CONTINENTAL
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Phila Bistro
43 Phila St., Saratoga Springs, 584-2720. Thoughtfully prepared
creative cuisine is available at this award-winning American
bistro. Menu changes seasonally. Full bar, on/off-premises
catering. Serving dinner 5-10 Wed-Mon; kitchen closed (bar
open) Tue. AE, CB, D, DC, MC, V. $$$$
The Arlington House
3532 Route 43, West Sand Lake, 674-1880. www.thearlingtonhouse.com.
Once the Arlington Hotel, this is a gorgeous-looking destination
where seafood is especially well done and the menu is changed
to fit each season. Great homemade desserts, too. Full bar.
Patio dining available in season. Serving dinner Tue-Sat
5-9, Sun 4-8. AE, CB, D, DC, MC, V. $$$
Beekman Street Bistro
62 Beekman St., Saratoga Springs, 581-1816. Locally grown
meat and produce forms the core of the innovative continental
menu, where you’ll find imaginative variants on chicken
and rabbit, excellent fish like fresh sardines and a cozy
space that doubles as an art gallery in Saratoga’s up-and-coming
West Side neighborhood. Beer and wine list. Serving dinner
5-9 Tue-Sun. AE, MC, V. $$$
Bookmaker’s at the Holiday Inn
232 Broadway, Saratoga Springs, 587-8944 ext. 5. Steaks,
chicken, shrimp and other continental favorites. Banquet
facilities, on/off-premises catering. Light-fare menu available.
Serving 6:30 AM-10 PM daily; breakfast buffet 8-noon Sun.
AE, D, DC, MC, V. $$$
The Card Lake Inn
29 Main St., West Stockbridge, Mass., (413) 232-0272, www.cardlakeinn.com.
Choose between tavern fare (ribs, burgers, chicken wings)
and a fancier dinner menu with innovative items like swordfish
with a blueberry-peach salsa and standard fare like pasta
and steaks. Full bar. Serving lunch noon-3 daily, dinner
5-10 daily. MC, V. $$$
Elm Court Restaurant
Route 71, North Egremont, Mass., (413) 528-0325. www.elmcourtinn.com.
A beautiful old 1790 building with small, elegant dining
rooms. The menu, which changes daily, features fresh ingredients
and includes great takes on old classics like French onion
soup and escargot, as well as more recently devised American
fare. Full bar, on-premises catering. Serving dinner 5-9
Wed-Sun. AE, MC, V. $$$$
Franklin’s Tower
414 Broadway, Albany, 431-1920. From pub fare (burgers,
wraps, pulled pork) to a full dinner menu featuring such
items as prosciutto-wrapped grilled shrimp, marinated pork
tenderloin, steaks, seafood and pasta dishes. Full bar,
on-premises catering, takeout available. Serving 11:30-9
Mon-Thu, 11:30-10 Fri, 5 PM-10 Sat. AE, D, MC, V. $$
The Georgian at the Gideon Putnam
Saratoga Spa State Park, Saratoga Springs, 584-3000. www.gideonputnam.com.
Elegant dining, featuring continental fare, pasta and more,
in any of several attractive rooms. Open to the public year-round.
Full bar, catering and banquet facilities. Serving breakfast
daily 7-10; lunch 11:30-2; Sunday brunch 10:30-2. Dinner
served 6-9 Sun-Thu, 6-10 Fri-Sat. Reservations suggested.
AE, CB, D, DC, MC, V. $$$$
The Ginger Man Wine Bar & Restaurant
234 Western Ave., Albany, 427-5963. www.albanygingerman.com.
Try the traditional and Mediterranean fruit-and-cheese boards
with a glass of wine. Fresh seasonal ingredients, fusion
flair, and house-made desserts. Menu includes seafood paella,
fresh salmon and tuna, salads and daily fish and pasta specials.
Extensive, award-winning wine and beer list. Full bar, on-premises
catering, takeout available. Serving 11:30-11:30 Mon-Thu,
11:30 AM-12:30 AM Fri; bar open 4:30-1 AM Mon-Thu, 4-2 AM
Fri-Sat. Closed Sun. Reservations recommended. AE, D, MC,
V. $$$
Glen Sanders Mansion
1 Glen Ave., Scotia, 374-7262. www.glen sandersmansion.com.
Featuring gourmet cuisine and seasonal specials. Full bar
and banquet facilities, on/off-premises catering. Overnight
accommodations available. Serving lunch 11:30-2 Mon-Fri;
dinner 5-10 Mon-Sat, 4-9 Sun; brunch 10:30-1 Sun; pub menu
2-10 PM Mon-Fri, 5-10 Sat, 4-10 Sun. Reservations recommended.
AE, D, DC, MC, V. $$$$
Good Times Lakeview Restaurant
175 Lake Road, Ballston Lake, 399-9976. www.goodtimesrestaurant.com
(coupons online). A varied menu with light fare to hearty
dining, cheerful service and panoramic views of Ballston
Lake by a roaring real-wood fireplace. The only thing they
overlook is the lake. Homestyle New England country cooking
featuring homemade pastas, fresh seafood and chops. Early-bird
specials, children’s menu. Check out the birds at the birdfeeders,
the Elvis impersonator dinner shows or the year-round mystery
dinner theater. Relaxed candlelit dinner available in the
main dining room or in the pub. Full bar, takeout and banquet
facilities. The private lakeview banquet room fits 30-100.
Serving 11:30-9 Wed-Mon. AE, D, DC, MC, V, traveler’s checks.
$$
Great American Grill
Garden Inn Hilton, 800 Albany Shaker Road, Colonie, 464-6666.
Dine in view of the Hilton lobby and watch the passersby
as you sample the breakfast buffet, dig into a sandwich
or try one of the exotic dinner specials. Full bar, banquet
facilities, on-premises catering. Serving breakfast 6-10
Mon-Fri, 6:30-noon Sat-Sun and holidays; lunch 11-1 Mon-Fri;
dinner 5-10 nightly. AE, D, MC, V. $$$
Hobson’s Choice
159 Water St., Williamstown, Mass., 413-458-9101. Chef-owner
Dan Campbell hs run this very popular restaurant for more
than 15 years, offering a reliable menu of familiar continental
fare but trying when possible to source items locally. The
teriyaki filet mignon is a winner. Full bar. Serving dinner
nightly from 5 PM. AE, D, MC, V. $$$
La Perla at the Gregory House
3016 Route 43, Averill Park, 674-3774. www.gregoryhouse.com.
Specializing in Italian and continental foods including
chicken, seafood, pasta, veal and wild-game specials, all
served in a relaxed atmosphere. A new room with a firewood
brick oven offers pizza Sun-Fri in a more casual atmosphere.
Full bar, on-premises catering and banquet facilities for
small groups. Serving dinner 4-10 Mon, Wed and Thu; 4-11
Fri; 3-11 Sat and 2-10 Sun. Reservations suggested. D, MC,
V. $$$
La Serre
14 Green St., Albany, 463-6056. This is the place for fresh
pasta, grilled fish or veal chanterelle. Full bar
and banquet facilities. Serving lunch 11:30-2:30 Mon-Fri,
dinner 5-9 Mon-Thu, 5-9:30 Fri-Sat. Closed most Sundays.
Reservations suggested. AE, MC, V. $$$$
Lanzi’s on the Lake
Route 30, Mayfield, 661-7711. Owned and operated by the
Lanzi family. Fine dining for three generations, specializing
in steaks, seafood and Italian dishes. Full bar, on/off-premises
catering. Serving lunch 11-3 daily, dinner 4-close. Reservations
suggested. AE, D, DC, MC, V. $$$
Lippera’s at the Chatham House
29 Hudson Ave., Chatham, 392-6600. www.lipperas.com. Restaurant
and tavern with locally inspired fresh seasonal cuisine.
Menu changes seasonally. Serving 11:30-10:30 Mon-Thurs,
11:30-11 Fri-Sat, 11-9 Sun. Gourmet brunch 11-2 Sun. Affordable
tavern menu available. AE, D, MC, V. $$$
Mansion Hill Inn
115 Philip St., Albany, 465-2038. www.man sionhill.com.
Look for a new menu coming Nov. 1. Private parties available.
Serving dinner 5-close Mon-Sat. Closed Sun. AE, D, DC, MC,
V. $$$$
Michael’s Restaurant
4465 Route 30, Amsterdam, 842-7399. Chef Michael Russo presents
an Italian-tinged menu featuring beef, veal, chicken and
seafood in a variety of guises. Specials include eggplant
ravioli with grilled chicken and a spinach cream sauce,
and sesame-encrusted yellowfin tuna with a vegetable stir-fry.
Light menu also available. Full bar, banquet facilities.
Open from 11:30-9:30 daily. AE, D, MC, V. $$
Millstone Lodge
654 Saratoga Road, Burnt Hills, 384-3812. The former Kristel’s
Inn has been remodeled and reopened by chef Cory Masten,
whose continental menu includes sandwiches and burgers,
a classic turkey dinner, chicken dishes, pasta and more.
Hearty portions from a scratch kitchen. Full bar. Serving
4:30 PM-10 Tue-Sat, 10-9 Sun. AE, DC, MC, V. $$$
Olde Shaker Inn
1171 Troy Schenectady Road, Latham, 783-6460. www.theoldeshakerinn.com.
The usual meats and fishes are transformed with imaginative
ingredients on a menu offering New American cuisine. Full
bar, facilities for small parties and off-premises catering
available. Serving lunch 11:30-3 Mon-Fri; dinner 5-9:30
Mon-Sat, 4-9 Sun. Sun brunch 10:30-2. AE, D, DC, MC, V.
$$$
Park 54
54 Clifton Country Road, Clifton Park, 688-1548. Chef Mike
Pietrocola and his wife Deena have redecorated the place,
so it’s much more comfortable. The menu offers new American
cuisine with French and Italian influences. Nice formal
dining in the land of chain restaurants. Full bar, wine
list. Outdoor seasonal deck. Serving dinner from 4:30-11
Tue-Sun. AE, MC, V. $$$$
Pearl Restaurant and Lounge
1 Steuben Place, Albany, 433-0011, www.pearlalbany.com.
This downtown Albany restaurant and martini lounge is located
in a thoroughly renovated space in the historic Steuben
Building. The menu features steak and seafood specialties,
along with veal, chicken and pasta dishes. Full bar; extensive
wine list. Banquet facilities, catering, takeout available.
Serving 11-9 Mon-Wed, 11-10 Thu-Sat, Closed Sun. Bar menu
available until 11. AE, D, DC, MC, V. $$$
The Pillars
860 Route 20, New Lebanon, 794-8007. www.pillarsrestaurant.com.
European and regional American cuisine meet in this period
cottage on seven acres of rolling lawn. Specialties include
veal Lafayette and sole Mantua served in a lobster reduction
sauce. Full bar, on-premises catering. Serving dinner 5-9
Wed-Sat, 4-8 Sun. Reservations suggested. AE, CB, MC, V.
$$$$
Pinehaven Restaurant & Caterers
Pinehaven Country Club, 1151 Siver Road, Guilderland, 456-7111
ext. 132. www.pine havencc.com. A warm and friendly restaurant,
located in an elegant country club setting. Some of the
rooms overlook the landscaped golf course. Serving a wide
variety of dishes, from homemade soups and sandwiches to
pasta and veal dishes. Daily specials. Full bar; on-premises
catering. Takeout available. Serving 11-8 Thu and Sun, 11-8:30
Fri-Sat. AE, D, MC, V. $$$
Prospect Restaurant
Scribner Hollow Lodge, Route 23A, Hunter, 263-4211. www.scribnerhollow.com.
The restaurant focuses on creating a Catskill-mountain cuisine
using the freshest ingredients, locally purveyed from the
astonishing range of Catskill-mountain agricultural micro
enterprises. Owner Guy Chirico plans menus that vary seasonally,
with emphasis on wild game and closely matched food-and-wine
pairings. Seven-time winner of Wine Spectator magazine
Award of Excellence. Serving dinner Sun-Thu 5-9, Fri-Sat
5-10. AE, D, MC, V. $$$$
The Red Lion Inn
30 Main St., Stockbridge, Mass., (413) 298-5545. www.redlioninn.com.
Three dining rooms—which can seat 275—give you plenty of
seating choices in an establishment that dates from 1773.
The menu features regional cuisine with a contemporary twist,
including seared organic salmon with white bean puree, roasted
cauliflower and extra virgin olive oil. In an effort to
support local farmers, Chef Alberg offers a special sustainable
foods menu Sunday and Monday evenings. Full bar, banquet
facilities, on/off-premises catering. Serving sustainable
breakfast 7-10 Mon-Fri, 7:30-10:30 Sat-Sun; lunch noon-2:30
Mon-Sat (until 4 in the tavern), noon-4 Sun; dinner 5:30-9
Sun-Thu, 5:30-10 Fri-Sat. AE, D, DC, MC, V. $$$$
River Street Café
429 River St., Troy, 273-2740. The chef and chef-owned restaurant
give personal attention to each item on the seasonally changing
menu of fresh, New American fare. Beer and wine. Serving
dinner 5:30-close Tue-Sat. Closed Sun-Mon. Reservations
suggested. MC, V, personal checks. $$$
The Scrimshaw
The Desmond, 660 Albany Shaker Road, Colonie, 869-8100.
Exemplary service and culinary excellence presented in 18th-century
elegance. Four-course dinners offered including steak au
poivre, veal Oscar and cedar-plank salmon. Extensive wine
list and wine dinners offered daily. Full bar. Serving dinner
5:30-10 Mon-Sat. Closed Sun. Reservations suggested. AE,
CB, D, MC, V. $$$$
Smith’s
171 Remsen St., Cohoes, 237-9809. Built in 1873, this historic
restaurant boasts one of the longest fully stocked bars
north of New York City. The menu offers fresh seafood, veal,
calf’s liver, pastas, chicken, various prime beef dishes
and daily specials. All desserts made on premises. Homemade
soups. Full bar, banquet facilities. Serving lunch 11:30-2:30
Tue-Fri; dinner 5-9 Tue-Sat. Closed Sun-Mon (open for private
parties). Reservations suggested. AE, MC, V. $$
Sperry’s
30 1/2 Caroline St., Saratoga Springs, 584-9618. Casual
upscale dining on a side street. Noted for soft-shell crab
(when in season), Maryland crab cakes, fresh fish, prime
steaks, pasta specials and homemade desserts. Extensive
wine list. Unique lunch and dinner specials daily. Full
bar. Takeout available. Serving lunch 11:30-3 Tue-Sat; dinner
5:30-10 Mon-Sat, 5-9 Sun. AE, DC, MC, V. $$$
The Trillium
The Sagamore, 110 Sagamore Road, Bolton Landing, 644-9400.
The Sagamore’s award-winning fine-dining restaurant is completely
renovated and reopened with a new menu. Hours vary; call
for availability. AE, D, DC, MC, V. $$$$
Wishing Well
Route 9, Saratoga Springs, 584-7640. Premium steaks and
chops, live Maine lobsters and award winning wine list are
hallmarks at this Saratoga landmark. Weekend entertainment.
Light fare at bar. Wedding and special occasions. Serving
5-10 Tue-Sat, 4-9 Sun. Reservations suggested. AE, DC, MC,
V. $$$$
Wunderbar and Bistro
744 Warren St., Hudson, 828-0555. A true German menu that
features an oversized pork schnitzel, an excellent wurst
plate, pot roast and even a tasty burger. And there are
pasta and seafood dishes as well, all of it reasonably priced
for this trendy part of Columbia County. Full bar. Serving
lunch 11:30-2 Mon-Fri, dinner 5-10 Mon-Sat. AE, MC, V. $
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