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Hiros has been around for about 30 years. It has changed owners in that time, and very recently obtained new owners. Most of the wait staff and cooks are the same and the food is the most consistent...
Hiros has been around for about 30 years. It has changed owners in that time, and very recently obtained new owners. Most of the wait staff and cooks are the same and the food is the most consistent of any restaurant I know. Strangely enough, I never actually go to Hiros for table-based Japanese food, not because its not good, but its a little pricey and I generally just don't think to go there for that. What I do go for is the Hibachi. They have six Hibachi tables. Three of them are down near the bar and those are the ones you want to reserve - they are a bit more intimate and comfortable (as long as you don't mind taking your shoes off) - get an upper table for older company. You will generally need a reservation, especially on a weekend. If they will let you, try and reserve Mori as he is the best chef there.
I generally go to Hiros monthly because it is really expensive, otherwise I'd go every week! But you can get out of there with a full stomach at the hibachi table for $30 a person - I always get the hibachi special which comes with all sorts of goodies, steak and shrimp is the main course.
Its a great place to go with a group because if you have eight people you will take up an entire table. If its just two of you, you will mostly likely have to sit with strangers, but that generally is a comfortable experience, even if you're not social.
One of the best things about Hiros (and the reason I don't really like other hibachi places) are the two sauces they give you with your meal. THEY ARE AMAZING. I love to pour some mustard sauce on my bowl of rice - its a great combo. At the end of the meal, for dessert, ask for the ginger ice cream. Its smooth and sweet and I crave it from time to time. I cant seem to find a place to buy it in the area and its the perfect end to a very nice meal.
The only down side is that besides the carpet, they have not updated the interior in decades. Its not gross or anything but it could look a lot nicer with an upgade.
Overall, this is simply one of those restaurants you should know about if you live here. Its really fun for kids and a great place to take a group of business associates. This is one of my top five favorite restaurants in the area.
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This is the best sushi in the area and I know this because I've been to all of them. Owner Yoshi came to the capital district about 10 years ago. He started working at Ginza (which is now gone) and...
This is the best sushi in the area and I know this because I've been to all of them. Owner Yoshi came to the capital district about 10 years ago. He started working at Ginza (which is now gone) and then opened his own place in a plaza on rt9. It is quaint with only a four tables and a sushi bar and not particularly beautiful inside, but the sushi is ALWAYS top notch. I care less about what a place looks like to its quality of food.
The sushi is never old, ALWAYS fresh and eight out of ten times you could slice the tuna with your tongue its so tender. Lets face it, good sushi really is all about the fish, and Yoshi obtains and prepares it correctly. His hand rolls are also very interesting - in particular ask him for a spicy salmon hand roll (its not on the menu).
The prices are very good, especially if you arrive for lunch. There is a filling $6 lunch box that comes with soup and salad. The dinner box is equally a good deal. You are generally automatically served soup and salad with any meal.
Overall you really couldn't ask for more. Excellent food, well prepared and not expensive. The only down side is perhaps that they don't have a liquor license, but Yoshi doesn't mind if your bring your own bottle. This is one of my top five favorite restaurants in the area. I eat here weekly. DEFINATELY go check it out.
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Esperanto
Category:
Restaurants
61/2 Caroline St
Saratoga Springs, New York 12866
(518) 587-4236
We've paprtied in saratoga since my 20's, and no night out drinking in Saratoga is complete until the end-of-night dough boy. Get two, and dont forget the hot sauce. To be honest, its a disgusting...
We've paprtied in saratoga since my 20's, and no night out drinking in Saratoga is complete until the end-of-night dough boy. Get two, and dont forget the hot sauce. To be honest, its a disgusting mix of melted cheese, chicken, and dough, but its just one of those little combos that work well and hit the spot when pizza will not do. Its not fine dining, just a little hole in the wall with a siganture product. BTW, I dont think the pizza is very good. There is a place a block down the hill (I forget the name) that has much better pizza.
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Unfortunately this little fastfood-based tao bar closed because the owner passed away. I'd very happily eaten there since I was 5 years old and it was sad to see it go and no one take up ownership....
Unfortunately this little fastfood-based tao bar closed because the owner passed away. I'd very happily eaten there since I was 5 years old and it was sad to see it go and no one take up ownership. The burrito grande was awesome!
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We've given this restaurant a few tries, but the food really isnt good. Its another one of those trendy restaurants that get a lot of pople in because thats what they think good food should be, but...
We've given this restaurant a few tries, but the food really isnt good. Its another one of those trendy restaurants that get a lot of pople in because thats what they think good food should be, but its really overpiced and the waitstaff is also pompous. Dont waste your money.
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My Linh
Category:
Restaurants
272 Delaware Ave
Albany, New York 12209
(518) 465-8899
We've eaten at My Linh since it opened. It really is a diamond in the rough for this area. I'm generally pretty dissapointed with the majority of food that can be found in the Capital District, but...
We've eaten at My Linh since it opened. It really is a diamond in the rough for this area. I'm generally pretty dissapointed with the majority of food that can be found in the Capital District, but there are a few great restaurants, and My Linh is one of them. The food is interesting and clean and the waitstaff is excellent and professional. Linh is always front and center and ready to make sure your experience is a pleasure. The restaurant is partly family run and the food is very consistent - which is one major criteria I use to judge if a restaurant is good. I love to get the (and I'm going to butcher the spelling here) bon hao baow sauow. Its a large dish with spiced meat and veggies and rice noodles. You take all of these ingredients and make your own Thai burrito with the rice papers that are provided. My mouth waters as I write this becuase it truly is an awesome dish. They also have excellent spring rolls and soups.
My Linh truly knows the chemistry behind food and their light and succulent dishes are always interesting. They also have a very nice bar if you want to stop in for a drink. You really should visit this restaurant if you are in the area and like Thai food. If you go in the winter, try and get the table near the fireplace! This is one of my top five favorite restaurants in the area.
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Sitar
Category:
Restaurants
1929 Central Ave
Albany, New York 12201
(518) 456-6670
My family has eaten at the Sitar for 20 years. Its not a place we go often because it is a bit pricey if you want a variety of dishes, but it is appropriateply priced for the quality and flavor of...
My family has eaten at the Sitar for 20 years. Its not a place we go often because it is a bit pricey if you want a variety of dishes, but it is appropriateply priced for the quality and flavor of the food. I dont mind paying for a meal if its worth it. Most dishes are 15-$20 and that will be enough for 3-4 people to share, but you should expect to pay at the very least $25 per person if you eat light. We always tend to overeat there becuase its so good.
The dishes are what I would describe as "heavier" than other indian restaurants in the area like Aashiana or Taj Mahal. There is a richness to Sitar's food that makes me crave it from time to time. The meats are all generally very good and prepared properly. The tandoori is really first rate and you really should try the tandoori chicken dish. This is one of my top five favorite restaurants in the area.
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My friend got a parasite from one of the oysters there which put him in the hospital. So, I'd avoid the oysters! They know how to cook meat, but its a bit expensive for the blandness of the rest of...
My friend got a parasite from one of the oysters there which put him in the hospital. So, I'd avoid the oysters! They know how to cook meat, but its a bit expensive for the blandness of the rest of the experience. In its day it was probably the place to go, but now its not a place I crave.
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We dont go to Aashiana often, but its always a pleasant experience to. The atsmosphere is quiet and the waitstaff is curteous. It feels like you're eating home-cooked Indian food rather than having...
We dont go to Aashiana often, but its always a pleasant experience to. The atsmosphere is quiet and the waitstaff is curteous. It feels like you're eating home-cooked Indian food rather than having a large restaurant meal. The decor and building is nothing to speak of, little effort went into its decor, but its the food that really matters. Its not the best indian food I've eaten but it certainly is good and worth the trip. I've enjoyed everything I've ordered and they have a particularly good Mango Lassie and rice pudding. There is also a lunch buffet that is decent. Give them a try!
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We go to bombers a couple times a month. Its a great place to hang loose, have one to many drinks and stuff up on a really big burrito. W.r.t. flavor, its the closest to California-type burritos...
We go to bombers a couple times a month. Its a great place to hang loose, have one to many drinks and stuff up on a really big burrito. W.r.t. flavor, its the closest to California-type burritos that I've found in this area. They could use slightly better ingredients, and the wait staff could be nicer, but hell, it really is more of a bar than a restaurant and the prices arent bad.
The other great thing is that if you go on your birthday, they give you a ENORMOUS margarita on the house. Its large enough for the whole table to get sloshed.
Parking can be annoying but the church parking across the street is worth the $3.
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