Lombardo’s Restaurant

Not as good as it used to be. Had veal and peppers. It was very chewy. Should have been slowly braised to tenderness.

Another fantastic meal! Great and friendly service (like family, really!). Good wine list with reasonable prices. GREAT food with typical upstate NY huge portions, which will feed us tomorrow as well. Our favorite Italian restaurant in the Capital Region. Always consistent.

Not good. The food was not well cooked, let alone tasteful. I ordered fish, it was covered in breadcrumbs that were cold, and it was saturated with butter. Dessert wasn’t much better. The espresso was more bitter than anything I’ve ever had. The waiter literally followed us out of the restaurant and complained about his tip, which was 10% as the service was also bad.
Will never go back, I would suggest that no one goes.

I went to Lombardo’s for lunch last week. To put it extremely generously, it doesn’t live up to the hype. To put it more sincerely, its food is disgracefully bad and the restaurant is a total rip-​off. Without further ado, let’s talk about the meal:
«Bread»: In the middle of the table, they placed a complimentary basket of bread. It tasted like re-​heated grocery store bread.
«Salad»: A small garden salad. Almost all lettuce, with a slice of cucumber and a slice of tomato. Raspberry vinegarette on the side.
«Shrimp Parmigiana»: Three (yes, THREE) shrimps under an obnoxiously thick heap of bland tomato sauce. The shrimps were overcooked and, despite being completely hidden by the sauce, had their tails still attached.
«Italian Potatoes»: Extremely undercooked home fries. Some of the wedges were completely raw.
—
For this cheap assortment of bread, potatoes, lettuce, and tomato sauce (and three shrimps), I was charged $ 12. Not only was the food of cheap quality, but also the execution was terrible (raw home fries and overcooked shrimp).
Now, I have to admit that the service was solid. However, at the end of the day, a restaurant is only as good as its food. And by that standard, Lombardo’s is unquestionably one of the worst restaurants in the Capital Region (based on my experience there last week).
While I don’t plan on ever going back, I hope that it improves and becomes a source of pride for Albany’s Italian-​American community, like it had been decades ago.

Went there on Friday ¹¹⁄₂₀ and the food and service were excellent. Free valet parking made it very convenient.
It has been about 15 years since I went there last and at the last minute my wife and I decided to stop for dinner. Everything we had was delicious and priced moderately. Definitely a value.
Its almost like going back to a 1950’s Italian restaurant. It wasn’t crowded, which is surprising considering the quality and service. Nice intimate dining.
We will certainly going back frequently!

Probably best Italian I have had in a long long time. Outstanding service and knowledgeable of the food and history of the place they work. Meatball and sauce was amazing along with the Calamari and egg plant Parmesan. Everything cooked perfectly.

It’s kind of the place I imagine Albany’s important Italian families used to gather to discuss business deals, celebrate communions, and gorge themselves on wine and red sauce. Yes, I appreciate the red-​checkered-​tablecloth-​old-​world vibe, including what appears to be the original floors and ceilings; peeling oil paintings of lobsters and moose and fish on the walls; and the 50s era scalloped glass salad plates, and well-​loved white porcelain dinner plates (that have likely dutifully served what must be tens of thousands of caption region folk their Italian favorites). Oddly, there was no music, Italian or otherwise, playing over the speakers, which could have added nicely to the ambiance. It was a large and fairly empty space, and the lack of even some tinny instrumental music was noticeable.
We came with a reservation for six on a Saturday night. We were told, «under no circumstances,» could we reserve a party larger than six because they were totally booked due to an event in the city. We arrived about ten minutes before our 8pm reservation, and the place was largely empty but for 4 or so other small tables. Our strictly limited party of six was seated a table for eight. My friend who made the reservation was quite miffed, as this was a birthday celebration and she had to exclude some friends from dinner because of the strict six person limit. Perhaps they misjudged how long it would take for the event diners to clear out, but it was surprising that the restaurant was almost entirely empty by the time we were served our entrees.
I ordered a white wine by the glass, which was ok, if not a little too sweet, and the chicken parmigiana. It comes with a salad and bread. The bread was delicious — warm and fresh– though we were not given dipping oil until we asked. The salad might have been the smallest side salad I was ever served, which kind of makes me ask, if you’re gonna give me six small pieces of lettuce, one tomato slice, and a teensy sprinkle of shredded carrots, why bother?
My entrée was enormous — solid two meals out of it, at least. However, the marinara was soupy and lacked much flavor. The chicken was on the slightly dry side, as if it had been fried a minute too long. The whole dish really lacked the decadence and richness I usually associate with chicken parm. It was served with a side of (dried) linguini (choice of ziti or linguini) with the same unmemorable sauce.
Our server was not particularly attentive for the restaurant being fairly empty, and, although pleasant enough, sort of made us (or at least me) feel like we were all that was standing between her and going home for the night (likely true, of course, but I appreciate a waiter who at least pretends to want to be there). I’m sure she was tired, if it were truly as busy as they had said earlier in the night, but a clearly unenthused server can put a little damper on the evening.
Our birthday boy was offered a dessert, which was nice, but as we already had dessert planned, and were all stuffed, so we declined.
I’m glad I finally made it out to lombardo’s. And although I appreciate the history in the place, it makes me long for the rustic, flavor filled, affordable Italian cuisine that used to be served with love in Katrinella’s Bistro, a sixteen-​or-​so-​chair restaurant up the street that has long been shuttered. Oh how I miss it!

Honestly not impressed. The dish I ordered was supposed to be fettuccini in a sun dried tomato vodka citrus clam sauce. What I got was fettuccini swimming in melted butter topped with steamed clams and pieces of sun dried tomatoes. Being that I’m 100% Italian I was expected a new spin on the clam sauces I grew up on that my relatives used to make — actual sauce with pieces of clam in it. VERY disappointed and it was disgustingly sopping in butter. Plus the dinner salad was served with old wilted field greens. I will say the blue cheese dressing was great though.
My friends all complained that their chicken and veal was incredibly tough. I even tried a piece of my friends chicken and could barely even get a knife through it. I did like the side of Italian potatoes though — they were actually really delicious.
The prices were absurd for the low quality of most of the food. Will not be returning.

Went last night before game. Very disappointed. Came back because we enjoyed it last year. Everything tastes bland including the red sauce. Service started out good as we were one of the first tables, but it got progressive worse as the meal went on. I had to ask someone to get our sever 3 times. To top it off I figured I’d have a nice cup of expresso to leave with a good taste in my mouth. No lie, the consistency of the «expresso» was like water. It looked and tasted like brown water. Kind of like when you forget to change the K-​Cup when making a cup of coffee. I told my server and she said the owner made it himself so I’m better off with regular coffee. Oh well. Next time I’m in Albany I’ll take a pass on Lombardo’s.

Over priced and terrible food. The problem is is that most folks don’t know any better. This restaurant is consistent. It has been consistently going down hill for years. There are far better places in Albany

We were in town seeing our daughter off, needed lunch nearby for 7. Our twelve year old liked the look of McDonald’s across the street, but we wanted something a little better. I can’t say we found it.
We parked out back, as the snow limited our choices, and based on the full lot, I guessed we were in for a wait — not true, as it was 1 pm on a Tuesday and there was one other group, a twelve top. Our waiter hustled, but mentioned a couple times that «everybody else called out today».
Took a good twenty minutes to get orders in, ten more for salad and bread, and the whole time our teeth are chattering –sure it was only 10 degrees out, but it felt like fifty inside. Those charming tile floors didn’t help here.
The food came out, and it was unremarkable. That’s not fair, I’ll remark on it a bit —
My steak sandwich was grisly, cold and bland, served on a slice of cold bread with the house special «Italian potatoes», basically thick slices of potato tossed in the fryer (and pretty much without flavor).
Her «Shrimp Francais» looked alright, if it had been an appetizer, but I’m not sure three breaded shrimp really make a $ 10 entrée.
Other dishes were equally boring, at least I thought so, it was so cold it’s hard to recall. Perhaps it’s better when the weather warms up?

Last nite we went to Lombardo’s for the first time in about 10 years. My wife and I were excited because of the things we heard over the years about the place. We walked in through the back after parking in the valet lot. We essentially got stared at for walking in between some tables. It was odd that the valet in the lot didn’t tell us to go in the front door. No biggie
O.K.– On to the experience. We went to the bar and noticed the place was clean but, in desperate need of updating. You can be old school and stay modern. I mean REALLY! The place needs new paint, new or refinished chairs, reupholstered booths, refinished woodwork and the ceiling needs OBVIOUS repairs. This can all be done while still maintaining that old school integrity. The owners really really need to wake up and do something NOW! The place has so much history that it is a crying shame that they choose to coast on years past and not open their eyes and see that their restaurant is close to a hovel. I can’t stress it enough that THEY NEED TO UPDATE NOW!!! All right, I will now get to the food.
The eggplant appetizer was perfect. The salads were okay. Our entrees were average at best. My wife had a shrimp dish.(SMALL) and I had chicken francese.(AVERAGE)
Here’s the BIG PROBLEM. I ordered a side of linguini with red sauce and got spaghetti, and no kidding, I got literally three forkfuls of spaghetti and a ton of sauce.
ARE YOU BLEEPING KIDDING ME??? Anyone who knows anything about Italian restaurants knows that you should get at least 4 to 6 ounces of pasta. Completely unforgivable. In closing I will give some advice. Get your heads out of your @$$e$ and wake up and start putting some real effort into your place before it’s too late.
P. S.- The staff was terrific, but the food is wicked overpriced. WAKE UP!!!

You want to love Lombardos; I’ve been wanting to since the late 1990’s.
Years ago, one could legitimately love (& recommend) this restaurant; it seems they are riding on that former reputation.
But still, you want to.
Until you visit and realize– it’s a run down building, in a sketchy & run-​down neighborhood (you will use their valet service if you value your auto), staffed by fairly obnoxious and unprofessional waiters who seem to have much more important/​interesting things they’d prefer to be doing rather than serving overpriced, uninspired meals to patrons.
What’s to love?

Ok, so I took some friends here to thank them for helping me move. I have to say we actually did not mean to go to a place that is masquerading as upscale, but once we were inside and had menus we were so hungry we just went with it. (I must clarify, we did not have a wait, we had just been moving furniture all day).
I have to say, there are a few people who have made comments about the décor being a bit run down. I didn’t feel this way. Nothing looked dirty or not cared for, but the place is the second oldest Italian restaurant in the Capitol Region, (as they will tell you if they find out you are there for your first visit), and it has kind of a G-​dfather, 1940’s look about it.
My problem with this place is twofold. First, the quality of the food at the price point. I would say the food in this place is adequate but nothing to write home about. We all enjoyed our meals but the sauce was not particularly complex or memorable and you could tell they were taking shortcuts. For example, my friend ordered a cappuccino and it was clear it was from one of those quick push-​button machines. I’m pretty well convinced they served me a side of frozen spinach, (which we’ll return to in a minute) and when I asked if the desserts are made in-​house, they said no, except for the tiramisu. So if you DO go here, which I’m guessing you won’t after this review, do NOT get dessert.
So back to that spinach. The entire time I was eating it, and I shared it with a friend, I kept feeling like it had a weird fishy (literally, not figuratively) aftertaste. I asked my friend if she noticed that and she did not, so I wrote it off to imagination, oversensitivity, whatever. However, the main reason I am writing this review at 5:04am on the day after I moved instead of sleeping and resting so I can start sorting and unpacking is because I have been violently sick since about 3:00am. If you make me sick on the first visit, I don’t return. Lombardo’s of Albany, you’re off my list.

We came here Friday night for my mother’s birthday. A group of six and had no problem being seated. It didn’t seem to be too busy but had a lively atmosphere among the other patrons dining around us. My parents and great aunt had a drink at the bar before we arrived and the bartender and owner (manager?) offered to escort and carry my elderly aunts drink to the table. They are extremely polite but still were able to crack a few jokes among our party (cheekier the better ;)) and as a fellow server appreciated their ability to remain professional but human. The food was awesome, not a complaint from anyone. My mom did receive a chicken sorrentino instead of a veal but again things happen, and it was quickly and professionally handled. She was very happy and the staff was willing to serve our cupcakes and take birthday pictures which was appreciated. I got the seafood Zuppa DI Pesca and it was DELICIOUS. Seriously, seafood lovers try it, the scallops were like butter. Only random thing was it seemed kind of
bright in the dining area we were seated, but to be honest every place has its own atmosphere and among the group everyone enjoyed it overall.

What it is: an unrenovated early 1900’s room out of the lower east side of Manhattan with the flavor of the Palm and the condition of old New Orleans. If they redid the walls and kept the tin ceiling and old floor it wouldn’t feel dingy. Old is not always good.
The food: the olive oil with herbs and garlic is simply the best I can remember anywhere: great, the bread, really good, the wine is fresh and delicious by the glass, the veal Parmesan was well made and the sauce fit perfectly and the eggplant parmesan was light and fresh. The tiramisu was flat and the topping blah.
The tab for three for lunch was $ 75, but the wine was truly worth the $ 10 a glass average.

Love this place and the old world Italian feel. Daily specials are usually very yummy. Highlights include chicken parm, fettuccini Alfredo and veal Lombardo.
My two favorite things are the zuppa fantasia and the tiramisu which comes in a brandy snifter type glass.

What I ordered and what we shared: I ordered the chicken and sausage special which came with a salad and the chocolate cake. We shared the calamari.
Good service, okay food, and okay price.

For Italian in Albany, NY I would go no other than this place. This place was absolutely fantastic. I would always get the chicken parm and it would be enough for over 2 meals.
The prices here are reasonable and I really did enjoy the atmosphere here. I’ve always had great service here, they would always recommend great wines to go with the food.
While I only lived in Albany, NY for 6 months this was one of my top places. Not the best Italian I’ve ever had, but great for Albany. They also had a groupon that our group took advantage of so our food was even cheaper. Great place, if anyone is in Albany I would recommend it.

The positive: they got my order right, it was ready on-​time. I like the aesthetics of the restaurant; that was probably the best part of my experience.
The negative: The veal Marsala was three very overcooked thin slices. The marsala sauce was a brown oil with mushrooms in it. The accompanying ziti was fine, but covered with Marinara. Marinara pasta accompanying Marsala. The salad was wilted; not even close to fresh. Overpriced for the quality.
Summary: Nice place to visit, but I’d eat elsewhere.