Restaurants in Albany NY

Lark Street downtown is home to a number of small neighborhood eateries with cuisine from around the world, while the majority of chain and fast-food restaurants are located on Central Avenue, also known as "Restaurant Row."

Lark Street Dining & Drinking

The small stretch of Lark Street just west of the Capitol buildings is home to a number of neighborhood eateries as well as two notably creative ventures. Crisan Bakery (197 Lark St.; tel. 518/445-2727) calls itself an "edible art gallery" with good reason -- husband and wife Claudia and Ignatius craft tiny cakes and pastries with the precision of sculptors working in buttercream, génoise, and ganache. The Good Leaf (274 Lark St.; tel. 518/434-0132; www.goodleaftea.com) is a small teahouse where you can order more than 70 types of green, black, white, and herbal infusions, either hot or iced. A few cafe tables encourage you to linger in this offbeat, friendly space. Lark St. Wine Bar & Bistro (200 Lark St.; tel. 518/463-2881), is a dim, intimate warren of brick-walled rooms that feels both cozy and a little crunched (narrow tables barely support the generous wine glasses). There's a small, competent bistro menu if you're hungry.

-- Kelly Regan