Aashiana—118-120 Jay St., Schenectady. 370-3664. Mon-Sat, 11-9. Indulge in delicious Pakistani dishes, such as pakoras and Chicken Talfrazie, and during the noon hour, eat your fill at the daily buffet. $
Bayou Café—507 Saratoga Rd. Glenville, 384-1568. 79 N. Pearl St. Albany, 426-8550; www.bayoucafe.com. Glenville: Mon-Fri 11:30-close, Sat 12-close, Sun 3-close. Albany: Mon-Fri 11:30-2 AM, Sat 4:30-2 AM. On-premises catering. Reservations recommended. Featured on the menu are items from the Mexican, Southwestern and Cajun persuasion, including jambalaya, gumbo and fajitas. Full bar with 32 beers on tap and over 30 types of bottled brew. $$
Brandon’s Ritz Terrace—1725 VanVranken Ave., Schenectady. 347-1329. Lunch: Mon-Fri 11am-3pm, dinner: Mon-Sat 5pm-10pm. Closed Sunday. This elegant and semi-formal restaurant gives patrons a taste of the past, with classic American fare. $
Carrabba’s—675 Troy-Schenectady Rd., Latham. 785-8886. Mon-Thur 4pm-10pm. Fri 4pm-11pm. Sat 3pm-11pm, Sun 3-9:30pm. Carside carryout available. The menu includes Italian and American favorites, such as lasagna, steaks and “create your own pizzas”. $$1/2
Castelo’s—183 Nott Terrace, Schenectady. 374-0581. Sun 11-10, Mon-Thu 11-10, Fri-Sat 11-11. Takeout available. Off-premises catering. Reservations appreciated. This eatery offers a variety of Italian, Greek, and American dishes, from seafood, steak, and chicken to pasta, deli sandwiches and burgers. Don’t forget about the daily specials and the selections of beer, wine and other spirits! $$
Civitello’s—42 N. Jay St., Schenectady, 381-6165. Tues-Sat 8:30-5:30 (lunch served 11-2) Tues-Sat; open till 9 PM after Memorial Day. Civitello’s is a great place for a sweet treat. It’s known for Italian ice, spumoni and tortoni, all made in-house. Italian sandwiches, homemade bread and pizza, pastries, cookies, espresso and cappuccino are also offered. Takeout available (pizza is eat-in only). Dessert catering. Cash only. $
Cornell’s—39 N. Jay St., Schenectady. 370-3825. Dinner: Tue-Thu 5-9:30, Fri-Sat 4-10:30, Sun 4-9:30. Reservations suggested. With both Northern and Southern cuisine on the menu, Cornell’s offers Italian favorites of all kinds, including braciola, calamari and homemade cavatelle. $$$
DaVinci’s Ristorante—1414 State St., Schenectady, 372-4208. Dinner: Tue-Thur 4-9:30, Fri-Sat 4-10, Sun 4-9. Homemade pastas, hand-cut veal and steaks, and chicken are favorites here. Other menu favorites include vodka rigatoni and seafood fra diavolo. Chicken parmesan night every Thursday; pasta night every Monday. Full bar. $$
DeAngelo’s Ristorante—1510 Chrisler Ave., Schenectady, 393-1364. Sun-Thur 4-10, Fri-Sat 4-11. A family-style restaurant featuring fresh ingredients and huge portions make this the perfect place for a family dinner or special occasion. Full bar. On/off-premises catering, takeout available. Reservations suggested. $$
Ferrari’s Ristorante—1254 Congress St., Schenectady, 382-8865. Mon-Thur 11:30-9, Sat 4-10. Ferrari’s offers authentic Italian cuisine with specialties including veal Pepe and chicken Antonio with wine-and-mushroom sauce. Great for a big celebratory dinner. Full bar. Banquets for up to 65 guests, off-premises catering. Open on Sunday for private parties and banquets of 35 or more. $$$
Fireside Pizzeria—1631 Eastern Parkway, Schenectady, 382-1616. Mon-Thur 11:30am-midnight, Fri-Sat 11:30am-1am, Sun 1-midnight Come here for some of the best pizza in Schenectady, or try their burgers, steaks, pork chops, salads and traditional Italian-American dishes, to stay or go. Full bar. Delivery available. Reservations suggested. $
Francesco’s Ristorante—108 Jay St., Schenectady, 372-4333. Mon-Fri 11:30-9, Sat 4-9. Specialties include hot seafood antipasto, veal saltimbocca and chicken champagne and the breads and salad dressings are all homemade. Make your own pasta special by choosing what you like from a huge menu selection. Full bar. Catering and banquet facilities, takeout available. Reservations suggested. $$
Glen Sanders Mansion—One Glen Ave., Scotia. 374-7262; www.glensandersmansion.com. Lunch Mon-Fri 11:30-2. Dinner Mon-Sat 5-10, Sun 4-9. Brunch Sun 10:30-1:30. Pub menu Mon-Fri 2-10 PM, Sat 5-10, Sun 4-10. Reservations recommended. The Glen Sanders Mansion is host to gourmet cuisine, full bar and banquet facilities, and on/off-premises catering. $$$$
Mallozzi’s—1930 Curry Rd., Schenectady. 355-0340; www.mallozzis.com. Wed-Thu 4:30-9, Fri-Sat 4-11, Sun 1-9. Closed Mon-Tue. Reservations suggested. The Northern and traditional Italian dishes complement its beautiful location at the southern end of Saratoga Lake. Check out the specials, which include shrimp, lobster, Angus steak, and prime rib. $$$
John Riccitello’s—1687 Foster Ave., Schenectady, 374-1574. Wed-Fri 11-10, Sat 4-10, Sun 4-9. John Riccitello’s is a true family restaurant with great Italian food. Try the veal parmigiana. Wed-Thu night specials. Full bar. Reservations suggested. $$
Petta’s 134—Duane Ave., Schenectady, 346-7324. Daily 4-9.For over a half century, Petta’s has been serving up great Italian dishes. American dishes are also featured on a menu known for its veal dishes. Full bar, banquet facilities. Takeout available. Reservations suggested on weekends. $$
Pinhead Susan’s—38-40 N. Broadway, Schenectady, 346-6431. Mon-Fri 11-10, Sat noon-10.This classy bar offers great pub food, such as burgers, sandwiches and homemade soups. $
Scotti’s Restaurant and Pizzeria—1730 Union St., Schenectady, 393-7440. Tue-Sat lunch: 11:30-1:30; dinner: 4:30-9:30. Since 1966, Scotti’s has been known famous for its delicious marinara sauce. The menu features Italian dishes, as well as beer and extensive wine list. On-premises catering and full menu available for takeout. $$
The Turf Tavern—40 Mohawk Ave., Scotia. 393-3344; www.turftavern.com. Sun 11:30am-8pm. Lunch: Tue-Fri 11:30-2pm. Dinner: Tue-Fri 5-9pm, Sat 5-10pm. On/off-premises catering. Reservations recommended. Start your meal off with superb soups and shrimps, move on to mouth-watering meals such as Veal & Shrimp and Prime Rib, and then dive into delicious desserts! $$$