Justin's

After having dined at Justin's for dinner and brunch on average once a month each for the five years I've lived in Albany, I will no longer be doing so. My recent dinner at Justin's was more like a trip to Hooters than a the comfortable quality experience you advertise and I had come to expect. The table waitress (in the bar area) was wearing a shirt that exposed her breasts so entirely that when she put my plate down on the table, I actually saw her nipples. It was disgusting and totally unhygienic--surely a violation of health code for any place other than DiCarlos. I realize this kind of cheap tactic makes for better tips from college boys, but I had faith that Justin's catered to a far more upscale crowd than that. I used to recommend Justin's to new residents and out-of-town guests. I will no longer be recommending Justin's nor dining there again myself. Truly disgusting. Justin's used to be my go-to place for jazz, but I've heard that they will no longer be hosting jazz after March, so even that will be gone. more

I'm a regular customer as well as a musician who occasionally plays at Justin's. Some people think it's ""too noisy when the band is playing."" Well, the dining room turns into a jazz club after 9:00pm, they even charge cover. That means people are there to listen to music while they dine/drink. If you are not a jazz fan and would rather talk than enjoy the music, it's not the place for you. Pros: Good jazz, decent selection of drinks Cons: Bad service, inconsistent food quality more

Just don't go - don't waste your time and money. We went on a friday night...upon entering, waitresses breezed by us without asking if we were being seated or helped. After walking through the restaurant to find the manager, we were told to ""seat ourselves."" A dippy waitress finally came to take or orders after we finally recieved menus from another not-so-thrilled to be there waitress brought them...Some $9, oily taco chips and drinks later, we recieved our entrees. Ropa vieja (classic cuban dish) and jamaican chicken - we knew by looking it wasn't going to be the best - but don't judge a book by its cover, right? WRONG! Both entrees had frozen corn and peas slopped on them. The ropa vieja was like wet cardboard, and the j erk chicken had salty, unidentifiable brown mush slathered on it; salty to the point where it was inedible! One bite, and we called the ""happy waitress"" over, and asked here to take them back. After speaking to the manager, she said ""the chef is excellent"" and that these piles of mush were there ""signature dishes,"" although the menu said nothing of the kind, and were told ""i guess its just not YOUR style - no apology. We paid the FULL PRICE -$70 - without eating the entrees or being compensated. RIDICULOUS - do not go and waste your money on defrosted veggies and slop, coupled with unhelpful service!!! Cons: too many to mention; see the review! more

I have been dining at Justin's for years, and I love it. They are as much a Jazz club as they are a restaraunt. if you are in to dining and talking only, I suggest getting there by 7 ( the music starts at 9 or 9:30) They serve great food until 1 A.M., and the staff is so professional and polite. I'm sorry that there are some negative reviews on this site,,,I have never experienced anything but exceptional food, service, and music there. Pros: music, service, late night kitchen, food Cons: parking more

This must be the only restaurant where the waiter will ask customers to leave without dessert and without finishing their wine, since the customers are sitting in another customer's favorite table and the music is about to start. After such an approach we decided to pay the bill (over $100), leave, and never come back. Pros: Music Cons: Needs professional waiters more

My meal of 12/31 marks a low point in seven years of dining at Justin's. Overall, the fixed-price menu seemed obviously optimized for profit over culinary ambition. This experience diverges greatly from what I have come to expect at Justin's. The execution of the meager offering was poor, and included a beef wellington blanketed in wet puff pastry, and lobster tails soaked in some kind of salt water jelly. The non-existent value of the menu was set in stone at the start of the evening. I can only hope that the poor execution was a function of the late hour (10:45) and the staff's preoccupation with the impending new year. more

The food at Justin's is GREAT! However, the Savoy dining room is cramped; you cannot get up from your table without practically sitting on your neighbors' table (and I wear a women's size 6-8, so I'm not abnormally large). Also when the live band is playing, forget trying to have a conversation; too loud. I suggest sitting on the bar side where there is a little more elbow room. Some reviews suggest the prices are high; I suggest you get what you pay for. The prices are proportional to the quality of the food and the service. Pros: food & service are excellent; charming when its not crowded Cons: noise when the band is playing; lack of personal space more

Darn good food at Justin's. You've also gotta love the atmosphere; it's quiet and romantic and they often have live jazz playing. It is pricey, but well worth it - they have a large selection of wines and a constantly-evolving menu. Don't be afraid to try something new here, because it's all good. I never thought I could be so enamored with red cabbage and squash, but even that was great! My favorite staple: Ropa Vieja (shredded beef with green olives & onions in a tomato-based sauce), with black beans and ginger rice. I might go back to Albany just for that! Pros: Excellent food, Ambience, Live Jazz Cons: Parking, Price, Limited Seating more

The best restaurant in all of Albany. GREAT food and GREAT service; how can you go wrong?! Pros: FOOD, ORIGINALITY, SERVICE Cons: Parking more

An excellent place, not cheap, often has live entertainment. problem is they alter the eclectic limited menu. so Id check ahead. more

Food is great and so is the atmosphere. Sit by the bar for burgers and brew. But dine in the back room for the nice atmosphere and live Jazz! Pros: Food, Atmosphere, Location Cons: Reservations more