It’s a feat in and of itself to go home with one, or maybe even two Besties. Most local restaurants would be proud to nab a W in the Best-kept Secret, Reader’s Choice Appetizer or Best Chili category. But Yanni’s Too in Coeyman’s Landing isn’t your typical Capital Region restaurant: It won in all three categories, plus eight more.
Yanni’s Too gets its name from owner and chef Marc Yanni, who, naturally, scooped up the Bestie for Best Chef. The family-run Yanni’s—it came in second in the Family-owned Restaurant category—is its second Capital Region restaurant (hence the punny “Too”). Located at Coeyman’s Landing Marina, the restaurant offers unparalleled outdoor dining (it won in that category, too), with views of the mighty Hudson. You can also place your order to go, and the Yanni’s waitstaff will bring your food out to your car (needless to say, the restaurant also won in the Takeout and Waitstaff categories).
Speaking of food, Yanni’s grub is equally Bestie-winning. The calamari (first place) comes in five varieties—Buffalo Style, Mediterranean Style, Rhode Island, Chipotle Style and classic; the chowder (first place) won the People’s Choice Award at Troy Chowder Fest; and the seafood (first place) is so fresh, you’ll think you’re on the shores of the Atlantic, not the Hudson. That’s all not to mention Yanni’s “grown up” lobster mac and cheese (first place), beer-battered fish and chips (second place) and smoked ribs (second place). As if that weren’t enough, add in a second-place finish in the Albany County category and a third in the American Food category, for good measure. Who’s hungry?
