A cold seafood platter for two is Hudson Harbor’s signature dish. It includes a one-and-a-half pound lobster, jumbo shrimp, crabmeat and cherrystone crabs. Patrons come to this surf and turf eatery for the Porterhouse steaks, scrod, and haddock that is purchased fresh daily. Some Italian standbys, like veal or chicken parmigiana, show up on the menu. Clam casinos -- with onions, peppers and bacon -- is a popular appetizer, and crème brulee is a favorite dessert. A five-page wine list including many Continental bottles proves tempting -- especially with a variety of Robert Mondavi vintages by the glass.

The restaurant features two large but quiet candlelit dining rooms, an outdoor patio with live music and a full-sized bar. Fireplaces add to the overall ambience. Hudson Harbor attracts both families and a business clientele, partially because of its proximity to legislative offices and a SUNY Albany administration building. Although there isn’t a children’s menu, kids can order smaller portions of chicken fingers, spaghetti or fish. –Kay Hershberger