326783 Mon Sep 18 04:26:36 -0700 2006 15 20 Tristate Region 0 1883401 Friends and I will be staying at the Desmond. Looking for a steakhouse ort similar. Any suggestions? Mon Sep 18 04:26:36 -0700 2006 15726 Mcheck57 1 1884076 A local place that a lot of people like, that's not too far from the Desmond is the Butcher Block. It's at 1632 Central Ave (456-1653). You'd just go down Wolf Rd to the bottom, take a right, go a couple of blocks and it'll be on your left. review: http://www.timesunion.com/entertainment/restaurants/onereview.asp?RestaurantID=949 Another very popular place is Dakota, which is one of a small chain. It's at 579 Troy Schenectady Rd in Latham (786-1234) at the entrance to Latham Farms shopping center. To get there you'd go north on I-87 up to exit 6, go right at the light, and it'll be on your left at the next light. review: http://www.timesunion.com/entertainment/restaurants/onereview.asp?RestaurantID=1228 Both places have nice salad bars and excellent bread to go with their steaks. Also on Central Ave is Delmonico's Italian Steakhouse (1553 Central Ave, phone 456-5656) review: http://www.timesunion.com/entertainment/restaurants/onereview.asp?RestaurantID=955 Mon Sep 18 16:26:07 -0700 2006 1883401 40284 AmyH 1 1885147 I'm not a steak eater, but people here go crazy for Angelo's 677 Prime, in downtown Albany. http://www.677prime.com/ Mon Sep 18 22:19:09 -0700 2006 1883401 25664 meg944 2 1885762 Here's a review: http://timesunion.com/entertainment/restaurants/onereview.asp?RestaurantID=1381 Tue Sep 19 02:24:53 -0700 2006 1885147 25664 meg944 1 1885639 The Barnsider off of Wolf Rd. in Colonie is an old, respected steakhouse. http://www.metroland.net/back_issues/vol29_no06/dining_review.html Tue Sep 19 01:17:03 -0700 2006 1883401 41580 verplanck 1 1888434 Butcher Block is really poor; Delmonico's is a chain. Barnsider is your steak house, and very close to the Desmond. Gets crowded. Wed Sep 20 02:53:07 -0700 2006 1883401 10022 PSZaas 1 1888558 The service stinks at The Barnsider. Wed Sep 20 04:13:54 -0700 2006 1883401 41268 Sweatshirt Guy 1 1890025 Also, Barnsider does not consider itself a steakhouse. They're listed under "American". But perhaps they have good steaks, too. How about Kirkers in Latham? (959 New Loudon Rd). They do steaks and seafood and it's local. Here's the review: http://www.timesunion.com/entertainment/restaurants/onereview.asp?RestaurantID=1188 To get there from the Desmond, get on 87 north, get off at exit 7 and stay to the right to go around the loop to rt 9 (new loudon rd) north. It's less than a mile further north on rt 9 on your right. Wed Sep 20 19:01:44 -0700 2006 1883401 40284 AmyH 1 1891211 I've always had excellent service at Barnsider, and I'm pretty particular. It's a classic steakhouse, no matter where they list themselves. Kirker's is not bad, althoughnot up to the Barnsider in beef quality. A friendly place, mostly an older crowd. Best steaks in the region are in Saratoga Lake, incidentally, at Cliffs. Dry-aged filets and sirloin. Docs in Saratoga Springs is good, too. Thu Sep 21 01:53:36 -0700 2006 1883401 10022 PSZaas 1 1907004 When I went to the barnsider the staff was rude and without a clue. Maybe I caught the place on a bad day. Wed Sep 27 23:57:01 -0700 2006 1883401 41268 Sweatshirt Guy 1 1909102 Was at the Barnsider 2 weeks ago for first time in several years - it has lost alot and was unimpressive. Not worth the money, especially if you have to wait - the BEST steakhouse in the area is on Rt 7 in Duanseburg. It is called The Bears - reservations are a must 518 895-2509 - their phone number used to be unlisted and they don't take plastic - at least they didn't, I've always paid cash - check when you call - you will not be disappointed Thu Sep 28 19:38:07 -0700 2006 1883401 42727 swarttav 2 1910426 Here are reviews of Bear's Steakhouse -- it always gets good reviews. Note that they take MC & Visa. http://timesunion.com/entertainment/restaurants/onereview.asp?RestaurantID=412 http://www.metroland.net/guides/2004_fwdg/fwdg04_american.htm There's also 677 Prime, the new (upscale) steakhouse in downtown Albany. http://www.677prime.com/ Fri Sep 29 11:28:25 -0700 2006 1909102 33755 NYchowcook 3 1912096 That's great that they take plastic - I have been going there for over 20 yrs and, I guess, never recovered from the embarassment of being there the first time and having my plastic refused and having neither cash nor check. Of course I mailed a check immediately when I got home. Subsequently I have simply brought cash so never even thought about plastic. I also have noticed the trend in NYC to move towards cash, although, in restaurants where I do repeat business I have noticed they went to cash and then back to plastic. Fri Sep 29 21:44:08 -0700 2006 1910426 42727 swarttav 2 1943217 Bear's Restaurant, Duanesburg. Went there last night. It was just okay. I was kinda disappointed. Had actually kinda an ordinary meal, not extraordinary. Shrimp cocktail -- big cold shrimp w/ spicy sauce was good. Salad, fine. Delmonico steak, okay. Served w/ microwaved baked potato, butter and sour cream served in those annoying portion-wrapped containers (both), and odd "baby" carrots, that appear to be re-fabricated since no carrot is so pencil-thin. Coconut cream pie for dessert that was decadent and tasty, not superb. Next time someone wants to take me out for a steak, I'll drag them downtown to 677 Prime. Fri Oct 13 12:09:10 -0700 2006 1909102 33755 NYchowcook 3 1946386 I am truly sorry to hear that they have gone "down hill"! Nothing else to say - did Bobby Payne come out to the dining room? You can't miss him - he is the size of a p-up truck (at least last time I saw him). C'est La Vie. Sat Oct 14 23:18:23 -0700 2006 1943217 42727 swarttav 4 1947184 Yes, the old Bear was in the dining room. Sitting at tables socializing, not a good sign IMO since he didn't seem to be working in the . . . kitchen! I can't comment if Bear's Restaurant has gone down hill -- I just didn't find it fab though 3 people's eyes lit up when I told them I would be going there; they seem to be regulars and said they never had a bad meal there. Mine wasn't bad, just not great. Sun Oct 15 17:05:55 -0700 2006 1946386 33755 NYchowcook