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Reviews
"The best restaurant in Saratoga; what a restaurant should be in all ways" Sperry's is a Saratoga landmark which was semi-recently taken over by new ownership and a new Culinary Institute chef. It is now the best restaurant in this city of fine dining. Went in early December for about the 6th or 8th time and it was its usual consistent, excellent self. The service is outstanding-they remember, greet, and appreciate return customers. They have several indoor dining rooms as well as really cool outdoor seating. They have a bar with seating as well, so there are several different atmospheres to choose from. For drink enthusiasts, you can start with a Sazerac, the official cocktail of New Orleans, which is make properly and is excellent. The calamari appetizer has to be considered by them to be a signature dish. Finely chopped, lightly fried, and served with chopped green onions and I think wasabi peas maybe, and served with two Asian style sauces. The most delicious, different, amazingly original calamari I have ever had. Their seasonal risottos are beyond outstanding. Trying other risottos in town just magnifies how great Sperry's are. Salads are also excellent. Had the autumn salad with marinated pears and phyllo-wrapped cheddar; again, delicious and highly original. The entrees were short ribs for one in my party which were thoroughly enjoyed, and I had the halibut--perfectly cooked, with excellent mashed potatoes. The side of honey ginger carrots may be the best side I have ever had--and I have had more than a few. Desserts are also excellent; I had the gateau marjolaine - praline cream, chocolate icing, a seriously delicious French creation. The service here is another element---not at all fawning or overdone; but the kind of place where you can tell every last effort is made---water glasses kept getting refilled and the runners know who gets each dish--when this happens, you know it is a restaurant which understands and cares about the details. No "who gets the steak?" servers here. Sperry's is just outstanding. I cannot recommend it highly enough. The owners are there just about every night, work their tails off, have run other successful restaurants in town, recognize and chat with regulars, and deserve to be hugely successful. Saratoga has a lot of good to very good restaurants, but right now, Sperry's is the benchmark. No place in town can match its flavors, creativity, friendly and welcoming atmosphere, and consistent excellence. Trip Advisor, Kingman26
"I called a day ahead for a Saturday night reservation for myself and companion. From the moment we arrived, hospitality and service was paramount. We were seated immediately, and introduced to Kevin our waiter. The menu is a mix of traditional American with a classic French influence, with some Italian nicely interspersed. Familiar meats and fish are fairly evenly represented, with an emphasis on seasonal dishes and ingredients. Fresh from the oven popovers with gruyere cheese baked in the crusty outside arrived first. The insides were wonderfully, pillowy soft. We ordered fresh raw oysters as a starter. These beauties arrived freezing cold on a bed of crushed ice, and were livened by a presentation of three topping sauces. Companion choose a salad of varietal beets with greens, and topped with a lemon basil vinaigrette. Fresh and delicious. When I spied Fall Risotto on the menu, it was a no-brainer. This could have been the best I can remember, superior even to what I thought was the champion risotto at Fortunato's, next to the Pantheon in Rome. Along with the perfectly cooked, slightly al dente, but creamy rice mixture, there was a medley of mushrooms of varied flavors and textures, sublimely enhanced by crumbles of chevre on top, melting into the hot mixture. I want more…now. On the recommendation of Kevin, companion chose the Dover sole with mashed potatoes and sautéed veges. The fish was perfectly cooked, the vegetables nicely seasoned and slightly crisp, and the beautiful white potato, piped onto the serving dish, was creamy and full-flavored. I chose the Hanger Steak au Poivre, served with the same side dishes. The cognac mustard cream sauce was a tangy compliment, and paired well with the black pepper encrusted beef. The steak came cooked perfectly medium rare. What could be more traditional than Bananas Foster, I thought, so ordered one to share. Good call, as the serving dish came with four nice-sized scoops of vanilla ice cream on top of the carmelized bananas in a rich, rich caramel sauce that left us both well-satisfied. As if Kevin was not solicitous enough, we were also visited twice at our table by the restaurant manager, checking on whether all was well, and also twice by Chef Miller himself. Although some might find this level of attention intrusive, we found it sincere and gracious. As we exited the warm, bustling space into the cool night air of late autumn, we turned to notice the tasteful fall theme accented by soft candlelight in the front windows. It made for a perfect ending. We agreed to return. " Bill
"We met you tonight upon departing from one of the most delightful dinners we have experienced in the Capital District in many years. When discussing with friends where to go for a dinner that we might find above the norm we had a great deal of difficulty trying to determine where to go. Having heard raves about Sperry's, we decided that we would venture north and discover for ourselves whether the reputation was warranted. What we experienced was nothing short of outstanding. Not only was the food superb, the service from the waitstaff to the busboys to the manager was beyond any expectations we may have anticipated. We thank you for a most enjoyable evening and will be returning with additional friends in the very near future.Thank you for overseeing such a first class operation (all four of us this evening were from the New York metropolitan area and truly appreciate a first class operation). " Gene
"My wife and I were most pleased and fortunate to have discovered Sperry's Restaurant during our recent visit to Saratoga. We inquired of a number of people whom we met while in Saratoga as to which restaurant they would recommend. Consistently, the response was Sperry's. We stopped by Sperry's during the day and made reservations for that evening. Our very positive encounter started with the most gracious accommodation by one of Sperry's staff. Upon our arrival for dinner later that day, we continued to be treated most graciously. The wait staff that served us that evening was just as gracious as everyone whom we had met previously. Additionally, the wait staff that attended to us for the evening was exceptionally knowledgeable regarding each of the offerings on the menu. We had the opportunity to speak at relative length with the proprietors of Sperry's as we shared in common a specific couple that had referred us to Sperry's. The owners, Christel and Colin, were most engaging and clearly added to our evening's pleasure. As to our dinner, we enjoyed appetizers and salads and entrees and dessert that were nothing short of impressive and delicious. As an aside, both my wife and I come out of the high-end restaurant business in NYC and vicinity and my wife is a trained, but non-practicing chef. We had shared with Christel early on during our time at Sperry's that the impetus for our trip to Saratoga was to celebrate my wife's birthday. With that knowledge in mind, Christel made certain that she had the accurate spelling of my wife's name so that she could arrange for a special birthday dessert specifically tailored to honor my wife's birthday. The evening was an absolute delight. Our recommendation to those who desire a delicious dining experience and special evening is that they visit Christel and Colin at Sperry's." Stuart and Eydie
"My wife and I were at your establishment on Friday the 30th. From the time we walked in at 6:30pm we were impressed with the attention to detail and service. Greeted warmly by the girls at the entrance, we were a bit early for our reservation and wanted to have a drink at the bar. Their concern was "our" table preference, we picked one after a few minutes and it has held for us. Our bar experience was excellent, bar tenders were personable and professional. Our glasses didn't wait for them to go dry, (i like that) We sat down at "our" table selection and were greeted by an older gentlemen waiter (didn't catch his name) His recommendations and your food were AWESOME! My shrimp cocktail and Cajun steak were excellent, done perfectly. My wife's tuna app and veal dish were excellent as well. The desert recommendation by our waiter was the gâteau Marjolaine, WOW was that good! Just wanted to say THANK YOU for a great experience. We will be back next time we visit Saratoga." Ken & Cindy
"New Life" Metroland "Last year, the place was acquired by a group including Christel and Colin MacLean, who several years ago revived the venerable Hattie's and then created Broadway's Circus Café...Their masterstroke was bringing chef Dale Miller to the team...The "lobster pot" bisque we started with set the tone for the excellence and whimsy that would characterize the rest of the meal...And may I add that to finish with the gâteau Marjolaine, a hazelnut-and-praline-based creation that's deceptively light, is to underline a superb meal with a vision of gustatory heaven touched with dietary hell. And that's what fine dining should be." Click here for full article Byron Nilsson, Metroland
"Best Bets" Thoroughbred Daily News Year in, year out, my most reliable choice for a combination of all the factors mentioned above is Sperry's. The menu has been freshened for 2011, but many of the stand-bys remain. The place has gentrified over the years, the a/c is much improved, but, most importantly, they have a great team in the kitchen, behind the bar and waiting tables. Borrowing an overused expression from bloodstock agents when justifying a yearling purchase, "Sperry's ticks all the boxes". - Mr. Terence Collier, Director of Marketing/Fasig-Tipton Co
"The most amazing meal." I only order New York Strip, potatoes, and a beer whenever I go out to dinner. This was by FAR the BEST New York Strip Steak that I have ever had the opportunity to enjoy. The service was great. The staff is all very friendly. I was there with 7 other people and we all had a different meal. Each of us couldn't stop talking bout how wonderful our meal was. I strongly recommend this restaurant. - TripAdvisor - ColFitz
"Sperry's Restaurant in Saratoga Springs NY" Rose Levy Beranbaum (author of The Cake Bible and many other wonderful cookbooks) reviews Sperry's! - Rose Levy Beranbaum
“Over the Top" Our recent Rehearsal Dinner at Sperry's was totally 'Over the Top'! From the initial discussions that my son and his fiance and her parents had while planning, we could tell that this would be a spectacular kick-off to a memorable wedding weekend in Saratoga Springs! From beginning cocktails to the climax of a flaming Baked Alaska Dale Miller created a totally extraordinary culinary experience for our 46 guests! Matt, the groom, planned a special signature cocktail made with his home town Twin Lights soda. This was offered by your superb bar manager, along with an array of drinks, on your outdoor patio on a beautiful summer night. Creative abundant appetizers were served to all by attentive waitstaff — mini crab cakes, salmon stuffed cucumbers garnished with caviar, artichoke fritters and other goodies kept coming fresh from the kitchen. Every detail was carefully rendered by Chef Dale and his staff. Our meal, of perfectly executed Rib Eye, Halibut, Chicken Roulades and Vegetable Risotto, included Sperry's famous popovers and a delicious fish chowder in honor of my late husband, which had been a specialty in his restaurant. Throughout the meal, wait staff were totally professional and responsive to requests. We have family members in the food industry and as my husband often said, "People who know the difference notice the difference." We did. Our sincere thanks for your hospitality and this evening which exceeded our very high expectations, and also those of our guests, in every way. I'll be back for more when returning to Saratoga Springs! - Elizabeth P.
“We attended a private birthday party on Saturday evening. The food was delicious but what really stood out to me was the fabulous service. Every time I had a request of question for the waiter (the ingredients of a dish or so on) and I thanked them for answering me, they replied "of course." Two simple words, but in a time where customer services is lacking almost everywhere they made a world of a difference! Keep doing what you're doing!" - Chelsea B. ”
“Excellent For Foodies" “As good as it gets in Saratoga Springs. I live in Philly so have visited some truly 5 star places in Philly. However went up for a long 4 day weekend and was the last place we tried. Wish it would have been my first place on Thursday night when we got there as I would have hit the place every night.
- Trip Advisor - jdmmem
“Table for 2: Sperry's on Caroline Street worth every penny" “Chef Dale Miller turned what once was a good restaurant into a great restaurant.” Click HERE for full story: - By Bob Goepfert, The Record
Sperry's will now be our new tradition for Mother's Day brunch! That was amazing!! And we will see you soon for dinner, bringing more family. We have been raving about the veal porterhouse! See you soon and hello to Dale. XO - Karen F.
My husband & I walked in without a reservation ... we had somewhere to be & the staff was wonderful ! Best service we've had in years and the food was just as good. I Love oysters on the half shell & these were the best I've had outside of Florida . I would recomend Sperry's to anyone & as a foodie/cook you only get 1 chance with me ! I know good food & can't wait to go back . - Trip Advisor Review - omni98
Bridal Shower at Sperry's ..."It was, in a word, perfection" In my case, I truly cannot imagine having had my shower anywhere else. The effort Chef Dale put forth with the special Kristi-and-R-specific dishes, the pink frames and drinks, etc. is unlike anything I’ve seen at any other shower I’ve attended. CLICK HERE for full story. - Comment by Kristi Gustafson, social media strategist/staff writer of the Times Union
My husband and I had a wonderful dinner on a Saturday night. The service was exceptional and the cuisine even better. Every bite was perfect. The presentation was elegant and the amount of food was just right. It is a bit pricey but it was totally worth it. I am totally impressed by my dining experience and I'd love to go back again. - Trip Advisor - ADKhiker1
Dinner tonight was fabulous - the service was excellent (no surprise there!) I had crawfish fitters, my way of acknowledging Mardi Gras and the sea bass. Mark had oysters and carpaccio and creme brulee - we are fat on this fat tuesday and happy!
- Kimberly H.
The NEW Sperry's restaurant is ABSOLUTLY THE BEST!! -Karen F.
"Best Place to Host a Cocktail Party in the Capital District" I recommend Sperry's in Saratoga. Not only do they have a private room that fits 50 people, their food is amazing! Chef Dale Miller and Colin and Christel MacLean are so wonderful and fulfilled every one of my requests. I hosted a company holiday party there in December and it was truly spectacular!!!! The BEST restaurant in Saratoga. Comment by Erin Times Union blog by Kristi Gustafson, "One the Edge: Fashion, Trends..."
"...fantastic Rehearsal Dinner.." "Hi Dale, The wait staff, led by P.J. and Ben, and Sean, our bartender, were attentive to our guests and added to our special night. The food was fantastic, from the appetizers right through to the caramel apple dumpling. Our guests all raved about the food and the atmosphere. Dale, thank you from the bottom of our hearts. The rehearsal dinner started off a truly magical weekend." Sincerely, Pattie and Bob L.
"Bed and Beer Dinner Better than Dreamed" "The Saratoga Arms has been the only B&B we have stayed in since our daughter entered Skidmore in 2002. The ambiance is is unbeatable, with rich period furnishings, tasteful fabrics, spotless rooms and huge bathrooms. The Smiths always make you feel like family at breakfast, only they cook better than most families do! We would not consider staying anywhere else and have recommended it to subsequent Skiddie families and friends traveling in the area. For the concept of the Bed and Beer Weekend itself, I applaud the Smiths for their clever theme, building on the fact that there is a fabulous brewery in town. The tour by Bob Cohan and Chris, the Brewmaster, was obviously one of a kind. Chris explained the entire process so we could understand it, had malt and hop samples ready for us to taste and smell, and we got to sample one of the specialty beers offered by the Olde Saratoga Brewery for the tour. That was really special - even Bob said he had never been allowed in the "Hops Room" before! But of the course the ultimate experience was the beer pairing menu prepared by Master Chef Dale Miller at "Sperry's" restaurant following the tour. That is something we will be talking about for a long time. Magnificent food, very interesting choice of beer for each course and the care with which Chef Dale made his selections was inspiring. It was such a treat to meet him, have him introduce each course and the share with us the thinking behind the food we were given . Wow. I really don't know how it could have been better. We were so lucky to be there. Quick, sign up for one of the other weekends in February or March - you will love it" - EJ Dowling
"I am not sure I have truly had a 5 star dining experience anywhere, but Sperry's is the closest you will find in Saratoga Springs. Also, the outdoor patio/ bar area is the best place for a drink during the summer. The food is fantastic and chef Dale Miller's influence is evident across the menu. The menu contains many of the traditional favorites Sperry's has become a local favorite for, but also has progressive American style dishes that leave you wanting for more. The decor is great, so long as you appreciate the "old school" and historic-style that is Saratoga. This goes for the service too. All staff are "mature", as you would expect in most truly great establishments. If you have only one chance to eat dinner in Saratoga, do yourself a favor and have it at Sperry's." - Dylan C
“To Mr. Dale Miller and his
Thanksgiving Crew: Best Regards, Anne M.
“Dear Dale -- I wanted to wait a day or two to collect my thoughts for a personal note of thanks to you for the sensational job you and your team did for our holiday party at Sperry's Saturday. Mark Behan (Behan Communications)
“Hello! I wanted to thank you for making an amazing Thanksgiving dinner for my family! The food was delicious! The take out service was excellent and since Sperry's cooked our dinner, I was able to enjoy myself with my family at the race that morning, and all day long. I really appreciate you offering this great service and making my holiday perfect! Thank you!" Kristen O.
“Christel and Colin: Thank you for your generous hospitality Saturday night. Our party was so wonderful and everyone had an amazing time. Our bartender, Fitz, our servers James and Terrence, our bussers, TJ and John, and the two of you along with Chef Dale were so wonderfully accommodating throughout the evening. I am so thrilled that everything went so smoothly and perfectly and we look forward to hosting parties at Sperry's in the future." Erin G.
“Kudos to Chef Dale Miller for the excellent feast he provided on Thanksgiving!! We decided to take advantage of the opportunity to have a master chef prepare our meal for the holiday, and we were blessed with a scrumptious feast! So many choices and every one was delicious! We look forward to doing this again. Thank you Chef Miller!" Paul & Judy V.
“No need to travel to New York City or Paris for a superb meal. Sperry’s, simply put, has got it. …Service throughout dinner was flawless, attentive but not obtrusive, and gracious in every regard…Our final conclusion was that the new Sperry’s didn’t miss a beat. If you want stellar food in a sophisticated atmosphere, Sperry’s is the place for you.”.. CLICK HERE for full article Field Horne, Saratoga Living
“The MacLean’s have preserved the best parts of what has made Sperry’s a beloved institution for 78 years, and renewed its vitality with their youthful charm, skill and warmth.... Deft and reserved renovations, a cherished sense of history, hands-on management and a lively crowd make this feel like the place to be in Saratoga, even in the off-season....Christel and Colin MacLean, who opened Circus Café in 2004 and owned Hattie’s Chicken Shack from 1993 to 2001, nurture the clubby feel that Sperry’s is known for, with subtle, effective polish. ...Dale Miller is one of a select group of executive chefs in the Capital Region with the mature prowess to consistently turn out technically worthy food with artistic precision. His menu for the reincarnation of Sperry’s has a mass appeal, class and reliability that will maintain and expand the loyal audience the Saratoga Springs landmark has developed over seven decades. The new Sperry’s shows reverence for tradition and the sensibilities of its audience..Our meal started with a ceremoniously presented tray of steamy, crisp popovers and bowls of whipped sweet cream butter. Each plate that followed was meticulous.” Cheryl Clark, Times Union
Sperry's makes Thanksgiving simple! CLICK HERE for full article Alyssa Jung , Spotlight News
Last evening, Nov. 10, 2010 I had the extreme pleasure of dining at the new Sperry's Restaurant. All phases of this fine establishment receive a ten out of ten for me. The wait staff was exceptional in their greeting, attending to all of my needs and the timing of bringing all courses to my table. The food preparation was both elegant and extremely appetizing in appearance. The food was cooked to perfection and was absolutely delicious. Two ladies sitting across from me were raving about their diver scallops and lamb. The wine list by the glass was small, but excellent. Having dined all over the northeast in the finest restaurants, including where my second home is in the Lake Placid area I can assure everyone that Sperry's is a place you cannot miss and should return to time and again as I plan to. Sperry's gets the highest recommendation that I can possibly give. Great job everyone! Paul M.
Chef Eric Tisaj, of Sperry’s Restaurant, competed for the first time at this year’s Culinary Cornucopia bringing home a Gold Medal. In addition, Sperry’s Restaurant won the People’s Choice Award at the event. The 20th Annual Culinary Cornucopia was held Sunday, November 7th, 2010 at the Albany Marriott in Colonie.
From the moment we walked in - the evening just kept building with enjoyment, great food and excellent staff to culminate in a memorable and magical evening! From the first bite to the last - the filet mignon was exquisite, the wait staff exceptional and visit by the personable owners endearing. Not to mention - the 90 minutes was the perfect tempo to indulge and enjoy each savory course! I readily admit I am not easy to please and find fault with every dining experience, but Sperry's did not disappoint at any level. It doesn't get any better - treat your self and your loved one today. :-) Trip Advisor - ajayshap
We've challenged Dale L. Miller, Executive Chef at Sperry's Restaurant, to drum up three ideas that will make holiday dinner guests' jaws drop. Miller, a Certified Master Chef and Global Master Chef, went all out with these recipes, which are dazzling and delicious. CLICK HERE to read full article (pdf) Mareesa Nicosia and Photography by Erica Miller, Saratogian
My husband and I recently dinned at Sperry's along with two of our friends. We had not been their for several years, but was interested in trying it again under new management. We ordered the dover sole, but requested a lemon butter sauce instead of what was on the menu. The chef was happy to make this for us and it was delicious. Sperry's has become one of our new favorite spots. The atmosphere, knowledge and friendliness of the waitstaff was exceptional.....Great Job - we have told everyone to try Sperry's again....we think they will love it as much as we did! Loretta M.
My husband, Paul, and I stopped into Sperry’s recently after attending a wedding reception in Saratoga Springs. (Full disclosure here: Our grown daughter works for Sperry’s managing partners Christel and Colin McLean at their other restaurant, Circus Cafe. Even bigger disclosure, we were checking up on her!) Anyway, after Christel and chef Dale Miller twisted my arm ever so gently, I ordered the gateau marjolaine. A sinfully delicious dessert that was the masterpiece of the late French chef and father of Nouvelle cuisine Fernand Pointe. Made up of crisp layers of hazelnut meringue sandwiched with buttercream and chocolate ganache, the dessert is sweet without being cloying, decadent but not heavy. I was completely wooed by the first bite. Then I had to fight Paul for the rest. Melissa took the photo for me one day last week, then she ate the marjolaine for breakfast. Lucky girl. Ruth Fantasia, Times Union
Walking through the front door of Sperry's is like stepping into the past and the future at the same time. Art deco light fixtures, a black-and-white checkered floor and red upholstered booths harken to another era. Vintage racing photos line the wood-paneled walls, and an antique phone booth sits in the corner of the front dining room. CLICK HERE to read full article (jpeg) Doug Gruse, The Post Star
I just had one of our guests come to me and tell me it is one of the best dinners he has ever attended with this group. He said the wait staff were outstanding and the food was just phenomenal. He said he was sitting with some of our younger attendees and they were all about the seafood tower. Well, it seems I could go on and on but I’m sure you get the gist of this message. Well done, thank you and we’ll certainly be back. State Farm Insurance
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30 1/2 Caroline St. Saratoga Springs, NY 12866 (518) 584-9618 sperrys@sperrysrestaurant.com
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