Itameshi — Restaurant in City of Albany

True fusion cuisine combines the best of two styles into cohesive, delicious dishes. And that's exactly what you get at Itameshi, a new-ish restaurant on Broadway in downtown Albany, and it was one of the best dinners we'd had in town in a while. "Itameshi" refers to the Japanese style of fusion cuisine that blends Japanese and Italian cuisines (which isn't as crazy as it sounds, it's been popular in Japan for decades - one of the original Iron Chefs specialized in Italian food), and this restaurant holds true to that in every sense, from the wide variety of cocktails to the small plates and the main courses, and it's all incredibly delicious. We started with a couple of cocktails, the menu for which was thoughtfully segmented into three sections: lighter, bubbly offerings; citrus-forward selections; and ones that are stronger and boldly flavored. A pear Cosmo that was on special did the trick for one of our guests, and the Yokai Heat featuring spicy tequila, yuzu, and lime was spicy and refreshing. There is also a hefty wine list and several beers to choose from. We ordered seven small plates and two mains: the calamari was tender and juicy and lightly fried, served with spicy miso crema and agrodolce (Italian sweet and sour sauce) - it was outstanding, and very thoughtful to put the sauce on the side so the squid stayed crispy. Next was the cacio e pepe gyoza - fried dumplings stuffed with cheese and black pepper and served with a cherry pepper tomato sauce...the dumplings were crispy on the edges and the filling was creamy and flavorful, and the sauce was good, but for me, unnecessary as it slightly masked the flavor of the filling, but still a very good dish. The Italian sushi roll was the only item we had that really didn't have any Japanese elements in it, other than being called a sushi roll. But the tomato, basil, and mozzarella wrapped with prosciutto and drizzled with a balsamic glaze tasted wonderful. The shrimp crispy rice featured a plump, juicy shrimp on top of a lightly fried rice ball with roasted tomato and a Calabrian chili cream sauce, and it was as good as it sounds, full of flavor and balance. The grilled octopus with edamame and eel sauce was very tasty - I would have liked larger pieces of octopus but it was cooked perfectly, and the edamame was the best I've ever had, just the right amount of tenderness without being mushy, and the eel sauce complimented both elements harmoniously. The two stars of the small plates were, first, the tuna carpaccio - the most visually stunning dish we had, thin slices of vibrant pink/purple tuna draped across the plate, with a bump in the middle from an uni butter crouton, with a little lemon oil and agrodolce drizzled on top. That crouton was divine, the fresh tuna perfectly matched with the light dressing. Beautiful dish. Then the homerun - the kombucha squash soup with stracciatella and crispy garlic, drizzled with chili oil. Just an incredible amount of flavor, creaminess from the cheese, texture contrast from the fried garlic bits, and depth from the squash and chili oil. One of the best soups we'd ever had anywhere. On to the mains - first was the Wagyu Bolognese with thick Udon noodles and a whipped miso ricotta. That miso ricotta was unbelievable - what a wonderful meshing of the two ingredients into something we'd never tasted anything like before. The dish as a whole was bit too salty, but overall it was great, with big chunks of ground Wagyu beef in the thick, flavorful sauce. Last was the miso salmon, served with forbidden rice (black rice), baby bok choy, and miso butter. The perfectly cooked salmon (slightly undercooked, as requested) paired well with the miso butter, which also coated the bok choy and got under the rice, making each bite delicious and flavorful. The staff was knowledgeable and friendly, the atmosphere had just the right amount of brightness and the music wasn't too loud. We can't wait...

A Perfect Italian-Japanese Fusion You Didn’t Know You Needed

If you hesitated when you heard “Japanese-Italian fusion,” don’t. Itameshi nails it — creative, balanced, and absolutely delicious from start to finish. Every dish had both comfort and surprise, with attention to texture and flavor it honestly ranks this as one of the best meals I've ever had.

Our server Drew deserves special mention — friendly, attentive, and completely unfazed by our multiple rounds of appetizers and a late entrée addition. His recommendations (including how to enjoy the cocktail with the Kumbachi plum) were spot on.

The pacing was perfect, the vibe warm but modern, and the food… unforgettable.

If you’re skeptical about Italian-Japanese fusion, Itameshi will change your mind. Each dish celebrates both cuisines instead of compromising either. It’s creative, comforting, and genuinely exciting dining.

Easily one of the most interesting and best meals I’ve had in years. Top 3 all time in Albany.

Don’t hesitate. Go. Now.

The Food we had:

Italian Sushi Roll (Prosciutto, Tomato Aioli, Basil, Mozzarella, Balsamic Glaze) A “Caprese roll” in spirit — paper-thin prosciutto melts as it meets creamy mozzarella and fragrant basil, while the tomato aioli adds richness. The balsamic glaze is both sweet and pungent, tying the flavors together beautifully.

Calamari (Crispy, Spicy Miso Crema, Agrodolce) Light, crisp breading around perfectly tender calamari. The spicy miso crema brings depth and heat, while the agrodolce drizzle adds that balanced tang and sweetness. I used my spoon to scrape the plate — not exaggerating. One of the best calamari dishes I’ve ever had.

Gyoza (Cacio e Pepe, Cherry Pepper Sugo) This is where fusion magic happens. Italian cacio e pepe flavors tucked into Japanese gyoza, served over a bold, tangy cherry-pepper tomato sugo. It’s spicy enough to clear your sinuses, yet addictively flavorful.

Shrimp Crispy Rice (Roast Tomato, Calabrian Chili Cream Sauce) Arguably the dish of the night. Perfectly cooked shrimp over a golden fried sticky rice cake — crispy on the outside, chewy inside — sitting in a luscious tomato-Calabrian chili cream sauce. It has just enough heat to keep things interesting without overwhelming the shrimp’s sweetness.

Udon Noodle Bolognese (Whipped Miso Ricotta) A brilliant fusion of East and West. The chewy udon noodles are the perfect canvas for a rich, slow-cooked Bolognese — hearty, savory, and layered with flavor. The whipped miso ricotta on top adds a creamy, slightly sweet umami finish that ties everything together. Then there’s the crispy, fatty beef — little golden bits of texture that pop through every bite, giving the dish contrast and depth. The combination of silky noodles, creamy ricotta, and crisp beef creates a mouthfeel that’s honestly out of this world. Comfort food reborn through creativity.

PS if you're still reading - $50-100 per person is accurate if you are going out, ordering multiple courses, and drinking. However, their menu is very reasonably priced for the amount and quality. Apps $14-20. Pasta $25 ish. Protein entrees $20-30. If youre just getting an entree or splitting an app and getting an entree you could easily be under $50 a person. It's...

Wow! Since opening I’ve eaten here 6 times!!! Had my 1st solo dining experience on a Friday night - went to pick up my takeout order (Fried Calamari 😋😋😋😋😋) and ended up having a fabulous drink at the bar. Met a beautiful couple also eating at the Bar. Stayed longer as we struck up conversation. Bar Service never disappoints..William is passionate and creative & it shows up in his work! The level of flavors in the food… all i can say is wait for it!! The first bite is delicious and it elevates from there! Can’t say enough about the Chef’s and this kitchen staff. The servers are delightful and learning the menu just like us but we appreciate them sharing what they’ve experienced so far on the menu. They’re eager to go ask on things that aren’t sure of. Their is bread service now to “sop up” the amazing sauces coming from this kitchen!!! Can’t miss items: Calamari; Grilled Prime NY Strip Steak; Waygu Meatballs; Cacio e Pepe; gyoza, cherry-pepper; clams and last night 8 of us shared items family style and tried the ramen… I’ll be back for that! Oh and the...