Where is the Best Italian Food in Albany, New York?
Although it doesn’t look like much from the outside, this is a true hidden gem. I’ve been going here for years now, and I still think this place has the best chicken parm around. They do all of the basic Italian staples extremely well and will surprise you with the variety of their daily specials. Whether you’re new to the area or if you’ve just been missing out, definitely pay the family at Luigi’s a visit, you won’t be disappointed!
I love Carmine’s even more each time I visit. In an area filled with Italian restaurants Carmine’s is a great find. The food is delicious and the service is excellent. I tried the veal cheeks after Carmine himself, heard me discussing the dish with my family and came over and explained the dish then offered to make a special appetizer version for me. It was awesome. Carmine even sent out after dinner drinks for my grandmother’s birthday Each time I’ve returned I’ve felt the same sense of hospitality from each waiter or waitress I’ve had. It’s always great to find a restaurant where the food and service are consistently great but even better when the price is reasonable. Pros + Great Food, Good Parking, Service
If you’re traveled, this will not be the best Italian you’ve ever had, but it will be the best you’ve had in the Albany area. The wine list is expansive and fairly comprehensive, the food is very good, the service can be a bit slow at times but it consummately professional, the ambiance is one of the best around of any restaurant. In a larger city, this may only be a four-star, but in Albany it’s a gem and a blessing. Highly recommended to anyone not on a terribly tight budget.Pros + Ambiance, food, service, wineCons – Can be a tad slow, but nothing good conversation can’t take care of.
My wife and I have been going to Verdile’s regularly for over thirty years. Now that the kids are pretty much grown, we go at least once every couple of weeks. The food rivals that of Boston’s and NYC’s Little Italy, and the service is superior. The waiters pamper you, and the bus boys never leave a water glass empty.Price-wise, you can’t get better food – and it’s the most consistent of any restaurant I’ve ever been to. As an Italian (and as a guy who cooks for three hours or so every night for the family), I’m pretty picky. I bring all of my clients there for lunch/dinner – and once they go, they’re hooked.There’s nothing (Italian) on the menu that isn’t top notch. Some tips for first timers:For your side macaroni, order the Verghetti. It’s their homemade pasta. You won’t be sorry.Get there early, go to the bar where they bring out the best white pie continuously. Don’t overload and spoil your dinner, I’ve seen it happen all too frequently. On Fridays and Saturdays, they al
