Quintessence 2.0
Yep, it's back.
Quintessence made its much-anticipated rebirth this week. If you talk to people who hung around Albany during the 80s and early 90s, you'll hear a bunch of stories about the restaurant. It really holds a special place in a lot of peoples' memories.
But that was then. What about now?
We stopped in for dinner Tuesday night. And it was good.
Unlike a lot of people, our memories of the old Quintessence aren't really all that golden-hued. Our experiences came during the later years when the place was, uh, kind of dirty. So we're happy to report that Quintessence 2.0 is all smooth wood and shiny stainless steel.
The folks behind the new version (Steve, of course, has the backstory) seem committed to a faithful recreation of version 1.0. The current menu is brief -- it's basically some grill items and salads (here's the whole thing) -- though our server assured us that the popular theme nights would eventually return.
The food
We ordered two grill items: the chicken teriyaki (basically a requirement) and the shrimp scampi. As per tradition, both came with spinach noodles and salad.
We're happy to report that both dishes were cooked nicely. The chicken wasn't dry and the shrimp wasn't rubbery. (The chicken definitely needed be rubbed in the teriyaki sauce that pooled at the bottom on the plate -- otherwise it was kind of bland.) And, as it was in the past, the chicken was cooked on a skewer of carrot and onion.
The cold spinach noodles tasted the same (at least, as much as we can remember) -- with a little zing from something (horseradish? maybe wasabi?). And the salad was, well, salad.
It was a solid meal.
Overall
The restaurant was almost full Tuesday night. The service was friendly (we were welcomed "back") and things seemed to be running smoothly -- especially so for a place that just opened. The din was a little loud.
Q2.0 offers valet parking, which seems a little over the top. But parking in Park South can be tight. (It'll probably be easier once the Park Playhouse ends its run.)
One quibble: the prices seem a little high. We were happy with the food, but $14 for a chicken teriyaki skewer struck as a bit much.
That said, it's good to have Quintessence back. People seemed really happy to be there last night, adding to their old memories. As we were leaving last night a couple was entering. Said the woman to the valets: "We went on our first date here 15 years ago."
Find It
Quintessence
11 New Scotland Ave
Albany, NY 12208
Sun -Thu: 7 am to midnight
Fri and Sat: 7 am to 2 am
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Comments
Breakfast? What about breakfast? The only reason to go there (aside from a nitecap @ 2:45 am.
$14 for a chicken teriyaki skewer?
getoutofhere
... said Miles on Aug 12, 2009 at 3:43 PM | link
I just went there for lunch, and had a really nice mid-day meal. I got the veggie burger and fries, but the waitress assured me that starting next week they would have the all-day breakfast menu back.
Also, they played lots of awesome 80s tracks, always a plus.
... said christina on Aug 12, 2009 at 5:10 PM | link
Thank you! I came across your site about 6 months ago and love it. I have been waiting with great anticipation for the reopening of Quintessance. I used to go there years and have fond memories, like how it used to cost $5 for the chicken teriyaki. Even with the price increase I will still be there.
... said Tracy on Aug 12, 2009 at 5:11 PM | link
Thanks for bringing this Albany landmark back. Before children we ate here at least 3 nights a week and our favorite after work dinning location. When we forwarded the link to friends the 1st response was a "Wahoo!!!!!" !We had take out for the Park Playhouse on Tuesday. We ordered 3 chicken teriyaki and it came with sauce on the side for the salad and silverware for $45. We agree that it was as good as we can remember. For a chicken dish with a side and salad it is comparable to any restaurant. We will be back for takeout for lunch and breakfast very soon!
... said Robin on Aug 13, 2009 at 9:41 AM | link
Uh, ten bucks for a f***ing gardenburger? On a really sparse-to-begin-with menu?
I'll stick with Miss Albany and Gateway, thanks.
... said Kim on Aug 13, 2009 at 10:04 PM | link
I'll have to check this one out. Last time I was at Gateway, the food and service was horrible, and I really don't understand how you can mess up eggs.
... said zenzi on Aug 14, 2009 at 9:12 PM | link
And what about the midnight dancing? Anyone remember that?
... said Lara on Aug 19, 2009 at 10:16 AM | link
Hope they bring back the awesome Sunday omelettes. I loved the Thai Noodle omlette!
... said Alison on Aug 22, 2009 at 4:12 PM | link
I'm totally psyched with the re-opening, despite the prices being doubled. I've eaten Quintessence food four times this past month: twice in-house and twice as take-out. It tastes exactly the same! I recommend getting the spinach noodles as take-out ($4 and change) and bringing it home for use as a sidedish; this'll give you the Quinny's flavor without the full $15-per-meal price tag. And I have to agree with the former Metroland staffer who said two weeks ago: "Hanging at Quintessence makes you feel as if you're on the cultural tip." Definitely part of the experience! Last comment, to those who said they'd rather go to a cheaper "diner": you obviously haven't been to Quinny's, and you're missing out. This isn't really a diner; this is a funky restaurant with unique flavors that just happens to be LOCATED within an art deco diner. But it's no diner.
... said MarkD on Sep 15, 2009 at 11:14 AM | link
"what about the midnight dancing?" ...it's going on every 1st and 3rd Saturday night, and well past midnight too. Super good times. Definitely on for Dec. 5th, but verify the 19th before dropping by.
[Dec 5 info] http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=207774963295&index=1
[Video from Nov 21] http://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=181158644410&ref=mf
[Photos from Nov 21] http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=125122&id=132439101983&ref=mf
... said Brandon on Nov 23, 2009 at 8:48 PM | link