Out Of Town Bistro — Restaurant in City of Albany

Out of Town Bistro, Albany is centrally located in the heart of Lark Street, a bustling downtown area in the Capital Region, with some of the best cuisine. Giving the city a run for its money is this newly-opened bistro that vibrant, delicious and welcoming. The owner clearly takes pride in establishment presentation, hospitality, and customer service. Upon entry, my party and I were immediately greeted and asked to choose from the bar area, which boasted several televisions for the sports enthusiasts, or the dining area which was adorned with portraits of prominent cultural figures and personal influences, booths, and tables overlooking the city street. After seating, we were brought water and menus and given sufficient time to make a dining decision. The food options were plenty ,but, not overwhelming and ranged from Philly cheesesteaks, lamb chops, fried chicken, jerk Rasta pasta, and appetizer options. After placing an order for two salmon Rasta pasta meals, we left to enjoy the ambiance and drive to the soft sounds of RnB that flowed through the Bistro. As we waited, the owner, offered their speciality drink which was a nice, ice-cold glass of fruit punch, reminiscent of the best Kool•Aid you’d ever had as a child - so much so, that I ordered a second glass and took the rest to-go. After a very short wait, our meals were delivered hot and fresh, with cutlery, napkins, and an inquiry of of any additional needs. Babyyyy, we ate down and had just enough for a small late night snack. Out of town bistro, Albany was such a fulfilling experience that we began planning our next visit before leaving. After our meals, I had the pleasure of meeting the two owners and was pleased to hear of their future offerings and expansion ideas. Sunday brunches were coming soon and maybe even options for private rentals when the expansion is complete. I’d highly recommend this restaurant- I’ve eaten there twice and recommend it to anyone who craves great food and superb dining...

Update: This was my second visit to the restaurant, and I was hopeful to see improvements since my first time when they mentioned working on obtaining a liquor license. Unfortunately, it seems that is still a work in progress. Reflecting on my latest experience, I find myself simply shaking my head in disappointment. I genuinely want to see this place succeed, but I'm left with concerns about its future.

The staff appeared disorganized, with some looking as though they had just finished an intense workout session, sweaty and unkempt. Each interaction with the staff led to a request or a response from our side, but sadly, there was no follow-through on their part. As for the food, I'm at a loss for words. Consistency is key in the restaurant industry, and it was sorely lacking here.

I had hoped to address these issues privately via email before posting a public review, but I was unable to find any contact information. It's with a heavy heart that I share this feedback, as I had high expectations for this establishment.

First Visit: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️I recently visited a new, black-owned restaurant in Albany, New York, and I was absolutely blown away! The food is simply incredible—everything is delicious, freshly fried, and well-seasoned. The wings and fish were some of the best I’ve ever had, and the Southern collard greens and yams were mouth-watering. The service was wonderful and the staff made me feel right at home.

I highly recommend coming out to support this fantastic new spot. I'll definitely be back in two weeks when they start serving liquor....

I came to Out of Town Bistro with two people. I didn't know what to expect. It has two levels: downstairs seems to be for a quick bite and upstairs seems to be for a dine in experience.

The person who did the interior decor gave the place a bohemian dive kind of feel. The place is dark and moody with painted wooden booths, lowkey lighting, and colorful wall art that evokes a graffiti street art vibe. Two young women were smoking hookah which was unexpected, but I liked it. It fit the interior.

Now the food. I did not know it was a soul food place! They had fried chicken, fried fish, macaroni and cheese, collard greens, potato salad...all the staples. In addition, they had scrumptious appetizers. We tried the Philly cheese egg rolls. Delicious! And did i mention that they have a bar? I had a Jamaican me Crazy which i really liked. You'll enjoy the cocktail menu. I will definitely...