Tips For Downtown Albany Restaurant Week

I went out this weekend for Downtown Albany Restaurant Week and I have a few suggestions ...

This weekend kicked off Downtown Albany Restaurant Week where over a dozen local downtown restaurants are offering three course meals for $20.16. Being fairly new to the Capital Region I thought this would be the perfect opportunity to get out into the neighborhood and see what culinary delights it has to offer.

Tip #1: Look at the menus online ahead of time.

Make sure there is something offered on the menu that you would enjoy, would like to try, or fits your dietary needs. I found that there was a menu or two that really didn't even try and were offering basic bar foods so if that's not what you're looking for you can pick another restaurant.

Tip #2: Make a reservation.

This should be pretty self explanatory. If you don't want to be waiting and watching other people eat while you do so, make sure you have a table reserved.

Tip #3: Ask questions before you commit

In my personal experience this weekend and through tales of my neighbors we noticed that a few of the restaurants we running out of items on the menu's pretty early. Everything from meat to apps and in my case, even croutons.

Tip #4: Order something off the regular menu

If you can swing it go for it. My dinner guests strayed from the path and ended up with an appetizer they could not get enough of (I'm not a seafood fan at all, really and honestly those mussels smelled delicious).

Tip #5: Pace yourself

If you find that your main course is yummy you just want to keep eating it remember it may be just as good if not better for lunch tomorrow. Which kind of brings us to #6.

Tip #6: Save room for dessert

In case you forgot this dish comes at the end and you'll want to have some room to at least taste it (if not completely house it.)

Tip #7: Enjoy!