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dp American Brasserie, Albany, NY

NARRATIVE
My friend and I were lost in downtown Albany in search of My Linh, a locally celebrated Vietnamese restaurant but were famished and reaching the Cinderella hour of 10 pm. The parking guy who graciously took our $10 suggested Yono's restaurant in the Hampton Inn. We walked into the wrong door, but into the right spot as the dp American Brasserie offered a variety to delight hungry, but still discretionary tourist palates to Albany, NY.

Chef Yono Purnomo and staff set us at ease.

CONTACT INFORMATION
dp American Brasserie
located in the Hampton Inn & Suites Albany Downtown Hotel
25 Chapel Street
Albany, New York 12210

Phone: 518-436-7733

HOURS
Monday-Saturday,
11 am - midnight

PRICE RANGE
Medium to $25 (Kobe) beef burger

SUMMARY
We walked up the stairs and into a quiet lounge where we asked for the menu. Upon quick review we noticed a range of flavors taking us from Italy to Indonesia.

The dining room was lit softly and our hostess sat us right away. Since we had eaten a late lunch we declined some of the main dish offerings like the rack of lamb simply because we didn't want to over-dine, but instead opted for small plates. My companion had the mere $10 burger and I had the Indonesian-style chicken salad.

He also had a Heineken and I asked the waitress for a sweet white wine. I was happy to be served a lovely Riesling that I am sad I do not recall the name. After a few sips we settled in and discussed our directional mishap that led us to this dining gem.

Moments after that our meal arrived. Much more than either of us anticipated.

My Indonesian salad was a rainbow of vegetables...green beans, carrots, tomato, greens, skewers of chicken seasoned with a tang and a spice that were out of this world. The salad was similarly tossed with the dressing and the portion was generous.

The burger was served open faced with a generous and tasty portion of cheese and julienne cut fries, avocado and other trimmings that make it more of an open-faced Salisbury steak than an ordinary burger.

SERVICE
Wonderful. The hostess and our server were both helpful, kind, welcoming, and generous. (We actually saw our waitress at one of the bars we visited later an her demeanor remained the same-- tres cool.)

RESTROOMS
We dined, but, alas, we did not stop by the restrooms.

SUGGESTION
There was a dissonance between the "light 80s-pop" inspired jazz and the sophistication of the dining room. The music could have been softer in volume and better matched to the venue. Perhaps a more traditional jazz soundtrack or gentle electronica/lounge with a global bent to it? The menu features hints of global sophistication. The music should, too.

Labels: "Albany, NY" "dp American Brasserie" Indonesian American

posted by wrki @ 12:23 PM