A fancy schmancy place for an anniversary?
Anonymous emails:
This weekend is [our] anniversary and I know I don't take [my girlfriend] out enough. I'm looking for a pretty fancy schmancy place and any suggestions for a nice dessert or drinks place afterwards would be great too. I prefer places with easy parking because I hate on-street parking, but if not oh well. Just looking to make this a really special night for her.
Got some suggestions for how Anon can show his ladyfriend a good time for their anniversary? Please share!
photo: Flickr user _FXR
Say Something!
We'd really like you to take part in the conversation here at All Over Albany. But we do have a few rules here. Don't worry, they're easy. The first: be kind. The second: treat everyone else with the same respect you'd like to see in return. Cool? Great, post away. Comments are moderated so it might take a little while for your comment to show up. Thanks for being patient.
Comments
The Wine Bar on Lark is great - especially if you get the make-out booth. It's cozy and so romantic. They don't take reservations.
It's really close to the bus line, but it's also pretty easy to park in Washington park if you can't find anything on Lark.
If you're closer to the North Country, Bistro Tallulah in Glens Falls is lovely as well.
Congrats on your anniversary!
... said Valerae on Dec 6, 2012 at 10:38 AM | link
Longfellow's is pretty nice, cozy and romantic with good food.
But also, is there anywhere that's special to the two of you? Maybe somewhere you went on your first date, or your first anniversary, or on a (nearby) road trip? Sentimental value can mean a lot on an anniversary.
... said KB @ Home-Baked Happiness on Dec 6, 2012 at 10:42 AM | link
How do you know it's "his" girlfriend? Do only guys hate on-street parking?
Editors: We know Anon's actual name from his email.
Anyway, Anon should go to the Palmer House http://palmerhousecafe.com.
... said BarryT on Dec 6, 2012 at 10:50 AM | link
Suggestions:
Yonos; 677 Prime; New World Bistro
In Saratoga: Max London's; Beekman St Bistro; One Caroline; Mouzon House; The Wishing Well
... said addiesdad on Dec 6, 2012 at 10:54 AM | link
Yono's on Chapel Street in Albany!
My husband took me there for my birthday last year. He surprised me by calling ahead and telling them it was my birthday. They printed the dinner specials on scroll paper and put "Happy Birthday Melissa" on the top. They also brought a bottle of champagne to the table, an amuse-bouche, and a birthday dessert. It was definitely a special evening and the food is always amazing.
There is street parking (not sure if they have a parking lot), but finding a spot is not so bad.
... said Melissa on Dec 6, 2012 at 10:59 AM | link
How far do you want to travel? What kind of food? Will you be drinking wine? and just how fancy-schmancy do you want to get? Jacket and tie fancy? :) Thanks.
... said Shesaid on Dec 6, 2012 at 11:01 AM | link
I'd recommend Yono's. It's one of the fanciest places around, but, more importantly, they have some of the best desserts you will find (Donna's bourbon nut pie is out of this world). They have valet parking since it's attached to the Hampton Inn downtown, but I'm pretty sure they will validate your parking if you are a guest of the restaurant.
... said derryX on Dec 6, 2012 at 11:01 AM | link
The Wine Bar on Lark, great intimate atmosphere, unique menu, always a good time.
... said Greg on Dec 6, 2012 at 11:04 AM | link
Go to sperry's in Saratoga. Very festive and delicious. Plus Saratoga at Christmas is super beautiful and the Henry street taproom afterwards for drinks is nice too.
... said Jen on Dec 6, 2012 at 11:21 AM | link
It may be more hoity-toity than fancy-schmancy, but my husband and I had a wonderful time at The Scrimshaw (at the Desmond) for my birthday a few years back. Impeccable service, great food, beautiful atmosphere. Pricey - but we felt rich, famous, and pampered for a couple hours.
Here's my review: http://wendalicious.com/2008/02/07/an-elegant-birthday-dinner-dahling/
But, things may have changed a bit since 2008.
... said WendyV on Dec 6, 2012 at 11:21 AM | link
You can't go wrong with Yonos! Great food, incredibly romantic atmosphere, and fabulous service.
... said Lauren on Dec 6, 2012 at 11:29 AM | link
Another vote for Yono's! As Melissa said, if you call ahead and mention your anniversary, they will print up menus specifically for you, and you get free champagne and a free extra dessert (ours was homemade cider donut holes! OMG yum!)!
... said Jessica R on Dec 6, 2012 at 11:32 AM | link
Yono's is wonderful. Wonderful, quality food and impeccable service. You will not be disappointed.
http://www.yonos.com/
And they have parking. :-)
... said Jamie on Dec 6, 2012 at 11:41 AM | link
Get out of Alb and drive 45 minutes to the Crimson Sparrow in Hudson, this is in a different (more adventurous and surprising) category than what we have here in my opinion (and we *do* have good stuff). Parking is easy, and you can then walk down Warren St to get a drink, or head to Club Helsinki for a music show.
Otherwise I would have suggested the tasting menu at the Wine Bar and Bistro on Lark, but with Baker gone...
http://blog.timesunion.com/tablehopping/31633/first-look-crimson-sparrow-in-hudson/
https://www.facebook.com/TheCrimsonSparrow
... said -S on Dec 6, 2012 at 11:42 AM | link
I'd also recommend Swoon in Hudson, if that's a direction you want to head in.
... said AddiesDad on Dec 6, 2012 at 12:52 PM | link
My boyfriend and I love going to The Bears Restaurant in Duanesburg. The food is to die for and the staff working there is great. Only downfall is that it's not really a place to "hang out at the bar" at after your meal.
... said Tracey on Dec 6, 2012 at 12:52 PM | link
Yono's.
Don't think about it, just go make a reservation.
... said Jay on Dec 6, 2012 at 1:33 PM | link
I can't remember the name of the place, but there's a nice little place at 391 Central Ave in Albany. Plenty of parking and the service is excellent.
... said FoodCritic on Dec 6, 2012 at 2:44 PM | link
Epicurean Bistro in Latham Farms...the parking cannot get much easier
http://epicurean-ny.com/
... said colleen on Dec 6, 2012 at 2:59 PM | link
The only place in Albany worth (the price) going out to for dinner is New World Bistro. They have a fantastic wine/beer/drink list with frequently updated seasonal specials. The food quality and presentation are both excellent and you can tell that the chefs really care about what their customers think. It's also nice to know that everything you eat there (for the most part) is locally grown. Lastly, the portion sizes are far more appropriate for the price than any other place around. In general, highly recommended. They have great dessert as well.
... said Dave on Dec 6, 2012 at 4:16 PM | link
Check out Athos on western ave..it's like gourmet Greek. Plenty of parking and also a nice bar to hang out in before or after dinner...
... said Lisa on Dec 6, 2012 at 10:22 PM | link
Wherever you end up, please report back and tell us how it was.
... said Jamie on Dec 7, 2012 at 9:02 AM | link
My sister went to The Cranwell Hotel & resort.
The place was gorgeous, and the food was excellent.
It's pricey though.
... said mg on Dec 9, 2012 at 4:01 PM | link
@Dave
"The only place in Albany worth (the price) going out to for dinner is New World Bistro."
What a totally absurd statement.
That said, New World is great, though I wouldn't call it fancy; upscale, yes, but certainly not fine dining, which I assume fancy schmancy means. In Albany: 677, Yono's, Taste, maybe?
... said Mave on Dec 9, 2012 at 6:29 PM | link