A fancy schmancy place for an anniversary?

champagne glass closeupAnonymous 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

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!

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.

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.

Suggestions:

Yonos; 677 Prime; New World Bistro

In Saratoga: Max London's; Beekman St Bistro; One Caroline; Mouzon House; The Wishing Well

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.

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.

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.

The Wine Bar on Lark, great intimate atmosphere, unique menu, always a good time.

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.

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.

You can't go wrong with Yonos! Great food, incredibly romantic atmosphere, and fabulous service.

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!)!

Yono's is wonderful. Wonderful, quality food and impeccable service. You will not be disappointed.
http://www.yonos.com/

And they have parking. :-)

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

I'd also recommend Swoon in Hudson, if that's a direction you want to head in.

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.

Yono's.

Don't think about it, just go make a reservation.

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.

Epicurean Bistro in Latham Farms...the parking cannot get much easier

http://epicurean-ny.com/

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.

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...

Wherever you end up, please report back and tell us how it was.

My sister went to The Cranwell Hotel & resort.
The place was gorgeous, and the food was excellent.
It's pricey though.

@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?

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