Jack's Oyster House, or "Jack's" as anyone who's been there will call it for there is nothing else like it, has been in Albany since before Prohibition. And it's been a favorite of politicos and locals since.

I went with my mother, and we started off the meal with a dozen oysters on the half shell. I mean, when something is an oyster house, you must have the oysters,no? So, it was one very fun first.

The menu was, well, I had to keep from drooling. We finally decided; my mother loosened up after a few gin and tonics, and I had the salmon with a basil-pine nut crust, and she the crab cakes (or maybe it was lobster). Well, the salmon was to die for, and her crab (lobster?) cakes were divine. We didn't stay for desert, I had another idea of where to go for that, but I'm sure it wouldn't have been bad.

Another novelty told to me by a friend who went a few weeks after me - the popcorn shrimp. It is actually brought out in a red-and-white theater popcorn box.

The atmosphere was very relaxed, and we spent about an hour and a half in there. When we arrived at 4:30pm on a Wednesday, we were the only ones in the restaurant. By the time we left, it started to bustle. So I would advise reservations if you want to eat at a high traffic time.

The servers were very courteous and professional, and I hope to go back again. This place has major romance possibilities, but as I went with my mother, it was more of a nice dining experience.

We ended up spending almost $100 for our meal, including drinks, tax, and tips.

The best place to sit in Jack’s is in one of the booths around the left side of the room. But you will need reservations in order to get one of those booths. Otherwise, you will probably be assigned to one of the other partial booths or a table in the middle. I personally do not like to sit in the table area since it is too noisy and the tables are way too crowded.

The food at Jack’s is very good. For lunch, I have two favorites. The one is lobster cakes, which consists of two good-sized cakes, rice, and "corn". I think you may also get a salad. And of course rolls are included. The cakes are not as good as lobster tail but then again the price of the cakes is considerably less. I like the lobster cakes so much that I order that selection just about every time (once a month). If I don’t order the lobster cakes, I order the salmon dish.

Once they know you at Jack’s, Brad will make a point of saying hi to you. However, all of the staff is friendly whether it is your first visit or if you are a regular. Jack’s is also special for me since that is the restaurant we picked to celebrate our wedding engagement --- almost 34 years ago. I know for a fact, the staff is willing to go the extra mile to honor special requests. Once I asked for diet soda to be put in a champagne glass so I could surprise my husband with a toast at our lunch celebrating our 30th year! The staff went to a nearby store and bought diet ginger ale since the only diet soda they had on hand was a cola, which wouldn’t look like champagne!

I would highly recommend Jack’s. Jack’s also participates in several discount programs (Aadvantage dining, Entertainment, and the Clipper magazine).

Lunch for two (including one beer, tax and tip but no desert) is about $25.