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✔️Brunch ✔️Dinner ✔️Dine in
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Step back in time and savor authentic Italian cuisine at Cornell’s in Little Italy, a Schenectady landmark since 1943. Experience generations of passion on your plate with our upscale takes on classic dishes, all crafted with fresh, high-quality ingredients. The warm hospitality and inviting atmosphere make Cornell’s perfect for a special occasion or a delightful evening out.
Landmark restaurant dating to 1943 prepares traditional, upscale Italian meals in a modest space.
Address and Contact Information
Address: 39 N Jay St, Schenectady, NY 12305
Phone: (518) 630-5002
Website: http://www.cornellsitalian.com/
Menu Photos
Order and Reservations
Reservations: resy.com
Photo Gallery
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Reviews
Justina Natalie
I have never been more disappointed in a restaurant in my life.
We waited at the bar for 30 minutes past our reservation, only to be told we could either wait five more minutes to be seated or sit immediately—in the bar. The room we were supposed to be seated in was Galentine’s themed, which was a major reason we booked this place in the first place. We paid for the overall experience and ended up getting none of it.
To make matters worse, we were getting dirty looks from one of the servers (the one with the large eyelashes), as if we had caused some sort of problem—despite doing absolutely nothing wrong. That same server then sat at the bar openly trash-talking customers, which was extremely unprofessional and uncomfortable to witness.
There was also constant confusion around payment. Despite the fact that we prepaid, our waitress asked us twice if we had already paid. After confirming yes both times, we were still brought a check at the end of the meal. We were then asked if we had already left a tip or not, which made the situation even more awkward and uncomfortable.
The food was equally disappointing. $60 per person for bread that was hard as a rock, a Caesar salad with no dressing, and a fried chicken cutlet that was as tough as plastic and completely inedible. When we finally reached the dessert course, the tiramisu was frozen in the middle.
When we spoke up about the overall bad experience, we were offered a “free dessert”—despite the fact that dessert was already included and paid for in our Valentine’s package. It felt dismissive and showed a complete lack of understanding of the issue.
As someone who works in the restaurant industry, I try very hard not to leave bad reviews or complain—but this was genuinely one of the worst dining experiences I’ve ever had. The only positive from the entire night was the fast and friendly service from the bartender. Inserted photos below- wish I could add the video of me tapping the bread on the table but google will not allow a video.
Absolutely not worth the money, the hype, or the reservation.
… moreWe waited at the bar for 30 minutes past our reservation, only to be told we could either wait five more minutes to be seated or sit immediately—in the bar. The room we were supposed to be seated in was Galentine’s themed, which was a major reason we booked this place in the first place. We paid for the overall experience and ended up getting none of it.
To make matters worse, we were getting dirty looks from one of the servers (the one with the large eyelashes), as if we had caused some sort of problem—despite doing absolutely nothing wrong. That same server then sat at the bar openly trash-talking customers, which was extremely unprofessional and uncomfortable to witness.
There was also constant confusion around payment. Despite the fact that we prepaid, our waitress asked us twice if we had already paid. After confirming yes both times, we were still brought a check at the end of the meal. We were then asked if we had already left a tip or not, which made the situation even more awkward and uncomfortable.
The food was equally disappointing. $60 per person for bread that was hard as a rock, a Caesar salad with no dressing, and a fried chicken cutlet that was as tough as plastic and completely inedible. When we finally reached the dessert course, the tiramisu was frozen in the middle.
When we spoke up about the overall bad experience, we were offered a “free dessert”—despite the fact that dessert was already included and paid for in our Valentine’s package. It felt dismissive and showed a complete lack of understanding of the issue.
As someone who works in the restaurant industry, I try very hard not to leave bad reviews or complain—but this was genuinely one of the worst dining experiences I’ve ever had. The only positive from the entire night was the fast and friendly service from the bartender. Inserted photos below- wish I could add the video of me tapping the bread on the table but google will not allow a video.
Absolutely not worth the money, the hype, or the reservation.
Kelly Mullens
I was very disappointed tonight with our dining at Cornell’s. So much so, as I have never left a review in my life, and feel the need to now. It was TERRIBLE from beginning to end. I brought my daughters for their birthday. I had a reso and they sat us in the bar. (They are 13&14) I was hoping for a nice dinner in the dining room. The calamari was probably the worst I’ve ever had, same with the bruschetta. My martini was disgusting and didn’t even kind of taste like a martini. I drank 3 sips. They both got pasta & meatballs-said the meatballs were gross and couldn’t eat them. My chicken/eggplant parm was good. One of my daughters got some donut dessert that was so bad, the other got cheesecake and said it was good. Our server wore a mask and we couldn’t understand a word she said. Somehow our bill was $189 and I left there spending $227 with tip ♀️ (unless they sneakily already added the tip and I didn’t realize) Also-these was a gross smell.
Never again. Major disappointment.
… moreNever again. Major disappointment.
Sydney Robinson
Can’t beat the food here. Everything is fresh and they were very willing to customize (two of us ordered chicken parm with vodka sauce instead of red sauce and they enthusiastically accommodated our request). Our party of 6 got our appetizers and bread quickly. Staff were very nice and attentive and were not pushy at all even though our visit was late (last reservation before closing time). We took a slice of chocolate cake to go and that was delicious even after the ride home. One of our top Italian spots.
… moreDane McKeehan
Just went to Cornell’s for restaurant week. Used to love this place. Hadn’t been in a while. Menu looked good, so we decided to go. Me and my girlfriend both had the stuffed flounder, someone else in our party did as well. None of us ate it. It was basically rotten. The shrimp and lobster stuffing tasted like it was made weeks ago. The cavatelli was just as good as it used to be. But we basically got served old rotten fish. $210 later got 4 people, and not a single one of us will ever go back. Place is nice, service was decent. Food was not good at all.
… moreJeff Strait
Another absolutely phenomenal restaurant on Jay Street in Schenectady when here this evening looking for authentic Italian in a relaxed environment, haven’t had Italian food that tasted this good since my mother made it, wonderful staff! Absolutely phenomenal food, would highly recommend taking whatever special is offered when you choose to visit, tonight’s special was stuffed flounder, green beans and mashers absolutely phenomenal food here, could not recommend this place enough if you’re looking for high quality authentic Italian cuisine in the Schenectady area along with top notch fine dining, and amazing staffing!.
… moreNicole Melius
We had dinner there during restaurant week this week. First off they did not tell you it was the restaurant week menu only. I have been to many of the restaurants participating and you can order off the reg menu or the restaurant week menu. We came as a family with three kids and they didn’t have a kids menu either. So if you don’t want to buy a 40 dollar meal for your 7 year old you’re out of luck. That should be listed on their website I would not have gone having knows you were bound to the small menu….. esp bc the options on the restaurant menu are not really the “Italian staples” the pasta course was good. Everything else was weak to be honest. Flavorless and very mass produced and reheated type of thing. The service was ok. Def disappointed that we spent $250 for a family of 5 and left very unhappy.
… moreLarry Mannolini
Wonderful experience. Calamari for the appetizer…and interesting twist with a lemon garlic aioli for dipping and added fried banana peppers. Unique. Veal parm all the yummy crispy goodness. Go for the cavatelli…amazing…but wasn’t at same temperature as the hot veal. Seafood and pasta are wonderful. They seated us earlier than our reservation which was great. One thing
noticed was hostess was rude to busboy while seating us. Yeah ya gotta treat your people with respect and also not unnecessarily chide them in front of a customer. Check yourself lol. That having been said I’d go back in a heartbeat!
… morenoticed was hostess was rude to busboy while seating us. Yeah ya gotta treat your people with respect and also not unnecessarily chide them in front of a customer. Check yourself lol. That having been said I’d go back in a heartbeat!
Laine Caroselli
Went tonight 4 restaurant week. Sorry, I wasn’t impressed. The 1 meatball had to flavor, extremely bland. Steak pizza island was very tough. Not tender as I would have liked. Ran out of Polenta w/ cream sauce. Had tenderloin steak over pasta w/ red sauce. Then my Penne ala Vodka. Came after my entrée. Dessert was also OK. Would have liked the Zeppoli was ok. The Carmel was great, but at the bottom of the glass. I was so hungry. I hadn’t eaten all day.
Ariel was incredible!! Very personable. Being my 1st time there. I was disappointed.
… moreAriel was incredible!! Very personable. Being my 1st time there. I was disappointed.
camryn kelley
My husband and I had a gift card here for our anniversary and we had a nice time. I wouldn’t call it the most romantic date night location because the lights were at 100% brightness and the tables in the dining room were so close together that I had trouble getting up at the end of the night without hitting the person behind me (definitely felt like we were a part of the girl’s night happening across from us (can you believe her neighbor doesn’t pick up after her dog??)). My husband loved the spaghetti and the chicken Marsala was good but the first piece of chicken I cut into was very woody and chewy and it did kind of throw me off the rest of the meal. I also got charged an upcharge for getting mashed potatoes although the menu listed “pasta or potatoes” as the side options. As a mid-twenty-something I naturally paid without complaint.
All that being said, probably the best mashed potatoes I’ve had in my life and I will be going back with the remainder of my gift card for cocktails and potatoes alone.
… moreAll that being said, probably the best mashed potatoes I’ve had in my life and I will be going back with the remainder of my gift card for cocktails and potatoes alone.
Isaac Adler
Amazing experience every time! The service is extremely friendly and the food is delicious! I recommend coming here for nice occasions.
… more