Tara Kitchen

Absolutely one the the very best restaurants in the Capital Region. If you haven’t tried it yet, you should.

Lunch here was great. I sat at the bar with coworkers and we got the harissa as an appetizer. It was a little hot for some but I thought it was perfect. They offered complimentary tea, which was delicious.
I got the Eggplant with potato and harissa, daily vegetable and rice (pile of food for $ 8!). It was the perfect amount of spicy. Would definitely love to go back more often.

Dinner last Saturday was SO good! We’re both vegetarians and they have several choices for us. I love trying new things and had the cauliflower, potatoes, black olives and apricots. He had the eggplant dinner. The eggplant dip is to die for. The owners are very attentive and so friendly. They no longer take reservations, so it’s probably best to get there close to 5:00 when they open for dinner. I’ve never had a bad experience and would recommend this place without hesitation!

I’ve been to Tara Kitchen twice and have enjoyed both visits. The food is so flavorful and delicious and it arrives in a piping hot tagine. It’s a very small space but don’t let that detract from the wonderful service and food you’ll receive at Tara Kitchen. They also offer their sauces for purchase and you can also find them at a handful of local stores. Truly a hidden gem in Schenectady.

Tiny little gem hidden in Schenectady! Came here on a date and based on the reviews, I got the chicken with olives and preserved lemons. My date got the lamb meatballs. We also ordered the Eggplant dip as an appetizer and got the baklava after dinner. They served some hot tea to begin with which was pretty neat. The eggplant dip was delicious! So garlicky and fresh. Came with pita bread that was really good too. For the entrees, the chicken with olives and preserved lemons was not bad. Nothing too special but what really earns the 4 star review is the lamb meatballs. I LOVE lamb and I had the chance to try these meatballs. Damn, were they good. The red sauce was amazing and the egg that came with it mixed in perfectly and was cooked to perfection. For the meatballs, they were tender and juicy, not to mention seasoned just right. The ambiance is also great, a tiny little place with great servers. Perfect for a date. The baklava was nothing special but it might have just been because I had those meatballs stuck in my head. Overall, it might be a little on the pricier side (~$ 50 — $ 60 for an app, 2 entrees and dessert) but I’ll definitely be back.
P. S. For parking, there is a parking lot just past Tara’s kitchen which we used. Street parking is available before you make the turn into liberty st too! Outside seating is believe when the weather is nice, I believe.

Amazing food! I’m so glad she sells the jars now. I can get them at Whole Foods in nyc.

Great place to chill with friends after a long day at work and awesome place for music and food

Phenomenal. I have gluten and dairy allergies so finding places to eat can be a challenge. The food was delicious. I had never tried Moroccan before. I ordered the Chicken with preserved lemons and green olives and it was so flavorful! I plan on buying her sauces to try using at home. My friend and I sat at the counter so we could watch everything being made. The owner was so personable and it was clear that this is her passion, you can taste that with every bite. SO excited to add this restaurant to my list! Definitely check it out!

Thanks to Tara Kitchen, I know what a tagine pot is and just how badly I need one. The food is made and served with sweet, spicy family love. It is an absolute pleasure to visit, partake in the Moroccan deliciousness, then go forth and sing its praises to all of your family and friends. I love, love, LOVE that the owner makes her restaurant business a family affair and shares her distinct culinary talents not just on her menu, but through cooking videos and jars of sauces and spice blends. It’s an honor to have her in Schenectady.

We love the food however, going on a hot evening in the summer proved to be really uncomfortable. The little A/​C unit could not keep up, we were sweating it out waiting for our food to arrive. Once that had happened we just asked for to go boxes and went home. Call ahead and make reservations as this place is VERY small.

Warmed me to my soul. Excellent food, service and atmosphere. Wish you were closer to Saratoga!

I have been reading reviews about this place for a few months now and tonight we finally were able to go here. Large parking lot a half a block away we arrived early as the place is only open for dinner from 5 pm to 8 pm. Moroccan lanterns adorned the sidewalk just out side the door. When you walk in there are approximately eight tables for two and counter seating for about eight not sure exactly! We went up four steps to the back room where there were five tables for four and one table for two. Very small intimate space. We arrived at 5:30pm and were asked to be seated in the back room.
Our waiter offered us tea which was delightful… I felt like I was back in Istanbul where I traveled to a few years back… we ordered Eggplant Dip $ 4 served with toasted pita bread for dipping, Chicken with mixed vegetables in apricot and prune sauce $ 19, Eggplant with prunes, honey and chickpeas $ 16, Lamb with Green Beans tomatoes and potatoes $ 24 I dipped my fork in every ones dish as I love to try everything. All were cooked in a Tajine an earthenware pot and came bubbling to the table. Absolutely delightful.
Baklava warm delicious nutty pastry… The end to a most delicious meal will definitely return… and I didn’t mention the owner and servers came over to our table and asked if we enjoyed our meal so, so very nice! It’s just a lovely place!
When we left the restaurant was packed and people waiting at the door to be seated!
Thanks Steve N. for your recommendation and reviews.

I’m ashamed to admit it’s taken me two years to get back to Tara – so many restaurants, so little time.
Anyway, I can officially say I’m in love with the place. The restaurant is small, and quaint. The owners are charming, and the story of how they met is a fun read. (Read it here:
)
But most important, the food is delicious. And it’s unique. It’s something different. If you eat out a lot as I do, it’s so nice to have something out of the ordinary. The same old, same old, can get so tiring.
We had three different dishes on this visit and each one was packed with flavor. The food here is a flavor bomb. For lack of a better term, it’s just so damn tasty.
The food arrives to the table in those cast iron tagines, still bubbling and sizzling. Ours were so hot we had to give them a few minutes to cool. That few minutes is a test in patience, as you wait, the smell intoxicating, drool running down your chin in anticipation.
I can promise you, it won’t take another two years for me to get back there again.

What are the chances that my San Francisco Bay Area friends will happen upon this special place? Slender, but perhaps a shade less slender than if I didn’t post this at all. Mind, I don’t hold my notes as any North Star that travelers heed, just maybe a flash of something shiny in the corner of your eye. A flash that turns your head and complicates your concentration, if but for a second.
For my local friends — bookmark Tara if there’s a chance that you’ll be in the Albany area for whatever I don’t know. Just bookmark it. trust.
For those that pull this up because you live in or near curious little Schenectady, it’s easier. Simply … go.
Especially since the leaves are turning and there’s a crisp in the air, Tara Kitchen can make the magic that warms a chilly upstate body.
We had us a sampling of tangines: a chicken w chickpeas, a lamb and a no meat. All bubbling like a good benevolent witch’s cauldron. All without exception incredibly delicious. Check for yourself and see all the other fine offerings. We hadn’t the time this evening to sample, but as sure as I’m sitting here talking to you — we will.
In between now and then, please do go. Give this place a try. The simple things in life …

Delicious. Pure and simple. Chicken and chickpea tangine was amazing (despite being super spicy).
Chermoula. Delicious.
Eggplant app. Delicious.
Servers super nice.
I didn’t hit 5 starts because they forgot our apps, but they knocked them off the bill which was awesome.
I can’t wait to go back.

It’s small. There are 8 small bar stools upon walking in and two top tables in walk in part and the back room is limited on space. If you plan on bringing a party of ore than 4, I would think about calling ahead and make appropriate accommodations.
I was greeted promptly and choose a table. Lunch stops at 2 and I made it with 25 minutes to spare and it was was busy.
The eggplant dip with pita was fantastic. The dip is warm with big chunks of eggplant and roasted garlic. The pita isn’t there playing second fiddle– it was warm and fresh. I ate it so quickly that by the time the waitress came to see how I was doing, the empty plate gave it away. Delicious and savory.
My plate of boneless chicken and seasoned rice was solid. The chicken was tender and apricot and prune marinade was not overly sweet. However, the daily side (green beans) were okay. A touch oily and need just one more pinch of salt. Honestly, I prefer more crisp ones. It could be the gotten too soft from being cooked earlier in the day. Overly soft green beans reminds me middle school lunch trays and canned green beans.
One waitress dropped my check off about 4 minutes after I taken my first bite. It was a bit odd. Perhaps she thought I was in a rush and/​or she wanted me to get the hint that lunch service was ending.
Overall, I enjoyed my time at Tara Kitchen.
If you are in the area for lunch, give it a go. It’s a good value. My app and plate came under 15.00. In, addition, I had leftovers which my bf happily devoured. There were a few minor bumps but I plan on going again to see what is cooking.
Tagines, and kati rolls, I am coming for you!

Finally!!! Moroccan amazing-​ness in the cap region area!
(Well…I say «finally» for me… Tara Kitchen has been around for a few years now… but I FINALLY made it there!!)
We attended an art opening at Union College and arrived at Tara at about 6:30 last night (Thursday). It’s small — so if you really want a table, make a reservation. We sat at the bar and were immediately given some delightful spearmint tea. Between that and the smell of the food cooking, I was hooked.
Appetizers: olive tapenade and eggplant dip. Each one was completely off the hook good. The pita bread served with it was warm and doughy. I was insanely happy. We each had a glass of red wine (syrah) to accompany our meals:
–I tried a fish dish — it was a white fish (flaky, soft and not fishy at ALL) cooked in honey, onions and raisins. It was absolutely delicious. I left nothing over.
–My companion had a chicken dish — served in a tomato sauce with spicy harissa, chick peas and apricots. Absolutely amazing and very spicy. Strong cumin flavor.
Each dinner is served with a small bowl of rice and more pita bread. I was so stuffed when I left there… mainly because I put myself over the edge with a piece of baklava. It would be rude not to have the baklava, right? (That’s what the gentleman next to me at the bar said…) :)
The menu is good for vegetarians and meat-​eaters. There are lots of lamb dishes (which I don’t personally partake in), but there are options for all kinds of varied diets.
The owner is there — doing most of the cooking — right there behind the bar. The kitchen is raised up above the lower level with a window connecting the 2 rooms — it’s a unique set-​up.
I could literally live here. If Tara was closer to home, I’d be there all the time.
Love this place.
Will be back whenever possible.

I did not find dinner to be a great value. I ordered the chicken with preserved lemons and green olives. It was neat having the food served bubbling, piping hot in earthenware. While eating the dish I’d occasionally experience a sensational bite full of flavor but overall I found it to be a mediocre blend of chicken and spices. Left me wanting more.
The harissa was flavorful and spicy. The orange salad was overly sweet, the sliced almonds seemed stale and it was advertised to have olives but I think it contained approximately one dark olive split in two. The complimentary mint tea was a nice touch. It hit the spot as we waited for our orders.
Ambiance was cozy but bordering on cramped and uncomfortable. After saying they couldn’t find our reservation (excuse me, what?) they tried to seat us at the window table, next to a stack of cardboard boxes and with a view of a condemned area… I know not Tara’s fault. The counter area seemed like a better place to sit and they had seating in the back which is where we ended up. As I was eating I saw one of the workers taking out the trash through the seating area. That was unnerving. Our waitress was friendly, but after eating the spicy harissa I waited for a refill of water for too long! She also forgot to bring the rice and pita bread that came with the tagine. :(
Maybe I’d go back for lunch to try another dish. At ~$ 25 a person for dinner not worth it.

This was a great night out with mom the other day. A real treat in the middle of Schenectady. I loved the flavors. We had the Chermoula Dip and some of the Lamb Appetizers to start. The Lamb was Mom’s favorite part. We then had the mixed vegetables Couscous and I got the Potato with Harissa Tagine. Both were amazing. The only caution I give is that entrees here are served VERY hot. Give them a bit of time to cool, or you will scald your mouth.
We also had hot mint tea and water, which were kept well full.
Service was fantastic, attentive, but not intrusive. The owner came by at the end of the meal and was very nice and friendly.

«Tara’s Tasty Tangines»
by Josh K.
Tara Kitchen is an amazing addition to the developing ethnic food scene in Schenectady.
The small Moroccan food-​focused restaurant and wine bar is an intimate space, with only a few cozy bar spots in the front and only about ten or so tables in the back. Therefore, even on weekdays, reservations are strongly recommended and encouraged. If you do, you will be rewarded with some of the warmest hospitality I have seen in the area.
The small location, limited staff, and cooked-​to order entrees can make for tight environs and slow (ish) service. However, even when short staffed, the owner and head chef Aneesa is the role model of multitasking as she handles all aspects of the restaurant’s operations — giving directions to the line cooks, handling reservations, supervising the wait staff, while at the same time, cooking the half-​dozen or so tangines on the oven.
Oh the tangines! I could write ballads about thee.
A clay pot is filled with delicious and exotic ingredients then set atop oven burners to be cooked to scorching perfection
Chicken with preserved lemon tangine.
Lamb Meatballs with egg and spicy harissa tangine.
Eggplant with prunes, honey, and chickpeas tangine
Fish (Swai) with spicy date sauce tangine.
All are extremely delicious with that special touch of homemade family love.
Go and make a reservation now.