Tonight when I got home from work I suggested to Tom that we go out for our Valentine’s Day dinner. Get ahead of the weekend rush. So after walking and feeding our dogs (and a couple of wet kisses for good measure) we headed out to Katrinella’s Bistro. It’s a small, small, small place at the bottom of Madison Ave. that if you aren’t careful you will miss. I first learned about Katrinella’s from a review in the Times Union that had me sold before my first bite. Tom and I tried to go before but with only twenty seats in the place they were booked solid for the night.
The decor is so unimpressive as you walk in the side door that I had to remind myself of the glowing review. But once we entered the dining room it was very comfortable, especially for such a small space.
The bread they serve with the meal is so, so, so good I asked where it was from, and as suspected, it’s homemade. They bake a few loafs every couple of hours which made me want to come back every couple of hours. And that delicious, homemade, doughy bread came with a soup bowl full of olive oil and vinegar and garlicky goodness…a soup bowl.
They have a a three-course, $20 prixe-fixe menu that I ordered my Chicken Sorrento from. I just had to try their red sauce. Tom ordered Chicken Orange which didn’t sound good to me at all. Chicken and vodka orange sauce…ew.
When the entrees arrived I was loving my meal. The red sauce did not disappoint. I didn’t want Tom to miss out so we exchanged bites from each others plates. And that’s when I absolutely insisted that we trade dishes because his entree was positively delicious and I just couldn’t imagine not having it all to myself. So being a good Valentine, Tom swapped entrees with me. But I wouldn’t feel too bad for him as he finished every last bite of my meal and has a doggie bag with leftover Chicken Orange.
I have finally found inexpensive, homemade, delicious Italian food in larger than life portions here in Albany. Obviously, I highly recommend this place for everyone’s Valentine’s Day dinner. So, what are you waiting for? Make your reservations!!
I love you Tommy. Happy Valentine’s Day!