Lombardo's Restaurant

06/18/07

Overrated

by cunninka at Citysearch

This place is totally overrated. I've been several times, only becuase it's a friends favorite. Every time I call to make reservations the guy who answers the phone is so rude, he acts like I'm bothering him. The lighting is way too bright. I feel like I'm sitting in a highschool cafeteria. The food is par, nothing special. People need to branch out and try some new places, you'll be much happier with the service and suprised at how much better Italian food can be. The V&R across the street is comparible with much better service. Cafe Capriccio is a million times better then Lombardos.

• Pros: Whiskey Sour
• Cons: Reservation Guy, Slow Service

07/01/08

Great Food! Classic

by MalcolmM at Citysearch

I really love some of the dishes. I think the service is good. HoweverI became extremely angry when the person taking the reservations was rude. I was mostly in shock and couldn't believe that someone at a restaurant I loved could be so mean! But, I called back and asked why he acted like that, he was self righteous, I told him I wouldn't be making a reservation. For the most recent time I went it was great once again, this time the reservation was taken by a very polite lady. They also have a parking lot in case you were not sure. Overall, I like it a lot, I do wish the owner would see that the person who takes the reservations should be a little more polite. Oh well, I hope they keep cooking those amazing meals!

• Pros: Great food, try the torellina alla panna! If you like cream sauce this dish is great!
• Cons: The reservation guy is a little intense.

09/26/07

My personal favorite.

by allibean88 at Citysearch

I've been going to Lombardo's since I was young, my parents would always take my brothers and I. The food has always been exceptional, I've never had a dish there that I haven't liked (including black-colored ravioli that I later found out was colored with squid ink, which I highly recommend). Their calamari fritti is exceptional. It's a bit cramped, a bit loud, and manuvering yourself can be difficult because of the lack of space, but once you're seated (I recommend trying to get a booth if possible) it's wonderful. Reservations might as well be required, and don't be in a rush when you get there, as it's usually packed. (With good reason!)

• Pros: Food, Ambience, Service
• Cons: Noise, Space Constraints

05/17/07

I fell in Love at Lomabardo's

by amato1 at Citysearch

I met my wife at Lombardo's 20 years ago. She was 21 and a college student working as a waitress. I was introduced to her by Tilly, one of the original owners. That's the kind of restaurant Lombard's is. Very warm, caring - an old world Italian restaurant. The food is not fancy, just good old fashioned home cooking, the way mama used to make! The food was great then and still is today. Whenever my wife and I are visiting Albany we stop by for a visit. If you have the good fortune to eat there say hello to George, the manager, and tell him Ralph and Diana from La Jolla, CA said "Hello"

• Pros: Old world Italian
• Cons: Don't be in a hurry

10/27/06

Best Italian in upstate NY

by bkuglics at Citysearch

Zuppa de Pesce was absolutely a masterpiece! Very fresh and very abundant seafood in this dish, with an excellent, flavorful thin sauce, superb bread with oil. Loved the "Zuppa" sauce on my side dish of linguine. Best dish on the menu!!!!! I asked the waiter what he recommended and he made it easy! Forget getting appetizers, get this very large, superb main course, and one of their great deserts, and you will be very very pleased and very very full! Even the salad dressing was true Italian. Old style Italian...perfect! Lots of suits in the bar after work, but very casual atmosphere throughout in old historic building.

We were in Albany for a visit, and have now decided to drive the 85 miles for this restaurant several times a year. We will stay overnight if we have to!

• Pros: Superb food, reasonable prices--you get what you paid for.
• Cons: none

09/04/06

May be good for Albany, but not for NYC...

by samplermike at Citysearch

First off, I want to say that I'm from NYC and that I was visiting Albany for the weekend so I'm a bit biased here. This place has a nice old world atmosphere and very good bread but that's about it. Waited 15 minutes before they even took our order and then brought us the wrong dish! Had the linguine with white clam sauce for $18.50, and, honestly, I can make it better myself; clams were rubbery, pasta was overcooked, sauce garlicky but rather bland. My wife had the chicken marsala and we could swear it tasted like chicken francese. When I go to a restaurant I want "restaurant quality". In other words, it has to taste like food that cannot be purchased at my local supermarket. Not here. I felt like the food was purchased down the street at the local Price Chopper. I guess this Italian food is good if you're not from NYC, but if you are then please go elsewhere...

• Pros: Ambience
• Cons: Food, Service

04/03/06

Great Italian Food

by shelly10983 at Citysearch

Went there saturday 4-1-06 with my son and husband. My son goes to SUNY Cobleskill so we decided to venture to Albany to find some authentic italian food. It was well worth the trip. Near the Pepsi arena. We're from downstate NY and this restaurant could easily be in Little Italy or Arthur Avenue.

Heard about the sausage and peppers someone else recommended so I had them. Unbelievably delicious! My husband had the Zuppa di Pesce and my son the Tortellini alfredo with pancetta. All were outstanding. Go early as it gets very crowded around 8:00. Been to Buca di Pepo in Albany and Lombardo's is far better. Can't wait to visit Lombardo's again the next time we visit my son for a baseball game in Cobleskill. Good luck Dilo!!!!!

• Pros: sausage and peppers, authentic italian foo

02/08/06

Have you tried the veal and peppers??????

by cbonmom2 at Citysearch

I have read all of these reviews and I cannot believe that not even one of them has mentioned the veal and peppers. My husband and I have a tradition of going out to lunch at least once a month together and we always go to Lombardos. The waitress today was starting to list the specials and then she laughed and said "I don't have to tell you guys this do I, you always get the veal and peppers" It rivals mine and my husband and I are 100% Italian. And the greens (escarole) and beans are a close second to my hubbys grandmas. Try it you will love it.

• Pros: food, service, food
• Cons: cold in bar, bathrooms, owner

01/18/06

I love Lombardo's

by garyhope at Citysearch

I live in Texas, but when I visit NY and Albany (or nearby) I always want to go to Lomabardo's. I'll make a special trip. The place is so much fun, the food is so good, the waiters and bartenders are so nice and so much fun. How many places are left like Lombardo's? It's tradition, it's warm and friendly, it's fun. It must be those darned Italians. I always feel happy when I'm there and and after I've left. Lombardo's is the way restaurants are supposed to be. Thank God for pasta and the Italians! Mama mia!

• Pros: Atmosphere, Food, Service
• Cons: You gotta go to Alban, It's in Albany, I have to fly to it.

05/04/05

Best Italian Restaurant in the Northeast

by rwwood at Citysearch

This is one of my favorite restaurants anywhere: the food is always perfect and the waiters and waitresses treat you like you're a member of the family. On the menu most of the time is a great appetizer: shrimp wrapped in bacon. Another great appetizer/main course are their home made raviolis, with spinach, parmesan and other fillings, with their cream sauce. You could also make a meal out of a salad and their wonderful bread.

• Pros: good parking, Good value