Is this the 'Best of the Capital Region'? Really?

Happy Monday, Capital Region! Today, we’re taking a deep dive into the TU’s just-released “Best of the Capital Region” list—the good, the bad and the ugly 😂 

We also just launched our new Reader Survey to get more info on our subscribers—that’s you! Help us make our content as relevant as possible. It will only take 60 seconds and it’s completely anonymous. 🙏 

Plus, we’re giving away a $25 gift certificate to our favorite taco joint, Tacos Diablo, to one lucky person who fills out the survey this week, and this week only!

—Phat X. Chiem & Karley Sullivan

Is this really the ‘Best of the Capital Region’? 🙃 

The Times Union is out with its annual Best of the Capital Region list—and there are some real doozies on it.

But before we dive into some of the biggest head scratchers, we gotta say that putting together a Best Of list on this scale is a risky and thankless task. The wisdom of the crowd can be downright stupid. And nobody is gonna be perfectly happy with the choices—except maybe the top winners.

So big kudos to the TU for even attempting something like this. That said, here’s what we’re seeing:

Overall, the list is extremely middle of the road. There are a few stand outs here and there, but hardly any of the restaurants can be considered daring or innovative.

Case in point: The Best Local Restaurant in the entire Capital Region is (again)… perennial winner Lanie’s Cafe in Loudonville. They serve things like bacon-cheddar burgers, chicken tenders and taco salad. Admittedly, we’ve never visited. It’s probably a fine establishment, but there are at least 100 restaurants with more interesting food, no?

And this year’s Best New Restaurant is… Pretty Alright Breakfast Club in Voorheesville. Really, a breakfast diner? Again, we haven’t eaten here, but this win is clearly due to Dylan Longton’s massive TikTok following.

Maple on the Lake in East Berne appears in no fewer than 4 categories. Is it really worth the drive? It does have more than 1,100 Google reviews.

The Best Coffeeshop is Uncommon Grounds in Guilderland, which is a fine choice. But there’s no Alias Coffee or Jacob Alejandro?

One winner we’re not surprised to see is Pizza by Plu, the Detroit-style pizza made by Brian Plu that’s incredibly hard to get because he only makes 48 pies every week. We profiled Brian back in February in his first-ever public interview. Brian even beat out DeFazio’s, which is sure to raise some eyebrows.

Most of the rest of the list is expected with hardly any surprises. SPAC for Best Concert Venue? Make sense. Best Apple Orchard goes to Indian Ladder Farms. Yes! Best Farmers Market is—you guessed it—Troy.

There are a couple of categories that we can’t wait to see for ourselves, like all of the Best Hikes and Best Local Historic Sites. And who doesn’t want to know the best mechanics or plumbers in town?

Check out the Best of the Capital Region 2025 for yourself, and let us know what you think in the comments. We’ll publish the best reactions on Thursday!

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Get out of the house early in the week to enjoy a cool sip of fresh air and sunshine before drizzly days roll in, bringing back the misty chill of early spring. Your cozy hoodie will come in handy as a damp spell settles in through Saturday.

🦫 A beaver dam collapsed in Lake George Friday night, causing extensive damage to the Whippoorwill Motel and Campsites and Ledge Rock Hill Winery—both owned by the Morgan family. Recently named “Best Campground” by the Times Union, the Whippoorwill hopes to recover quickly with strong community support in time for the busy Memorial Day weekend. [News10]

🌳 Five of the Catskills’ most essential native tree species—American elm, chestnut, beech, ash, and hemlock—are under siege from invasive insects and fungi. As these iconic trees edge toward extinction, scientists are racing to limit the damage. The TU has the full story of these forest giants’ fight for survival.

🎒 Union College has missed its freshman enrollment target again, and is using endowment funds to cover budget shortfalls. Adding to this year’s woes is a drop in the number of incoming international students, reflecting nationwide concerns that the Trump administration’s sudden visa cancellations are having an impact on enrollment. [Times Union]

👩‍🎓 Starting this fall, New Yorkers aged 25 to 55 without a college degree can attend community college for free (!) through a new SUNY program covering tuition, fees, books, and supplies. The initiative targets high-demand fields and aims to boost adult enrollment across the state. Interested? Start here.  [WAMC]

This graceful and lovingly maintained Victorian is situated one block from the Pine Hills side of Washington Park. Exquisite details include beveled glass French doors, solid oak floors with cherry inlay, built-in wood shelving and high ceilings. The thoughtfully designed kitchen overlooks the garden, and flows into both a sunlit breakfast room and a stately dining room with oak beams. During warm months, the wraparound porch provides more living space, draped in blossoming wisteria and framed by lush perennial gardens. This is a truly beautiful, well-appointed home—ideal for gatherings and making family memories.

The deets: 4 bd, 3 ba, 2102 sf. Asking: $349,900. Days on market: 6. See the full listing here. 

🌈 Show your artworks for First Friday Albany! Sign up for a pop-up exhibit spot at one of our partner locations with this handy submission form.

🍣 This evening, make Spam misubi with the little ones at the Albany Public Library (Howe branch).

🗳️ Speaking of… voting for the library budget and trustees is open from 7a to 9p tomorrow.

🎡 All this week, the Gillette Carnival sets up shop at Viaport Rotterdam.

✂️ On Tuesday, give your kids a bit of zen with Origami for ages 9–17 at the Bach Branch of the Albany Library.

🧑‍🎨 Also Tuesday, 1:30-3:30p, meet Americans Who Tell the Truth artist and activist Robert Shetterly during a special book & poster signing at the Albany Institute of History & Art. Later in the evening, Shetterly’s new portrait of activist Dr. Alice P. Green will be unveiled at the Alice Moore Center and added to the exhibition.

🎙️On Wednesday, Pat Benatar & Neil Giraldo perform at the Palace Theatre.

🥡 The Shirt Factory’s Market & Food Truck Corral rolls into Glens Falls on Thursday.

🎧️ On Friday, Zone 518, the Capital Region’s first holographic theater, opens to the public for Memorial Day weekend. Read our preview of Zone 518!

🇺🇲 Also Friday, South Glens Falls marks Memorial Day with an old-fashioned parade.

🎸On Saturday, Lark Hall presents Social Night—an evening of board games, cards, and vinyl classics.

🚗 The 5th Annual Wheels & Meals Car Show is also Saturday in Round Lake.

🕰️ On Sunday, the Upstate Oddities Market comes to the Concordia Club in Gloversville.

🎟️ UPH’s fall lineup goes on sale this week. Grab your tix for Everclear, Pink Martini, Tower of Power, Bela Fleck Trio, and more!

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