H&s Ale Haus - City of Albany

I absolutely love this place! The entire building and atmosphere are incredibly unique and cozy. My husband and I were initially informed that there might be a 30-45 minute wait, so we decided to grab two seats at the bar to enjoy some of their delicious beers. To our surprise, we were seated in less than five minutes! Every staff member we interacted with was friendly and welcoming. I really enjoyed the poutine; you can't beat their battered fries. My husband always orders the gobbler and has never had a complaint about it. I opted for the seafood mac and cheese, and I was thrilled with the amount of seafood it contained—plenty of shrimp and plump scallops. Unlike many macaroni and cheese dishes, this one reheated beautifully. I highly recommend this restaurant!

I remembered their Lobster Mac and Cheese being quite good, but I was in the mood for something different and ordered the Reuben. As a Jersey girl, I can confidently say it was excellent! Our attentive waitress was right; the corned beef was outstanding—really top-quality, nothing like the questionable stuff you find at local delis like Market 32, Price Chopper, Hannaford, or ShopRite in the Capital District. I also opted for truffle fries, which were cooked to perfection. I can't recommend this sandwich highly enough! My husband chose the Pulled Pork Sandwich and was equally pleased; he wouldn't hesitate to order it again. The only letdown was that they were out of root beer and their usual Potato Leek soup. Overall, we had a great experience and will definitely return.

We stopped here for lunch on our way to Saratoga. The space is impressive with its high ceilings and brick walls, as it used to be a pump station. However, the cleanliness of the restaurant left much to be desired. We were seated in a booth next to a window ledge that was covered in dirt and dust, which clearly hadn't been cleaned in a while. There was also a leak in the ceiling, and occasionally a large drop of water would fall onto the seat I was sitting on. As for the food, it was mediocre. I ordered a salad with strawberries and added shrimp, but the shrimp had a mushy texture. I don't think I'll be returning.

For our appetizer, I ordered the Thai chili wings, and I chose the fried chicken sandwich for my main course. The wings arrived quickly and were flavorful, served with blue cheese. My chicken sandwich was piping hot, juicy, and topped with what I believe was a chipotle mayo. The fries were crispy and quite tasty as well. I've visited the Pump Station numerous times; it boasts a great atmosphere with friendly staff, an appealing architectural vibe, and a very convenient location. Their beer selection is fantastic, and they complement it with a solid menu. The service was excellent, with food arriving at a good pace, and prices are reasonable for a downtown venue. Plus, the restaurant is kid-friendly, and there is ample metered parking available.

We arrived on a Saturday a little after 5 PM without a reservation and quickly noticed that the few available parking spaces indicated a busy evening ahead. Thankfully, we were seated within five minutes. My wife ordered her Lenten staple, Saratoga Water ($2.75), while I chose a pint of State O' You Stout ($6). Although I enjoyed my stout, it didn’t particularly impress me. To start, we shared the Mediterranean Platter ($14), which could easily have served as a meal for both of us. This generous platter could have fed a group of four, and we especially enjoyed the falafel, roasted pumpkin hummus, stuffed grape leaves, and regular hummus. There was plenty of pita to accompany all the dishes. For her main course, my wife selected the Buffalo Shrimp 'n Grits ($25). The grits were wonderfully creamy, and the shrimp were perfectly cooked with just the right amount of Buffalo spice. Overall, it was a flavorful dish, although the Brussels sprouts could have used a bit more grilling time to become more tender. I opted for the Lover's Leap Farm Porchetta ($21), which was stuffed with garlic and herbs. This dish featured a beautifully cut pork belly with an ideal balance of meat and fat. It was rolled and roasted with garlic and herbs nestled between the layers and served with an apple demi-glace. It was moist, tender, and bursting with flavor. However, I wasn’t a huge fan of the broccoli rabe, as its stalks were a bit stringy, though the mashed potatoes were quite good. The portion sizes were generous, resulting in enough leftovers for both of us to take home, which were just as tasty for our subsequent meals. The service was friendly and pleasant throughout our visit. We definitely need to return sooner to explore more of what the kitchen has to offer.