Pretzel Time - Crossgates Mall - Albany

Pretzel Time / Pretzel Maker
Crossgates Mall
1 Crossgates Mall Road
Albany, NY 12203, USA

After getting some tea in Crossgates at Teavana, the staple mall treat is a pretzel. There are 3 pretzel shops in Crossgates, 2 Auntie Anne's and Pretzel Time (also called Pretzel Maker). As far as pretzels go, Auntie Anne's is at the bottom. Wetzel's Pretzels and the Philly Pretzel Factory are above Auntie Anne's. Trying Pretzel Time for the first...time, these pretzels take the golden-brown twisted crown. These pretzels are buttery and cooked to the right texture. You can get them for your kids salted or not. They also have hot dog pretzels, variety pretzels and an assortment of drinks. Two pretzels will run you $5 but if you buy 3 you get a 4th free, great for the family. The speed here was a little slow, especially because our frozen drink had to be prepared but it is generally quick. Also consider there are no seats.

Ratings
Type: Snack shop
Speed:     - 1 - Slow for a snack shop, but is still quick in general
Cost: $10 for 2 pretzels and a frozen drink.
Tasty: ***  ***  - 3 - Yum! - ***BEST EVER***
Value:     - 2 - Worth it, drinks are a little overpriced
Kid friendly:     - 3 - Bring your kid's friends, great to entertain kids when shopping
Healthy:     - 0 - Nothing healthy or everything is fried
Extras: No seats.
Overall:     - 3 - New favorite

Salty's Pub and Bistro - Halfmoon

Salty's Pub and Bistro
215 Guideboard Road
Clifton Park, NY 12065, USA
03/01/2013

Grandma was watching Daughter over the weekend so we decided to check out a new place that we would not normally go with a full load of kids. Mommy loves seafood so Daddy decided to take her out for some despite not liking it himself.

The restaurant is set up with half the length of the location setup as a pub and the other half with booths elevated and separated by a half wall. The pub area is clean, not too loud and upscale so it isn't any different taking children to Salty's as opposed to any other bar & grill like Applebee's. We went late at around 9PM and the restaurant and bar were busy but not full and there was no waiting to be seated. The entire restaurant   has a maritime theme.

The food at Salty's is a little fancier and therefore a little more pricey. We started with the truffle cheese fries, which were delicious. Mommy ordered Salty's "Famous" fisherman's platter, asking for everything not breaded and fried which they gladly did. Daddy ordered the famous pot roast which was tender and served on a pile of mashed potatoes and large enough for leftovers. Looking at the kids menu they have a good selection of foods from turkey and meatloaf to shrimp and chips. The waitress was friendly but refused to look at the table when Mommy was nursing our little Son.

The food was good for the price. This isn't a location to take the kids if you don't need to but if you are looking for a more upscale dining from your usual, it would be fine to bring them. Nice for a date night but the atmosphere isn't exactly romantic, unless you love boats.

Ratings
Type: fancy casual dining
Speed:     - 2 - Average, Little Entertainment needed
Cost: $65 for 1 appetizer, 2 adults, 2 kids and drinks, before tip.
Tasty:     - 3 - Yum!
Value:     - 2 - Worth it
Kid friendly:     - 1 - Bring your big kids
Healthy:     - 1 - Few Healthy options
Extras:
For Adults: Because of the bar they offer beer flights, your choice of 5-4oz beers from tap for $13
Looks like they have a large area for a special occasion
Overall:     - 1 - Might come again

Red Lobster - Albany

Red Lobster
170 Wolf Road, Albany, NY 12205, USA
03/02/2013 @ 4pm

After doing a favor for Mommy's sister, we were treated to dinner at Red Lobster. Both our toddler and her toddler were at Grandmas so it was just adults and babies. It is a quintessential place for gatherings and meeting with family. As such, when we arrived at 4pm there was a 40 minute wait to be seated. Being the only Red Lobster in the area this location is always busy. The wait was a good time socializing with each other but it would be a bit more difficult with toddlers.

At the table we ordered a variety of items from shrimp tacos and shrimp nachos to a pork chop (Daddy doesn't eat seafood) and collections of sea food. The biscuits were good as always but the soup and salad for half the table came out tens of minutes earlier than the appetizers for the rest of the table. Drink refills were sparse and the whole experience took 2 hours. Food was good as expected but portions were small and pricey.

I'm glad we went to Red Lobster but it is definitely a location reserved for special family occasions.

Ratings
Type: Casual dining
Speed:     - 0 - Super Slow, Tons of entertainment needed
Cost: We were treated to dinner but would guess $80 for 1 appetizer, 2 adults, 2 kids and drinks, not including tip.
Tasty:     - 2 - Ok
Value:     - 0 - Being robbed
Kid friendly:     - 1 - Bring your big kids
Healthy:     - 2 - Good healthy options
Overall:     - 1 - Might come again