H&s Ale Haus - City of Albany

I visited this restaurant for lunch and was seated in a booth. Unfortunately, I started to choke because the ledge next to us was really dusty. I ordered a cheeseburger, but it was excessively oily. I had to go through four sets of silverware before I found a clean one. The only positive aspect of this experience was our waitress, who was great.

We arrived on a Saturday a little after 5 PM without a reservation and quickly noticed that the few available parking spaces indicated a busy evening ahead. Thankfully, we were seated within five minutes. My wife ordered her Lenten staple, Saratoga Water ($2.75), while I chose a pint of State O' You Stout ($6). Although I enjoyed my stout, it didn’t particularly impress me. To start, we shared the Mediterranean Platter ($14), which could easily have served as a meal for both of us. This generous platter could have fed a group of four, and we especially enjoyed the falafel, roasted pumpkin hummus, stuffed grape leaves, and regular hummus. There was plenty of pita to accompany all the dishes. For her main course, my wife selected the Buffalo Shrimp 'n Grits ($25). The grits were wonderfully creamy, and the shrimp were perfectly cooked with just the right amount of Buffalo spice. Overall, it was a flavorful dish, although the Brussels sprouts could have used a bit more grilling time to become more tender. I opted for the Lover's Leap Farm Porchetta ($21), which was stuffed with garlic and herbs. This dish featured a beautifully cut pork belly with an ideal balance of meat and fat. It was rolled and roasted with garlic and herbs nestled between the layers and served with an apple demi-glace. It was moist, tender, and bursting with flavor. However, I wasn’t a huge fan of the broccoli rabe, as its stalks were a bit stringy, though the mashed potatoes were quite good. The portion sizes were generous, resulting in enough leftovers for both of us to take home, which were just as tasty for our subsequent meals. The service was friendly and pleasant throughout our visit. We definitely need to return sooner to explore more of what the kitchen has to offer.

During my first visit to any pub or bar-style restaurant, I always feel it's essential to try their burger. After all, if they can't get the burger right, it's hard to trust anything else on the menu. Unfortunately, I can't remember the last time I had a burger that was less impressive than this one. Honestly, if you went to a local gas station, grabbed a pre-packaged burger that had been sitting under heat lamps for a couple of hours, and served it on a plate, you wouldn't be able to tell it apart from the C.H. Evans burger. It was that uninspired. On a positive note, the staff was friendly and accommodating, and the drinks were decent—it's hard to go wrong with pouring something into a glass. However, the burger was so far below average that I can't recommend this place. Do yourself a favor and choose a different restaurant.

For our appetizer, I ordered the Thai chili wings, and I chose the fried chicken sandwich for my main course. The wings arrived quickly and were flavorful, served with blue cheese. My chicken sandwich was piping hot, juicy, and topped with what I believe was a chipotle mayo. The fries were crispy and quite tasty as well. I've visited the Pump Station numerous times; it boasts a great atmosphere with friendly staff, an appealing architectural vibe, and a very convenient location. Their beer selection is fantastic, and they complement it with a solid menu. The service was excellent, with food arriving at a good pace, and prices are reasonable for a downtown venue. Plus, the restaurant is kid-friendly, and there is ample metered parking available.

The prices are quite high, particularly since there is no waitstaff to attend to you at your table. You have to order at the counter and then bring your own table number, silverware, and drinks. During our time at the table, no one came to check on us. Additionally, the tables are arranged too closely together, making it easy for people to bump into each other.