Mazzone restaurant debuting at Empire State Plaza

An exterior view of the Cornerstone At the Plaza

After years of sporadic attempts at reviving a strategically located restaurant venue on the Empire State Plaza in Albany, what once was known as Sign of the Tree will become Cornerstone At the Plaza during an official unveiling on Wednesday.

The highly successful Mazzone Hospitality company, which took over the government-owned venue last year for special events, is introducing a lunch menu from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. weekdays, and is open to all for dinner beginning at 4 p.m., as well as offering a "happy hour" menu on Wednesdays from 3 to 7 p.m.

The menu includes foods and beverages produced in New York State, including a locally-sourced selection of artisanal cheeses; a warm winter kale salad featuring chorizo from Dashing Star Farm; a vegetable torta made with local farm eggs; and beef short ribs braised in Nine Pin Cider.

“The spotlight Governor Cuomo’s 'Taste NY' initiative has placed on New York products has greatly benefited both the producers and consumers of the delicious food and beverages produced right here in our state,” said Office of General Services Commissioner RoAnn Destito. “We are delighted that Mazzone Hospitality’s Cornerstone at the Plaza will offer the thousands of people who visit and work at the Plaza each day another excellent dining option and will be featuring on its menu items grown and crafted in the Empire State.”

The restaurant, located under the shadow of The Egg performance center with seasonal views of both the Plaza ice rink and fountains as well as a panoramic view of the city, hosts events for up to 250 guests and allows for outdoor wedding ceremonies and cocktail receptions on the Plaza.

“Mazzone Hospitality is honored to partner with the New York State Office of General Service on the re-opening of this iconic dining and entertainment spot, which is a treasured piece of New York State and Capital Region history,” said Angelo Mazzone, owner of Mazzone Hospitality.

“We have received tremendous feedback since re-opening the venue for events, and we are excited to welcome guests for an exceptional dining experience against the backdrop of the Empire State Plaza this legislative session.”

Mazzone Hospitality also operates a cafeteria and kiosk on the north end of the concourse, the pbd kitchen in the center concourse, and is a caterer servicing the Empire State Plaza Convention Center and Corning Tower observation deck.

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• Go here to visit the Capital Region Brew Trail
• Go here to visit Dowd's New York Wines Notebook
• Go here to visit Notes On Napkins 

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