Juanita & Maude — Restaurant in Albany

I recently visited Juanita and Maude in Albany, and it’s safe to say this restaurant exemplifies the perfect blend of innovative cooking, genuine hospitality, and a warm, inviting atmosphere. Each course showcased a harmonious balance of flavors and textures from start to finish—highlighted by some genuinely eye-opening techniques, like their Koji rice dry aging for steak.

Ambiance You sense a relaxed yet refined energy when you walk through the doors. The space strikes a perfect balance between stylish and comfortable: think polished concrete or metal-topped tables, soft lighting, and a thoughtfully designed open layout that gives you a glimpse into the bustling kitchen. It’s upscale enough for a special occasion yet unpretentious enough for a casual evening out. Warm, genuine service rounds out the experience, making you feel cared for and at ease.

Cocktail & Wine Program Before diving into the food, I tried their signature Puckett cocktail—a delightful concoction of black tea gin, nigiri sake, cardamom, yuzu, hibiscus, and a luxurious cherry egg foam on top. It was refreshingly bright yet intriguingly complex, with layers of subtle sweetness and aromatic spice. This was the only cocktail I had time for on this visit, but it made me eager to return and explore their unique drink list further. The staff demonstrated remarkable knowledge on the wine side, quickly guiding me toward varietals that complemented the dishes without overshadowing their distinctive flavors.

Starters & Main Course The meal began with the Garam Masala-Spiced Tuna Crudo, which arrived as a visually stunning plate layered with tomato, cucumber, crispy rice, and shallots. The warming garam masala contrasted beautifully with the incredible fresh tuna. Drizzles of cardamom yogurt and bright chutneys completed the dish—tangy, creamy, and subtly sweet. I had the Seared Ribeye Steak & Baked Potato for the main event, and the Koji rice dry aging process was a game-changer. Not only did the ribeye boast a buttery tenderness, but it also had a deeper, more savory flavor that set it apart from your typical steak. Served alongside a loaded baked potato topped with creamy Brussels sprouts (infused with a subtle clam liquor), each bite was elevated further by the trio of accompaniments—steak sauce, horseradish, and grain mustard.

Dessert Dessert was a showstopper: Spiced Chocolate Cake & Mousse. The dish balanced its indulgent richness with unexpected elements—sesame, pumpkin seeds, and a bright pineapple component that added a sweet-tart burst. The chili-spiked ice cream was just spicy enough to keep the chocolate from feeling heavy, making every spoonful a study in contrasts that still felt cohesive.

Overall Impression In short, Juanita and Maude masterfully merge global inspiration, top-tier technique, and genuine warmth. Their cocktails (like the Puckett) are as inventive as their food, and the staff’s thoughtful wine recommendations underscore just how committed they are to crafting a well-rounded dining experience. Whether you’re drawn in by the Koji-aged steak, the perfectly balanced desserts, or the chance to explore more of their eclectic cocktail list, this gem in Albany is well worth many repeat visits. It’s a space that feels intimate and energizing—perfect for everything from a solo treat at the bar to a celebratory evening...

5 years after this lovely little place opened just a block from me, I'm pleased as heck to update my review to 5 stars. They've deserved it off and on over the years, with the biggest fluctuations in quality and consistency being in the cocktails. But now they have a really solid bar team doing innovative and delicious things, and as this joins an always-outstanding food program, I couldn't recommend it more highly.

Chef Scott is still producing great food at a generally reasonable price point (for this level of quality), with a variety of Latin and Asian influences keeping things interesting. And now the cocktails measure up as well! The "Glass" cocktail on the current menu, with strawberry-infused gin and sabayon custard is unlike anything I've had before, unique and delicious. And the previous cocktail menu also had some real stand-outs. The wine program has always been solid, as I understand it, but I'm a cocktail guy, so... 😄

On recent visits the food has been consistently inventive and delicious, with some memorable recent bites including the King Salmon Onigiri, Filet Mignon (they actually make it interesting and worthwhile!), and the now sadly departed (but mind-blowing) "Umami Burger".

The desserts, meanwhile, have always been excellent, and remain so with the combined team of Marvyn and Juliana bringing their respective experiences and cultural influences to create a more varied and exciting dessert menu than ever. The Smoked Chocolate Ganache was one of my favorites of late, but it's ever-changing, so just trust that almost anything you try will be great. The stranger and more interesting it sounds, the more you should try it! Parmesan ice cream? Yes! (one of my favorite things ever from a prior dessert menu)

The interior is nicely appointed and a good mix of casual with just the right amount of upscale feel to be good for date night, etc. The bar being situated right next to the door is a bit non-ideal however, since you get a regular blast of cold air as people come and go. The bar seats also aren't particularly comfortable to lean back in, despite having seat backs which is not always to be found in bar seating. Nevertheless it's nice to have a first-come bar option and a full bar at that.

The back patio is the real win as far as seating goes, though. Covered and sheltered, but still open, nicely designed, good spacing between tables, heat if needed, but it's usually not too chilly. A great outdoor, COVID-safe option!

And the staff, well, they're all delightful. This has always been a tight-knit and supremely welcoming group of people. Service is down to earth, professional but comfortable, and not at all stuffy. Lovely people.

So J&M is highly recommended. It's now one of my favorite restaurants in...

Updated Review

Our recent visit to Juanita & Maude, a restaurant we've previously enjoyed, left us with mixed feelings. Nestled on San Pablo Avenue, it has been a reliable spot for special occasions, but this time, the experience didn't quite align with our expectations, particularly given the pricing.

We started with the sweet corn & cheddar soup and the heirloom tomato tartine. Both dishes were good and well-executed, but they didn’t offer anything particularly noteworthy or different from what we've had before. On the other hand, my companion absolutely loved the ahi tuna carpaccio, praising its freshness and the balance of flavors.

For the main courses, I opted for the seared filet mignon & smoky beluga lentils, while my companions chose the grilled hamachi & cold noodles and the b'stilla pastry of spring lamb & sweet cherry. The filet mignon was cooked to my liking, and the lentils were fine, but the dish overall felt quite standard. My companions expressed similar thoughts about their meals—tasty and well-prepared, but without any particularly remarkable features. Given the cost, we felt that the dining experience fell short of what we had previously enjoyed here.

Unfortunately, upon returning home, I immediately became ill, and the symptoms started during the drive. It was clear that one of my dishes was the cause, as I was the only one affected and none of us had shared our meals. This incident left me sick for two days and has understandably shaken my confidence in the restaurant.

In summary, while Juanita & Maude has been a favorite of ours in the past, this recent visit was a disappointment. The food was good, but it no longer delivered the distinctiveness that once set this place apart. Coupled with the unfortunate illness I experienced afterward, I find it difficult to recommend the restaurant as enthusiastically as before. I hope this was an isolated issue, but it has certainly made...