Hooked Market & Kitchen — Restaurant in Town of Colonie

Hooked Seafood is a breath of fresh air in an area sorely lacking in good places to eat. And speaking of fresh, their ingredients are without exception, fresh, fresh and fresh, which is probably the biggest hurdle for any restaurant.

The super friendly and chill owners, chef and staff are definitely committed to their art, and the food is truly an art. The extremely talented chef’s recipes and combinations of flavors seem unusual or unexpected, yet the taste is delicious, satisfying, and awakens some senses you thought had died long ago from too much bland chain restaurant food. For the more conservative diner, they have safe and familiar menu items such as fish and chips, and they are very accommodating with regards to little tweaks or special requests if something seems too exotic. But if you’re one of those high maintenance people who order something that isn’t even remotely like something listed on the menu, seriously dude, you should be just cooking at home. You know who you are. In that vein, they do also have fresh fish and shellfish you can bring home to cook at home. The Hooked team provides tips and advice on how to prepare and cook whatever you buy, and also can recommend different fish for whatever spread you’ve got planned. Oysters. Did I mention oysters? Fresh as can be, with an excellent variety.

The format is cas and is very convenient when you’re on the go, need a quick bite, have 4 kids with you or whatever. It takes the angst out of checking off dinner off the daily to-do list, without the commitment of a sit-down dinner, and without the dread of questionable nutritional value of typical takeout. Oh yea, or cooking dinner yourself.

Geographically, the location is extremely convenient on the main thoroughfare of rt.7 between Nisky/Schdy and Latham. The location within Galleria 7 is also very convenient when kids or other members of our party aren’t in the mood for seafood and can grab other kinds of food. Location is accessible, with high tops as well as regular tables, and is convenient for both wheelchairs...

Pictured is the $26 poke bowl. They did not have tuna and offered salmon, which was totally okay, but turned out to be probably some left over (chewy, stringy) left over cuts. The flavor was very much something you can make in your own kitchen in about 10 seconds... it's not bad at all, but there are a few local places offering the same or better quantity/quality bowl with the same or better location/ambiance/experience at a lower price point.

The fries in the fish and chips were fine, perfectly fresh and crispy on the outside, but mealy and bland on the inside. The fried filet was very greasy and tasted like the fish has been sitting a few days... disappointing for a "market", if you are expecting something fresh. We did go during off hours on a Tuesday, so this might just be an issue of quality control and not their best presentation.

Both beer pours were perfect, and the waitstaff are efficient and look to be tasked with other duties as well as minding the tables, at least during off hours.

The bill is an additional 2.5% if you use credit, with the reason that the business charges what it does to "pay their waitstaff a living wage". If that is true, and the tip is pre-factored into the cost of each item, then the pricing of the menu makes a lot more sense.... but this is not mentioned anywhere, so I imagine the expectation is still to tip as usual.

Bottom line: Hooked is a super cute place with okay food, but is crazy over-priced for what is offered, and everything about what we could see of the business presentation leans towards "stingy".

We regret not going for our first time during "on" hours to better compare it to other places, but it would be a hard sell for us to return given the relatively high cost to low quality ratio...

Firstly, I want to say this is a very clean shop. No fishy smell at all. If I were to rate them on their cleanliness, they would get 5 stars. I got a piece of cod that was about $9. I asked her if they had fish fries. The woman who waited on me said we have fish and chips. I told her I didn't want the chip and was offered a salad instead. I just wanted the fish fries. Mind you there wasn't a menu in sight with the exception of a dink menu at the cashier station. So I ordered 3 fish & chips. I paid for my order, $74. plus an 18% tip. She told me it would be a couple of minutes. Mind you, I was the only customer in the store at 11:10 am. There were at least 5 people working that I saw. I waited and waited and waited, approx 10-15 mins, until one of the gentlemen asked me if there was anything else I needed. I told him I was waiting on my fish and chips. He then asked the woman who waited on me if she had taken an order. She said yes I'm about to make it. On my way out in the vestibule, there were to-go menus. I grabbed one. Come to find out there is a fish sandwich for $16. which is what I had asked for. My order was to go. When I got it home, all 3 of the fish & chips had 2 small pieces of way overcooked fish and actually pretty good fries. My fish was so overcooked that it was dry. I've never had dry fish. I do not recommend the $20. fish & chips. I cooked my cod which was very good. I will go back to the store for raw food, only because there is not any other fish market in the area, at least that I know about. I can tell you, if I had been able to pay after my experience, she would not have gotten a tip at all. I tip for service and mine...