Bill Rapaport's Buffalo Restaurant Guide

Alphabetical Listing of Restaurants: H

Bob and John's La Hacienda (Buffalo)
La Hacienda (Niagara Falls)
Happy Jack's Restaurant
The Hatch
[m] Havana House
Hayes Seafood House
Hideaway Grille
Hillebrand's Vineyard Café
Hillview
Hirsch's
[m] Hoagie Brothers Giant Subs
Hong Kong Buffet
Hong Kong Chinese Restaurant
[a] Houlihan's
HSBC Cafeteria
Hutch's
Hyde Park Prime Steakhouse

Key:

[—], , ,	Bill's rankings
[XXX]	recommendation from contributor whose initials are XXX
[a+]	on UB Amherst Campus (in the UB Commons)
[a]	near UB Amherst Campus (within 2 miles)
[m]	near UB Main St. Campus (within 2 miles)

(For more info on locations, see Geography)

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

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La Hacienda.
1545 Hertel Ave., Buffalo. 836-5411.

See Bob & John's La Hacienda.

La Hacienda.
3019 Pine Ave. (at 31st St.), Niagara Falls.
285-7227.

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

[RV, 7/06] says: "I really didn't know how to contact anybody to tell them how much I miss WNY food, especially, pizza. My wife and I moved to Ft. Myers, Florida, three years ago and are going back to Niagara Falls for the first time since moving, and we really miss the pizza, wings, and subs. You have the LaHacienda on your list in Niagara Falls, and I can't wait to get there and eat any of their food, especially the pizza."

[AJB, 8/02] says: "Looks can be deceiving. This sit-down pizza & pasta place with a nondescript exterior and a Spanish name is good for a couple of reasons. First: Since moving to Buffalo from Southern NY via Boston, I have found that a sweet tomato sauce that is strained & processed of any resemblance to tomatoes is almost de rigeur throughout WNY Italian restaurants. La Hacienda uses a sauce that tastes homemade and boasts actual chunks of tomato. Very good. Secondly: It makes a simple thin-crust pizza that tastes excellent and is not too greasy. In fact, I don't know what they bake it in, but it closely rivals the brick-oven pizza at Carmine's on Transit. The owner (Aldo) is very friendly."

Happy Jack's Restaurant.
98 Niagara Blvd., Ft. Erie, ON, CANADA.
905-871-3970.

Chinese.

[JRM, 11/07] says: "This is my absolute favorite Chinese restaurant. The egg rolls (filled with sprouts instead of cabbage) and won ton soup (which uses a light and delicious rice noodle) are superb and unparalleled, in my opinion. The sweet and sour chicken, sizzling chicken and shrimp war bar, and Cantonese chow main are among my favorite dishes. I can't believe that this has not been added to your website, because it has been around for many years, and, in fact, my grandmother used to dine here as a young woman. The decor is somewhat dated, with golden dragons and other traditional Chinese scenes on the walls, and there is a small fish pond that I recall throwing pennies into as a child. In the summer, there is a lovely patio in the back that overlooks the river. Many people say that Ming Teh is the best Chinese restaurant (which is down the road), but I don't think that those people have been to Happy Jack's."

Harbour Inn.
35 Melville St., Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario, Canada. 905-468-3881.

Excellent seafood.

Harry's Harbour Place Grille.
2192 Niagara St., Buffalo.
874-5400.

[BL, 5/08] says: "Agree with others. Looks like things have not changed. Thumbs down on poor Harry. First time we went, a few years ago, we had a very good meal in the main restaurant, which had a lot of atmosphere and good food. It led us to making reservations for a special weekend. A Valentine's treat...if you can call being dumped in the banquet room after a long wait, with a bumpy table and the AC turned on by mistake in the middle of February, a memorable moment. The food included lukewarm soup, and we did not like the condition of the steaks. Do not take anyone to Harry's for those special holidays. Cannot understand how it stays open. Some new group with standards and care for the public should take it over and make a gold mine out of the place. The location is unique. I am just surprised restaurants continue along when they are bad. Buffalonians should demand more than this."

[DNe, 5/08] says: "I wish I had read the reviews before we went. We ate there yesterday (Mother's Day). I made an early reservation for sit-down dinner, my reasoning being that, since Mother's Day was such a busy restaurant day, if we got there at the first seating, the wait staff would be fresh and attentive. I expected at these prices we would have a great experience—how wrong I was! There were eight in our party. Our reservation was at 4:00, so no one ate lunch and we were quite hungry. We were not seated until 4:20, and that was after I complained. Although the head waiter apologized, there was no apparent reason for the hold up—the tables were set, and the restaurant was empty! Two of our party ordered the seafood chowder, which was served luke warm. My mother ordered her pork chop well done; it was served rare, and it had to be sent back twice. The same for one of the other women in our party, who ordered prime rib well done—it also came rare and had to be sent back three times! By the time she got her dinner, we were done with ours. Since none of the food was very hot, we went ahead and ate as soon as we got our dishes, which came not at the same time but first 2, then another 2, then another 3, with a good 5 minutes in between. My son ordered a steak and asked for fries. They must have been cooked in cold fat, as they were soggy with grease. The waitress was pleasent, but we asked for 2 separate checks, and she messed that up. We were five in row, and I told her to put the five of us on one check; she put one of our dinners on the other check. Plus, when my husband's prime rib was served, she spilled the au jus all down the side of his pants leg. When he complained about it, the waitress said "Just send the dry cleaning bill to the restaurant" and walked away—no apology or concern. The restaurant itself was clean and nicely decorated, but clearly you are paying for the view. Unfortunately, it was cloudy and rainy, so we were denied even that. It really is a shame, because the restaurant has so much potential, and the food would have been good had it been served hot. I would not return. Everything was à la carte, so you can expect to spend about $150 for dinner for two, with tax and tip, depending on your entree. There are a lot of great restaurants in WNY that are way less expensive and that have better food and service. Note: They tacked on 18% tip to the check—I would not have left that much based on the service."

Once given 3½ (out of 4) stars by Janice Okun, Buffalo News restaurant reviewer, but [8/07] demoted to 2½ (out of 4) stars.

[BM] says:

[6/04] "A supplement to my previous review: Harry's Harbour Place Grille appears to have become disconnected with their clientele (and reality). My wife just received in the mail (June) a $10 gift certificate from Harry's. You'd think that'd be appreciated, except the coupon is good only from January to April. In other words, you have to hold onto the damn piece of paper until next year to use."

[4/04] "Terribly overrated restaurant. I've been a "local" since moving to Buffalo 33 years ago and have never had service so bad. I am embarrassed to have chosen it. Just before going there, I spoke to my hairdresser, who had just gone the week before. She and her husband dined with another couple and had gone with hopeful expectations. Their waiter introduced himself and made a joke about his name. The service was almost nonexistent; then their waiter disappeared for 10-15 minutes at a time. The drinks were slow in coming, but the waiter kept disappearing for 10-15 minutes at a time. After the food was served (which was good), the waiter again disappeared and ignored following up during the meal. He only reappeared when the check (and coffee) was long overdue. So, when I arrived at Harry's, and a waiter (a young man of ~30) made a joke of his name, then vanished, I had a bad feeling of déja vu. I mentioned my hairdresser's comments to my dining friends, and we waited for his return, but it was long (10 minutes or more) in coming. Terrible service from drinks on. It took almost 2-1/2 hours for lunch. I complained to the manager, who did nothing. And no apology. To top off matters, when it came time to pay the bill, the cashier dropped my credit card between the cash register and the built-in counter, which took almost 10 minutes to retrieve."

[4/03] Wide selection of steaks, chicken, and seafood, in a gorgeous setting overlooking the Niagara River. I [Bill] ate here with a visiting speaker to the UB CSE department, and had a wonderful meal: mixed salad with a tangy tomato-basil vinaigrette dressing, and cioppino (like a bouillabaise), which was a bit on the salty side, but otherwise quite good. For dessert, a large slice of a Dutch apple pie à la mode.

[ME, 2/04] says: "We just ate dinner at Harry's Harbour Place. Should not have gone on Valentine's Day. Service poor (not waitress's fault). Brought wrong dinner twice, and, when the correct one arrived, it was lukewarm and tasteless (filet mignon). My wife's seafood platter was worse; scallops tasted off. These are the highlights, I could go on, but why?"

The Hatch Restaurant.
329 Erie St. (1 Erie Basin Marina), Buffalo.
851-6501.

Seasonal.

[PT, 7/08] says: "We stopped at The Hatch en route to the new Erie Canal Harbor site. We were a little later than the usual lunchtime crowd, so we were served promptly. The Erie Canal Harbor site was a huge disappointment, especially for the kids, who thought it was just a water-filled hole in the ground. They didn't want to read the historical signs, and that's about all there is to it. "Boring"!? Fortunately, they found the nearby Buffalo Naval Park ships more exciting and liked the hamburgers, hot dogs, and fries at The Hatch."

[PMT, 6/08] said: "On 06/11/08, at 12:25 PM, an acquaintance and I ordered from the ice-cream stand at The Hatch during a lunch walk. We felt that there were few people in line and could be served in a timely manner, and proceeded to order two smoothies, and then waited 20 minutes at the window. The server was not only inept but had no intention of putting forth any effort to try to "speed up the process". We would have left and requested our money back; however, the server disappeared and did not return to the window until she brought our order. She possibly could have at least waited on the customers in line behind us, but she again failed to exert any effort for the customers of The Hatch. The smoothie was adequate, no better or worse than provided by any other restaurant in a quarter of the time."

[AFN, 5/06] said: "The Hatch is not exactly a fast-food restaurant and definitely not gourmet dining. You order at the counter and, when your name is called, eat at one of the picnic tables surrounding the building or along the marina's walkway. The menu offers hot dogs, hamburgers, fried bologna, sausage sandwiches, and the like. I found their grilled chicken sandwich to be very good. At lunch time on a recent Tuesday, the line was very long on the lake side, but we discovered another line on the other side that was virtually empty, and we ordered and received our food very quickly. The view is beautiful, with the Buffalo Lighthouse near by, boats on the lake, and the sunshine reflecting on the water. Too bad, with miles and miles of waterfront, that there aren't more restaurants of various calibers with a water view, and outside dining on the lake or river."

Havana House Restaurant and Sangria Lounge.
3112 Main St., Buffalo.
835-0729.

Cuban.

[NF, 5/09] says: "I'm responding to the need for a positive review on Havanah House. My husband wrote the "glowing" review from [DF, 9/08]. We revisited the restaurant again last month with another couple, and the service was horrid! Yes, we had the restaurant.com coupon as well, but we weren't asked about it when we entered the restaurant. Our server was so bad, it was funny. Or maybe we thought it was funny because we each had two beers while waiting for our food. Come to find out, those draft beers were $6 each!!! We tried the paella and were a bit disappointed. Not a lot of meat or seafood. I agree with the other reviewer. We had a lot of mussels. I honestly do not remember any chorizo. I would not go back there anytime soon."

[GOw] said:

(in response to my comments below) [5/09] "I stand by my review. Mediocre food, poor service, and this strange problem with having to explain ad nauseam all the conditions used with coupons that they have voluntarily agreed to accept. Strange place."

[3/09] "We had been looking forward to trying out this Cuban restaurant for a few months, and this past Saturday we found ourselves sans kids. This was the perfect opportunity for a great night out. I had read the reviews and knew that 2/3 were negative. I believe that Janice Okun had given this restaurant a good review. I hate to go against Ms. Okun, but this place needs to get on the ball. Poor service plus mediocre food equals another empty Buffalo storefront. We had previously eaten in a Cuban restaurant in Florida, and we were excited at the prospects of eating at an authentic Cuban restaurant. Our thoughts were that this would be different, with exciting and perhaps fiery cuisine. I called late afternoon for a reservation and was told they were booked until 8. This was fine. We were seated promptly by a very pleasant hostess. The bar area was empty, not a good sign. The dining room is small, maybe 8 tables. When we arrived, only 3 were filled. We were taking off our coats, and the hostess asked us if we had any coupons; I answered yes, and she proceeded to tell us the rules of use. I have used the restaurant.com coupons for a while and know the terms. She said that people were "out of control" when using the coupons. I'm guessing that some people stiff the server on tipping the entire amount of the check or that they argue about tax. I am not one of those people. When we opened the menus, we both noted that there were cards with the terms of use for the coupons printed on them. There was also one on the table underneath the candle. If the coupons are that problematic, then get rid of them. If you are locked in for a specified period, grin and bear it. We liked the dining room. The tone was very subdued. The chairs are rattan and comfortable. We had decided that, since we were in a Cuban restaurant, having sangria was compulsory. We waited about 10-15 minutes before our waiter approached us. This seemed unusual, as the place was not very busy. We ordered our drinks and waited...then we waited some more. We saw the waiter a couple of times, but he did not make eye contact with us. I did wonder if there was a chance that we were being treated differently because we were using a coupon. I decided this wasn't the case. No one was getting very good service that I could see. In defense of the server, he was the only one working the dining room. The owner came out and walked through a few times, but wasn't much help. The owner did finally bring us our sangria, which was pretty good; however, it had been 45 minutes since we sat down until we got the drinks. We ordered 2 appetizers and the paella. I was very excited about ordering paella, which the menu warns takes 45 minutes. This was fine. We had a pitcher of sangria, 2 appetizers ordered, and no kids to rush home to. We were set to enjoy a leisurely meal. The first appetizer was the beef-filled pastelitos. They looked good, but were bland, almost tasteless. Jan called them glorified hot pockets. I would have asked the server for a sauce to liven it up, but he was nowhere to be found. Next were shrimp. There were six unpeeled shrimp swimming in an oily garlic sauce. Not terrible, but again nothing to excite the taste buds. We had been given no bread, which might have been nice to sop up the sauce with. Jan did not like the idea of trying to peel the shrimp, since they were covered in butter/oil. We were looking forward to the main course. I had paella at Black and Blue, which was excellent. Maybe I was spoiled by the fact that there was a lobster tail, scallops, shrimp, clams, chorizo, and chicken. I was expecting something like this, but was sorely disappointed. Black & Blue did charge about $40 for their meal, and Havana House was $40 and serves two. The bowl the dish was served in was big. We quickly noted that there was a lot of rice. There may have been 3-4 pounds of this saffron rice. The rice was fine; nothing wrong with it, a bit on the dry side, but it had some flavor. There were 4 clams, approximately 6 of the oily, unpeeled shrimp, and almost nothing else. There were 3 smaller-than-bite-sized pieces of chorizo, and a couple pieces of dry chicken. What a letdown! The bowl was still full of the rice, as we had picked out all the meat and seafood. Maybe we each had a cup of the rice, which I would guess is a normal serving. This left at least 6 cups still in the bowl. When our server came over, he asked if we wanted to take the leftovers home. I bit my tongue from making a sarcastic comment and said no thanks. I was actually still hungry. We finished our drinks, paid the bill with our offensive coupon, and tipped on the full amount. On the way out, the owner asked us how our dinners were, and we mumbled fine and left. I am disappointed that I did not offer something a bit more constructive. I did write a brief note on the back of one of the terms-of-use disclaimers on the table. I would really like to see a place like this succeed, but I have serious doubts whether Havana House will survive. As we drove home, we said that we wished we had gone to Shango or Curly's, two restaurants that we have never been to but have heard wonderful things about."

[5/09] As I half expected he would, the owner of Havana House called me today, understandably upset by the negative reviews, and disputing the accuracy of DDo's story (about blocking the door) and of part of AMi's review (about the quality of the sangria). He invited me to visit the restaurant, which I hope to do in the near future. In the meantime, are there any readers who have more positive things to say? I know from informal discussions with friends that there are, but I haven't received any such submissions.

[AMi, 5/09] said: "I'm responding to the latest review [DDo, 5/09] about Havana House, to the person who was locked inside the restaurant. I dined there a few days ago, and will never return. The food is bland and over-priced. We came in a large party, and, though the service was great, everything else left much to be desired. We ordered breaded beef steak, and it was not worth the price. The sangria was watery and bland, and, after waiting forever to get it, it was such a let down. Toward the end of our meal, another table was harrassed and yelled at by the owner, who was angry because this woman complained about the cost of coffee. She told him four dollars and fifty cents was an atrociously high price and that she wouldn't pay. He then proceeded to yell and become angry and said he would call the police. After the poor woman paid with her coupon and had left, the police really did show up. This man should not be allowed to run a restaurant. That and the fact that he only has one server for the whole place. We had a similar experience, and I will be calling the New York State health department and department of labor about the unprofessional behavior exhibited by the owner. Please do the same."

[DDo, 5/09] said: "I just had the worst, most embarrassing, horrible experience I've ever had at a restaurant. I was literally locked in the restaurant and threatened because I complained about my service and food. I am not one to complain, but after waiting ½ an hour just to be acknowledged at our table, another hour for apps, and then being served the crunchy rice and 4 shrimp that was supposed to be my birthday meal, I felt like I had to say something. After the manager was sent to the table and I made my complaint, he offered not even as much as ‘I'm sorry’. Instead, he called to the waiter ‘Lock the doors! I'm calling the police.’ I thought it was a joke for a moment, but he continued with ‘I stand by my food and you're paying for everything!’ He called my boyfriend and I ‘white trash’ and proceeded to block the door and lock it as we made our way from the table! I have never, ever been treated like this by any establishment, anywhere before. I almost don't believe what just happened and would love some help finding out who I can contact about this to take further action. I'd appreciate any direction you may have, please."

[CyN, 2/09] said: "What was supposed to be a fun-filled evening with friends turned into an evening from hell. Reservations were made 1 week in advance for an 8:00 pm seating for 5 at the Havana House. We arrived promptly at 8:00 and were seated at a table in the lounge area known as the Sangria lounge (adjacent to the actual restaurant). The owner (Luxe) introduced himself and proceeded to make excuses as to why the table he seated us at was not yet set up. In his terms, he was very busy and was sold out. This was disappointment number one, because the table was seated by the door, and it was so cold that we sat with our winter coats on. Additionally, there was a birthday party about to begin, and our table of 5 was seated amidst the party. The party members looked at us like we all had 2 heads, and rightfully so: We were in their party. We proceeded to order wine and appetizers, which took forever to arrive at our table. Whoever heard of a 45-minute wait for appetizers, which we ordered 3 to share...and they were brought out one by one. The time is now approaching 10:00 pm, and Luxe approaches the table and tells us that he has run out of scallops for two of the guests at our table. No problem, we said; he offered to substitute codfish in place of the scallops. In our minds, we thought codfish?...real close to scallops, but nonetheless we did not complain. As a matter of fact, we had not complained about anything up to this point. At 10:20, we asked our server how much longer for our dinners, and we were told they were just plating our food. At this point, I walked over to the actual restaurant (remember: we are sitting in the lounge with the birthday party and not the restaurant I made reservations for). I thought, "wow", they must be as busy as Luxe first mentioned. There in the restaurant sat 2 couples at 2 different tables...total of 4 people. Hardly a reason to seat us in the lounge and make us wait almost 2½ hours for our dinners. As I went back to my table, there stood a frightened server trying to explain that they have now run out of steak for one of the other dishes ordered. It is now 10:45; we placed our order at 9:00 pm. Initially, we lashed out at this timid server, when it dawned on me that we should be having our discussion with the owner. I approached Luxe and called him a coward. I further said, "Shame on you for making that poor server tell us you are now out of steak after 2 hours". This was the perfect opportunity for him to apologize, maybe even offer to buy one of the 3 bottles of wine we had served to us. Well, not only did we not get an apology, but we were escorted to the door and told never to return, because, in the words of Luxe, "no one calls me a coward in my kitchen". Funny thing is, he really didn't need to tell us we were never to return: Who in their right mind would after being treated like that? I'm not certain how long this gentleman has been in business, nor do I know how long he plans to stay in business, but I am certain that I will tell everyone and anyone of this evening. In a city known for excellent restaurants, the Havana House is so poor that I give it no stars. No, wait: I give it a negative no stars."

[DF, 9/08] said: "My wife and I went to Havana House/Sangria Lounge near UB South Campus on 9/16/08. We found it to be an excellent experience. Everything from the food to the price to the service to the décor was exceptional. We especially enjoyed the pastelitos (both meat- and cheese-filled), the quesadillas, and the Cuban sandwich. The menu is flexible in that you can order both entrees and smaller size (tapas) portions depending upon your hunger level and/or budget. Additionally, we ordered sangria and mojito drinks, which were excellent. The décor is also flexible in that you can sit in the more formal restaurant or in the hip lounge, depending upon your mood. The waitress and chef both checked on us multiple times and made us feel very welcome. Long story short, I would definitely go there again and recommend it to everyone."

[DMi, 8/08] said: "It saddens me to write this, but there is a restaurant in my neighborhood that is in dire need of a reality check. The Havana House opened on Main Street within a space that had been previously occupied by both Vado Pazzo and Osaka. The restaurant boasts "authentic" Cuban cuisine and "the City's best Mojitos", and is owned and operated by a former real estate broker from Miami. The decor is wonderful (apparently it was designed by the owner), but the food (prepared and cooked by the owner/decorator) leaves nothing to savor. From the salad to the entree, everything was way over-seasoned with salt. The shrimp-appetizer special was very fishy, too garlicky, and suffered from a salt overdose. The main course was advertised as including mixed grilled meats and seafood, and included a caveat stating that this "traditional dish" would take 45 minutes to prepare. When it arrived, we had an overcooked piece of flank steak cut into large chunks (culinary protocol asserts that flank steak needs only about 10-15 minutes of cooking/resting time and should be shaved on the bias; usually this is done table-side) and a large pile of the fishy, salty, garlicky shrimp from the appetizer fiasco. We were denied steak knives, as the meat was "so tender that it melts in your mouth and does not require a knife". We took a few bites and realized that the soles of the shoes we were wearing were more tender than the meat. The roasted root vegetable that accompanied this culinary disaster was overcooked and had the consistency of a garden hose. The black beans and rice served with the dish were both stone cold. Needless to say, we only finished a small amount of the $50 entree for two. I didn't complain to the staff, partly because the rest of the tables around us were doing a sufficient job at that, but also because I don't want to see another restaurant fail within this neighborhood. The bill came, and I told the waitress the truth about the foods' shortcomings and how to remedy it in the future. She tried to comp our watered down Mojitos but I refused. As we were leaving, the chef came out to ask why we didn't touch our food. I explained, in the most constructive way possible, that I am a serious cook/chef and I found serious issues/flaws with many aspects of the entire meal. I was informed that Buffalonians don't understand traditional Cuban food and are too picky because all we know is pizza and chicken wings. My wife and I are both transplants from New England but were not in the mood to argue. I think that this restaurant needs a head chef. I understand the art of wearing many hats, but, sometimes, you need to hang up the ones that just don't fit. I hope that you can pay a visit to this restaurant and write a truthful, constructive article that will serve as some semblance of a reality check. Thanks!"

Hayes Seafood House
8900 Main St. (at Shimerville Rd., between Harris Hill Rd. and Sheridan Dr.), Clarence. 632-1772.
Hayes Fish Co.
[m] 3985 Harlem Rd. (north of Kensington), Snyder. 839-3354.
3279 Delaware Ave. (between Delaware Rd. and Sheridan Dr.), Kenmore. 876-3035.

Reviews of the Clarence location:
[KCar, 6/09] says: "We went to lunch at Hayes Fish Restaurant on Main St. in Clarence this week, because we had read the review of it on your site. The comparison of Hayes to Arnold's on Cape Cod is what did it. Arnold's is our favorite spot on the Cape. Hayes lived up to the comparison absolutely. We had their lobster roll and a cup of clam chowder. The lobster roll was loaded with real lobster. The first piece I selected was claw meat and, of course, was delicious. The roll was like the usual roll for lobster and was tasty as well. The portion size was not huge, but satisfactory. The New England Clam Chowder was a little different, perhaps having been started with a roux, but we liked it, too. It had lots of clams in it and potatoes, etc. They also offer Manhattan Clam Chowder, which I look forward to trying next time. We would have preferred our Diet Pepsi on tap, but made do with the cans they served. The ambiance was quite Cape Cod-like. The tables had checkered tablecloths covered with white paper. There was an outside section covered with an awning. The menu was very extensive, and everything can be "take-out" if you wish. The prices are pretty high, but the quality of the fare is, too. Can't wait to go again, perhaps for dinner next time."

[WHN] said:

[5/09] "After reading Janice Okun's 3-star review of Hayes's Clarence location, my wife had a craving for the lobster rolls highlighted in her Gusto (5/22/09) review. They did indeed bring back memories of New England, especially Arnold's on Cape Cod, which we visited frequently with our kids when they were young. Arnold's offered a choice of either hot or cold lobster meat, while Hayes's are only served cold, with just the right amount of mayonnaise, and a little chopped celery. The lobster meat was fresh, tender and plentiful, and the rolls toasted nicely. Accompaniments include a choice of French fries, cole slaw, or potato salad. We've visited all three locations for both fresh and pre-cooked seafood, and we will definitely return to Clarence for their lobster rolls."

[3/06] "Excellent fish fries (haddock or perch), and combos with scallops and shrimp. This location has a sit-down restaurant. Others, in Kenmore and Snyder, are take-out only. All three sell fresh (that is, uncooked) seafood, too."

[MZ, 12/07] said: "Here's another new Buffalo dining experience (for me) that I'd like to rave about: Hayes, thanks to finding it on your website. Thaaannnnkkk youuuu! In the ongoing search for the best fish fry in the Buffalo area, we tried the Hayes Fish Co. sitdown location on Main St. in Clarence on 12/20/07. I think we have the winner here. Fried haddock was perhaps the only occasion/location when the batter was so light, the oil used in cooking, and the fish itself, so fresh that you could actually taste each element separately and still catch the note of the ocean. Know how in many/most places you can peel off the batter to get to opaque white fish flakes inside? How the fish smells and tastes not of ocean but of "fish"? Not here: maybe it's best said the fish is dusted, and, because not encased, is translucent. Pretty amazing. I love fried (Ipswich) clams, with their fat, creamy bellies. Here, the gentleman who seated us, when asked about their (generic) fried clams, automatically advised that they "didn't have New England clams that night". Now, that's a guy who knows his clams, and, unprompted, understands that one point of origin for them isn't the same as another. I was impressed. I tried their "other" fried clams anyway, and they were pretty good if you're fried-clam starved, which is easy to be outside of the New England shore. (A memorial nod is in order to Howard Johnson's notorious, midcentury fried clam sandwich...ugh. Fried rubberbands.) Cole slaw at Hayes was fresh and excellent; mayonnaise-based potato salad was fine, if forgettable. (In Buffalo, German-style would be good with fish, as you can get in some places.) I'd recommend to them that they find a better source for the rolls they serve with their dinners—these were pretty anemic, although they taste better than they look, and a good warm Parker House roll would do much to carry forward the New England fish shack atmosphere of the place. (Not that you need bread, with their excellent portion sizes.) Overall, the atmosphere is very casual but nice—a contemporized cross between the venerable shackhouse style and a modern loft. Checkered floor, checkered tablecloths, very high ceilings, aluminum accents, paned windows. You order and pay at the counter, and they give you a beeper when you food is ready to pick up—in the old days north of Boston, MA, they yelled out your number—only difference. Service time is very fast, so there's no complaint there, and I found the paper tabletop/plastic basket service practical, nostalgic, and sweet. So, apparently, did the lively brace of customers, ranging from lots of octogenarians to early and middle-aged couples to families. Hipsters were, not surprisingly, absent. (They'll come around in ten years or so when they find their real selves.) I believe that in the warm summer months they have outdoor seating, which would also be nice, since they're located on Main Street past the heavy traffic area, and set back sufficiently. Longneck beer and wine by the bottle both small- and fullsized is available, as is the standard mix of non-alcohol. Speaking of traffic, for those of you who traffic in fresh seafood for home prep (see below also for takeout), theirs is a handsome collection both at the Clarence and Kenmore locations I visited. You can tell from the surface of the fish that it is sine qua non fresh. (When I lived in NYC, one of my best friends had a venerable family fish stand in the old Fulton Fish Market, where he'd ship daily from around the world to the Hayes's of the world; this is the same highest standard of quality.) I went to the Delaware Avenue location to get some ingredients for Christmas Eve dinner, and was not disappointed. Homemade lobster bisque was superb, and clearly popular: I got the last pint at 10:30 AM. It was noted that you can call in and order ahead both raw and prepared fish for pickup; for walk-in and carryout purchase, they had more than enough boiled shrimp available in various sizes; giant, lightly breaded and fried ocean scallops that looked plump and tender. Prepared haddock was also available, as was their complement of slaw, tartar sauce, various bottled hot and cocktail sauces, and "heritage" seafood spices like Old Bay, Zatarain's, and Tony Chicheres. There are three or four cafe tables tucked under the front window in the Delaware Ave. location if you wanted to nibble on some prepared fish or chowder; might be a nice local lunch spot for nearby office workers under the glow of the fluorescents. Low on ambience, unless you like that brightly-lit fishstand look, but I bet it would be mighty good. Bottom line, you're eliminating one middleman when you go to Hayes, dine in or carryout, so the fish could be anywhere from hours to days fresher. Which, to a fish lover, is one step closer to catching it yourself."

Review of the Snyder and Kenmore locations:

[NMJ, 5/08] says: "Take-out only: Now a few tables and chairs have been placed toward the right of the entrances. I've never seen anyone actually eat in. My husband and I have a ritual Friday fish-fry. For over ten years, we've been getting our fish from Hayes. Plentiful and filling. Fish dinner consists of a fried haddock, fries, and coleslaw. Instead, we get "double" fries. Also served with two small containers of tarter sauce. The staff now knows us, whether we go to the Harlem Rd. store or the one on Kenmore Ave. It's fast, friendly, and reasonably priced, although we dread Lent, as the lines are often wrapped around the lobby. There is a 'Dinner' line or a 'By the Pound' line for ordering ease. Cash, checks, and credit are all accepted."

Hideaway Grille.
399 Division St. (between E. Schenck St. and E. Robinson St.), North Tonawanda.
694-2710.

[AU, 2/08] says: "Very Positive. I was there recently with a friend of mine, and we both had a wonderful time. She had one of the rib combos, and I had a nightly special pasta dish, chorizo with penne. Both dishes were excellent. The ribs fell off the bone and are some of the best I have tasted. My pasta dish was spicy and tasted wonderful. Both of us brought half of our dinner home. We did have one mishap when the waitress brought out the wrong pasta dish to me. When I pointed out the error, she immediately took it back and had the kitchen rush out the correct order to me. It took almost no time and was handled very professionally. She offered to take something off the bill, but since we had such a great experience that night I declined her offer. I highly recommend this place; I know I will be going back again. One tip is to make reservations. I went on a Thursday night, and the place was packed."

[JDe, 6/06] says: "My wife, mother-in-law, and I, along with my 8-yr-old son and 7-month-old daughter ate there this past Wednesday (6/21). I appreciated that Hideaway Grille took reservations, even for a small party. Don't let that scare you off. The prices were moderate, and the atmosphere was cozy and quiet. The owner and staff even seemed to appreciate the children and were very friendly toward them. The tables were nice and sturdy, and the colors were warm and inviting. We started with stuffed mushroom caps and stuffed banana peppers. The mushrooms were baby bella nd were stuffed with spinach, garlic, and cheese; nice size, 6 to an order, and very good. We received 2 stuffed banana peppers, each cut in half; the stuffing was delicious, with Italian sausage, spinach, red pepper, breadcrumbs, and cheese. All entrees were generous in proportion and delicious. We had the sea scallops, tender and fresh; chicken parm, crispy out and juicy inside with a nice side of spaghetti; Porterhouse Special, very good. It was a large, 20 oz. steak topped with mushrooms and onions, cooked to perfection, more than enough for lunch the next day. My son had the chicken wings: very good flavor and some of the largest Buffalo wings I have seen. It really looked like they took the wings off a roasting chicken. The meal was rounded off with very good bread and fresh green salad. My wife and daughter thought the homemade vegetable soup was very good. Did not have room for dessert, but they looked great, and we will be going back for some drinks and dessert later this week."

[RA, 11/05] says: "Positive Review: I check this website often to get ideas for new restaurants to try in WNY. My wife and I made our second visit there this week, and we left completely satisfied for the second time. Some of the things we've tried are: Cherry Cordial Martini, Gorgonzola and Sausage Stuffed Peppers, NY Strip Steak and Sautéed Asparagus, Bass Fish Special over a Cream Sauce with Mashed Potatoes, Coconut Cream Pie, Tiramisu. Other menu items include: Ed's Famous BBQ Ribs, many other Steak, Chicken, and Seafood dishes. Also available are daily specials not on the menu. I could go on, but the bottom line is a great restaurant with great food, staff, atmosphere, and an irresistible dessert tray. Well worth the time to find this "Hidden" Treasure."

Hillebrand's Vineyard Café.
Highway 55, Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario, Canada.
800-582-8412.

Continental.

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

[AFN] says:

[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..."

Hillview Restaurant.
6135 Transit Rd., Depew.
684-6820.

[BL, 6/07] says: "American, Greek food; reasonable price...$20-25 for 2. Good all-round menu, decent surroundings. Service is solid. Note the one head waitress (reddish hair) who runs a tight ship and trains a good staff. We have seen her there over the years, and she is one of the reasons we go there. We know the service will be consistent as well as the food. One of the Views restaurants. Open 24 hours. One of those places you just keep on your list of everyday restaurants."

Hirsch's Restaurant.
8445 Main St., Clarence.
634-7148.

[DMcI, 1/09] says: "We took another couple with us to Hirsch's last Friday night—it was their first time there. Three of us had the fish fry—excellent as always. Christ ordered the 14-ounce pork chop and loved it. It was served with grilled veggies—very nice presentation. Our server was right on top of things and very helpful. We usually dine here at least once a month—love it."

[RDP, 9/08] said (in our first review for September 2008): "It was my wife's birthday (I won't mention how old), and I decided to take the family out to dinner to celebrate. I invited a total of 13 people (12 showed). After some deliberation, I decided on Hirsch's Restaurant. My wife and I dined there on our anniversary a few years ago and thought the food was very good. I couldn't remember what the menu was like, so I decided to call the restaurant and ask a few questions. My phone call was well received by the owner (and chef); he took the time to answer all of my questions. We were even allowed to bring our own birthday cake (a nice touch). When we arrived, the table was set up and waiting for us; we didn't have to wait at all. Drinks were ordered, as were the appetizers: stuffed hot peppers, clams casino, mozzarella sticks, & bruschetta bread. All were very good and enjoyed by all. We could have made a meal out of the appetizers. I ordered the T-bone steak, baked potato, and salad with crumbly bleu cheese and oil & vinegar. I ordered the steak blackened, medium rare, and told our waiter, "I would rather it be raw than overdone." It was delicious and done perfectly; the waiter waited for me to cut into it to see if I was satisfied. I was. Several seafood dinners were ordered, and everyone thought their food was excellent. Sorry, but I can't remember every meal that was ordered, but I can tell you that everyone complimented me on my choice of restaurant. Several had eaten there previously and were more than happy to eat there again. They were all family members; if someone were dissatisfied, they would have told me. By the way, they served the birthday cake, and I asked if they would serve ice cream with it (I forgot to mention it to them when I called); they did so with a smile. The service was superb. Our waiter really did a fine job on everything. The food was served hot and all at the same time. That's what I call superb, especially if you're serving 12 people in a busy restaurant on a Saturday night. The water glasses were kept filled, and the food was served in a timely manner (no long waits between courses). I can't say enough about Hirsh's Restaurant; they did an excellent job. Good food, good service, good prices, and they make you feel welcome. What more could you ask for?"

[JSc, 5/08] said: "After a lackluster dinner at Old Red Mill Inn last week (see review), Hirsch's Restaurant was visited for dinner on Sunday. Hirsch's is just a stone's throw from Old Red Mill, and we were hoping for a different result. We got it. There were six of us in our party, which had reservations at 5 pm. We were surprised how many people were there on a Sunday night!! It was filled up, and for good reason. Hirsch's has a $9.99 dinner special on Wednesday, Thursday, and Sunday. Wednesday is Roast Pork Special, Thursday is BBQ Ribs (half rack), and Sunday is the Prime Rib Special. Three of our party ordered the Prime Rib Special, and the other three ordered ribs. The Prime Rib Special includes salad or soup (choice), entree with your choice of starch, veggie, and a desert !! The prime rib that is served is big. All three, including my wife, enjoyed their dinner. It came as ordered, and hot! The ribs that the other three ordered, including myself, were excellent. All the food came hot, and it appeared right off the grill. Service was timely, meaning drinks were served, and bread followed right after. Then salads and soup, and shortly after the main entrees. For a busy Sunday night, which I'm told is always like this for the Prime Rib Special. My wife and I had gone to Hirsch's on a Thursday night for the BBQ Rib Special and knew the ribs were up there with the best in the area. Total price for 6 dinners (3 specials), drinks before, coffees, desert including 20% tip was $129!!! Compared to Old Red Mill a week ago for four people came to $196!!! Almost $70 cheaper, 2 more people, and better service and hot food. Hirsch's also has an All You Can Eat Crab for $24.99 on Tuesday nites, fish fry on Friday (early-bird special 4-6 pm) and Saturday: Surf and Turf special for $19.99. (Closed on Mondays.) We will be returning soon!!"

[10/98] [MER], my father, and I ate here for lunch. I would definitely agree with [AN], below (except for the comment about the Eagle House, which I'm not overly fond of). I had a pasta aglio e olio, which came with broccoli; it was tasty, but not nearly as good as the similar dish available at the Tiffin Room; in fact, it was quite thick and sticky ("glocky" is the term that comes to mind, if anyone knows what that means). However, [MER] and my father had the chicken barley soup, which they both thought was delicious. [MER] had a turkey club and thought that the bacon on it made it taste better than any other she had had. My father also liked his mozzarella burger. The service was extremely slow (it was lunchtime, but there were several empty tables, so that's no excuse).

[AN, 4/97] said: "Pretty basic American food, nothing special, plasticy interior (Eagle House in Williamsville is similar but good food and cosy ambience)."

[m] Hoagie Brothers Giant Subs.
3094 Main St., Buffalo. 834-3440.

Also other locations. Part of a (local?) chain.

[LIN, 4/96] says: "Cheap, but quite good, subs."

Hong Kong Buffet.
5887 S. Transit Rd., Lockport
439-9360.

[AG, 3/05] says: "Pound for pound, one of the cheapest restaurants around ($4.99 and down for lunch, depending on age; children 2 and under, free). But you get what you pay for: standard Chinese buffet fare. If you're not picky, you'll find something you like; the red Hunan pork and General Tso's chicken are both average, but sweet enough to make your teeth hurt. Dumplings and chicken dishes can be decent."

Hong Kong Chinese Restaurant.
4178 Union Rd. (in Airport Plaza, near the Goodwill store), Cheektowaga.
626-9346.

[AMSo, 2/09] says: "K. and I first discovered it about 1½ years ago after shopping @ Goodwill and feeling our tummies rumble. We ordered what was vegetarian—tofu w/ mixed vegetables—and it was excellent. Fresh, large portions, perfectly fried, lots of vegetables, lots of tofu, excellent sauce! The family who works there is super friendly, and the food is always incredible. They do an excellent business and have lots of repeat customers. They have five tables to eat in, or you can order take out. Unless it's an order of at least $20 or more, they do not deliver. Tofu eater or meat eater, you're going to love this place. Best Chinese we've had in the area."

[a] Houlihan's.—WARNING: WEBSITE PLAYS LOUD MUSIC!
1340 Millersport Hwy. (in the Buffalo Niagara Marriott), Amherst.
689-6900.

Part of the chain.

[JKl, 6/08] says: "I have eaten at this restaurant approximately 5 times in the past couple years. As far as the food is concerned, we have yet to be disappointed by the portion, quality, and price. Service can be iffy: With three courses, we once spent almost 2 hours in the restaurant. I don't mind waiting for my food to be cooked, if I know it's made from scratch and up to par. I would not have even thought this was a chain restaurant if not for the other reviewer! Very nice décor; lots of space between tables, so you can enjoy yourself privately. We love their lettuce wraps that come with delicious sesame chicken. Their chicken fingers as an appetizer are great as well. I love the beautiful plating that they do—all meals are served on white, modern plates in different shapes and sizes. Their fettuccini Alfredo is the best we have ever tried (and we try it at nearly every Italian restaurant in the area); it's extra creamy and cheesy, and served with a delicious piece of foccacia bread. The only downer is their desserts—the frozen trios were "freezer burned" the last two times we tried them. The crème brulée was standard, but good. Prices are reasonable, and they have a pretty varied menu, from the standard to the fancy."

[ABi, 11/06] said: "Think a fancier Applebee's, and you have Houlihan's: Instead of framed sports jerseys and misplaced road signs, the latter's most prominent decorations are reproductions of lots-of-primary-colors French wine ads. My first lunch there indicates the food is a little better than the average box chain, too. I ordered the French dip and was rewarded with a richly savory portion of sliced beef excellently complimented with full-flavored au jus that was hearty enough to be served on its own as a soup; I restrained myself from rudely slurping up what was left after my sandwich was done, but just barely. The girlfriend got a stuffed chicken breast, and both parts of the name were delicious. The densely tender protein portion was butterflied and filled with a vividly creamy cheese mixture, and the package was enveloped by a crunchy, flaky breading that, paired with the oozy middle, contributed to an excellent textural balance. Our waiter was accommodating and courteous to the point of being charismatic, adding to my impression that Houlihan's would be a fine choice for the UB crowd as well as those in the Northtowns desiring a slightly more elegant version of the chain experience."

HSBC Cafeteria.
1 Marine Midland (HSBC?) Center (in the HSBC, formerly Marine Midland, Building at the foot of Main St., downtown), Buffalo.

[MEL, 8/99] says: "The HSBC cafeteria is on the ground floor of the HSBC building. It is the only downtown cafeteria as far as I know. You can get one of two hot entrees (OK, but often too fatty for me; about half the days both are from the heart-unhealthy Unholy Trinity of red meat, fried foods, and/or cheese), plus there is a salad bar (OK as these things go), cold sandwich area (fairly good), and a grill area (not bad but marred by long lines). It is also open for breakfast."

Hutch's.
1375 Delaware Ave. (south of Delaware Park), Buffalo. 885-0074.

Bistro originally run by former chef at Oliver's.

[5/04] and [7/07] Given 4 (out of 4) stars by Janice Okun, Buffalo News restaurant reviewer.

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

[WHN] says:

[6/09] "Our son took us to Hutch's for Fathers' Day. We were seated immediately, but asked to be moved, as we were directly under an air-conditioning vent, which was blowing cold air directly onto us. This was done quickly, with no problem. The bread course consisted of a thin, pizza-like bread and Vienna bread, with extra-virgin olive oil. To start, my wife and I had shrimp and lobster bisque, which was creamy and rich, with abundant pieces of lobster and shrimp in the broth. Our son had a fried, battered pablano pepper stuffed with chevre and Monterey jack cheese, which he said was also delicious. For the main course, my wife had a lobster club (lobster meat, bacon, lettuce, and tomato) sandwich from the "small plates" menu. From the nightly specials menu, I had Copper River salmon with a caramelized brown sugar glaze, topped by a julienned cucumber "salad" tossed in wasabi vinaigrette. The salmon was accompanied by a wonton-wrapped fried shrimp, grilled vegetables, and roasted potatoes. Our server said the salmon was seared and rare in the middle, and was that OK. I said I would prefer medium, and it was perfectly cooked, just as I requested. Our son had a bone-in tenderloin steak, also from the nightly specials menu, accompanied by garlic-and-herb mashed potatoes and grilled vegetables. The food and service at Hutch's, one of the best restaurants in Buffalo, are always excellent, and this meal was no exception. We passed on dessert, but the menu sounded very good with, among other choices, fresh Eden Valley strawberry shortcake, which I would have chosen if we weren't all full. 3 stars all the way! PS: Hutch's is one of only eight Buffalo-area restaurants that use the Open Table online reservation system, through which we made our reservation. When you click on the restaurant website's "reservations" link, you're taken to the Open Table website, where you can quickly make a reservation, or see alternate times, if your first choice isn't available. I've used it extensively when travelling, and for reserving at Niagara-on-the-Lake and environs, which also has six or seven participating restaurants. I wish there were more local restaurants using it. Thanks for your excellent website, the Zagat's of WNY." [Thanks for the kind words!]

[3/08] "My sister-in-law and her husband took us to Hutch's to celebrate my wife's birthday on 3/13/08. To start, my wife had an excellent shrimp and lobster bisque, which she said had a touch of sherry, as seafood bisques should. My sister-in-law and I had delicious panko bread-crumb-coated fried oysters with a mildly spicy remoulade sauce. My brother-in-law had pablano peppers wrapped in bread, baked, and filled with cheese, over salsa verde. He said they were excellent as well. For the main course, three of us had grilled lamb chops (two 8 oz. chops) with Gorgonzola-topped polenta and assorted winter vegetables. I've had Hutch's lamb chops several times and would say they are the best I've had in Buffalo. My brother-in-law had oriental-style striped bass, which he said was excellent also. My wife skipped dessert, but I had creme brulee, my sister-in-law had an apple-filled cake, and my brother-in-law had fresh fruit in a pastry shell with whipped cream. All were delicious. Excellent service, too, as always at Hutch's."

[12/07] "For our first visit to Hutch's in about two years, on Friday night, 12/28, my wife and I both had excellent shrimp and lobster bisque to start. For my main course, I had one of the daily specials—sauteed striped bass, with shrimp and scallops, in a brown-butter lemon herb sauce, accompanied by mixed vegetables and roasted red potatoes. It was exquisite. My wife ordered from the regular menu—grilled shrimp over garlic and olive oil (aglio e olio) linguine with zucchini. It was also delicious. The service was, as always at Hutch's, excellent. Still one of my top five favorites in the Buffalo area."

[12/05] "We have not been to Hutch's for several years, but decided to dine here because we were invited to a holiday open house nearby. When we arrived, our table was not ready, so we went to the bar, where we each ordered a glass of wine. In about ten minutes, we were taken to our table. My wife and I both had Caesar salads and lamb chops. The Caesar salads were delicious, with a slight tang, which our personable waiter said was from a drop or two of Tabasco. The lamb chops with a cabernet demi-glace, which we've had here previously, were perfectly cooked and extremely tender. Probably the best lamb chops we've had anywhere. The accompanying polenta flavored with bleu cheese was wonderful, too, as were the grilled vegetables that came with the meal. Hutch's remains one of our top three favorite restaurants in the city.'

[MDV, 6/09] said: "To start off, I'll admit that I go into Hutch's each time with a certain level of bias. It is far and away my favorite restaurant in the city. My family and I went to Hutch's on 5/29/09 to celebrate my birthday. We had made a reservation for 7 p.m. in the bar area. Upon arriving, we were seated immediately, and our waiter came by shortly to greet us. As always, water, fresh bread, and olive oil were brought to the table. I personally ordered the Shrimp and Lobster Bisque; my father ordered the Thai High Calamari; my mother ordered the Moroccan Salad special. Each was excellent. The bisque was served very warm (as it should be), and the consistency was that of lavender. The calamari was cooked perfectly, but the slaw and acidity of the garnish takes the dish to a new level. The salad, which consisted of grilled shrimp and other things, was very good as well. Moving on to dinner, we each ordered different things again. It was Copper River salmon season, and I could not pass up on the opportunity to order a salmon special. My father ordered the Bistro steak, and my mother the Beef Tenderloin au poivre. The salmon was very good. I wouldn't say excellent, but very good. It was done with a spicy mustard and prepared with an Asian influence in the choice of spices and sauce. I would have preferred a less intruding preparation that did not mask the taste of salmon as much. Still, it was very good. The Bistro steak and the Tenderloin were both excellent. Each was cooked perfectly at medium rare. The mashed potatoes were creamy, and the grilled vegetables complemented the meal nicely. For desert, I ordered the Creme Brulee, and my parents had the Fruit Cup. The Creme Brulee was, yet again, fantastic: creamy and full of flavor, but not too thick. The fruit was all very ripe and tasted wonderful. The service throughout the entire night was topnotch. Consistency is what makes Hutch's the best restaurant in town, in my eyes. I look forward to returning."

[DwH, 3/07] said: "Travelling to Buffalo almost weekly since February and wanted to pass along some impressions: Hutch's has some of the finest food ever—and I am a veteran of the Chicago and New York City restaurant scene. I dream about the halibut special and the beet salad when I am away from Buffalo. The bar is the place to eat—great service (Brad is a top-notch guy and barkeep—go, Longhorns!). Staff is young and chipper and usually pretty attentive. Never a weak or mediocre bite of food, and I go there nearly weekly."

[GMK, 1/07] said: "Hutch's has been one of our favorite nights out for years. When we had our baby, we expected our dinners there to diminsh to next to none. Nope. The staff is helpful and friendly and willing to trade parenting stories and rush you out the door when your baby needs to go. It's a relief to know that we can still eat there! I know this has nothing to do with the food, per se, but it is so nice to not be forced into only going to 'family restaurants', as nice as some of them may be."

[MRT] said:

[10/05] "We enjoyed dinner at Hutch's last Saturday, 10/1/05, with a friend of ours who had never been to Hutch's before. Both men began with the lobster and shrimp soup, which they pronounced as excellent; I began with a salad. Our friend also ordered a stuffed pepper as an appetizer. All three of us ordered the filet mignon. Hutch's has the best filet mignon in Buffalo. The filet is accompanied by a marvelous sauce, as well as delicious smashed potatoes and other wonderful vegetables. We ordered one bottle of wine, and all three of us ordered dessert. Our friend ordered crême brulé, which he loved. My husband ordered a chocolate dessert; he loves chocolate. I greatly enjoyed my slice of pear and blueberry pie; it was delicious. Our final bill was around $200. It is my favorite restaurant in the city of Buffalo."

[11/02] "Hutch's is one of our very favorite restaurants in this town. In all honesty, it is really an excellent neighborhood restaurant. We wish Hutch's was in our neighborhood. I phoned around 6:00PM Sunday for reservations that night, and we were able to get in at 8:00PM. When you first sit down, delicious bread is brought to you, with delicious olive oil. The one down side to the restaurant is that it is very noisy. Reservations at 8:00PM is a very good time, because most people are leaving, and the restaurant becomes quieter. My husband began with an excellent lentil soup with duck. I ordered the eggplant Napoleon, from which they graciously removed the ham. It was expertly prepared. We both ordered tenderloin for our entree. It is good sized, and very delicous. Accompanying the tenderloin are delicous mashed potatatoes, snow peas, and red and orange peppers. I ordered their apple crumb cake for dessert, my husband their pumpkin pie, which were both delicious. We order one bottle of reasonably priced cabernet. The final bill was $144.00, which is not cheap, but that's what you pay for good honest food with excellent service."

[HPK, 12/03] said: "After five years of living in WNY, I finally made it to Hutch's. The food here is of a quality that is above most other restaurants in the area. It is on the expensive side; for four people the cost was around $200, but you get the quality and the quantity of food you would expect. We had a mixture of foods from raw oysters to steak. I personally had the tuna, which was seared to perfection. They were even willing to cook the tuna more medium for one in our party; many restaurants will not do that. We are big water drinkers, and our glasses were filled and refilled always, a plus in my book. A great atmosphere, and I would suggest this for all."

[ALS, 6/98] said: "Hutch's is another very good bistro, with a mix of casual to elegant cuisine."

[MEL, 2 & 3/98] said: "The best of the fancy restaurants I've been to. I had a very good spicy pasta and better than average grilled chicken. Also, Hutch's has a small-portions/sandwich menu, so that, in addition to getting the traditional super expensive meal, you can get a cheap meal, or an expensive meal made up of small portions of two or three different entrees."

[MLS, 1/98] said: "Consistently good."

But [NU, 2/97] said: "Wanted to alert you and your readers to some unfortunate experiences my husband and I recently had at Hutch's. First, let me say we had been eating there once a week for months and found the food exciting, fresh, varied, and consistently good. The service was also usually friendly and nice. A few weeks go we were particularly famished and asked our waitress if she would just split a bowl of soup into two cups to slake our hunger before we even ordered. She brought the soup, and the rest of the meal was as good as usual; however, when we got the bill we were charged $3—each (normally, big bowl is $3.25). When we asked why we were charged so much, the waitress simply said, `That's what Hutch told me to charge.' Okay, so every place has its lapses.... The next week, we were there with a couple of friends. We brought a bottle of wine from our cellar, something we had been doing there for ages. They would charge us $8—corkage, which was OK. This time, when we got the bill, he charged us $15! My husband went back to the kitchen to speak with him, and he nastily said he didn't want people bringing wine any more. Fine, but let us know in advance; don't just switch the policy without saying anything. Even though we had almost always enjoyed our experiences there, we vowed not to go back."

[JCM, 8/96] said: "Excellent food and service. Various dishes ranging from Italian pasta dishes, to fish, meat, and poultry, all prepared very well. Higher prices than normal for Buffalo ($15-$20 per plate) but worth it for a good occasion."

[PJE, 5/95] said: "Pretty good."

Hyde Park Prime Steakhouse.
1 Walden Galleria, Cheektowaga.
685-3111.

Part of the chain.

[11/08] Given 3½ (out of 4) stars by Janice Okun, Buffalo News restaurant reviewer.

[RGl, 4/09] says: "My husband and I took my sister and her son to Hyde Park Restaurant at the Galleria today. Our experience was mediocre. I ordered the French onion soup, and this was tap-water warm. The taste was fine, but the soup itself was not hot enough. We advised the waiter, and the charge was removed. My husband and nephew ordered Cokes. The waiter brought two 10-oz. bottles of warm soda. Two glasses of ice were brought, and the waiter poured the Cokes into the glasses. I believe if I'm paying for a high-price dinner, the drinks should be presented in glasses. The sodas were also warm from the bottles. My house Chardonnay tasted like a box wine. I was not impressed with the house Chardonnay, and my sister was equally unimpressed with her Zinfandel. I ordered the Steak Wilson medium well, and it seemed to be well done and charred on the outside. My sister ordered the Steak Kelly, and found a hair in her meal. The manager came out and apologized, and comped that meal and her dessert. The onion rings we ordered were well received by those who ate them. My husband's Porterhouse steak was satisfactory. He was not impressed with the sautéed mushrooms. He said they had a bitter taste to them. Dessert was really good. We ordered the molten lava cake, and it was good. My sister's cheese cake was also very tasty. My nephew ordered the gigantic chocolate cake. This was truly gigantic. The menu said the cake feeds two to four, and they weren't kidding. It was huge. As previously mentioned, our experience was passable and certainly not worth going back. If we are going to spend $200.00 on a meal for four, we'll go to Salvatore's."

[HPK] said:

[3/09]
"After my last review [see next paragraph immediately below], I was contacted by the manager of the restaurant, who apologized for all that happened. He agreed that many of the items were wrong and should not have happened. He stated that the discount certificate I was given would be extended until my next visit, and he was truly sincere. It seems like I just had a bad experience, and we will try them again. Sometimes things can just be off. Future review to follow."

"I really wish I could only write good reviews. It seems, though, that the price of restaurants keeps going higher with less and less for the money. This was a horrible experience. The only thing they got right are the drinks: delicious. However, if you want to pay $15 for a martini, go ahead. There is a very cool contraption that I have not seen before for Guinness beer. Not even sure what it does; maybe I will die from radiation today, though. It comes un-carbonated, they put it on this round "thingy", and it becomes carbonated. I have no other way to explain it. Appetizers: Very good onion soup and a seared tuna sashimi dish. Main meal: My wife ordered, from the "pub menu", a Kobe burger with cheese. It literally was freezing cold, with the cheese unmelted and only on half the burger (it was cut in half, which I also found strange). We sent it back, only to arrive after the rest of us (two others) were finished with their meals. We took it home, and they did take it off the bill. However, it still should not have happened. Meal two and three: a very nice selection of fish that came with a huge portion of vegetables. So what's bad about this? There are many items like mashed potatoes, mushrooms that are extra. We asked if anything came with the actual meal and were told, "no". So we ordered about $30 in side items. They were good, but we never ate them. The other main meal was a steak (which also came with fried onion rings), which had no flavor, for $36. The previous night we were at Red Robin with the kids; the burger-quality meat there for the hamburgers was better than my steak. Also, I happen to like my steaks medium-well to well. It was butterflied (not sure if this is a real word), which is only not necessary if cooked the right way; however, I have always been asked before at other places, before this happens. The worst thing that happened, though, was a classic scam at the end of the meal, one that in finer restaurants would have caused the entire meal to be "comped", which, by the way, I never ask for; if it happens, good, if not, then I do not go back. Half of the meal was to be charged, the other half paid in cash. It seems one of the $20 bills never made it to the check-out. Our change was missing a $20 return (this had nothing to do with a tip at this point). To the restaurant's credit, they did not ask us to pay more; however, they did say that they would give it to the waiter as his tip. I doubt they did. We were also given a 20%-off-a-future-meal voucher, which, when we looked, was only good for thirty days. I know many people in the industry, and this is one of the most common issues with cash. This place needs a lot of help. Just one of the issues above would have been more than enough. But all of them? I do not recommend at all. Total bill with two drinks each: above $250 for three people."

[CKu, 1/09] said: "This is my first review, but I had used this guide for ages. Thought for once I would pitch in. We went there on a Saturday night, and the place was full. The decor is very elegant, and the personnel dresses with nice uniforms. You cannot see the TVs from the bar at your table, for most of the tables (thank God!). We were seated for two on a long bench that faced a small table, and a chair opposite the long bench was long enough for four tables for two. The reason I mention it is that the bench seats you well below the table level. I am five-seven, and I had the table rim almost at my chest. A couple sat beside us, and the person sitting next to me made the same comment. Since we "shared" the bench, and it is fairly uncomfortable, every time the person next to me moved, I bounced; do not sit in that area. Water did not come until requested; bread was requested but never came: "It is in the oven sir; we apologize". Finally, the entrees came, but I declined the bread at that point. Also of note, the maitre d' will randomly give a nice little appetizer to some tables, but not all. Sure, that makes the recipient feel special and the non-recipient feel second class. As for the food, average quality; OK presentation; fairly expensive but limited non-American wine list as far as middle-range prices. Lots of over-$100 bottles; one Malbec choice; no Chianti I can remember; one super Tuscan; and that is it for the $40-$70 range. Not going back."

[DFi, 1/09] said: "My wife and I were at the mall and decided to try it out for an early dinner. They were just opening when we arrived at 4:30 pm. Decor is very nice and is very much in the tradition of an upscale steakhouse. Nice bar area with semi-private, "curtained" areas with many half-circle booths and banquette seating as well. We skipped drinks and shared an appetizer: Lobster and Crab Cakes. Very good; not a lot of breading, with chunks of lobster. They had a slight charred taste, which was very good. The mustard sauce was tasty but very sparse on the plate. Two good-sized cakes, plenty for two to share. Bread basket was nice, with fresh rolls, pretzel roll, and flatbread. My wife had a ribeye prepared with Gorgonzola in a bordelaise sauce. Very tasty but a bit overwhelming in its saltiness after a while. She ordered it medium well, and it was rarer than my medium rare (which actually came out medium). The waitress agreed that they made a mistake and returned it to the kitchen apologetically and offered to keep mine warm. I declined. They came back with another one fairly quickly (it was a different steak and was a bit grisly). They gave us a complimentary sorbet. I had the ribeye Rob Ray-style with goat cheese, cranberries, and pine nuts in bordelaise sauce (sauce was very sparse again). We shared a side (intended for two) of creamed spinach. It was very good but a tad salty. My steak was excellent, and my wife enjoyed hers as well. We had leftovers the next day for lunch. I had coffee (nice large cup), and my wife had the Vanilla Bean Crème Brulée. Large portion, very tasty, nicely prepared, but a little too chilled. Total bill was $117 before tip with no alcohol. My wife had water; I had a Diet Coke (little bottle $2.95). Service was good; manager checked on us as well. Would definitely return for special occasion. Wine list looked very nice. Not a cheap night out. One star under your system."