Whenever I have dinner at New World Bistro on Delaware Ave, I feel like I’ve found a vortex to Brooklyn or the East Village right here in Albany—and no matter where you have or haven’t lived in your past, you should know that’s a really good thing. From the celebrity chef (Ric Orlando has twice proven his prowess on the Food Network’s Chopped series) to the creative menu, the trendy gastro pub welcomes fancy diners and average Joes alike on any given night.
On Friday, my friends and I slid into a booth against the exposed brick of the 1910 building, equally as hungry, but each with very different culinary preferences. The most adventurous of the group said the Maui Poke of Ahi Tuna (or, raw tuna, for the rest of us) was perfect. I personally enjoyed the Saigon Street Style Fried Calamari, not minding the twist of peanut and chile-garlic sauces. (Listen, we can’t rely on marinara sauce forever). For our main meals, the Hudson Valley salad was a hit, as was the Thai Italian Love – Panang Curry Bolognese. Think meat sauce and pasta, but with coconut and kaffir lime sauce. The only miss was the pasta special, but it has already been rotated out and we’ll chalk it up to the diner just not loving the sauce. Overall, it was all really great, including the dessert.
Whether you’ve skipped New World in the past due to prices or other assumptions, take it from me. It can be affordable if you’re good at ordering, and it’s extremely welcoming and inviting inside. If a ‘creative menu’ scares you off, fret not—pizzas and burgers and other ‘normal’ fare are available, too. But it’s almost a new year; why not try something different?
