DeJohn’s Restaurant & Pub in Albany offers great food and an atmosphere that is worth the 20 minute drive from RPI.
The overall environment was vaguely similar to an upscale tavern. The room and bar area were dimly lit with classy wood furnishings, wooden wall décor, and a glimmering decorative tin ceiling. The only complaint is that it was a bit crowded at the table. It is also worth mentioning that the upstairs dining area had more light but still the same classy feel.
The service during the meal was phenomenal. The staff kept drinks filled in a timely manner and were able to take care of our most basic needs. Throughout the evening, we were not only taken care of by our own waiter, but other waiters too. This made getting the check a bit confusing, but it didn’t impede our service at all.
The meal consisted of cheese tortellini, oriental steak salad, chicken roulade, and a pulled pork sandwich. Each dish was excellent and composed of great flavor, texture, and temperature.
The cheese tortellini had a good balance of pasta, vegetables, and sauce, with each ingredient cooked just right. The tomato sauce had a rich texture and flavor, tasting of tomato, wine, and herbs, which served as an excellent accompaniment to the fresh tasting and deliciously seasoned mushrooms, broccoli, and artichoke hearts. When combined with the mild flavor of the al dente tortellini, the total experience was more than the sum of its parts.
The oriental steak salad was composed of fresh, crisp greens and marinated beef tenderloin. The tenderloin, with a combination of simple yet satisfying flavor and texture, set the stage for the rest of the salad. This was all topped off with chow mein noodles that added contrast, and with a homemade ginger-soy dressing, which brought the dish together into a distinctive salad.
The pulled pork sandwich was particularly excellent. It had great leading flavor with just the right amount of kick in the hot sauce it was served with, adding an extra bang to the meal. The sandwich was also served with a side of superb sweet potato fries.
The chicken roulade—a chicken breast stuffed with the perfect balance of spinach, roasted red peppers, and smoked gouda, and topped with a green curry sauce— brought together some of the best flavors. To add to the excellent taste, the moist texture made the chicken an overall delightful dish for the evening.
The one major drawback of the restaurant was the overall cost. Most of the main entrees were in the range of $15–20. This included the cheese tortellini at $16.95, and the chicken roulade at $19.95. Sandwiches came at a reasonable $8–9, which included the pulled pork sandwich at $8.95. Two options were given for the salads: smalls from $5–7, and large sizes from $7–11. The oriental salad cost $9.95.
However, DeJohn’s lives up to the prices that it sets. The great food, atmosphere, and service are worth it for your next trip out to Albany.
