Review: Albany Pump Station

I forgot to mention in my write up of the concert that we first ate at the Albany Pump Station. We had been thinking of stopping by every time we got off 787 near downtown and saw it beside the ramp, but never got around to it until last night. The difficulty was finding it. While the directions seem straight forward, walking there proved confusing. We had found a parking place on the street (perfectly situated to let us drive almost immediately onto the highway) and took in the slim pickings on Pearl Street, when we decided to try the Pump Station.

Once we figured out it was behind the Albany Visitor's Center and the French bistro, we were all right. We started out with some of their micro brew and an appetizer. I got the porter and Gene got the Hefeweizen. They were both excellent. Our spinach and asparagus dip arrived in a little boulle with two bread sticks stuck into it like flags so it looked like a Tiki drink rather than an appetizer. The dip spilled over the sides in abundance and there were both crackers and crudités to scoop up the dip. It was quite good although a bit too light on spinach for us (we love spinach).

Our burgers came and were they yummy! Considering that a couple of places we've been to recently refused to cook burgers anything but well done (blech) it was a pleasant surprise to have them actually cooked to order (medium and medium rare). Gooey cheese and thick bacon went well with the chipotle barbecue sauce. The rolls were not too mushy or bland, in fact, I think they were onion flavored. The fries were the coated-with-extra-starch kind that Gene really likes. I'm less fond of that -- just let me taste the potato! -- but dipped in some mayonnaise they were fine.

We'll definitely be back to sample more beers and some more of the entrees, although I bet I won't be overhearing ladies room conversations about "How many times have you seen her?" [meaning Tori of course] Not too expensive, either -- a good experience!