I removed my initial (1 star post) because I was contacted by both the owner and an employee/manager? I felt they were sincere about working on improving some of their downfalls in service. Â I gave them the benefit of the doubt. Â So we went back again Thursday night. Â Once again we were blatantly ignored by the service staff. Â the staff is there but it's as if no one has assigned tables or stations and they are all indifferent about waiting on anyone. Â We were not the only people there being outright ignored by staff. Â There's a lot of self-righteousness going on where the staff appear to think it's a privilege to get their service unless you are one of their personal friends. Â After over 20 minutes attempting to get a server to acknowledge our presence, someone finally came over. Â We gave our order for two glasses of wine and the large cheese board. Â 15 minutes later we get the wine. Â 20 minutes after we received the wine we ask about the cheese and the server said it would be there soon. Â So, over an hour later of crappy service and still no food, we went to the bar to pay for our drinks and cancel the food order because our server was nowhere to be found and our food was still MIA.
We decided to exit through the patio and BOOM! There was our server, sitting at a table with a bunch of other people having a chatty old time. We said good night and thank you (obviously not meaning it) and we got a cheery "thank you, enjoy your evening" from our server who was totally oblivious to anything going on.
We will never be back.  We've given this place several chances.  Slow, busy, early, late...it doesn't matter.  The  service sucks  unless you manage to get one of the few spots at the tiny bar or unless you are a close personal friend of someone that works there
This may have been the worst service I have ever experienced. Â " Troyster Tuesday" seemed like a dream ($1.50 oysters for happy hour). Â My group of 4 LOVE oysters and alcohol. Â We are also a pretty laid back and an eager to spend money sorta crowd. Â
  We arrived @6 pm and waited an hour for 2 dozen oysters. To make matters worse, our waiter avoided eye contact with us during the standstill forcing us to the bar for drinks.  Another waiter ( who seemed stoned and entitled...weird combo) matter of factly told us that they ran out of oysters and the cook couldn't shuck quickly enough to serve.  Promising...good job waiter, way to evoke confidence!
  We finally got our oysters.. They were fine, however we are talking about something raw requiring little prep.  So really, thanks atlantic ocean and oysters themselves.  Yes, I was expecting rotten oysters at this point and was delighted that they were Good.  And the place itself is really interesting and easy on the eyes.  So a big shout out to the 1800s and the cool architecture from that period.
Oh, and our primary waiter ended th night with a smarmy joke that insulted my friend. Â Like a nasty garnish. Â Thanks! Â And we paid for that! Â Jokes on us.
This place could be great. Â I wanted it to be.
I think the major allure of this place is the decorating and atmosphere, because other than that there was nothing special. I would go so far as to say people are blinded by the decor and the fact that everyone thinks it is "NYC inspired" (which inevitably feeds the inadequacy complex that a lot of Upstaters have, so they dole out blind praise instead) Â The rehab and decorating choice are contrived hipster-fied "reclaimed" blah blah blah; as boring as exposed brick (yup they have that covered). Â The patio is nice but their self promoting slide show on the side of the building was boring. Â It was 80 degrees out and I did not notice any air conditioning inside. Â
I am personally concerned that some of the food is prepared in the owner's apartment kitchen above the establishment. Â Pairing cheese and meats, turning on a food processor to make hummus, and serving other people's desserts doesn't make you "fancy" and it doesn't make the place a "restaurant", which so many people seem to think this is, including the local tabloid/newspaper. Â What does it make it? Â A peddler of other people's products and ideas. Â Its unique for the region. Â But I'm not impressed. Â
Wine selection is good. Â Craft beer selection was uninspired. Â
A lot of the praise also seems caught up in the personalities of the owners.
The services is aloof when good and absent when bad.
So here's what you should know about "The Confectionery": Â The owner's traveled extensively when this place was a pipe dream and visited the finest wine bars in the country. Â They took the best of their experiences, threw in many of their own exquisite touches, and created a destination that should be visited by anyone else looking to get into the business. Â That's right...if you want to go to the pinnacle of wine bars, I'll see you in Troy!
Review Source:This might be my third review of this place. I just can't say enough good things about the Confectionary. The reason for this review is because I went there last night for the first time since they opened up the outdoor patio space in the back. I was overwhelmed with how unique the space was. I love the exposed beams, wall of plants and the long communal table with lots of candles. It really is the most unique bar in the capital region. I am sure I will spend a few more summer nights on the patio sipping excellent wine.
I am not sure why people complain that it is too much money for a drink. The wine menu has everything from $6 glass of wines and up. You are also paying for the ambiance and an amazing selection of wine. The cheese presentation is also cool. They serve the cheese on granite slates and write the name of the cheese in chalk. It inspired me to go buy a similar one for when I have guest over.
I have been to the "wine bar", as many call it, 3 times now. I was never overly impressed, but my last experience there made me never want to go back. Perhaps it was a fluke, but it was too absurd to forget.
I went with a friend on a weeknight after work. We ordered at the bar - 2 glasses of wine and a plate of 3 cheeses to share. It was fairly busy, but not so much so that we couldn't find a seat. After an hour of waiting for our cheese plate (were they milking the cows themselves???), my friend had to go up to the bar and ask where our order was. Shortly thereafter, our waitress came by and said she heard we were still waiting, and "what exactly was the order again?". Once the order was straightened out, we were informed it would be another 30 minutes. Again. Seriously? Were they on to curing the cheese? Before actually being served our cheese, another waitress came over and told us she was very sorry for the mishap and the cheese would be on the house. We finally got our cheese about 20 minutes later. When the waitress came back with the iPad to charge me for the order, the cheese was on it!!! I never want to make a scene but after all of this, I had to let her know that it was supposed to be comp'ed. She obliged and all was good, but WHAT a hassle of a trip. What I thought would be happy hour took 2 hours and I felt embarrassed at the end.
The cheese was good - maybe they made me wait so long so that I would be guaranteed to enjoy it? The atmosphere is very hip - approaching too much if you ask me. I love the reclaimed materials and the idea of the place, but they need better follow through if you ask me.
Ahhh, love this place. Â Inside is rustic and homey. Brings you back to what used to be there and also a glimpse of today. It's small, but quaint inside. They have a variety of 'local' wines and some nicer more worldly wines and great little small plates that come labeled with chalk. So glad that Troy got this little gem. Can't wait to come back!
Review Source:Awesome place, I can not wait to hang out here again. Â The only down side I would say is that it does become a little packed. Â And because of the size they are only able to have one bathroom... which usually has a line at it. Â From what I hear they are working to expand, so that may not be a problem for long. Â Very friendly staff. Â Awesome atmosphere. Â Perfect Friday night dinner of a cheese bored and a bottle of wine. Â Extremely vegetarian friendly! Â They owners are present too, which I think is part of the reason their customer service is so on point. Â I am really glad they are bringing cool places like this into Troy... can not wait to see the grocery store they put in!
Review Source:I recently discovered the Confectionary after a friend's recommendation. Â After going to the bar for a drink and a quick dessert with a group of friends, I am giving this place a five star review as well. Â This place is a combination bar, coffee house, bakery, candy shop and appetizer joint located in downtown Troy, but with a rustic look and feel. Â Dim ambient lighting sets the mood as you can chat with friends, enjoy a hard apple cider and the peanut butter chocolate cookie cake (scrumptious, I will add). Â They also have such menu items, like a cookie flight (like a flight of beer, but with different cookies), which I may need to try the next time I'm here. Â Also, while I went to the Confectionary with friends, I will also add that this would be a perfect place to go on a date night.
Review Source:A very cool place, and I don't really eat meat nor do I like cheese. They have a good beer and wine selection and it's just a nice space in general. It's been getting very crowded and the service can slow down a bit but it's to be expected. Perhaps the perfect "date bar" if you want to impress someone
Review Source:Lived in troy all my life and just discovered this little gem. Â
the atmosphere feels like your in nyc at a cool gathering place...the wine & beer selection is yummy and the cheese boards with amazing breads & Pate is fabulous. all of the staff have been very friendly & quick.
LOVE this place!
First let me say I'm primarily focused on the coffee, since that is what I drink. I've been drinking coffee all my life; I roast and blend my own beans and make my own espresso though my machine is not good. Since coming to school in the area about 2 years ago, I've been trying coffee shops all around the capital region looking for that perfect shot of espresso, and after trying probably 20+ shops (some of the better ones several times), I wound up heading to the Confectionery after work with some co-workers, and I was shocked that the espresso I had there was better than any I'd had in the capital region. Vic is approachable and knows his coffee. They use an old-fashioned manual pump to pull their shots, and the quality is evident. Definitely my favorite espresso in the region, and I'm now making a habit of stopping in there regularly. Don't let the Wine and Cheese fool you, there are great coffee drinks here!
Review Source:This is an outstanding new tavern developed by a young, energetic, and dedicated young couple, who I was fortunate enough to meet during my first visit. The place has something for everyone. The interior is a casual yet hip space which makes liberal use of exposed brick. They play Blues in the background and the place has an upbeat and hip vibe.
There are many food options, from small plates to entrees. The menu is versatile and offers plenty of delicious and vegetarian friendly options (e.g. eggplant caponata, beans, cheese plates....). The craft beer list is carefully constructed. I had a Left Hand Milk Stout, and then a German HefeWeizen with my appetizers. Following this another friend joined us and the group closed with a lovely Titus Cabernet Franc which was extremely fairly priced at $49.
This will be a regular spot for me and is in my estimation one of the top spots for drinks, socializing, and casual dining in the entire capital region.
My husband and I went last night and if we could, we would have moved right in. Â It was exactly what we needed - large wine and beer selection, impeccable small plates, and desserts that were perfect after gorging ourselves on the Monger's Choice. Â Do not expect a huge meal because that is not what this place is about, although you will walk away full. Â It's about taking your time to try different wines, taste different cheeses and meat selections, and finish with some small bite desserts. Â It is the perfect wine bar and in a great location. Â I think this place would also do well in downtown Schenectady near Proctor's/Jay Street or Upper Union. Â And that would be closer to where we live so we could go more often. Â
Thank you for a wonderful experience! Â Keep up the excellent work!
Ambiance? Check. Great wine? Check. Â Reasonable prices? Check. Need I go on?
And yet I could! So many great things to say about this place. From the vintage china under the small plates and sweets to the lovingly restored and salvaged fixtures of the old candy shop - a true gem. The funky rustic industrial atmosphere is both hip and inviting. The wine selection is comprehensive, but with just enough unknowns to tempt you into trying something out of the ordinary. A good variety of food offered to compliment (not compete) with the wine. All in all, a perfect place to spend an evening. It is the kind of place that you almost don't want to review because you want it to remain a secret - but alas, I think the cat is out of the bag.
Ever had a review removed by Yelp admin? Â I just did. Â Said my review didn't "describe a firsthand customer experience." Â I admit it was a short review, simply adding my thumbs up to the favorable reviews already here. Â Sometimes short feels right, but if they say that doesn't work, I guess it doesn't. Â That said, I am a huge fan of this place and will go to the trouble of writing another review.
I've been to the Confectionery four or five times now. Â Loved it from the first visit and now feel like family. Â I get the sense that everyone is treated as well. Â The owners, Vic and Heather, and the rest of the team (shout out to Lucas), would alone make this place a treasure, but add the food (vegan small plates!), wine (love everything on tap!), the espresso (blue bottle beans, a top shelf vintage machine and skilled baristas!) and the fellow customers (I've had conversations with half a dozen, but I only remember Michael's name) and the sum total makes this a place I hope to visit regularly for years to come. Â I could write more, but I should go be with my family. Â Cheers!
The Wine Bar is great! It's just what Troy needs. The wine list is amazing and the prices are very reasonable. I love the atmosphere and the bar/seating area is beautiful. The owners are the bartenders are very helpful and attentive. They can make excellent recommendations and I've never been disappointed when I say "surprise me!". The cheese platters are fun, delicious, and a pretty big helping. The hummus is to-die-for and so is the coffee.
Great bar, great people!
Went last night for the first time and I am already excited to go back (and probably will this weekend) I recently moved here from New York City and I felt like I was in the city again, which is not something that happens frequently up here. I miss New York like crazy, so this was a welcome surprise.
Service: Awesome. The bartender was super friendly, super helpful, let us taste wines we were contemplating, and let us choose one of the cheeses for the Mongers Special (5 cheeses, 5 meats, with accompaniments, $25 -- typically the cheese-monger makes the choices, hence the name, but there was one bleu we really wanted to try so he asked that it be included)
Wine: Fantastic. I personally love draft wine. I think it is a great way to serve it for a lower price and you get a fresher product that is always at the right temperature. Â My boyfriend and I split a half carafe which was poured VERY heavily. I think we got 5 glasses out of it, which is customizing.
Food: I mean, it is really hard to fuck up cheese and charcuterie, but their selections and pairings are incredible. Â My one very minor complaint is that the cheese and meats were labeled with chalk on the board, and they were hard to read so I wasn't exactly sure what I was eating. But they all tasted amazing. Â They serve a bleu with nutella. Amazing.
Atmosphere: Perfect. Cozy. Trendy. You get whiffs of the Blue Bottle coffee brewing, the lighting is dark but not too dark. There are plenty of nooks and crannies to feel like you're alone in a crowded bar.
Big, big, big fan!
Ohhh my gosh.  I cannot say enough good things about this place.  It is definitely my new favorite place to go in the area.  Everyone should stop reading this review and head over :)  Anyways, it is located in somewhat of an inconspicuous spot, and may be easy to miss.  When you walk in you will without a doubt immediately fall in love.  It is super cozy and has a trendy rustic vibe.  The atmosphere is really top notch.  There are several spots to sit and it just feels very intimate even when it is packed. It can be somewhat hard to find a spot to sit if it's packed, but I've found that as long as you  have your eyes open you can get a spot fairly quickly since people tend to come and go. Â
I have tried a few of their white wines, all which have been great. Â My friend who I've gone with has always tried reds and he has enjoyed all of them as well. Â We also tried a few of their cheeses which were really nice and served in a really cool way on a stone slate with what it was written under it. Â The wine list is quite long and you can opt to get a bottle, half bottle or glass. Â They also will let you try whatever you would like before you choose what to purchase. Â
The service has been excellent when I have visited, although I may be a little biased since my friend works there. Â But, I have had other servers and they have been very knowledgeable and friendly. Â They have been helpful giving suggestions since I honestly don't know a lot about wine. Â You can order from the bar or have a seat and somebody will serve you. Â They come around every so often to see if you need anything, take away empties, etc. Â
This is just the place Troy needed and I am so happy that they are doing so well. Â I cannot wait to go back again and again!
This place has a very vintage-inspired, trendy feel to it. Â I love the idea of "wine on tap" and it's reasonable for students or young working professionals and doesn't break their budget. Â Didn't eat any of the food, but it looked tasty. Â As others have mentioned, the cucumber-flavored water is a different and fun idea to liven things up.
The only reason I give this place a 4 instead of 5 is because of the music playing. Â It was WAY too loud. Â They had club-like music levels in a wine bar, and it partially ruined the conversation among our 7 person group. Â We felt like we had to shout and could only talk to the people next to us. Â We were in there on a Tuesday evening, and there were other people, but it certainly wasn't packed by any means, so the volume of others' conversations didn't impact us. Â I would suggest lowering the music and finding something a bit more mellow to play to enhance the experience.
Love the selections of beers and wines, and definitely love the fact that they serve Blue Bottle Coffee from San Francisco. The vibe and atmosphere is chill, friendly, and warm. Vic and Heather were both friendly and welcoming, even offering a shot of espresso on our way out. Check this bar/coffee shop that is definitely the place to be in Troy!!!
Review Source:We had dinner there tonight and shared our anniversary with staff. Â This place is awesome and I could not recommend any higher. Â This place is special and owners and the people they have chosen to surround themselves with are fantastic. Â Left feeling like this place is right. Â Thanks Heather, Tony and Vic for the kindness and making us feel great.
Review Source:Spent New Years Eve here, and we will be back next year. The staff is attentive (even on such a busy night), the food is delish and the owners really care about all their patrons. Heather and Vic welcome each guest into their "home" and take the time to get to know you. The wines varieties are top notch at an impressive price point. Did I mention how gorgeous the space is? We are from the city, and wish we had a Lucas at home! Thank you for the cherished memories, we will see you again!
Review Source:I have been to the Confectionery twice and loved it each time. I would give it more stars if possible. First the level of customer service we received was outstanding. The owner is gregarious, generous, and made us feel very welcome when the place was packed. All the staff i have encountered has been attentive and just plain nice.On my first visit I asked for wine recommendations from my waitress and a few moments later the bartender came over with his recommendation and explained what it was and why I might like it. I love that. On our second visit we had the "Monger's Choice", a charcuterie plate with a large selection of cheeses, meats, and accompaniments. It was a great meal for two people. I had one of those Zen moments when the food, wine, atmosphere and company is perfect, and I can't wait to go back and bring friends.
Review Source:We went in just to check it out and have a glass of wine. This is a cool place with a nice vibe and cool small plates menu. The sweets we tried (mini pie flight) were pretty meh though, hence the 3 Stars. It'll probably get bumped up upon return.
Wine- 4 Stars
The wine I had was on tap and was very nice. I'll be back to try more.
Food- 2 Stars
The small desserts we got, the mini pie flight, was severely overpriced. They just didn't have enough flavor for the tiny amount of filling you got and ended up more like flavored jelly in a little teeny undercooked pie crust. Pass on those for sure.
Atmosphere- 4 Stars
The atmosphere is awesome overall, but we found the stools, while cool looking to be pretty crappy for actually sitting on.
Service- 3 Stars
Service was inconsistent while we were there (busy Friday at like 9ish), we sat there for a while because there were waiters, but nobody ever came. I went up to the bar and ordered, then brought it back to the counter area where we were sitting. Then, after we were finished someone asked if we needed anything.
For a brand new place, they are amazing. We went to a movie at the Spectrum today, followed by lunch at Brown's Brew Pub and thought we would stop for dessert and a drink after, to make the day even better. We were not disappointed at all. This place clearly reflects the passion of the owners to provide a great experience with the drink and food and decor. There are little touches everywhere (you have to visit the washroom!) that make the place really fun. My only complaint is that there are no vegan desserts, which are supplied by Sweet Sue's (<a href="/redir?url=http%3A%2F%2Fsweetsuesweets.com%2F&s=107b4703fdf18fe6fcfdd30c70a1762f215a2b7b557e447c9b013d98725ceed1" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">http://sweetsuesweets.co…</a>) whose owner I have known since she worked at RPI. Sue is one of the nicest people on the planet, which tells me even more good things about the Lucas Confectionery and Wine Bar. It sounds like they will soon have something for vegans, but for now I am happy drinking some great port and coffee.
Review Source:This will definitely be the new "hot spot" in Troy. Â We arrived shortly after they opened on a Thursday evening and by the time we left, around 7 pm, the place was just about full. Â During the recent Victorian Stroll event there was a line of people waiting to get in. Â The restoration of the interior speaks welcoming to you as you enter. Â The staff are warm, friendly, and knowledgeable. Â The carafe of water brought to our table was infused with the flavor of cucumber and some other flavors that I don't recall. Â It was very refreshing. Â The wine bar is the first in the area with wine on draft. Â Being a wine bar the only beer is in bottles, but there are at least some good craft beers available.
We started with a couple of glasses of wine, a Pier 41 Red Blend from Red Hook Winery in New York ($12) and a Vinha do Mouro from Quinta do Mouro in Portugal ($11). Â Both were nice, but the one from Portugal was really nice.
From the Small Plates section of the menu we ordered the Kalamata Olive Tapenade ($4.50). Â I'm not a tapenade fan but my wife is. Â She said it was delicious. Â I tried it and found that I agreed with her. Â It was certainly the best tasting tapenade I'd ever had.
The Cheese & Charcuterie menu offers four choices - a selection of 1 item for $5; 3 items for $12; 5 items for $20; and our choice of the Monger's Choice ($23) - a selection of cheeses & charcuterie of the kitchen's choice along with suggested appropriate pairings. Â Our Monger's Choice ended up including 4 cheeses, 4 meats, a mix of olives, Marcona almonds, little pickles, whole grain mustard, honey, and at least three other items that I don't recall. Â The recommended pairings with each cheese were wonderful. Â The flavors just burst in your mouth. Â The cheeses on our slate were Shushan Snow, Red Hawk, Pleasant Ridge Reserve, and Shaker Blue. Â The charcuteries were Spicy Capicola, Applewood Smoked Magret Duck Breast, Bresaola, and Duck Salami. Â
Service was excellent. Â Several servers and the owner stopped by occasionally to check on us and to answer any questions. Â They were all very knowledgeable. Â We are looking forward to our return and possibly try some of the sweets also the next time. Â Your receipt can either be printed or emailed to you.
I love and fear The Confectionary. I love it because not only is it beautiful inside but also because everything is so freaking delicious. I fear it because in the two weeks that it has been open I've already spent way more than Mint tells me is acceptable for my budget. Whoops.
This bar has something for everyone. My boyfriend and I are on opposite ends of the wine spectrum but we both find something new and tasty every time we come. The staff is friendly, knowledgeable, and helpful. It doesn't matter if you don't know what you want because they can answer all your questions and are eager to offer you a tasting so that you can be sure you like something before you order a glass. Also, I may be a weirdo, but there's something heartwarming about seeing the owners working side by side with the staff.
Since there is a decent selection of unique and micro-brewed beers, even our friends who don't like wine enjoy coming here. The food is delicious and once again there is something for everyone. The portions are not huge, but this is really more for tasting and snacking. However, that has not stopped us from ordering just about everything that is on the menu and enjoying a dinner of cheese and cured meats. Where else can you get applewood smoked duck breast or artisan cheese with a beramont oil and black tea rub? The savory tarts and pies that are made locally (but not in house) are also amazing.
On our last visit we got a sample plate of 5 meats and cheeses of our choice for $20, Â two single serving savory tarts that were $5 each, and the mini flight of pies that we ordered was $6. We ordered 2 glasses of house wine for $6 each (which is still VERY good, with 4 different wines on tap - yes, tap!) and one glass of port. All together our bill was about $55.
If memory serves me right, there is talk that in the future they will be serving coffee and sandwiches in the afternoon. I cannot tell you how much I am looking forward to this, especially if they offer internet.
I had been looking forward to this place since sneaking peeks at their reconstruction process through their open door on my walks home.
I went for a glass of wine by myself on opening night. I didn't talk to anyone that didn't work there, but I felt comfortable in the crowd. The menu is lengthy and descriptive, with a selection of wines, cheeses, chocolates and a few other things that tell not only just what the item is like, but also where it was made. I ended up ordering two different glasses of wine and two different orders of cheese, which were each served on a slate with some bread and paired with preserves or pickled vegetables.
The attention to detail has really paid off. The physical space is comfortable to inhabit. There was a ledge underneath the small window - table top where I could set my coat and bag but still keep them in eyesight. I am in love with the warm glow cast by the vintage style looped filament lightbulbs. Everything fits naturally, as though you were actually visiting a different time in Troy's history rather than visiting a museum of artifacts.
I can not say enough good about this place. The menu items are high quality and reasonably priced. It does not disappoint. Friends from out of town have simply looked at the photographs of the space and have been unable to believe that it exists down the street from me.
A guaranteed hit. Troy is over-run with bars with more beer taps than a yellow lab bitch has teats. So finally somebody wakes up and says, "gee, maybe I should do something different." In this case, the somebody is Vic Christopher and his lovely wife Heather, and they have done something not only different, but passionately so.
What we have here is a wine bar with enough style and spunk to be a smash hit on the lower east side of NYC. Drop it in Troy, for God's sake, and it's so good you fear the locals won't know what to do with it.
But fear not, on tonight's grand opening, the place is completely packed, the wine is flowing fast as the two lone Square-equipped iPads can ring the sales, and EVERYBODY is smiling and cheerful. I predict more than the usual percentage of patrons will go home and make babies tonight. It's THAT kind of smiling.
I'll leave it to future reviews to extol the virtues of the wine list and menu, to wax eloquent about the venerable antique espresso machine, and the depth of Vic's attention to the minutest detail in decor, not to mention his obsession with all things historical Troy. For now, I'm calling this a monster success that is going to attract a more age-diverse clientele than the typical Troy brew pub. I think it's got legs for the long run. Join me in wishing Vic and Heather the best of success with their unique new bar!