288 Lark Wine & Tap — Restaurant in City of Albany

Mr. Ali Celik, this is to make your response more clear to those that read it. It’s obvious that your response supports our review of you and your restaurant, especially the fact that you are pretentious. I wonder if we were senators if you and our waiter would have acted and responded differently. You hide behind the fact that “we overstayed our welcome.” We were there a reasonable dining time, a time that no other restaurant considers long. You decided to make two servings at our table. Although this is a smart gimmick to increase patrons, it does hold the table longer for all diners. You did not mention this. We did not know that we needed a reservation for this dish. When we asked if we could have the table side dish your waiter said that you were not there yet and “they were trying to contact you to see if this was possible.” You should have made a smarter decision to come over to our table and explain that the dish needed a reservation because of the additional time. Your waiter did not even mention this. Your waiters credentials have no bearing on the fact that he was not happy to be there that night and he was rude. We have dined at many restaurants in the Capital Region and many worldwide. We know and understand the quality of food based on the price. You are overpriced, not for the table side dish but for all the other dishes we had. The other diners with us had the same feelings about your food. They were not happy with their dishes. Of course we would not call you back over to mention this. Based on your response here, I think we made the right decision. I mention again, a $5 charge to get extra sauce. Please. The two other people in our party did not ask for extra sauce because they could not believe it was $5 extra. You are right, our bill was $480 not $500 and I did leave only a $50 food-tip based on your waiters poor behavior. I guess I’m a believer in good service gets a good tip. You mention my business you saw on Facebook. I have customers due to word of mouth. If my work was poor, my service rude and my response to their dissatisfaction was similar to yours, I would not have a business. You also indirectly mention that we should not have done this review because of Covid 19. Again, you try to hide behind something, a pandemic...very shameful. You mention that your family has restaurants in Lake Como and other places. Pretentious to say the least. And, you are not your family. We again voice our opinion that you are overpriced based on the quality of food and there are many other restaurants close by that do it much better.

We dined just before Covid 19. Very overpriced for the quality of food. Our waiter had an attitude and made everyone uncomfortable. The chef/owner was very pretentious and took a long time to come to our table to prepare their signature dish, pasta in a cheese wheel. We literally had to ask four times for him. This was their only notable dish. No one in our party of 6 was happy with their dish and wanted to come back. I asked for extra pasta sauce and they wanted to charge $5. The bill was $500+. Are you kidding! There are so many lower cost restaurants that have better food. There are other high-end restaurants to enjoy in the Capital District. The staff and food did not live up to the...

288 Lark Wine & Tap has become my favorite dine in spot in Albany. My partner and I have visited many times; it's our go to spot. Ali has a great staff, and the place has a lovely ambiance whether you're dining alone at the bar, on a romantic date, or with some colleagues. Their patio is great in warmer months. Everyone is friendly and knowledgeable; most every visit Ali stops by to chat for a bit - really a warm and passionate guy. His spaghetti and vodka sauce (the basics) are spot on, with so many great options to layer on. One of my favorite sides is the octopus carpaccio - seriously, try it! Ali has also curated a solid collection of wine, beer, spirits, and after dinner beverages; everything you'd need to pair with whatever meal you choose. Nearly every visit we'll end with some limoncello or amaro (and usually can't resist the tiramisu or canolli).

Also, super excited that he's opened Villa di Como next door if you're craving some thin crust pizza; it's great...

I had the pleasure to celebrate my 30th birthday @ 288 Lark Wine & Tap, the owner and his staff were super attentive in making the day extra special for us--before dinner we enjoyed high quality wine in the back patio which was super cozy and romantic! Inside the restaurant while you are eating delicious fresh pasta, you get to explore all of Italy's beauty through the paintings on the walls. My husband and I will definitely come back for the pasta... the flaming cheese wheel was the best part of the meal, the chef/owner definitely knows how to put on an authentic show of fresh delicious pasta with the cheese melting away in your mouth--his love for Italy is admirable, he serves justice to Italian food! The food, ambiance, service, drinks, warm feel of Italy definitely has drawn me! We finished off the celebration by sipping on limonchella's in the back patio. We can't wait to come back with friends to enjoy more choices of...