Top Notch Tavern

Had a very good dinner here 2 weeks ago. Was a Saturday night and very busy. I did have a reservation. Food was very good. My daughters ribs were excellent, my prime rib was excellent and my wife’s burger was a excellent. Only reason I’m not giving it five stars is the following. Our appetizer of chicken wings was a little strange. We ordered mild wings but what we got was like a spicy version of BBQ wings. Our server did indeed tell us they were mild. Chicken wing sauced wings should taste VERY different from BBQ sauces wings. These didn’t. The check in process was very hectic. Only one person doing the check in and seating people. Clearly more than one was needed on a busy Saturday night. While we waited to be seated I went to bar to get a beer. I wanted Stella Artois… which bartender told me they didn’t have. He immediately recommended a beer I believe was called Alabash ale… telling me it was similar. It’s NOT at all similar, which a woman sitting at bar immediately told him before I had the chance to. A bartender should know this… but if he doesn’t, he should just make no recommendation instead of one that’s factually incorrect. Other than those three things it was overall a very good experience and we will go back. Hopefully they can get Stella on tap!

This is the steakhouse that all other steakhouses are measured by. The atmosphere is cozy, the service is excellent, and the food is without a doubt spectacular. I had the 24 ounce New York strip special, and my wife had their prime rib. Both meals were simply amazing with the prime rib being so tender that it melted on your tongue like a flake from your first snowfall. The bread is freshly baked, the salads are topped with homemade dressing, and their homemade steak sauce perfectly compliments their steaks. We strongly recommend this place and yes, it is indeed worth the drive.

Thought about this review for awhile. Believe it or not, great thought goes into writing a review from me! I actually feel bad that We didn’t enjoy it as much as I thought We would. I even went back and reread some of the reviews to see how they got to a 4 star rating. Many Unilocal reviews were from people that have only reviewed 1 or just a few places. Hummm ??? Could explain things?
We had reservations. Table was ready. Very friendly waiter. Told about the specials. First impression, friendly staff. Homemade bread with garlic seasoning. Brought it over. We enjoyed it.
The menu Was well thought out to give you great choices. Most entrées came with the salad bar. For appetizers we had the crab fritters. Not a fan. Couldn’t put my finger on it but it lacked crab flavor, and seasonings, and crab.
My husband had the Cajun 18 ounce ribeye with jumbo shrimp, baked potato. The steak was a disappointment, over cooked, He ordered it med rare, came out med well, but the shrimp was the star of the dish. The jumbo shrimp were good. Steak quality wasn’t apparent. 41.00. I had the queen cut prime rib. (their signature dish) Very disappointed! 33.00 Lacked flavor. Same complaint. Tried to add salt to find taste. 2 orders of penny ala vodka. My kids liked it. Nice portion. Added chicken for 5.00 more making this dish 22.00. The shrimp scampi was just ok my daughter said. For the price, not impressed. Got 4 deserts and they were better than dinner. Fried cheesecake. Very good. Strawberry shortcake, also very good. No alcohol ordered, and just 2 sodas. Bill was 207.00 not including tip for a family of 5. I Never mind paying if you get quality food. I didn’t feel that we got that here. We certainly won’t be back. Not because of anything else, but the food. Our waiter, friendly, attentive and made a great effort, but couldn’t deliver on the taste.

Extremely satisfied, glad I have them a second chance, thank you for a great evening

Best chicken ever period. Drop whatever your doing go to Top Notch and your self some damn chicken. Words can not express how perfect that chicken is. The breading is done to perfection. The sauces are obviously home made, nothing store bought could ever come close to the sheer perfection coming out of that kitchen. I would highly recommend this place to anyone, it is absolutely worth the drive.

I am leaving a review based on many visits to the Top Notch years ago. I am looking forward to eating there again on a return visit to the area. If it is anything like it used to be here, there is no better. Follow up review coming.

Extremely poor customer service. Had a reservation for 8 people for 7p… we were all there early. purchased $ 70 worth of cocktails waiting for our table. waited til 8p and still had no table. No offer for any sort of apology/​comp. We finally left only to have the host run out the door after us, saying 5 mins more! Bad business model! Would give no stars but unable to.

You would never know this place exists as a visitor to the area. Nestled off Galway Rd this was a great experience. Made reservations to sit by the fire and enjoy the aviance. The service by Devin was very attentive but not overly attentive allowing you to enjoy your meal. Made our 20 year anniversary a very special night.

Top Notch has become an excellent restaurant since new owners. My parents had went here when they were younger but never cared for it. Now it is a restaurant of choice for us when we want upscale food without traveling towards Albany or Colonie. My meal of choice is the prime rib with potatoes veggies and a side of horseradish.

Fantastic food one with a great staff. The new top notch tavern has done everything right. They offer a wide variety of dishes ranging from beef to fish all served with a smile. We went on a Friday where they have love music. Its a spot if you are near Galway that you must stop if you are hungry because the portions are generous.

We were excited to learn that the Top Notch had reopened under former owners, the Palmateer family. Our family has a place on Galway Lake and for a great meal out, we usually go to the reliable, casual C & R or we have to trek into Saratoga, fight the crowds and search for the always elusive parking there. We were pleased to have an excellent lunch here, great friendly service, excellent barman (try the French martini!). Our prime rib sandwich was really outstanding, cooked perfectly, flavorful and with minimum fat. The corn fritters were excellent and enough to share with 3 people! I agree prices are $$ not $$$. Great value for quality food and friendly efficient service! We’ll be back with the whole family !

Was very busy for a Tuesday night. Service was slow due to big tables with large groups. Waitress was very apologetic. We had items in the menu away from the steaks and fish that they are know for it was not as good as expected. Salad bars was great. It looked like they are very understaff for a Tuesday night.

I was very disappointed in how long it took me to get my food… I ordered a new york strip that took an hour before it was served. This was my second visit and I had the same experience. I was also Suprise that the salad bar wasn’t an option to buy alone. This place has a lot of work to do if it’s going to survive.

Great place to dine! Enjoy the BEST prime rib around. 16oz or 32oz. Cozy ambiance, fireplaces, great menu and excellent service. A winner! Worth the trip.

A rustic atmosphere located in Galway established in 1860 as a stagecoach stop and resting place for the calvary stop in enjoy the ambiance and great menu

Galway’s classic Top Notch Tavern is back on top. Famous steaks & seafood, fine service, great bar with dozens of craft beers in a rustic country setting. Old Time salad bar and portions from a bygone era. Open with the buffalo wing calamari and corn fritters. Save room for dessert which is next to impossible. Reservations are a must as is packed on every weekend and the holidays.

One of our FAVORITE places… good food, good service, great atmosphere… a wonderful place to spend and evening with friends or just that special person. We would HIGHLY recommend the Top Notch Tavern!!!

We went to get our Christmas Tree today from Bobs trees and when we paid they gave us a menu and $ 5 off coupon for an app so we decided to stop in since we were hungry and it was nearby.
Its a really cute cozy restaurant with a fireplace and great servers.
The beers are very reasonably priced, most costing around $ 5 (even tap!)
The restaurant had a bunch of lunch specials since they arent normally open until 4:30pm and I had the fried shrimp and scallops which was delish!
Overall its a great place with great food!

Wow we discovered a new favorite restaurant! Staff was so pleasant and accommodating even though they were at max capacity (My dad was in a wheelchair). Salad bar and bread/​cheese board were so good it was hard not
To fill up before dinner — good thing we didn’t order appetizers even though they sounded amazing! One of us ordered 32 oz prime rib monster that could’ve feed the whole table of 6 and melted in your mouth — my dad ordered 16 oz that was still too big for one person to finish. Chicken parm and baby back ribs were also ordered and delish and huge portions. No room for desert — but I’m sure they’re amazing as well. We will definitely be going back soon! Yummy!

This place just opened again last week after being closed for many years. It wasn’t on Unilocal so I wanted to add it so people could search for it. It’s rustic. Romantic and has great food. It is worth the trip. They told us the menu will get bigger as times goes one. They have a salad bar which was a nice surprise. Make a reservation on the weekend. They were totally booked Oct 24^th.