The restaurant space on the Empire State Plaza has re-opened
![Empire State Plaza restaurant exterior](http://alloveralbany.com/assets_c/2017/01/Empire_State_Plaza_Cornerstone_restaurant_1-thumb-525x394-25051.jpg)
The restaurant space on the ESP near the foot of the Corning Tower is back operating as a restaurant again -- Cornerstone at The Plaza opened this week.
It's serving lunch Monday through Friday from 11 am-3 pm while in the state legislature is in session. There's also a happy hour Wednesday from 3-7 pm.
You might remember this space once housed the restaurant The Sign of the Tree -- it closed more than a decade ago. Mazzone Hospitality -- which also operates a cafeteria on the concourse of the ESP, as well as a bunch of other local restaurants such as 677 Prime -- is running the new Cornerstone restaurant. (It had already been hosting events there during the past year.)
New restaurant blurbage:
The menu will include foods and beverages produced in New York State, including a locally-sourced selection of artisanal cheeses; a warm winter kale salad featuring chorizo from Dashing Star Farm; a vegetable torta made with local farm eggs; and beef short ribs braised in Nine Pin Cider.
Here's the menu.
We stopped in for lunch Thursday. It was nice. The space -- about half of which was set up for lunch service -- has great windows which look out onto the plaza. The atmosphere was relaxed, and the service friendly. The music could use an upgrade. (If you're ever wondering if a chamber orchestra version of "Hotel California" is a good idea, the answer is always no.) There's an elevator inside that connects to the concourse below.
Here are a few pics if you're curious.
Look up
Photos are in large format at the top -- click or scroll all the way up.
NYS OGS -- which manages the ESP -- advertises on AOA.
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Comments
The bar at the Sign of the Tree used to be a nice place to catch a quick drink before a show at the Egg. I guess that still isn't possible, unless it is a Wednesday show. Why wouldn't they want to cater to that crowd?
... said Ron on Jan 5, 2017 at 2:35 PM | link
NYS is in technically in session Jan-June.
Are they only open when legislature is actually in session? Pls see calendar.
http://assembly.state.ny.us/leg/calendar/
Thanks.
... said JT on Jan 5, 2017 at 3:18 PM | link
Oh, how beautiful!
Brings back memories of the Soviet Union.
... said rob on Jan 5, 2017 at 4:14 PM | link
@rob: Haven't you heard? International power style architecture is coming back in fashion.
... said Bob on Jan 5, 2017 at 7:09 PM | link
So expensive for lunch.
... said Tara on Jan 6, 2017 at 9:01 AM | link
NYS taxpayers will be buying a lot of lunches there!
... said Sean on Jan 6, 2017 at 9:46 AM | link
Looks nice but honestly I will never get there with their current hours. If they're successful and can expand their hours, it would be great to a drink / dinner on the Plaza when the weather is warmer and they have outdoor seating! (or like Ron said, before a show at the Egg!)
... said Paul G on Jan 6, 2017 at 11:04 AM | link
"NYS taxpayers will be buying a lot of lunches there!" Yeah! How dare we pay employees for working and/or allow them to eat food?!
... said JayK on Jan 6, 2017 at 3:48 PM | link
Great space! Love the modern look. But, I hope they're considering extending their hours to include dinner... With Mazzone behind it, I can't imagine it won't do well with evening service, show nights, or otherwise.
... said Marc on Jan 7, 2017 at 8:15 AM | link
Some soup on the menu at this time of year would be a good option.
... said Bullwinkle on Jan 7, 2017 at 2:38 PM | link
50 years into the South Mall thing -- if this was a winner, somebody would have cashed. Just in time for the recession Trump will blame on Obama.
... said Kirk C on Jan 7, 2017 at 7:42 PM | link