Horrible food that was very overpriced. I had a lobster "bisque" that was little more than a flavorless broth with a cracker in it. The main course was a portion for a super model and was of similar quality. We had to wait almost an hour and a half before we had our appetizer. I'm not sure what the issue was but the waitor blamed it on the kitchen and gave us a free bottle of champagne over it. Regardless it was clear that there was a serious lack of communication with the staff. I will never go back. Have never been more disappointed. ?
James L.
Every Thursday my 6-8 retired friends and I go to Provence in Stuyvesant Plaza in Albany for lunch. It's awesome when the weather is nice so we can sit out on the patio and people watch while eating. The reason I gave it a 4 instead of 5 star is because of the waitstaff turnover. Tod is awesome, but he's now a manager so he tries to wait on us, but not always. The food is always great from smoked salmon wraps, chicken salad croissant sandwich, to their soups, crab cakes, salmon on caesar salad etc. The problem we have is when someone new takes your order and someone else brings your food to you. A good restaurant should never have to ask you who gets what. So hopefully that will improve. Otherwise , it's a great place to eat, nice atmosphere , plus normally with a 20 percent tip it will cost you $20-22 a person . We normally do not have alcohol during lunch so if we did the price person would go up. I definitely recommend you trying Provence out in Albany.
Roy F
We took a dear elderly friend, who is a fervent Francophile, to lunch today at Provence. A tasty squash bisque for me, and French onion soup for my wife. Our friend's main dish was the special sandwich of smoked salmon on brioche toast. She was very happy with the presentation, and the taste. My wife and I had crab cakes on a bed of salad. The cakes were chocked full of crab, and nicely done with an outer crust. Our server was attentive, and very pleasant. We're always pleased when we dine at Provence.
Carl DeMarco
We went for lunch. The salad nicoise was awesome. The down side is the waiter was managing everything by himself.
Alan Dennis
Excellent "French" cuisine adapted to local US tastes. I had the quiche and it was excellent. Excellent service, attentive but not bothersome. Nice ambiance.
Lori A
We had a business meeting and got lunch to go - we went with salads - the Caesar Parmesan -romaine with anchovies and the chopped salad with chicken - both very good. They have a nice lunch menu - soup and sandwiches as well as other salads.
richkortright
Before my wife checked into Albany Med for a colon resection, we had a superlative evening, eating outside, side by side. Two wonderful and imaginative salads and a world-class lobster and excellent halibut preparation made an extraordinary, surprisingly healthy and satisfying evening to remember. Obviously, as I am writing this review seven months later! Thank you, Provence, and the most attentive and friendly wait staff.
Bernie S.
I went to Provence yesterday evening with two guests. We were treated exceptionally well from the time of booking through the entire experience. Food was absolutely delicious (had salad, halibut, and the chocolate marquis dessert), and my guests enjoyed the food, too. Presentation of food is outstanding. Ambiance great, and they had a piano player. Great staff and super friendly manager. I cannot wait to return.
Very satisfied with the experience we had in this restaurant. The waiter, Tom, a retired chef himself, honestly gave us the inside information on the specials which helped us avoid a disappointing choice. The ambiance was elegant and warm, and the live piano music helped to establish the stage for a relaxed and memorable dinner. The bread basket accompanied by the olive oil and herbs was excellent. Then a satisfying course of soups and chowder was perfect to temper the snowy, cold weather we had braved to make it on time to our reservation. And we shared a wonderful escargot appetizer as well. My main course was their canard dish, with a generous portions of duck breast cooked medium rare and a duck leg with perfectly crunchy skin and robustly spiced dark meat. And my girlfriend had their scallops dish with nicely seared large scallops on a large bed of risotto with sweet corn and chunks of lobster. And her mother had the entrecôte forestiere, again featuring a large cut of tender steak, which she found delicious but could not finish it. We all ended asking for good portions of our main courses to be bagged so we could enjoy a couple of their famous desserts. See the attached photos!
Mary Ann
We celebrated the arrival of 2020 with lunch at Provence. Their seafood chowder and quiche Lorraine is to die for. We shared a bottle of wine and had dessert. We had a great time. Happy New Year!!
Cheri Ciani
Very nice atmosphere, great food and service!
Angelo Garci
Great atmosphere, nice people, the food was a bit disappointing.
Permanently closed. Tried to visit on 12/27/2020.
Horrible food that was very overpriced. I had a lobster "bisque" that was little more than a flavorless broth with a cracker in it. The main course was a portion for a super model and was of similar quality. We had to wait almost an hour and a half before we had our appetizer. I'm not sure what the issue was but the waitor blamed it on the kitchen and gave us a free bottle of champagne over it. Regardless it was clear that there was a serious lack of communication with the staff. I will never go back. Have never been more disappointed. ?
Every Thursday my 6-8 retired friends and I go to Provence in Stuyvesant Plaza in Albany for lunch. It's awesome when the weather is nice so we can sit out on the patio and people watch while eating. The reason I gave it a 4 instead of 5 star is because of the waitstaff turnover. Tod is awesome, but he's now a manager so he tries to wait on us, but not always. The food is always great from smoked salmon wraps, chicken salad croissant sandwich, to their soups, crab cakes, salmon on caesar salad etc. The problem we have is when someone new takes your order and someone else brings your food to you. A good restaurant should never have to ask you who gets what. So hopefully that will improve. Otherwise , it's a great place to eat, nice atmosphere , plus normally with a 20 percent tip it will cost you $20-22 a person . We normally do not have alcohol during lunch so if we did the price person would go up. I definitely recommend you trying Provence out in Albany.
We took a dear elderly friend, who is a fervent Francophile, to lunch today at Provence. A tasty squash bisque for me, and French onion soup for my wife. Our friend's main dish was the special sandwich of smoked salmon on brioche toast. She was very happy with the presentation, and the taste. My wife and I had crab cakes on a bed of salad. The cakes were chocked full of crab, and nicely done with an outer crust. Our server was attentive, and very pleasant. We're always pleased when we dine at Provence.
We went for lunch. The salad nicoise was awesome. The down side is the waiter was managing everything by himself.
Excellent "French" cuisine adapted to local US tastes. I had the quiche and it was excellent. Excellent service, attentive but not bothersome. Nice ambiance.
We had a business meeting and got lunch to go - we went with salads - the Caesar Parmesan -romaine with anchovies and the chopped salad with chicken - both very good. They have a nice lunch menu - soup and sandwiches as well as other salads.
Before my wife checked into Albany Med for a colon resection, we had a superlative evening, eating outside, side by side. Two wonderful and imaginative salads and a world-class lobster and excellent halibut preparation made an extraordinary, surprisingly healthy and satisfying evening to remember. Obviously, as I am writing this review seven months later! Thank you, Provence, and the most attentive and friendly wait staff.
I went to Provence yesterday evening with two guests. We were treated exceptionally well from the time of booking through the entire experience. Food was absolutely delicious (had salad, halibut, and the chocolate marquis dessert), and my guests enjoyed the food, too. Presentation of food is outstanding. Ambiance great, and they had a piano player. Great staff and super friendly manager. I cannot wait to return.
Great lunch. High quality healthy food options.
Restaurantji Recommends
Delicious food and wine. Great service
Very satisfied with the experience we had in this restaurant. The waiter, Tom, a retired chef himself, honestly gave us the inside information on the specials which helped us avoid a disappointing choice. The ambiance was elegant and warm, and the live piano music helped to establish the stage for a relaxed and memorable dinner. The bread basket accompanied by the olive oil and herbs was excellent. Then a satisfying course of soups and chowder was perfect to temper the snowy, cold weather we had braved to make it on time to our reservation. And we shared a wonderful escargot appetizer as well. My main course was their canard dish, with a generous portions of duck breast cooked medium rare and a duck leg with perfectly crunchy skin and robustly spiced dark meat. And my girlfriend had their scallops dish with nicely seared large scallops on a large bed of risotto with sweet corn and chunks of lobster. And her mother had the entrecôte forestiere, again featuring a large cut of tender steak, which she found delicious but could not finish it. We all ended asking for good portions of our main courses to be bagged so we could enjoy a couple of their famous desserts. See the attached photos!
We celebrated the arrival of 2020 with lunch at Provence. Their seafood chowder and quiche Lorraine is to die for. We shared a bottle of wine and had dessert. We had a great time. Happy New Year!!
Very nice atmosphere, great food and service!
Great atmosphere, nice people, the food was a bit disappointing.