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Bill Rapaport's Buffalo Restaurant Guide

Alphabetical Listing of Restaurants: T

31 Club    (Buffalo/Lower West Side)
T.C. Wheelers Bar & Pizzeria    (City of Tonawanda)
T.G.I. Friday's.
      (Amherst/"Greater" Williamsville-Transit Rd. & North Bailey-Boulevard Mall,
      & Cheektowaga/near Walden Galleria)
Tabree    (Amherst/Snyder)
Taco Bell    (Amherst/North Bailey)
Taco Hut    (Chautauqua County/Jamestown)
Tailgate Deli    (Tonawanda/Paramount)
Taisho Bistro    (Amherst/North Bailey)
Taj Grill    (North Buffalo)
Taki    (Canada/Niagara Falls, NY)
Taki's Restaurant    (Downtown Buffalo)
[] Tandoori's    (Amherst/"Greater" Williamsville)
Tappo Restaurant    (Downtown Buffalo)
Taste    (East Aurora)
Taste Good Chinese Restaurant    (North Buffalo)
Taste of India    (Amherst/Eggertsville)
Taste of Siam    (Buffalo/Elmwood Village)
Taste of Thai    (North Buffalo/Hertel Ave.)
Tavern at Windsor Park    (East Amherst-Transit Rd.)
La Tavola Trattoria    (North Buffalo-Hertel Ave.)
Ted's Hot Dogs    (Amherst/"Greater" Williamsville)

[–]

Templeton Landing    (Buffalo/Downtown Waterfront)
Tempo    (Buffalo/Allentown)
Terrapin Grille Fallsview Restaurant    (Canada/Niagara Falls, ON)
Terroir La Cachette    (Canada/Niagara-on-the-Lake)
Texas de Brazil    (Cheektowaga/Walden Galleria)
Texas Roadhouse    (City of Tonawanda)
Thai House    (Cheektowaga/Depew)
Thai Orchid Cafe    (Amherst/"Greater" Williamsville)
Theodore's Red Hots    (Amherst/"Greater" Williamsville)
Thirsty Buffalo    (Buffalo/Elmwood Village)
Thunder Falls Buffet    (Niagara County/Niagara Falls, NY/Seneca Niagara Casino)
Tiara Restaurant    (Canada/Niagara-on-the-Lake)
[] Tiffin Room    (Amherst/UB North Campus)`
Tillman's Historic Village Inn    (Orleans County/Childs)
Tim Hortons    (Amherst/"Greater" Williamsville & UB North Campus)
Tina's Italian Kitchen    (Hamburg)
Tokyo II    (North Buffalo)
Tokyo Shanghai Bistro    (Buffalo/Elmwood Village)
La Tolteca    (Amherst/"Greater" Williamsville)
Tom's Restaurant    (Amherst/North Bailey)
Tom's Family Restaurant    (Chautauqua County/Irving)
Toni Pepperoni    (Amherst/North Bailey)
Tony Rome's Globe Hotel & Restaurant    (East Aurora)
Tony's Bayview Drive-In    (Hamburg/Bay View)
Tony's Pizza & Pasta    (South Cheektowaga)
Top of the Falls Restaurant    (Niagara County/Niagara Falls, NY)
Torches Restaurant    (Tonawanda/Kenmore)
Touch of Italy Restaurant & Pizzeria    (City of Tonawanda)
Toutant    (Downtown Buffalo)
The Town Cafe    (Town of Grand Island)
[] The Towne Restaurant    (Buffalo/Allentown-Elmwood Village)
[] Trattoria Aroma    (Amherst/East Amherst & "Greater" Williamsville; Buffalo/Elmwood Village)
Treadwell Farm to Table Cuisine    (Canada/Niagara-on-the-Lake)
Tri-County Country Club    (Chautauqua County/Town of Hanover)
Trina's Family Restaurant    (Buffalo/East Side)
Trius Winery Restaurant    (Canada/Niagara-on-the-Lake/Virgil)
Tully's Good Times    (Amherst/North Bailey)
Two Sisters Cafe    (Orchard Park)

---

Key:

[–] , , ,	Bill's rankings
[XXX]	recommendation from contributor whose initials are XXX

All phone numbers are in area code 716, unless otherwise indicated.
All locations are in Erie County, unless otherwise indicated.

31 Club
31 N. Johnson Park
(at S. Elmwood Ave.
south of W. Tupper St.,
north of W. Chippewa St.),
Lower West Side (City of Buffalo).
332-3131.

Online reservations available via OpenTable.com.

[3/20/14] Given 8 (out of 10) points by Andrew Z. Galarneau, Buffalo News food editor.

[5/12] Listed as number 10 in WGRZ-TV's list of the top 10 "favorite" restaurants in WNY.

[3/20/09] & [10/14/11] Given 3½ (out of 4) stars by Janice Okun, former Buffalo News restaurant reviewer.

[WHN] says:

[6/15/15] "G and I returned to 31 Club for dinner on their patio on Saturday night, 6/13. It was a beautiful night, with perfect weather for dining outside. I ordered a bottle of Martin Ray Sonoma Cabernet Sauvignon, and our server brought crusty, warm, French bread with garlic butter and EVOO with balsamic vinaigrette. We shared a salad of mixed greens with pecans, apple slices, and bleu cheese, with balsamic vinaigrette, from the evening specials menu. For her main course, G had another nightly special: sea bass with artichokes served over risotto. I had wild salmon, topped with asparagus spears, and served over Israeli cous-cous with roasted peppers and grape tomatoes. For dessert, we shared an apple tart, with vanilla ice cream and maple-caramel sauce. We finished the evening with coffee. We had a Groupon worth $80 (which I think cost $40), so our dinner cost about $66, including tax, but before the tip. It was an excellent meal, with service to match."

[1/6/14] "On Saturday night, 12/21, G and I had dinner at 31 before taking their complimentary shuttle to New Phoenix Theatre to see Bounty. We ordered a bottle of Justin 2011 Paso Robles Cabernet Sauvignon, followed by a grilled romaine salad, which we shared, and lobster bisque. For her main course, G had chicken breast veloute, stuffed with truffle mouselline and accompanied by mashed Peruvian purple potatoes, broccoli rabe, and baby carrots. I had peppery swordfish, served over artichoke mashed potatoes, with the same vegetables. The food and service were excellent. On Friday night, 1/3, we returned with another couple for dinner. On their website, and later on the printed menu, I noted that they are offering a 5-course menu sampling for $50, with wine pairings for an additional $15. Our server told us the menu items, and 3 of us opted for the sampling menu, which offers a choice between two items per course from the regular menu, plus gelato for dessert. The sampling portion sizes are smaller than those from the regular menu, but, combined, there is more than enough. It's noteworthy that, unlike some restaurants with tasting menus, it's not necessary that everyone order it, so G chose to order from the regular menu, and had lobster bisque, beet salad, and scallops over angel-hair pasta tossed in a white sauce. From the sampling menu, to start, two of us chose oysters on the shell, one with hot sauce, the other with citrus. The other diner had beef carpaccio, which she enjoyed. For the salad course, two of us had parmesan flan, beets, and arugula, with orange-hazelnut vinaigrette, while the other person had a ‘harvest salad’ with arugula, spiced pecans, squash, and apples, with molasses vinaigrette. For the fish course, two of us had sea bass served over celery-potato puree. Our other friend had Atlantic salmon, served over apple-potato puree. For the main course, I had duck breast with cherry butter, with butternut squash, broccoli rabe, and pea risotto. Our two friends had filet mignon au poivre, with mushroom risotto and spinach. For dessert, we were offered a choice of four different gelatos. We all chose the same three—molasses raisin, mojito, and raspberry. It was an excellent meal, with excellent service, and paced so that G's 3-course meal was timed to coincide with our service. I also saw that 31 Club offers a 3-course, pre-theater dinner, Mondays through Thursdays. I don't remember the price, unfortunately."

[1/28/13] "G and I had dinner at 31 Club before attending the Johnny Mathis concert at Kleinhans on Sat., 1/26/13. (31 offers free shuttle service to and from Kleinhans and other downtown venues.) We had a 5:45 dinner reservation so that we could enjoy a leisurely dinner before taking the 7:30 shuttle to the concert. Our excellent starters of lobster bisque and grilled romaine were served promptly, but our main courses didn't arrive until a little after 7:00 P.M. This wasn't a problem for us, but a nearby table was planning on taking the shuttle at 7:10, and didn't receive their entrees till a few minutes before we were served. Presumably, they took the 7:30 shuttle. We both had an evening special of sauteed veal escallops served over angel-hair pasta tossed in a white-wine-and-lemon sauce. The veal was overcooked and dry, not up to 31 Club's standards, but combining it with a forkful of pasta added some much-needed moisture. With a $59 bottle of wine and coffee, the bill, before tip, was about $135. It should be noted that advance reservations for the shuttle are necessary."

[1/1/13] "G and I had dinner at 31 Club on New Year's Eve. They offered a somewhat limited, special, New Year's Eve menu, but there were enough choices to suit us. We ordered a bottle of 2010 Justin Paso Robles Cabernet Sauvignon, and were served crunchy-crusted bread with chive butter and balsamic dipping sauce. We asked our server questions about some of the menu items, and, to start, chose to share a grilled romaine salad with gorgonzola, prosciutto, pine nuts, and roasted red peppers, with balsamic dressing. It was delicious, and the two romaine hearts were enough for both of us. For her main course, G selected Chilean sea bass, with lemon gastrique and red-pepper relish, accompanied by artichoke and mint risotto, and deep purple and orange heirloom carrots. I had rack of lamb with mint demi-glaze, cooked medium rare, as ordered, with a savory bread pudding and the same heirloom carrots as G's dish. Both entrees were excellent, as was the service. We didn't want dessert, but had coffee."

[11/28/12] "We attended my niece's 50th-birthday dinner-party at 31 Club on Tuesday, 11/27. There were about 16 people in attendance. We started at the bar with wine or drinks and appetizers—lamb chops, crab cakes, and rare-beef tenderloin on crostini; the food was excellent. For dinner in a private room, there was a pre-set menu with a choice of soup (tomato bisque) or mixed green salad, with French bread and pizza-like wedges. Dinner choices were Atlantic salmon; cheese-stuffed chicken breast; or a 16-oz., NY strip steak. My steak, which came with very good garlic mashed potatoes and broccoli, was well-done, rather than medium rare as ordered. There was no juice or sauce of any kind, so it was very dry, but still tender. My nephew asked for steak sauce for his. My son said later that, although his steak was pink inside, it was also very dry and needed some seasoning to add flavor. I didn't hear any comments on the salmon or chicken. Dessert was a cassata cake from Tempo. It was a fun evening, but the appetizers were far better than the main course, at least the steak."

[5/12] "After a movie, and wine at Liberty Hound at the Naval Park, G and I had dinner at 31 Club on Saturday night (5/26/11). G had been there before, but I had not. We had reservations, but didn't know there was an outdoor patio on the Johnson Park, so asked to be seated there, and were. Since we had already had a glass of wine at Liberty Hound, we decided to stick with glasses, rather than order a bottle. From the small, but nice, list of wines by the glass, G ordered a ‘Super Tuscan’ blend of cabernet and sangiovese. I had an Oregon Pinot Noir. Both were excellent. The bread and herb-flavored butter, and oil and balsamic dip were very good. Tasty, flat-bread pizza was also served with the bread course. On her previous visit, she had lobster mac and cheese, which she said was the best she had ever had, so we ordered that, to share. We both ordered salads—Caesar with anchovies for me, with a large cheddar cheese tuille on top; an evening special salad for her, with field greens, heirloom tomatoes, spiced pecans, tossed with a white balsamic vinaigrette. Both salads were delicious. For main courses, G had an evening special of halibut with a smoked red-pepper sauce, accompanied by garlic mashed potatoes, which she requested instead of ricotta mashed potatoes; the fish and the sauce were wonderful. I had veal Milanese. I should have read the menu more carefully, because the veal was accompanied by a very large serving of arugula and cherry tomatoes. The veal was very good, but, after my Caesar salad, I didn't really need more salad. Next time, if I have the veal again, I would skip the salad course. We took home some of the lobster mac and cheese, a large portion of both salads, most of the arugula, and about half the veal, probably enough for another meal. Since we were more than full, we skipped dessert. Overall, both the food and service were excellent; certainly worthy of the number 10 ranking on WGRZ-TV's recent listing, and (in my opinion) much higher. With two glasses of wine each, the shared appetizer, two salads, and two entrees, the bill was about $150, including tax, but before the tip. We hope to go back to take advantage of the outdoor dining over the summer, but, if we don't, we will certainly go back next fall or winter."

[1/12] "According to their website, 31 Club offers a $35, fixed-price menu: soup or salad, entree, and, presumably, dessert. No information is provided about any limitations on days or times."

[DaH, 2/15/14] said: "First, let me say that my husband and I had dinner at the 31 Club on Valentine's Day. We dine out at least a couple of times a week, so we have always stayed home on the holiday. I began calling to make a reservation on Sunday evening, quickly finding that I would have a no luck at any of my top choices in the city. Planning it safe, I made a reservation for 6:30 at a favorite restaurant about an hour's drive from our home, south of the city, and continued to call restaurants in the city. Both this site and Trip Advisor had many great reviews for the 31 Club, so I decided to call. The woman who answered the phone laughed loudly when I asked for reservations for ‘Friday the 14th’. She managed to apologize and note that she had early reservations available. I told her that we early risers, that our alarm goes off at 4:45 for work, and that the early reservation was perfect. As the week passed, two friends had described two very different dining experiences at the 31 Club. I cancelled our reservation at the more distant location, noting that the majority of reviews regarding the 31 Club were good. My husband dropped me off at the curb and parked the car. Having recently had foot surgery and wearing flats, I was shocked to find that no one bothered to shovel the deep, snowy mess for their patrons. I had to walk out into the lane of traffic and around the corner to find a spot to hop over the snow to the sidewalk. Really? The curb is clearer in a McDonald's parking lot! We arrived at 5:30 and were led upstairs. We were the only people in the very large room (banquet room). There had been plenty of tables available downstairs, but, OK, it was going to be a busy evening. We were given a special menu for the evening. My husband noted that the special menu and being banished to the banquet room was like never really having the experience of dining at the restaurant. Had I been made aware of the circumstances, I would not have made the reservation. The restaurant's lack of consideration had made us feel less than welcomed, and taken advantage of. Our waiter was the second mishap. Asked for our drink orders, my husband inquired what brands of bourbon the bar had. The waiter said that he would check. He returned with what he stated was the ‘whiskey list’. The list clearly noted in bold font at the top ‘Scotch List’. I ordered a Long Island iced tea. My first and second drinks were far from consistent in taste; they visually looked different. Should these really be issues in an upscale restaurant? The waiter seemed to push us, asking for our orders just minutes after providing menus, and asking how our drinks were when we hadn't had a chance to taste them. Through the appetizers and the salads, his pat phrase was, ‘How's everything?’. We wondered just how they trained the staff. ‘Everything’? Then he was apologizing when the next table's entrees arrived before ours. When our dinners finally arrived, he was asking ‘How's everything?’ before we took a bite. ‘Everything’ was not OK, but it was good. Medium-rare was medium-well, but the filet still tasted fine. A $70 filet should be perfect. The duck was wonderful. Overall, the evening was just blah; no special dining experience for the pricy meal."

[DGB, 10/28/12] said: "Last-minute tickets to the BPO on 10/27 left us in a quandary over (1) dinner and (2) parking at Kleinhans—always a challenge. We were able to get an early reservation at 31 Club on Johnson Park and Elmwood, and seats on their complimentary shuttle to Kleinhans. We arrived for our 5:45 reservation and were seated immediately in the quiet, warm, and inviting back room. Although intending on ordering mostly appetizers for a light supper, the menu was too inviting, and we both ended up with full dinner entrees; they sounded too good to pass up. My wife's Caesar salad was a classic, with crisp romaine lettuce, just the right amount of flavorful dressing, and topped with a baked parmesan crisp. The added anchovy fillet was removable (by her) and thoroughly enjoyed (by me). Her spice-rubbed salmon was tender and moist, and served on a bed of potato gallette, which had the density and bite of a fine risotto. My squash salad consisted of slices of roasted butternut squash and julienned apples over arugula with a lemon vinaigrette and topped with candied pecans. It was delicious—the perfect Fall starter. My cider-brined pork chop was cooked medium as requested and was served with an apple chutney on a bed of whipped sweet potatoes and pancetta-braised Brussels sprouts. Everything was of the highest quality, served hot, and beautifully presented. Dessert was a chocolate mascarpone custard: creamy and very rich. Dinner, with drinks, wine, dessert, and coffee, came to $135.00 + tip. Our leisurely dinner ended just in time to hop on the shuttle for a free ride up to the door of Kleinhans (it was raining). As soon as the concert was over, the shuttle was waiting outside for the quick trip back to our car. The convenience—and friendly staff—made an outstanding dinner into a thoroughly enjoyable, and stress-free, evening. 31 Club is truly one of the finest dining experiences Buffalo has to offer."

[RHo, 12/11] said: "I went to 31 Club today for lunch with the two other members of my department from work. The food was good, but the service was not so great. I called ahead to let them know I'm a vegan, so I wouldn't have to cause a fuss in front of my two superiors. (This is the first time I have ever done this.) The woman who answered was a little annoyed that I only called 3 hours in advance and said she didn't know what she would be able to do. I told her I sent an e-mail through the website a day ahead but no one responded. She said she checked the e-mail at 7 last night and didn't see anything. I told her I e-mailed at 3 P.M., though I wasn't sure why she was getting so defensive. She asked for the reservation name (it was not under my name) and said she would have someone call me back. She read the number off the reservation and asked if that was the best number to call, and I said no and gave her my cell-phone number. Half an hour later, my boss came in and said, ‘Did you call 31 Club and ask for a vegan lunch?’, because they had called her, not me. Then my boss apologized for not asking about my dietary restrictions—the very situation I was hoping to avoid. I called back; the new woman said the chef wanted to know what I would like. I said, ‘I'm very excited about coming, and I am happy to let chef cook what he would like; I just wanted to give some advance notice.’ She then told me the chef wanted some guidance and asked if I wanted a salad or what. I said no, and she basically said they were really counting on me for some ideas. I said, ‘Whatever you have on hand: any combination of vegetables, pasta, rice, beans, however the chef would like to put them together.’ All the vegan tips I've read have said chefs have big egos and, if you give them a challenge, they'll try to impress you. In any case, this second woman was very nice. When we got there, they took our coats, and we were seated promptly. The waiter was…not that great. The food was pretty good. I was given a bowl with a bed of rice topped with broccolini, fava beans, chopped purple olives, and a bruschetta-like mixture of tomatoes and onions. I enjoyed it. My lunchmates were underwhelmed by the duck fries, which the waiter described as excellent. The weak service peaked when the waiter knocked the check out of his own hand, sending it under the table and then, after being given the folder back with a credit card and a Buffalo Dining Card, came back, extremely annoyed, and let us know that we should say something about having a coupon beforehand because he didn't see it until after he ran the credit card and he had to go back and do it again and it would have been much easier if we had something. His tone was unbelievable. I don't know why he didn't see it, and no one thought his advice was necessary. Two minutes later, he spilled water on someone at another table. Maybe it just wasn't his day. I don't think anyone in our group will be going back. FYI—there are no prices online (and the menu is out of date), but the lunch items are mostly around $12."

[NPa, 1/11] said: "I visited 31 Club a few weeks ago for the first time at the suggestion of a friend who had recently been there for the first time and couldn't say enough good things about it. We had a 7:30 reservation on a Saturday and waited for a short period of time, as the table had not been vacated by the previous party. The hostess was kind enough to offer us a tall, bar table to sit at while we waited. The wait was not long. I ordered the Justin Vineyards (Paso Robles) Cabernet, which I enjoyed very much. We were seated in the back dining room, which was cozy and nicely lit, but the area was a bit noisy (this may have been due to a large party seated in the center of the room celebrating a birthday). We began with three appetizers. I ordered the lobster macaroni and cheese which I was excited to try but expecting to be disappointed in. Most that I have tried tended to have very little lobster and not enough of a cheese flavor. I was extremely pleased however, with 31 Club's. Not only was there a lot of large pieces of lobster, but the combination of cheddar, gruyere, and asiago cheeses was fantastic. One of my friends ordered the lobster potpie, and we also found it to be outstanding. The sauce was incredibly flavorful, and there was a substantial amount of lobster. The puff-pastry top was nice and light and puffy as well. My friends and I are already talking about coming back to 31 Club just to order these appetizers again and sit in the comfy, warm, bar area. My other friend ordered an evening special—fried oysters—and also enjoyed them. I found the menu to be heavily focused on meat dishes as far as the entrees: steak, lamb, veal, short ribs, etc. Not really being in the mood for any of the above, I elected to order the lone chicken dish, although this is not something that I would generally choose in a restaurant. I was pleasantly surprised with this dish. The chicken was incredibly moist and was nicely browned and flavorful. It was accompanied by some uniquely flavored potatoes mashed with leek and white truffles. For dessert, I had the chocolate cake, which turned out to be good, but very rich and chocolaty: a bit much after such a large meal. Overall, I was highly impressed with 31 Club. We plan to return soon."

[KaB, 10/10] said: "We went to 31 Club for dinner last night [10/9/10] for Restaurant Week. I would rate it as very good overall. They started off by trying to seat us at the worst table in the house. It was right as you walked into the hallway between the bar and dining rooms. I said no to that; we have had reservations for long enough to get a good seat. We were moved to the bar and sat at a high table in the corner. The Restaurant Week special was soup or salad and one of roughly six entrées. We chose the soup to start, which was pasta fagioli. We were served a plate of bread as well. We ordered the braised short rib and red snapper entrées; the red snapper was not on the printed menu but was the evening fish special. While we were eating our soup, the server informed us that they were temporarily out of the short ribs. We could choose to wait while they cooked more or order something else. Our reservations were at 6:45 P.M., so running out of an entrée that early in the evening seemed odd, but the fact that they were cooking more astounded me. Don't short ribs take hours to cook? Anyhow, I quickly switched to the pork rib chop with apples and roasted Brussels sprouts. When our entrées arrived, we were surprised that the snapper had been blackened. If our server had told us that, we either missed it, or she did not tell us. My husband is not a fan of blackened fish, but luckily it was not too overpowering. It was served with jasmine rice. My pork chop was huge and was covered in sautéed apples with nicely roasted Brussels sprouts; it was very moist and tender. My husband was happy that it was so large, because he ended up eating most of it. He actually thought the lack of short ribs turned out in our favor. Overall, the meal was very good for the price. The service was also very good. We enjoy the atmosphere of the 31 Club and look for our next opportunity to visit."

[AMB] said:

[4/10] "Sunday [4/11/10], we visited Club 31 for brunch. After a drink at the bar (artfully arranged Bloody Marys), we were seated in the back dining room (all the dining areas and the bar area are nicely decorated—for dinner, we've eaten in the front room, with a fireplace). The menu ranged from panettone French toast & omelettes to pasta dishes, sandwiches, and other, more lunch-style, entrees. All of us stuck with breakfasty foods, though. Around the table, we had potato pancakes (served with salmon, Canadian bacon, or apple compote for an additional charge—omelette & eggs Benedict were similarly priced with add-ons for ‘extras’), 2 orders of French toast, eggs Benedict, and one order of only ‘sides’—2 eggs, hash browns, and bacon. Everyone was happy with their meal—the potato pancakes were very flavorful (and a nice option to have); I also tasted the French toast (served with berries), which was rich and delicious. We ordered a basket of ‘breakfast breads’—muffins, croissants, etc., for the table; for most of the breakfast entrees, one chooses sides à la carte, so, while the entrees are pretty low cost (mostly under $10), there can be additional costs. All in all, it was a relaxing, good-tasting meal in a nice setting—so a positive addition to Sunday brunch options for either ‘any week’ or special occasions. I'd say comparable to both Left Bank and Trattoria Aroma for food selections, but the atmosphere is a bit fancier than Left Bank."

[10/09] "We returned to the 31 Club after a BPO concert Saturday night [10/17/09]. It was nice to see someplace so busy at that time of night! Unlike our last visit, we had no problems with the service; the food was a good as the last visit. I had the ‘duck fries’ (really good French fries) for an appetizer, and my husband had the ahi tacos again; then we each had a half portion of pasta bolognese: really good; and the half portion was more than sufficient with the appetizer (though sadly I didn't have any leftovers to bring home). The half plate of pasta was a very reasonable price (only $10!), but I think we made up for it with the wine we ordered. There was a also a nice dessert selection (we tried the mocha cheesecake and liked it). The bar area was quite crowded, and the music in that area was extremely loud; it spilled over a bit into the front dining room, where I thought it was just a bit too loud for a ‘fine dining’ experience, but perhaps it was the atmosphere they were going for at that time of night. They do offer a ‘late night’ menu (preview on their web site), but we were not offered that—perhaps we had to be specific when sitting down or needed to sit in the bar room (there are booths there, etc). Given the volume, I was happy with our choice. Just a note: When I called earlier in the day to find out if they served after 10, the hostess said we didn't need a reservation for that late. We were seated right away, but, given how crowded it was, I would recommend a reservation."

[3/09] "Last Friday we tried the new 31 Club at Johnson Park & Elmwood (just recently opened). It is very pretty inside—there is a small front room (where we ate), a bar (crowded that evening) with some booths & tables, and then a larger dining room in the back (there were also stairs to an upstairs room). We were seated right away (no time for a drink at the bar—should have delayed our reservation a bit) and started out with prompt, nice service. There was a large wine list; a good number of interesting specials along with the regular menu—something for anyone to eat (choices: fish, meat, poultry, pasta, etc.). Entrees were mid $20s-$30s in price, specials somewhat less. I had a very nice squash soup (a little sweet, a little spicy); my husband had a tuna taco appetizer (raw tuna), which he thought was very good. For entrees, I had an eggplant lasagna (stacked on the plate—not pasta-based)—it was delicious (a mix of cheeses, really good tomato & basil sauces, crispy eggplant), and my husband had a salmon special (maybe a bit overdone, but good anyway). You could order sides separately (sized for more than one person), but the appetizer & entree were enough to eat for us. So, all was good; it was about 8:30, and we were meeting friends around the corner at 9, so we had a few minutes for either coffee or to try out the bar with an after-dinner drink. The waiter dropped off a dessert menu...and that was it. He waited on several other tables in the room, never looked at us as he walked by (numerous times; we were sitting by the door), and finally I said after 30 minutes (as he walked by ignoring us) that we needed the check—a very odd ending to an otherwise fine meal. Another large party had been seated in our room, but it just doesn't take that much time to ask if we wanted anything and/or bring a check promptly. I'll go back (good to have another "fine dining" place—maybe to replace Park Lane?), but I hope they fix whatever that problem was."

T.C. Wheelers.
341 Wheeler St.
(between James St. & Enterprise Ave.)
City of Tonawanda.
692-3632.

[MCz, 3/26/13] says: "A smallish restaurant & bar with a fantastic pizza specialty—Reuben pizza. With sauerkraut, corned beef, swiss and mozzarella, Thousand Island dressing in place of pizza sauce, and a sprinkling of caraway seeds, the pizza tastes amazingly like the best juicy Reuben you've ever had. Regular and char-pit wings also available, with a good selection of wing sauces to choose from. We had the citrus chipotle BBQ wings. Amazing! Normal pizza/wing/sub menu items, as well. A typical selection of draft beers, including a Sam Adams seasonal, Yuengling, and a few Canadian beers. Full bar with rotating daily specials on liquor, bottled beer, and food items. Maybe four booths and five or six small tables adjacent to the bar area, with a pool table and Internet jukebox for entertainment. A small outdoor covered patio. Take-out available in a rear entrance."

Tabree.
• Facebook page
4610 Main St.
(across the street from Roycroft Blvd.,
west of Burroughs Dr.,
east of Chateau Terr. & Harlem Rd./Rt.240),
Snyder (Town of Amherst).
844-8477.

[4/8/15] Originally, allegedly French, but, according to the owner, soon to change from "American/Italian" to "French steakhouse", with a new chef and a new menu.

[7/18/14] Listed as one of the "10 Essential Places to Eat in WNY", removed from list on [9/18/14], by Donnie Burtless, Buffalo Eats

[10/10/13] Given 10 (out of 10) points by Andrew Z. Galarneau, Buffalo News food editor.

[11/11] Raised to 4 (out of 4) stars by Janice Okun, former Buffalo News restaurant reviewer.

[CQ, 6/2/15] says: "We just ate at Tabree with two other couples last week. My friends recommended the Wagyu Coulotte (on their new French menu), and all three of us liked it very much :). Their Potato Anna is also wonderful. My wife had the bouillabaisse, with lots of seafood; it was also good, but not great. Another friend ordered halibut; it looked very good (I personally would choose this over bouillabaisse next time, just by the looks). For appetizers, we had escargot (the bread that comes with this appetizer is superb); diver scallops (very good); and soft-shell crabs (this was that day's special, I think), which were not very good (too hard already)."

[WHN] said:

[3/30/14] "On Saturday, 3/29, we returned to Tabree for dinner for the first time in over two years. We ordered a bottle of Oberon Napa Cabernet Sauvigon ($50), and were served crispy-crusted French bread with butter. G started with a house salad of mixed greens, thinly sliced shallots, and candied walnuts, tossed in citrus vinaigrette ($7.50). I had creamy asparagus soup, with shredded asparagus spears ($7). Both her salad and my soup were delicious. For her main course, G had roasted chicken ($25), served on a bed of faro with spinach and prosciutto; the chicken was moist and tender. I had rabbit ragout ($24), served over rigatoni, in Cognac cream sauce. It, too, was wonderful: very rich and flavorful. We passed on dessert, but had coffee ($2.50). The food was marvelous, and the service excellent."

[12/11] "On Wednesday, 12/14/11, a friend, G, and I met another couple, former Buffalo residents now living in France, for dinner at Tabree. On Tuesday, I had called to change the reservation from four to five people, but the maitre d' was unaware of this. However, a 5th place was quickly set at the large table to accommodate the extra guest, so there was no problem. The wine list is mostly French, and what we had was very good—three of us shared a bottle of Chablis, while the other two had Bordeaux and Côtes du Rhône by the glass. The French bread was crusty and very good. To start, I had lobster bisque with shrimp, which I thought was excellent, although G tasted it and thought it was not as good as the lobster bisque she had at Tempo last Saturday. Our ex-pat friends had escargot. For the main course, I ordered the evening entree special—Dover sole meunière, which, as our server pointed out, is rarely available in Buffalo. I remember fishmongers, like Hayes and Schneider's (when the latter had a retail store in Williamsville) used to have it occasionally, but I haven't seen it anywhere recently. It was wonderful, comparable to the best Dover sole meunière I've had in Europe. G had a shrimp and pasta dish in a red sauce that looked more Italian than French, but she loved it. (I had a taste and agree that it was excellent.) Our friends had steak au poivre, which they enjoyed. Our other friend had coq au vin, which she said was not quite as good as coq au vin she has had elsewhere, but liked it, too. We did not have dessert, but the coffee was very good, although not as strong as French coffee. As Bill noted in his review, the acoustics are terrible, and the noise level is atrocious. At one point during the evening, very loud music began to play, which made the noise level even worse, but someone turned the music down or off after a few minutes. That said, definitely worthy of 4 stars for the excellent food and service."

[BL, 2/12] said: "Tabree is wonderful. I will put Tabree right there with Daniel's and Rue Franklin as our favorite places for French cuisine in this area. The food is delicious, the atmosphere is excellent, and the service is supportive of a good dining experience. Good service for us means that the servers are knowledgeable and that they know exactly when to be there for you. We started with cocktails and their marvelous, crusty bread. I had a prepared quail, and my spouse the foie gras, for appetizers. He followed with a delicious NY strip and frites, and I chose the lobster pappardelle with its wonderful sauce. For wine, I had a Vouray Riesling, and he a Loudenne Bordeaux. Of course, Tabree has their specials, but the menu is extensive enough for anyone to enjoy much variety on a return visit. We finished with an apple tart and profiteroles for dessert (both wonderful), tea, and coffee, and the total came to $158 prior to tax. (My only wish is that, because France offers wonderful sorbets, that would be a nice addition to the dessert menu.) The room has a transitional/modern atmosphere with much warmth and perfect lighting. The bar area is lovely and spaced far enough from the diners. I cannot comment on the level-of-noise concerns other than to say it was Thursday, both bar and dining areas were filled, and there was music; it was not on overload, and we are not fans of noisy restaurants. At Tabree, we could talk comfortably amidst the pleasant background of happy customers. We look forward to our return. Tabree is wonderful."

[KaB, 12/11] said: "We went to the new location for Tabree on Saturday, 12/9/11. It is on Main Street in Snyder, but the sign is not obvious, and we had to circle around to the driveway for the parking lot. When we entered, we were impressed by the décor. The bar area is very modern, large, and open. The dining room is a mixture of high tables, bench seating, and normal tables. Overall, the feeling was modern and warm. We were seated and immediately approached by our server. There were no dinner specials, which is understandable given the new menu. We chose to start with the roasted beet salad and a butternut squash soup. The salad was one of our favorites from Elmwood Avenue, so we had to have it again; it was exactly as we remembered, with lots of beets, greens, and bleu cheese. The butternut squash soup was silky, with a nice touch of sweet/savory tastes; it was delicious. I had the Coq au Vin for an entrée, and my husband had their panko-crusted pork tenderloin; both were excellently prepared: My chicken fell off the bone, with a nice mix of fall vegetables to accompany it; the pork was served with a bread pudding that was very creamy but with a nice, crusty top. Overall, an excellent meal. While we might miss the nice patio on Elmwood Avenue, we will visit their new location often."

[9/11 & 11/11] Bill said: I have eaten here twice. The first time, I had dinner here 9/28/11 with a visiting speaker. I began with a butternut squash soup, which was good, but not wonderful. For my entree, I had one of the Restaurant Week specials: baked salmon with vegetables en papillotte over almond risotto; this was also good, but not wonderful. Dessert was a vanilla-bean crème brulée: Guess what?—Good, but not wonderful. This is clearly a good restaurant, but, at least on this first visit, not a great one. I would definitely return if invited, but I doubt I would go back on my own. And, indeed, I did return, invited, for dinner with another visiting speaker, on 11/30/11. This was a much better meal than my first one. I began with an appetizer special: 3 shrimp in a chili sauce; very tasty and only very slightly spicy. For my main course, I had their bouillabaisse; this is not a traditional one (the sauce is a bit thicker and more tomatoey, and the seafood is not the usual mixture of fish and non-fish) but was very good; it included very nice scallops, shrimp, and mussels. Dessert was a slightly overcooked apple "tart" (somewhat like a real French tarte aux pommes, but a bit crispier—dare I say burned?), served with vanilla ice cream. My dinner came to $70 (including tax and tip, but no drinks). For future reference, this is probably not the best place to take a visiting speaker if you want to enjoy the conversation; the acoustics are awful—it is very noisy.

Taco Bell. —WARNING: WEBSITE MAY RING LOUD BELL!
4258 Maple Rd.
(in Maple Ridge Plaza, at Sweet Home Rd., near the UB North Campus),
North Bailey (Town of Amherst).
833-8332.

And many other locations.

Part of the chain.

[RJS, 1/12] says: "How many ways can you combine ground beef, cheese, tomatoes, and onion? The Taco Bell chain is finding out, as it positions itself as the home of cheap, fast-food meals. Although prices on many of its traditional offerings have risen significantly, it still sells itself on being a place to fill up for less. Some items to try: a Meximelt and a Taco Salad (order it with no beans and extra beef). Caution: If using the Taco Bell drive-thru window, be sure to check your order—make sure they gave you what you ordered."

[WHN, 12/10] said: "Mighty Taco vs. Taco Bell: I have to agree with [EFl, 12/10] that Mighty Taco's food tastes (marginally) better than Taco Bell's, but the reason I stopped going to Mighty Taco is described perfectly, if somewhat crudely, in the second yelp.com review by Joshua L and others, and by Russ H.… For another viewpoint, check out Buffalochow.com, which doesn't like either one, and neither do I, but if I had to have ‘Mexican’ fast food and these were the only choices, I would pick Taco Bell because their ‘Gorditas’, burritos, and nachos never made me sick, while Mighty Taco's almost always did."

[EFl, 12/10], from NJ, writes: "Thanks for the great site. It took a while to get used to the ‘look’, but now I find the No Frills layout a refreshing break from all the meaningless fluff on the web. [Thanks!] So I married a Tonawanda girl 30 years ago and visit WNY 2 weeks a year. I've been to lots of the spots on your list…. In case you're wondering, I…judge Mighty Taco better than Taco Bell by far."

Taco Hut.
203 E. 3rd St.
(at Spring St., across from City Hall),
City of Jamestown (southern Chautauqua County).
488-0226.

[LDS, 2/10] says: "We went to Taco Hut on Thursday [2/18/10] for dinner. I ordered a combo plate for my 2-year-old son; this included a variety of things, one of which was a chicken finger. When his food arrived, I grabbed the chicken finger to break it in half to help cool it a bit. When I broke the chicken finger in half, I realized that it was raw! We called the waitress over, and she took the chicken to the cooks (whom we could see), and they said it was because it was a new bag of fingers. The waitress came back with new fingers (cooked this time). There was no apology given for such a mistake, no compensation in the bill, nothing! Im not happy with what happened, and, thankfully, I broke the chicken in half before my son bit into it. I will not be returning to Taco Hut!!"

Tailgate Deli.
741 Delaware Rd.
(in plaza on corner of Delaware Rd. & Sheridan Dr., across Delaware Rd. from Tops),
Paramount (Town of Tonawanda).
877-5401.

[JY, 9/09] says: "I used to order from this deli—even though the owner is rude—because you just couldn't beat the prices for what you got. However, he has finally crossed the line, and I will never order from him again. His order-ahead ‘rule’ is not on the menu. When told a half hour for an order, I showed up after 35 minutes; it wasn't ready, and I was talked down to for showing up early—which, of course, was not the case, because I knew better. A friend recently ordered several subs well ahead of time. When he arrived, the order was ready, but short one sub. The owner told him he didn't have time to make it for him. My friend, of course, was not happy, and they exchanged words—loudly and in front of other customers. As my friend left (a teacher)—without the missing sub—the owner yelled after him ‘Go waste some more taxpayer money’. We are done. A police officer we know said they can't believe the number of complaints they receive about this guy. It's just not worth it any more."

[SAS, 10/08] said: "Positive: This is one of my favorite places to pick up a sandwich! The cold cuts are always fresh, and the subs are always robust, with what always seems to be a double portion of meat in each one. The selection is a bit limited (I always ask when they will put pastrami on the menu...), but they provide great value every time. Today, I enjoyed one of their turkey and bacon subs...tasty, as usual! Per the earlier review re: calling ahead, there is no excuse for such alleged behavior, but I too have been asked to call ahead, as their capacity is limited, and they can get jammed up during lunch time. So...I put their number on speed dial and call ahead! The shop is very clean and bright, but I wish that they had some tables with chairs instead of all booths. Other than that (and my ever-present desire for a good pastrami Reuben), I recommend them highly!"

[RML, 8/08] said: "I had the most bizarre incident at the Tail Gate Deli. Do you have any suggestions as to where to complain about this man's behavior? I am a mature woman who works full time. I am not exaggerating. I went to the Tail Gate Deli on August 19, 2008, at 4:45. The young fellow behind the counter at first ignored me, slicing meat, and then asked me what I wanted. I told him and he said: "Have you ever been here before?" I said "yes"; he said, "you know you can call in your order ahead of time". I said "I didn't know I was coming; I just dropped in." He said, "I prefer my customers call ahead." I got so uncomfortable, I started to leave, and he shouted at me; as I was walking out, he shouted "Go to Burger King!!" I called today to ask to speak to the owner; the fellow who answered said he was the owner. I started to tell him what happened. If I believe this guy, he is the same one that shouted at me the day before. He started saying, "Listen, Sweetie, Honey" and about calling in ahead of time, very sarcastic. I said "Don't call me Sweetie, Honey". He shouted, "Go to hell" and slammed down the phone. I called right back and said "If you think this is the end of this, you are mistaken." He said something about an article in the Buffalo News, yelled "You dumb ho", and hung up. I wonder if he is the owner or tells whoever calls he is the owner. Nowhere on the building or menu does it say phone order only."

[MDZ, 1/07] said: "This eat-in or take-out deli has some of the best subs around. On my first visit there, the owner made a spectacular veggie sub on a hearty toasted roll. (Speaking as a vegetarian, those are hard to come by even at the toughest competition.) Friends have raved about the cheesesteak sandwich in addition to the turkey. I also attended a holiday party catered by Tail Gate, which included some nice veggie trays and good-looking desserts. While the plaza this locally owned business occupies is drab, the interior is pleasant, with new floors and a sports theme. I should also say this is the cleanest deli I've ever entered. Also available at the counter are sliced deli meats and cheeses to go, as well as some Buffalo favorites."

Taisho Bistro.
• Facebook page
3332 Sheridan Dr.
(west of Sweet Home Rd.,
east of N. Bailey Ave.),
North Bailey (Town of Amherst).
835-8088.

Japanese Izakaya.

[1/6/13] Given 8 (out of 10) points by Andrew Z. Galarneau, Buffalo News food editor.

[LGe, 4/17/14] says: "We have eaten at Taisho Bistro a number of times and have always enjoyed the sushi rolls there, as well as the special bargain drinks tht they offer every night (e.g., mojitos for $4). Traditional rolls, such as yellowtail-scallion, are well made and have tasty fish. The more creative ones, such as one in a soy wrapper with eel, avocado, tuna, and some kind of chili sauce, are also very good. We also particularly enjoyed the Dragon Ball, a special appetizer that is offered frequently—it is an avocado cut in half and stuffed with chopped up fish and other things, including mango, and a sweet chili sauce. The decor is pleasant, and the service, if a bit uneven, is always friendly."

[JAK, 4/24/13] said: "Last week, my wife and I finally had the opportunity to visit the relatively new Taisho Bistro. We have loved watching the proliferation of Japanese restaurants in WNY in the past 10 years, and we'd been anticipating the opportunity to sample one touting itself as an izakaya. They opened in Nov. 2012, so we thought we'd give them a few months to find their groove. I'll start right off by saying that we both enjoyed our meal greatly, and I would encourage others not to be put off by its appearance; it does not particularly stand out in the middle of the strip mall in the space formerly occupied by Hobbytown USA. Inside is a different story: a large, darkish space offset by a blue glow more reminiscent of Seabar than your standard sushi place. A long, large bar is opposite a lighter room, with what appears to be a traditional tatami room with low tables at which one sits cross legged. There is also a large suit of samurai armor keeping watch. We were promptly seated at a comfortable booth in the main room. The menu is divided up by type; the BBQ and grilled small plates are up front, followed by an extensive offering of entrees, noodle bowls, hibachi, sashimi, and sushi. I imagine you could come here many times and construct many creative meal combinations. For our meal, we started with some of the small plates—skewers of BBQ squid legs and skewers of crispy chicken skin. Both were delicious, with the squid brushed with a teriyaki, and the chicken skin crunchy and lightly spiced. We followed up with a filet of grilled mackerel, which was nicely cooked with a pleasant, fishy flavor, but with none of the characteristic oiliness. The filet was skin-on, which made it a bit awkward to eat with chopsticks (I'm sure there is a protocol for that!), but it, too, was tasty, with crunchy bits around the edges, and needing nothing more than a squeeze of lemon. We finished with sashimi (pieces of tuna and surf clam), unagi sushi, and a spicy salmon roll. The fish was definitely fresh and cut small enough to eat in one bite. The tuna portion was, perhaps, a bit on the small side, but it made up for that with its quality. The surf clam was very tender, rather than rubbery, which it can be when cut too thick or served too cold. The unagi was nicely grilled, and glazed with eel sauce. My only complaint was that the rice under the unagi was too warm and not glutinous enough, so it ended up crumbling when picked up. I don't know if that is a norm, since this was the only sushi preparation we had, but I hope it was an aberration. Our spicy salmon roll was very good, and we appreciated the fact that brown rice is offered as an option for all rolls, albeit for an addition $1.50. Without any alcohol, our food tab came out to a little over $30, with tip. We walked away satisfied and very happy with our meal overall. With so many options on the menu, we are looking forward to going back soon. In true izakaya style, I'd think it is best enjoyed with a few friends, lingering over a number of small plates and some drinks. Sounds like a plan!"

Taj Grill.
2290 Delaware Ave.
(between Linden Ave. & Hertel Ave.)
North Buffalo (City of Buffalo).
875-1000.

Indian cuisine.

[RHo, 4/1/13] says: "Taj Grill in the best Indian restaurant in the City of Buffalo and the best I have been to in WNY. I had dinner there with two friends on Saturday night. This was my first time ordering off the menu, and everything was exceptional. The baingan bharta was the best I have ever had, and I've never had a better tofu dish at an Indian restaurant than the tofu saag we ordered. The appetizer menu included a ‘Taj Sampler’, and we asked if we could get it vegetarian and were told, ‘Of course.’ We also asked to have it without cheese, and we were brought a platter with two samosas, aloo tiki, bhajia, tofu pakora, and mixed veggie fritters. Everything was delicious. The restaurant has a liquor license and a nice selection of Indian beers. I enjoyed a mango juice, and my companions each enjoyed a different Indian brew. The bhatura, fried bread, was excellent, and, after ordering three dishes (rice included), bread, and the appetizer platter, we were too stuffed for dessert and had leftovers to bring home as well. I have been to about eight different Indian places in the area, and this one is my favorite. I have had the lunch buffet several times, and the selection and quality are impressive. Highly recommended."

Taki.
5500 Victoria Ave.
(west of Falls Ave.),
City of Niagara Falls (Niagara Region), ON, CANADA.
1-905-357-7274.

Not related to Taki's Restaurant in Buffalo.

Given 3½ (out of 4) stars by Janice Okun, former Buffalo News restaurant reviewer.

[WHN, 5/06] says: "I've been to Taki many times and always thought it was very good. I have not been there recently, because, every time we wanted to go, they have been closed to the public to host busloads of Japanese tourists for private events. In the past, their food was always excellent, and the $38 (Canadian) sushi and sashimi combo "Boat" was more than enough for two people. As of my most recent visit (5/6/06), the menu has changed completely. The "Boat" is gone, and their combo platters now offer either sushi or sashimi (not both) with tempura shrimp, and the price is still $38, but the platter is now barely enough for one person. My sashimi combo consisted of 3 pieces each of tuna and salmon, 2 raw scallops (which I couldn't eat, because they were so mushy), some tough and chewy raw squid, and 4 shrimp tempura. I'll probably never go back again. If you do want to dine at Taki, be sure to call first to be certain they're open to the public."

Review from more than 10 years ago:

[CJH, 3/05] said: "What can I say? A beautiful place with nice people and wonderful meals with absolutely reasonable price. I ate two times ago, and it only cost me $49 with tips and tax in Canadian dollars for two people. Last time, it cost me $71 with tips and tax in Canadian dollars for two people. Much much better than Fuji Grill. Owned and operated by genuine Japanese. Must try the Grill Salmon Gills ($4 each), sashimi dinner ($22.50 each), grilled squid, sea urchin ($7.50 each), sweet shrimp (raw and tasty!), and all their appetizers. I am going to go again in the near future. Let's say this coming Friday or Saturday. I give it a 3 out of 4 stars."

Taki's Restaurant.
45 Court St.
(between Pearl & Franklin Sts.),
Downtown Buffalo.
845-6422.

Not related to Taki in Niagara Falls, ON, CANADA.

Greek.

[PT, 12/06] says: "Years ago, if memory serves, there was a Taki Asian Fusion restaurant, owned by Rich Products, in or near the same location. The sushi chef was Kuni, who, of course, went on to run his own sushi restaurant, and now owns Kuni's To Go. This Taki (apparently that is the owner's name) is Greek primarily; nothing remotely Asian on the menu. Good chicken souvlaki. They are open for breakfast and lunch. I am not sure about dinner."

Tandoori's.
7740 Transit Rd.
(at the northwest intersection with Sheridan Dr.),
"Greater" Williamsville (Town of Amherst).
632-1112.

Given 3 (out of 4) stars (a long time ago, when there was no 3½-star rating) by Janice Okun, former Buffalo News restaurant reviewer.

In my opinion, this is the best Indian restaurant in the area (even though my clothes sometimes smell like curry afterwards!), with by far the largest menu (even though it no longer includes the gourmet menu-within-the-menu of regional dishes, which offered the heavenly Murg Gulmurg ("Marinated boneless chicken delicately flavored in a sauce of ground almonds, melon seeds, poppy seeds and rose petals, garnished with real silver leaves."); sigh :-(  They also do takeout and catering. Delivery available from Takeout Taxi, 631-2222.

[WHN] says:

[7/31/15] "My daughter, my son, his fiancee, and I had dinner at Tandoori's last night. To start, we were served complimentary pakoras and papadums, accompanied by mint and tamarind chutneys. For dinner, we shared five dishes: chicken makhani, goan lamb curry, chicken porbo pola, aloo gobhi (cauliflower and potatoes), and chicken kali mirch, accompanied by saffron rice and plain naan. It was an excellent dinner."

In response to a query about where to find the hottest food in Buffalo, [WHN, 4/12] replied: "Try Tandoori's. When they bring the complimentary pakoras, ask for the extra hot, red-curry sauce, which is not provided unless requested. Order lamb or chicken Vindaloo, and ask for it ‘Indian hot’. The first time I did, the owner asked if I knew what I was asking for. (I didn't.) It's very, very hot."

[7/11] "I took my visiting daughter for a belated birthday dinner at Tandoori's, along with my son. There is a severe shortage of good South Asian Indian restaurants in the Phoenix area, so she always likes to dine at Tandoori's when she's home. We started with their complimentary pakoras and papadums accompanied by mint and tamarind chutneys, plus their extra hot chutney, which we requested. Then a mixed vegetarian platter of assorted pakoras, samosas, and other Indian delicacies. For entrees, we had chicken porbo pola, chicken mumbai salaan, and lamb narangi, with sides of raita, onion-garlic naan, and their excellent saffron rice. With dinner, we had a bottle of Pierre Sparr 2009 Alsace One, a blend of pinot gris, riesling, gewurtztraminer, muscat, and pinot blanc. It was a refreshing wine that went well with the spicy Indian cuisine. An excellent meal, as always at Tandoori's, and as they always do with female guests, a rose was presented to my daughter at the end of the meal."

[9/09] "We went to Tandoori's for their ‘Local Restaurant Week’ $20.09 special, a choice of vegetarian or non-vegetarian thalis, which are multi-course meals served on a single plate (in Hindi, thali). We had one vegetarian and one with meat. I had ordered a vegetarian thali at Palace of Dosas some time ago. Tandoori's version of thali didn't have the sambar and rasam soups that Palace of Dosas did, so it wasn't quite the soup to dessert platter that we were expecting, but all the dishes included were very good. I don't recall how much Palace of Dosas thalis cost, but I think they were considerably less than $20.09, but Tandoori's did, as always, provide complimentary pakaras and papadoms with two different chutneys before the entrees, and a rose for my wife at the end of the meal. Incidentally, when I tried to make a reservation for Saturday night at another restaurant (they were sold out), I was told that they would be extending their ‘Local Restaurant Week’ specials another week. I'm not sure, but suspect that all participating restaurants will do the same, as they did last spring. Good news for diners!"

[7/09] "Once again, we went to Tandoori's to celebrate our visiting daughter's birthday on Tuesday, 7/7. After complimentary pakoras and pappadoms, accompanied by mint and tamarind chutneys and a bowl of red-hot chili sauce, we ordered a Tandoori appetizer platter, a combination of chicken tikka, minced lamb wrapped in chicken, lamb kababs, and Indian sausage, accompanied by sauteed green peppers, onions, and tomatoes. It was very good and a lot less greasy than their other appetizer platters, which consist of deep-fried dishes. For entrees, we shared chicken Makhani—still my wife's favorite, chicken Porbo Polo in a yogurt-based curry, lamb Kadai in a dry curry with peppers and onions, and lamb Narangi in a citrussy curry. We also ordered some of their delicious garlic-and-onion naan and saffron rice. All the food was delicious, and the service was excellent. Although the prices are higher than Taste of India or Kabab and Curry, there is a coupon on their website to buy one entree and get 50% off the price of the second, which lowers the total cost."

[7/08] "We went to Tandoori's to celebrate our visiting daughter's birthday last Tuesday. She says there are no Indian restaurants in Phoenix that compare to Tandoori's and that it's far and away her favorite anywhere. There were five of us, including our 13-year-old grandson. After complimentary pakoras and pappadoms, accompanied by mint and tamarind chutneys, we ordered a vegetarian appetizer platter. Then, as entrees, two new menu items that I don't recall from previous visits—Chicken 65 and Sali Boti, made with lamb—plus a vegetarian dish, chicken makhani—my wife's favorite, and a second lamb dish. We ordered everything hot. Plus some raita to cool things off, and garlic-and-onion naan. The gentleman who I believe is one of the owners asked if we really wanted everything hot, and was surprised to hear that even our grandson loved really spicy-hot Indian food. He brought a bowl of red-hot chili sauce, which they don't customarily serve except, he told us, on request. All the food was delicious, and the service was excellent. Tandoori's rice is available in several variations, but their basic saffron rice is the most delicious I've ever had in any Indian restaurant. I'm sure there are other spices besides saffron that make it far tastier than other basmati rice we've had elsewhere."

[7/07] "Tandoori's has changed their menu and added a number of new items, including, for example, goat curry. Most of the old menu items remain, as well. As always, the food and service were excellent."

[4/06] "We dined at Tandoori's twice recently. Both meals were excellent, but one was exceptional as far as the service and helpfulness of the staff on a busy Saturday night. On that occasion, we went with my sister- and brother-in-law, neither of whom had ever eaten Indian cuisine. My wife and her sister had had Thai for lunch at Jasmine last summer, and she (my sister-in-law) liked it. She wanted to try Indian, and convinced her husband, a very picky eater, to try it, too. To start, Tandoori's serves complimentary vegetable pakoras (fritters) and wafer-thin pappadums (like tortillas made from lentils), accompanied by tamarind and green chili chutneys. I requested their "secret" super-hot and spicy chutney, as well. Since neither of my in-laws had the slightest idea what to have, I was going to order for the group: a vegetarian appetizer platter, and an assortment of main courses. I chose chicken makhani, my wife's favorite dish, and Goan red curry lamb. I wanted to order a seafood dish, but with a completely different curry from the others. I asked about a green curry shrimp, but our very helpful and knowledgeable waiter said it was made with coconut milk, as was the lamb, so he suggested instead machi koliwada—marinated fish fillets, fried and topped with a tasty curry that was totally unlike the other two. He also suggested a vegetarian dish—tawa nazakat—potatoes, eggplant, okra, and onions sauteed with spices, but no curry sauce. An Indian meal is not complete without rice and bread, so we ordered Tandoori's saffron rice—which is very flavorful, plain naan, and a whole wheat bread recommended by our waiter. Their garlic and onion naan is delicious, but my brother-in-law won't knowingly eat garlic or onions, so we skipped that. For dessert, my wife and I shared mango ice cream sprinkled with cardamom and pistachios. My in-laws shared Basmati rice pudding. The entire meal was delicious. We had wondered whether my brother-in-law would eat anything, but he actually enjoyed the dinner. (We did order the food mild to accommodate his sensitive palate.) At the end of the meal, Tandoori's presents each woman with a rose—a nice touch. Incidentally, there is a coupon on their website to buy one entree and get 50% off the price of the second."

[1/06] "I thought I would express my opinions on the four south Asian restaurants that we have tried in the area. Tandoori's is the best, with Kabab and Curry and Taste of India tied for second. Every dish we have tried at Tandoori's has a distinctly different curry, all of which have been excellent. For those who like their food very spicy, Tandoori's will prepare it "Indian hot" (although the owner may ask if you know what you are asking for). The only negatives about Tandoori's are that their prices are quite a bit higher than the others, and there is an extra charge for rice. Moti Mahal is a far distant fourth."

[JoM, 5/11] said: "We stopped in for dinner on 5-18-2011 and had another great experience. My girlfriend and I both ordered the Murg Mahkani, which is our favorite meal on their menu. It is chicken served in a curry butter sauce, and comes with either white or brown rice. Once again, it was cooked to perfection. We also had an order of naan to accompany our meal. Service was quick and attentive. I recommend."

[FS] said:

[10/10]: "My wife and I had dinner at Tandoori's on Wednesday, October 20, 2010. We enjoy this restaurant because of the quality and healthfulness of the food. We started with Mulli Gatawany and Tamatar Shorba. We requested medium spice, but I think the preparer had a heavy hand. It didn't matter to us much, because we like spicy food, but I would not be suprised if a more sensitive customer would have sent it back. Our entrees were Hazare Reshmi Kebab (a dry Tandoor chicken) and Gosht Amba (lamb in a mango-infused tomato sauce). Both were just wonderful and satisfying, accompanied by saffron rice and rosemary naan. The staff at Tandoori's take such obvious pride in their work, and that is part of the pleasure of dining here. They are attentive without being obtrusive. I felt that the cost of our dinner was very fair, considering the high quality of the food and the professional service. Tandoori's is our ‘go-to’ place. We are never disappointed."

[3/10] "Tandoori has become our ‘go to’ place for interesting and healthful food. It is the only Indian restaurant at which I've eaten. I probably should experiment with others, but I'm afraid it would be a letdown. We've been working our way through the menu, recently trying a lamb dish, and there have been no disappointments. We find the waitstaff to be exceptional. There is always a distinguished, impeccably dressed, Indian gentleman who appears to be the owner or manager (I think I've heard people call him Ravi). He makes sure everything is running smoothly. The waiters are eager to offer guidance to novices (like me) who are unsure of what or how to order. Tandoori is fun, because the food is interesting and served in an exotic atmosphere. We've had various chicken dishes, vegetarian dishes, snapper, prawns, and lamb, and we've been happy each time. We also like their soups, like Murg Sorbha and Mulli Gatawny. The food can be spiced to your liking. As I said, it has proven to be a reliable place for us. I also want to say that, on our last visit, there was an unusual delay with our appetizer, which was not a problem, because we were enjoying a nice conversation over a cocktail. The waiter approached us and apologized for the delay and set down another round of cocktails on the house. Very nice. Also, although we did not partake, they were very enthusiastic about their $20.10 special, unlike some other establishments I've read about."

In response a reader's query about the spiciest food in the Buffalo area, [MCz, 4/12] agreed with [WHN] "that Tandoori is an excellent choice if the food is ordered ‘Indian hot’; I'm never disappointed."

[SGB, 7/09] said: "Mixed: I went to Tandoori's with some friends from college for lunch buffett. In the past, I had always been there for dinner, and the food has been excellent. I think it wouldn't be too much to say that this is the best Indian restaurant in town (although we also like Palace of Dosas, but it caters a different variety of food). The food was good; however, the starters seemed to leftovers, and dessert (Gulab Jamun) was probably old and had made many trips to the refrigerator, as the syrup was crystalized. To our surprise, one of my friends got a fly in the Gulab Jamun. We brought it to the attention of the waiter, who apologized for the incident. It will not stop us from going, becuase all other times the experience was excellent, as was the food."

[GOw, 2/09] said: "Nice place. I was here at least 8 years ago and am glad we came back. I owed my 16-year-old daughter a dinner out, and we decided on Indian. The only 2 negatives that I can come up with is trying to turn left into their parking lot from northbound Transit Rd., and the dining room was cold. They can't help the traffic, and the spice of the food handled the cold. Service was very good. When you have a couple of Indian-food rookies, it's nice that the staff can make recommendations. We were pleased that the host brought over a little appetizer; unfortunately, I did not ask what it was: We dipped it in the hot green sauce and ate it lickety-split. The sauce was very good but per haps a little too much for Kait. I asked for the hot red sauce, which was truly hot. We were both very happy with our choices. Kait had a chicken dish—Murg Tikkamasala, ordered medium and described in the menu as chicken tikka grilled from the tandoor in a mild creamy sauce. Nice and not too adventurous for a teenager who likes the basics—chicken fingers, pizza, etc. I tried a lamb dish—Roghan Josh—described in the menu as a majestic celebration of tender morsels of boneless lamb cooked in freshly ground spices, yogurt, and tomatoes. I ordered this medium, put a dollop of the super hot on it, and downed 3 large glasses of water...with a smile on my face. Delicious. We also ordered rice—Pulao Hara—which is spinach rice tossed with cubes of paneer. No complaints. We also ordered the Naan Makhani, which is unleavened, soft-flour bread baked in tandoor, plain or buttered. The menu is quite large, with seemingly unending choices. I would love to come back and try something a bit more daring."

Reviews from more than 10 years ago:

[AW, 5/04] said: "According to my friend from Calcutta, Tandoori's serves the best Indian food in the Buffalo area. Since it is also probably my favorite restaurant in Buffalo, I am just shocked that there are even 2 bad reviews for this place! Maybe it is because these people just don't like Indian food? The spices are very different and more intense than any other cuisine, which is why (I'm not sure what these reviewers ate, but) "bland" is the last thing that comes to mind when I think of this restaurant. If anything, it's good to be careful to make sure that you don't order your dish too spicy! Another reviewer said that the food seems "prepared and reprepared", which I don't think is true. With the chicken dishes, they roast the meat for a long time in a tandoor so that it is incredibly tender and delicious! The Murg Maharaja is the best (chicken in a buttery, curry-ish sauce with cashews and poppy seeds). My boyfriend and I absolutely, positively love the Gosht Samosas—they alone merit a trip to Tandoori's. It is expensive, though, especially since you'll probably want to order an appetizer and some delicious naan, so it's more of a place to go for a birthday or anniversary (especially since it's so romantic!). Otherwise, I'd go to India Gate on Elmwood Ave. for a tasty, less-expensive meal (and my friends who aren't the biggest fans of spicy food do like this place, whereas Tandoori's is a bit too much for them). A word of advice for Indian restaurants in general: Order off the menu. Buffets are tempting because of the lower prices and variety, but the food is usually of much poorer quality."

[MMM, 6/02] said: "The service and decor at Tandoori's are what you should expect for the price—nothing more. The food seems pre-prepared and perhaps re-reprepared—which is ironic, because the menu asks for patience because, they claim, some of the dishes take a while to cook. We didn't wait very long at all for the food. However, it did take a considerable amount of time for someone to take our order and bring the bill. I ordered the tandoor sampler, in hopes of learning what I would want next time. All of the food was dry—especially the fish. And beware of the lamb: I wouldn't have known I was eating lamb; it reminded me of spicy little sausages, and it tasted like the mystery meat in a gyro. Also, most of the items that were on my sampler were also on my husband's dish (no, we did not order the same thing), which led us to suspect that although Tandoori lists many dishes on their extensive menu, most of them probably use the same 5-6 pieces of meat. Finally, the description in the menu didn't exactly portray the dish I was served. I'm surprised this restaurant has received so many great reviews."

[EC, 2/02] said: "This is the best Indian food I have had in this city (although India Gate is in a close 2nd place). The menu is very extensive. Service is quite good. Unfortunately, everything is à la carte (even the rice), which I find to be fairly rare in Indian restaurants. The food is tasty, but be prepared to pay!"

[RJMu, 8/01] said: "White-tablecloth, Indo-Pak cuisine here. We went for the Sunday buffet and were the only table for quite a while (it appears that most of their business is centered around catering Indian weddings and social events in an attached facility). It's all fairly bland, if you've experienced genuine Indian cooking. The sambhar dal was actually fairly decent and contained the required curry leaves, often missing from restaurant renditions. Curiously, it was served with idlis (steamed rice flour dumplings), which are a southern Indian snack food and sort of out of place in this setting. The tandoori chicken was (as expected on a buffet) way too dry, but the very coconutty chicken curry and nicely balanced chole (chick pea curry) made up for it. The leathery naan had obviously been cooked considerably earlier. I was too timid to ask them to fire up the tandoori ovens for another get go, alas. The sweet mango lassi was first rate, on the other hand. At $11 a pop, this seems a little high priced for Buffalo."

[BJ, 2/01] said: "I have been to Tandoori a few times in the last one year. The (veg) food is very good."

[BS, 7/96] said: "Best Indian restaurant in town."

[PJE, 5/95] said: "Tandoori has a good new menu, and I can now order there without having Indians with me."

[LH, 6/94] said: "For a more upscale experience, I'd also recommend Tandoori—also overall good quality, with fancier decor and higher prices, but worth it, as some dishes are interestingly different from the standard North Indian fare."

[SC, 9/93] said: "Tandoori is not even 'authentic' in that: What they list is not what they serve. Out of the three items I ordered, two were very bad. It is also very expensive."

[J&AD, 1993] said "Attractive Indian restaurant with an extensive menu. Owned by members of an extended family who also have restaurants in Jerusalem, London, and New York City."

Tappo Restaurant.
338 Ellicott St.
(south of E. Huron St.,
north of E. Mohawk St.)
Downtown Buffalo
259-8130.

Italian.

Same management as Bourbon and Butter, Cantina Loco, and Seabar.

[10/24/13] Given 9 (out of 10) points by Andrew Z. Galarneau, Buffalo News food editor.

[WHN] says:

[3/12/15] "On Wednesday, we went to Tappo for a Local Restaurant Weekend. They usually have an incredible deal, and this year's was no exception: A choice of three entrees snd a bottle of red or white wine for $20.15 per couple. G chose eggplant parmesan, which Andrew Galarneau recently wrote about in Gusto. I had spaghetti and meatballs. The third option was a vegetarian pasta dish. Both our mains were excellent, although G doesn't like ricotta very much and thought that there was too much for her taste. For our wine, we chose an Italian red blend from Casta Parini in Terre di Chieti, Abruzzo. It is also on Tappo's $15 wine list, so a bottle plus two dinners for $20.15 is a real bargain. The other choice was a California Chardonnay. Tappo's prices are always economical, but this was amazing."

[4/3/14] "Last night, we went to Tappo for a Local Restaurant Week dinner. Their LRW special was dinner for two for $20.14: veal and mushroom Bolognese bucatini, and a glass of red or white wine each. Even though the prices are always reasonable, this was a real bargain. I also had a house salad ($5), which was large enough to share with G. With an extra glass of red wine ($5), which we shared, the total bill was $30.14 before tax and tip. Very loud, but the prices are great, and our service was excellent even though the place was packed."

[12/20/13] "Ten friends and family members had dinner at Tappo last night, Thursday, 12/19. We were seated at a large, circular table with corks covered by a glass top. Conversation with people on the other side was impossible, given that the noise level of the restaurant is very high; the noise level is the only downside at Tappo. The food was excellent: what you would expect from Mike Andrezejewski, who is widely regarded as one of the best chefs in Buffalo. Among the appetizers selected were house salads, mushroom and cheese crostini, Italian wedding soup, and Italian bread with herb and olive oil dipping sauce. All were very good. After reading Andrew Galarneau's selection of Tappo's brasciole as one of his favorite 5 dishes of 2013, I had to have it. I tried it last summer, and it was delicious, but our server then told me that it was made from pork, so the recipe may have changed. In any case, it was wonderful, as was the meat sauce on the side of spaghetti. G had chicken Milanese, served with arugula salad, which she enjoyed. My son had a meaty lasagna, with veal, which he said was very good. Other dishes that I can remember were chicken cacciatore, pasta Alfredo with chicken, and a meatless pasta dish. One person had cassata cake for dessert, and several of us had coffee. With 4 bottles of wine, 2 or 3 beers, and a cocktail, dinner cost (incredibly!) a little over $30 per person after tax, but before tip. Our server did an excellent job, too. Undoubtedly, one of the best Italian restaurants in WNY, at unbelievable prices."

[7/6/13] "Saturday night, 7/5, we went to Tappo for dinner, but first stopped at the AK Cafe in the Albright Knox Art Gallery for First Friday jazz. We each had a glass of wine, for $5. We decided to return for dinner on another First Friday. (Although the cafe is open for lunch daily, it is only open for dinner on the first Friday of each month.) When we arrived at Tappo, we were seated immediately, and our server arrived to take our drink order. Most wines are very reasonably priced at $5 per glass or $15 per bottle. We chose a bottle of Valpolicella, which ended up being $13.79 rather than $15. There is also a list of reserve wines, at higher price points. After asking our server about various menu items, about which she was very knowledgeable, we each had a tossed salad ($5): mostly iceberg lettuce, with a few other greens, cherry tomatoes, red onion, diced cucumbers and celery, and radishes, tossed in an unexpectedly peppery, house Italian dressing. I thought that the dressing was good, but G thought that it was too spicy. We didn't receive any bread, so asked about it and were told bread is extra. (Not a complaint, just an observation.) Most appetizers are in the $5–$7 range, while most main courses are around $15. For her main course, G ordered eggplant parmesan ($14), served with a side of spaghetti with meat sauce. I had pork braciole ($15), also with a side of spaghetti with meat sauce, topped with a scoop of burrata. The serving sizes were very generous, and we took home some of each entree. We skipped dessert and coffee, and our bill was about $65 before gratuity. After dinner, we went up to their rooftop, which was not open, due to periodic rain, but found a few people enjoying wine there. I'm not sure what the rooftop will be like when ‘open’, but this night it was very quiet, especially compared to the extremely loud dining room, where high ceilings (actually no ceilings, but exposed HVAC and other pipes), brick walls, and wooden floors amplify the sound and make conversation difficult. However, with excellent food, wine, and service at a very reasonable price, we will return soon."

[JoM] said:

[2/20/15] "On 2/4/2015, my uncle was a bachelor for the evening and didn't feel like cooking for himself. So we found ourselves at Tappo for dinner. My uncle hadn't been there previously, and was looking forward to trying it. For an appetizer, we chose an order of the garlic cheese bread; it was excellent, but probably a bit too much for only 2 of us. For my entree, I chose the spaghetti and meatballs; it was a large plate of spaghetti served with 2 large meatballs. I thought that it was very good, but I didn't come close to finishing the meal; I had plenty to bring home for lunch the next day. My uncle chose the rigatoni with pork ragu. He thought that it was excellent, and was impressed with the amount of pork in the dish. He also had enough left over to bring home for the next day. For dessert, we split a piece of the chocolate crunch cake. Our service was attentive and professional. We were happy with our experience, and I highly recommend!"

[5/30/14] "I dined with a group of 4 at Tappo on Saturday, 5/24/14. We had a reservation for 6:00 and were seated promptly upon our arrival. To start, we split an order of the crostini: The crostini came as an order of 5, so we each had 1, and my friend and I split the final piece; the crostini were excellent. For my entree, I chose the goat-cheese crespelle. The meal consisted of 4 goat-cheese-filled crepes with 2 different sauces on the plate; one sauce was red, like a marinara, and the other was white, like an Alfredo sauce. I thought that the meal was delicious, and I enjoyed the way both sauces offered different flavors for each bite. Two others chose the chicken cacciatore for their meal; they thought that it was excellent, and there were no leftovers. Our 4th chose the pasta-and-clams dinner: It was a serving of linguine pasta with Alfredo sauce, served with 6 clams casino; he raved about the meal and especially enjoyed the clams casino. We shared a bottle of red wine, but I'm not sure what the name was. Bottles of wine are $15, and a great value. For dessert, we all chose coffee and had one piece of cassata cake to share. The meal averaged out to about $30 per person. The bar was very busy when we arrived at 6:00, but the restaurant had several open tables. When we were ready to leave at 7:30, the entire place was packed. I agree with other reviews on the noise level, but it won't deter me from returning. Overall, we were very happy with our experience, and I highly recommend!"

[6/27/13] "A friend and I recently dined at the newly opened Tappo, in downtown Buffalo. Mike Andrzejewski, owner of Seabar, Mike A at the Lafayette, and co-owner of Cantina Loco, is a co-owner in this restaurant with Rocco Termini. We had a reservation for 6:00, and we were seated promptly upon arrival. The main floor of the restaurant has been tastefully decorated and offers an open floor plan. The bar and several tables are made of cork, which is what the word ‘tappo’ means in Italian. We started by splitting an order of the crostini for our appetizer: It was an order of 4 slices of toasted bread topped with a fresh bruschetta; it was very good. For my meal, I chose the lasagna: It was a generous square of meat and cheese lasagna, served in a bowl with a delicious red sauce; this was one of the best lasagnas I've had in recent memory. My friend had the eggplant parmesan, and was very happy with her selection. For dessert, we split a chocolate and peanut-butter-crunch pie; this was a perfect ending to an excellent meal. With our meal, we had a bottle of cabernet sauvignon; although I forgot the name of the wine, the bottle was only $15. Almost every bottle of wine on the entire menu was $15, with the exception of the reserve list, which I believe is an excellent value. The night of our meal was during their opening week, so the service was good, but not great. The timing of the food arriving at the table was excellent, but the knowledge of our server was limited. I would expect this during their opening week, and don't hold that against the server or the restaurant. Our meal came to just over $60 before the tip. After dinner, we went upstairs and enjoyed an after-dinner cocktail on their rooftop patio. Overall, we were very happy with our experience. I highly recommend!"

[CJF, 2/3/14] said: "Visited on recent Saturday. Very popular with the under-30 set. Limited menu, but all dishes of decent-to-good quality. $15-bottle-of-wine menu has some great items."

[Bill, 1/30/14] said: A group of 6 adults and 2 children (8 years old and 1 year old; the 1-year-old ate her own food :-) had dinner here on a Thursday evening. The table for our 6:45 P.M. reservation was ready for us when we arrived. Upon entering, we were assaulted by the loudest, most unbearable, noise level that I have ever experienced in a restaurant; it was more like what you might expect at an indoor sports event. There were two menus: a regular one, with mostly standard Italian fare, and a menu of evening specials. (There also seems to be a hidden menu of items for which there is an extra charge; more on that in a moment.) A server brought two tall, emptied wine bottles filled with (presumably) tap water; each place setting had a small juice glass for the water. Another server poured water for some of us; others had to fend for themselves. Our waitress asked if we wanted cheese bread (with a side of red sauce) or Italian bread for the table. One member of our party asked for the cheese bread, and the waitress disappeared before anyone else could ask for Italian bread; the cheese bread appeared about 40 minutes later. Drink orders were taken from some, but not all, members of our party; one member of our party had to remind our waitress twice that she had asked for a slice of lemon with her vodka and soda, and each version of the vodka and soda had different quantities of vodka in it. Wine was served in juice glasses that were only slightly taller than the water glasses; our waitress explained that they were "Italian wine glasses" (but I couldn't tell if she was joking or being serious). When we saw other tables being served wine in real wine glasses, we asked our waitress for some; we had to ask twice before they finally arrived. As an appetizer, I ordered the endive salad from their specials menu: It came with a pistachio-crusted beet-and-goat-cheese "Napolean" (alternating slices of beet and cheese; really quite good!), lots of arugula and raddichio, one lonely, braised endive leaf, basil pesto, with a white balsamic reduction; it was full of flavor and really excellent. (Although it was called an "endive salad" on the menu, the bill at the end of the meal listed it as a "beet salad", which was a much more accurate description.) SLD and JPa shared the evening special 4-cheese-and-sausage-stuffed pepper, served over garlic toast, with a sunny-side egg on top(!). They had had it before and consider it the best stuffed pepper ever; two other guests also shared the stuffed pepper and loved it. MER had a very good, homemade Italian wedding soup. One guest had the "endive" salad with a side of chicken as her main course. SLD had the chicken Milanese from the specials menu: arugula and spinach greens, grape tomatoes, red onion, orange segments, shaved parmigiano, and lemon gastrique. There was more chicken than she could finish (portion sizes seem quite large here), and she said that the chicken was slightly greasy, but she enjoyed her meal. MER's main course was brasciole, which she thought was very good but not wonderful, though much better than her recent brasciole at Orazio's. Two of us, including me, had the basil prawn risotto: This was exquisite! There were about 8 small, peeled shrimp, in a delicious white sauce, with a pea-and-pine-nut risotto, and steamed slices of zucchini. The pine nuts gave a nice crunchiness to the risotto (which can often be uniformly mushy), and the mildness of the zucchini nicely offset the stronger flavors of the shrimp and risotto. Another diner had the rigatoni with pork ragu, which he raved over; again, a huge portion: He has a big appetite, but took home about half the dish. The 8-year-old had spaghetti, which she seemed to enjoy. Towards the end of our meal, our waitress asked if we would like Italian bread; this time, I was quick to say yes. Unfortunately, it did not arrive until just a minute or so before the bill did. Our waitress apologized and said that she would not charge us for it. Wait! What? Charge us for bread? Sure enough, there was a charge for the cheese bread on the bill. WHN noted in his 7/6/13 review that they charge for bread, but I had not re-read that review before dining here. I don't mind paying for bread, but the server who offers it should make sure that the customor knows that there is a charge for it. (These two breads are items that I consider to be on the "hidden" menu mentioned above. I wonder what else is on it.) Our waitress was very solicitous, but was rushing around and seemed very harried, hence her forgetfulness. Are they understaffed? It didn't seem so: When dishes were served, she was assisted by several helpers, but none of them seemed to know who was supposed to get which dish. (One of the banana-pepper appetizers was simply placed in the center of the table.) As our meal was winding down, the slowest of our guests, who still had a lot of food on her plate, was asked 4 separate times by 4 different helpers if she was finished eating; they seemed eager to have her finish up. We skipped dessert (mainly because we had been there over two hours already, and the 8-year-old (not to mention the 1-year-old) needed to get home). With drinks and tax, before tip, our meals averaged about $50 per person (rather more than WHN seems to have paid!). On the whole, MER was not impressed, finding the quality of the food vastly outweighed by the poor service and the unacceptable noise level. I am more enthusiastic about the food (my meal was really very good), but I agree that the service and ambiance were not what they should be.

[KaB, 1/6/14] said: "We had dinner at Tappo on a Tuesday night in December. It wasn't busy when we arrived but was full when we left. We ordered a bottle of the $15 Valpolicella Brunellesco; we found it to be a very light red wine. We started with the daily crostini special: It was a mushroom and fontina crostini; they were big enough for us to take home another serving. For our entrees, my husband chose the brasciole, and I chose the basil prawn risotto. The brasciole was excellent, and a large portion. My risotto was perfectly cooked, as well as the prawns. Overall, it was an excellent meal at a great price. Dinner with a bottle of wine came to less than $70 before tax and tip. We can't wait to go back."

After AMB's recent review of Mike A at Hotel Lafayette, [AMB, 11/11/13] said: "We recently ate at Tappo (and Cantina Loco, too—but I'm not reviewing that today; I guess we are giving Mr. Andrzejewski a lot of business). It was crowded, and we went without a reservation because we couldn't get one (Friday night); there were many tables ‘open’ when we arrived, but those filled with others who had made plans before we did. It is a very fun atmosphere inside. We ended up being able to grab three bar seats together and ate at the bar, so the promised hour wait was cut in half. We had a fine dinner: really decadent, cheesy bread; Italian wedding soup (which my daughter thought was too spicy, in a black pepper way, but which I liked); the eggplant parmesan (which was not a layered dish, but with each breaded piece of eggplant separately topped with cheeses and sauce); spaghetti with meatballs; and a pasta with meat sauce that had a very large, falling-apart, tender hunk of pork in it. All very good, tons to bring home (three bags; basically half of everything we ordered!)—which we happily had for several lunches—and inexpensive. All bottles of wine were $15; no wonder it is crowded. Anyway, we'll certainly go back, and try calling early for a reservation."

[GOw, 7/16/13] said: "We stopped in midweek, about 5:15 P.M. We thought the decor and space was pretty interesting. We had a seat at the bar, which appears to be made out of metal of some sort. We were impressed with the multitude of $15 bottles of wine. We had an Italian red; do not remember any more than that. Wine is served in water glasses; I'm not sure why, but no problem. I think they were just opening, as the bartenders were scurrying about getting their areas in order. There were 2 other couples at the bar. The bartender was not overly interested in serving us. This is fine, as we always have plenty to talk about, but I imagine that it affects tips and might keep folks from returning. We stayed at the bar and split the eggplant parm, which was a typical presentation. Nothing overly interesting about it, but it certainly tasted good: just no wow-factor; I liked the sauce, but my wife was not crazy about it. Took a while to pay the bill and get change. We were told that they may be opening for lunch at some point. We have been to all the Mike A.-owned restaurants and thought the service was atypical and just caught a bad time or day. I can walk there from my office, so we will most likely give it another shot. We were impressed by the prices, as well. It appears that they are trying to reach a broader audience—pre-Sabres, perhaps?"

Taste.
Note [7/12]: Their main website seems not to be working.
634-3 Main St.
(at Riley St., between Olean St. & Maple Rd.),
Village of East Aurora (Town of Aurora).
655-1874.

[LS, 1/07] says: "Informal, spacious, cozy coffeehouse neighbor to Tantalus on Main St. I used to buy bird food where both restaurants are now located, when it was Griggs & Ball, a farm feed & seed store. The service is the best—not to mention the fresh coffee and food. I'm a fan of the Breakfast Blanket, hold the ham, please. Taste has a variety of sandwiches, light fare, and desserts that are works of art. Free Wi-Fi connection and coffee for sale by the pound, too. I could easily live here."

Taste Good Chinese Restaurant.
2308 Delaware Ave.
(between Hertel Ave. & Linden Ave.),
North Buffalo (City of Buffalo).
874-3838.

[RHo, 5/12] says: "Taste Good is amazing and an absolute must for vegetarians and vegans; they have the most amazing mock meats. The chicken and beef are both sensational; we order both every time. I ordered from this restaurant almost every week this past March and April. The Vegetarian Sesame Chicken/Beef and Vegetarian General Tso's Chicken/Beef are excellent. I have ordered the mock meat in other dishes before (like Hunan), but the fried dishes are best. The meat itself tastes better than real meat, and the texture is incredible. The chicken is like mock meat I have had in other cities (Worcester, NYC, Raleigh) and is not to be missed, even for meat eaters! I have only ever gotten take-out, and, the last few times I went, they really wanted cash instead of credit card. They also deliver. I've never ordered anything without mock meat, so I can't speak to those dishes. A dinner-sized portion of Vegetarian Sesame Chicken/Beef is $11.45. It's the most expensive item on the menu but well worth it. I have to note that both the vegetarian chicken and the vegetarian beef are different from what Taste Good was serving 4 or 5 years ago, so if you haven't been in a while, it's a whole new experience. The chicken used to be soy bullets (still good), but now it's tender pieces of flavorful soy meat with realistic sinews and a great texture. In college, I would pay about $12 for five or six pieces of this same meat at a fancy Asian restaurant. For less than that, Taste Good will give you more than you can eat. I strongly recommend Taste Good to everyone."

[LCo, 7/07] said: "I don't know that there is anything to note about Taste Good, other than that it offers a large variety of mockmeat dishes. I have tried their bean curd in garlic sauce, but it was not nearly as flavorful as the same dish at Great Wall, and the tofu didn't have a good texture because it wasn't deep fried. I've also had several of the mockmeat dishes including sesame "chicken", "beef" and broccoli, General Tso's "beef", "beef" with orange sauce, and "beef" with black bean sauce. The vegetarian sweet and sour chicken/beef is not battered like your typical sweet and sour chicken; it's just the mockmeat in sweet and sour sauce, but it's delicious and has a great pineapple flavor. The mockmeats tend to be a bit chewy in dishes with thicker sauces like sesame, General Tso's, and the orange sauce, but the thinner sauces like the brown sauce in beef and broccoli or the black bean sauce help the vegetarian meats stay tender. The service for carry-out is always fast; I've never waited more than 10 minutes for my food. They do have tables for eating in, though I've only ordered take-out and then sat and ate; I don't know if you can order to eat in."

Reviews from more than 10 years ago:

[PB, 6/02] said: "Taste Good has really excellent vegetarian-meat choices (soy meat). For those of us that were meat eaters and are vegans and need to taste that textury meat to satisfy our taste buds, this is the place. The vegetarian sesame chicken is great!!!!"

[MEL, 4/98] said: "Seemingly another take out Chinese place in a strip mall—but better than most comparable places. I especially liked the chow fun (wide rice noodles), which are hard to get in Western New York, especially in takeout places."

Taste of India.
3093 Sheridan Dr.
(in Northtown Plaza, between Bailey Ave. & Niagara Falls Blvd.),
Eggertsville (Town of Amherst).
837-0460.

Delivery available from Takeout Taxi, 631-2222.

Same owners as India Gate and Jewel of India.

[RHo, 5/12] says: "My husband and I went to Taste of India last Monday for the first time in probably ten years. We often eat at India Gate and Tandoori's, but aren't usually in the Northtown Plaza area. The food was better than I remembered, but the service was not as good. Our waitress was uninterested, and our first basket of naan (bread) was cold, which I have never experienced at any Indian restaurant, ever. The food, however, was so good that it was easy to overlook everything else. The spinach was incredible, so finely chopped: It was a delightful, smooth consistency. The butternut squash was thoroughly enjoyed by both my husband and me: perfectly tender cubes that fell apart in your mouth. The black lentils had an interesting hint of something, almost floral, but quite delicious. All in all, it was a great meal."

[WHN] said:

[6/11] "I went to Taste of India for dinner with a group of eight on Thursday 6/9/11. Some of the people were Indian-cuisine novices, so the food wasn't shared, for the most part, as is typical of an Indian meal. I started with cauliflower pakoras, which I did share. They were very good, as were the accompanying tamarind and mint chutneys. For my main course, I ordered lamb vindaloo, which was excellent: fairly hot, but not fiery hot, but other people who tried it thought it was very spicy. I did try some chicken korma and tandoori lamb. Both were very good. I'm not sure what everyone had, but one had a vegetarian dish, several had assorted tandoori platters, and one woman ordered chicken tikka masala and then complained to the server about not being able to eat anything with sauce and how, when she ordered it at India Gate, it had no sauce. He took it away and returned with chicken tikka, which is what she meant to order. Except for her, everyone enjoyed the meal. The portions here are larger than Tandoori's and less expensive, and include rice and raita at no charge. Many people, including me, took leftovers home. I would give it 2 stars vs. Tandoori's 3."

[5/09] "It's been some time since we've been to Taste of India, but we had an excellent meal there on Sunday night. Compared to our Indian-restaurant favorite, Tandoori's, the portions are considerably larger, the prices are lower, and rice, including refills if needed, is included at no extra charge. Side dishes of raita and dal were also included at no charge. On the other hand, Tandoori's starts meals off with complimentary pakoras and papadoms, and presents a rose to women at the end of the meal. Our English friends, who love Indian cuisine, are about equally divided between the merits of Tandoori's and Taste of India. I would still give Tandoori's a slight edge."

[1/06] "I thought I would express my opinions on the four south Asian restaurants that we have tried in the area. Tandoori's is the best, with Kabab and Curry and Taste of India tied for second. Moti Mahal is a far distant fourth."

[AFN, 1/10] said: "My sister and I had lunch at Taste of India today (2/5/10). We arrived a little before noon, and the place was empty. Shortly after, many other diners arrived, and before long both dining rooms were packed, and there were people waiting for tables. The lunchtime attraction is their $7.95 buffet, which was excellent. I can't begin to describe all the choices, but there were many vegetarian and non-vegetarian dishes. Among the foods I chose were tofu Makhani (my favorite curry, although I've always had chicken Makhani previously), beef curry, two different chicken dishes, and curried cauliflower and peas. All the food was delicious. Our lunch, including tax and tip, was under $20. (We only had water to drink.) My sister enjoyed it immensely, too, and said she wants to take her husband there soon. She also said her doctor, who is from India, prefers it over Tandoori's and recently had Taste of India cater a dinner party at his home. I would say I still prefer Tandoori's, but I've never had their luncheon buffet."

[LLe, 1/10] said: "I was there on a Wednesday night, around 8 P.M. or 8:30. The restaurant was completely empty, and I was the only customer. The waitress seated me by taking me to a table and gesturing. I sat down without looking, because I was reading a novel. Then an older lady come out, who seemed to be the restaurant owner and the waitress's's mother, and asked her why she had seated me at a dirty table. The waitress stated, "It doesn't matter; she doesn't speak English". I was very angry and walked out."

[LMR, 5/09] said: "Went there for the lunch buffet in April. Very good: I was pleasantly surprised at what was on the buffet; though it seemed small, there was a lot there. All the favorites were there: the Naan bread with the fabulous dips, some new stuff, and tandoori chicken; all excellent. My friend's 7-year-old son enjoyed it a lot; it was all new for him. Plus, there was a Chai tea that was very tasty, as well. Reasonably priced, too. Service was very pleasant and quick. Would go back and would recommend."

[KATS, 1/06] said: "Excellent Indian food."

Reviews from more than 10 years ago:

[MRT, 4/05] said: "For the first time, I enjoyed a buffet lunch at Taste of India today. The service is excellent. They have a great assortment of foods, both vegetarian and meat masala dishes, salad, raita, delicious bread, delicious tea. Lunch for two: $17.22. The food is very mild (Americanized). Their hot sauce is not very hot. But if you have a craving for Indian food close to the north campus of UB, this is a very good choice."

[SMD, 4/04] said: "Stopped in on a Friday night with my favorite dining companion. We were warmly greeted and seated right away by the friendly hostess. Being somewhat of a neophyte when it comes to Indian cuisine, our server was more than happy to guide us through the menu selections and advised us that the degree of spiciness in any dish could be adjusted to suit our tastes, dispelling the myth that all Indian food is hot, spicy, or tastes like curry powder. A gentleman at a nearby table exclaimed to his dining companions, "You're going to love this!" Boy, was he right! I went with the Chicken Makhani, chicken breast pieces cooked in a delicious sauce with sultana raisins and cashews. My companion chose the Chicken Palak, chicken breast pieces cooked with lightly seasoned spinach. Both dishes were fantastic and served with a generous bowl of basmati rice. During the course of our meal, our water glasses were constantly replenished by the friendly waitstaff. The atmosphere was pleasant, with quiet music playing in the background that thankfully didn't interfere with conversation. This was a thoroughly enjoyable dining experience and not tough on the wallet. If you are already familiar with Indian cuisine or want to try something new, check out Taste of India. They have definitely made a fan out of me. They also feature a weekday lunch buffet and banquet room."

[BJ, 2/01] said: "The decor of Taste of India is not as nice as Tandoori, but the (veg) food is very good. Comparable to Tandoori."

[JPM, 9/00] said: "Recently added many new things to their menu, particularly in the vegetarian section. Always first rate. Probably my favorite overall restaurant in Buffalo. I'm always satisfied (and not broke) when I leave."

[LH, 6/94] said: "My recommendation for a modest Indian restaurant is Taste of India; overall good quality, good service, nice buffet lunch; dosas on Sundays not bad (not that I've ever had a really good dosa in North America, but still); I've never had anything awful there."

[PJE, 5/95] said: "Had a good lunch with [an Indian colleague] at the Taste of India in Northtown Plaza. It was a 'buffet' and really very good. But [my colleague] says it's better sometimes than others. I suspect that Thurs-Fri has fresher food than Mon-Tues."

[SC, 9/93] said: "I personally think that the Indian food in Taste of India is the best."

Taste of Siam.
810 Elmwood Ave.
(between Auburn Ave. & Lafayette Ave., south of Lancaster Ave.),
Elmwood Village green section (City of Buffalo).
886-0746.

In the former location of (in chronological order) May Jen/Elmwood, Tru-Teas, Juniper, and Sole (and, for all I know, a few more).

Same owner as Taste of Thai.

[7/7/13] MER, SLD, JPa, another friend, and I had dinner here on a Sunday evening. It's a new restaurant, so they don't have a liquor license yet, and their staff seems a bit confused (the person who greeted us couldn't find our reservation but happily gave us a table for twice the size of our party in their private dining room, and three separate servers took our orders: one for drinks, one for appetizers, and one for entrees). But the food is excellent. We shared an order of 2 chicken Fresh Rolls and 2 shrimp Fresh Rolls ("rolled in rice paper wrap w.lettuce, mint, bean sprouts, carrots, cilantro & vermicelli noodles" with a savory dipping sauce) and an order of Thai Fried Wontons (there are 5 in an order; "stuffed w.seasoned pork served w.house dipping sauce"—the sauce was on the sweet side). The Rolls were bland without the sauce, but the combination was delicious, and the wontons were not at all greasy, even though fried. For main courses, the menu lists several "serving suggestions for all dishes" (vegetarian, chicken, beef, pork, shrimp, scallops, squid, duck breast, etc.) and several different preparations (noodles, stir fry, curry) that can be mixed and matched. We had chicken pra ram (stir-fried chicken, peas, mushrooms, napa, carrots, broccoli, and baby corn in a peanut sauce), chicken pud thai, sesame beef, and chicken pud see ew ("flatwide rice noodles sauteed w.Chinese broccoli & eggs in a light soy sauce"). The beef and pra ram were served with jasmine white rice. Everyone liked their choices. Mine was the pra ram, which I can personally vouch for as being delicious. All dishes can be ordered mild, medium, hot, very hot, or Thai hot. Disliking spicy dishes, I ordered mine mild; if what I got was "mild", I would hate "medium" (but it was tasty!). As I was waiting for our guests to arrive, I noticed that everyone leaving the restaurant had a take-home bag. Now I know why: Each dish was large enough to serve two people (well, "normal" people like me; one of our party finished his entire dish). If you are like me, I would suggest sharing dishes if you don't want leftovers. (Having said that, however, I should note that the leftover pud thai was delicious for lunch the next day!) With soft drinks and tax (before tip), our meals averaged about $21 per person.

Taste of Thai.
1460 Hertel Ave.
(between Colvin & Parkside Aves.),
North Buffalo (City of Buffalo).
833-8423.

Same owner as Taste of Siam.

There's some controversy over the relationship between Taste of Thai and King and I. For clarification, see [RRo]'s review of King and I.

[JCr, 1/11] says: "On 1/7/2011, 5 of us went to Taste of Thai for dinner for my wife's birthday. We arrived at 7:45 to a nearly full restaurant, but the hostess was able to accommodate us right away by putting 2 tables together. This restaurant does not have a liquor license, but you are permitted to bring your own alcohol, which we did, and they were happy to uncork it for us. To start our meal, we ordered a couple of appetizers for the table to share: steamed chicken dumplings with a Thai, soy-type dipping sauce and an order of crispy, fried-chicken wantons with a sweet-and-spicy-type dipping sauce. For our entrees, a couple of people chose a green-curry-type dish with eggplant, another chose the Taste of Thai fried rice, and I chose a stir fry with onion, scallion, ground chili, bell pepper, chicken, and jalapeno. My dish was fantastic, and everyone else enjoyed theirs as well. The dining room was completely full throughout the evening, and for the value I can see why. I usually just order take-out from here, but I think I will start dining in more often as well."

[BPe, 4/10] said: "First of all, thanks for the guide. I've been using it ever since I arrived in Buffalo in '03 and I always consult it before dining out. [Thanks!] I'd like to give an update on Taste of Thai on Hertel: My wife and I ate at Taste of Thai last Saturday. It has been a while since our last visit, and I'm pleased to say that the interior has been given some much-needed updates. Gone is that rubber mat that traversed the center of the restaurant from the previous tenant, and the lighting has been improved a bit. There are new menus, and a few minor tweaks have been implemented, but all the favorites are still on there. Still no liquor license. We started off with Spring rolls and Thai Calamari. The Spring rolls were great; however, I would not recommend the Calamari. For some reason, it was all tentacles (I guess the rings were reserved for their seafood dishes?). It was also quite greasy. The sauce, however, was very tasty. I would describe it as a combination of sweet duck sauce and ground peanuts. For entrees, I got my usual: Ghang Dang Red Curry with chicken. The Mrs. got her fav: Prik Khing topped with a fried, orange roughy filet. The curry was fantastic, as always. The fish was amazing. Fried fish, basil leaves, and cashews is truly a winning combination. We noticed that service seemed to be much faster than in previous visits. I guess this restaurant has really gotten into its groove over the past year. We'll definitely be coming back."

[JJa, 5/08] said: "I have discovered the complex flavors of Thai food since joining a group of friends once a month at Taste of Thai on Hertel Ave. If you don't watch for the address, you'll miss the small, nondescript entrance, but don't let that stop you. The first time the group went there, we had a "Thai foodie" who ordered for us, and we discovered the delight of Lhab, a salad topped with ground beef, flavored with lemon grass, mint, cucumber. The Pad Thai is wonderful; I'm fond of the chicken and shrimp style. Heat is your choice, from mild to hot! Another great dish is Mee Krob, a salad of finely shredded noodles that are deep fried and seem to float on the plate. They have a hint of sweetness to them and are absolutely addictive. I was there last week and took two friends who had never been there. With help from the very friendly and attentive waitstaff (I think owners), we tried the recommended eggplant special and a seafood with red curry. Platters kept arriving, and the three of us wondered how we'd managed to order so much food, thinking there would be much to take home, but it was so delicious that we just kept eating, and talking, and eating. I've been there a half dozen times and have never felt rushed, even after we've sat for over two hours. Another reason to go to Taste of Thai is their lack of a liquor license; you have the option of bringing in your own beer and/or wine. You are provided with glasses, ice, and opening service. All in all, a great dining experience in a great neighborhood. Parking is plentiful in the community lot in back."

[EN, 12/07] said: "I've been to this restaurant a dozen-plus times, taking many different people to it so they, too, can experience this wonderful culinary experience. Every single person whom I've taken to this establishment is just in love with the food (my grandmother never takes a doggy bag, never; she wanted her left overs and mine when I took her.) What the restaurant lacks in the area of ambience, it certainly makes up for with the menu. I've been to 4 other Thai places (Jasmine, Saigon Bangkok, a place in CT, and one in Toronto), and, while those places have some dishes that were wonderful (Lobster Won Ton soup and Thai Salmon at Saigon Bangkok) and most a decor that was much more inviting, they just don't match up to the food at this place. I've tried too many dishes on the menu to really recall everything, but I can tell you the only dish I didn't like was the Green Curry and a dish I had with pineapple in it (but that is just because I don't enjoy hot pineapple in my food.) The Pad Thai, Spring Rolls, Tom Yum Goong (don't know why I torture myself so with it; it is hot! But I love it), BBQ Beef, Chicken Satay, Taste of Thai Fried Rice...there are many more, but I can't remember the names without the menu in front of me. The decor still needs some work for sure, including the fact that it needs more light, but they have made changes in the past two years since I've been going (adding decorations and trying to make more natural light come in.) I certainly agree with an earlier post that it is not a restaurant for children at all. And the sticky floor...it is because of whatever kind of soap they use on the floor, which is waxed linoleum if memory serves me correct. I had the same problem at the place I manage, and we resorted to using bleach instead; no more sticky floor.) As for the mention above about the soda cans instead of fountain, I can't tell you how many Asian restaurants I've been in where they gave you a can of soda. This doesn't really bother me at all; would rather they have a liquor license first. If you're looking for the best Thai food around, this is the way to go."

[AMSo, 9/07] said: "We stopped @ Taste of Thai yesterday to order some take out, after having spent a very long Sunday helping our friends with their moving sale. As usual, food was great and staff was knowledgeable. I ordered one of the specials (vegan), a red coconut curry dish with tofu (my choice of meat) and vegetables, including the wonderful Japanese eggplant, served over some lovely jasmine rice; Kim got the vegetable pad thai without egg (vegan), which has a sort of bar-b-q effect, as opposed to some more traditional peanut sauces; we also got an order of vegetable spring rolls (vegan), which are made with steamed rice paper as opposed to egg wraps and come with a dipping sauce. We also ordered a bowl of vegetarian soup (tom kha) that had a coconut cream base with tofu (vegan). Melissa ordered the Thai salad (which came with two pieces of fried tofu and a house peanut sauce) and a seafood soup that is more spicy (tom yum). We also ordered two servings of dessert purple rice, which is served over some coconut milk and with sliced mango on the side (also vegan). The food there is always wonderful, and the servers are always very knowledgeable when you express your dietary (or lifestyle) restrictions. The only bad thing for me @ Taste of Thai is the floor—there is a center aisle that is always sticky when you walk on it—and I'm quite certain they wash the floor. It's just sort of creepy, as you wonder why you're sticking to the floor in a perfectly lovely restaurant."

[CKo, 4/06] said: "This past weekend I dined at Taste of Thai. This was the second time I have had Thai food, the first being at the Saigon Café. In my opinion, both were delicious. I ordered the musuman curry (red & yellow) mild. I absolutely loved it, and the portion was big enough for me to take home for another meal. It was also not very costly at all. Everything tasted very fresh. The waitress was very happy to help explain some of the dishes for me and answer some other questions I had. I noticed some of the other customers brought with them their own liquor, which Taste of Thai welcomes (since they do not have their own liquor license). The only negative attribute of the evening was the seating, which was way too close to other guests for me to feel comfortable. The whole night, I was bombarded with their conversations. Other than that, I plan on going again in the near future, to learn and experience some more Thai cuisine."

[BLG, 4/06] said: "The restaurant was barely noticeable, being surrounded by drugstores, other restaurants, and a theater. The front door wasn't very welcoming; in fact, I walked right past it. When I walked through, the hallway was dark, and the only light was from the sunshine coming in from the door behind us. After I walked through the main door, I thought I went the wrong way, because the room was so dimly lit and quiet, even though 5-7 tables were occupied. It seemed like a while before we were seated, even though a couple of tables were available, and the hostress just left us standing. The menu was large, with gourmet meals and a wide variety of appetizers and side orders. I enjoyed the Pud Kemow dish, a stir fry consisting of wide noodles and vegetables covered in a delicious sauce. I wasn't too fond of the greens used in the dish. My 14-month-old didn't enjoy the food or the atmosphere. The restaurant was so poorly lit and quiet, it made my son very uncomfortable. I enjoyed the food and the peacefulness; however, the next time I go for lunch, I won't be bringing my son. Definitely a place for friends and couples, but not a family restaurant."

[KDK, 4/06] said: "I cannot believe some of the comments I read about this restaurant. When I went on a Monday night, it was perfect. It wasn't too busy nor did they look like they needed folks to come in and just sit. The food was freshly made, and, even though it was my first taste of Thai food, it was great. I had the crab cakes but substituted chicken for the crab. It was better than I expected. This is a place that I recommend to everyone to eat at least once. I plan on going again this weekend."

[VN, 4/06] said: "I ate at Taste Of Thai the other night for the first time. I thought the meal was good, yet I wouldn't rate it excellent. I ate the Red Ghang Phanang; I enjoyed the the different taste of the spices in the meal and enjoyed everything else with it. One of the few things that did not impress me about the restaurant was that it had cans of soda instead of fountain soda. I believe this is probablly one of the few things holding this restaurant back from becoming extremely nice."

[DRo, 4/06] said: "This was my first time going to the restaurant, and I enjoyed my experience. I ordered sesame chicken; the chicken was very juicy. The sesame Thai sauce that the chicken was in was full of flavor. I will be going back to this restaurant very soon to try some of the other cuisine that is offered."

[AMP, 4/06] said: "I recently ate lunch at Taste of Thai restaurant. This was my first Thai and Vietnamese experience. As I was walking into the restaurant, I felt as though I was walking into another country. I chose the Geow Nahn soup to start off with. It was very well prepared, and the noodles tasted homemade. The broth was spicy and definitely woke up my taste buds. The entree I selected was called Ghang Kheou Wan, a green curry made with coconut milk. There was a wide range of vegetables that were added to the curry. It was served with jasmine rice and an egg roll on the side. The meal was very good, but some of the vegetables were not labeled on the menu. The Taste of Thai was a wonderful and positive experience for me. I look forward to going back again and trying something else on their menu."

[MHu, 4/06] said: "I just recently tried Thai food for the first time and loved it! The restaurant that is responsible for my liking is Taste of Thai on Hertel Ave. I ordered the khow muh gai and I loved it. The combination of the jasmine rice and the sweet and tender chicken was delicious. Not that I have any other restaurants to compare them to, but I thought the service and the food at Taste of Thai was excellent. I strongly recommend this dish and the restaurant; I hope to go back there soon and try something new!"

[KrM, 4/06] said: "The food at the Taste of Thai was delicious. The food was very flavorful and aromatic. They have a great mixture of vegetables. It was my very first Thai food experience, and it was a great one. I will definitely be going back sometime soon to try other menu items. Being a first timer, I wanted to try something not so adventurous. I had the Pud Khing Sod. I recommend it. It was a nice option to choose how spicy I wanted it to be. The service was quick and very responsive to my lack of knowledge in the Thai food area. I highly recommend the Taste of Thai."

[SBu, 4/06] said: "I recently went to the Taste of Thai,...and I was quite pleased with the outcome of my experience. As a virgin to Thai food, I was unsure if I would enjoy the food that was available on the menu, due to the fact that everything seemed so foreign to me, and I didn't expect to enjoy it at all. I ordered the Gratten Plik Thai, which I had with sautéed beef, and they have ground pepper and a hot garlic sauce put on that, and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Two of the people I was with had a dish that consisted of chicken over some jasmine rice that looked absolutely delicious. The atmosphere of the Taste of Thai, although quite dark, was quite pleasing to the eye, and provided a good sit-down meal for myself and my company. Also, with a friendly waiter, and our food being brought out quite soon after our meal, it was refreshing to have such great service. So, overall, I strongly recommend the Taste of Thai, and although I have not had any other Thai experience, this one seemed to be quite pleasant."

[RRo, 2/06] said: "Taste of Thai is not King and I. King and I (the one that you all have fond memories of) is still open (on Kensington) and still serves the awesome dishes that you say you "once loved". If you miss King and I—go back there. But please, please stop comparing your Taste of Thai experiences with King and I—they are different restaurants."

[KATS, 1/06] said: "I, too, am amazed to see a negative review of Taste of Thai. It beats the other local restaurants, such as Saigon Café and Saigon Bangkok, hands down. The food is well spiced, and the vegetables are unbelievably fresh, never frozen. The soups are delicious. I thought the wonton soup at Papaya was the best in the area, but I now happily admit that Taste of Thai's is my new favorite. I have one complaint, though. The restaurant has gotten so busy that sometimes there is a long wait for your food. Last night, a Monday night, all the tables were filled. They don't have a liquor/beer/wine license, but you can bring your own wine and beer."

[CK, 9/05] said: "Wow, I was surprised to hear such a negative review from [KBo]. My brother and I have been long fans of Thai cusine and were regulars at the old King and I on Harlem Rd. We were happy to see the Taste of Thai open on Hertel with the same chef. As for the food, we have been there many times and have had a great experience. I recently was in Chicago at a Thai restaurant, The Star of Siam, which I used to measure all Thai restaurants against. I must say after revisiting the Star, I am using the Taste of Thai as my new yardstick. I recommend my two favorite dishes, the Panang Chicken and the Tom Kha soup. The pad thai is also excellent. I have tried almost all of the dishes on the menu and have never been disappointed."

Reviews from more than 10 years ago:

[KBo, 4/05] said: "We're still talking about it. The take-out we had last Friday evening (4/8/2005) was absolutely the worst Thai we've had in Buffalo (or anywhere, really). We're shocked because even though we haven't been to the King and I in almost a year (mainly because of its location; my partner and I are city-dwellers), it was always one of our favorite Thai places in the area: authentic, high-quality dishes with fresh ingredients. The first thing that should have made me suspicious was the fact that the person who took my order over the phone did not ask me how I wanted my duck prepared (I ordered the Choo Chee curry with duck). So I asked her if I could have it cooked medium rare. She paused for a moment and said "OK". I also noticed that she did not ask how spicy I wanted the dish (nor did she ask when I ordered my partner's dish, the vegetarian Musamum curry). Needless to say, I was a little concerned. When we arrived to pick up our dinner, a very courteous gentleman approached me and explained to me that my duck was not medium rare. He didn't apologize, but explained to me that they cook their duck dishes in advance! How far in advance he didn't say, but unless the staff has a crystal ball for foretelling customer orders, does it matter? What this means, if what he says is true, is that if you like your duck melt-in-your-mouth tender, you'd better go someplace else. What we brought home was simply unacceptable and would have been returned to the kitchen if we had dined in. The duck was so dry and overcooked, it had the texture of jerky. Instead of having a bright green color and crisp texture, the broccoli was a dark, almost blackish green color and was chewy and slimy. Not surpisingly, the broccoli in my partner's curry was exactly the same. Everything tasted overcooked and completely devoid of any freshness. As for the heat level, there was none. The curry tasted like it was made from the kind of jarred curry paste you can find in Wegman's. The coconut milk was thin and tasted watered down. Too much broth or water perhaps? They even managed to screw up the rice. We're still not sure if what we tried to eat was actually jasmine rice. It was dry, stuck together in clumps, and had no flavor whatsoever. It actually reminded me of the rice you'll get in those huge awful all-you-can-eat Chinese buffets (you know the kind of place: several large tables of everything from sesame chicken to Buffalo wings). It's not a good sign when you reach into the bag and find a little plastic dixie container of red chili flakes! Apparently, it's too much work for this place to accommodate the spice/heat preferences of its customers. Want your curry spicy? Here, just dump some chili flakes on it! It's possible, of course, that this was just an "off" night (but at 6:15pm? Most of the tables were empty when we walked in). Part of us wants to be fair and give them a second chance. But with food this awful, it's hard to justify going back there when you consider that the area has at least three ( Saigon Bangkok, Saigon Café, and Jasmine Thai) excellent Thai restaurants that always manage to please us. Saigon Bangkok has especially nailed it down; we go there at least once a month, and we're amazed by their consistency. Can't wait to have their Choo Chee curry with duck again!"

[MMcA, 12/04] said: "The head chef of the old King and I restaurant is now serving his delicious Thai offerings on Hertel Avenue under the name "Taste of Thai". On my first visit, I ordered some of my old "King and I" favorites, and these were indeed the same high quality dishes I used to enjoy in Amherst before that restaurant closed. [Note from Bill: King and I is still open, but possibly under new management.] You can specify the degree of spiciness on any dish. The pud thai is not too sweet, balanced just right with medium spice. The tom kha soup in a hot pot is savory smooth with coconut, ginger, lemongrass, green and red onion, mushroom, and tomato (plus your choice of meat). The red phanang curry is full of tasty vegetables (green beans, zucchini, chiles, and basil) over tender beef. Next time, I'll try the musuman curry with chicken, which was another of my favorites from the old menu. There are many more tables than there were at the old "King and I", and the service is friendly, relaxed, and very personal. "Taste of Thai" was packed on only its second day of business. After a year without it, I'm glad to have my favorite Thai food in Buffalo (and elsewhere) back. Highly recommended."

Tavern at Windsor Park.
8444 Transit Rd.
(south of Klein Rd./Roll Rd.,
& north of Renaissance Dr. & Maple Rd.;
north of the hamlet of Harris Hill & south of East Amherst),
Town of Amherst.
689-6600.

In the site of a former Perkins Restaurant & Bakery.

[WHN, 7/16/15] says: "Today, I had lunch with friends at Tavern at Windsor Park, in a former Perkins next to Kohl's. The menu has many specialties that would be found in British pubs, including ploughman's lunch, Scottish eggs, bangers and mash, pork pie, and more. They also have many different burgers, wraps, and sandwiches with wide appeal. Two of us had pub-type dishes: fish and chips for my friend, and cottage pie for me. The cottage pie, made with ground beef, peas, and carrots, and covered with browned mashed potatoes, was very good. The other friend had a Caesar chicken wrap, which she said ‘could have used more Caesar’. Both their lunches came with French fries, called chips here, as they are in the UK. My cottage pie came with a house salad. The beer list is very large, with many imported and craft beers, as well as domestic ones. Service was friendly and prompt. We agreed we would return."

[ for pizza only] La Tavola Trattoria.
1458 Hertel Ave.
(at Norwalk Ave.,
east of Colvin Ave.,
west of Parkside Ave.),
North Buffalo (City of Buffalo).
837-3267.

In the former location of Little Talia Trattoria, North End Trattoria, and Guttuso's North End Trattoria.

Italian, with a New Orleans twist.

Bill says:

[6/4/14] MER, SLD, our granddaughter, and I had an early dinner here on a Wednesday evening. They have a new menu. (However, you wouldn't know that from their website, whose main page is down and whose menu page shows the old menu. The menu on their Facebook page is also different, but doesn't match the one in the restaurant.) SLD began with a house salad, and MER and I had the caprese. The caprese looked nice, consisting of a stack of about a half-dozen slices of mozzarella alternating with a half-dozen slices of tomato, with some onion slices on the side. But there was only one—count 'em, one—slice of basil. And there was only a drizzle of balsamic on the top slice of mozzarella, and none anywhere else on the plate. So it was ultimately disappointing. SLD and our granddaughter had pizzas: SLD had a veggie pizza with white sauce, which she said was very good; our granddaughter had a Margarita pizza with pepperoni, which she liked. MER had one of the new items on the menu: veal Madeira, accompanied by mashed potatoes; she said that it was excellent. I had another new item: pasta de gambaretti: shrimp, spinach, red peppers, and garlic slices over angel-hair pasta; it was really very good. They only had two desserts: their "cannolli-tini" (that's the way they spelled it on the old menu; the new one doesn't list desserts) and a bread pudding that is no longer advertised as being "New Orleans Style" (at least, not by our waiter); our granddaughter had the cannolli-tini. With drinks and tax, our meals averaged a bit over $32 per person before tip. I'd say that the food (except for the caprese) was really good, much better than our previous visit, and I'd be much more willing to return than I was the last time.

[2/8/14] A party of 5 of us had dinner here on a Saturday evening. We managed to get a 7:30 P.M. reservation, and only had to wait about 10 minutes, if that, to be seated. Because this location is well-known to Buffalo diners, I'll remind you that it is small and that you must climb a flight of stairs to get to the dining area; some tables overlook the kitchen, which can make for a fun show while eating. I was told by the owner that their chef and sous-chef came from Rocco's. We shared an order of their Lemon Rosemary Wood Fired Wings, which comes with "a roasted garlic aioli sauce & celery sticks"; they were nicely crisp, and everyone but I enjoyed them (I don't like rosemary). Fresh bread baked with Parmesan on the crust was served with an olive-oil dipping sauce. I began with a caprese salad, which was very good; MER had a La Tavola salad ("baby field greens, Roma tomatoes, red onions, Kalamata olives tossed in a balsamic vinigrette"), which she thought had too much dressing; SLD had a Caesar salad, which she liked. For entrees, I had the chicken marsala, and MER had the veal marsala: Although they were good, they were nowhere nearly as good as the marsala at Rocco's; moreover, MER's was lukewarm at best (mine was warmer), and my accompanying risotto was cold (MER sent her dish back to be reheated; I didn't bother, because I didn't think that the risotto was all that good—it was a "risotto del Giorno", but we weren't told how it had been prepared). SLD had the "Pesce Del Giorno"—blackened mahi-mahi—which she raved over. JPa had a Margarita wood-fired pizza, and SLD's 8-year-old daughter had a wood-fired, plain-cheese pizza. I had a slice of the latter and can vouch that it was excellent, by which I mean that it was of nearly New York City quality, and I would be happy to return here for a pizza :-) Our granddaughter had the Cannolli-tini [sic] for dessert: 3 cannoli shells (please note the correct spelling :-) in a martini glass filled with the sweet ricotta cheese that normally would be inside the shells; she loved it, especially because she only likes the stuffing and not the shells! I had the New Orleans Style Bread Pudding: a huge portion (too huge; a slice about 1/4 the size would have sufficed) served on a dinner-sized plate covered with powdered sugar. The pudding had a praline icing; it was enough to give you a sugar overdose. I thought it was rather dry, but others who tried it disagreed with me. Although I now see, as I am writing this, that Gelato de Giorno was also on the menu, it was not offered to us as an option. Service by Michael was excellent. Our meals averaged about $45 per person with drinks and tax, before tip. Would we return? It wouldn't be my first choice (with the exception of the pizza), but I wouldn't be opposed to trying it again (if only for that pizza!).

Ted's Hot Dogs.
7018 Transit Rd.
(north of Wehrle Dr., in Transit Corners),
"Greater" Williamsville (Town of Amherst).
633-1700.

(Also many other locations).

Part of the local (and expanding) chain.

[3/10] Listed as one of 41 "Restaurants We Love" by Buffalo Spree magazine.

[4/07] Listed as one of Buffalo's "27 Best Restaurants" by Buffalo Spree magazine.

For a history of Ted's, see Andriatch, Bruce (2012), "Five Miles of Tasty Bliss on Sheridan", Buffalo News (31 July).

A visitor from Connecticut, [JRa, 12/11], says: "Just wanted to let you know I used the food site while in town. Very comprehensive. Had a great two days. Tried Charlie the Butcher, Ted's, and Zettis for a quick slice (a very good NYC recreation). Lots of options in Buffalo to be sure."

[BL, 5/07] said: "Have to agree with [MZ]—a great Buffalo area institution. We were visiting Phoenix and made a point to see their Tempe location. A lot of fun and even parts of the Buffalo news placed around so the Phoenix snowbirds could get a bit of the hometown happenings. Just the same as the locations here. Also fun to be eating in our home locations and meet visitors who are making a return to Ted's just to show it off to their spouses or children. Great fast food, and we are lucky!"

[MZ, 5/07] said: "Just had to contribute about Ted's hotdogs, the only place outside of Mom's backyard where I'll get a dog. (She gets Sahlen's.) All of my high school friends moved away from Bflo, but we all (each) go to Ted's when we go home. Even if we're not hungry. Nothin' like watching those grillmasters stab those Sahlens, listening to that sizzle as the liquids are released into the real charcoal fire, watching them turn dark and busted-skinned. Stick 'em into that—nope, not-Wonderbread-rolls—but good bread, put next to nothing on them (maybe a breath of yellow Weber's mustard, I don't want to waste that fine Sahlen's flavor), and then grab that paper of freshly-fried potatoes, which smell like potatoes, not like Mickey D's. Then do the grown-up thing and put vinegar on them, not ketchup or catsup or catch-up. I've been going there for more than 50 years; there's no place better in the entire Yoonited States for a hotdog. I love you, Ted's! (By the bye, there is a history: In the early 60s, when my sister was a greaser, and I was in elementary school busy being studious, there were 2 hot dog stands on each (southern) side of Parker and Sheridan: Ted's and Louie's. That's where the greasers hung out in their cars. Then McDonald's came by and introduced the 13-cent "hamburger" and along the way tore down the original Ted's. (Well, of that era, of course.) Anyway, you have simply not tasted a good hot dog (or fries for that matter) until you've tasted Ted's. Lucky Buffalo!"

[WHN, 6/06] said: "What, no review of Ted's? It's been a Buffalo-area institution since the 1920s, they say. Now that summer's almost here, I thought a Ted's review would be in order. No skinless, boiled, or steamed dogs here. Arguably, they are the best purveyor of the charcoal-broiled hot dog in WNY, a culinary treat as unique to this area as chicken wings used to be and roast beef on weck still is. They also serve charcoal grilled hamburgers, Polish and Italian sausage, and chicken sandwiches. Their onion rings and french fries are very good, too. According to my daughter, their Tempe, AZ, location is just like being at "home", right down to the "imported" Sahlen's skin-on hot dogs and Ted's homemade hot sauce."

[–]

Templeton Landing.
2 Templeton Terr.
(at the Erie Basin Marina, accessible from Erie St.),
Downtown Waterfront (City of Buffalo).
852-7337.

The latest incarnation of Shanghai Red's and Crawdaddy's, brought to you by the same management.

[Bill, 6/18/13] says: [MER], [SLD], our 8-year-old granddaughter, and our 3-year-old granddaughter had dinner here on a gorgeous Buffalo evening. This location (whether as Crawdaddy's, Shanghai Red's, or Templeton Landing) has always had a great view, and tonight was no exception; indeed, we ate outside. But also, as always (even as Crawdaddy's), the food was no match for the view. Neither was the service. The kids ate from the kids' menu, with the 8-year-old having quesadillas with a side of carrots and the 3-year-old having a grilled-cheese sandwich with a side of fruit. The quesadillas looked fine, if a bit skimpy, but our picky eater ate all of them. The grilled cheese was on bread that was so thick that the sandwich was bigger than our 3-year-old's mouth; we had to squash it to make it edible. Our granddaughters opted for the extra-cost "build your own sundaes" (instead of the included popsicle, but we were not offered either the popsicle or a discount on the sundae for not having the popsicle), but "build your own" apparently just means that the waitress asks you what you want on it. For the adult meals, [SLD] began with a side salad with balsamic vinaigrette. [MER] and I had the caprese, which was good but had too much balsamic vinaigrette. [SLD] and [MER] both had the fish fry; [SLD] thought that the batter was inedible, while [MER] said that it was soggy (and, being placed on top of the fries, caused them to be soggy and inedible, too). I had the fresh catch of the day: grouper in a citrus cream sauce, with rice pilaf, and asparagus with red peppers: The grouper and rice were tasteless, the sauce was almost non-existent, the asparagus were soggy. Our waitress forgot part of our drink order, and did not offer to tell us what the catch of the day was: I had to ask her. It took a half hour before our first food arrived, and that was merely a complimentary offering of jalapeno biscuits. When I asked if there was a non-spicy bread option, I was told that there wasn't. Our salads arrived about 5 minutes later, followed by the kids's sides about 15 minutes later, then their main courses about 5 minutes later, followed by the adult main courses about 10 minutes afterwards (but a full hour after we were seated). On the bright side (besides the sun and the view), as I discovered when I returned home and studied the check, we were not charged for one of our drinks, for one of the kids meals, or for the sundaes (but I'm pretty sure that this was an oversight, not by way of apology for the poor service). There was really no excuse for the poor service: There were plenty of servers, many just standing around talking, and there were plenty of empty tables, so they weren't overcrowded. Perhaps because the management is aware of the poor service, they clearly print at the bottom of the check suggested gratuities of 15, 18, and 20%. I can't imagine that we would return. I was really hoping that our experience would be as good as those described by [WHN] in his reviews from last year, rather than as bad as those described in the reviews from 2010. But it wasn't. I am giving Templeton Landing a negative ranking. Buffalo deserves a better downtown-waterfront restaurant!

[WHN] said:

[8/12] "I met G and her granddaughters for dinner at Templeton Landing. We thought it was too hot to sit outside, but got a window table looking onto the marina. The seafood catch of the day was snapper ‘en papillote’: It was perfectly baked in wine and herbs, over a bed of spinach, topped by julienned red and yellow peppers and tiny asparagus spears, with a side of rice pilaf. It was wonderful; better than I expected. G and one granddaughter had fish fries, while another had baby back ribs, without barbecue sauce, per her request, and the youngest had grilled chicken breast with French fries from the kids' menu. Everyone liked their food, and the kids had enough to take some home."

[2/12] "G and I had a light dinner at Templeton Landing on Wednesday night, 2/15/12. We both had mixed green salads, with balsamic vinaigrette; I had crumbled bleu cheese on mine. The accompanying rolls were warm and served with pesto, sun-dried tomato butter, and plain butter. G had crab cakes, which were excellent (I had a small taste), with zero filler and just a dusting of bread crumbs, just like in Maryland. I had a cheeseburger, cooked medium as ordered, with French fries and onion rings; also very good. We had a couple glasses of Sterling Vineyards cab, which, we thought, were overpriced ($11.25 per glass) for the volume served, but, still, an excellent wine. For anyone who is interested, they are offering a 3-course ‘Mardi Gras’ dinner of Cajun/Creole specialties for the next few weeks, for $20.11. Overall, better than a lot of earlier reviews have said, and it will be even nicer when the warm weather arrives and the patio is open. (We noticed that they have heat lamps on the patio, so warmer weather may come a little earlier to Templeton Landing.)"

[5/10] "We had lunch at Templeton Landing Sunday afternoon, 5/30/10. We sat on their deck overlooking the marina. I had a cheeseburger with lettuce, onion, tomato, cheddar, and (optional) sauteed onions and mushrooms. Both the burger and the accompanying house fries were good, but the fries were seasoned with an odd spice, possibly a touch of cinnamon. My wife had French onion soup and a mixed-greens salad with balsamic vinaigrette. She said the soup was good, but the salad was mundane, with lots of flavorless, out-of-season, tomato wedges, which she left on her plate. We asked to see the dinner menu and learned that the lunch and dinner menus are nearly identical, except that in the evening there are more entrees, like Veal Oskar (with a ‘k’), various steaks, lobster tails, and a few others. We were told the official grand opening is Tuesday 6/1, but there were a good number of diners, mostly on the deck. We will return, but more for the waterside view than anything else, although the food was good, and the service was very good. Too bad McCormick and Schmicks couldn't have taken this spot on the waterfront."

[KMe, 7/10] says: "Last night [7/26/10], we decided to enjoy the beautiful weather, and dined at Templeton Landing. The view was absolutely awesome, but the service was horrible. Even though every table was taken outside, they did not look short-staffed at all, so I don't know why our server didn't like us! Our server, Jack, finally found us 10 minutes after we arrived—we ordered a margarita (absolutely awesome) and a beer. After he dropped them off, it took him another 10 minutes to find us to see what we wanted. We decided to order snacks, so we had a dozen oysters, the crab cakes, and supreme pizza. He asked us if we wanted the oysters first, and we said, ‘yes, and then we'll take the rest of the order after.’ I wish we would have asked for it all at once! It took over 30 minutes just for the oysters to arrive. It then took another 30 minutes for the rest of the food after he picked up the oysters. He never came back between the 2 orders—we had to yell his name as he was walking by to get another drink order. The food was actually pretty good—a little overpriced, but I'm willing to pay it because it is so nice to sit outside and overlook the water in Buffalo! Total cost for everything came to $65. I wonder if they think their service doesn't have to be good since it's so beautiful to sit outside? I may go back there for a drink but never for dinner again."

[BI, 7/10] said: "Negative Review: All I can say about the Templeton Landing is what an absolute disaster. 8 of us dined at the Templeton Landing on Saturday, July 17th, and I am not sure where to even begin. The first thing we noticed is that the decor in this place is ugly; the carpet and booths look like they are from an old motel. The kitchen staff, mainly the cooks, I feel, should be in the kitchen; that did not happen. There was a wedding going on at the time, but this does not mean diners should have the kitchen staff walking through the dining room constantly with garbage bags full, garbage cans, etc. It was very odd and gross. Some of the waitstaff seemed to be just standing around and conversing every so often, also odd to me. I ordered the Mediterranean Seafood Stew, and it was absolutely disgusting; the broth was flavorless, the scallops were gritty and undercooked, and the clams very fishy tasting. 3 people ordered the salmon: One was burned on one side and very fishy tasting; the other 2 said it was pretty good, nothing special. We told the waitress about the salmon, as I did not even eat my dish after about 3 bites, and her response about the salmon was, ‘I have no control over the kitchen’, a poor choice of words, in my opinion. She informed us that she mentioned the complaint to the manager; I did not catch his name, but he did not make any attempt to even apologize or make anything right. However, the kitchen manager did make it right, and I thought she was the best thing about the Templeton; she seemed to be the only person that cared. I will never go back, and neither will anyone in my party; there are far too many good restaurants to patronize one so awful. Steer clear from this place, unless you want to hang out on their gorgeous patio for a drink and a good band!"

[KaB, 5/10] said: "We had dinner at Templeton Landing. Their web site is not updated yet. Last night (5/20/10), my husband and I were treated to tickets from his boss to the VIP launch at Templeton Landing. We had no idea what to expect, having never attended an event like this before. We thought it might be some type of food tasting chosen by the restaurant to showcase their new menu. We were very wrong. The event was handled like we were just having a regular dinner at the restaurant. We were allowed to choose anything we wanted from the new menu and were encouraged to try as much as we wanted. We started dinner off with crab cakes and clam chowder. The two crab cakes were a generous portion, with a red-pepper aioli sauce on the side. They were pan seared, with a nice crust. The cakes themselves were on the average side in terms of filler versus crab meat. The clam chowder was rich and creamy, with lots of clams and potatoes. The chowder was well seasoned. We moved on to salads: My husband ordered a Caesar salad with grilled salmon, and I ordered the spinach with warm bacon dressing. The Caesar salad came out with a dinner-sized portion of grilled salmon on top. The salmon was cooked properly with a nice, moist center and seasoned perfectly. The salad was a little heavily dressed for our taste, but it was very good overall. I had the dressing on the side of the spinach salad, so I was able to control the amount that was used. The dressing was very good, and the salad was fine. There was a garnish of pickled onions that was way too salty to eat. The time between the salads and the entrées was a little long, and, when they arrived, both were barely warm. With dinner being free, we pointed it out to our server but did not return them. My husband had the Veal Oscar, and I had the Seafood Stew; both were generous portions. The Veal Oscar had been breaded in flour and pan fried. We found the breading to be heavy; it overwhelmed the delicate veal. The sauce was excellent, and the asparagus cooked perfectly. My stew had sea bass, clams, mussels, shrimp, and scallops, in a light tomato broth. Beside the temperature, everything was properly cooked, and the broth was excellently seasoned. I wanted to get bread to help sop it up, but I could not fit in much more food at this point. We did order dessert but only ate a couple bites before packing them up for home. My husband had the Key Lime Pie, and I had a Chocolate Torte. Both were very good. I did not ask if they were made in house. From a décor standpoint, we did not notice that many changes. We did not walk around to see if the bar or patio had changed. I believe that they changed the wall color, and that was about it in the dining room. Overall, I would say that the new menu is a significant improvement over the previous menu. There appeared to be lighter options and more seafood-oriented items on the menu. The service was excellent. Our server had worked at the restaurant for a couple years, so she was very experienced. It appeared that they were hiring a large number of new personnel that they were training this evening in anticipation of the opening on May 21st. We certainly plan on returning to see if they keep up the excellent performance that we experienced last night."

Tempo.
581 Delaware Ave.
(north of Allen St.,
south of North St. & the Theodore Roosevelt Inaugural National Historic Site),
Allentown (City of Buffalo).
885-1594.

In the former location of Yianni's and Biac's.

Same owner as Remington Tavern & Seafood Exchange.

Online reservations available via OpenTable.com.

[3/19/14] Given 8 (out of 10) points by Andrew Z. Galarneau, Buffalo News food editor.

[5/12] Listed as number 3 in WGRZ-TV's list of the top 10 "favorite" restaurants in WNY.

[3/10] Listed as one of 41 "Restaurants We Love" by Buffalo Spree magazine.

[9/25/09] Raised to 4 (out of 4) stars by Janice Okun; [12/04] given 3½ (out of 4) stars by Janice Okun, former Buffalo News restaurant reviewer.

[4/07] Listed as one of Buffalo's "27 Best Restaurants" by Buffalo Spree magazine.

[JoM] says:

[2/20/15] "A colleague and I dined at Tempo on 2/19/2015. We arrived separately and met at the bar to catch up over a cocktail. We checked in at the hostess stand for our 6:30 reservation and were told that our table was ready but that there was no rush to be seated. Once seated, we ordered the calamari as an appetizer. The calamari were very crispy, with an excellent sweet-chili sauce. For my entree, I chose the bone-in rib-eye. I asked for medium rare, and it arrived as ordered. This was the best steak that I've had in recent memory. The steak had a dry rub that was charred to perfection when grilled, yet the steak was deliciously tender upon cutting into it; it was outstanding. My colleague ordered the osso buco, which, I believe, was on the specials menu; it was served with gnocchi. He was also blown away by the flavors of his meal, and claimed that it was one of the best meals that he'd experienced recently, as well. Both of us were too full for dessert, but we each had a cup of coffee to end our meal. It was an excellent meal, with top-notch service, which made for a relaxing evening to catch up with a good friend. Overall, we were happy with our experience, and I highly recommend!"

[2/11] "I went to dinner at Tempo with three collegues on Thursday evening [2/17/11]. We started the meal with a bottle of the Justin Isosceles meritage. It was a good wine to accompany our meals, as all planned to order red meat. We ordered three appetizers to split: the eggplant antipasto, carpaccio, and calamari. All three were absolutely fantastic. The eggplant were served as discs covered in goat cheese and sauteed red peppers. The carpaccio reminded me of how a sushi roll would look, but the flavors were delicious. The calamari were also excellent and had an interesting sweet flavor to them. I wouldn't hesitate to order all three of these appetizers again. For entrees, three of us ordered the proscuitto-wrapped filet. All were ordered medium rare and were grilled accordingly. The steak was served with a gorgonzola crust and accompanied with gnocchi. The steak was melt-in-your-mouth good, and the gnocchi were equally delicious. The fourth member of our group ordered the asiago-stuffed veal chop. He dines at Tempo at least three or four times a month and always gets the same order. To say he enjoyed his meal would be an understatement. Overall, our experience was excellent, and service was top notch. It wasn't a cheap meal, but the quality of the food is worth the cost. Highly recommend!"

[WHN] said:

[12/16/12] "G, three friends, and I had dinner at Tempo, Saturday night, 12/15/12. After being seated, we were offered bread with roasted pepper and olive oil, or tomato-topped focaccia; then a complimentary tray of olives, a salami-like sausage, and (what I think was) fresh mozzarella with herbs. We each had a different salad: for me, baby romaine wedges with red and green cherry tomatoes, pickled onion, apple-wood-smoked pork belly, and chopped hard-boiled egg, in a creamy gorgonzola dressing; for G, mixed greens with onion and spiced almonds, tossed with white balsamic vinaigrette; one friend had a Caesar salad; another, beet salad with mixed greens, goat cheese, and candied pecans, tossed in a lemon-mint vinaigrette, substituted at her request for balsamic and oil dressing; lastly, a salad from (I think) the specials menu, with various greens and lots of julienned carrots, with the aforementioned lemon-mint dressing. All the salads were very good, but overly dressed. For main courses, G had shrimp with tomato risotto; two people had pesto-glazed bronzino (a.k.a. Mediterranean sea bass) served over pureed potatoes, broccolini, and roasted sweet peppers; another had pasta bolognese; finally, I had a distinctly non-Italian, blackened grouper, with a half-dozen mussels, andouille sausage, tomatoes, and Swiss chard, in a spicy jalapeno pepper sauce. Wonderful! Everyone enjoyed their dinners. With our meals, G and I shared an excellent bottle of 2008 Damilano Barolo ‘Lecinquevigne’, which was excellent, and at $69, about 80% over retail. On the other hand, a French Bordeaux, with which I am familiar, was $329 per bottle, $90 more than the same wine from the same vintage at Mike A and more than double the retail price. Let the buyer beware! Our meal with wine was $150, after a $20 credit for an opentable.com ‘check’ and before tip. We had a 6 P.M. reservation, and the restaurant was much quieter than a year ago. And the service was excellent, as expected from a first-class restaurant. 3 stars!"

[12/11] "G and I dined at Tempo on Saturday night, 12/10/11, to celebrate her birthday. To start, we were served a complimentary amuse bouche (or whatever it's called in Italy) of feta with hot pepper flakes, salami, and assorted olives, along with an assortment of breads with an olive oil and sweet pepper dipping sauce; it was an excellent start to the meal. For appetizers, G ordered lobster bisque with shrimp, while I had a Caesar salad (with anchovies); both were delicious. For main courses, G had chicken Milanese, topped with an arugula salad. I had a rib veal chop stuffed with asiago cheese, accompanied by broccoli rabe and risotto. Both entrees were excellent. With the meal, I ordered a bottle of Pio Cesare Barolo, which was a perfect pairing with the entrees. Neither of us could finish our main courses, so we skipped dessert, but had coffee. It was a wonderful meal, with service to match. Our only complaint about Tempo is the noise level, which the brick walls magnify. We sat next to a group of six, which accentuated the noise level, even though they weren't at all loud or boisterous, and, after they left, it was somewhat less noisy. All things considered, it is one of the best restaurants in Buffalo; 3 stars."

[11/07] "On our first return visit since the summer of '06, we both started with a delicious shrimp bisque, followed by "insalata mista", which was a quite ordinary salad with a few spiced almonds. For the main course, I had steak alla Fiorentina, perfectly cooked but way, way too salty for my taste. In fairness, the menu says "sea salt grilled", but it was more like "sea salt encrusted". The accompanying fried gnocchi and garlicky broccolini were good. My wife's choice of shrimp risotto was excellent, she said. For dessert, we split a piece of chocolate-mousse cake with berries and whipped cream, which was delicious. The biggest disappointment of the evening was the noise level. On our only previous visit, music was playing in the background, and could be heard. This time, the din of loud conversations at other tables was the only background sound. Maybe it was because, on this visit, we were seated on the side of the room with a half-wall between the dining area and the bar area vs. a full ceiling-height wall last time. Or maybe the other diners were just louder. In any case, it was not as enjoyable as our earlier meal."

[6/06] "My wife and I celebrated our anniversary at Tempo (sister restaurant to Hutch's; our first time there) last night, 6/27 (our first time at this sister restaurant to Hutch's). Everything about the restaurant was excellent, from the classic jazz playing softly in the background to the service and, most importantly, the cuisine. To start, we had two evening specials: eggplant antipasto ($11)—fried eggplant layered with tapenade, sun-dried tomatoes, and goat cheese; and sauteed soft shell crab ($13) in a garlicky white wine sauce. Both were excellent. We then shared a delicious Caesar salad ($7.50). For the main course, we both chose another nightly special, veal steak ($28) topped with a rich mushroom sauce and crispy fried onions, served over truffle-infused risotto. The dessert menu sounded very good, but we had already eaten more than enough. There is an extensive selection of wines—by the glass for $7-$9, with bottles starting around $32 and quickly accelerating. The wine prices are about twice retail for the lower-priced bottles, but around 35% for the higher priced ones, which seems fair as restaurant wine mark-ups go. Yes, it's expensive, but we definitely will go back to Tempo soon."

[MTC, 2/12] said: "I made 6:30 reservations on Opentable.com for 2/8. Upon arrival, we were promptly seated. After reading reviews on ‘The Rap Report’, I was concerned about which section of the restaurant I would be dining in, but, upon being seated, I had no issues with the noise levels. I can confirm that, if you are seated in the ‘bar area’, your dining experience would be greatly compromised, seeing that you would be about two feet away from numerous, standing, bar patrons. Since it was my girlfriend's birthday, I decided to let her have full reign over the choice of appetizers for the evening. After much debate with herself, she opted for the fried calamari and the Maine lobster bisque. The fried calamari were paired with fresh arugula, sweet chili sauce, and crisp raw vegetables. I don't get too excited about fried calamari, but this batch was above average, highlighted by the balance of the self-described sweet chili sauce. The raw vegetables didn't add anything to the dish, and I think they would have been more interesting if they were pickled. The highlight of the bisque was when the server picked up on the fact that we were intending on splitting the appetizers. He informed us that he could have the kitchen split the plating of the soup; this was a nice touch, and there was not an associated fee. We both received rather large bowls of bisque; I almost imagine they didn't have smaller bowls, so they gave us two bowls of bisque and one serving of shrimp. The bisque was on a par with other lobster bisque that I have ordered at other ‘higher end’ restaurants in the area. For the main course, I had the asiago-stuffed rib veal chop that came with parmesan risotto and broccolini. The veal chop was phenomenal; it was large, tender, and extremely moist, while being nicely seasoned. The parmesan risotto and broccolini were very enjoyable. For $48, the veal chop had better be pretty damn good, and Tempo delivered. My girlfriend had prosciutto-wrapped filet mignon, ordered medium, with a warm gorgonzola crust, served with gnocchi and garlic-braised escarole. The filet mignon was cooked to a perfect medium and was packed with flavor. The crispy prosciutto contrasted nicely against the super-tender filet. The potato gnocchi were fried and were pretty tasty. My girlfriend wasn't too excited about the braised escarole; she focused on finishing the filet, but I found them to be extremely flavorful, with a nice hint of garlic. When we were first seated, the hostess asked us if we were celebrating a special occasion. At that time, I informed her that it was my girlfriend's birthday. After telling the server that we were going to pass on desert (my girlfriend really wanted to get dessert at Chocolate Bar), our server informed us that, since it was a birthday, they were going to provide a complimentary desert with a candle. We couldn't pass up the free desert, so she opted for the pistachio gelato with warm fudge, which was a nice way to end the meal. In the end, the dining experience at Tempo was great. The service and food were top notch, and I would definitely recommend a trip to Tempo."

[KBl, 5/11] said: "Another good one for Tempo. Ate there Sat., 4/30. Seated upstairs (didn't know they had tables up there); much quieter, because it's carpeted. Both had the risotto apps—one veg, one shrimp—very good. Both had the swordfish—best piece of cooked fish ever experienced in a Buffalo restaurant! Also, the bread is excellent, particularly the one with tomato topping. Only complaint was no fruit pie/tart or lemon dessert. Can't any good restaurant in Buffalo go crazy and skip the creme brulee for one month & try some different desserts?!"

[AMB, 5/11] said: "We dined over the weekend [ca. 4/30/11] at Tempo and had a great meal. (We also ate there in the fall, just two of us, and it was just as good.) There were six of us, and we started the meal with an order of calamari for the table: very tender, crispy, and with just the right amount of an accompanying tangy sauce. The restaurant also provided a complimentary, small antipasto along with the bread. Appetizers included two different risottos (Tempo has a number of them on the menu, and they are delicious), including one with shrimp and one with roasted cauliflower; also carpaccio, ahi tuna, and gnocchi (with red sauce and fresh mozzarella—it, as well as other pastas, are available as both appetizers and entrees). I think the gnocchi at Tempo is the best I have eaten anywhere—they also serve it as an accompaniment to some of their entrees. For entrees, two people ordered the steak florentine (large portions, but good); three ordered a fish special (it was a speciality fish I cannot remember but was similar to sea bass—everyone loved it); and I had beef short-ribs (extremely tender). A few of the group had tried to order veal (chops or scallopini), but they had already sold out for the evening. On our last visit, we had oysters (our first ever!), tried some of the lobster risotto as an appetizer (really delicious), and had the osso bucco (wonderful). I've visited this restaurant a number of times, but I think it has reached a new level—certainly worthy of a special evening out, comparable to Oliver's or Rue Franklin (perhaps not quite as quiet, especially as Rue Franklin, but sometimes that is what you want!)."

[JCr, 1/11] said: "On 1/8/2011, my wife and I dined at Tempo for our first time. We arrived promptly for our 8 P.M. reservation and were offered to grab a drink from the bar while our table was being prepared, which was ready after about 5 minutes, and we were seated. Shortly after being seated, we were offered water, received our menus, and placed drink orders. Once we received our drinks, we placed our orders and were offered some fresh bread, and also received a nice sampling of green olives, fresh mozzarella, and salami. Our salads arrived fairly quickly, mine being off the ‘specials’ menu, Insalata Salame, which consisted of Baby Artichoke / Pecorino Toscano / Arugula/Napa Cabbage / Lemon Basil Vinaigrette; my wife chose the Insalata Mista, which consisted of Mixed Greens Salad / Spiced Almonds / Sweet Onion / Balsamic Vinaigrette. Both salads were well received and would be ordered again. About 45 minutes later, our entrées arrived. My wife chose the Maine LOBSTER Risotto with Fresh Corn / Apple Wood Bacon/Marscarpone Cheese / Fresh Scallion, which was priced about $42. She enjoyed this entrée, and the bite I had was very good; if anything, the risotto could have been much more creamy, though. For my entrée, I chose the PROSCUITTO WRAPPED FILET MIGNON/Warm Gorgonzola Crusted / Gnocchi / Garlic Braised Escarole, priced at about $38. I ordered my filet medium rare; however, it came out medium, and I almost sent it back, though it was still OK, but would have been much better had it been properly cooked. The rest of the dish was good, especially the gnocchi. Overall, I would say that it was a good meal, but I most likely will not be returning for some time. The atmosphere in this beautiful restaurant is very nice, the service was attentive, if not a tad slow, but, for the price point the menu items are at, the food certainly did not deliver."

[KMe, 10/09] said: "We made reservations at Tempo for my birthday dinner on Saturday, 10/24, and I was a little nervous after reading some of the previous reviews. We made reservations on opentable.com for 7:45 P.M. and arrived at 7:15 P.M. so we could enjoy a drink at the bar. The place was packed; however, she said they could seat us in the bar area now. We told her we would prefer to wait for a table to open in the back. We both ordered drinks, and we were seated by 7:30 P.M. As the hostess was seating us, she asked if we were celebrating anything, and I told her yes, my birthday. Shortly after, our waiter came with menus and told us about the specials. My husband had the malpeque oysters—6 very large oysters for $14, and I had the eggplant antipasto for $11. Both were very good—the eggplant was very crispy and not greasy and was a very large portion. My husband's entree was the proscuitto-wrapped filet for $38—it was cooked to perfection (medium), and the side was gnocchi, which tasted homemade and very delicious. I ordered one of the specials—it was a seafood risotto for $36—it was calamari, scallops, and shrimp in a creamy risotto with peas and cherry tomatoes—very good! We were too full for desserts; however, they did bring me a birthday mini rum cake with ice cream and a candle in it, and it was the perfect ending. I also have to mention that the manager did stop over after our dinners and asked how everything was—a very nice touch. We will definitely return."

[DaK, 9/09] said: "Decided to dine at Tempo for Restaurant Week and, due to the horrible weather, managed a reservation for 7:00pm on the last day the menu was being offered. Shortly after being seated, we were offered drinks and were served choice of tomato focaccia or standard Italian bread. The bread was good, and served with a miniature antipasto platter consisting of some spicy sausage (pepperoni), eggplant caponata, and aged feta cheese, all wonderful. To begin, my husband decided on the red endive Caesar salad, and I had the caprese salad, both excellent versions of the classic dishes. Since it was Restaurant Week, there was no way we could pass up the $20.09 entrée special being offered. My husband had the 16-oz. sirloin steak, cooked perfectly medium and served with broccolini and gnocchi, according to the menu. The gnocchi were more along the lines of upscale tater tots, amazing texture and flavor. I went with the salmon accompanied by a salad of fennel, arugula, tomatoes, and some feta cheese. The balsamic vinaigrette was the perfect ingredient to tie the entire dish together. Everything from both meals was perfectly seasoned and prepared beautifully, even with a packed house. We were too full to consider dessert, but the options look excellent; we will be returning."

[JWe, 5/09] said: "I'd been looking forward to going to Tempo since I moved to Allentown, so, when a cause for celebration arose, I knew exactly where I wanted to go. We were both very happy with our entrees (my boyfriend had the bolognese; I had the grilled lobster tail). The service for the first part of our meal was excellent as well. Our waiter was quite knowledgeable and made some excellent recommendations. Unfortunately, shortly after he gave us dessert menus, he forgot about us. Clearly, the patrons at the table next to us were much more interesting or important to him, as they seemed to garner all of his attention, and we sat with our dessert menus for about 20 minutes (despite the fact that he walked by our table many times). We were originally going to order desserts and more wine, but we were so disappointed, we changed our minds. My boyfriend and I are very loyal to restaurants when we've had a good experience, but I'm not sure we'll go back to Tempo anytime soon. Hopefully, our experience is the exception and not the norm."

[JAu, 12/05] said: "An exceptional dining experience. Although it is costly, there is a value in even their most expensive dishes. The service was courteous, kind, and patient with our indecision. The ribeye was the best cut of meat I have had on this side of the Hudson. The appetizers that we shared were absolutely outstanding. The wine was too good. Not a bad thing to say about the place. It ranks in the top five in Buffalo right now. When a dining experience is this enjoyable, it is difficult to put into words. I want to thank the people at Tempo for a great night."

[MRT, 10/05] said: "We made dinner reservations at Tempo on October 29, 2005. We chose Tempo because of all the glowing reviews on this site. What follows is not a glowing review of Tempo. Our reservations were for 8:00 P.M. We were not seated until 9:05 P.M. We were not pleased. To appease us, we were given a small appetizer of olives, fried calamari, and marinated mozzerella. Our mood lightened. I ordered the gnocchi for an appetizer. It was satisfying, but nothing special. Our friend ordered salmon carpaccio—he greatly enjoyed it. I do forget what my husband ordered. Both men ordered the filet mignon. I ordered their asiago-stuffed veal chop. We all three agree Tempo does not hold a candle to Hutch's. For dessert, my husband ordered a chocolate cake and coffee; our friend, crême brul&eacue; and myself, a pear torte and espresso. The pear torte was nothing special. With a bottle of wine, the total cost of the meal was $240. The men say Hutch's has the best sauce for filet mignon these days. They said Just Pasta used to have an even better sauce on their filet mignon. I do not wish to return to Tempo." [MRT, 11/05] updates: "Tempo mailed us a $50 gift certificate, because on October 29, 2005, we had to wait over an hour after our reservation to be seated. We decided to give Tempo another try Saturday, November 12, 2005. We arrived 20 minutes before our reservation for 5:30 PM. We were promptly seated. This pleased us. Three of us ordered appetizers. My mother-in-law ordered her entree to arrive with our appetizers, because she eats very slowly. Before our appetizers arrived, we were given warm bread with soft butter and olive oil, and a small appetizer of marinated olives, marinated feta cheese, and fried parmesan with pepperoni. I enjoyed dipping my bread in the oil remaining on my bread dish from the olives and cheese. My mother-in-law greatly enjoyed her shrimp risotto. She ate her entire meal, a rarity for her, which means she really enjoyed it. For appetizers, my friend and I each ordered the beef carpaccio. The beef was wrapped around arugala and drizzled with balsamic vinaigrette. My husband ordered an appetizer from a list of specials—fried eggplant with goat cheese and greens. All of us greatly enjoyed our appetizers. Our friend ordered veal scallopini with a potato gnocchi side. My husband ordered a special bone-in Angus ribeye with shitake mushrooms and potato hash. For a man who doesn't eat mushrooms, he finished his entire dish. He said he really enjoyed the mushrooms, and that they took on the flavor of the beef. We explained to him that mushrooms do tend to take on the flavor of the dish.:-) On a friend's recommendation, I ordered the lobster risotto. I also enjoyed my entree. For dessert, our waitress recommended the pumpkin pie. It was an excellent pumpkin pie with a crumbled nut topping and whipped cream. Our friend ordered the cheesecake with something special in it, but he doesn't remember what it was. It was accompanied with a vanilla dipping sauce. My husband ordered a chocolate bombe with caramel sauce. We all enjoyed our desserts. The service was excellent. Our water and wine glasses were never less than half full. With a bottle of wine, espresso, and coffee, the total cost of our meal was $250. The restaurant only charged us $150. It was an enjoyable meal. I still prefer Hutch's to Tempo in overall enjoyment. While the Tempo pumpkin pie is excellent, the Buffalo Chop House still has the best dessert in the city with their apple pie."

[KATS, 7/05] said: "Undeniably one of my favorite restaurants in the city, I had another fabulous meal at Tempo last night. Other than the confused and confusing hostess (who didn't seem sure they could fit us in without a reservation until she actually sat us down), our meal was flawless. Although they have shortened their regular menu, the specials menu is very long and still contains many old favorites. We opted for the beef carpaccio appetizer from the main menu, and the snails special. Both were mouthwatering delicious. The snails were very tender and served over polenta and shiitake mushrooms. The carpaccio came out rolled around arugula, sort of like a sushi roll. Although I preferred the snails, both appetizers were a clear winner. And then we got to eat main courses. My husband declared his lamb chops the best piece of meat that he has had in his life! Between courses, I lamented having ordered the Diver Scallops with Risotta and shaved black truffles. You see, the One Pound Steak Florentine has got to be my favorite dish in the world, but I wanted something a bit lighter last night. Well, the scallops did not disappoint. They were large and juicy and perfectly seared. The ends had caramelized in whatever delicious sauce they used, but the inside was just cooked through to perfection. The truffles and the risotto were both tasty and fabulous. They have a nice but safe wine list by the glass. Most would consider this a "special occasion" restaurant, but I need to eat there at least once a month. The food is just that good."

Reviews from more than 10 years ago:

[EC, 4/05] said: "Loved this when it was Yianni's and then Biac's; I've always thought it one of the prettiest restaurants around (inside and out). In its new incarnation as Tempo, the quality of the food is excellent. We had diver's scallops and T-bone steak; both were thick, juicy, and flavorful. The wine list is fine; we had an excellent Zinfandel. Service a bit slow."

[HDe, 3/05] said: "I went to "Tempo" last night. It was my first time there and was impressed with the overall layout of the place and ambiance. Very professional staff, which I enjoyed. I started with their fried calamari. They were light and good; however, I simply prefer them with a spicy marinara rather than the sauce they provide. They were overpriced at $10. Next, I had the insalate caprese and again will say it was a tad overpriced at $10. Good tasting mozzarella with juicy tomatoes, a drizzle of balsamic & some arugula thrown in. The "main" menu was basic, but the list of daily specials was impressive and varied. I opted for a double-cut lamb chop with what appeared to be a nice sauce of grape tomatoes and kalamata olives, and a side of baby red potatoes. My friend had a beautiful veal chop with asiago and sun-dried tomato inside over a bed of risotto. My wine choice of Peter Lehmann Shiraz matched very well. The food was of very high quality. Honestly, my only gripe is that I feel they are a bit overpriced based on reputation. I have had similar quality food for a bit less. The veal chop was $35, where maybe I would have put it at $28-$30, the salad maybe $7-$8. While it may compare to a NYCity-style restaurant, this is not NY City, nor are our salaries NY City! But there is no doubt this restaurant compares to Oliver's or Hutch's. I simply feel I can get a similar quality meal, say, at a place like Mother's, which keeps things more reasonable, for a lesser price."

[NL, 2/05] said: "Went to Tempo on Saturday nite. To start, they didn't have my reservation, so I had to wait a bit...not a big deal. They did a nice job sprucing the place up since it was "Biacs". It was always a great space (I had my wedding reception there), so major improvements were not really needed. They moved the bar to one side of the front room & made it smaller to free up more space for tables. We were seated in the rear room & unfortunately were seated next to a couple of larger parties. The noise level would have been acceptable if it were not for a select few who felt it was necessary to scream at each other. The good news was, it quieted down a notch once they started eating. Now...ahem...to the meal. I started with oysters, & my sweetheart had the fried eggplant Napoleon-style layered with goat cheese & sun-dried tomatoes. The oysters were very fresh, & the eggplant dish was great. We shared a field-green salad, which was mediocre. It must have been dressed awhile...know what I mean? After what seemed like a 1/2 hour to 45 minutes between courses, we finally received our main courses. I had a stuffed veal chop with sauteed rapini. Very tasty, but on the pricy side ($35). My wife had gnocchi with an osso-buco-style ragout, which was outstanding. Overall, a very pleasant evening. On the negative side, a large bottle of Panna water was $7. Way overpriced; maybe at Le Bernardin, when you're in a million-dollar space in the middle of Manhattan, but not here. Come on guys: You make your mark-up on the drinks; do you really need to gouge people for water?"

[TB, 11/04] said: "I was on your website looking for a restaurant specific for lunch, noticed the "send a review" banner on your site, and thought I would mention a positive experience I had recently at Tempo on Delaware Ave. I believe it is owned/managed by the same team as Hutch's. I understand they have just opened, and are located in the building most popularly remembered as Biac's. It would appear that quite a bit of remodeling has taken place, especially in the bar area, overall a very pleasant visual experience. Everything was excellent, from an obviously well-trained, creative staff to superb food preparation and presentation. There is not one negative that I, nor my companions, could find. I highly suggest this newest addition to the restaurant scene in the big Buff! I have been back twice since my initial visit and continue to be impressed."

Terrapin Grille Fallsview Restaurant.
6740 Fallsview Blvd.
(in the Marriott Niagara Falls Hotel Fallsview & Spa,
between Dunn St. & Livingstone St.),
City of Niagara Falls (Niagara Region), ON, CANADA.
1-905-357-7300 x 4235.

[WHN, 12/18/13] says: "Last Sunday, we had an excellent buffet breakfast here: omelettes made to order, breakfast meats, fresh fruit, baked goods, and too many other food items to mention. Including coffee and juice, but before the nearly 17% provincial and city taxes or gratuity, the price was C$19.95 per person. For what was on the buffet, the price was right, but the taxes are outrageous."

Terroir La Cachette.
1339 Lake Shore Rd.
(at Four Mile Creek Rd., in the Strewn Winery, north of Virgil),
Old Town Niagara-on-the-Lake (Niagara Region), ON, CANADA.
1-905-468-1222.

[WHN, 11/05] says: "This is another of the numerous restaurants that are run by wineries in and around Niagara-on-the-Lake. They specialize in Provençal cuisine. At a recent luncheon, my wife had one of their daily specials, Cassoulet, the traditional French Provençal "baked bean" casserole, made with a variety of meats. I was going to order it also, but they only had one left. Just as well. As it turned out, it must have been frozen, then "nuked" in a microwave, because it was not fully defrosted. My Coq au Vin was quite good, however. Despite my wife's warning, her sister took a visitor, who spends every summer in Provence, to lunch there. They both thought it was mediocre. Certainly, not one of the better of NOTL's many restaurants."

Texas de Brazil Churrascaria Brazilian Steakhouse.
Walden Galleria,
Town of Cheektowaga.
683-0013.

Part of the chain.

[8/7/14] Given 8 (out of 10) points by Andrew Z. Galarneau, Buffalo News food editor.

[Bill, 7/19/14] says: SLD, JPa, MER, our son, and I had dinner here on a Friday evening. It was the first time at this genre of restaurant for my son and me, and the first time at Texas de Brazil for us as well as for MER. First, let me say something about this kind of restaurant, because it's unlike any other that I, at least, have been to. You are first directed to a buffet salad bar, containing a wide variety (of very good) salad fixings, veggies, cheeses, shrimp, smoked salmon, lobster bisque, bread, etc. When you return to your table, servers come tableside to offer you slices off skewers of meat. They'll keep coming till you signal them to stop, with a flip of a token from green (meaning "more food, please") to red (meaning "stop; I've had enough for now"). You get to sample everything on offer. The full dinner (minus drinks and dessert) is $44.99 per person before tax. I learned from their website, but not from our waiter, that you can have just the salad bar for $24.99 per person (which I will do next time, if I have to find myself back here, but more on that in a moment). Almost everyone in our party loved the food and the experience, so please read the rest of this review with that in mind. I hated it. But, I emphasize, that's my purely personal take on it, not an objective review. (Is there such a thing as an "objective review"? Probably not.) The only items served by the strolling carvers (there is no menu) are various kinds of beef, pork, and chicken. I try to avoid red meat, I hate pork, and I didn't care for the only two chicken preparations: one with bacon (I don't like pork, remember?) and one fried with parmesan (I don't like fried food, and I don't like cheese on chicken; remember—this is a purely personal review). If you like beef or pork or those kinds of chicken dishes, you will probably love this place. I did have one each of the chicken servings; one was too smoky, the other too fried and cheesy for my tastes. And I did taste two of the beef offerings; I thought both were overly salty. I'm glad I filled up on the salad bar offerings, though the lobster bisque was overly salty, too. Two side dishes are included: very good mashed potatoes, and a fried, cinnamon-flavored banana (bananas give me a migraine; I don't like cinnamon; and (did I mention?) I don't like fried foods; so, I can't vouch for the banana dish). Almost everyone loved their desserts, too. Except for me (could you have predicted that?): I had what was described as papaya with ice cream; what arrived was an overly thick, lukewarm, papaya milkshake. With drinks, dessert, and tax, before tip, our meals averaged just over $73 per person. Service (by our waiter, one of the bartenders (who knew us from YOLO), the strolling carvers, and the very attendant managers) was very good and very friendly. To my mind, though, it wasn't worth it. But everyone else in our party disagreed with me. I must add, however, that the stroll back to our car through the street where several of the Galleria's restaurants are located was delightful, what with the beautiful summer evening, the outdoor dining areas, and the generally festive atomosphere. (If you pretended to ignore the cars on the Thruway nearby, you could imagine that you were in a resort area.) (Did I mention that the water tasted like chlorine?)

Texas Roadhouse.
900 Young St.
(near the Gander Mountain store and the intersection of W. Colvin Blvd. & Twin Cities Memorial Hwy., on the northern border of the Town of Tonawanda),
City of Tonawanda.
692-0457.

Part of the chain.

[MFr, 1/12] says: "We had lunch here on Saturday [1/28/12], and it was quite good. The restaurant was crowded, and service was pleasant and efficient. I had the shrimp-skewer appetizer and a baked potato as my lunch. DH had a burger cooked medium rare as ordered. All in all, very pleasant experience."

[LMR, 4/11] said: "Went with boyfriend and two friends on 3/27/2011; we love this place! So fun; can be quite loud at times. We sat at the bar. Fun to see the servers when they do their dance routine. We had great drinks, great service—their bartenders rock! So friendly, and don't let your glass sit empty for long. Many meals were had, and all without complaints. I had the combo of BBQ chicken and pulled pork, with my choice of side being sweet potato. OMG, so good. So much food, I had leftovers, but when they serve you those sweet rolls with the cinnamon butter before your meal, you can't just eat one! Wow; they are to die for. Nice to walk in and see the fresh meat at the counter; you can even pick the steak you want them to cook for you. Happy Hour during the week starts at 4 P.M., when they open! $2 drafts, well and margaritas—on the rocks or frozen. Mmmmm. Their shrimp-skewer appetizer is great, delicious fried pickle slices, and their house salad is surprisingly amazing. For a simple salad, it's really tasty! Not badly priced either; reasonable for the quality of food you get. Oh, and it was my boyfriend's first time; he loved his steak. Definitely a favorite of ours!! Place gets mega busy every day of the week; line can be out the door at times. So, if you can, do call ahead seating; recommend it!!"

[PH, 3/11] said that her daughter and she "decided to try this place, and it was a disaster. 2 P.M. on a Sunday, and the place was packed, which should be a good sign. Nope. We were seated and then waited…for over twenty minutes. I flagged down a server, and we were finally attended to, giving our orders and asking for ice water, which came promptly. Dirty glasses, inside and out. My daughter's had visibly floating specks of something in hers. I drank half of mine and hope I don't come down with diphtheria or worse. One of my sides was a house salad with Italian dressing on the side. The much-touted ‘homemade dressing’ was nothing more than a plastic cup of canola oil. No spices, nothing!! A manager had come over and given us a coupon for a free appetizer for our long wait. I asked for her again, to complain about the filthy water glasses and ghastly salad. She was apologetic, but we wanted to end this debacle and left. It's as if someone gave a bunch of teenagers a phony, honkey-tonk-themed building and said, ‘Put on a restaurant!’ Mickey and Judy and gang could've done a better job. Ick."

[MKr, 5/06] said: "I was very skeptical about trying this restaurant—all of the other steak chains are very pricy and not so great. I was shocked at how good the food was here. I followed the previous reviewer's advice to call ahead, which is an absolute must for any day of the week (I drive by there everyday, and it's packed—even at 10 P.M. on a weeknight). I had the 8-oz sirloin, which came with two sides plus really great rolls for $10. In my opinion, the food quality was better then Outback or Roadhouse. It's loud, country, and crunchy (peanut shells), so not a place for a romantic night out—but great for anything else. I have to stress again—make sure you call ahead!"

[TFR, 4/06] said: "Texas Roadhouse is a very busy restaurant, but if you call ahead, you'll get put on a waiting list, and the wait is more manageable. The wait is even more pleasant at the bar, drinking a Margarita or enjoying a beer in a glass shaped like a cowboy boot. You have to be prepared for the atmosphere—the waitstaff line-dances when certain songs come on the speakers, and they make birthday victims sit on a saddle as the entire section says, "Yee haw!" Fun, but not a place for a romantic date! When they call you for your table, you are taken to a butcher freezer, where you can pick out the steak you want prepared for your dinner. There are peanuts everywhere—on the bar, on the tables, in large buckets throughout the restaurant. The waitress or waiter will soon bring you a basket of warm, fresh rolls, brushed with butter, and whipped cinnamon butter that is out of this world. If you're with a few people, order the cactus blossom (a fried onion appetizer). It's much larger than what I've ordered at other restaurants, and you definitely need to share. The entrees come with a choice of two sides, and there are about ten choices to choose from, including salads, chili, potatoes, rice, and vegetables. As for an entree, I recommend the filet medallions with peppercorn sauce. So tender, so spicy, so delicious. The salads are decent (be forewarned—there's egg in the chef salad, which I didn't like), and the sides are all good. My husband wanted his baked potato with sour cream and cheese, and they served it plain, so they brought a second potato prepared the right way to make amends. We were too full to eat most of our dinners, so we were unable to try any dessert. No matter—those sweet dinner rolls hit the spot! The prices are very reasonable—about $8-$15 for an entree. Their goal is to really feed you—you'll probably need a doggy bag! I would definitely recommend this place for anyone who enjoys good portions and a fun, laid back atmosphere."

Thai House.
5246 Transit Rd.
(south of Cayuga Blvd. & Broadway,
north of Zurbrick Rd. & Como Park Blvd.),
Village of Depew (Town of Cheektowaga).
601-7865.

[4/15] Given an average of approximately 4.13 (out of 5) points by Rachel Fix Dominguez in Buffalo Spree.

[4/3/14] Given 8 (out of 10) points by Andrew Z. Galarneau, Buffalo News food editor.

Thai, Burmese, sushi.

Reviews under its previous management as a purely Thai restaurant:

[LMR, 10/17/12] says: "As stated in the last review, this place will not be found if you are looking for it. It is tucked away, surrounded by a car lots. Bad location for a new restaurant, if you ask me; however, it is worth finding. The Pud Thai wide noodles with chicken is very good; their sauce is just right. My friend had the Pud Thai with chicken (different sauce and different veggies). Service is good, almost too good: Waitress was actually starting to get annoying, coming over too much. Whenever I have gone there, the restaurant is never full; only 1 other table was taken. The décor is kind of tacky, but the food and wine selection is very good. Prices are reasonable, as well: My Pud Thai was $10, and my friend's was only $9."

[MDo, 7/10] said: "I have not eaten in the restaurant itself, but I've ordered and picked up take-out from the Thai House on Transit Rd. The restaurant itself is hidden. Don't look for the building; you really can't see it from the road. Just look for the sign by the entrance to the parking lot. The restaurant is small, but nice inside. The food from the take-out menu is excellent. The Pud Thai [sic; so spelled on their menu] is very good, and the Red Curry is one of the best I've ever tasted."

Thai Orchid Cafe.
416 Evans St.
(in Evanstown Plaza, just north of the Village of Williamsville, south of Sheridan Dr.),
"Greater" Williamsville (Town of Amherst).
565-2094.

Thai and Vietnamese.

[3/10] Listed as one of 41 "Restaurants We Love" by Buffalo Spree magazine.

[1/09] Given 3½ (out of 4) stars by Janice Okun, former Buffalo News restaurant reviewer.

[HPK, 7/22/13] says: "I had a very strange experience today. As always, the food is great. A couple of odd items though: (1) A sign on the door about BYOB; you used to be able to bring in your own wine, beer, etc.; nope, not any more, and there is no liquor license. (This was lunch, so I was not drinking yet.) (2) $1.50 extra for brown rice; that gets odder, as it really does not cost any more. (3) I asked for a refill of my soda: $1.50 per refill? Wow! This is not customer service, and I feel that they may be in trouble. Any restaurant that starts to do these things will soon be out of business."

[Bill, 1/12] said: Five of us had dinner here [10/11] with a visiting speaker. I had one of their Restaurant Week specials: grilled slamon over steamed, mixed vegetables with green and red bell peppers, onion, and mango strips, in a lemon grass sauce. For dessert: piping hot, Thai Orchid pumpkin custard. An exquisite meal. My first time here, but I hope to return.

[CEH, 1/10] said: "I have been using your site for years; it is such a great resource! [Thanks for the kind words!] I wanted to send a review regarding both the quality of the food and service at Thai Orchid Cafe. I adore Thai and Vietnamese food and consequently have frequented almost of the restaurants serving these cuisines locally, as well as when I am out of town. The food, service, and presentation have always been impeccable at this restaurant. I have probably eaten there 10 times in the past year with many different people, and no one has ever been disappointed. I have sampled many of the curries, pad thai, vermicelli (bun), fish cakes, all of the soups, and several desserts and have not been disappointed in anything. The owner has always been in the restaurant when I have visited and has been incredibly accommodating and welcoming. As far as I know, this restaurant does not yet have a liquor license; however, it graciously allows patrons to bring their own wine without charging a corking fee. I picked up take-out tonight; it was ready within 15 minutes of my call, and everything was perfectly prepared and packaged, just like you would receive when dining in. I highly recommend this restaurant for both Thai and Vietnamese."

[PDy, 3/09] said: "This new Thai restaurant was given high praise by Janet Ockum [sic], recently returned from Asia, where she underwent some challenging cooking lessons in the kitchens there, under the scrutiny of demanding chefs. Janet should know of what she speaks: Folding stuffed wonton without the filling slipping out is indeed a difficult task. I know—I've tried it. We loved the seafood dishes so generously packed with shrimp and scallops. The tureen of hot fish broth was also teeming with marine delicacies. So often, restaurants skimp on shellfish, but not the Thai Orchid. Incidently, those pink orchids that fill the windows and dining room divider are the real thing, not the usual silk artificial flowers found in so many other Asian/Southeast Asian restaurants. The Thai waiters are, as one might expect, knowledgeable about the dishes and (surprise!) can communicate quite well in English. The high-school waitress is cute and bubbly, but she occasionally seems confused about menu orders and has not yet developed a professional way of clarifying with the customer. Besides, one would not expect a U.S. teenager to bow politely as do the native Thai personnel. At least she does not say "Hi, my name is Annie, and I'll be your server tonight!" A polite ‘oriental’ bow is so much more endearing!"

[WHN, 3/09] said: "On Saturday night, we went to Thai Orchid for our son's birthday. We made a reservation, since we thought there might be a huge crowd, but, while the restaurant was near capacity, there were no lines of waiting customers. The restaurant made a great impression before we even sat down, because my wife is an orchid aficionado and loved the display of orchids in the front window and on the room divider between sections of the dining room. Although we had not been there before, we were somehow greeted by name by the owner, and immediately seated (maybe most people didn't make reservations?) There were fresh flowers, but not orchids according to my wife, on all the tables as well. The restaurant has been completely refurbished since its days as Viet-Thai Cuisine not long ago, with freshly painted walls, different artwork, and new furniture. To start, we ordered Thai Orchid Special Spring Rolls and the critically acclaimed, by Janice Okun and the reviewer below [BK, 3/09], Thai Orchid Cups. The fresh spring rolls were excellent, filled with shrimp, crab meat, tofu, lettuce, bean sprouts, and what was described as Asian pork sausage, which tasted like Canadian bacon, all covered with a tangy sauce. We gave the Thai Orchid Cups mixed reviews: The curried-pork-and-potato ones and the chicken ones were very good, but the corn-and-peas variety had no taste whatsoever, other than steamed peas and corn. The side of sauce added some flavor, but they were a disappointment. For the main course, we ordered Panang curry chicken (mild), red curry pork (hot), and Ma Kham duck breast (hot) in a tamarind sauce with sweet peppers, pineapple, onions, and tomatoes. All the entrees were delicious, but the "mild" Panang curry chicken was hotter than the ones ordered hot. Also, our son said he was certain some of the pork was tongue, based on the texture. He didn't view this as a negative, since he has eaten tongue in NYC delis and likes it, but my wife wouldn't eat any more after she heard that. I thought it was good, albeit a bit chewy. The service was excellent, with water glasses replenished frequently and additional rice brought by a server who saw we were running low and asked if we wanted more. I wouldn't say it's that much better than King and I or Jasmine, but it is much closer to home and offers very good food and service. We would definitely return."

[BK, 3/09] said: "After hearing rave reviews about Thai Orchid Café from several co-workers and friends, I finally had the opportunity to try this restaurant with a friend this past Friday evening. I was told that the food was equivalent, if not better, than my most beloved local Thai restaurant, Saigon Bangkok. Although I'm not inclined to bestow the Orchid Café with the title of "Best Thai Cuisine in Buffalo", the restaurant certainly lived up to expectations! Upon arrival, we were promptly greeted and seated by the host, whom I recognized from the Saigon Café (perhaps these restaurants are operated by the same owner?). Within minutes, we were greeted by our waitress, who was eager to take both our drink and appetizer orders. We both opted for water to drink, but they do offer Thai tea, coffee, soda, and an assortment of fresh fruit drinks. The restaurant doesn't have a liquor license yet, so patrons also have the option of bringing their own; I'm not sure if they charge an uncorking fee. For an appetizer, I ordered the Thai Orchid Cups, which was one of many menu items designated as a "Thai Orchid Specialty Dish". The appetizer consisted of an assortment of pastry cups filled with (1) minced chicken and potatoes seasoned with curry powder, (2) pork, pineapple, and ground peanuts, and (3) seasoned corn and green peas in a pistachio sauce. The appetizer was thoroughly delicious and unlike anything I've tried in other local Thai restaurants. My friend tried the Tom Kha soup, which he found equally as delightful. His only complaint was that the portion was large enough for an entire meal! For an entrée, I tried the Thai Orchid Fried Rice with chicken, which was touted as another "Thai Orchid Specialty Dish". It was comprised of jasmine rice with pineapple, onions, cashews, snow peas, and assorted vegetables. The dish was flavorful and well executed; however, it was not unlike similar offerings I've enjoyed elsewhere. The addition of pineapple and cashews was certainly novel, but these ingredients were so sparse that you could barely tell that they were included. My friend ordered the Pad Thai, which he found to be quite tasty and similar to Saigon Café's. We didn't have room for dessert, but we did leave with enough leftovers for an additional meal. In the end, our visit to the Orchid Café proved to be a truly delightful experience. My only advice to prospective diners would be to make a reservation or arrive early; the restaurant was at capacity by 6pm with a line out the door by 6:30. Takeout is also available."

Theodore's Red Hots.
7500 Transit Rd.
(north of Tennyson Rd., across the street from Eastern Hills Mall, between Sheridan Dr. & Main St.),
"Greater" Williamsville (Town of Amherst).
276-8904.

[BMcWS, 10/27/12] says: "Theodore's Red Hots is owned by the family that began Ted's Hot Dogs. Theodore's owners were executives in the Ted's company and were fired by the corporation. They took their knowledge and family history and opened their own version. [For the sad history, see Schobert, Christopher (2011), "Ted's and Theodore's: Family Shake-Up in Hot Dog Heaven", Buffalo Spree (July-August).] There is also a location on Grand Island. We went to the Transit Road location soon after it opened, but before the big, $1 hot dog grand opening. It was pretty quiet on a Saturday night. It's pretty much identical to Ted's, except cleaner (which is a real plus; if you've sat at a sticky table at Ted's, you will know what I mean). The same routine applies. You give your meat order to the person manning the grill (where your dog or burger is cooked before your eyes), order your fries and rings once you're past the grill, and choose your toppings to order. They sell their own bottled hot sauce, just as they do at Ted's. We had hot dogs and Italian sausage; it was virtually identical to Ted's. We got an order of ‘frings’: half onion rings and half fries; they were the same as what you get at Ted's. They offer Johnnie Ryan soda in addition to fountain soda. They have a chicken sandwich and a fish filet sandwich, as well as a couple sizes of burgers. They also have some combo deals: 3 footlongs, 4 hot dogs, etc., for a discounted price. There are no vegetarian options. There are no gluten-free buns or rolls available. Fries and rings are cooked in the same oil, so cross-contamination happens if you have gluten concerns. Ted's has milkshakes, but none are available here. We asked for tap water and were pleased to be given large glasses with ice. We grew up on Ted's, but feel some loyalty to the family that built the Ted's empire, so we will probably frequent them both in the future. This is a teeny step up from fast food, but, for Buffalonians, it's part of our heritage!"

Thirsty Buffalo.
555 Elmwood Ave.
(at Anderson Pl., between W. Utica & W. Ferry Sts.),
Elmwood Village yellow section (City of Buffalo).
(This is not "downtown", as their website boasts!)
878-0344.

[DGe, 12/11] says: "We sat at the bar and watched the Sabres on a bunch of huge TVs. There is a 30-tap, draught-beer selection. The bar keep was personable: knew a bit about the beer, not much about the food. The chicken wings were cooked crispy and spiced as we asked for them. The bleu cheese was horrid: a bland mayonnaise concoction with not much bleu cheese mixed in; not up to par for Buffalo. The club sandwich was very good and huge: My bride only ate half, and I was able to have the rest for breakfast; it was stacked high with meat, a fresh tomato, and had a tangy sauce—the highlight of the evening. We tried two burgers: Both were standard pub fare, not memorable for any reason, just a burger. The Sabres lost."

[AMB, 1/09] said: "Saturday night, we tried the Thirsty Buffalo, which took over the old Jimmy Mac's location. It was a snowy, windy evening, so we were able to get a table promptly—but the glassed-in side room where we ate was pretty chilly (as it always has been in the winter). The menu had a nice selection of appetizers, salads, burgers, wraps, and sandwiches—only a few entrees. At our table, three had burgers—all quite good, more than I could finish—and one had a turkey sandwich with chipotle mayonnaise (also enjoyed). There are a variety of burger toppings to choose from, including one with onion rings. The side salads we ordered separately were large, and had cheese, croutons, & tomatoes in addition to the salad mix. Burgers came with homemade chips (good!); salads, fries, or onion rings were also available (latter were tasty). Prices were reasonable (less than $10 for a burger); I had a decent-enough wine by the glass; service was OK. There is a small children's-menu available (along with crayons, and kid drinks in a cup with a lid!). By the time we left, there were a good number of people in the bar; also, they have a separate room that can hold a private party (facing Elmwood)."

Thunder Falls Buffet.
310 4th St.
(in the Seneca Niagara Casino & Hotel, between Niagara St. & Rainbow Blvd.),
City of Niagara Falls (Niagara County), NY.
299-1100 or 1-877-8-SENECA (873-6322).

[ABi, 11/06] says: "The best thing about buffets is the realization that the cultures of Earth have countless delicious ways to prepare chicken. The Italians slather it in tomato sauce and mozzarella, the Chinese cut and spice it up for you, our friends down South barrage arteries via frying, and everyone knows what we do here with the otherwise-wasted wings. One can try all of these and approximately one million other entrees and sides at the Thunder Falls Buffet, conveniently located just a few feet away from the blackjack tables and nickel slots at the Seneca Niagara Casino. Both the quantity and diversity of the offerings are almost overwhelming, and my three-and-a-half plates' worth only got me partway through the stations. Most of what I got to was of good quality: I especially enjoyed the Southern offerings, including the aforementioned fried dish along with the lusciously syrupy, candied sweet potatoes, the delightfully gooey mac and cheese, and buttermilk biscuits that were perfectly moist, crumbly, and buttery enough to make you forget about all your worries and problems. They were really good. The Italian take on chicken was pretty good, while the Chinese offerings were a little more towards mediocre, because they were only slightly spicy and a bit too mushy; they could have used a tad more red pepper and a tad less time sitting in hotel pans. My least favorite find was the crab legs; my understandable excitement at discovering their availability was tempered by the paucity of the meat as well as the spongy, watery taste. They weren't that great, and the portions were small, rim shot. But I moan too much, because I suppose one shouldn't expect too much from buffet crustaceans. I did enjoy another seafood offering, namely the flaky grilled swordfish. Even better for those who prefer land-based meat, they feature prime rib, cut to order and deliciously juicy and savory. I had fun bloating myself with Thunder Falls Buffet's largely good-quality offerings. Everyone should find at least a few things they like, and, as my girlfriend put it, if you leave without getting your money's worth, it's your own fault."

Review from more than 10 years ago:

[AJB, 7/04] said: "In Las Vegas, you can pay a pittance for a spectacular, all-you-can-eat buffet. In Niagara Falls, NY, you can pay about $17 for a somewhat mediocre all-you-can-eat buffet. We went on a Sunday night, and there was a huge line to get in at 7:30 pm. Although there appeared to be plenty of available tables, we were shunted off to the side to wait for the "next available" table after having waited in line for 30 minutes just to pay. The salad bar is pretty good—especially the Caesar salad. The jambalaya was truly excellent, and the all-you-can-eat shrimp and crab legs were popular. The Chinese-food offerings were a huge disappointment. The vegetarian spring roll was soggy, with a thick, almost skin-like shell. The spare ribs were coated with an impenetrable syrupy coating. The lemon chicken was OK, but also soggy. The prime rib was excellent, but carved a little too thinly. Pizzas weren't great, but the spaghetti & meatballs were pretty good. It was a lot of money for a lot of food, but not particularly good food. We won't be back. There are a lot of better places to eat in Niagara Falls. I recommend leaving sovereign Seneca property and patronizing a local, smokefree, tax-paying establishment instead."

Tiffin Room at Pistachio's.
Student Union,
UB North Campus (Town of Amherst).
645-2551.

The only restaurant on campus with waiter service. Quite a varied menu. Reservations are strongly recommended.

Tillman's Historic Village Inn.
14369 Ridge Rd. W. (Rt. 104)
(at Rt. 98/Oak Orchard Rd., north of Albion),
Childs (Town of Gaines, Orleans County).
589-9151.

Review from more than 10 years ago:
[Bill, 7/01] says: [MER] and I stopped here for lunch on our way back from the wonderful (but now [7/12] defunct) Ridge Road Station toy/train/Christmas store in Holley. We were pleasantly surprised. The food is plain American (seafood, steaks, chicken, lamb, etc.), but the menu is quite large. I had sole almondine, which was surprisingly good, accompanied by rice pilaf; [MER] had veal parmesan, which she thought was as good as that at Carmine's. For dessert, I had a blueberry pie. (They also feature "Eli's Kosher[!] Cheese Cake", imported from Chicago.)

Tim Hortons.

5140 Main St.
(in the Walker Center, between the I-290/Youngmann Memorial Hwy. & N. Forest Rd., just west of the Village of Williamsville),
"Greater" Williamsville (Town of Amherst).
565-0501.

5225 Sheridan Dr.
(in Georgetown Sq. Plaza, at Evans St., just north of the Village of Williamsville),
"Greater" Williamsville (Town of Amherst).
626-5993.

Putnam's Food Court, Student Union,
UB North Campus (Town of Amherst).
645-5495.

(Also many other locations)

Part of the chain.

[AFN, 6/09] says: "My sister and I have been to Tim Horton's several times for a late breakfast. Their breakfast sandwich on a biscuit or bagel, with an egg, choice of sausage or bacon, and cheese, is delicious and only $2.99."

Review of the Walker Center location:

[PT, 3/09] says: "I stopped for lunch at the Tim Horton's in the Walker Center plaza last Tuesday. I had a turkey bacon club, toasted on a whole wheat roll, like a sub roll. It was quite good."

Review of the Georgetown Plaza location:

[WHN, 7/08] said: "We made the mistake of stopping at Tim Hortons for a quick lunch. Enticed by their TV ads, we ordered "chicken" club sandwiches. The "chicken" was a gelatinous, tasteless, inedible slab of compressed chicken parts. We'll never eat anything from there again. Tim Horton should be rolling over in his grave."

Tina's Italian Kitchen. —WARNING: WEBSITE PLAYS LOUD MUSIC!
22 Main St.
(west of S. Buffalo St.),
Village of Hamburg (Town of Hamburg).
648-0100.

[WHN, 2/24/14] says: "G and I had dinner at Tina's on Sunday night. I had not been there before, although G has. We ordered a bottle of Fantini Montepulciano d'Abruzzo, and were served a loaf of warm bread with packets of butter, Promise margarine, and a cruet of olive oil. Soup or a house salad is included with all dinners, We both chose salads, which were a rather boring mix of iceberg lettuce, two cherry tomatoes, a slice of cucumber, and raw, red onion slices. G liked the simple Italian dressing that she ordered with hers. My balsamic vinaigrette was good, but had way too much of the crumbled bleu cheese that I had requested. For my entree, I had veal Francese, which was excellent, along with a side of spaghetti tossed in a simple marinara sauce. G had garlicky ziti Florentine with chicken. Her pasta and chicken were cold, but she found some that was hot enough by digging below the surface. She probably should have asked for it to be reheated, but didn't want to send it back. While we were eating, a woman at the next table told our mutual server to be sure her lasagna was hot because the last time they ate at Tina's two weeks ago, her ravioli was cold. A sign on the wall says Tina's has been in business since 1981; it's strange that, after 30+ years, they don't know how to serve hot food."

[AmS, 12/06] said: "I asked for eggplant Parmesan. I have eaten it before at Ilio DiPaolo's and Olive Garden. Both were delicious. I expected patty-shaped, breaded eggplant on top of a bed of pasta. Instead I got a small dish of pasta on the side, with very runny sauce, and hardly any of it, accompanied by six rolls of eggplant, unbreaded, jammed in a bowl-like dish. It was baked with cheese on top, and again, with very minimal sauce. I would not recommend this dish to anyone and will not order eggplant again from Tina's, if I go there at all."

Review from more than 10 years ago:

[MH, 9/03] said: "If you like Italian, check out Tina's Italian Kitchen in "downtown" Hamburg...much better than Chef's. Try the homemade sausage. The place has been in business for many years. (At least 20?) They are often busy on weekends, so I would recommend calling for reservations."

Tokyo II. —WARNING: WEBSITE LOADS VERY SLOWLY AND THEN PLAYS LOUD MUSIC!
2236 Delaware Ave.
(between Hertel Ave. & Linden Ave.),
North Buffalo (City of Buffalo).
877-2688 or 877-2388.

[RHo, 2/12] says: "Six coworkers and I enjoyed a great lunch at Tokyo II today [2/29/12]. Everyone except me got hibachi entrees, but I still got to enjoy the show on the grill. The chef performed all sorts of tricks, banging his utensils together to make music, twirling them, setting the grill on fire, the classic onion volcano, spinning an egg on a spatula before cracking it in the air, and much more; everything was done with flourish. The fried rice is made on the grill for everyone at once and includes eggs. There was a party of three also sitting with us, and all the hibachi food was made together and portioned out by the spatula-full. Everyone got a chance to catch food in his or her mouth, and almost everyone had a chance to catch a stream of watered-down sake from a squeeze bottle. I ordered three vegetable maki rolls—asparagus, sweet potato, and tempura vegetables; all were excellent. Vegans should be advised that the sweet-potato roll comes with cream cheese inside, which I did not know ahead of time. The tempura is fried broccoli in an enormous maki roll, and the sweet potato is fried as well; both rolls come with a sauce drizzled on top and rice on the outside. The asparagus was steamed, and the seaweed was on the outside and bite-sized. I really love vegetable sushi, and Tokyo II did not disappoint; the three rolls were extremely filling. I would definitely go back, as the food was great. As a style of cooking mainly popular with tourists, I originally thought the hibachi/teppanaki would be a little cheesy, but everyone had a great time. The menu also includes Thai dishes, noodle bowls, teriyaki, and many other Asian dishes, and plenty of regular tables; you don't have to sit around the grill. Hibachi lunch starts at $8 for vegetable and goes up from there, with chicken, shrimp, salmon, and beef among the offerings."

Tokyo Shanghai Bistro.
494 Elmwood Ave.
(between Hodge Ave. & W. Utica St.),
Elmwood Village yellow section (City of Buffalo).
886-3839.

Japanese-Chinese cuisine.

[RHo, 6/12] says: "Last Friday [6/8/12], my coworker and I went to lunch together. Take-out is $4.75, but we ate in, and, for $5.95 each, we got our choice of entree and soup. They let my friend substitute vegetable fried rice for the pork, and she ordered General Tso's Chicken and skipped the soup. I had hot and sour soup, which was very good, and sesame tofu. The meal was extremely filling. I had steamed rice with two broccoli florets and really excellent fried tofu. The tofu was crispy on the outside and hollow on the inside, and had a great texture. There was ample sauce, and I would have enjoyed a little more rice. There was one snafu: My friend's dish was accidentally given to another table, and I sat with my dish in front of me for several minutes, while we waited for her food to arrive. By then, mine was perfect, but hers was too hot to eat. All in all, a good meal. Really great place to grab a quick, cheap lunch in the Elmwood Village."

[BK, 12/09] said: "On 12/15/09, a friend and I dined at one of Elmwood's newest culinary additions, Tokyo Shanghai Bistro. The restaurant is best described as ‘Asian fusion’ and specializes in both Chinese and Japanese cuisine. The menu is quite extensive and includes a fairly sizable sushi selection and a host of traditional ‘American Chinese’ entrees. Takeout is also available. We arrived around 6 P.M., and the spacious dining room was completely empty. We were promptly greeted by the host and seated in a booth near the front window. Our waitress arrived shortly thereafter and offered to take our drink order. The restaurant does not serve alcohol, so we opted for soft drinks. The beverages arrived instantaneously, and the waitress was eager to take our food order. We opted for the steamed dumpling appetizer and two Chinese entrees: General Tso's Chicken and Cashew Chicken. The appetizer consisted of six pork dumplings and was accompanied by traditional soy sauce. I've eaten steamed dumplings in restaurants of varying caliber throughout the world, including China, and can unequivocally say that these were the worst. The dough was dry, incredibly thick, and masked the flavor of the pork. In contrast, the entrees were well prepared and contained an assortment of fresh ingredients. My friend stated that the General Tso's Chicken was among the best he's had. I found the Cashew Chicken to be enjoyable, but not nearly as good as similar offerings I've eaten at both Gin Gin and Eastern Pearl. The total bill, including soft drinks, appetizer, and two entrees, was $27. I'll likely return to this restaurant, but only if I'm already in the area and looking for Chinese cuisine; the atmosphere is definitely far more welcoming than most of the other Chinese restaurants on the Elmwood strip."

La Tolteca.
7530 Transit Rd.
(between Sheridan Dr. & Main St.),
"Greater" Williamsville (Town of Amherst).
565-0105.

Tex-Mex(ican).

Part of the chain.

[JoM, 5/11] says: "In my opinion, this is the best Mexican food in Western New York. We stopped in for an early dinner on Saturday, 5-21-2011. To start the meal, we had an endless basket of chips and salsa; the salsa is a bit on the watery side, but the flavor is excellent. I always have to be careful not to fill up on the chips before my meal arrives. For my entree, I chose the Enchiladas Poblanas. I've been to La Tolteca many times and had many different meals; this was my favorite dish so far. It was 3 chicken enchiladas covered with a sauce that had a hint of chocolate along with many spices; it was accompanied with yellow rice: absolutely amazing. My girlfriend had the Enchiladas Supreme, which was 3 separate enchiladas: beef, chicken, and bean; she thought the enchiladas were excellent, and had enough to bring home for a meal the next day. My girlfriend's sister made her own combo with 2 vegetable chalupas, which came with rice and beans; she was very happy with her meal. Her mother had the taco salad, and thought it was a watery salad. She enjoyed the flavor, but thought it was soggy; we concluded that the beans on the salad added to the watery consistency. Overall, we were happy with our meal. The service was friendly and efficient, and the prices are very reasonable. I recommend."

[WHN, 1/07] said: "After a return visit to Cinco de Mayo's Eggert Road location proved to be extremely disappointing—actually, the food was horrible—we decided to try another Mexican place, La Tolteca. The taco chips and salsa were very good. The carnitas entree was excellent—tender and very flavorful pork, with sides of refried beans and rice. Our only complaint was that the accompanying pico de gallo was unnecessarily salty."

[CJK, 12/06] said: "One thing people should expect is a long wait during the supper hours upon getting to the restaurant...especially on a mad/busy street like Transit Road. The decor is standard Mexican chain restaurant. Upon finally being shown to our table, it took a long enough time, after receiving a menu, for the waitress to ask what we would like to order. To add insult to injury, we received the wrong salads and received our meal minutes later. Nachos and salsa (with a little zing) are worthwhile appetizers. Chicken burritos will be less greasy than a beef burrito for those with sensative stomachs, although the beef really was not that bad. One will not find burritos here to be spicy unless one were to add a hot sauce. There are very few vegetarian plates to choose from, so check their website before making a decision to bring a veggie here. I found the food to be very tasteful and worthy for those who appreciate Mexican cooking. I would rate them as a better food quality over Don Pablo's but place them below a couple very good restaurants (Tampico or Jalapeno Loco) that recently closed on Grand Island. Personally, I would not return to La Tolteca based upon my unpleasant service; the food possibly, but all signs point towards "no"."

[GWh, 12/06] said: "The best Mexican restaurant in Buffalo. The great colorful cuisine and large menu to choose from are very desirable. The Steak Ranchero is my favorite. Where else can you get a tender 14-oz. T-bone steak for $13.95? It may not be too romantic, but this place is great."

[BL, 11/06] said: "We think the decor is good for a suburban chain restaurant, and service is very good, but the presentations need an upgrade. Dishes come out looking so-so. Taste is OK, though some of the toppings have heat."

[BO, 4/06] said: "As chains of restaurants go, this establishment was not bad. The atmosphere was enjoyable, staff knowledgeable and friendly, and the menu extensive. On this particular evening, I decided to try enchiladas poblanos, an enchilada dish served with rich poblano sauce, rice, and shredded lettuce—or what the menu refers to as salad. The food was served quickly and hot! My main reason for trying this dish was my interest in the poblano sauce. This is a dark sauce made with spices and chocolate. It was very good, neither spicy nor overly sweet. Because I enjoyed my meal so much, I decided to try something different for dessert. Any cheesecake lover will enjoy this creamy cheesecake wrapped in a pastry tortilla, lightly fried till golden brown and flaky, then topped with cinnamon, sugar, whipped cream, and a cherry! It was delicious and decadent! This was my first time visiting this restaurant and dining on Mexican food. I found it rather nice, with plentiful portions. The menu was extensive, offering appetizers, lunch and dinner specials, combination dinners, vegetarian or chicken dishes, children's menu, desserts and drinks. They also offer take-out service with the same menu selections. I would recommend La Tolteca as a good place to enjoy a meal with a good friend or a group of friends. The restaurant also invites you to enjoy a live mariachi band on a semi-regular basis. I suggest calling ahead for specific dates and times. La Tolteca definitely receives a "4 sombrero" rating from me!"

[KCu, 4/06] said: "The food was a little bit greasy, but tasty nonetheless. Great nachos before the meal! Friendly service, with a fun atmosphere. I was disappointed that I didn't get to see the live mariachi band!! Definitely recommended to anybody looking for Mexican food that doesn't use grade D beef!!"

[MACi, 4/06] said: "I was to dine at La Tolteca for a class project at Buffalo State College. I have to say, my teacher made a good choice for us. Although we were to eat our meal late, we were to still enjoy the food. On a personal note, I enjoyed the service, very friendly, and always there when you need it, especially when needing water. The food: vast choices to choose from! Once I finally decided, I must say I chose wisely (with much help from my companions). I was to order the enchilada supreme, which I definitely recommend to anyone looking to fill the stomach. The plates we were each served were large and definitely could feed two people. The prices for us being college students were pricy, but nothing we couldn't afford. I definitely recommend La Tolteca for those looking for good Mexican cuisine."

[MW, 4/06] said: "Very good food with colorful and clever presentation. The service was also particularly good (the manager greeted each table after you've been seated, which is unusual, but made you feel like a regular customer). The dishes were all complemented with crunchy greens and spicy sides of rice and beans. While the menu is largely meat, there are a few vegetarian dishes (to satisfy those who don't enjoy meat). Attire was casual and prices were in the $8-$20 range per entree."

[KMa, 4/06] said: "We went to La Tolteca on a Saturday night. The restaurant was busy, but we were seated very quickly. We were served warm tortilla chips and salsa. The salsa was spicy, but not the kind of spicy that sets your lips and tongue on fire. I was glad, because I don't like it when I feel like I'm going to breathe fire. Also, the salsa was chunky and full of tomatoes. I ordered quesadillas rellanas. It was a great choice! The quesadillas were sloppy, but very tasty. They were full of chicken, cheese, and beans. There was also quite of bit of well-cooked Spanish rice, lettuce, sour cream, and guacamole. My sister ordered the quesadilla supreme. This was interesting because it had baby shrimp in it. The shrimp were firm, and it was an interesting texture in the quesadilla. We were too full for dessert, but we'll be back to try different things!"

[MCT, 2/06] said: "After using your website for over a year and not posting a review, I saw one for La Tolteca that forced me to finally post. This is by far the best Mexican restaurant in Buffalo. I have tried everywhere, from Mighty Taco to Don Pablo's to Lone Star Fajita, etc... This is the best! The supreme nachos with chicken and beef are the best I have ever had. They use a cheese sauce that is amazing, and, when asked about it, the server said it's a secret. Almost all the servers are directly from Mexico, which makes it feel a little homey. The last time, I got the enchilada platter, which was perfect. I only ate about 1/3 of it due to the huge platter of nachos my girlfriend and I had shared. She got the 2 burrito platter. We have never had a bad experience at this place and have been there over 10 times. Decent margarita selection, all different tequilas; finally an authentic Mexican place in Buffalo."

Review from more than 10 years ago:

[VD, 5/05] said: "This Mexican restaurant opened today, so they still don't have their liquor license. The food is no better than Don Pablo's and is the usual Tex-Mex fare. There is nothing very unique other than friendly waitstaff. Prices are comparable to other restaurants, and they charge extra for more than 1 basket of chips."

Tom's Restaurant.
3221 Sheridan Dr.
(at the southwest corner with Bailey Ave.),
North Bailey (Town of Amherst).
837-7310.

Not related to Tom's Family Restaurant in Irvine, NY.

[7/2/14] One of the Buffalo News "Cheap Eats" 10 favorites for 2014.

[GMK, 5/08] says: "It is with a heavy heart I write a review for Tom's. As college students 20 years ago, it was our favorite place to eat. We went there at all times for all occasions. The service was excellent, and the place never closed. During the first heavy snowstorm, it was the place the plow drivers could get a meal. They even remodeled while open. Then the daughter(?) took over, and the place closed for remodeling. The menu changed, the prices went up, the quality went down, the service started to stink, and after several attempts, we've decided to never return. Friends and family have also made that decision on their own, as there are far too many good restaurants in the area to bother with a place that's gone so far downhill."

[DRi, 9/07] said: "Good food, terrible service. My girlfriend and I just came back from a most trying visit there with friends from out of town. We both ordered chicken souvlaki dinners (you can get beef also) with sweet potato fries as the included potato, or so we thought. Our friends ordered the lunch-sized portions, which were available at 8 PM. The food came out reasonably quickly, with 6 big grilled chicken strips, a mountain of salad topped with feta cheese, and half a toasted pita for the dinners. The lunch portions were approximately 2/3 this size. We had to send one of the lunches back, because it had beef instead of chicken. The fun began once we received the bills. My girlfriend and I were charged full price for the sweet potato fries we thought were included with the dinner. After asking for the manager and being pointedly ignored for 15 minutes, we asked again, and the manager hurried over to the table. We calmly explained what we had ordered, and why we thought we were being over-charged. The manager hemmed and hawed, and refused to do anything about it, even after pointing out in the menu where nothing was said about sweet potato fries not being included in the meal. All the menu said was that no substitutions were allowed. Under the chicken souvlaki dinner was listed "choice of potato", which we assumed to mean sweet potato fries were a viable option. Our server did not disabuse us of this notion. After saying we would like the charges for the fries reduced or dropped, our original server threatened to call the police. We argued a bit more, got nowhere, then asked to speak with the owner, paid, and left. When we spoke with the owner an hour later, he justified his server's threat to call the police. He was also very unyielding to our requests, saying that the prices were listed. He ignored the fact that nowhere on the menu was that sweet potato fries would be an additional charge, that our server had not mentioned this to us, and that we did not receive the potato listed in the dinner. He claimed that the sweet potato fries put on at full price were the potatoes included with the dinner. Needless to say, at that point we got up and left. Good riddance!"

Tom's Family Restaurant.
935 Main Rd. (Rts. 5 & 20)
(between Alleghany & Seneca Rds.),
Irving (Town of Hanover, northern Chautauqua County).
934-3101.

Not related to Tom's Restaurant in Amherst.

American.

[9/11] Given 4 (out of 4) pennies by Anne Neville, Buffalo News "Cheap Eats" restaurant reviewer.

Toni Pepperoni.
4224 Maple Rd.
(in Maple Ridge Plaza, at Sweet Home Rd., near the UB North Campus),
North Bailey (Town of Amherst).
876-8664.

[JFo, 2/12] says: "Tried Tony Pepperoni's again last week for lunch. Restaurant is clean; customer service has improved. Unfortunately, the food has not! All menu items were either cold or luke-warm; everything was dried out and overcooked. Used to love their ‘garlic bites’; however, they no longer offer them. They've added mac and cheese since last time I was there, which should appeal to younger diners. Really enjoyed dining here in past, both in Kenmore and at their newest location on Maple. But the food has gone steadily downhill, and I won't be back. I'm not looking for gourmet food or service; I simply expect that hot items should be hot and that nothing should be dried out and over-cooked."

They moved from Kenmore some time ago. Of the Kenmore location, [BMcWS, 2/08] said: "Toni Pepperoni is a pizza buffet restaurant populated with families. It's located on Delaware Ave. in Kenmore, meaning parking is in short supply (although a sign on the door lets you know street parking is free nights and weekends, so ignore the meters). We went on a recent Saturday night but beat the crowds by arriving at 5. The first thing to know is that this is a cash-only business. They do have an ATM in the entryway, if you didn't bring cash. The buffet consisted of about about 8 different pizzas. Cheese, chicken finger, BBQ chicken, Greek, pepperoni, and a mysterious "manager's special" (it would have been nice if the sign identified what was on this, since it just appeared to be plain cheese) were part of the night's line up. The pizzas are small, and thus the pieces are small. We felt that all the pizzas were a bit chintzy—not enough cheese, not enough sauce, etc. They were hot, though, which was a plus—who wants to eat cold pizza? The pizza flavors were OK, but overall we'd rather have a pizza from our regular take-out place than these lame substitutes. The buffet also had several green salads and your typical salad-bar toppings, which were fine. There were two types of penne—red sauce and Alfredo sauce. They get points for having extra sauce to put on your pasta. Both sauces were good. There was only one shaker of Parmesan cheese in the entire place, though—they need to have a nice bowl of this right next to the pasta itself. By the time you get the pasta back to your table, though, it is cold. There were also some breaded and fried chicken pieces—not fingers, more like someone breaded and fried a breast, then sliced it. Several bottles of various types of hot sauce were placed next to this to be used. French fries were also available. There was one dessert pizza—a crust with butter and cinnamon and sugar on it, and this was delicious. The restaurant itself has 2 rooms. The room with the buffet is very crowded, with tables stacked on top of each other and a blaring TV. The back room was quieter and more spacious. We felt the price was reasonable—I believe it was $6 or $7 a person. I don't think we will go back—it was a bit of a mob scene and was not a relaxing eating experience. This could be a good bargain, though, if you've got a pile of hungry, teenage boys to feed."

Tony Rome's Globe Hotel and Restaurant
711 Main St.
(at Olean St.),
Village of East Aurora (Town of Aurora).
652-4221.

[WHN, 7/12] says: "I rarely go to East Aurora for dining or anything else, but, Friday night, 7/27/12, I met G, her daughter, and 3 granddaughters for dinner at Tony Rome's. It was a beautiful summer evening, so we sat outside, facing Main Street. Neither G nor I had ever been there before, but her daughter had been, and recommended ‘Chicken Aurora’—chicken breasts in a lemon and wine sauce, with artichokes, mushrooms, and almonds. Both G and her daughter had this dish and thought it was very good. Salad or soup is included with most entrees. I had made a selection that turned out to be only available on Saturdays, so I made a quick decision and changed to a fish fry, with a cup of Manhattan clam chowder to start. It was a standard, Buffalo-area, beer-battered, fish fry, with cole slaw, French fries, and macaroni salad: good, but nothing special. G's granddaughters liked their spaghetti and meatballs, French onion soup and salad, and hamburger and fries. (Not part of the international Tony Roma's franchise group, which briefly had a restaurant in Amherst a few years ago.)"

Reviews from more than 10 years ago:

[G&LF, 6/03] said: "I took my wife and in-laws to the Globe Hotel last Friday (06/20/03), and boy were we disappointed. I had a fish fry. It was soggy, not crispy, and was very bland. The cole slaw was way too vinegary. My wife had the grilled chicken salad. She said that her chicken was dry and overcooked, and the lettuce greens mix was not at all fresh. It came with 2 pieces of garlic bread with cheese. It was burnt on half and uncooked on the other. My in-laws both decided on the open steak sandwich. Both ordered rare and with no onions; they came to the table well done and with onions. They looked like they were baked way too long, and the roll was burnt as well. I must say, though, that the service was very good. And the prices were a little high considering the quality of the food."

[JPM, 9/00] said: "Good bar food in an historic hotel. (Grover Cleveland and Millard Fillmore frequented the Globe in an earlier time). Ribs are great; sandwiches and barbecued chicken are good. The specials often leave a little to be desired though: They tend to overcook fish. The plus is that you can stroll through town after your meal."

Tony's Bayview Drive-In.
3804 Lakeshore Rd.
(north/east of Bayview Rd.),
Bay View (Town of Hamburg).
824-5002.

Opens in March for the season.

Hot dogs, burgers, ice cream, etc.

[7/9/14] One of the Buffalo News "Cheap Eats" 10 favorites for 2014.

Tony's Pizza & Pasta.
2770 Union Rd.
(between Bennett Rd. & William St., south of AppleTree Business Park),
South Cheektowaga (Town of Cheektowaga).
681-8440.

[11/21/13] Given 3½ (out of 4) pennies by Anne Neville, Buffalo News "Cheap Eats" restaurant reviewer.

[BG, 8/9/12] says: "My favorite restaurant is underrated. Some Italian restaurants are so jam-packed that you can't get into them. Well, I found a hidden jewel that is a real gem. We dine there two or three times a week. This gem is Tony's on Union Rd. in Cheektowaga, across from the AppleTree Mall. They not only have the best pizza, their Italian food is second to none. What's most shocking is that it isn't mobbed. Maybe I shouldn't give them such a great review; I don't want it to be so crowded that I can't get in several times a week. I love the salad bar, with homemade minestrone soup that is to die for, with huge chunks of tomato. If you have the salad bar, you can get a slice of pizza for only one dollar more. Tony's has excellent prices, so you can bring the family out to eat. Tonight, I had the lasagna, which comes with a huge salad and is delicious: great sauce. I've had their chicken parmigiano and their lemon chicken, as well: the best! Fish fries? Oh, my yes! With heaping servings of potato salad, cole slaw, and macaroni salad! And wait until you taste their dinner rolls topped with what tastes like garlic salt. Not sure what it is, but it tastes fantastic. All servings are large, and I usually enjoy the second half of my entree for lunch the following day. My 21-month-old granddaughter loves Tony's. We ask her, ‘What do you want for supper?’ She yells, ‘Tonyyyyyyy's.’ She loves the ravioli served with a huge meatball, from the kids' menu. The hostess, waitresses, & waiter are all friendly and helpful. Sometimes, Tony himself comes in and seems to check everything to ensure perfection. Most people think of Tony's as just a pizza place. It also has delicious Italian dishes. It is not to be confused with their second family restaurant, Tony's Pizza on Harlem, which is not a sit-down place and just has take-out pizza. Tony is the father, and each of his sons runs one of the places. Check it out."

Top of the Falls Restaurant.
Goat Island Rd.
(overlooking Terrapin Pt. on Goat Island, in Niagara Falls State Park, which is accessible from 1st St.),
City of Niagara Falls (Niagara County), NY.
278-0340.

[WHN, 7/12] says: "G bought a discount coupon for Top of the Falls, so we went for dinner on Saturday, 7/21/12. There are both indoor and outdoor dining areas, so we chose outside, overlooking the Falls. There are a limited number of dinner entrees, but plenty of appetizers, plus sandwiches and wraps. We both had house salads of mixed greens, which were basic, but fresh and good tasting. No bread was offered, so I asked; our server said bread was extra(!). Janice Okun recently wrote about restaurants charging for water, and, of course, many charge for anchovies on Caesar salads, and some for bleu cheese salad dressing or crumbled bleu cheese. Once, in Paris, I was charged the equivalent of US$2.00 for a pad of butter. But, I've never heard of being charged for bread. We said, ‘No, thanks’, but our server brought some anyway, sans butter, at no charge; it was stale. For main courses, G chose a beer-battered fish fry with French fries and cole slaw. I chose ‘spicy ragout’, with Italian sausage, pork, and various vegetables in a chunky tomato sauce. Both entrees were quite good, but the pork had a fairly thick layer of un-browned fat on the outside of several pieces, which I cut away. The view of the Falls was wonderful, and we got a bonus of seeing, from a long distance, the Canadian, high-wire walker going from the Skylon Tower to the Embassy Suites Hotel. With dinner, we had a $22 bottle of Barefoot California Cabernet, from the very, very limited wine list. Before the discounted $50 coupon, for which G paid $25, dinner, with wine and coffee, was just under $70, or just under $20 with the coupon, plus tip. Parking in the nearby lot is $10. Decent food and great scenery on a warm summer evening."

Torches Restaurant.
1141 Kenmore Ave.
(west of Colvin Blvd.,
east of Rowley Ave.),
Village of Kenmore (Town of Tonawanda).
447-7915.

Same owners as The Garage Deli and Smoke on the Water.

[5/30/15] The restaurant has closed, but they are still open for catering and banquets.

Reviews of Torches as a restaurant:

[5/12] Listed as number 7 in WGRZ-TV's list of the top 10 "favorite" restaurants in WNY.

[3/10] Listed as one of 41 "Restaurants We Love" by Buffalo Spree magazine.

[10/16/09] Raised to 4 (out of 4) stars.
[4/13/07] Given 3½ (out of 4) stars by Janice Okun, former Buffalo News restaurant reviewer.

[WHN] said:

[12/28/14] "On Saturday night, we had dinner at Torches. We ordered a bottle of 2012 Simi Cabernet Sauvignon from Anderson Valley, and were served bread with their tasty parsley-and-olive-oil dip. As we waited for our dinner, we were presented with amuses bouches of sweet-potato fries with a sweet, raspberry drizzle; I have always disliked sweet potatoes, fried or otherwise, but these were delicious. As a starter, we shared a house salad of romaine, with dried cranberries, candied walnuts, and grapes, with deep-fried goat cheese, tossed in a walnut-sherry vinaigrette. G had asked for her dressing on the side, but it wasn't, and the salad was overdressed for her taste, for which our server apologized. For her main course, G had an evening special of broiled cod with a Dijon-mustard crust, with assorted wild mushrooms, served over risotto; it was wonderful. For my main, I had shrimp tempura, with udon noodles and stir-fried vegetables, in miso-ginger broth, with sweet chili sauce and sriracha on the side; my dinner was excellent, too. We skipped dessert, but had coffee. With tax, but before tip, our dinner was $105."

[4/6/14] "We hadn't been back to Torches since a less than wonderful meal about a year and a half ago, but returned Saturday night for a Local Restaurant Week dinner. We ordered a bottle of Simi Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon ($36) and were served fresh rolls with smoked, sea-salt-infused butter, and parsley and EVOO dipping sauce. The $20.14 LRW menu included a choice from two salads and two soups, one of four or five main courses, and a choice of three desserts. G started with a house salad of romaine, dried cranberries, grapes, candied walnuts, and fried goat cheese, with walnut-sherry vinaigrette on the side per her request; her salad was very good. I had ‘Smoke on the Water YaYa Gumbo’, a recipe from their other restaurant; the chicken, andouille sausage, okra, and rice gumbo in a spicy broth was excellent. For her main course, G had filet served over smashed potatoes, topped with fried sweet potatoes, and a side of broccoli with cheese sauce. I had cheese tortellini tossed in roasted garlic Alfredo sauce, with peas and sundried tomatoes. I added optional blackened shrimp for $5. Both dishes were excellent, but mine was too rich to finish, so I took half home. For dessert, G had bourbon-poached pear with warm pastry and whipped cream, while I had coffee gelato with candied pecans and chocolate sauce; both desserts were wonderful. It was a fine meal, with great service."

Also see [WHN, 9/24/13]'s review of the James Beard House "dress rehearsal" meal at The Mansion, prepared by chefs from Bacchus, CRāVing, Torches, and Vera.

[11/5/12] "Saturday, 11/3/12, G and I had reservations at Torches. After a movie that ran longer then expected, we were running a few minutes late, so I called the restaurant to tell them we were on the way. A few minutes later, they called back to say we would have to finish dinner by 8 to make the table available for another party. By then, we were 3 minutes away, which I told them. We finished our dinner at around 8:45, and no one said anything about finishing quickly. Having read (and experienced) horror stories about being asked to leave restaurants, I have to give Torches credit for forewarning us, and even more for letting us finish our dinner in peace. I haven't been to Torches in nearly 5 years, so was looking forward to an excellent meal, which I had had back then. We were served amuses bouches, but I don't remember what they were. The bread came with a parsley–lime–olive-oil dip, which G remembered from a previous visit, but which she said was thicker and not as tasty as the former recipe. To start, we both had salads: a house salad for her, with romaine, dried cranberries, grapes, candied walnuts, and fried goat cheese, tossed in a walnut-sherry vinaigrette; for me, chopped salad of iceberg, grape tomatoes, and bacon, tossed with a creamy, bleu-cheese dressing and topped by fried onion rings with a little crumbled bleu cheese on top of the onion rings. We both liked our salads, although G thought that there were way too many candied walnuts, and left many of them. My salad was the high point of my meal. G ordered two small plates: ‘lasagna cupcake’—ricotta and meaty tomato sauce over what our server said was a crispy piece of salami, topped with parmesan crisps; and her second small plate was ‘crab cake BLT’ topped with crispy pancetta, with tomatoes, arugula, and garlic aioli. She also ordered a side dish of kale. Both small plates were very good, but the kale had been finished with apple cider, and she didn't like it. I ordered an evening special of pork chops with an apple-cider–based sauce, with fingerling potatoes and ratatouille. The pork chops were extremely tough: difficult to cut and difficult to chew. The apple-cider sauce covered the plate, so both the ratatouille and the potatoes were bathed in the liquid. The potatoes were soggy, and I just didn't like the apple-flavored ratatouille, which had apple slices as well as egg plant and squash. I took one of the two pork chops home. G said that, maybe if I braised it in liquid for a long time, it could be tenderized. With dinner, we had a bottle of Simi Alexander Valley cabernet sauvignon. Our dinner, with the $39 bottle of wine, and coffee but no dessert, was just over $125 before the gratuity. Torches was nearly fully occupied for most of the evening, so they must do most things right, but the pork-chop dish wasn't one of them. Will we return? Probably not, but never say never."

[1/08] "My wife and I returned to Torches with another couple on Saturday night, 1/12. To start, we were served a complimentary "amuse bouche" of poutine, which our server described as a Canadian specialty—French fries topped with cheese curds and gravy. Our friends are ex-pat Canadians and said they never heard of it. (I just read about poutine somewhere. Its origin is French-Canadian, so Anglo-Canadians from Ontario probably wouldn't know about it.) It was tasty. The bread course was toasted baguette slices served with spinach, asiago cheese, and olive-oil pesto. Very good. For appetizers, my friend and I had "stacked Caesar salad": romaine lettuce wrapped at the base with prosciutto, so it would stand vertically, with anchovies and a deviled egg on the side. Different, but very good. My wife had shrimp-filled pot stickers, served with four sauces—soy, spicy hot, mustard, and sweet. She said the pot stickers with the accompanying sauces were delicious. The other lady ordered a caprese salad, which was a whole broiled tomato, a block of mozzarella, and roasted basil leaves, with vinaigrette. Again, different, but she said it was delicious, too. For the main course, I had tapenade-encrusted rack of lamb, served with white truffle mashed potatoes, browned to a crisp on the top and bottom, and asparagus. My wife had sea bass over risotto, topped with a parmesan crisp. My friend had the "Filet Mignon Trio": three 3-oz. filets, each topped with a scallop and a Cajun spiced shrimp. The three entrees were excellent. The only disappointment of the evening was the other woman's bone-in strip steak, which was said to be tough and chewy. At the end of the meal, she had not eaten much and told our server about the toughness. It was taken off our bill. The steaks were also served with white truffle mashed potatoes and asparagus. Other than the tough steak, which is arguably not the restaurant's fault, the meal was excellent, as was the service. On the non-food side, the piano has been removed since our previous visit to make room for another table or two. Too bad; the young pianist was really good. Also, there is an item at the bottom of the menu that says "drinks for the kitchen—$8". I commented on this, and our server overheard me, and said that was because the two brothers-owners are the chefs. Nevertheless, a bit odd. 3-Michelin star chef Gordon Ramsey would say, and has on his television shows, that chefs should not drink while working in the kitchen."

[9/07] "My wife and I took her sister and her husband to Torches to celebrate her birthday last night (Saturday, 9/8/07). Besides Janice Okun's 3-1/2 star rating, it's gotten good reviews in Artvoice and Buffalo Rising. Also, a waiter at O'Connell's Hourglass told us it was excellent. Coming from a competitor of sorts, that speaks volumes. We were expecting the best and got it. Torches's menu is eclectic, with choices ranging from Asian pot stickers to Cajun pasta dishes to char-grilled steaks. When we arrived, we were served a retro "amuse bouche" of chicken livers wrapped in bacon, with barbecue sauce. Not one of my all-time favorites, but tasty. The bread was toasted baguette slices served with parsley, asiago cheese, and olive-oil pesto. Delicious. For appetizers, my wife and her sister ordered house salads of mixed greens, walnuts, goat cheese, and croutons, with a walnut vinaigrette dressing. They both said it was very good. My brother-in-law and I ordered evening appetizer specials: Asian crab cakes for me; cheese-stuffed, breaded, fried hot peppers for him. The crab cakes were wonderful; pure crab meat, with three sauces: soy-sesame, wasabi, and mustard. My in-law liked his stuffed peppers, too. For main courses, my wife and her sister chose lamb tenderloin, with a Meyer lemon sauce, served with an onion "kugel" (sort of like bread pudding) and asparagus. I had one of the evening specials for the main course: tapenade-encrusted rack of lamb, served with white truffle risotto and asparagus. I was expecting the risotto to be, well, like risotto. It was not. It was cylindrical and had been deep-fried, so the outside was crunchy, and the creamy risotto was inside. Different than any risotto I have ever had, but it was excellent, as was the lamb. My brother-in-law ordered another evening special, Chilean sea bass, which he also enjoyed. For wines, I ordered a bottle of 2005 Benziger Carneros Chardonnay, priced about 2 times retail at $30. For the red, a bottle of 2005 Two Hands Gnarly Dudes Barossa Valley Shiraz. At $37, it was only marked up about $7 over retail—a real bargain. Since we were celebrating my sister-in-law's birthday (and since the table next to us had it, and it looked and smelled so good), we had Bananas Foster, prepared tableside. Delicious. All in all, an excellent meal, with excellent service from our server, Marie. And I should mention there was a pianist playing softly in the adjacent dining room. Our server told us he is only 16 years old and plays every Saturday night. Irrespective of his age, he was excellent. She told us Torches also has a jazz group on Monday nights. Overall, 3 stars in my book."

[JoM] said:

[4/8/14] "My uncle and I stopped into Torches for dinner during Restaurant Week and had an outstanding experience. We had a 6:00 P.M. reservation and were seated promptly. The special included a choice of appetizer from 4 options, an entrée selection from 3 options, and a dessert from 4 options, all for $20.14. For our appetizers, I chose a bowl of gumbo, and my uncle chose a beer-cheese soup. Both were excellent: The beer-cheese soup was a thin consistency, but the flavor wasn't lacking; the gumbo was full of chicken, shrimp, and sausage, with a scoop of rice. We both chose an entrée of twin beef tournedos served with smashed red potatoes and stringed onion rings. The steaks were cooked as ordered, medium rare; the flavors of the meal were outstanding. For dessert, we both chose a Maker's Mark trifle, which was chocolate cake soaked in Maker's Mark, served in a sundae dish with whipped cream; once again, it was excellent and a perfect ending to a great meal. Service was very professional and attentive. Overall, I was very impressed, and I highly recommend!"

[1/12] "After hearing many positive reviews from friends and your site, my girlfriend and I tried Torches for the first time on 1/6/2012. My only regret is not getting here sooner; our meal was excellent on all levels. We had reservations for 6:45 and arrived a few minutes in advance. We were seated right away, and the restaurant was about 80% full. For an appetizer, we ordered an evening special: brie topped with blueberries, served with small pieces of toasted baguette. Before the appetizer arrived, we were surprised to receive an amuse bouche, which, as a prior review of this restaurant explained, is a small, bite-sized hors d'oeuvre. It was a small beef on weck made with phyllo dough; it was very good and served its purpose to whet our appetites. Soon after, the appetizer arrived, and it was also very good: a bit on the sweet side and probably could have passed as a dessert. For entrees, my girlfriend ordered the Tim-Hortons-coffee–crusted strip steak served with a sour-cream-and-onion, potato croquette. The steak was served as ordered, medium rare, and was excellent. I had the A&W short ribs accompanied by bbq mashed potatoes and onion rings. The short ribs were extremely tender, and the A&W bbq sauce on top was very good. For dessert, we shared a vanilla-bean custard served with raspberries and blueberries. It was a nice size to split, and finished off our meal perfectly. Our service was fast, efficient, and friendly. By the time we finished our meal, the restaurant was at full capacity. Overall, we had an excellent experience, and I highly recommend!"

[DJM, 11/11] said: "Very positive. Girlfriend took me to dinner to celebrate my passing the bar exam. We had fairly early reservations, at 6:00 P.M. She arrived about 10 minutes early, while I arrived about 10 minutes late. (Keep this in mind if you make early dinner reservations: Kenmore Ave. is very congested even at this ‘late rush-hour’ time. Once I was at Niagara Falls Blvd and Kenmore, it still took me almost 20 minutes to get to Torches, which is on Kenmore near Colvin.) She went to the bar and ordered what she described as an ‘amazing’ martini while waiting for me. We were promptly seated when I arrived. Server was very friendly as she read us the evening specials and took our drink order. I opted for their ‘Bloody Caesar’ (Bloody Mary/Caesar hybrid, with bacon, celery, and a raw oyster to liven it up; it was delicious), while Girlfriend was content with the nearly full martini she had ordered previously. Five minutes later, we were served a bottle of prosecco, compliments of the kitchen. The situation was a bit comical, if not a tad awkward, as the server didn't know the reason the kitchen was sending a complimentary bottle; she asked us if we ‘just got engaged or something’, to which Girlfriend shot me a quick look and informed her we had not. To me, the kitchen (owner's? chef's?) sending that bottle out was a huge, class act. At that point, I had never been to Torches before, and I had never even tasted their food, but with that gesture alone they definitely got a repeat customer, for nothing more than what it cost them to buy a bottle of prosecco from their distributor. Anywho, on to what you readers actually care about: For our appetizer, we split the mac & cheese, with buttermilk-fried chicken, entree. It was served on two separate plates, which was nice. Taste was incredible; cheese was so creamy, while the chicken was perfectly fried. Nice and crispy, but not greasy at all. Thereafter, we were presented with an amuse bouche (amusement of the mouth; bite-sized hors d'oeuvre) of the chef's take on Texas chili with cornbread. It was good, but not great. For the main course, I had grilled mahi-mahi over limed shrimp risotto, while Girlfriend had tuna steak with an interesting interpretation of mashed potatoes; they were served with goat cheese and other seasonings. She loved her entree, stating the tuna was perfectly cooked, while the entire plate was perfectly seasoned. As for me, well, wow: The fish was cooked fantastically, just the right amount of rigidity, crispiness, and moisture, while the risotto was creamy, full of flavor,…I could go on and on, but, suffice to say, I was truly impressed. We split a slice of house-made, bourbon-pecan pie with vanilla ice cream. Such flavors! Truly recommend! All in all, I couldn't find a readily discernible thing wrong with the food we ordered. That said, it wasn't ‘mediocre’ but, in fact, truly spectacular. I'm grasping at straws, but if I had to find flaw with something, it would be this: The shrimp in my risotto were so plentiful, to the point where I'm hypothesizing but not certain that they were frozen, not fresh. There were an awful lot of them, and they were small; more or less the exact size you'd find in a frozen bag of shrimp. Were they frozen? (Not sure.) Were they fresh? (Not sure.) Were they perfectly prepared? (Yes.) We will most definitely be returning."

[BMcWS, 11/11] said: "We had never been to Torches before and went because Janice Okun recommended it in a recent column about where she would take out-of-town guests. We give it 5 stars. Our server was excellent and just attentive enough. We started with a free amuse bouche of the moistest cornbread I have ever tasted, with chili on top: fantastic. Then came house-made, sourdough bread with a parsley dip: excellent. I ordered the gnocchi with a porcini mushroom sauce and bleu cheese; it was amazing. The husband got the Torches salad—goat cheese, walnuts, craisins on a lovely salad. For our entrée, I ordered Nickel City mac and cheese. It is fried chicken on top of mac and cheese that is made with bleu cheese, Goldfish crackers (crumbled), and sundried tomatoes. The menu said it had hot sauce on top. I asked for no hot sauce, since I can't eat spicy foods. There must have been something hot in the dish itself though, because it was too hot for me. Not a problem, though, since the husband ordered A&W root beer short ribs with mashed sweet potato and onion rings: to die for. I ate his, and he ate (and liked ) mine. For dessert, we had pumpkin gingerbread and a chocolate peanut butter cake that had a brownie as the bottom layer, then a peanut butter mousse, and a chocolate ganache: incredible. The best meal I have had in Buffalo in ages. We will definitely be back."

[GOw, 10/11] said: "First time is the charm! Wow; great meal. We stopped in for dinner on a Tuesday night rather early—5:30. It is a rather odd time for fine dining, and I think it could be a dangerous time to dine, as the kitchen is just opening. When we arrived, we were the first customers. Nice space with candles (torches) and linen napkins folded in a way to look like a torch. The attention to detail here is really noteworthy; it continued throughout our meal. Service was very attentive. The dinner crowd steadily increased, and they were soon at near capacity—pretty impressive for a Tuesday night in October. We were treated to a nice amuse bouche—but I'm afraid my memory of what it was fails me. My wife ordered her favorite, a Beefeater martini on the rocks—sizable glass and perfectly made. Next was some delicious bread with a special oil sauce. My wife ordered a special pumpkin bisque, which was neatly served in a pumpkin: delicious. I had a special salad—the fall Caesar—this was grilled romaine with some interesting twists from the usual: very good. On to the entree—I had the grilled Puerto Rican skirt steak with a sweet potato stuffed with beans: flavorful and delicious. Each dish is prepared with care. Presentation is extremely important here. My wife had what she termed the best salmon dish she ever tasted. We finished our meal with a concord grape pie on a cream-cheese crust. If there was a disappointment in our night, this was it. The filling was scant and perhaps overly sweet. I loved the crust. Coffee was excellent. We will be back and will tell others."

[SGo, 10/10] said: "Tonight [10/28/10], three friends and I visited Torches, and they served the best salmon I have ever had. The Torches house salad was pleasant, but the salmon served with hummus, lemon, pita, cucumbers, and a black-olive topping was to die for; all 4 of us choose it for our entrée. Great service and tremendous food. At the end of our dinner, the server came over and asked if anyone was driving a certain car, and it just so happened it was one of my friends' car. Seems like the chef and owner walks through the parking lot occasionally and saw one of the cars had a flat tire. This angel—and wonderful person, named JJ—took the time to change the tire and wouldn't take a penny for all his hard work and effort!! He was truly one of the nicest people I have ever met, and we were so grateful. None of us will ever forget what this wonderful person did; he was the chef, the owner, and one of the best people ever: You know how they call Buffalo ‘the city of good neighbors’; well, JJ is the best neighbor of all. Thank you for a wonderful dinner and experience. We will all return in the near future!!"

• And [SMa, 10/10], one of the "three friends", concurred: "Went to Torches Restaurant on Thursday evening [10/28/10]. Food was very good. Presentation was excellent. Service was never lacking. The exceptional part was that the owner/chef checks the parking lot occasionally during business hours and found that a car had a flat tire, and then proceeded to find which of his customers' cars it was and then change the flat. I have never met anyone so accommodating. 4 stars to Torches."

[KaB, 6/10] said: "We went to dinner on Wednesday 6/16 at Torches. We were greeted and seated immediately. We felt there was a lag time between the server arriving and going over the specials, and there seemed to be another delay before he returned to get our wine and dinner order. For us, this time between courses and the temp of the food were the major issues of our dining experience. Wine was not delivered until our food was ready to arrive. We were served a strawberry with an eye-dropper full of balsamic vinegar. The idea was to drizzle the strawberry with the vinegar and eat. It was an interesting combination, and we liked the sweet versus tart flavors. Then the bread arrived, with a parsley mojo sauce. We could have stopped dinner there and just kept ordering bread, because the mojo was that delicious. Next was an amuse bouche of smoked Cuban pork over rice, with a pickle on top. It was very good. On to the appetizers: We ordered Crab & Grapefruit Gnocchi. It was an interesting mix of gnocchi, crab, and citrus. I think the slight sweetness with the potato dumpling was a bit of a turn-off for my husband, but I enjoyed the appetizer. I had a difficult time deciding what to order for an entrée, so I opted for an appetizer. I chose the pan-seared scallops from the regular menu. They were excellently seared with a light corn coulis and champagne vinaigrette. There was some sort of bitter and sweet, straw-textured shoot on the side. I wasn't too sure what to make of them. My husband had the king crab legs from the dinner's special menu. He asked that they be cracked by the kitchen. There was a long delay between our appetizer and the entrée. When the crab legs arrived, they were very dry. It appeared they sat somewhere in the kitchen and dried out after cracking. The rice and snap peas that accompanied them were nothing to talk about. They were overcooked and barely warm. Overall, our dinner had some good points, but, overall for the price we paid. we were not impressed. We have enjoyed Torches in the past. so we would take a chance on eating there again and just hope for better service."

[BK, 11/09] said: "I had previously enjoyed Torches's offerings at the 2009 Taste of Buffalo and finally had the opportunity to dine there with a friend on 11/20/09. Upon arrival, we were promptly greeted by the hostess and seated in the intimate, yet comfortable dining room. Soon thereafter, our waitress arrived to explain the nightly specials and to take our drink order. Our wine was followed by a complimentary amuse bouche, which consisted of a succulent veal meatball in a marsala sauce. After placing our food order, we were also served fresh bread slices adorned with asiago cheese and olive oil pesto. For an appetizer, we opted for the potato gnocchi, which were served in a sage cream sauce and accompanied by mushrooms and bleu cheese crumbles. The dish was quite flavorful and very delicious. Our salads arrived promptly and were equally as enjoyable. I ordered the house salad, which was topped with a wine-based vinaigrette and comprised of romaine hearts, dried cranberries, and goat cheese. My friend ordered the Caesar, which was as impressive for presentation as for taste. The romaine leaves were presented vertically and wrapped in prosciutto. For an entree, I opted for the ‘Nickel City Mac & Cheese’. The macaroni were mixed with bleu cheese Alfredo and topped with buttermilk-fried chicken pieces, goldfish crackers, and a hot sauce. As expected, the dish was excellent and better than the mass-produced sample I had enjoyed at the Taste of Buffalo. However, in hindsight, I would have ordered the dish as an appetizer or side to share; it included only a few, small pieces of chicken. My friend opted for the ‘Veal Saltimbocca’, which was a more substantial offering comprised of veal meatballs, pasta, and prosciutto in a marsala sauce. The flavor was absolutely exquisite. We did not order dessert, as we had previously decided to visit my favorite ‘libation station’, The Chocolate Bar, for an after-dinner drink. Overall, I was thoroughly impressed with our dining experience at Torches. Both the food and service were stellar and well worth the price ($80 before tip). I will certainly return."

[MCz, 6/09] said: "Visited Torches recently on a slow Wednesday night (there was only one other table occupied) for a fantastic meal. The food at this restaurant is really inspired, from the tastes to the presentations. Our meal started off with a complimentary amuse bouche, that night being their mac and cheese presented in sort of an arancini-style fried ball. I could have ordered a dozen for my entree and been satisfied. Next, we ordered the skyscraper Caesar salad, with a vertical presentation for the romaine leaves. The base of the leaves was wrapped in prosciutto and glued to the plate with goat cheese. Very unique and very tasty once toppled and cut up. Our appetizer was a daily special of Corona beer-battered haddock served with a light dipping sauce that reminded us of key lime pie. The fish was very fresh and cut into three fingers before being battered and fried. It was better than the best fish fry I've had, very crispy and with moist, tender fish pieces. For entrees, we chose the two specials offered. One was a BBQ platter, with ribs, brisket, pulled pork, and Cuban pork tenderloin. The sides were an apple slaw and BBQ beans. The meats were slow-smoked, very moist and tender (especially the brisket), and the tastes of each meat just a bit different from the other, especially the pork tenderloin with its Cuban seasonings. A welcome surprise that such an upscale restaurant would have top-notch BBQ. We understand they have their own smoker in the kitchen and always offer some sort of BBQ item on the menu. Our other entree was filet mignon and shrimp kabobs, grilled with a slightly sweet chili sauce. The star of this dish was the presentation, where the skewers were brought to the table hanging above the plate and finished with a torch tableside (a take on the restaurant name, perhaps?) before the food was dropped from the skewers onto the plate below. It was served with sweet-potato fries topped with a walnut butter. For dessert (so good we wanted it with two "s"es), we chose the vanilla-bean creme caramel, which reminded us of a flan (but a very good one), topped with fresh blueberries and strawberries. My only complaint for the evening was that the espressos we ordered came with a lemon peel twist that rendered a bitter taste to the brews. Next time, I'll ask them to hold the lemon. The service was excellent, their wine list had our favorite red zin (7 Deadly Zins), which we enjoyed with the meal, and the total bill came to $135 before tip. A reasonable price for a fantastic meal, and we can't wait to return. (Love your website! Keep up the good work.)" [Thanks!]

[MCT, 3/09] said: "My girlfriend and I recently went to Torches for her birthday. I called ahead for reservations and let the man know on the phone that it was her birthday and would appreciate a dessert being brought out or something at the end. He was very nice on the phone and said he would take care of it, no problem. The atmosphere is very nice, comfortable, and relaxing: a place you would want to go with a dinner party or a date night with the girlfriend/wife. We had the house salad and gnocchi for appetizers and the pork chop with Dinousaur BBQ mashed potatoes and the Nickel City mac and cheese for our dinners. I ordered the mac and cheese without sun-dried tomatoes, but unfortunately they forgot to take them out. But the best part about this is that our waitress was such a good waitress that within 2 minutes of us receiving our food she asked how everything was, and I told her the mistake. She apologized up and down and said it would be removed from the bill and she would bring out another one. I said that was not necessary but appreciated. The food was perfect, and the service was even better. One of my biggest criteria when evaluating a restaurant (besides obv. the food) is how quickly, if at all, the server checks in after dropping off the food and then if you have to ask for refills. I cannot stress enough how much we enjoyed this place. My meal could have easily been terrible due to the honest mistake, but the fact that the waitress checked in on us almost immediately made it very enjoyable. After we finished our meals, one of the owners came over with their "flaming Alaska" with a candle on the plate! I did not even have a minute to wonder if they would remember my request: He was already there. Then he brought glasses of lemoncello for us to try, which was awesome. I can honestly say that this is now one of our favorite restaurants in Buffalo and am very glad that we finally made it there. I highly recommend the place not only for the great food, but the personable service and awesome atmosphere!"

Touch of Italy Restaurant & Pizzeria.
630 Delaware St.
(on the east side of Delaware St., between Delton St. & Tussing Ln.; also between Canton St. & Dekalb St. on the east side, and between the I-290/Youngmann Memorial Hwy. & State St.),
City of Tonawanda
695-3355.

[12/21/12] Given 3½ (out of 4) pennies by Anne Neville, Buffalo News "Cheap Eats" restaurant reviewer.

Toutant.
437 Ellicott St.
(north of E. Chippewa St.,
south of E. Tupper St.),
Downtown Buffalo.
342-2901.

New Orleans/Southern cuisine.

[6/12/15] Listed as one of the "10 Essential Places to Eat in WNY" by Donnie Burtless, Buffalo Eats

[JoM, 8/11/15] says: "I stopped in with a group of 4 for dinner on 8/8/2015. I had dined here about a month prior, but no one else in our party had ever been. We had reservations made for 6:00. Upon arrival, the hostess asked if we'd like to have a drink at the bar or head directly to our table. The bar was pretty crowded, so we decided to head straight to the table. We were seated upstairs on the 2nd floor, overlooking the bar below. To start, we ordered a basket of hush puppies. The hush puppies change on a weekly basis, and, if memory serves me correctly, we had brisket in this order; everyone thought the hush puppies were very good. For my entree, I had the fried chicken with a side order of biscuits: The chicken was cooked to perfection, the batter coating the outside had a slight taste of sea salt but wasn't overpowering, and the meat was deliciously tender and juicy. The buttermilk biscuits were excellent, and the blueberry jam served with them was fantastic. Other people in our group tried the chicken jambalaya, the fried shrimp poboy, and the New Orleans-style BBQ shrimp. I had a piece of fried chicken leftover to take home, and my friend had half of her shrimp poboy to package up as well. Nobody had any room left for dessert. Service was attentive and professional. Overall, we were impressed with our experience, and I look forward to returning soon. I recommend!"

[AMB, 7/27/15] said: "Happily, somewhere interesting open on a Sunday night. The main dining room is upstairs, which may be an issue for some (not sure if there is an elevator; there are some tables on the first floor). Service was friendly and prompt. We tried the crab cakes (good but standard), a biscuit sandwich involving duck and fois gras (as it sounds, delicious & rich); hush-puppies (excellent, not too heavy); and the fried chicken (really good!). I'd go back again for the fried chicken, but other things on the menu looked interesting as well. They, like a few other new places, have a more extensive whiskey list than has been typical."

[LGe, 7/20/15] said: "Four of us had dinner at Toutant on July 19 and enjoyed it very much. It is Southern/New Orleans-style food, so some of the entrees and sides have grits, cornmeal, or other Southern mainstays in them. They have a nice selection of wine by the bottle and glass, beers in bottles and drafts, and fancy cocktails, including the New Orleans signature cocktail, the Sazerac, which one member of our party ordered and said was very good. The special salad with a light yogurt dressing was tasty, and the oysters on the half shell were delicious. I found my friend's soft-shell crab appetizer a little lackluster, but others at the table liked it more than I. The entrée of BBQ shrimp with rice was delicious. The only disappointment was the ribs that two people ordered—a little chewy and not particularly flavorful. The service was excellent, and the space is great. Despite the ribs, we will definitely be back, because everything else was really good or excellent. Plus, this restaurant is open on Sundays and Mondays, when many other places are closed! It has a Sunday brunch with what looks like a delicious menu. The restaurant closes on Tuesdays and Wednesdays."

[WHN, 6/1/15] said: "Saturday night, we had dinner at Toutant. We were asked if we wanted to be taken to our table right away, or have a drink at the bar, which was very busy and very loud. We chose to go to our table on the second floor. While not quiet, the second-floor dining room was much quieter than the bar area. There is also dining on the 3rd floor, which our server said is even less noisy. I ordered a bottle of grenache from Languedoc, and we looked over the menu, which features southern cuisine. We both ordered blue-crab bisque, with ‘crab cracklin'’ and cayenne oil. I don't know what crab cracklin' is, since crabs don't have skin to crisp, but it was crispy and added texture to the creamy bisque. G thought that the cayenne oil was a bit spicy for her taste, but she still liked the soup. For her main course, she had grilled, black drum fish, topped with preserved tomatoes; I had soft-shell crab, with buttered popcorn rice. We skipped dessert, but had coffee. It was an excellent meal with wonderful service, with multiple servers and helpers working tables in the dining area. Shortly before we left, the volume of the background music was turned up to what we would consider an unpleasant volume. Maybe I'm just getting old. In any case, the volume of the music won't keep us from returning."

[DGB, 5/26/15] said: "M and I celebrated our anniversary on 5/25 at Toutant. We had heard many wonderful things about it, and were anxious to try downtown's new hot spot; we were not disappointed. The downstairs bar was lively (loud!), busy, and had some wonderful craft beers and cocktails. The 2nd-floor dining room, with its exposed brick walls and reclaimed wood, was inviting and, though lively, was conducive to easy conversation. Dinner started with several small plates, including skillet corn bread ($5.00), crab cakes (2/$14.00), and the evening's special hush puppies, with bacon, green onion, and red peppers, with a ranch dipping sauce ($8.00). Everything was served fresh and hot, and delicious, although the crab cakes could have had a bit more ‘kick’. The corn bread, especially, is a must for every meal. Thinking that would do it for our meal, we then looked at the large plates, and decided that we weren't done. We both opted for the jambalaya—M for the shrimp and crab ($24.00), and I for the sausage and chicken ($21.00)—they will do combos, with an upcharge. Both dishes were served piping hot in a cast-iron skillet, and were uniquely wonderful, full of flavor, without being too spicy (a little more heat wouldn't have hurt). Then we were done—until the waitress showed us the dessert menu. We were able to pass up most items, until we got to the Meyer Lemon Curd Jar ($5.00), a deconstructed lemon-meringue piew—shortbread crust; sweet/tart, house-made, lemon curd; and singed meringue; all in a small mason jar. Unique, and probably the highlight of the meal. Dinner, drinks, and tax came to just under $120.00 for the two of us. Considering the amount of food and drink (oy!), the prices were very reasonable, the atmosphere was fun and funky, and the food of consistently high quality. Downtown Buffalo has done it again!"

The Town Cafe.
2352 Grand Island Blvd.
(south of Martin's Fantasy Island, west of Baseline Rd., in the center of Grand Island),
Town of Grand Island.
773-7373.

[JKl, 2/10] says: "My review of this location is limited to meals consisting of only fish fries. Rarely have we been to the Town Cafe when it was busy, and we've always been able to choose where we wanted to sit in the restaurant. The fish fry at this location is reasonably priced at $8.95 for the fish, coleslaw, and choice of potato. For $3 more, you can add the soup and salad bar, which is a great deal. In fact, one night we went, the waitress told us that New England Clam Chowder was also available, although it was not on the soup bar, and she would be happy to bring it out for us. The salad bar was kept with very fresh, ice-cold ingredients with a wide variety of toppings. Our waitress was happy to bring out a side of bleu cheese dressing when it wasn't available on the salad bar. As for the fish fry, it was very delicious, had a large portion, and the fries were good, as well. We were also given a basket of yummy dinner rolls to enjoy with dinner as well. The fish has a thick batter, but not so thick as to overwhelm the delicious, white, flaky fish inside. Our only issue, which we weren't aware of when we went: You pay for your pop and one refill—any other refills are at an additional cost (which unfortunately brought our cost way up the first time we dined here due to my guest who drinks a lot of pop with his meal!). Service was attentive, kind, and friendly. We will definitely be going back here in the future."

The Towne Restaurant.
186 Allen St.
(at Elmwood Ave.),
Allentown/Elmwood Village red section (City of Buffalo).
884-5128.

Greek, informal, inexpensive. Good soups, open souvlaki, spanakopita, baklava. The closest thing Buffalo has to a European café in ambiance (or, at least, it was the only such place when I first moved here!). Outdoor dining in summer.

[JoM, 12/11/12] says: "I stopped into Towne for breakfast with a friend last week. Although it wasn't printed on the menu, our waitress said they serve a 2-2-2: This is 2 pancakes, 2 eggs and 2 slices of either bacon or sausage. Both of us chose this for our entrees, with scrambled eggs and bacon. The meals were served very promptly and were quite good. I wouldn't classify this as the best breakfast I've ever had, but it was a very good ‘diner’-style meal. With 2 cups of coffee, our meal came out to $15 before tip. Overall, we were happy with our experience and will return."

[11/08] [MER], my 13-year-old son, my 3-year-old granddaughter, and I had dinner here for the first time in a very long time. I used to think they had the best avgolemeno in the area, but the cup I had tonight, though good, was not as good as I remember it. Their menu has grown since my last visit, too, so I tried what for me was a new item: broiled grouper with zucchini and Greek potatoes. The fish was moist, tender, not at all "fishy", but rather tasteless (which a lot of salt helped); the zucchini, however, was nicely sauteed—my only complaint is that there were only about 6 very thin slices, whereas I think they gave me about 4 whole potatoes. The accompanying pita was a bit on the crispy side, though not warm or toasty. My son's burger with homefries was pronounced "delicious". But [MER] prefers Spilios's open chicken souvlaki; she thought that the Towne's was flavorless. Our granddaughter had spaghetti with red sauce, which she liked. Coffee was hot and tasteless. Although I still like the Towne, I think I must downgrade it to 1 star.

[NPF, 7/08] said: "I love Greek food and have frequented Towne for a few years now. My last experience left me appalled, and, with so many great options in town, I will not go back any more. My husband and I met a couple of friends from out of town along with another couple for brunch. When we asked for a table, they rudely told us to wait because there was a party of twelve and seven that needed to be seated (even though there was nobody there). The manager apologized and sat us down within ten minutes. When someone on the other side of the table asked for separate checks, the waitress cut her off and snapped "yeah, that's taken care of already." When the food was being brought out, the waitress told one of us she rang up an order incorrectly and brought out a gyro breakfast instead of a 50/50 breakfast. She asked if he wanted the gyro or the 50/50, and he said "I'll wait for the 50/50." She seemed annoyed and asked twice, "Are you sure? I mean, the food is here already." When he said, "Yes, I'll wait" again, she muttered under her breath and went into the kitchen. The menu has not changed much, and of course I went for a chicken souvlaki breakfast, which is usually pretty good at this location. When we received the food, I noticed the portion size had been trimmed quite a bit compared to what they used to give on plates. The portion size was smaller, and the taste was fine, but not amazing enough for a ten-dollar plate. There was much less chicken than usual, and the potatoes were undercooked. The waitress gave me burnt rye bread instead of wheat, and I had to flag someone down to get what I asked for. Mistakes are understandable in a busy time, but she was rude to us about her mistakes, so we let the manager know. On our way out, we noticed gratuity was added to our bill (as usually happens with larger groups). One of the couples we were with asked for Tom, the manager, and let him know they did not want to pay gratuity since she was continuously rude. The manager's reply was "you are a big group, so you should have known what you were walking into." We were all absolutely shocked and embarrassed. I have eaten out in groups frequently, usually in larger groups, and have never had a problem. A group of 3 couples was the smallest "group" in the group section, and the only difficult thing we asked for was separate checks. The quality of the food and service has diminished noticably in the past few years. It was difficult to enjoy the food with such rude service. Mediocre food and poor service: not worth it."

[ABi, 2/07] said: "Was the Towne ever not there? Picturing Buffalo without its favorite Greek eatery would be like conjuring a vision of the city without its professional football franchise or favorite chicken dish. Thankfully, we don't have to imagine this area in general or Allentown specifically without the Towne, and it's also nice to know it still offers straightforward food at a value. Our most recent trip did not disappoint, because I got what the Queen must surely dine on for lunch, a steak sandwich; what could be more luxurious at noon? Well, they don't serve champagne, but I still found my ribeye to be surprisingly nearly fall-apart-ribs supple, while still being large enough to make it a substantial lunch when paired with its pal fries. The lady got a souvlaki, which was quite tasty, according to her report, one I can confirm from the bit I stole from her plate. The chicken was flavorfully textured and spicy, and the potatoes had just enough vinegary tang to complement their tenderness. Our waitress was a sweetheart, and the Towne still feels comfortable, as it was when my parents first took me here at the turn of the 80s following running errands downtown and maybe a special trip to Clayton's. The toy store may have moved, and other businesses may have left, but hopefully the Towne will be around for kids growing into adults here for the time ahead."

[LJ, 4/06] said: "I had never had Greek food before and wanted to try it, so I went to the Towne Restaurant. When I walked in, it had a very friendly feel to it, and customers were able to seat themselves, which I liked. I ordered pastitsio, which was served with potatoes, pita, and a Greek salad. Usually, I'm not that impressed with salad, but the fresh feta cheese that was sprinkled on top was delicious. The pastitsio and the bread were both very good, but the potatoes tasted very vinegary, which I didn't care for. Everything on the menu was moderately priced, and the entire staff was very friendly and polite. I received pretty fast service. All in all, my first experience with Greek food was a good one, and I would recommend the Towne Restaurant to anyone."

[JSo, 4/06] said: "Their menu was quite extensive, and there were a lot of items to choose from for a meal at any time of the day. Breakfast is served at all times of the day and seemed to be their most popular attraction. There is also a great deal of Greek items on the menu. I had the chicken souvlaki and the baklava. Both were very good. The presentation of the dish was pleasant, as well. The portions are very large, and the prices are affordable. The atmosphere is simplistic. The restaurant features minimal decorative aspects, and, as a customer, you must seat yourself. My only complaint is that the service was slow; however, our waitress was very nice, and she seemed to be knowledgeable about the menu items. I would definitely go back to the Towne Restaurant; my experience was overall a positive one."

[CT, 4/06] said: "This was my first time dining at Towne Restaurant, so I wasn't sure what to expect; it was recommended, so I figured it should be pretty good. There were some things I enjoyed about this restaurant and things that made me never want to go back. When we first got there, we didn't know if we should sit or wait for someone to sit us, so we waited, then, finally, when they told us we could sit, we sat and waited for our waitress for a while. The restaurant was not busy at all, maybe 3 families were there, so we didn't understand why no one was paying attention to us. When the waitress finally came, she didn't seem too friendly; she acted like she just wanted us in and out so she could go home—it made us feel uncomfortable. We ordered the chicken souvlaki, which ended up being very good; the dinner was a good-sized meal for the price. Overall, the food was very good, but the service was horrible, which makes me not like the restaurant. If you don't care about service, then I recommend this place, but if you're like me and like when your server cares and is friendly, then I would not recommend going to Towne Restaurant."

Reviews from more than 10 years ago:

[MEL, 10/97] said: "Solid breakfast."

[AN, 8/96] said: "My favourite recently for junk food...has been Towne. Plus they are open at the hours I usually feel really hungry."

[RM, 5/94] said: "Pretty good Greek fare for lunches if you are in the Allentown area."

[J&AD, 1993] said "This plebeian Greek restaurant is a popular neighborhood hangout. Inexpensive, interesting clientele. Runyanesque atmosphere."

Trattoria Aroma.

[] 307 Bryant St.
(at the northeast corner with Ashland Ave.,
just west of Elmwood Ave.),
Elmwood Village yellow section (City of Buffalo).
881-7592.

4840 N. French Rd.
(west of Transit Rd.,
east of Autumn Creek Ct.),
East Amherst (Town of Amherst).
688-8848.

5229 Main St.
(at Linwood Ave.,
just east of S. Forest Rd.,
& west of S. Union Rd.,
just west of the Village of Williamsville),
"Greater" Williamsville (Town of Amherst).
631-2687.

[EAK, 11/09] reports that both the Buffalo and "Greater" Williamsville locations offer a Tuesday Tasting Menu: 3 courses for $25/person.

Reviews of "Aroma Bryant": the Buffalo location:

[4/16/10] Given 3½ (out of 4) stars by Janice Okun, former Buffalo News restaurant reviewer.

Bill says:


[7/9/15 & 8/13/15] A report on two Thursday-evening dinners: Water was brought to the table with a slice of cucumber in each glass; I'm not sure that it adds any flavor to the water, but I do prefer it to a slice of lemon, which does. At one meal, my son began with the Insalata Griglia, not realizing that it was grilled, but he enjoyed it; I had the Insalata Aroma, good as always. Another time, we had the caprese: excellent flavors, but not enough mozzarella (for me). For entrees, my son had the Barese from the Pizza Bianca list: "herb-grilled chicken, caramelized onion, spinach, herb, asiago"; I also had a taste. We agreed that it was good, but on the dry side, and he thought that the crust was a bit too "crusty". Another night, he had the Pollo Pizzaiola: "parmigianno-reggiano crusted chicken breast, butter braised spinach, orzo, fresh mozzarella, pomodoro, basil oil"; this was much more successful, and he took some home for a late-night snack. Both times, I had evening specials: One time, it was wild-caught, striped bass, with Oles Farm golden beet-fingerling hash, Swiss chard, and spinach pesto; it was excellent: moist, tender, and the hash was much better than I expected (I'm not a potato lover). Another time, it was Bronzino alla Griglia: arugula-pesto-grilled, whole bronzino, with Swiss chard, arugula pesto, and parmigianno-reggiano risotto; this was also excellent, though it was a bit hard to completely debone the fish. Others in our party had the house salad, the bolognese, and margherita pizzas. My son had the afigato for dessert, and I had the tiramisu, both very good. With tax and drinks, before tip, our meals averaged just over $39 per person.


[1/23/15 & 3/26/15] A report on two recent dinners. In January, two visiting friends from out of town, our 9-year-old granddaughter, MER, and I had a birthday dinner (for MER) here on a Friday evening, late. The place was packed and very, very noisy, which somewhat diminished our enjoyment of an otherwise excellent meal of the kind that we have come to expect from Aroma on Bryant. MER had the Maiale ("pan roasted 16oz pork chop, farro risotto, roasted fennel, whole grain mustard pan jus"), which she raved over. Our granddaughter had a margherita pizza, which she liked, though not the crust (I tasted the crust and thought that it was excellent). One guest had the Tagliatelle Frutti di Mare ("PEI Mussel, tiger shrimp, calamari, basil, red sacue, chili oil"); the other had the Cider-Braised Beef Short Ribs ("potato puree, roasted apple relish, pan jus"); and I began with an evening special soup (a creamy vegetable soup), followed by one of the two evening special fish dishes: swordfish, with quinoa, cauliflower, and a pepper puree. Our meals were very good. My swordfish was very tender, and the quinoa and cauliflower were a good accompaniment; the pepper puree did not impress me, but I don't like peppers (the other fish dish also had a pepper accompaniment; I skipped that one because our waiter warned me that it was spicy). Our granddaughter had cannoli for dessert, and I had a very good tiramisu. MER and one of our guests had the peanut-butter cake, with MER's accompanied by a birthday candle! Then, more recently, MER, SLD, our granddaughter, and I had dinner here on a weekday evening, with a much more tolerable noise level. Three of us had the Insalata Aroma, which were very good. MER and SLD had the Tagliatelle Bolognese, which they had had before and liked. I tried the Herb Roasted Salmon ("thyme-roasted beet risotto, fennel soubise, roasted harvest root vegetable, lemon oil"); the fish was perfectly cooked, and the risotto and chopped root vegetables were a wonderful accompaniment. Our granddaughter had her usual margeherita pizza. I had a new dessert: nocciola— layers of hazelnut sponge cake, dark chocolate hazelnut mousse, and zabaglione, with chocolate sauce and sugared hazelnuts; it was delicious, though it could have been a smaller portion. Our granddaughter had her usual cannoli. With drinks and tax, before tip, our meals have been averaging under $52/person.

[12/13/14] MER and I, together with SLD, JPa, our 9- and 1.5-year-old granddaughters, our 7-year-old grandson, and guests, separately or together (and occasionally babysitting the two youngest!), have had four dinners here recently, in late November and early December (we've been spending a lot of time on the West Side lately). Each meal has had me begging for more, so I am raising this branch of Aroma to 2 stars. We have tried a variety of soups and appetizers: Their roasted broccoli soup with pancetta hit the spot on a cold evening. I have also had crème di zucca (a linguistically curious name!), i.e., butternut-squash bisque, with pumpkin-seed oil, which was excellent (even MER liked her taste of it, and she's not fond of bisques). And a wild mushroom soup with fried leek and truffle oil was exquisite. MER tried the arancini appetizer once (and once only!): two braised-beef short rib, sweet-pea gorgonzola-filled risotto balls with spinach-hazelnut pesto and tomato oil; she thought that the gorgonzola overpowered the rest of the flavors. Two of our guests have had the Insalata Aroma ("Field greens, calamata olive, fried leek, cherry tomato, parmigiano-reggiano, balsamic vinaigrette"). For entrees, I have had wild-caught swordfish, with mushroom-sweet pea risotto and lemon-brown butter. The fish was probably the best swordfish I've ever had: very tender and sweet. But it was served on a plank of wood: Besides making me worry about spilling fish or risotto over the edge (minor problem), it absorbed all the delicious butter sauce (major problem). I have also had a moist and tender, wild-caught mahi mahi in two different preparations: Once it was served over a heavenly smooth and flavorful Adirondack purple potato purée with purple carrots, roasted salsify, golden beet, and honey-sage aioli. Another time, it was served with toasted pine-nut and spinach risotto, (cold) sundried-tomato pesto, and basil oil; the fish was flaky and tender, and the accompanying risotto and pesto were very flavorful. MER has had the pollo milanese, which she liked, but not nearly as much as the one she had had recently at Hutch's. Another time, I had an herb-roasted salmon over thyme-roasted beet risotto, which was excellent, but MER had a bistecca, which was tough. MER and SLD have had the Tagliatelle Bolognese ("Slow-cooked hearty ragu of beef, pork and veal"), which they said was very good. JPa loves the Barese pizza ("Herb-grilled chicken, caramelized onion, spinach, herb, asiago"). Our granddaughter likes their Margherita pizza (without basil, at her request). Another guest has had the Pappardelle Piemonte ("Wild mushroom, roasted garlic & tomato, parmigiano-reggiano, white truffle oil, arugula pesto"), which she said was very good. For desserts, two guests have shared a creme brulee, I have had the affigato (which, despite my unhappiness with it the first time—see my earlier review, below—I have grown to like). Our older granddaughter has also had cannoli with chocolate chips, and I have had their apple-walnut-raisin strudel with caramel sauce and vanilla-bean gelato; the strudel was a bit dry, which could have been compensated for by a bit more of the gelato, but it was good. Our grandson has enjoyed the chocolate cake, and I have had an excellent tiramisu. Service on our first visit, though friendly, was a bit slow, but the food was worth the wait. On a Saturday evening visit, we had excellent service (by Terry), which made for an interesting contrast with a recent meal at Osteria 166: Both first-rate restaurants in popular neighborhoods late on a Saturday evening, but Osteria's food and service suffered, whereas Aroma's was spot on. On our babysitting visit, service by David was excellent and kid-friendly, and he was appalled that MER was unhappy with her bistecca, so he offered complimentary desserts. Service on our most recent visit, by Rene, was also friendly and excellent. With tax and drinks, before tip, our meals have averaged around $45/person across all four evenings. (I should also mention that there is convenient paid parking in a lot almost next door.)

[11/7/13] I ate at the Buffalo location for the first time, on a Thursday evening, with a visiting speaker from UB and 4 other guests. I will only report on my meal, which began with the Insalata Aroma: "Field greens, artichoke hearts, calamata olives, fried leeks, tomatoes, shaved parmigiano-reggiano, balsamic vinaigrette"; it was very large, but quite good, with a very light dressing. For my main course, I had lobster ravioli, with fried leeks, in a prosecco-corn sauce. It was the best lobster ravioli I've ever had: All others that I've had were filled with finely-chopped lobster mixed with cheese, where the cheese flavor predominated; these were filled with chunks of lobster, and there were extra chunks mixed in with the leeks. The sauce was delicious; I only wish that there had been more bread at the table to soak it up with. For dessert, I had a somewhat disappointing Affogato: This was a bowl of 3 ping-pong-ball-sized scoops of vanilla-bean gelato, with a drizzle of chocolate sauce, and a large scoop of whipped cream, over which the waiter poured hot espresso. But the espresso added no flavor; the dish was fine, just a bit disappointing. I would estimate that my meal, without tax and tip, came to about $40. I'd certainly return, though it's pretty far from my usual stomping grounds; the "Greater" Williamsville branch is much closer to where I live. One interesting observation: The place was packed (and very noisy!), and, as I walked along Elmwood back to my car, I passed a string of nearly empty restaurants, including Mythos, Tokyo Shanghai, and Toro!

[WHN] said:

[12/14/13] "After the BPO Holiday Pops Concert at Kleinhans on Friday, 10 of us met for lunch at Trattoria Aroma on Bryant. G and I started with mixed-greens salads with baby tomatoes, olives, and shaved asiago cheese, tossed in balsamic vinaigrette. Some people had zupa al pomodoro, a tomato soup with garlic, shallots, and asiago cheese, served with toasted ciabatta bread. G and I both had tagliatelle Bolognese. Another in our group had mushroom-and-goat-cheese ravioli and porco panini— grilled veal cutlet with crisp pancetta, fried egg, roasted peppers, and parmigiano-reggiano, served with house-made potato chips. The last one that I can remember had rigatoni verdura—asparagus, fried shallot, roasted tomatoes, trumpet mushrooms, grilled zucchini, and peppercorn-mascarpone cream. Most of our group had not been to Trattoria Aroma before, but raved about the food. A few of us had dessert—vanilla-bean ice cream topped with chocolate sauce and whipped cream, with hot espresso poured over it. The dessert was excellent, too, as was the service. Portions are smaller at lunch than at dinner, as you would expect, and less expensive."

[7/22/13] "On Sunday, before attending Jazz at the Albright-Knox and visiting the Burchfield-Penney Art Center, we had brunch at Trattoria Aroma on Bryant. We had about a 15- or 20-minute wait for a table on their patio but had complimentary coffee at the bar while we waited. Once at our table, G ordered a poinsettia, while I had a mimosa ($7.50 each). For her meal, G had risotto primavera ($13) with peas, asparagus, green onions, and fresh basil, topped by a scrambled egg, which she substituted for the menu's sunny-side-up fried egg. She also asked that the fennel be omitted. I ordered an omelet del mar ($15), with lobster claw, shrimp, scallops, roasted tomatoes, cipollini onions, fresh basil, and ricotta, topped by orange hollandaise and accompanied by crispy home fries. For dessert, we each had a small cinnamon danish from the coffee and pastry display. Coffee, tea, and pastries are complimentary with brunch. The food was wonderful, and the service was excellent. It's no wonder that Trattoria Aroma was named ‘Best Brunch’ by Buffalo Spree again this year."

[5/12] "On Friday night, 5/25/11, G and I had dinner at the Bryant Street Trattoria Aroma. I had been there for brunch several times, but not for dinner; G had had dinner there once before. We requested and were seated on their outdoor, covered patio. We each had a glass of wine—Montepulciano d'Abruzzo for G, Vermintino for me; but they were out of Vermintino, so our server suggested Pinot Bianco, which he said was similar. Both wines were good. The bread was crusty and warm, served with balsamic-and-olive-oil dipping sauce. To start, G had a salad, whose name I don't remember, with assorted greens, cherry tomatoes, and pecans, tossed with a white-balsamic vinaigrette. I had the house salad with mixed greens, artichokes, olives, fried leeks, cherry tomatoes, and shaved parmigiano-reggiano, with balsamic vinaigrette. For the main course, G had tagliatelle Bolognese, with the sauce made with beef, pork, and veal. G said her Bolognese was almost as good as her favorite, from Curly's; she took enough home for lunch the next day. I had black sea bass, served over fava beans and gnocchi, in a red pepper sauce. The fish and the sauce were excellent, but there were more fava beans than I could eat, they were very al dente, and the gnocchi were rather soggy. That said, it was a good meal, with excellent service, and a beautiful night to dine outside."

[5/11] "On Sunday, 5/29, I went for brunch at Trattoria Aroma on Bryant with a group of friends. It was a beautiful, sunny day, approaching 80 degrees, so we sat out on their patio. Sitting on the patio is always interesting because of the people-watching possibilities—some real characters walk by, as well as regular neighborhood residents. In addition to their regular Sunday brunch menu, they've added quite a few brunch specials. One of them was soft-shell crab, served over creamy parmesan-polenta, with vegetables (sweet and mildly spicy peppers, tomatoes, and something that might have been Chinese celery). It was the first soft crab of the season for me, and it was wonderful! Several people had frittatas filled with cheese, spinach, tomatoes, and bacon or pancetta; one had a mushroom, fontina, and arugula omelet; another had steak and eggs. Finally, and the only negative of the day—eggs Benedict, which were rated ‘all right’, because one of the two eggs was cold, the other just warm, and the biscuit (instead of an English muffin), dry. The service was excellent, and the muffins, croissants, and other goodies available at no charge were very good."

[11/09] "On Sunday, 11/8, my wife and I met her sister and niece at the annual holiday open house at The Floristry on Delaware Ave. next to Hutch's. Afterward, we went to Trattoria Aroma on Bryant for brunch. My wife and I had Aroma Benedict with crispy pancetta. I'm pretty certain that, when we were there in the summer, it was served with crispy prosciutto, rather than pancetta, which is more like bacon than ham, but I could be mistaken. My sister-in-law had a different version of Aroma Benedict, with asparagus instead of pancetta. Both versions of eggs Benedict were very good. There is now a third version of Aroma Benedict offered as well, but I don't remember the components. Our niece had a Fontina cheese and wild mushroom omelette, which she said was also excellent. The croissants, cranberry scones, and muffins we sampled while awaiting our main courses were all fresh and delicious. There was a guitarist playing softly in the background. He may have been playing in the summer as well, but we ate outside and didn't hear him, if he was. A nice added touch."

[7/09] "My wife and I went to the Buffalo Garden Walk on Sunday, 7/28. We happened to park in front of Aroma on Bryant Street, which was not yet open. When we returned to our car, they were open, so we decided to eat there as long as they weren't serving a buffet brunch. It wasn't a buffet, so we dined on their front patio on Bryant Street. The Sunday brunch menu has many good-sounding choices: banana-stuffed French cinnamon toast with fresh fruit; a Caprese panini on a biscuit with a fried egg, house-made mozzarella, tomato, and basil; even a burger. We both chose Aroma Benedict, their version of eggs Benedict, with crispy prosciutto on a biscuit, with a side of home fries. They were delicious and priced at only $10, including coffee or tea, and an assortment of muffins and pastries from a table inside. While awaiting our order, we each had an almond croissant, which was very good. I planned to have a cannoli after my eggs Benedict, but was too full by then. Next time we are in the city on a Sunday, we would definitely go back to Aroma."

[SJB, 5/12] said: "Not one to complain about things, but I felt I needed to make an exception. I have never been treated worse at a restaurant than I was last night [5/19/12] at Trattoria Aroma, Bryant Street location. After waiting over a hour for a table after we were told we were next, I was ignored by the ‘hostess’ and was actually asked to leave by the manager when I got upset when the ‘hostess’ would not give me a time when we would be seated. Whatever happened to courtesy? Give us an accurate time wait, and we'll make a decision. Don't keep saying we are next. I will never visit this restaurant again. Too bad a rude hostess and an arrogant manager can ruin a night out. One more thing: When we told the ‘manager’ we have enjoyed the Williamsville restaurant, we were told to stay in Williamsville. Nice customer service touch. So much for Buffalo, the city of good neighbors."

[AmC, 5/11] said: "Although I have only been there once, I would go back again and again. The food was so delicious, savory. Even the simple small plates, such as salad and soup, were memorable. They use local ingredients, as well. They also have a good wine and spirit selection."

[KKi, 5/11] said: "5/14/11: Had a belated Mother's Day dinner with my mom, sister-in-law, and her mom at Trattoria Aroma on Bryant St. in Buffalo. It was excellent! We had 6 P.M. reservations and were promptly seated at a lovely table by the windows. Service was great without being overbearing. Ambience was very nice, bright, eclectic. We enjoyed nice glasses of wine with delicious homebaked bread. Two of us enjoyed salads before dinner: I had the insalate caprese with fresh mozzarella and tomatoes; it was delicious. Another guest had the salad with goat cheese, fried leeks, beets, etc; she loved it! Dinner menu was full of great choices, and it was hard to decide. I had the pasta with wild mushrooms and spinach; it was outstanding. Pasta was homemade; vegetables were very fresh and flavorful. Others had lobster ravioli, and a roast chicken dish with risotto off the specials menu; everyone loved their meals, and there were no leftovers. Wonderful meal; will definitely be back!"

[RDM, 3/10] said: "Another great WNY restaurant! My husband and I had a wonderful meal here last Friday night [2/26/10]. We enjoyed the warm bread with olive oil and balsamic vinegar. I loved my appetizer, which was calamari, stuffed puttanesca-style. I had to try the veal special of the evening, because I was very interested to try the veal from Blossom Hill Farm. It was prepared with a lemon-caper sauce and risotto with parsnips and spinach, and it did not disappoint! My husband also loved his entree, which was off the evening's specials menu. I had a taste, and the hanger steak was cooked perfectly (buttery and caramelized) with a spicy, cream sauce. Our server was bubbly and attentive. I was looking for something similar to a pinot noir to drink, and she did not hesitate to offer me a few samples to decide which I preferred. I cannot wait to go back, and only wish Trattoria Aroma had been open when I lived one block away on Ashland Ave.!"

[LSS, 1/10] said: "Imagine my delight when I read EAK's 12/09 review, and the reviewer had the same dish I enjoyed a few weeks ago: Pappardelle Piemonte. It is heavenly."

[JCr] said:

[1/10] "I have made 2 return trips here in the last month, and both have been great. My first visit, I chose the pork chop Salerno, and, like the previous review [EAK, 12/09], this was a great dish. The other 3 people in my party all went with pasta, and all greatly enjoyed their meal. My other visit was this past Friday [1/8/10], with a party of 6. I chose to start with a pork-belly appetizer on the specials menu, which was served over a saffron risotto. For my entree, I chose the Duck 2 Ways, which was a seared breast and a braised leg. Both my starter and entree were delicious. Everyone else enjoyed their entrees, and a few desserts were enjoyed by all. Great service as well."

[12/09] "11/27—My wife, her friend, and I visited Trattoria Aroma for our first time; this was one of the best meals I have had in a while, and I cannot wait to return. Upon arrival, we were seated, and we put in drink orders and received our menus and some warm, fresh bread. For starters, I chose the Pork Belly Bruschetta, and it was a keeper; I will order this again next visit. For our entrees, I chose the the Lobster Ravioli with fried leeks and lobster brandy cream; my wife chose the Spaghetti Adriatico, which was lobster claw, tiger shrimp, calamari, zucchini, squash, oven-dried tomato, and lemon/white-wine sauce; and our guest went with the roasted eggplant involtini, which was house-pulled mozzarella, spinach, pinenuts, fried leeks, fresh basil, and red sauce. Everyone enjoyed their meals very much, so I cannot wait to return. The only complaint was that, after dinner, we ordered cognac stingers for dessert and received straight cognac on the rocks; not sure if it was an oversight of the server, miscommunication on our part, or a lack of knowledge by the bartenders, but we will clarify next visit exactly what a stinger is, if need be."

[EAK, 12/09] says: "This past Wednesday night [12/23/09], I dined with 3 girlfriends at Trattoria Aroma (on Bryant). This was the first time any of us had been there, and, as soon as we walked in, we were pleasantly greeted by the bartender and the host. The décor is very modern, and the lighting created a wonderful ambiance. We were seated right away, and the waiter came over to give us some wine suggestions, because we wanted to order a bottle of both red & white wines. He recommended a Chardonnay and Chianti; both were great! We started with a couple of appetizers: first, the roasted-beet bruschetta (off the specials menu) with goat cheese, pine nuts, dried cherries, and parsley pesto; this was amazing! Then we tried the shrimp and lobster risotto, which was also very good. Per the waiter's recommendation, I ordered the Pappardelle Piemonte, which is a vegetarian dish (although I am not a vegetarian), with spinach, wild mushrooms, roasted garlic & tomatoes, parmesan & reggiano cheese, arugula pesto, and finished with white truffle oil. Words can't even describe how unbelievably delicious this pasta was! My one friend ordered the Pork Chops Salerno, which came with asparagus, Gorgonzola crostini, and a fried egg on top. I tasted several bites, and this was so good—the flavors were very unique. My other two friends split the Hanger Steak and Pan Roasted Chicken Breast. The Hanger Steak came sliced and served with mushroom and sundried tomato gnocchi with broccoli rappini and basil-truffle butter. The steak was fantastic—very good quality beef, not fatty at all, and seasoned to perfection. The chicken breast was stuffed with spinach & artichokes, goat cheese, and caramelized shallots. It was finished with a Marsala cream sauce and served with a potato-mushroom cake. Everyone's meals were fantastic, and we all agreed that we will be returning very soon. Their menu is pretty big, and they also had a specials menu with 3 appetizers and about 4 entrees. Can't wait to go back and try something else!"

Reviews of "Aroma North French": the East Amherst location:

[8/21/14] Given 8 (out of 10) points by Andrew Z. Galarneau, Buffalo News food editor.

[Bill, 4/2/14] says: MER, a friend visiting from out of town, and I had dinner here on a Wednesday evening. [DGB]'s physical description of the restaurant is spot on, but I would doubly emphasize that it is a loud space—almost, but not quite, as loud as the unbearably loud Tappo Restaurant; I could barely hear MER, and she was sitting right next to me. MER began with a caprese salad, our friend had a Caesar salad, and I had the bruschetta with basil-walnut pesto, tomatoes, and mozzarella. The salads were good; the bruschetta was excellent. Unfortunately, the bread and olive oil for the table arrived simultaneously with our appetizers instead of earlier when we were ordering, and, in my case, at least, that rendered it redundant, given that my appetizer was…bread. Both MER and our friend had the evening special Hensen Farm beef tenderloin with pancetta-trumpet mushroom risotto, broccoli rabe, and port demi. MER thought that it was one of the best she has ever had; the texture and flavors were amazing and the pancetta was heavenly. But…it was room temperature. After our meal, she mentioned this to our waiter, Mark, who offered dessert on the house, which I thought was very generous, especially since we hadn't been complaining, but merely letting them know. I had the herb-roasted salmon from the regular menu, accompanied by gnocchi, Swiss chard, and bacon arrabiata. Mark said that it was normally served "medium", and asked if that would be all right. Because no one ever gave me a choice like that for salmon before, I was unsure what to say, so I said that it was fine. Well, live and learn: A "medium"-cooked salmon, apparently, is what I would call "rare". It was also fairly tasteless, and required a heavy dose of salt, as did the accompaniments (which, by the way, were a bit cooler than room temperature). I had the affogato for dessert, which was a bit better than the one that I had recently had at Aroma Bryant, and our guest had the Chocolate (see [DGB]'s review, below, for an accurate description). Mark was a knowledgeable server. With tax, drinks, and dessert (which was comped, but I'm including the actual cost in this calculation), our meals averaged just over $70 per person. Given the noise, I'm not eager to return, but MER is, so I'm sure that we will; I just won't order "medium" salmon again!

[DGB, 3/18/14] said: "On Saturday (March 15), my wife and I went to the new Trattoria Aroma on North French (at Transit) in East Amherst. Recognizing that it was their first weekend of business, we were surprised to find (1) a last-minute reservation and (2) very few new-restaurant glitches. First, the space: Dave, the owner, describes it as ‘Tuscan farmhouse meets industrial’. To the left as you enter is a rather spacious, horseshoe-shaped, full bar, with room to mingle. Past a set of open metal stairs to the mezzanine, which overlooks the bar, is a large, open, dining area with brick walls, reclaimed wooden beams, an open ceiling, and wood flooring throughout. The reclaimed wooden tables and industrial metal chairs are comfortable, but make for a rather loud space—not a place for an intimate tête-à-tête. Two long, club tables (also reclaimed local wood) face into an open kitchen. The space has a great ‘lodge’ feel to it. All in all, a very attractive and welcoming setting. Now the food: The menu brings together selections from Main Street and Bryant Street, with some new items. As with the other locations, emphasis is on farm-to-table local fare and ingredients. We started our dinner with several drinks: a classic Moscow Mule (a ‘Mare’ on their menu) at $8.50 in a perfectly iced, copper mug, as is proper. My wife opted for the Antinori Toscano Bianco ($8.00), which was a delightful, light white. Our Caprese Salad ($11.00) had the usual tomato—not the best this time of year—with fresh mozzarella, basil and, balsamic reduction; theirs includes an added treat—thinly sliced prosciutto. It was very good. My wife ordered the Garganelli Norma ($21.00) but substituted the house-made rigatoni, which came with eggplant, roasted tomato, basil, and ricotta salata. It was rich and creamy, and the perfect blend of flavors. My Chianti-braised beef short rib ($26.00) was served on a bed of sweet corn & cippolini-onion risotto. I was given a steak knife, but our waiter was quick to point out: ‘You won't need it.’; I didn't. The meat was perfectly cooked: falling-off-the-bone tender, but not mushy. The deep wine flavor was a perfect match with the sweetness of the risotto, and was set off nicely with a glass of Santi Valpolicella Ripasso ($9.50). We did break tradition (and several diets) and ordered a dessert, named simply ‘Chocolate’ ($7.50) That says it all. It was a sliver (literally; it was more than enough for 2) of flourless, dark chocolate cake with a chocolate ganache, drizzled with caramel and sprinkled with sea salt: thick, rich and utterly decadent. Our server, Josh, was friendly, professional, and knowledgeable about the menu and options, which can be unusual in an opening-week operation. Dinner, drinks, and dessert came to $62.00 per person, plus tax and tip. The new operation takes an established standard in Northern Italian cuisine (and our perennial favorite) to a new level. Dinners only, from Tuesday through Sunday. We will return soon and often."

Reviews of "Aroma on Main": the Williamsville location:

[4/07] Listed as one of Buffalo's "27 Best Restaurants" by Buffalo Spree magazine.

[4/07] Given 3½ (out of 4) stars by Janice Okun, former Buffalo News restaurant reviewer.

[ECB] says:

[4/4/14] "My wife and I recently returned to Aroma for Restaurant Week, on a rare night out without the kids. We were seated next to the door, but a thick curtain had been put up to contain the draft, so we suffered not at all for our proximity. We both started with the Insalata Aroma, and it was magnificent. What elevated this uncomplicated salad from the unremarkable fare most restaurants serve was the quality of the ingredients: The lettuce was perfect, not a wilted leaf in it. The olives were briny, the tomatoes perfectly ripe, and the vinaigrette was just the right amount. One of the reasons we chose Aroma was that they were offering so many options for their special: eight dishes from their regular menu. I tried the Orecchiette Siciliane, and she had her usual: Fettucelle alla Bolognese. Both were excellent and too much food for us to finish. We needed to leave to catch our movie, so we decided to come back after for coffee and dessert, and were assured they'd have no trouble seating us. When we returned, we were greeted warmly by our waiter, asked about the movie, and immediately seated. For dessert, we had Brioche and Chocolate Sin, both of which were superb. The coffee, as usual, was excellent and worth the trip in itself."

[9/10] "My wife and I went on Tuesday [9/21/10] and got to try their Regional Tasting Menu, which is available on Monday and Tuesday and features dishes from a particular region of Italy. For $25, you get an appetizer, pizza or pasta dish, and an entree. This week featured Campania. My wife had a stewed-vegetable dish served cold, to start, and I had the salad, both of which were good, if not extraordinary. The next course was spaghetti puttenesca for me and gnocchi for her. Both were excellent. For the last course, we both had mussels in a wonderful broth with clams and chickpeas. We finished off with their excellent coffee and tarts, lemon for my wife and warm apple with vanilla gelato for myself. The entire meal was utterly wonderful. Service was excellent."

[12/09] "My wife [AAB] and I went here for our anniversary back in October and had a remarkable experience. We began with the Littleneck Clams, which were perfectly done, and the complimentary bread and herbed olive oil, which we had to keep from eating too much of in fear of ruining out appetites. I opted for the Griglia Misto: porcini- and fennel-rubbed rack of lamb and sea scallops served with parsley lemon pesto, and artichoke and tomato risotto. Absolute heaven! The scallops were perfectly cooked and complemented by the pesto, the risotto was my first and I hope not my last, and the lamb was perfectly cooked and seasoned. My wife opted for the Pesce del Giorno, which was also beautifully done with an excellent lemon risotto. For dessert, I got the Vanilla Bean Creme Brulee with their wonderful espresso, and my wife tried the chocolate cake, both of which made us very happy. We will definitely be returning."

[WHN] said:

[6/24/13] "G, my visiting daughter, my son, his girlfriend, and I had dinner at the Williamsville Trattoria Aroma on Friday night, 6/22. I had a glass of Gavi at the bar, and G had Pinot Grigio, while we waited for the group to arrive. The hostess wanted to seat us at a small table near the bar, which was set for 4, but I pointed out that our reservation was for 5 people, and G asked if there wasn't anything in the dining room; we ended up at a nice table in the main dining room. We were served fresh Italian bread with a green dipping sauce, which our server said was spinach and garlic; it was very good. Three of us had ‘insalata Aroma’ with mixed greens, cherry tomatoes, diced cucumbers, chichi beans, and shaved parmigiano reggiano: two with balsamic vinaigrette, and one with a lighter (non-balsamic) vinaigrette. My son had mushroom and vegetable soup. For her main course, G had ‘Pollo alle Verdure’—grilled, bone-in chicken breast, with wild mushrooms, artichoke hearts, roasted red peppers, and baby spinach, in white wine broth, served over pasta. My son had an evening special of grilled beef tenderloin with fresh figs in a Port wine sauce, served with deep-fried potato croquettes. His girlfriend had ‘Fettucelli del Piemonte’ with sauteéed wild mushrooms, baby spinach, garlic, and shaved parmigiano-reggiano, tossed in extra virgin olive oil and white truffle oil. My daughter had ‘Orecchiette Siciliane’—grilled eggplant, calamata olives, garlic, EVOO, and ricotta salata in a spicy tomato sauce. Finally, I ordered an evening special—smoked salmon tagliatelle with crab meat in a lemon sauce. It was wonderful! Unlike anything I've ever had. I wish it were on the regular menu, so I could have it again. In short, all the food was delicious, the service was very good, and their ‘wines by the glass’ list offers a nice assortment of mostly Italian reds and whites."

[11/11] "G and I, along with two other couples, dined at Trattoria Aroma's Main Street location on Saturday night, 11/5/11. We had planned on going to Prosit for a belated Oktoberfest dinner of German food, but they were fully booked. Given the surfeit of positive and negative reviews on the Bill Rapaport website, I was interested in finding out for myself. Another time, perhaps. To start, five people had the house salad, while I had grilled romaine, which I had had on a prior visit. Unlike the first time a few months ago, the lettuce was overcooked, wilted through and through, and had obviously spent way too much time on the grill. For entrees, two people had an evening special, chicken cacciatore; G had grilled cod; one person had another evening special, a huge lamb chop; another had osso bucco; and I had chicken mattone (chicken under-the-brick), which I've always wanted to try. My main course was the most disappointing I've ever had at Trattoria Aroma—the chicken was extremely dry. I've had my taste of chicken mattone now, and once was more than enough—never again, anywhere. The chicken cacciatore, served over pappardelle pasta, was reported to be not very good either—not enough chicken and just placed on top of the pasta, rather than cooked in the sauce. The lamb chop, cod, and osso bucco were said to be very good, with the osso bucco described as ‘not quite as good as Curly's (which no longer has it on their menu) used to be’, but very good. Given that fully half of us had less than wonderful meals, it was a letdown, since Trattoria Aroma has always served first-rate meals. The restaurant was not as busy as in the past, with several unoccupied tables and no one waiting at the bar. Some of us wondered if there had been a change of management or in the kitchen staff. But, since I have always had excellent meals here in the past, we will return and assume that last night's so-so dinner was an anomaly."

[5/11] "Saturday night, 5/14, I went to the Williamsville location for dinner with friends. Since I was here just 3 weeks ago, I wasn't planning to do another review, but felt that our server, Mark, deserves a mention for excellent service. Since he recommended the wonderful lobster spaghetti the last time I was here, I asked if he would recommend another special, swordfish. He said it was very good, but it had lots of greens and was, basically, a salad. Since I had already ordered a braised romaine salad, he said that, if I wanted fish, he would recommend sauteed, Hawaiian sunfish, with lemon risotto, from the regular menu. It was excellent, as was the grilled romaine with prosciutto, gorgonzola, roasted red peppers, and toasted walnuts, with a balsamic vinaigrette. (Before I ordered my salad, I asked Mark: ‘How grilled is it?’, because I don't like cooked, soggy lettuce. He said it was only put on the grill for a few seconds, and that it's one of their most popular salads; Mark came through again.) The others had the house salads, which are always very good. Other entrees ordered from the regular menu included shrimp puttanesca, veal saltimbocca, and a pasta dish with eggplant and mozzarella in tomato sauce. Lastly, one diner ordered a steak with beet risotto from the nightly specials menu. Everyone thought the food and service were top notch."

[4/11] "I had dinner with friends at the Williamsville Trattoria Aroma on Sat., 4/23. We all started with house salads of mixed greens, cherry tomatoes, kalamata olives, and shaved parmesan, tossed with a balsamic vinaigrette. Very good, as always, and the accompanying crusty Italian bread with olive oil, garlic, and spices for dipping was very good, too. For the main course, three of us had an evening special, one of several nightly specials recommended by our server—spaghetti lobster with wild mushrooms and spinach, in a truffle cream sauce. The lobster in the spaghetti was claw meat, which, I believe, is much more tender and flavorful than that from the tail. The lobster was cooked to perfection. The truffle-flavored sauce was wonderful, and the wild mushrooms added a woodsy, flavor element to the dish. It was a rich and filling dish, but not as heavy as Left Bank's carrot papardella with seafood. It was a delicious dish. If they had it on their regular menu, I would probably order it every time. One of our other friends had a filet from the regular menu, with a balsamic reduction, potato hash, and spinach. Lastly, another friend had a lamb chop from the nightly specials list. I don't remember the details, but she said it was excellent, too. Trattoria Aroma has a very nice list of Italian wines by the glass, as well as bottles. Everyone thought it was a marvelous meal. 4½ stars (out of 5)."

[4/10] "On Saturday, 4/10/10, we dined at the Williamsville Trattoria Aroma along with two other couples. We all had house salads to start, with mixed greens, olives, artichoke hearts, and baby tomatoes, tossed with balsamic vinaigrette, and topped with shaved parmigiano reggiano. They were delicious, as always. The restaurant has added some new items to their regular menu, including rabbit braised in riesling, served with diced vegetables over pappardelle pasta, in a clear broth. Since rabbit is seldom found on restaurant menus locally, I couldn't resist it. Yummy! My wife had an evening special of lobster-stuffed manicotti with a mushroom cream sauce, which she said was excellent but extremely rich and filling. She took half home to have for lunch on Sunday. Two of our friends had another evening special—short ribs braised in red wine, with mushroom risotto, and vegetables on the side. This was also reported to be extremely rich, and our female friend could only finish half, but gave the remaining short rib to a male friend, who finished it. Another friend had an evening special of gorgonzola-stuffed filet over smashed potatoes, also with a side of vegetables. Lastly, one friend had ‘linguini frutti de mare’ from the regular menu, with shrimp, calamari, and mussels, in a spicy tomato sauce. Everyone enjoyed their dinners immensely."

[1/10] "Our friends were dog-sitting for their son's and daughter-in-law's two Bernese Mountain dogs, and wanted to have dinner fairly close to their Snyder home, so we went to Trattoria Aroma. We all started with house salads, which were very good, as usual. Two of us had an evening special—filets with a red wine sauce and wild mushroom and gorgonzola risotto. Delicious. Our friend's wife had another evening special—sauteed scallops over pappardelle pasta in a light tomato sauce. Also reportedly delicious. My wife ordered veal saltimbocca, but, when the dinners arrived, her plate had shrimp and veal over risotto. Our server recognized the mistake immediately, and took it back to the kitchen, returning in a few seconds to say they would prepare the correct dish right away. But my wife didn't want to wait and watch while the rest of us ate, so said she would accept the shrimp and veal dish. She liked it, but not as much as the veal saltimbocca she's had on numerous occasions."

[12/09] "Along with another couple, we returned to the Williamsville location on Saturday night, 12/12. To start, three of us had their delicious house salads of mixed greens, cherry tomatoes, artichoke hearts, red onion, and olives, and shaved parmigiano-reggiano, with balsamic vinaigrette. The salads were delicious, as was the accompanying Italian bread and dip. Everyone must have been in the mood for seafood, because we all ordered from the nightly ‘pesce del giorno’ menu. My wife and one friend had scallops and lobster over pappardelle pasta in a creamy white sauce. Our other friend had a half-order of the scallops and lobster, and a half-order of walu with fall vegetables. I knew that Aroma would serve half-orders of pasta dishes, but didn't know they would serve half-orders of regular menu items. Very accommodating. I had sauteed barramundi over tomato risotto. Our server described the walu as having a taste and texture like halibut, and the barramundi as being similar to snapper. Our friend said her son had had walu on a previous visit to Trattoria Aroma, and said it was delicious. I decided on the barramundi, because I recalled that walu was another name for escolar, which a previous reviewer reported as sometimes causing severe gastro-intestinal disturbances. Escolar is also sometimes sold as Hawaiian butterfish or white tuna, but I've read that Hawaiian butterfish is a method of preparing the fish, not a specific species, and white tuna is properly albacore, so it's a good idea to confirm what the fish actually is if either is on the menu. I should say that I had eaten escolar at least twice before I knew the bad side-effects, and had no problems afterward. In any case, all the food was delicious, and the service was excellent. This fall, Trattoria Aroma received a Wine Spectator magazine Award of Excellence. The only other Buffalo area restaurants to receive awards this year are Shango and Bacchus. (Black and Blue has a WS Award of Excellence for their Rochester location, but not for the Williamsville one.) I would say their wine selection, both by the glass and bottle, is excellent, especially for Italian wines."

[7/09] "We had an excellent meal at the Main Street Trattoria Aroma last night, Saturday 7/18. The herb-olive oil dip served with fresh Italian bread was especially flavorful. We all started with the ‘Insalata Aroma’ house salad with mixed greens, shaved parmesan, olives, artichokes, red onions, and Roma tomatoes, tossed with a balsamic vinegar dressing. One friend had an evening special of sauteed scallops over capellini in a lemon-wine sauce, which he loved. I had another evening special—porcini-mushroom-encrusted rack of lamb, over wild mushroom risotto, with baby spinach. The lamb chops, perfectly cooked to medium rare, were exceptionally good, and the risotto was very good, too. Our wives both had veal saltimbocca, which they enjoyed immensely, but neither could finish the large portion. The service was fine as well."

[8/08] "We met friends for dinner at the Williamsville location on Saturday night, 8/9. The house salads that we started with weren't quite as good as usual. There didn't seem to be anywhere near the usual amount of olives, artichokes, shaved parmesan, etc., so the salads were quite ordinary. For my main course, I had a delicious evening special of porcini-encrusted beef-tenderloin medallions, with creamy, Gorgonzola mashed potatoes, and green beans. Excellent! My wife had veal saltimbocca, which she thought was also not as good as Trattoria Aroma's usual—not enough sage, or something else missing. Our friends both had an evening special: pan-seared scallops over risotto. They liked the dish, but the serving size was minuscule: three or four scallops sliced in half to make it look like more (for $21). I've read that a lot of restaurants are cutting portion sizes so they don't have to raise prices in these inflationary times, so maybe that's why. The service was fine, but, when I ordered a glass of Vermentino from their wine list, our server said: "Sorry, we only serve beer and wine." I don't know what he thought I said, but it was mildly amusing. (The restaurant is quite noisy sometimes.)"

[12/07] "Good news for those, like me, who don't like to wait for a table. Trattoria Aroma now takes reservations. Six of us went there Saturday night, with a reservation, and were promptly seated. After ordering wines from their menu of Italian wines by the glass, one couple shared a calamari salad appetizer, I had a mixed green salad, while the other four had the soup of the day, wild mushroom bisque. For main courses, two people had an evening special—medallions of beef tenderloin with wild mushrooms and asiago risotto; one had another evening special—roast chicken; two had veal saltimbocca with asparagus and roasted potatoes; and I had vitello terra—escalopes of veal with wild mushrooms and cherry tomatoes served over risotto. Everyone's food was described as excellent. The service was very good, too. We skipped dessert and coffee, because everyone wanted to get home before a forecasted major snowstorm hit."

[1/07] "On our first return visit to Trattoria Aroma in over a year, we arrived around 6:15, expecting a wait at the bar, because they don't take reservations, and it was Saturday night. Surprisingly, we were seated right away. All four of us started with house salads, which were very good. My wife and I had Veal Saltimbocca for the main course. One friend had an evening special, tenderloin beef tips over fettucine. His wife had broiled salmon served with grilled eggplant and prosciutto. All the entrees were delicious. For dessert, each couple shared a "16-layer, chocolate-cinnamon torte", which was excellent. The service was very good also."

[11/05] "Four of us went here Friday night (11/5/05), expecting a wait since they don't take reservations. We weren't greeted by a hostess or anyone else, nor were the couple who came in right behind us. We asked the bartender if she was taking names for tables, and she pointed out the hostess, who was talking to a group seated at a table and ignoring other would-be guests. Once we got past that problem, we had about a 35-45 minute wait for a table, which we spent at the bar sampling several Italian white wines available by the glass. The food was all very good. Both women and the other gentleman had the house salad (Insalata Aroma—$3.95) to start. I had a half portion of one of the evening's pasta specials, seafood with a garlicky white sauce ($8 for half portion; $15.95 for whole portion). The veal with porcini mushrooms in truffle cream sauce ($17.95) was delicious, as were the evening's seafood specials ordered by the others in our party. Our server was somewhat inattentive, but she seemed to be taking care of the entire room with little help."

[RDK, 6/12] said: "Although I really don't miss the snow in Buffalo, I start drooling when I think about their margherita pizza! I remember back in my college days [ca 2006–2007], I used to spoil myself once a month to get 2 orders of this pizza. I still have not yet found margherita pizza better than this place after moving to LA. If I ever go back to visit Buffalo, this is the restaurant that I would like to visit first!"

[BMcWS, 6/11] said: "We visited this cute, little, Italian place on a Saturday night in June. We appreciated the décor, which was rustic Italian. The bread and olive-oil dipping sauce that was brought to us were delicious. We began with a small appetizer-sized pizza made in their pizza oven, which had caramelized onion and prosciutto and cheese. It was incredible. The crust was thin, the onions sweet, and the prosciutto smoky. To die for. There is a whole section of pizzas on the menu that are probably all quite good. I had a special—baked, Hawaiian sunfish with an almond-and-panko crust, spinach, and fingerling potatoes. The fish was good, and the coating was crunchy; however, there was no sauce of any kind. And it could have used some. The spinach was just plain, fresh spinach—no dressing. The potatoes were roasted and, again, no sauce of any kind. I used the rest of the olive-oil dipping sauce from the bread on my fish, spinach, and potatoes, and sprinkled some Parmesan on the potatoes; then the dish had some flavor. Otherwise, it was dry and boring. Another diner at the table ordered gemelli with a tomato-cream sauce and sausage. She enjoyed it very much. The other person at the table had the lamb ravioli with a pesto sauce. They were bland, even with the pesto, and did not win high marks. We looked at the dessert menu, but passed. The food was OK, but did not wow us. We probably won't go back."

[FS, 7/09] said: "I've been wanting to try this place for a long time, so I took my sister, who was visiting. We had a nice dining experience. The service was attentive and professional without being intrusive. The daily specials were printed, which I appreciate because I can never remember what the waiter says. We went on Monday evening, and the restaurant was reasonably busy. Our meals were nicely prepared, and everyone enjoyed their selections. I had the bruschetta special, which was made with mushrooms and onions (no tomatoes), which I liked. My main course was Pappardelle Bolognese, which was hearty and comforting. The other diners had varieties of pasta and seafood or chicken, which they all liked. My wife and I had a glass of Negroamaro with our meal. It was a complex, but highly drinkable, selection. We had the Chocolate Strata for dessert: chocolate overdose, but delicious. My sister had the Fruit Tarte, which she liked. Our waiter never offered us coffee, which I usually like in Italian restaurants. It was no big deal, but I thought it was curious. I don't know if they have espresso or cappucino. We enjoyed the ambience of the dining room. The bill was a lot of money, but proportionate to the quality of the food. I intend to patronize this nice establishment again in the future."

[KH, 3/08] said: "My husband and I recently had dinner at Trattoria Aroma in Williamsville. We showed up a little before our reservations, but were seated right away. The wait staff are very friendly and helpful with the menu and wine list, even encouraging you to sample wine if you are unsure of what you like. Usually, we order pizzas or pastas; they are always delicious. My favorite is the Funghi pizza, with caramelized onion, wild mushrooms, fontina, and truffle oil. My husband loves the Mostaccioli Fume, pasta with sausage, onion, mushrooms, and a tomato cream sauce. On this visit, we both decided to try something we had never ordered before. For starters, I had the carciofi romani, breaded and pan-fried artichokes served with olive oil and lemon. They were absolutely delicious and perfectly cooked. My husband started with a half order of his favorite, the Mostaccioli; you can order any pasta in a half portion for three dollars less than the full price. He loved it. For his entree, my husband ordered a chicken special; it was served on white wine risotto. It looked very good, and he liked it, but it wasn't something he would order again. I ordered the seafood lasagna, which was also an evening special. It was a very large serving and was layered with mushrooms, lobster, scallops, and ricotta, and topped with a truffle cream sauce. It was only all right compared to the other pasta dishes on the menu; I wouldn't order it again. I thought the lobster was very scarce, and the scallops were a bit overcooked for my taste. To be fair, I don't normally love seafood, pasta, and cheese dishes, I had just wanted to try something different. We noticed a lot of tables splitting a pizza for an appetizer, which we thought was a good idea. We will definitely return, but next time I'll stick to my favorites...although an herb-crusted, cedar-planked salmon served with tomato-caper risotto sounded pretty good."

[AFN, 2/08] said: "My sister, niece, and I had dinner at their Williamsville location on Wednesday night. We shared two appetizers—both evening specials?—a baked tomato stuffed with lobster, with white beans on the side, and grilled shrimp over polenta. Both were excellent. For main courses, my sister had veal saltimbocca, which is delicious at Trattoria Aroma, served open-faced, instead of rolled. My niece and I both had an evening special—vegetable lasagna. It was very good, but I wish I had had the veal saltimbocca, one of my all time favorites."

[DwH, 3/07] said: "Travelling to Buffalo almost weekly since February and wanted to pass along some impressions: Trattoria Aroma has beautifully designed and executed spaces. Good staff who are very attentive. Food is excellent—full range of Italian dishes that all seem carefully prepared and served. Great flavors. A good solid wine list. Overall, a lovely experience. Caffe Aroma: service can be a bit off—depends on which person you get—same with lattes. Fritatas are always top-notch and interesting combos."

[WRW, 7/06] said: "After much prodding by a friend in the office, I finally gave Trattoria Aroma a shot and wished I would have done so sooner. My wife and I stopped in on a Wednesday night for our anniversary and were lucky enough to be seated right away. The dining room was already quite busy at 6:30, but the servers did a great job of keeping things flowing. Shortly after we were seated, our server brought us a tall glass of water with lemon as well as a few good-sized pieces of crusty bread with some olive oil/balsamic vinegar for dipping. The bread was excellent and refills were offered as soon as our plates were empty. We passed on the refill and decided to split an appetizer instead. We chose the Pizzette Aroma, which is a small version of one of their wood-fire oven-baked pizzas. It arrived piping hot and covered with a combination of prosciutto, caramelized onion, porcini mushrooms, and asiago cheese. The crust was that perfect mix of chewy and crusty at the same time that is so hard to find and comes only from the high temps achieved by the wood-fired oven. For entrees, we went in opposite directions. My wife ordered the Pollo al Marsala (chicken sauteed with artichokes, asparagus, sun-dried tomatoes in a marsala cream sauce) which was accompanied by some of the best roasted potatoes my wandering fork ever confiscated. For my selection, I went the pasta route and had a linguini dish made with Italian sausage, wild mushrooms, sun-dried tomatoes, and more, all finished with a white truffle oil. The dish was a feast for both the eyes and the palate. We both had a glass of wine with our meal, and I have to admit I was very impressed with our waiter when it came to making the selections. I'm a die-hard wine lover (all types) and know my way around a wine list pretty well, but my wife comes from the "sweet white" school only and likes it with ice. Typically, that type of a choice draws some very critical looks or comments from wine snobs, but, in this case, our waiter picked up on my wife's preference and recommended a great Riesling before I even had a chance to make a suggestion to her. No snotty looks, no condescending comments, or anything of the like. He knew what she wanted, helped her find it, and delivered it as she liked it. Big points for him! After dinner, we relaxed with a cup of coffee (great coffee at that) and dessert that turned out to be pretty average. I had the Torta Di Nona (Grandmother's Cake; think Lemon Tart) and my wife the Profiteroles (think cream puffs with chocolate sauce). Both were OK but not in line with the rest of the meal. My guess is that they were bought from a national dessert chain, but I could be wrong. A good pastry chef could really balance off the whole experience. Anyway, two glasses of wine, one split appetizer, two entrees, two coffees and two desserts, with tip, about $75. A bargain in my book. Would have been a steal if the desserts had not shown a bit of that "mass production" character. Give it a shot, just not this weekend. We're going back, and I don't want to wait too long."

Review from more than 10 years ago:

[Bill, 3/01] said: I finally got to eat in what is now Trattoria Aroma (and was, at the time, the trattoria room of Caffe Aroma) when we took a job candidate there for dinner. I was quite impressed with the menu, not only its variety but also the fact that it is one of the true Italian restaurants in the area (i.e., not just a pasta-and-sauce place). For my first meal here (and I do intend to return!), I began with a caprese salad (mozzarella, tomato, and basil), had a fettucine "acqua" for my entrée (fettucine with escargot, in a garlic-lemon-wine sauce), and a chocolate-orange cake for dessert. It was a delicious meal. (The only qualm I have is that our waiter seemed a bit snobbish, pointing out that the tomatoes in the caprese were not really in season, and mumbling something about "cancer" when I opted for what he called "tap" water, but most places call "ice" water, over either wine or bottled water. But wine gives me migraines, and I prefer fluoridated tap water over expensive bottled water; sue me.)

Treadwell Farm to Table Cuisine.
114 Queen St.
(between Victoria St. & Gate St.),
Old Town Niagara-on-the-Lake (Niagara Region), ON, CANADA.
1-905-934-9797.

Online reservations available via OpenTable.com.

[12/06] Given 3½ (out of 4) stars by Janice Okun, former Buffalo News restaurant reviewer.

[WHN, 12/16/13] says: "We went to Treadwell for brunch on Sunday afternoon, our first time there. The brunch menu has both breakfast and lunch-type items, and we both opted for lunch. G had ‘Sunday Roast’, which, this week, was beef strip loin, with roasted potatoes, carrots, and Yorkshire pudding. I had a lobster ‘club’ on bread fried in duck fat, with goat cheese, smoked bacon, and some greens. A small arugula salad was served on the side. Our server said that rosemary and Parmesan French fries could be substituted for the salad, if I wanted to go ‘all out’, but I decided to stick with the healthier salad, which was tossed in lemon vinaigrette. Both dishes were excellent. The duck-fat-fried bread made the lobster club very rich, so I was glad that I hadn't chosen the fries. Service was excellent as well."

[TES, 7/16/13] said: "Treadwells has relocated from Port Dalhousie to Queen St., Niagara-on-the-Lake, and has been open in new location for a week and a half. Still great."

Tri-County Country Club.
540 Rt. NY39
(east of Forestville, west of County Rds. 38/47),
Town of Hanover (northern Chautauqua County).
965-2053.

Open to the public. The "tri" counties are, presumably, Chautauqua, Erie, and Cattaraugus(?).

[RM, 8/12] says: "A very nice atmosphere inside, though there is not much of a view. The bartenders and servers are wonderful. A nice, big menu: All of the food I have sampled, from burgers to sandwiches, to soups, and dinners, has been of very high quality for a country club. A definite recommendation for anyone interested in a country-club meal."

Trina's Family Restaurant.
1373 Clinton St.
(at Kirkover St., one block west of the Clinton Bailey Farmers Market and west of Bailey Ave.),
East Side (City of Buffalo).
783-8373.

[8/11] Given 3½ (out of 4) pennies by Anne Neville, Buffalo News "Cheap Eats" restaurant reviewer.

[KRN, 9/11] says: "After visiting the Clinton-Bailey market, we ventured a couple blocks down Clinton St. to Trina's. What a nice neighborhood restaurant! We had an excellent breakfast there. L. ordered ‘The Skillet’, an omelet containing sausage and home fries, topped with cheese, and served with a warm biscuit and sausage gravy for $5.95. I had the ‘Meat-lovers’ omelet, stuffed with bacon, sausage, and ham, covered with cheese, and served with home fries and 2 slices of toast for $6.95. Both dishes were very good and well worth the price. Coffee was $1.50 a cup. Service was fast and friendly. I think the next visit will be for lunch; we can't wait."

[JJa, 5/11] said: "I discovered Trina's after reading a review on Buffalo Rising. I am a big fan of supporting local, family-owned businesses, and this place fits the description of ‘family owned’ to a T! The web site refers to Patrina Kidder's family of 10, but there are at least 20 members featured in the web site's photo. Trina makes regular cameos behind the grill or at the lunch counter. The place is bright, clean, and cozy. All manner of egg, pancake, and French-toast breakfasts, but Trina excels at creative pancakes; to wit: Last week the special's board listed ‘chocolate pancakes with peanut butter sauce’. Did I mention the place is kid-friendly? The Texas-style, French toast is thick and eggy. I've come for lunch and enjoyed a chicken-finger salad, a heaping platter of greens (one time iceberg, but last time great romaine!) topped with shredded cheddar, black olives, and a heap of chicken fingers dressed with Frank's Hot Sauce to your taste, mild, medium, or hot. It's good for 2 meals! Then there is the Friday-night fish fry, beer battered or baked with butter and herb, Cajun seasoning, or Italian lemon pepper. (Don't tell anyone that the fish is only $6.95, or there will be traffic jams in the neighborhood.) I'm working backwards, but I always start my lunch or dinner with Trina's homemade soup, which puts the ‘home’ into ‘homemade’! You can make a meal out of it, if you get a bowl. Trina's is another hidden gem that's off the beaten track in Buffalo, but worth the trip."

Trius Winery Restaurant.
1249 Niagara Stone Rd.
(at Trius Winery at Hillebrand, west of Concession 6 Rd., north of Line 3 Rd.),
Village of Virgil (Town of Niagara-on-the-Lake, Niagara Region), ON, CANADA.
1-905-468-7123

Online reservations available through OpenTable.com

Formerly, Hillebrand Winery Restaurant.

[WHN, 5/29/13] says: "G and I had lunch/brunch at Trius on Sunday, 5/26. Since it was a sunny spring day, we sat on their patio. Although they call it brunch, there are no typical brunch dishes, so I would call it lunch. 3 courses—starter, main course, and dessert—are included for C$47.95. An optional wine pairing is $25. G started with tomato-and-sweet-pepper bisque, with a side of baby tomatoes over fresh buffalo mozzarella; G had a glass of Trius Cabernet Franc. I had a chilled, local asparagus salad; I had a Trius Sauvignon Blanc with the salad. For her main course, G had capon, served with pea ravioli. My main course was a scallop topped with blood sausage, asparagus tips wrapped in bacon, pork tenderloin, and pork belly, accompanied by spring vegetables. I switched to Cabernet Franc with my main course. For dessert, G had a profiterole-like pastry with maple ice cream, caramel sauce, and candied walnuts. I chose a cheese course: Niagara cheddar, a Quebec bleu, and a chevre, served with fresh honeycomb, dried fruit, and toasted walnut bread. The meal was wonderful, and the service was perfect."

Reviews of its previous incarnation as Hillebrand Winery Restaurant:

[10/07] Rank changed from 4½ (out of 5) stars to 3½ (out of 4) stars by Janice Okun, former Buffalo News restaurant reviewer.

[SR, 3/10] said: "While home over spring break, I took my parents, aunt, and cousin to Hillebrand's to celebrate my mom's birthday. We all started with some kind of soup: white bean with a poached egg and bacon, vegetable soup with shrimp, or sweet potato and mascarpone with maple riccota. For main courses, my parents both had grass-fed beef burgers, with icewine onion jam, peameal bacon, and bleu cheese, with a side of truffle fries. My aunt and I had white fish and lobster, with apple and bacon sauce, and sides of horseradish coleslaw and French fries. My cousin had chicken breast with sauerkraut braised in riesling, deep-fried lamb's milk cheese croquettes, and mushrooms. With lunch, we had a bottle of Hillebrand's Sauvignon Blanc. We shared two desserts—a maple cheesecake and peanut butter tart. The meal was wonderful."

[WHN] said:

[1/10] "We returned for lunch at Hillebrand on Saturday, 1/2/10. My wife ordered from the à la carte menu, while I opted for the 3-course Harvest Lunch. We both started with shrimp minestrone, with vegetables and chorizo, which was similar to the lobster minestrone we had in the fall but, besides the obvious difference of shrimp vs. lobster, they used winter vegetables instead of the fall variety, and included parsnips, pearl onions, and potatoes. It was delicious. For her main course, my wife had sauteed halibut with watercress; feta cheese; sliced pear poached in ice wine; shredded, smoked ham hock; Colcannon potatoes; and poached egg. This was actually the same dish I had in November, except with halibut instead of trout. She agreed the dish was delicious. My Harvest Lunch entree was described as Berkshire pork ‘snout to tail’. Our server said it included all parts of the pig. I was feeling adventurous, so chose that. It consisted of an assortment of cold charcuterie: paté, terrine, roulade, timbale, rillette, sausage, cured ham, plus two slices of pork tenderloin. Two of the charcuterie were topped by half a quail's egg. It was accompanied by a small brioche and fresh sauerkraut with gherkins and pearl onions. Crisp truffle fries were served on the side. All were delicious. My meal included dessert—a caramelized apple tart with creme-fraiche ice cream, which I shared with my wife. The service was as excellent as the food."

[11/09] "Wednesday, 11/18, was a beautiful, sunny, fall day, approaching 60 degrees, so we went to Niagara-on-the-Lake for lunch. We had planned on going to de Luca's Restaurant but, when we got there, found it wasn't open. The sign on the door said they are open for a 3-course $20 lunch from 11/19–11/23. I don't know if this Thursday to Monday schedule is a one-time event or weekly, so anyone planning to go there for lunch should call first to make sure they're open. Anyway, we went down the road a few miles to Hillebrand's. I haven't been there in about 10 years, but my wife has been there several times in the interim. We had a delicious meal. To start, I had lobster minestrone, with root vegetables and chorizo, as well as large chunks of lobster. Excellent! My wife skipped the appetizer but had beef pot pie as an entree. It was what I would call ‘deconstructed’—the pot pie consisted of root vegetables—pearl onions, carrots, peas, turnip, etc., with beef sauce in a delicious crust. The beef was a cap steak, served on the side and cooked medium rare as she had requested. We had not heard of cap steak, but learned by Google-ing the term that it is what is known as top sirloin in the US, or coulotte in France. On the side, were gratineed potatoes. She said that the steak was more tender than filet and that her whole meal was superb. I tried a small piece of her beef and agreed it was wonderful. For my main course, I had sauteed, wild-caught Lake Erie trout with, for lack of a better term, a warm salad of watercress, with Feta cheese, sliced pear poached in ice wine, shredded smoked ham hock, and a poached egg. There may have been more ingredients that I couldn't identify, but the dish was delicious. The next time we go for an overnight stay in NOTL, I would definitely consider Hillebrand's, which compares to Peller Estates for a great meal."

[AFN] said:

[7/08] "My sister and I, our daughters, and my niece's mother-in-law had lunch at Hillebrand on Thursday, 7/10. It has been extensively remodeled since I was last there two years ago, and now has an outdoor seating area, where we dined. The 3-course tasting menu is now priced at C$74 with wine or C$49 without—a bit pricy, even by Niagara-on-the-Lake standards, so we ordered from the à la carte menu. Three of us had scallops in a mustard sauce to start, while the others had salads. For the main course, I had duck confit, while the rest of our group had various fish dishes—halibut, steelhead trout, and perch. For dessert, we had "A Little Tasting" from the dessert menu, with an assortment of sweets, including caramel tiramisu, chocolate souffle, and maple ice cream. The food and the service were excellent."

[7/06] "My daughter, 11-year old grandson, and I had lunch at Hillebrand on Friday, 7/7. My daughter ordered one of the daily specials, whitefish served over pasta with peas and asparagus. My grandson ordered another special, lake trout, served with fava beans, potatoes, and a small salad. I ordered breast of capon with fingerling potatoes, goat cheese, and asparagus. When the food arrived, the accompaniments for the two fish dishes had been reversed, and my daughter was served the trout over the pasta, and my grandson was served whitefish with fava beans, etc. My daughter pointed this out to the server, who went to "check with the chef", then came back to report that what looked like a trout filet was indeed whitefish and what looked like whitefish was in fact trout. Undeterred, they switched dishes, so they had the correct fish with the incorrect accompaniments. Since both the seafood dishes and my capon were delicious, it was not a major problem, but the arrogance of the chef/kitchen staff, who simply could not admit they made a mistake, was irritating, or perhaps they really don't know a trout from a whitefish."

[DwH, 3/07] said: "Travelling to Buffalo almost weekly since February and wanted to pass along some impressions: Hillenbrand Vineyard Cafe is a transcendent dining experience. Full moon rising over the vineyards in early autumn as the first harvest was getting started. Took the prix fixe, local ingredients, tasting menu with wine pairings. Can't recall the dishes specifically but simply a breathtaking evening with a great friend—an epic dining experience. Staff is a bit "stiff" per some of the comments from other reviewers but possibly because they take waiting seriously as in Europe. The wine pairings were very good. The food was carefully prepared and throughtfully sequenced combinations that worked so well that you could not help getting antsy to get to the next course."

[MRT, 9/04] said: "Extraordinary, extraordinary, extraordinary. We enjoyed dinner at the Hillebrand's Vineyard Cafe, Saturday, September 27, 2004. When we first sat down, we all enjoyed a glass of brut champagne--a wine they featured--to begin. For appetizers, my husband ordered a potato vegetable puree. Our friend ordered In House Smoked Salmon, Riesling Dijon dill cream, focaccia toast, and frise. I ordered Tomato Mascarpone and Basil Tart, aged Venturi Schulze balsamic vinegar, and pinenut raising salad. We ordered a bottle of Trius 1989 Cabernet. Our friend said I chose the best appetizer, but all were wonderful. The brought us an assortment of three different breads, as well as olive oil and butter. All three of us ordered the Cumbrae Farms AAA Organic Beef Tenderloin roasted onion mashed potato, King Erengii mushrooms, Cabernet plum compote--$38. I ordered mine rare; they ordered theirs medium rare. We were not given steak knives. They were not needed. :-) I must say that the view is beautiful, looking onto the lake. After dinner, we ordered a cheese trio: Toscaro, Pied de Vent, and Maple Dale 6 year old cheddar, while we finished our wine. The cheese came with fruit, including grapes that go wonderfully with cheese, as well as a delicious fruit compote. For dessert, my husband and I ordered Bittersweet Chocolate Raspberry Torte, salted caramel center and minted creme anglaise; our friend ordered C'est Bon Cheesecake, lavender honey, and bumbleberry cream. I cannot speak highly enough about this restaurant. Our final bill for 3 was $243 Canadian." And more recently [2/05], she adds: "This is a splendid restaurant. My husband and I enjoyed dinner at Hillebrand's, Saturday, February 12. When we first sat down, we each enjoyed a glass of their brut champagne. Our server brought us bread and butter and oil. We also each began with a delicious carrot soup. I also enjoyed a small salad of baby arugula and grana cheese balsamic vinegar, charred onions, and toasted heartnuts. My husband ordered the Tour of Niagara: rack of lamb with candied beets and fois gras, salmon on top of carrots, and pork tenderloin on top of sweet potatoes. His dish included 3 small glasses of cabernet, merlot, and chardonay to accompany the lamb, pork tenderloin, and salmon. I ordered their beef tenderloin, which was placed on top of a delicious cornbread and blue cheese bread pudding, with roasted mushrooms and a cabernet herb reduction. I ordered a glass of cabernet with my entree. We finally arrived at our favorite cheeses: Pied de Vent, Chevre Noir, and their Mapledale 6 year old cheddar. For dessert, my husband ordered fleur de cao souffle cake with icewine ganache centre acreme fraiche drizzle. I ordered their four flavoured creme brulee taster. The coffee flavored creme brulee was my favorite. Chocolate truffles [ended] the meal. Our final bill with tip for the two for this wonderful meal was $250 Canadian."

[AJB, 12/02] said: "We had an amazing dinner at the Hillebrand Vineyard Café yesterday. The quality of the food and service rival anything New York, Boston, or Toronto have to offer. To start, I had mussels with veggies and phyllo dough in an incredible red curry sauce. I chose a porkloin stuffed with wild rice on a bed of grilled vegetables in a sweet & sour, almost Chinese-inspired sauce. Of course, they have a huge selection of wines, and each menu item is followed by a wine suggestion. The wines are not marked up 100% as at other restaurants, but instead are very reasonably and fairly priced. The décor is very tasteful and elegant without being too stuffy & formal. This really is a top special-event restaurant and highly recommended. In fact, we made reservations for later in the week so other family members can experience it."

[PD, 9/98] said that the UB "News Services, where facts, food, and the narrative are gods, voted the best restaurant that ever lived award to Hillebrand Vineyard Café in Niagara-on-the-Lake. You can get there most efficiently on the QEW. The best. Do it. It's a little expensive ($50 American per, including an appetizer, champagne, and dessert), but it has...this tiger shrimp thing..."

Tully's Good Times.
1459 Niagara Falls Blvd.
(between Meyer Rd. & Romney Dr., south of Burlington Plaza),
North Bailey (Town of Amherst).
446-0007.

Part of the chain.

Delivery available from Takeout Taxi, 631-2222.

[ELM, 4/09] says: "My boyfriend and I decided to give Tully's Good Times a try, as we had found a coupon for their place in the Buffalo coupon book. We waited about 20 minutes for a seat, which wasn't too bad considering it was Friday night and playoff hockey has begun. We were waited on promptly and provided with a huge bowl of cold and overly-salted popcorn. Perhaps this was why the pop we ordered came in 1/2-gallon glasses. My boyfriend ordered the Buffalo-style, chicken-tender dinner, as we had been told that this is their specialty. I, being a vegetarian, went with the stuffed shells. The food came rather quickly, which was nice because we were in a hurry, but this usually is a good sign of what quality food you can expect. My stuffed shells came with a tiny side salad that looked as if it had been made from the toppings at the burrito bar next door (shredded lettuce, chopped tomatoes, and a couple of cucumber slices) and a piece of "garlic bread" that tasted more like half a sub roll with some butter on it. The stuffed shells were rather dry, and it was obvious that they had used jarred sauce. They were smothered with mozzarella, which almost made up for the dryness. I asked my boyfriend what he thought of his meal partway into it, and he responded by shaking his head and saying that the cole slaw was the best part of the meal. The chicken tenders were also on the dryer side, and the taste could be best described as a resturaunt outside of Buffalo's sad attempt at imitating our world-famous sauce, leaving a funky aftertaste. I asked him if he wanted to bring the remaining chicken home to our dog, and he stated that he wouldn't even do that to her. When it came time to pay, we handed the waitress the coupon. She returned and explained that it could not be used on Fridays (our fault for missing the fine print!) and retorted in a snobbish tone, "It says that on the coupon". My boyfriend, not being one to hold back, exclaimed "What? We didn't even like the food!" This got no response, and we grabbed our coats to leave. The service was decent for a busy, chain-style place despite the teenaged, "daddy's making me work" waitresses. The food was not. We will definitely not be returning here."

[DHa, 1/06] said: "On a Saturday night, we were looking for a place to eat, which can be a challenge. Finally stopped at Tully's and were told there'd be a 45-minute wait. But we found spaces at the bar and found out that we could order any menu item there! We all started out with soup, the minestrone, baked potato, and seafood chowder. The minestrone was very good (aside from the temperature), with a very good flavour. All were very good, but could've been hotter. I ordered the house salad, expecting a small bowl of iceberg and a few veggies about it. Boy, was I wrong. A huge bowl of various lettuces, topped with many veggies, neatly aligned in various proportions, which I thought was ingenious, seeing as I'm a very picky salad eater (this reminded me vaguely of a Cobb salad, the way it was arranged): fresh tomato, black olives, cucumbers, red and green peppers, a generous mound of various cheese, and onion. Two small plastic cups of mediocre Italian dressing, which was very oily and lacked flavour, accompanied this massive salad; but I had trouble distinguishing what the various red particles were that I found when I had to furiously stir it. That was disappointing, as I ate over half of the salad dry, not wanting to ruin it with their tasteless dressing. Also, they served toasted bread with the salad. Too bad there wasn't anything to dip it in. (My mom, whom I took as well, rated the chicken tenders OK, even though that's what Tully's is known for. They, too, could've been hotter, but seeing as we came on a very busy "sports night", I think that they might've been a bit better if the place wasn't packed.) Another positive note about Tully's is that when you order an "ice water", they take out a frosted mug, which nicely accents whatever dish you may have ordered. They also ask if you'd like lemon, instead of just shoving a measly, seed-ridden wedge of sickly lemon in it. The servers and staff were very friendly and personable, asking us several times how our meals were. I think I'd definitely return, ordering something new off their extensive menu."

Two Sisters Cafe.
4211 N. Buffalo Rd.
(at Princeton Pl., north of E. Quaker St.),
Village of Orchard Park (Town of Orchard Park).
667-6887.

[KRN, 10/10] says: "We visited this café in a downtown Orchard Park business building for breakfast on 10/31/10. There is a specials board in the hallway, just outside of the entrance. There are always a couple of quiches on the menu, but I chose a Mexican quiche listed as a special, which contained chorizo, salsa, and cheese. There was a nice amount of heat and an excellent flavor; it was served with toast, for $7.95. Linda opted for the #7 on the menu: a mixture of 2 scrambled eggs, sausage, peppers, onions, and home fries, and covered with shredded cheese. The veggies were cooked perfectly, not mushy, and her toast was a light, cinnamon-raisin bread, for $8.95. She thought it was very good, and the onions were not overpowering. The coffee and service were good. There is outdoor dining during the summer. This was not our first visit here, nor will it be our last!"

[KHa, 6/08] said: "Visiting from out of town, we stopped at the cafe last month and had a truly enjoyable lunch—from the wait staff and delicious lunch and atmosphere, I have nothing but good to say about the quality of ownership shown at this small-town restaurant. We enjoyed a wonderful spinach salad and a panini that was brought out in record time, and, coming from a large city, the bill was next to nothing for the amount of food that we received. A full breakfast menu with everything from cooked-to-order eggs, pancakes, quiche, french toast, to paninis, salads, wraps, soups, and more, with a healthier feel and all homemade. The patio was not open, because it was chilly, but it looked to be a great place on a sunny day to enjoy a breakfast or lunch in the coming months. I highly recommend! The only drawback that I could see was we did have a bit of trouble finding a parking place, and the waitress said that the weekends were pretty busy, but the wait times were usually only 5 or 10 minutes long."

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