As I took the half hour drive down to Yanni's, I wondered what it was about this place that made it worth the drive. And it wasn't the food, which while good, can be matched in Albany; It was the service. Everyone, from the busboy to the waitress, and especially the bartender, put a smile on our face. We enjoyed a dinner on the patio, as the weather was perfect, and were handed a very reasonable bill, considering that all three of our dinners, and appetizer, were seafood.
Review Source:Disappointing experience. I ordered an Asian salad and paid $6 extra for "grilled shrimp". First thing I noticed was 5 tiny, cooked (but not grilled) shrimp. I seem to have recalled having this dish before with real grilled shrimp, on skewers, with some spice added. These were no doubt pre-cooked, plain, and just tossed on top of a run-of-the-mill salad mix with a few edamame and "oriental noodles". For $17, this was a real disappointment. Most of the other seafood items on the menu were fried, stuffed and/or breaded, which don't interest me. Real grilled fresh, not frozen, not farmed, fish dishes would be welcome. These folks could benefit from a menu update as well as some quality control, along with some decent wines. Only then would I gladly return.
Review Source:We have had lunch and dinner here quite a few times and have found the food to be consistently going downhill. This evening my date had the Sea Bass dinner and I had the Pulled Pork Sandwich. The Sea Bass had two pieces of fish, one that tasted well enough but the second piece could not be eaten as it was obviously spoiled. The server didn't seem overly surprised but did offer to bring another piece of fish but my date wanted no part of it.
My Pulled Pork BBQ had absolutely no taste whatsoever. I could have had cardboard soaked in cheap barbecue sauce that would have had the same taste.
We have decided to eliminate this restaurant from our list.
This is the second time I have been here. Both times my Mother took me because it has been her favorite place for many years. I was very impressed with the variety offered on the menu. My Mother didn't see what she was in the mood for on the menu so she asked the waiter (James) if they could make her something that she described and he didn't hesitate and yes... they can do that for you. It came and she was absolutely thrilled. I ordered a dish that was VERY unique and absolutely delicious. It was a pasta dish with mushrooms and peppers in a balsamic garlicy buttery sauce and was served over portabella mushrooms. I believe the name of the dish was Balsamic Portabella. HIGHLY recommend. If you don't like spicy food, I would recommend asking to omit the hot peppers. ALSO... the very best thing about my meal is they offer gluten free pasta and it was just the best gluten free pasta I have ever had. Yesterday was too hot to sit out on the deck overlooking the river but if you go on a nice day, do try to get a table against the window out there. Just lovely. I love this Yanni's Too and very much look forward to going back there again. I would give this place a 5 star rating but the atmosphere is quite casual and the dining room is very large and can be a bit noisy. The food and service are excellent so those things will certainly not deter me from returning again and again.
Review Source:A large number of specials every night on top of their usual menu. Â Everything they prepare they do very well. Â When it is packed, like this evening and when it isn't, which is unusual, they always come through with flying colors. Â The atmosphere is pleasant and relaxing. Â The wait staff is always attentive and responsive. Â They are always smiling and pleasant even when the place is crazy busy. Â Great food, great service, great atmosphere, great selection of beer, wines, and other special drinks, great...great...great! Â Worth the drive from Albany, and often.
Review Source:After hearing great things, my boyfriend and I decided to stop in and were horribly disappointed. We sat at the bar on a Tuesday night and have to regrettably say that the service was horrible. We are both long time corporate and privately owned restaurant servers and bartenders - so for us to feel the need to write a poor review is not in our nature. As first timers, we wanted to try the house draft, but they were out. Ordered labatt daft instead, it was so flat! Switched to Sam summer, equally as flat. Hardly drinkable. Ordered food and it was so bland. The onion rings were pathetic. Also, found chicken in them - and I ordered a vegetarian dish. When we put our plates up with barely eaten food, the bartender didn't ask how things were or why we didn't want anything wrapped... Not that he asked if we wanted anything to go. Needless to say, we won't be back. Great views and beautiful inside, but need to work on guest service and the kitchen.
Review Source:After a disappointing outing last year, we decided to give Yanni's, and their new menu, another chance.
Upon walking in, the greeter was confused as to what he should ask us and told us if we wanted to go outside to eat  "just go and I'll meet you out there". We sat on the deck overlooking the boats and water and awaited the sunset while having a nice conversation. Our chat was short lived as a guitarist set up just inside and started playing unintelligible, seemingly homemade, songs at max volume. No more talking.
We ordered the seafood gumbo and nachos as appetizers and, being vegetarian (seafood only), asked the waitress if the gumbo was meatless. She assured us it was seafood only. Upon its arrival, I could smell the sausage immediately. When we asked her, she went into the kitchen and told us that it had both pork sausage and chicken in it. We had her take it away. The nachos were cold, the salsa was canned, and the our sour cream came in a prepackaged container.
For entrees, I ordered the special; Cajun Salmon Caesar Salad. The salad arrived drenched in a bitter dressing and the salmon had no flavor or seasoning. I asked our waitress how it qualified as "Cajun". She said it was the rub. There wasn't even salt on it, much the less any rub. Salad was accompanied by a frozen dinner roll with prepackaged butter tubs.
This restaurant fails on all levels. Food, service, ambiance, and customer service.
The staff need to be trained on how to greet and serve guests, know the menu, and stay attentive.
The cook (chef?) needs to concentrate on all food. Not just calimari.
Decor is outdated. Plates, cups, and flatware don't match. And I'm pretty sure that ducks wandering about the dining premises must violate some health code.
Overall, Yanni's has become an extremely overpriced, and overrated diner.
What to do with you Yanni's ?
I ventured in on a Friday night to have the whole belly clams. The band was loud but I was there already so I braved it. The clams were great, really plump. The loudness of the band didn't get to me until I was there awhile and then it was overpowering. That just about ruined the experience. There is no use complaining to the owner; he has made up his mind that's what he wants to do. And the crowd seemed to enjoy it. There was rousing applause after every song.
I don't see the music as necessary; the place would do a big business anyway. I'll just have to avoid the weekends.
Most of the highlights have been covered by other reviewers, I'll add;
the made-to-order guacamole is great. The lobster rolls (two styles, one with mayo the other without, new England style and can't remember  the other one :( ) are generous and delicious.  Fair draft beer selection.
Entrees are all top notch, with lots of local, seasonal veggies to compliment the protein. Â If the owner walks by, you'll get a warm welcome. Nice in afternoon's to watch the recreational and commercial river traffic go by, as well as egrets, herons and an occasional bald eagle.
We found it very difficult to find this place... our GPS did not know where Shady Harbor Drive was, and in some cases the address was given as "Marina Drive" or something, which also didn't exist in our GPS. If you drive as close along the river as you can get in Coeymans, you will see this road, and the restaurant is down at the end of the road right on the water... as you might guess from the name.
We ate outside on their deck on a lovely late May afternoon. The weather was perfect, and the view is quite nice. Although our waitress was slow and forgetful, we still had a nice time, and the food was good enough to make up for it. We spit the stuffed portabella mushroom, with pinenuts, cheese, breadcrumbs, and herbs, which was amazing. I had the rosemary chicken salad (chicken was fine, salad was excellent with tons of fresh veggies), and the boy got the calamari caesar salad, which was also quite nice. Would definitely return if we were in the area.
About the *only* restaurant in New York State where you can (usually) get New England full-belly fried clams.  They are just fantastic.  The only other areas I know of where you can find this dish are coastal areas of New England.  Yanni's is proud of their fried calamari also (which no doubt  has the same light batter as do the fried clams.  Call ahead to be sure they are serving fresh full-belly fried clams before you make the trip.
Review Source:I went to this place yesterday with family.
The Food:
I ordered the Portabello Burger on a bun topped with balsamic glazed onions and fresh lettuce & tomato. It was awesome. I did not get any goat cheese or red pepper aioli it came with because I did not want to have any animal products or byproducts. Their aioli is mayo based and, therefore, has egg yolks in it. I topped my "burger" with the vegetables I got on the side. The side vegetables were julienned carrots and zucchini with snap peas sauteed in olive oil and red cabbage. They forgot to give me the pickle that comes with the dish, but it didn't change my mind about the dish. It was definitely the best Portabello Burger I have ever had. The flavors blended together seamlessly and deliciously. I highly suggest this dish to anyone who goes to this restaurant. You don't have to vegan-ize and health-ify it like I did, but I definitely recommend that you do.
The Atmosphere:
They had a live band performing. They were a bit loud (everyone at the table had to yell to each other to speak), but it was nice. The mens bathroom features two urinals that were fashioned out of kegs. One of them actually has a Labatt handle flusher. (Stand back from the urinals when they flush unless you want to be splashed)
Overall:
Go here! Everyone enjoyed their meals and the service was friendly. It took them a little bit to get everything out, but it wasn't an unreasonable amount of time. The place is very casual and open. If you want a more intimate dining experience, ask for a table outside!
I had really great crab-stuffed sole, our server was incredibly friendly and we got to eat by the water. Â We got extra rolls without a problem and the key lime pie was excellent. Â Everyone in my five-person party was happy, especially my dinnermate who loved his lobster macaroni and cheese. Â What a place!
Review Source:i quite enjoy this place. we came here in the hopes that we could dine outside and have the lilly the puppyhead with us, or at least near us. it was a stunningly gorgeous day as well so this made dining on the water even more appealing.
our server was a delight and even brought water for the puppy. Â robert loved his full bellied clams, rox adored her diet healthy talapia dish, lou seemed to enjoy his burger and fries and kenz loved the chicken and honey mustard. i had a steak ceasar salad that was quite delicious. Â they had a ton of other really enticing items on the menu as well.
the prices are reasonable and it is only a 10 minute drive from albany.
plus you may get to see teensy weensy baby ducks following momma and poppa duck. Â
lovely day and place.
The Town of Coeymans was once famous for brick manufacturing and mushroom farms. It's a once-genteel, now creepy little Hudson River waterfront town on the southeast tip of Albany County, somewhat reminiscent of an upstate NY version of New Orleans. After Katrina.
There's a story dating back from the O'Connell political machine involving a clandestine meeting and a severed human leg. The town was so proud of that leg they devoted a large section of their outdoor "History of Coeymans" kiosk to it. Sadly, the kiosk is no more. Â
Now that our appetites are whetted, we can concentrate on Yanni's Too, an incongruously fantastic little gem of a restaurant right on the waterfront that makes everything else about Coeymans dissolve into a hazy memory. It's a large casual interior speckled with items suggesting a nautical theme. But during the nicer months, one can dine outdoors on their roofed deck, and watch the waterfowl and lazy river traffic. The chef is a Culinary Institute graduate, and it shows in the graceful presentation of the meals and the quality of the food. The menu is extensive, and the waitstaff wheels around a whiteboard listing the day's specials, which have always been remarkable. The duck and seafood specials are particularly great. I like this restaurant so much that I first considered not writing this review, but after seeing all the West Coast transplants to Albany on Yelp, I thought they'd enjoy a late summer drive to this little regional treasure.
The 5 best restaurants in the 2015 Denver Restaurant Week
3,607 Views | Category: Denver
The complete list of 2015 Denver Restaurant Week businesses
1,970 Views | Category: Denver
The tourists' guide to Portillos: 5 must have dishes
3,306 Views | Category: Chicago
Pho = Pronounced "fuh" not "foe" for pho-king sake
2,904 Views | Category: Denver
Indulgery selected to exhibit at Collision Conference
2,983 Views | Category: Press Releases
Not Logged In
BUSINESSES
Local Businesses
Near Me
My Favorites
SOCIAL
Blog & News
MY ACCOUNT
Login
Register
Contact Us
Add Your Business
