NORTHERN
ITALIAN
Café
Capriccio
49
Grand St., Albany, 465-0439. Gourmet Italian dining, with
a menu that includes seasonal specials, pastas and Mediterranean
gourmet fare as well. Try the ravioli Della Sera and the
calamari neri. Serving 5:30-10 Mon-Thu, 5:30-11 Fri-Sat,
5:30-9 Sun. Reservations strongly suggested. AE, D, DC,
MC, V. $$$
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Café Lucia
80
Church St., Lenox, Mass., (413) 637-2640. Enjoy the cuisine
of chef-owner Anthony May, who takes loving care with his
ingredients to turn out variations on Italian and continental
favorites. Full bar and award-winning wine list. Private
parties. Reservations recommended. Serving dinner 5:30-9:30
(sometimes later) Tue-Sat. AE, CB, D, DC, MC, V. $$$$
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Chianti il Ristorante
208
S. Broadway, Saratoga Springs, 580-0025. Start with antipasto
del Chianti and discover how delectable such simple
ingredients can be. Innovative Northern Italian fare (with
a good presence of garlic) served in a rustic Italian, newly
expanded dining room. Seasonal outdoor dining available.
Full bar. Serving 5:30-9:30 Sun-Thu, 5:30-10 (or so) Fri-Sat.
AE, MC, V. $$$
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Elda’s
203-207
Lark St., Albany, 449-3532. The luxe dining room has balcony
seating at this classy addition to the family of the original
Elda’s (see next entry). The classic Italian, French and
American menu includes homemade pastas, bread and sinful
gourmet desserts. Outdoor patio. Full bar and lounge with
live entertainment. On/off-premises catering and takeout
available. Serving lunch 11-3 Mon-Fri, dinner 4-10 Mon-Thu,
4-2 Fri-Sat, 4-mid Sun. Free parking. AE, CB, D, DC, MC,
V. $$
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Elda’s Trattoria & Café
122
Fourth St., Troy, 274-3532. A lot of Northern and a little
Southern Italian cooking, with daily specials that include
veal and fresh seafood. Full bar, banquet facilities and
on/off-premises catering. Takeout available, delivery until
2 AM daily. Serving dinner 4-10 Mon-Sat. Dining room closed
Tue. Free parking. Reservations suggested. AE, CB, D, DC,
MC, V. $
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Fannie’s
472
Troy Schenectady Road, Latham, 785-5404. Serving Northern
(and Southern) Italian cuisine, with seafood, veal and steak
specials. Too many kinds of pasta to count. Full bar. Banquets
and off-premises catering. Takeout and delivery available.
Serving lunch 11:30-2 Mon-Fri, dinner 5-10 Mon-Thu, 5-11
Fri-Sat, 4-9 Sun. Reservations suggested for large parties.
AE, MC, V. $$
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Lenox 218
218
Main St., Lenox, Mass., (413) 637-4218. It’s Northern Italian,
but with an eclectic flair that includes novel takes on
American favorites served in a comfortable, nicely appointed
dining room. Full bar, banquet facilities. Serving lunch
daily 11:30-2:15, dinner nightly 5-9. AE, D, DC, MC, V.
$$$
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Lo Porto Ristorante
85
Fourth St., Troy, 273-8546. Martin Scorsese’s favorite Capital
Region restaurant is still going strong, serving Italian
specialties with a Sicilian flavor. Full bar, off-premises
catering. Space available for private parties. Takeout available.
Serving dinner 5-10 Tue-Sat. Closed Sun-Mon. Reservations
strongly suggested. AE, D, DC, MC, V. $$$
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Lo Porto at the Sign of the Tree
Empire
State Plaza, Albany, 465-7313. Easy to get to, great view
and plenty of tables on weeknights. The same great food
as Lo Porto’s Troy restaurant, served in comfy surroundings.
Try pollo con asparci for a great combo of chicken
and asparagus, beans and greens. Full bar. On/off-premises
catering. Serving lunch 11-4 Mon-Fri; dinner 5-10 Mon-Sat.
Closed Sun. AE, D, DC, MC, V. $$$
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Luigi’s
1125
Barrett St., Schenectady, 382-5429. Luigi’s has been at
the same location for almost 50 years, with a vast menu
of homemade Italian specials. Fresh seafood, sausage and
terrific pasta fagioli. Full bar, catering and banquet
facilities. Takeout available. Serving lunch 11:30-1:30
Mon, Wed-Fri; dinner 4:30-9 Mon, Wed-Thu, 4:30-10 Fri-Sat,
12:30-8:30 Sun. Closed Tue. AE, CB, D, DC, MC, V. $$
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Mallozzi’s
1930
Curry Road, Schenectady, 355-0340. A banquet house that
offers fine dining in an elegant setting; traditional Italian
fare with many chef’s specials. Full bar, banquet facilities.
Takeout available. Serving 4:30-9 Tue, Thu-Fri; 5-9 Wed,
Sat. Closed Sun-Mon. Reservations suggested. AE, MC, V.
$$$
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Mangino’s
Route
9P, Saratoga Lake, 584-5599. Serving Northern and traditional
Italian specialties for more than 50 years at the same beautiful
location at the south end of Saratoga Lake. Specials include
lobster, shrimp, veal, Black Angus steak, prime rib and
fresh seafood. Full bar and banquet facilities. Serving
3-9 Wed-Thu, 3-11 Fri-Sat, 1-9 Sun. Closed Mon-Tue. Reservations
suggested. AE, CB, D, DC, MC, V. $$
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Milano
Newton
Plaza, 594 New Loudon Road, Latham, 783-3334. Northern Italian
cuisine featuring homemade pasta, gourmet pizza, grilled
meats and seafood. Selection of gourmet foods and baked
goods for takeout. Full bar, off-premises catering by Unique
Catering. Serving lunch 11:30-3 Mon-Fri, noon-3 Sat; dinner
5-10 Tue-Thu, 5-10:30 Fri-Sat, 5-9 Sun-Mon. Reservations
suggested. AE, CB, D, DC, MC, V. $$
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Nicole’s Italia
20
Mall, 2080 Western Ave., Guilderland, 456-8242. Southern
and Northern Italian specialties served in an intimate atmosphere.
Full bar, banquet facilities, on/off-premises catering.
Takeout available. Serving lunch buffet 11:30-1:30 Mon-Fri,
dinner 4-9 Sun-Thu, 4-10 Fri-Sat. Reservations suggested.
AE, D, MC, V. $$
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Nicole’s Restaurant
556
Delaware Ave., Albany, 436-4952. The menu offers Southern
and Northern Italian specialties in an intimate dining room
with a metropolitan feel. Full bar, banquet facilities,
on/off-premises catering. Takeout available. Private luncheons
by reservation any day. Serving lunch 11:30-3 Tue-Fri, dinner
5-10 Mon-Thu, 5-11 Fri-Sat, 5-9:30 Sun. Reservations suggested.
AE, CB, D, DC, MC, V. $$$
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Pagliacci’s Ristorante
44
S. Pearl St., Albany, 465-1001. An unassuming restaurant
across the street from the Pepsi Arena. Here you will find
fine dining that reflects Northern Italian culinary traditions,
with daily specials. Full bar, banquet facilities. On- and
off-premises catering. Serving lunch 11-3 Mon-Sat; dinner
4-10 Mon-Sat, 3-9 Sun. On Pepsi Arena event nights, kitchen
stays open after the event gets out. AE, MC, V. $$
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Panza’s
510
Route 9P, Saratoga Lake, 584-6882. Distinctive Italian cuisine
is given a continental flair. Full bar, banquets for all
occasions, on/off-premises catering. Serving dinner 5-close
Thu-Sun. Closed Mon-Wed. Open daily July and August, 5-close.
Reservations suggested. AE, MC, V. $$$
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V & R Restaurant
136
Madison Ave., Albany, 626-0001 or 626-0700. Northern Italian
cuisine featuring pasta, chicken, veal and seafood. Soups
and desserts made from scratch. Full bar, catering, private
parties up to 70. Takeout available. Reservations suggested.
Serving 11-11 Mon-Fri, 3-11 Sat-Sun. AE, CB, D, DC, MC,
V. $$$
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Verdura
44
Railroad St., Great Barrington, Mass., (413) 528-8969. A
rustic Italian trattoria inspired by the food and feel of
Tuscany, featuring a European-style hardwood bar and an
open window to the kitchen. The emphasis is on local and
organic ingredients: organic olive oil, local produce, locally
made Italian sourdough bread, house-made pasta. Enjoy seafood,
meats and game from the wood-fired oven and grill. All desserts
are house-made. Full bar; can accommodate parties up to
20. Serving dinner 5-10 Sun-Tue, Thu-Sat. Closed Wed. MC,
V. $$$
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Villa Luisa
2207
Route 9P, Saratoga Lake, 581-0234. Serving Northern Italian
dishes from the restaurateur’s home in the Emilia-Romagna
region of Bologna, the restaurant specializes in veal, chicken,
seafood and pasta. Updated menu includes extensive appetizers,
light bar menu and more seafood specialties daily. Full
bar, banquet facilities, catering for up to 150 people.
Takeout available. Reservations recommended. Serving 4:30-9:30
Mon-Thu; 4:30-10 Fri-Sat, 3:30-8 Sun. AE, MC, V. $$$
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The Wheat Fields
440
Broadway, Saratoga Springs, 587-0534. A multitude of unique
pasta entrées is featured along with veal, fish and chicken
specials daily. Lunch menu includes sandwiches and the popular
Eggplant Pompeii. Full bar; limited banquet and on-premises
catering. Reservations accepted for parties of five or more.
Serving lunch noon-4 Sat-Sun; dinner 4:30-10 Sun-Thu, 4:30-10:30
Fri-Sat. AE, D, MC, V. $$
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