that Lebanon once was. The cathedral ceiling is painted with a star filled skyscape and an arbor laden with grape vines hangs over diners heads. A large screen LCD is up against the main wall, turned to FOX News with no volume (thank God) with captions on.

The owner was very gracious, welcomes each patron and keeps tabs on you throughout the meal. We spoke at length about the need for this type of food here and how it has worked very well in the Rochester, Syracuse and Utica areas. He also told me I'd be coming back and  pointed to a customer who by his own admission has eaten there over 70 times since the place has been open (potential mascot). The waitress was just as warm and knowledgeable about the food, very quick to serve and was there every time I needed her to be.

The menu is moderately stocked with Middle Eastern specialties and American style burgers (for those who are afraid of "foreign" food) and a children's menu with the usual chicken nuggets/fingers, macaroni cheese stuff one expects.  Appetizers run from $4.00 to $17.00 and consist of such staples as falafel, grape leaves, hummus, moussaka and a sampler platter. Lentil Soup is a standard and a different daily soup is offered as well $4.00 and $5.00 respectfully. Salads and pitas are very fresh looking, include items such as tabouleh, fattoush and artichoke as well as the usual shawarma, falafel and kabobs at $4.00 to $10.00. 

Lunch and Dinner entrees (the same size) range from $12.00 to $20.00 and consist of platers of chicken or beef shawarma, chicken, beef or lamb kabobs, falafel and a strictly vegetarian food (served cold or hot). Each entree comes with sides of rice, salad, pita bread, garlic sauce and hummus. There is also a "family" style for parties of four that range from $40.00 to $80.00 for a tray of shawarma, kabobs or vegetarian delights served with heaping sides of hummus, tebouleh, pickles, garlic sauce and pita bread. For an extra special night, one could call ahead 24 hrs. and pay market price (frightening term in my book) for Kebbeh Nayeh which is raw ground lamb, mixed with wheat germ and various spices (I've heard this is delightful from people who have partaken in this "delicacy"and though I'm adventurous with food, I'd personally skip it).  

Desserts range from $3.00 to $5.00 for ethnic treats such as baklawa and namoura with regular items like creme brule and tiramisu (one can also have a choice of four desserts for $19.00.

Beverages include Pepsi fountain drinks, hot tea, (both refillable) orange juice, spring water and Jallab (Date syrup and spritz water topped with crushed ice and pine nuts) $1.50 to $3.00. Note: No liqueur  license yet due to archaic NYS Liqueur Authority. 

Now, the more important deal, my meal. I chose to have the Meza Sampler for two (yes yuck it up fans, but if your going to do this appetizer as your entree, it is just enough). I consider a sampler platter the test of  this type of restaurant not unlike a plate of spaghetti and meatballs at an Italian place.  The sampler consisted of a large amount creamy hummus and smokey baba ghanouj with a little olive oil, a finely chopped and seasoned tabouleh, three falafel and three grape leaves nicely dabbed with garlic sauce and a plate with more than enough pita bread. Everything offered on the plate was freshly made, no store bought purees here and delicious. My only near-compliant being that the falafel was luke warm (though the excellent flavor of it made up well for it). I have to admit as I came near to finishing my plate, I was already full.

My meal was $23.62 with tip, making this four out of five star place a winner. I'm really glad this quality of Middle Eastern food has come to Albany and believe me it is a welcome change to the usual run of the mill. As for the owner's prediction, I'll be back again and hopefully many times over.

Capital Buffet

I ventured to the Capital Buffet at the Wolf Rd Shopper’s Park last night with four other hungry companions. I’ve been here countless times before because this is the premiere of Chinese buffet in Capital land. This place also has added entertainment for people watchers as all and I mean all walks of life come here to eat.

The food here is uncommonly good, always hot and always fresh. At lunchtime, from 11am to 2pm and at dinner 4pm to 8pm, the staff keep cooking and refilling items like clockwork. They also take older items away, not something I have ever seen at other Chinese buffets.

The restaurant is large; décor is the usual Chinese motif with a large fountain in the middle with live koye and sometimes turtles (I say sometimes because there not always in the fountain but where they go in between is anyone’s guess). The place is CLEAN, another not usual sight at Chinese buffets including the restrooms.

The staff is polite and helpful, although many have little English skills. They are happy to get your drinks (bottomless fountain coke products) and take away your plates as soon as you get the last bite down.

Lunch ($7 and change) usually is any kind of chicken you can think of, pork ribs and a few other pork dishes, Mongolian beef, many common fried items, both white and fried rice, vegetable lo mien, wonton, egg drop and hot/sour soups. They also make several different dim sum, one of which is a delectable pork bun (I could eat a hundred of these) and have some exotics like phoenix claw (chickens foot). The usual salad bar with a minor amount of sushi (I never eat sushi at any Chinese buffet and even though I feel this is the best place, I still don’t do it and advise others not to) and very simple deserts (yummy Jell-O) with a self-serve soft ice cream machine is included.

Dinner ($13 and change) is all of the lunch items with a “make your own lo mien bowl and barbeque section where you pick fresh, uncooked meat and vegetable items and a chef whips them up in less than 3 minutes. There are also several additions in seafood and “American” food. Dinner items are snow crab legs, steamed clams, squid-fry, baked clams, mussels, fried “crab “ patties, broiled salmon, roasted turkey, ham, roast beef (all cut yourself), mashed potato and various boiled veggies. Last and certainly least, a bad excuse called pizza. NOTE: I usually stay away from all these items, as they are unhealthy looking at best.

OK, snow crab legs; I must add this, people go crazy at buffets for snow crab legs, yes they may even kill you to get them. I cannot explain it as I do not partake in these at Chinese buffets, but my girl does (she’s a crab queen). People will wait in a line for the pan of boiled crab legs to come out of the kitchen. This night was no different as I saw a very large woman in front of the bar where the crab would be placed, blocking all others from at least three other food selections around her, gripping two plates as if they were the holy grail. Ok, a little exaggeration, but you weren’t getting pass this woman, understand.

All in all, three out of five stars. Capital Buffet is still only Chinese buffet but, if you are going to do Chinese buffet and you’re in Albany, this is the place to be. At the end of the night, the five of us were full and happy, with the kids happier, some great people watching for entertainment and all for $71.19 plus a small tip.

Garlic Lovers Corner

My lovely bride and I arrived at the Garlic Lovers Corner for an early dinner on Friday night. We found the restaurant nearly full and bustling. This was a welcome site as we feared during earlier visits that the location and name may do this little oasis in before it was discovered by North Greenbush locals.

Since the Garlic Lovers does not present an abundance of garlic in its middle eastern cuisine we thought the name might put off new customers in search of an Italian eatery. But, it is in a corner. It is located unidealy as the last store front in a small strip of stores on Route 4. The official address is 235 N. Greenbush Road but it is still Route 4. It is a mile or so north of Hudson Valley Community College.

We have been rooting for success for this small endeavor because owner Nabil Assadship is earnest and pleasing. We had the chance to speak with him at length when the restaurant first opened and were charmed by his graciousness. The service is busy but welcoming and friendly. Most important, the food was surprisingly interesting and flavorful. While we want the Garlic Lovers to keep it's doors open, we don't want to lose our favorite table.

Our latest visit was no different from previous sojourns. The quiet atmosphere was relaxing and feels as though you may have stepped through a Narnia closet door. The atmosphere is created by softened cloths hung attactively from the ceiling, woods, irons and warmly tiled floor. We were seated quickly and relaxed with our menus including a list of specials. We knew in advance to bring our favorite bottle of wine. The Garlic Lovers Corner does not yet have a liquor license which is a great loss for the financial success of the restaurant but a big win for diners. They are happy to open your wine and appear with glasses without an extra fee.

I chose both my appetizer and entree from the special menu. The $6 Empanada was presented in a perfect pastry with ground beef, olives and raisins. It was lightly fried and accompanied by a spike sour cream that was sprinkled with cilantro. The spiked sour cream was a real plus and shared appreciatively. For an entree I had Iberian Shrimp, Scallops and Chorizo for $20. The shrimp was sharply seasoned and set off nicely from the mild but tasty scallops that had absorbed the savory broth. The spicy chorizo sausage and chick peas created a similar complimentary pairing.

Other specials for the evening included Grilled Mahi Mahi for $18 and Chicken Dijon for $16.

The permanent partner had crab cakes appetizer. There was less pepper than I expected but appropriate for our dinner. It was a nice, light, flaky crab meat with a mild flavor. Moroccan Stew was her entree choice. The combination of seasonings created a pleasing, drool producing, aroma. The lamb was tender and perfectly done as the center piece of the dish. The flavors were a light mixture of chick peas, okra, sweet potato's, potato's, onions, baby spinach and diced tomatoes. They were all stewed in a cinnamon / curry sauce that penetrated the vegetables. Nice dish.

Each prior trip has earned the same raves. The restaurant has continued to improve in service.

Garlic Lovers Corner is open Monday - Saturday 11:00-3:00 Lunch; 4:30-9:00 Dinner. 518-283-1621.

Cafe Capriccio - Chef's Table

I had the special pleasure of dining at a private event that took advantage of Cafe Capriccio's Chef's Table. This intimate dining experience takes place at the top of a steep stairwell above the main restaurant. When you enter the room you are welcomed by the aroma of fresh food and the sight of a busy family style kitchen with a large dining table that can seat up to 15.

Chef
Jim Rua was our host and did a great job of making us feel welcome and an even better job of describing what we would be eating, where it came from, the source of ingredients and the style of preparation. It was like having an uncle who took great pride in his food and showed it by explaining every nuance. It appeared that most of the real work was done by three assisting chefs. Sometimes this kind of closeness can be akward but they really got it done right. Jim didn't get in the way of our conversation and enjoyed his guests as if he were part of the group.

Wine flowed freely, seemingly without limit. Each diner was offered a white or red choice and I can vouch for the red cab. It was the perfect compliment to our dinner.

As our expectations grew the anti-pasta course appeared. There were at least five dishes served family style for our group. I tried the perfectly done fratata and a delicious red pepper / mozzarella cheese combination. The mixed greens got raves.

The wine continued to flow, the conversation started to get loud and we were introduced to our pasta course. This was a fresh, thick noodle with pesto and cherry tomatos served in a deep bowl. The noodles were decidedly al dente and if you perferred it softened you might be disappointed but for me - it was dead on.

The third course was a simple, hearty presentation of spare rib, broccoli and garlic mashed potatos. I was already well over my full line and could not eat another bite. I took the meat dish home and expanded the experience to two nights. It was a delight at home with my wife's special pasta salad with calamata olives, sundried tomatos and gorganzola cheese. Perfect.

The desert prepared for us was a cheesecake but Jim could already sense the meal was too heavy and he offered a lighter option of gelato with fruit that at least half the room went for.

Overall, a special dining experience. Private parties are $75/person including wine and desert. Tax and gratuity are additional. A good value for all that you get.

I'm grading this 5 stars for this type of genre which is rare in the capital district.

Everybody's Cafe

This friendly, family owned cafe/bistro is located in a former house located on Columbia Turnpike in East Greenbush. Owner Nicole has been running this venture hands on since the beginning. Nicole has escaped to Vermont but still is on the scene frequently. The day to day operation is now in the hands of Nicole's younger brother.

This old house has wood plank floors and a casual comfortable feel. There are tables in the left and right wings of the house with a array of overstuffed couches and chairs in the center section. Paintings and photographs from local artists are displayed and for sale on the walls.


Patrons order at the register as they enter the Cafe and the food is delivered to your table. During our latest visit my wife and I each had a cup of the Creme of Red Potato soup and a 1/2 sandwich. The soup was delicious though the taste of butter was a touch too heavy. Our sandwich was served on fresh whole wheat bread with a thick cut of roast turkey, a matching slice of mozzarella cheese, spinach, tomato and a sun dried tomato pesto spread. It was a perfect lunch for a snowy afternoon.

My wife closed the meal with a white chocolate, walnut, pumpkin bread. She described it as having a nice flavor of cardamon and cinnamon with no overpowering taste of white chocolate or pumpkin. One complaint was that it was slightly undercooked in the center.

We always enjoy a stop in at this underutilized eatery. It is warm, inviting and non-judgemental. It features a wide array of interesting coffees and teas and always has something new to try. Everybody's Cafe is at 674 Columbia Turnpike in East Greenbush. It is open from 7am-4pm Monday - Friday and 8am-2pm on Saturday. Wednesdays feature dinner until 8pm.

Creo'

I went to Creo at Stuyvesant Plaza today for an early dinner. I'd held off from this place due to the fact that I thought it would take time to work out bugs, etc. when they first opened (plus I had misunderstood that they were going to be a creole/cajan restaurant and was VERY disappointed when I saw they weren't). Restaurant is owned by conglomerate that owns Mangia, Log Jam, The Butcher Block and Bountiful Breads.

First, the decor is very sophisticated and modern, earth tones, open view kitchen (liked it), clientele was "stuffy money" like the rest of Stuyvesant. Menu was set for lunch with small plate entrees, big plate entrees, salads, soups, upscale sandwiches, decent wine & dessert list. Drinks, non-alcoholic ordered, then cold bread (from Bountiful Breads, not a bad loaf just COLD) brought over (usually a kiss of death for me at a restaurant).

I had a small plate for an app. It was the polenta with mushroom ragout and buffalo mozzarella. Simple and Very Good.

We had two specials for dinner, both were big plates.

She had double cooked pork ribs (which were rotisserie cooked and then braised), a side of black bean chile and fries. Ribs were very tender, zesty, tangy sauced (lightly), chile was like a compote. All WOW Very Good.

I had the veal shank with risotto in a red wine demi-glaze. Veal was very tender, not as fatty as expected, risotto creamy and rich, glaze rough but not overpowering. All WOW Excellent.

Was full but did share creme brule'e at end. Very Good.

Bit pricey, (Stuyvesant crowd, you know) $66 and change. Wait staff was happy, helpful, quick, efficient and not bothersome (22% tip).

Extra special for the guys: Men's Bathroom was first and equipt w/ a 26 inch HD LCD TV on the wall over the urinal.

Bottomline: Four out of Five Stars. Was very happy to have gone (despite EVIL cold bread and I want to be on an e-mail list when the special is veal shank) and will go again.

Chez Mike

I have eaten at this East Greenbush restaurant on two occasions now. The first time my wife and I dropped in prior to a movie and the second time my daughter and I celebrated with lunch after braces removal. On both occasions I was pleasantly surprised by the honest attempt to bring some good food and a relaxed atmosphere to the eatery deprived area of East Greenbush.

This strip center location used to a be a Chinese Restaurant that I had visited before and it took some time to remove the linoleum and windexed glass table tops image from my mind. But after I finished comparing how it is to how it used to be I was ready for a new experience. Chez Mike now has rich wooden floors, rows of comfortable booths on both sides of the room with free standing 4-tops in the center. Nothing original but it has a warm, cozy appeal.

Wait staff are in matching shirts and jeans. They are informal but knowledgeable about the menu and options. When busy they get a little overwhelmed and we found it tough to get drinks before dinner but once past the challenge of the very small bar things went smoothly.

The food matches the ambiance. My wife and I enjoyed the Homemade Country Pate appetizers with cocktails before dinner in the bar area and really enjoyed the dish. We disagreed as to how cold pate should be served. It was too cold for my taste and gave the sense that it was packaged but we were assured it was made earlier in the day and refrigerated.

The main dinner menu moves from Mac-N-Cheese with Cavatappi pasted tossed in blended cheese sauce, topped with fresh herb-olive oil crust for $13.99 to Grilled NY Strip steak with goat cheese creamed spinach, roasted pepper and garlic compote for $23.99.

I enjoyed the Braised Lamb Shanks. Moist and tender, they were accompanied by olives, capers, tomato, citrus (sounds better on the menu than the little pile of side that it is) and semolina gnocchi.

Overall Chez Mike was a step up from what I expected in a strip mall and a welcome addition to the pitiful East Greenbush restaurant scene.

Congrats to Chef/Owner Mike Cohen and his wife Michele. The couple have established this East Greenbush eatery after graduating from the Culinary Institute in the late 90s and working in a number of reputable restaurants around the country.