Canali's Italian & American Restaurant in Altamont

Amazing !! I had a gift card I got chicken marsala last week which was unbelievable , tonight I got chicken parm the service & food are amazing the portions are over board for $20 I have 2 meals . other places have cut down on portions , Not here ! Highly Recommend !!

By far the best Italian food I have ever had

This is, simply, the best Italian restaurant in the Capital District. The food is fantastic and the service is top notch.

Sorry, this is long and detailed. We are extremely disappointed that we picked Canalis Italian Restaurant to celebrate our daughters birthday. Once we were seated, we enjoyed the amazing bread! Unfortunately, after that the evening went downhill. Its an Italian restaurant that doesnt carry Italian beer. It was very busy, and service was slow, but that was ok because we were not in any rush. We ordered Fried Calamari as an appetizer and as soon as it was delivered to our table, we realized it was basic frozen calamari rings tossed into a deep fryer and not FRESH Calamari as we expected from an Italian restaurant. My husband ordered Linguini Louisa w/white clam sauce. He asked what type of clams they used, and was told baby clams, so he ordered that dish and asked for it to be served al dente. When his meal arrived the waitress immediately apologized, telling him they goofed up in the kitchen and gave him spaghetti by accident and it was not al dente. She offered him a replacement meal if that wasnt acceptable to him, but he didnt want to have to wait for a whole new meal to be prepared and he is NOT one to complain, so he said it was fine and he would eat it over the spaghetti BUT the real problem was once he tasted it, he could tell they were not FRESH clams and was completely disappointed they used canned clams. My 90 yr. old mother ordered the Garlic Veal Cutlet and although the veal had good flavor, it was quite literally drowning in the butter/sherry sauce. She actually used several napkins to soak up some of the excessive amount of oil on her plate. When we told the waitress she just said she would tell the owner. The birthday girl ordered Louisas Fettuccine Alfredo w/chicken and her sister ordered Tortellini Alfredo both portions were large but tasted very bland. My friend ordered Chicken Marsala which is usually her favorite dish from her many visits to Canalis but tonight although the flavor was tasty her pasta was not al dente and was over cooked and quite mushy. I ordered Cavatelli w/Tomato Basil Cream Sause and had no complaints about my meal. Our waitress only came to the table once at the beginning of our meal to ask how things were, but at that time we really had not even tasted everything and then she NEVER returned after to ask if everything was ok or if we needed anything else. I saw she glanced over our table several times before noticing none of us were actually eating our meals, she came over and told us she Oh "I will be right with some to-go containers". My husband told her to tell the chef that he would be bringing his meal home to feed our chickens, and she asked if that was an insult and he said yes. She asked why we didnt tell her there were other issues and preceded to tell us she would get the owner. We waited for a little while so we could show him my mothers oil filled plate, but he didnt show up. As we asked the waitress if he was coming, and she said she didnt know so we asked for our bill and started packing up our food. She never even asked if we wanted coffee or desert. As she started to clear plates off the table, she overheard our daughters talking, that it was very unprofessional of the owner not to even care enough to come to our table. Then as we were putting our food in containers, so we could leave, the owner showed up to talk to us. He confirmed they used canned clams because it was his mothers recipe. He also confirmed they do not use the normal /traditional variety of Italian cheeses for their Alfredo sauce but justified it by saying "everyone raves about it". He also said it was normal for the veal to be smothered in butter /wine sauce and didnt seem to care her veal was swimming in the sauce. The owner said he took our disappointment as an insult and only offered the above excuses and a verbal "Im sorry you didnt like our food" then walked away. We have no problem paying for quality food/ good service. We were not trying to get a free /discounted meal but I dont think that Canalis Italian Restaurant offers our style of Italian. We wont be going back.

Great food and great service. The sauce is delicious! They have the to-go part of the business down to a science. Food was ready on time and hot. Definitely will be back soon!

Have only been here twice food was amazing but everything we want to go there. They r closed.

Came in this afternoon with a party of 12 for a couple birthdays. Everything was great and our server, Kelsey was fantastic. She was polite, friendly and helpful without being intrusive. Great job Kelsey!

Great food as always!!! We love Sara are waitress she is always fantastic. We always try to get her when we go there.

Excellent food and customer service. Prices were very reasonable for a small gathering. Would of been good to know the basement banquet room is not wheelchair accessible.

Delicious food!!! Portion size was huge. Brought home enough left overs for our dinner the following nightWe were in visiting family from AZ. This will now be our yearly go to.

This restaurant is amazing! We were traveling on the toll road and wanted a restaurant for dinner. We ordered takeout and stopped to get it. The food was incredible! Everything was very well made, sauce on the Marsala was heavenly and the portions were very large. We ordered for a specific time and the food was hot and ready for us on arrival. If we didn’t have to drive 600 miles to get up this place we’d eat here all the time. Schenectady is so lucky to have this place!

This place is great. Sauce, heavenly. Everything is cooked perfectly. They get fried haddock right every time! Many years ago the Alfredo was somehow a little better. Today it is a bit saltier and “thick”. But it is still good! Portions? Any dish you order for takeout can feed two. They just do not skimp. The standard side sides — pasta, veggies and potatoes are as good as the entrees. The meatball here is famous. Pasta and meatball can be extraordinary…

This was our first time there. Regina, wonderful server, great food, huge portions. We had shrimp scampi with home made pasta, extra charge worth it, and beans and greens, appetizer very good also. Still have enough for a full lunch tomorrow. Prices were consistent with the quality and quantity.

The portions are huge and the service was very pleasant.

Excellent staff, with excellent food. First rate Italian meals, with it’s great prices and friendly service.

Usually love this place. Tonight not so much. The calamari had too much pepper in the batter and the fettuccine algredo wasnt what we are accustomed to from here.

Good food. Service could be better, even taking the current biden situation into account....

Our family can’t thank you enough for all the delicious food we got from your catering. Today was an emotional day for us and not having to worry about the luncheon food was a relief. Your portions were more than enough and everyone enjoyed it. Especially the chicken. It was a huge hit. Many thanks again to you and your staff.

Best Italian food in the area. And good value. I usually get manacotti and meatballs. U get four large crepes filled with ricotta cheese and two very large meatballs. But its not about just the portion size, the food is excellent. Its my favorite.

We looked forward to go to our favorite location for what we thought was going to be a delicious meal. On the contrary, my significant other ordered her favorite dish. Garlic Chicken Cutlet with roasted potatoes.The meal was very dry. Like the chicken was overly deep fried. There was a fair amount of garlic which was good but as mentioned very dry. It lacked the sherry wine to say the least. The roasted potatoes were over cooked and burnt.This is not the norm for Canalis but this review is warranted.

Amazing food, and a good wealth of options. Servers are always very friendly a d accommodating. Wpuld recommend the chicken marsala and a reservation.

Holy portions. Prices at first glance were reasonable and about what I would expect and then you finally see the food. I love leftovers so this made my day. Food was very very good and its a nice place to eat.

Dinner at Canalis last night was superb. Service excellent, food delicious and plentiful. Take home boxes were full. Definitely will be back!

Had my babys baptism lunch here. The food was delicious and the service amazing! We are so happy with how it turned out!

Have enjoyed this place with family several times. Always good service and excellent food. Brought some friends the other night, and they loved it too. Be sure to try the complimentary fresh bread that they bring.

When I was in school as a kid (30+ years agoeverybody ask me if I was related to Canalis restaurant because of my last name . I never even ate there until this year. The food and portion size was amazing !Now when I go visit from Florida I will always go back and enjoy the food .I should have done it a long time ago.

Dinner with a fried this evening upon the recommendation of our very dear friend who is white. We are Black. After being seated, we sat for approximately 20 minutes with various waitresses and other staff passing by our table. We flagged down someone who appeared to be a manager, who immediately sent one of the waitresses who passed by us numerous times to our table. Her unwelcoming, unenthusiastic and lackluster service confirmed for us that our patronage was not wanted. The restaurant’s hostess advised us that she “forgot to send a waitress over”. So, we get it…Black patrons not wanted. A sign in the window would probably work better.

Excellent food most dishes are very rich. Service excellent bread the best I have had any where. Portions generous

Family birthday dinner....spectacular! My garlic veal cutlet was delicious! Others had veal parm and pastas. All had great food and great service. Highly recommend!!

It was extremely crowded by with a reservation it went quickly before we were seated. Had garlic veal cutlet, delicious, incredibly tender and cooked to perfection. One of the party got veal parm, another ordered garlic chicken cutlets, another the haddock and last veal parm. We were all pleased with the food. Definitely try Canalis maybe not prime time Saturday night. They know how to handle a crowded room.

I was there for a rehearsal dinner. The food was amazing and the service top tier as well. Im from Maryland and this place is better than most restaurants in my area. If I ever come back to Schenectady, NY again, I will eat here again.

Long time favorite. Cant say enough about the exceptional food and service. Tonight we had a birthday party dinner for my son at Canalis and along with the delicious food the service was excellent. Beyond pleased.

This is really the tops when youre looking for a real Italian meal. Sauce is fantastic, the pasta is perfect, the veal melted in your mouth, and its very reasonably priced. So much food you can only eat half. Great friendly service.

We tried Canalis last Saturday, after reading positive reviews on line and based on its popularity in the Capital Region "Best Of" poll from the Albany Times Union.We made a reservation, and arrived a few minutes early, and chatted with a gentleman who I presume is the owner. He was friendly, gracious and accommodating and said that our table was being set and would be available in a few minutes. We were then seated and began scanning the menu. The woman assigned to our table came over shortly after that, took our drink order and returned with a the wine we ordered. We asked a couple of questions of her as we made our dinner choices, and she was helpful.Hot, delicious fresh bread was delivered promptly, followed by our salads, which were also excellent. For the second review of an Italian restaurant in the Capital District in a row (we went to another restaurant and reviewed it the previous weekthere was no option for a Cesar salad, but again, it wont stop us from coming back, based on everything else we enjoyed and noticed as we dined.My wife ordered the Chicken Cacciatore, which she thoroughly enjoyed, and the portion was so plentiful she will be having what remained as her main course at home again this evening. I ordered the Sorrento - Chicken Parmigiana with Eggplant, and it was also outstanding. I also ordered garlic bread, which we split. Once again, the portion size was such that I will be enjoying about half of what was on my plate last night once again tonite.The atmosphere in the restaurant was relaxed, and definitely "family friendly" - we noticed tables of 6 or 8 with children present, and everyone was enjoying themselves. As retirees, we felt comfortable and safe, wearing our masks when entering and leaving. The grounds around the restaurant appeared well maintained, and the rest room I visited was also immaculate (a criteria that I use as a "will or will not return" based on cleanliness. The wait staff and most other patrons were not wearing masks, which is their choice, of course.Prices were very fair, competitive and reasonable, especially considering the portion sizes and quality of the food that was served.To sum it up: If you go, you will enjoy it, and despite the distance from our home in Clifton Park, we WILL be back!

Tried this restaurant for the first time. Loved the bread and the fresh pasta manicotti as well as the two huge meatballs. My boyfriend had the sausage and peppers which he loved. Never seen him eat so much. I thought the prices were very reasonable and huge portions. The antipasto looked great and will be ordering that next time. Definitely going back!

Probably the best authentic home style Italian food in the Capital Region. Out of the way location, but worth the trip. Food excellent, especially the like lasagna. Owner on premises and takes his business very seriously. Well-done!

First time ordering as we were given a gift card for Christmas. The food is amazing, the portion sizes are huge. The salad I ordered a large to split with my husband it is HUGE! Will def become a regular customer!! Posting a picture minus my sons chicken parm dinner which he dug into on the way home.

Take out was simple, in & out and the food was very hot and delicious. The wait on the phone to order is sometimes lengthy but its nice to hear the specials while waiting.

Went today and they have the best tortellini I’ve ever had in my life! Delicious! Fresh bread, tasty salad, kind and prompt service, beautiful decor. Super clean. I was very impressed! Can’t wait to go back, fabulous restaurant. Thank you for the experience 🙏🏻

The food is fabulous, we have been going there for generations, from my parents, then when I got married with my family, and now, with my daughters family and now my granddaughter. We all had a wonderful family dinner and our meals were scrumptious! The wait staff couldnt be any more pleasant, and that makes the dinner more pleasurable. Thank you for helping us celebrate our daughters birthday. Everything was what we wanted it to be. And she used to be one of your very own Hostesses back in her high school and college days and shes always glad to come back for a great meal. Mrs. Kathleen

We went last night to celebrate both mine and my boyfriends fathers birthday. Everything was absolutely delicious! The service was wonderful and we most DEFINITELY be going back. Had only been here once before, but other times were great.Thanks so much to everyone who was working last night and had a hand in making our celebratory supper as special as it was. You are all amazingly kind people! Thank you!!!!Id recommend you to anyone in a heartbeat!!!!

Cozy feeling....homemade pasta one of best Ive had. (Sorry but Malbec selection was weak and Ive had my share of Malbecs...else all was good)

Wonderful place for delicious authentic Italian. The staff was all great. The portions are enormous.

Huge portions, amazing flavors, and I never knew chicken could be so juicy and tender! The homemade pasta is a real texture treat, too. And the price was fantastic! An appetizer, 2 dinners, 2 sodas, a dessert, 2-3 meals worth of leftovers, and a generous tip, still under $100!! We will be back for sure!

Excellent Italian American Restaurant. Good sauce. Great portions. The NY Strip is so generous, it looks like a roast beef on your plate! The preparation, flavor and quality is second to none! Excellent service and always aim to please their customers. The deserts are outstanding. A hard place to get into on weekends so make reservations. Another one of our favorites!

Amazing! Great food, huge portions and good prices for homemade!!

If your looking for authentic Italian, this is the place to go! We had calamari which was excellent, I had the chicken parm and my boyfriend had the eggplant which were both really good! We were a party of 11 so we got family style salad, veggies and roasted potatoes. I would highly recommend you give this place a shot. Wait staff was excellent and house manager even came over to shoot the breeze.

My family of 6 went here for dinner tonight after we visited the aquarium. It was delicious. Service was good. We traveled an hour and it was definitely worth it. The portions are huge and prices are good. We all left with leftovers to enjoy again. We will definitely return. Thank you for a great dinner!

Good food and good service at a good price. The photo is of Seafood Pescatore (shrimp, sea scallops, clams, and muscles in a marinara sauce over linguiniand it is delicious. Their portions are really good, which means you dont go home hungry and there are always enough leftovers for another meal. Call ahead to make reservations since the place is usually busy.

Working backwards, Canalis has a dedicated take home food person that boxes and bags your leftovers. Virtually every person / table left with take home food. Needless to say their entrees are sizable. Even thought Canalis was packed our waitress was prompt and thorough. We didnt mind when she stopped taking our orders because the kitchen buzzed. Another tables food was ready. Nice to know orders arent sitting under the warming lamps. Drinks, bread and salads followed quickly. Then our table of four was filled with entrees and sides. The veal, peppers and mushrooms was and has been constantly delicious. While the veal sorrento was spot on, the veal parmigiana was a little on the dry side. Canalis has evolved from a small restaurant with a combined bar and dinning area to a large restaurant with a banquet rooms and a dedicated take out window. Its been a local favorite for many years. They provide a variety of reliable, consistent Italian entrees.