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TJ’s Cafe lives up to expectations ... and then some
Sunday, Feb. 17, 2013
I’m glad TJ’s came to my attention so I could tell you how nice it is. When you’re thinking of Applebee’s or those similar places, do yourself a favor and go to TJ’s instead for homemade food.
HALFMOON
Halfmoon Sandwich shop great for homesick downstaters
Sunday, Feb. 10, 2013
Over the drink coolers in the bright and brand-new, expanded Halfmoon Sandwich & Salad Shoppe hang two small signs. One says “Clifton Park,” the other, “Long Island.” They bring lots of good things to the Capital Region from the Island.
JONESVILLE
Shirley’s comes up short
Sunday, Feb. 3, 2013
When a new eatery opens in a small town or hamlet, you’re always rooting for it to do well, to become a beloved local fixture. But eating at the new Shirley’s Café felt like rooting for the New York Islanders: We wanted so badly for them to do well, but on this occasion, at least, they came up short.
BALLSTON SPA
The trivia was fun, but food, service need work at the Factory Eatery
Sunday, Jan. 27, 2013
My husband and I decided to check out The Factory for dinner recently, both because we’d been meaning to try the place for ages and because we’d heard that they now have Memorama trivia on Wednesday nights. The trivia game was great fun; our dinner experience, however, was a bit less so.
ROTTERDAM
Johnny C’s more than pizza
Sunday, Jan. 20, 2013
Johnny C’s is an example of what Schenectady does so well: small, family-owned Italian restaurants with good, inexpensive food, and bakeries that supply excellent Italian bread.
LATHAM
Crab Shack more about speed than food
Sunday, Jan. 13, 2013
I like dining, even casual dining, to be the event that caps the day, not a just pause between activities. Joe’s Crab Shack jumps in to fill that pause, which for busy folks offers an entertaining but not entirely culinary respite
Dining at old favorites, new gems
Sunday, Dec. 30, 2012
The Gazette’s restaurant reviewers traveled throughout the Capital Region and beyond in 2012 in their quest for new and exciting dining experiences, and judging by their top 10 choices, it was a very good year.
GUILDERLAND
Hana offers wide range of dishes, hibachi
Sunday, Dec. 23, 2012
The restaurant has many dining areas. Some are devoted to sushi, some to hibachi parties and some to other Japanese cuisine.
CLIFTON PARK
Generous portions at Dickey’s Barbecue Pit
Sunday, Dec. 16, 2012
Mom and I had just polished off a delicious meal of tasty, slow-cooked barbecue. We agreed — it’s good stuff but you can’t have it too often. The number of calories we consumed must have been astronomical — but it sure was good.
Fortunate Cup a cozy place to linger, enjoy light dinner
Sunday, Dec. 9, 2012
Coffee shops have evolved, and none more so than the sleek, open, and sunny coffee cafe that is The Fortunate Cup on the west side of Saratoga.
Tailored Tea serves flavorful offerings in charming setting
Sunday, Nov. 18, 2012
I brought my tea-loving friend along to the Tailored Tea, a breakfast, lunch and tea restaurant in a historic building near the Albany airport, where they take tea seriously. They also take the food seriously, so even if you don’t like tea you will enjoy your meal.
CLIFTON PARK
Dorothy O’Day’s Irish Pub’s choice fare worth the price
Sunday, Nov. 11, 2012
I was wondering whether the area could sustain more hearty Gaelic fare. Dorothy O’Day’s is a good addition to the burgeoning independent restaurant scene in Clifton Park.
SCHENECTADY
Dependably good Union Cafe adds dinner to repertoire
Sunday, Nov. 4, 2012
The Union Cafe, which was a long time coming on upper Union Street, has been operating now for seven months and is entering a new phase by offering dinner three nights a week.
SCHENECTADY
Plenty to drink at the Bier Abbey, and the food’s good, too
Sunday, Oct. 28, 2012
Owner George Collentine’s vision of a place for beer aficionados in Schenectady seems to be taking shape, based on our observations on a recent Friday night.
LATHAM
At the Table: Portofino’s Ristorante serves Italian fare — with a twist
Sunday, Oct. 21, 2012
Husband Eric was grumpy. Having been dragged away from his books, sofa and fireplace on a chilly Saturday night, he didn’t relish the idea of dinner at an unknown restaurant in a hotel in Latham. He was in much better spirits after dinner. Portofino’s exceeded his expectations, and he was stuffed and happy.
