Bill Rapaport's Buffalo Restaurant Guide

Alphabetical Listing of Restaurants: L

NOTE: Restaurants beginning with "Le" or "La" are indexed as if that definite article were not there (just as it would be in English; restaurants beginning with "The" are not indexed under "T"!). So, e.g., "La Nova" is indexed under "N". Exception: Restaurants beginning with "La" where "La" does not mean "The". So far, fortunately, there's only one: La Tee Da.

La Tee Da
Lafayette Tap Room
Lagniappes
[m] Lake Effect Diner
Langdon Hall
LaPort's Pine Restaurant
Laughlin's Beef and Barrel
[a] Lebro's
Lee's Barbecue
Left Bank
Legends
Leghorn
[am] Leonardi's
[a] Libation Station
Ling Ling
Linger Longer Cafe
Liv
Lombardo's
Lone Star Fajita
[am]Loughran's
Louie's Foot Long Hot Dogs
Lucky's Steakhouse
Lunetta's

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 Tee Da.
206 Allen St. (in Allentown), Buffalo.
881-4500.

[NSM, 1/08] says: "Thank you for your website. I came across it while searching for new restaurant ideas. But I do want to respond to a posting regarding La Tee Da on Allen St. My husband and I have two small children, and we don't get out very much, but we love La Tee Da. We had reservations to celebrate our 5th anniversary in August 2006 at Mother's. We had friends rave about the patio at La Tee Da on Allen and stopped in for drinks on the patio before our reservations. We fell in love with the patio and the bartender (owner's son in law)! Nice wine selection, and he had good advice for novices. They treated us like family, said to come back for dessert after dinner, and wished us well as we left for Mother's. After being seated at Mother's, no one came to even give us a menu for 10 minutes. My husband and I looked at each other and bolted back to La Tee Da. Upon walking back into La Tee Da and telling Mary what happened, they set us up at the bar inside, because they were packed. We had an amazing meal, and the service was great. The salads are particularly fantastic. That night, Paul Safi (the "Singing Bartender") was singing and has since performed at the BPO. We got up and danced on the patio, while Paul serenaded us. Never would you have thought that in Buffalo on an August evening could you find such romance. We returned for New Year's Eve 2006 dinner and were not disappointed. The restaurant is a real family operation, but classy and interesting menu choices. Mary is a delight. Highly recommend this gem in Allentown."

[MDZ, 10/07] says: "My partner and I ate here on a warm Saturday night in October. We entered onto an outdoor patio with a great atmosphere: live Italian music, cozy/romantic lighting, and a nice wine and beer bar. Despite our 7pm reservation, though, we weren't seated until 7:45. No apology. Another 15 minutes after getting to our table—stuffed with bread, water, and wine—we had to ask to see a server. The creamy goat cheese salad was overpowering, with a lot of an unknown strong root put over the top of it. As an entree, I had the pasta with crumbled spinach ball (Nana Nonia's?), which was hearty, but not spectacular. My partner had the cod with basmati rice, which—while cooked well—was also underwhelming and lacking flavor. At no point were we asked how our meals were, and not surprisingly we had to ask for our check after being finished for some time. Looking around throughout the meal, it seemed other tables were having better luck, but I wouldn't take the chance again with La Tee Da."

[CW, 10/05] says: "This new restaurant (opened October 4, 2005, in the old Cybele's space adjoining Rust Belt Books) is the brainchild of former Cybele's chef Mary Tomasullo (a.k.a. The Beanstalk). Its initial menu featured locally made Gondola pasta, homemade red sauce, and excellent, crispy pizzas, as well as more upscale entrees, and a full array of desserts. No liquor license yet; uncorking fee is $5. Looking forward to more."

Lafayette Tap Room.
391 Washington St. (downtown, in the landmark—but somewhat decrepit—Lafayette Hotel, on Lafayette Square), Buffalo.
854-2466.

[BL, 11/05] says: "Went there Saturday for the 8th Annual "Memphis Bound" Blues competition. A lot of fun and a crowd of all ages. Cover charge went to New Orleans musicians relief fund. Great to hear several local groups along with the travelling group. (Mary Haitz Band will represent WNY region in Memphis at the end of January. She has a very good voice.) Food was not gourmet but fine: beef on weck, 1/2 lb. burger, variety of wings, pulled pork, etc. Nothing low fat but typical for a bar and reasonable with enough variety. Wings and burger and side of fries cost including tax $13.50. And of course your drinks. Some kind of salad would be a good addition. Service was good. The place is a decent size. Interesting to view all the wood trim. Long, old fashioned bar. The place can be hopping on nights when a good band is in town or an event like this. Parking is easy being either lots or street. Smoke free as they serve food. Good news for the clothes and hair. Back room is used for dining and needs updating but interesting and speaks of another time. Sound levels that evening were good meaning speakers were placed so your ears did not take a pounding."

[HPK, 1/04] says: "I was looking forward to going to the Tap Room; I had never been there and had heard many good things. We had an awful experience. The waitress was non-existent, the room was freezing, and water was not refilled. One of our party ordered a large salad that was as small as a peanut. If you want healthy food, this is not the place to go; there is nothing low-fat on the menu. Everything was either fried or topped off with tons of cheese. I was extremely disappointed."

Lagniappes.
244 Allen St. (in Allentown, between Mariner and College), Buffalo.
883-3663.

[LC, 1/08] says: "I tried the Vegetable Okra Gumbo at Lagniappes. It has a strong flavor with a bit of spice, so I was glad I ordered a cup instead of a bowl. The kitchen was out of hummus (for the Hummus Po Boy), so as a consolation prize I had the Roasted Red Pepper Po Boy. The taste was good, though the roll was a bit soggy from all of the wet ingredients. I also tried the sweet potato fries and the collard greens; both were tasty and went well with the meal. Even though I didn't get the Po Boy of my choice, the most disappointing thing about my visit to Lagniappes was that the liquid in the Magic 8 Ball was too bubbly to read."

[ECB, 1/08] says: "My brother treated my wife and me to a sampling of Lagniappes, which I've been aching to visit since I heard of its opening. He got it to go, and we all tried a little of everything, and it was all outstanding. The gumbo is the best in Buffalo, by far: dark and flavorful. The soft-shell crab po'boy with sweet-potato fries, braised short ribs, and fried oysters and crawfish were also without peer. I bemoan the fact that it is downtown, where I won't be able to make regular visits, because it is one of the best places I've eaten in Buffalo."

[MCz, 11/07] says: "New Orleans-style food. Small restaurant with limited seating (maybe a total of 8 or 10 seats?) but excellent food. Everything from po boys to jambalaya to gumbo to red beans and rice. Crawfish boil on Tuesdays. We sampled the fried okra (crispy outside, slimy inside, excellent), the red beans and rice (very good, the best I've had since my last visit to New Orleans), and a special from that day which was a shrimp, red pepper, and artichoke foccacia (or was it billed as a pizza—I forget). Everything was really tasty. Wide selection of bottled hot sauces, so you can kick it up if you'd like. No liquor license yet (maybe in the Spring, said the owner/chef). They are open late and seem to do a brisk take-out business. I can't wait to return to try more of the menu."

[m] Lake Effect Diner.
3165 Main St., Buffalo.
833-1952.

[BMcWS, 1/08] says: "We've visited the Lake Effect twice in the past month or so. Both visits were on weekends, and the place was not busy—so you can always count on getting a table. One of the things we like about the Lake Effect is the milk shakes. They have a long list of flavors available and say they will mix any flavors you want, as well. The milk shakes are always thick and wonderful; however, make sure you specify that you want chocolate ice cream in your chocolate shake, or they will use vanilla, and it will not taste chocolaty! Both times I ordered the Reuben. The first time, it was excellent, if not very thick. The second time, it was not good, with lots of fatty pieces in it that made it unappetizing. The fries are always wonderful here—thin and tasty. My husband enjoyed the Cuban sandwich at our last visit. The BBQ burger with cheese and onion rings on it, which our daughter had, was excellent. At our previous visit, my husband got the roast beef sandwich, which was good. Everything seems to need more sauce however—the Reuben, BBQ burger, and Cuban. The staff is young, and the crowd is from the university. The ambience is great fun. The menu is huge—they serve breakfast all day, which is tempting. They have a very interesting stuffed potato pancake we need to try next time. They also have meatloaf, turkey, and fried chicken dinners that sound great. We'll definitely be back, but I won't be ordering the Reuben again."

[ABi, 7/06] says: "Every place should be as fun to eat at as the Lake Effect. Authentic diners mean a meal experience with character, what with the pastel cushions, coat racks for each booth, and ridged, lustrously metallic edges on everything, and Buffalo's culinary link to the Eisenhower administration is a delightful setting with food to match. I got a patty melt, since I not only like them but also believe nothing says "diner" better, and was quite pleased: The bread was perfectly crunchy in its toastiness, the eponymous patty was meaty and charred just right, the cheese delivered on the "melt" part by being rightfully gooey, and the onions were tender but not so much that they lost their bite, onions al dente, I suppose. It was served alongside, of course, fries, thinly-cut, which were crisp outside and tenderly mushy in the middle. The companion got a turkey club sandwich and gave it glowing feedback. As she pointed out, the most important feature of said item is freshness, and the meat and veggies were all firm and flavorful. While I haven't tried them yet myself, the lady also raves that I simply must return to sample both their pancakes and wonderful-sounding peanut butter and jelly milkshakes, and seeing as the Lake Effect is open every single hour of the year, maybe we'll head back at 3 A.M. on Christmas, although I'd like to eat there again much sooner. Along with the agreeable food and ambience, our waitress was pleasant, attentive, and speedy with our service. We've invented a remarkable amount of great stuff, whether it be the Dodge Charger, Budweiser beer, real football, rock and jazz, Las Vegas, or supermarkets large enough to affect the tides; filling, comforting, affordable, and tasty food in a setting both perfectly functional and distinctively pleasant is a marvelous American experience, one that can be enjoyed either somewhere in Oklahoma on the erstwhile Route 66 or on Main Street next to The Steer."

[ASk, 7/03] says: "We've been there around four or five times with some mixed results; there is an excellent plate with meatloaf, turkey, and, I believe, roast beef that I've enjoyed, and we've both had the burgers to good effect. Hand-cut fries were pretty good. You'll have better gravy in some other places, but worse too...at least it seems to be authentic. Not as pleased with something that should be simple—goulash. Breakfasts are fairly standard, but the bacon was excellent. Nice thick slices. Priced roughly in the $6-9 range. Service is ok—friendly, prompt, & willing."

[SMD, 5/03] says: "I've had the opportunity to visit this lovely restored diner on several occasions and have enjoyed every meal. I agree with previous review that their tuna melt is out of this world. If you're a tuna lover, don't miss it. I dined there last night with a companion and enjoyed a very large, fresh, and green chef salad, which was loaded with all sorts of chopped veggies and tomatoes. Delish! A definite cut above what many local joints try to pass off as a salad. My dining companion had the macaroni and cheese, which comes served with a slice of garlic toast. It has a nice crusty top and won raves from both of us (since my companion was nice enough to share a forkful or two with me). The Lake Effect has daily specials and a quite extensive list of homemade milkshakes. Situated near the UB Main Street campus, the crowd is an interesting mix from young to old. Don't leave without checking out the tempting desserts in the revolving display case."

[AJB, 12/02] says: "We tried the new Lake Effect Diner on Main Street near the [South] Campus; just down the street from Parkside Candy, and next door to the Steer. The restaurant is housed in an old-fashioned, genuine diner built in 1952 in Wayne, PA. It spent most of its life in PA, until the current owner bought it, transported it to Buffalo, and completely renovated it. It's a throwback to a different era—lots of stainless steel, pink & lime green. We were seated in a booth (they also have counter seating). My wife ordered a chef's salad, and my daughter had a grilled cheese. The service was very friendly & attentive. I had a tuna melt that was really amazing for a few reasons: 1. the bread used is an artisan-style bread with crunchy crust; 2. the tuna is not from a can—they serve real tuna salad made from tuna that more recently actually resembled a fish. It had an amazing flavor, and was the best tuna salad I've ever tried. The fries that accompanied the tuna melt & grilled cheese were (or at least appeared to be) hand-cut & homemade. Prices were quite reasonable. I strongly recommend this place. According to a recent Buffalo News article, the diner is/will be open 24 hours/day. I also found this article with some more helpful info: Diner Storms into Buffalo" [Editor's note: This website is no longer available.]

Langdon Hall Country House Hotel.
1 Langdon Dr., Cambridge, ON, CANADA.
1-800-268-1898 or 519-740-2100.

[WHN, 10/06] says: "We spent our Columbus Day/Canadian Thanksgiving weekend holiday in the Stratford, Ontario, area. Cambridge is about 30 miles east of Stratford. The Dining Room at Langdon Hall is in the main part of the hotel, which was built by one of the multi-millionaire Astors as a country retreat in the early 20th century. The 3-course, fixed price dinner (C$65) offered a choice of five appetizers, main courses, and desserts. Wine was additional, but the choices included many reasonably priced Canadian wines from the Niagara Region, Lake Erie North Shore and Pelee Island, as well as higher priced wines from France, California, etc. I had a delicious appetizer of pressed duck with tomato chutney, while my wife had a scallop and apple bisque, which she said was excellent. For the main course, I had braised Canadian lamb shank with couscous. My wife had prime rib of beef in a mushroom sauce. Both were cooked perfectly, tender and delicious. Other main course choices included roast turkey with polenta, striped bass with fingerling potatoes, and New Brunswick salmon with fennel barley risotto. For dessert, I had pumpkin creme brulee, while my wife had a chocolate tart with maple walnut ice cream. (We were told that the menu is much more extensive on non-holidays, offering both a la carte items and a choice of several tasting menus.) Since we stayed overnight, we also had breakfast the next morning—excellent eggs Benedict. I would highly recommend Langdon Hall for anyone going to Stratford Festival theatre events, or just looking for a night away."

[MER] and I spent our honeymoon here, and returned for an anniversary a few years later, so we have fond memories of this place. The food was exquisite.

LaPort's Pine Restaurant.
48 Pine St. (downtown, between Walnut (right off N. Transit right by Kenyon's) and Main St.), Lockport.
433-9756.

[SS, 11/03] says: "I've got a place for you to try sometime when you're in Lockport. They have some of the best meat dishes available. Most of their meat is local, 4H, farm-raised. So you know it is fresh. I had their turkey dinner the other day (yes, to get me ready for Thanksgiving). First came the soup: homemade beef barley. They did not skimp on the beef; delicious!! Well, they brought out my meal, and I saw it was all white meat (I'm a dark-meat person). But as soon as I put a fork-full in my mouth, the juices just flowed. Mmmmmm. I never had white meat from turkey taste so good. The stuffing was homemade, too. Just awesome!!! So I highly recommend them for any time of the day visit. Their breakfast plates are very inexpensive; 2 people can get full, and I mean full, for about 8 or 9 dollars, and that is with a beverage. Most of the meals you can watch being made right in front of you. The place makes you feel like you belong there, like you could walk in and everyone knows you. Give it a shot, and I hope you enjoy."

Laughlin's Beef and Barrel.
333 Franklin St. (near Tupper St.), Buffalo.
842-6700.

Same owner as Buffalo Chop House, D'Arcy McGee's Irish Pub, and Brownstone Seafood House & Oyster Bar.

[CK, 9/05] says: "Very nice atmosphere. Food was excellent and modestly priced. Service was excellent despite modest crowd. We will be back for sure. My wife especially enjoyed the Kleinhan's Martini for those with a sweeter palate."

[a] Lebro's.
330 Campbell Blvd., Getzville.
688-0404.

[WHN] says:
[6/07] "My wife and I had another very good dinner at Lebro's on Tuesday night. I had excellent veal parmesan with a side of spaghetti that was too large to finish, so I took half of it home for dinner tonight. My wife had chicken marsala that was different from any other marsala dish she's ever had—lots of onions as well as the usual mushrooms, but she said it was very good."

[9/06] "My wife and I enjoyed another very good meal at Lebro's last night (9/5/06). We both had mixed green salads with their excellent house dressing. Then I had Chicken Francaise, and she had Chicken Picatta. Both were priced at $13.95 including good, fresh bread, the salad (or soup), and a side of spaghetti (which we both chose), French fries, or a vegetable. Very good food. Very good service. Very reasonable prices. They don't take reservations, but during the week there is usually no waiting for a table."

[2/06] "We have eaten lunch and dinner at Lebro's countless times since it first opened some 15 years ago. It's always very busy and noisy, but it's a great place for a casual, reasonably priced meal. We have never had a bad experience here. The food is mostly Italian. Their pasta dishes are excellent, both those with red sauce and others, such as spaghetti carbonara and linguine with white clam sauce, etc. Their "fish fries" (also available baked or broiled), seasoned with Italian-spiced bread crumbs, are excellent. The chicken piccata, which we had on our most recent visit, is delicious. Salad or minestrone is included with all dinners. Their house salad dressing, somewhat like a tangy Caesar, is outstanding and is available by the bottle to take home. There are lunch specials every weekday, and nightly dinner specials. Besides full meals, the dinner menu offers a large selection of burgers, sandwiches, chicken fingers and wings, small portions of pasta dishes, etc. The service is good, although there can be long waits for tables on weekends. The owners, Lee and Carm, always acknowledge their regular customers and usually personally ask "how is everything?" "

[JPM, 9/00] says: "Good food, and pretty inexpensive. It verged on being too noisy, but their pasta sauce was tasty. They make a slightly different but excellent version of pasta carbonara."

Lee's Barbecue.
1269 Fillmore Ave., Buffalo. 896-8887.

[MEL, 10/98] says: "The kind of barbecue place you just don't see much of in the Rust Belt: meaty yet tender ribs in a slummy area a few blocks north of the Science Museum. Sauce was a bit more peppery and less sweet than I personally like best, but still it was a lot better than I would expect anywhere north of Memphis."

Left Bank.
511 Rhode Island St. (near Richmond; on the West Side, near Allentown), Buffalo.
882-3509.

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

[1/04] Given 3½ (out of 4) stars by Janice Okun, Buffalo News restaurant reviewer.

[WHN] says:

[4/08] "We had dinner at The Left Bank on Saturday night, 4/26, with our son and daughter. To start, we shared appetizers of fried oysters with tomato and jalapeno salsa, and Creole remoulade, and a tilapia "stack" layered with wontons, bok choy, and mushrooms, and finished with an Asian vinaigrette. Both appetizers were delicious. For salads, my wife had a Caesar salad, while the rest of us had house salads with balsamic dressing and crumbled bleu cheese. The salads were excellent, too. For main courses, my wife and daughter had carrot papardella with lobster, shrimp, and crab meat in a brandy cream sauce. My wife and I have had this previously, and it is always extraordinarily tasty, although very filling. My son had an evening special—a plate-sized ravioli filled with pork tenderloin and topped by a tomato sauce. I had another evening special—lump crab meat and bay scallops with bowtie pasta in a Cajun-spiced shellfish-tomato broth. Both were excellent. We were too full for dessert, but the meal definitely rated 3 stars."

[7/07] "We returned to The Left Bank to celebrate our daughter's birthday on her annual visit to Buffalo from Phoenix. I was determined not to have their delicious carrot papardella with lobster, shrimp, and crabmeat in a creamy sauce, but had it anyway, as did my wife. For appetizers, we shared fried calamari, which was extremely tender, not overcooked at all, with a tomato dipping sauce, and very good house and Caesar salads. I thought a few of the shrimp in the pasta entree were not fresh, with a distinct iodine taste, but my wife found hers to be fine. It was Sunday night, so it was probably not the best day to order fresh seafood. Our son and daughter both had breaded eggplant with ricotta, tomatoes, basil, fresh mozzarella, and portobello mushrooms, which they thought was good, but needed something to spice up the flavor a bit. As other reviewers have noted, it is indeed very noisy, even on a Sunday night when the restaurant wasn't that busy, but that won't stop us from returning."

[2/06] "We went to The Left Bank with another couple on Saturday 2/18/06. For our previous meal here, my wife and I both had carrot papardella tossed with lobster, shrimp, and crabmeat in a brandy cream sauce ($18). I thought I should have something different, but just couldn't resist it. Neither could my wife, and, because we said it was so good, both of our friends ordered it, too. Before the main course, we shared an excellent appetizer of fried oysters ($9) with a spicy remoulade sauce, and corn and tomato salsa. The house ($4) and Caesar ($5—with or without anchovies) salads were also very good. Oddly, salads are included with the nightly specials, but not with the regular menu items. The seafood pasta was excellent—as delicious as we remembered it, with plenty of shrimp, lobster, and crab, plus julienned carrots and zucchini. The brandy cream sauce is incredibly rich, though, so there was way too much pasta for any of us to finish. However, we all managed to finish the seafood within. One member of our party wanted dessert, and ordered an apple dish with caramel topping and whipped cream, which was very good, but totally unnecessary after the main course. The service was excellent, too. Definitely worthy of 3 stars on the Rapaport scale. The wine list offers many by-the-glass choices, as well as an extensive selection of bottled wines. Note: On weekends, reservations need to be made weeks in advance to ensure getting the seating time you want."

[DwH, 3/07] says: "Travelling to Buffalo almost weekly since February and wanted to pass along some impressions: Left Bank, like Hutch's, has brilliant food but service is only OK. Bartenders are 20-somethings and sling drinks—wine recs are truly hit or miss (whatever they have too much of is my guess). Again, great food, but..."

[BL, 1/07] says: "I remember it years ago when we went to listen to live music, and it was pretty noisy. The sound hits off those brick walls. But Sunday brunch, which is excellent, features classical music. Much more restraint there. But then that is Sunday. Thank God for quiet moments!"

[MDC, 12/04] says: "We went here for dinner on Thursday, Dec. 28/06, and the restaurant was alive and packed. We had made a reservation a week in advance and had the choice of 5:15 or 8:15, so we chose 8:15. When we arrived, we were greeted very warmly and seated at a great table for two, promptly. Our server was also very nice and told us all of the specials. A very nice touch is that the specials are also printed on a sheet that is left at the table. What a great way of solving that age-old problem of, as soon as the server leaves the table, "what was that fish special again...what sauce went with what?". The wine list is well thought out, with many choices and varieties, and I can assure you that there are some delicious wines at very good prices. We really enjoyed the Marques de Riscal rioja reserva at $24. Service was very good in every aspect. But now for the down side in our review. The appetizers are far more interesting than the mains. Too much seems to be going on with the mains...too many ingredients, piled too high, and in too-large portions. The noise level in the restaurant was at a level that certainly affected the enjoyment of our evening. Many tables had groups of six or so, and it is normal that the noise level is up. But, combined with the fact that the restaurant interior is all hard surfaces with nothing to absorb the sound, the noise level becomes intrusive and you almost need to shout to have a conversation. The restaurant is obviously very successful with this formula, and we wish them all the best, but, for us, we will likely go back to Bacchus on our annual winter trip to Buffalo. It has much better sound control, and a more interesting menu." [Editor's Note: Noise may be in the ear of the hearer: I've never been to Left Bank, but, as you'll see from my review of Bacchus, I found that place to be quite noisy. I wonder if that means that Left Bank is deafening? —Bill]

[PDe, 4/04] says: "We ate here with friends April 21. The appetizers and entrees were interesting and well prepared, and everyone enjoyed the food. We had: Portabella Mushroom with Artichoke Stuffing and Port Wine Green Peppercorn Sauce; Sesame Crusted Salmon with Lobster Mashed Potatoes and Ginger Coconut Sauce; Pork Tenderloin wih Grand Marnier/Fresh Cranberry Sauce, Chevre Mashed Potatoes; Parma Prosciutto Wrapped Prawns with Polenta and Warm Grape Tomato Vinaigrette; Chopped Salad of Tomato, Cucumber, Fresh Mozzarella with Balsamic Dijon Vinaigrette; and Twin Angus Beef Tournedos with Mushroom Ragout, Smoked Bacon, and Horseradish Cheese. The desserts weren't up to the standards of the entrees—we had Oreo cheesecake and turtle torte. Possible they buy the desserts from somewhere. They didn't seem as creative as the rest of the food. Warning—we went on a Wednesday evening, and it was crowded and quite loud for most of the night. Don't go here if you're looking for a quiet dinner. Don't go without a reservation—it seems like this is the hot place to be at the moment, so you'll have a long wait without a reservation."

[MRT, 1/04] says: "Based on the earlier reviews, there must have been a change in chef and managagement at the Left Bank. I went to the Left Bank Friday night for the first time. Both the food and the service were superb! It is a small restaurant—only 20 tables—and reservations fill up quickly. Janice Okun gave the Left Bank 3 1/2 stars, and I believe she was justified in her review. For my meal Friday night, I ordered from the daily specials, which were recommended by our server. I began with a soup of roasted cauliflower-gorgonzola with sweet vadalia onion coulis. It was just enough soup for an appetizer. The soup was so incredibly good, I used my finger to get every last bit of it. Our server told us all the chef's soups are this extraordinary. For my main dish, I ordered a wasabi seared yellowfin tuna with gingered daikon radish-cucumber & carrot slaw served with jasmine rice and roasted vegetables. The slaw was amazingly good, the tuna very fresh. I have to confess that I stopped eating the tuna when the slaw ran out. I wish they had included more slaw. Bread served with the meal was good, not great, and not warmed. They do not make their own desserts. I ordered a mixed berry tart that was good, not great. I was pleased to find a piece of lemon rind on the plate with my espresso. In general, the restaurant is very reasonable, with their menu dishes ranging from $14, for cheese tortellini-spinach, garlic, red peppers, and mushrooms in a romano cream sauce with toasted bread crumbs, to $25, for a grilled 14oz angus ribeye steak with Roquefort cheese stuffed jumbo mushroom, mashed potatoes & red wine demi-glace. I most certainly will return to this restaurant with great pleasure."

[MEL, 12/99] says: "A very nice fancy little restaurant, though probably not the best of its kind. I had a chicken crepe here which was reasonably appetizing. The service was a bit better than most."

[SMG] says:

[9/98] "Service has been much better in the past year or so. Very good Sunday brunch with a string quartet playing from 11:00-2:00."

[1/98] "Pub-like atmosphere with very good food. Recently (1997) the service has deteriated, though. Out of the last 4 times that I have been there, the service has been quite bad; the last time, I got up and left after waiting over an hour for my appetizer and not being able to flag the waitperson."

[AN, 7/95] says: "Great ambiance."

[RM, 5/94] says: "Very nice pub-like atmosphere. Neighborhood-type of friendly crowd. Casual and relaxing. The food is moderately priced and pretty good, though one needs an appetite for garlic, as that is the mainstay of most of the Italian-style dishes."

Legends.
9561 Niagara Pkwy. (in the Club House at Legends on the Niagara Golf Courses), Niagara Falls, ON, CANADA.
866-465-3642.

[WHN, 5/07] says: "This is one of several restaurants run by the Niagara Parks Commission. It has a nice view overlooking the golf course and a "lake", in a casual atmosphere befitting a golf club. Outside dining on a covered patio is an option. My wife's sister and her husband, who really like the place, met us here for dinner. The food is OK, but nothing to write home about. For dinner, I had a mediocre, overcooked steak; my wife had a grilled chicken sandwich, which she described as "pretty good". It's probably best to stick with sandwiches and lighter fare, rather than full meals. Open for breakfast and lunch, too."

[am] Leonardi's Pizzeria.
614 Grover Cleveland Hwy. (near Eggert and Longmeadow).
835-8700.

[JSc, 10/03] says: "Best pizza around. I've lived North Tonawanda and now in Lancaster. I've tried pizza places from Orchard Park to North Tonawanda. They are the best. I still stop in there from time to time, but wish they'd open a shop down here in the Southtowns. White pizza is great, but their sauce is too hard to pass up on the regular pies!! 3 stars!!"

[DS, 1/95] says: "Their white pizza (no tomato sauce) is excellent; comparable to or better than Bocce's. (Maybe even [Bill's] "NYC taste buds" will like it!)."

[a] Libation Station.
124 Plaza Dr. (behind Dash's, on the Hopkins Rd. side of Dash's Plaza, near Klein Rd.), Williamsville.
688-8326.

[WHN, 4/08] says: "A little hole-in-the-wall bar, but their burgers and fries are very good. It's been there for many at least 20 years, under different owners."

[a] Lighthouse Point.
350 Old Niagara Falls Blvd. (near Tonawanda Creek and (new) Niagara Falls Blvd.), Amherst.
695-6865.

[DCP, 8/96] says: "They have a very large menu and are reasonable—the Prime Rib sandwich is excellent."

Ling Ling Szechuan Hunan Cantonese.
2758 Elmwood Ave. (near Shepherd), Kenmore.
877-6802.

[JI, 1/07] says: "I live very close to China King at Transit and N. French and eat there quite often. The food is really good there. But when I want to treat myself to the best Chinese takeout I've ever had anywhere, I make the drive to Kenmore and visit Ling Ling's. I just stopped in there on a whim one day a couple of years ago, and I've been back frequently since. My favorite dish is the kung pao beef combo with white rice (it's too rich with the fried rice). The sauce in their kung pao dishes is darker and richer than what you typically find in other Chinese take out, and I like the vegetables they use in their kung pao much better than other places. Ling Ling's is supposedly known for their General Tso's. I've had it, and it is very good. Another dish I love there is the chow fun (wide noodles). Try the house special chow fun with the combinations of meat plus shrimp. I also tell them to make it spicy for me, and it is outta sight! I have had a couple of problems with this particular dish. They keep the wide chow fun noodles in the freezer until they are ready to use. When you order chow fun, you'll see one of the cooks take the bag of noodles out of the freezer and stick it in a microwave to thaw them out. Then, once thawed, they dump them into the big wok full of hot water to let them steep. They occasionally massage the noodles in the hot water with a spatula until they loosen up and become soft. A couple of times, they haven't left the noodles in the water long enough, and there were clumps of the noodles stuck together in the finished dish. I'm not a picky eater and ate them anyway. There is quite a bit of a language barrier in there. Otherwise, I would tell them to let the noodles go a few minutes more in the water before they cook the dish. Ling Ling also makes their own crispy noodles, and there is a big, serve-yourself Tupperware bin full of the crispy noodles sitting out with the tea and condiments. I always fill a little bagful and eat them while I'm waiting for my order. Be sure to try them. They are great. Again, Ling-Ling is the best Chinese takeout I've been to anywhere."

Linger Longer Cafe.
68 W. Main St., Allegany.
372-1955.

[LS, 2/07] says: "This place is cozy and features live music and a Christian bookstore in the back. I had a delicious, freshly-made salad, a great cup of coffee (and a chocolate-raspberry brownie to go). I recommend it highly. Linger Longer Cafe is located in the heart of Allegany, NY, not far from St. Bonaventure University (Go Bonnies!)."

Linguine's.
5380 Genesee St. (at Harris Hill), Bowmansville.
683-6542.

Italian. They do take-out and catering.

[MRT, 4/07] says: "The four of us enjoyed dinner at Linguini's Saturday night, April 28, 2007. Our friend ordered a small antipasto as an appetizer. The appetizer was so large that each of us enjoyed the antipasto. My mother-in-law ordered spaghetti and meatballs. Three of us ordered from the nightly specials. The men both ordered homemade manicotti with cheese and meat balls. I ordered salmon on rapini with mushroom risotto. My meal was superb. I tasted the manicotti, and it was also first rate. My husband and I each enjoyed tiramisu and coffee for dessert. I wish I had a bigger stomach, so I could taste their stuffed artichoke. I definitely want to return to Linguini's."

[11/02] We came back for another great meal, and I have indeed raised them to 2 stars: I began with an excellent "Pasta fa Julia" (their spelling), chock full of goodies; this was followed by an exquisite, pan-seared halibut with risotto and dandelions. [MER] had gnocchi and meatballs; the gnocchi were as light as clouds.

[10/02] [MER] and I went here on the advice of friends who recommended it. And we're mighty glad we did! This is a wonderful little restaurant, easy to overlook, since it's just a small storefront in a plaza that it shares with a gas station and a Wilson's Farm. But inside, wow! A menu that goes on and on, and another menu of daily specials that also goes on and on, both with items I don't see very often around here. I had an Italian wedding soup that was chock full of good things; linguine "Julia" (with sauteed shrimp, artichoke hearts, and tomatoes)—the shrimp were the best I've ever had: tasty and tender; and a mango sorbet for dessert. We'll be back, and I fully expect to raise their stars.

Liv.
253 Taylor Rd., St. Catharines, ON, CANADA.
905-688-2550.

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

Ristorante Lombardo.
1198 Hertel Ave. (near Virgil Ave.), Buffalo.
873-4291; 1-800-255-2854.

Italian.

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

[JSu, 1/08] says: "My wife & I recently had dinner at this restaurant in North Buffalo to celebrate our wedding anniversary. This was our first visit, and we will definitely return. Overall, this was one of the very best restaurant meals we have ever had. From the greeting at the door to the lighted pen provided to help see the check at the end, everything about our experience was excellent. The waiter (Joe) was friendly without being overly friendly, very helpful, and efficient. Every course was perfectly paced, so we neither were rushed, nor had to wait for the next course. The atmosphere was subdued, understated elegance, and the food was fantastic. Grilled filet of veal was served over deliciously seasoned spinach; an unusual bone-in filet mignon was done perfectly. A side order of Brussel sprouts were the best I've had, and the portion generous enough to bring some home. And the Caesar salad for two, made tableside, was also the best we have ever had. Overall, neither one of us could think of even one slighty negative thing about this restaurant; even the restrooms were immaculate. We would strongly recommend this place to anyone interested in a wonderful place for a really nice dinner."

[BA, 12/06] says: "I had the pleasure of dining with colleagues on Monday, 12/18, at Ristorante Lombardo. A Monday night, yet the restaurant was packed. Our party was seated immediately, and a drink order was solicited. The Byron Brown water was very good, even compared to the Bloomberg water I am used to. The service was top notch. No specials; rather, some dishes were described individually in a very pleasant and very accurate fashion. The wine suggested was excellent and very moderately priced. Our group shared several appetizers—hot banana peppers, spinach bread, and Caesar salad made tableside. The peppers were very good, the spinach bread a riff on garlic bread, and the Caesar was great. The dressing was prepared and then left so the flavors could meld. This gave us the opportunity to enjoy the first two appetizers hot, and, when the salad was dressed, the Romaine was crisp and sweet and well-flavored. Four entrees were selected. The Red Snapper was fresh and delicious. Shrimp Scampi with pasta was a very good rendition, with several large shrimp. The Chicken Cacciatore was very flavorful, and the Veal Marsala was delicious; all dishes were presented well. Green beans on the side were crisply cooked. The leftovers were just as good. Desserts enjoyed were Tiramisu and creme brulee, with a really crackling crunch. I could readily taste and see why they were crowded on what is in most restaurants a slow evening."

[DDM, 1/06] says: "Four of us had an absolutely wonderful dining experience on Saturday. We started off with the tableside Caesar salad. I had the lamb chops—done just how I asked—medium; my husband wanted just a plate of gnocchi, and they obliged—he said they were the best he ever had or ever made; my sister had the sea bass and went on and on about it, and my brother-in-law had a pasta dish that I forget the name of but he devoured. We were impressed with the flawless service and the quality of the food. We weren't rushed, and we were able to enjoy our wonderful espresso and biscotti and apple pie at the end. No regrets—worth every penny!"

[CP, 11/05] says: "I knew Lombardo's had a good reputation, but I never really had the desire to go there. We like to try the new trendy restaurants and the consistently good, like Left Bank and Hutchs (we are in our 20s & 30s, so trendy is still appealing). Thank goodness we received a gift certificate to Lombardo's, because we probably would have never made it there. Our dinner was one of the best, if not the best, meals we have had anywhere. I ordered the garlic crusted trout. The plate consisted of 2 filets topped with 3 large shrimp, creamy garlic risotto, asparagus, and spinach. My husband ordered the pork tenderloin special served with garlic mashed potatoes, asparagus, and spinach. He said it was the best pork he's ever had. For cocktails, we ordered vanilla vodka "Appletinis" that were made to perfection. For dessert, we had crème brulée topped with fresh berries. I like that dessert warm, and they had it just right. I can't think of one negative thing to say about the place. There's even valet parking so you don't have to fight for a spot on Hertel. Although the $25 GC didn't go very far, you do get a lot of food for your money. We left the restaurant very satisfied. I learned a lesson: "new" doesn't always mean better. I can't wait to go back!"

[RJD, 4/96] says: "As a resident of the Hertel Ave. area of some 50 years, I can tell you that [this is] one of the finest restaurants in all of Buffalo."

Lone Star Fajita Grill.
1853 Hertel Ave. (between Parkhurst and Starin), Buffalo.
833-7756.

[PMR, 8/05] says: "We are regular visitors to Lone Star. It's not fancy, and the owner may be a bit cranky on some days, but the food is always good, and the prices are very reasonable. The guacamole, pico, and salsa are fresh and homemade. The quesadillas are always perfectly melted, with no clumps of unmelted cheese in the middle. It's our favorite hole-in-the-wall place."

[MRT, 4/03] says: "The Lone Star Fajita Grill is a hole-in-the-wall kind of place. If you love steak fajitas, you simply must go, even if you are tempted to drive by. This was our first visit, based on the glowing reviews. As [PH] said back in January 03, their steak fajitas are deliciously spiced and topped with a good amount of delicious guacamole. We ordered chips, while waiting for our fajitas to be made. There is a station with salsa and pico de gallo. The salsa is nothing to write home about, but the pico de gallo is delicious, and I can't wait until summer, when it will be incredibly delicious with fresh tomatoes, etc. The pico de gallo is great with chips, and we also topped our fajitas with it. We didn't know how many fajitas to order. The girl who took our order told us most people order two. We both agreed that the next time we visit (and we shall visit again, and again) we shall each order 3 fajitas. Chips, 2 sodas, and 2 fajitas each, the total bill with tip was under $20.00."

[PH, 1/03] says: "We love this place. I'm absolutely addicted to their steak fajitas, which can be ordered rare. The meat is spiced deliciously and topped with great guacamole. My daughter always orders the Nachos Grande, a huge portion of homemade chips dripping with cheese, taco meat, and jalapenos. The atmosphere is extremely casual and funky. I enjoy that they usually have something to read—the newspaper, Art Voice, etc. A real plus is that the food is always hot. I could eat here several times a week. I'm a real fan of this place!"

[JPM, 9/00] says: "Went there recently after moving from the city. The place still continues to inspire. Look at the ceiling above the grill: I think there is paint peeling into the food. And don't even think about using the men's room. But it is the best sloppy lunch in Buffalo. Great steak fajitas."

[MEL, 2/99] says: "A nice little hole in the wall specializing in peppery chicken and steak fajitas, as well as tacos and quesadillas. Not much variety, but a good, reasonably cheap meal. The BBQ beans are unusually good (though too hot temperature-wise; I had to put ice in them and then wait 10 minutes for them to cool down!)."

[BR, 1/97] says: "They do make a great guacamole taco, cheap!"

[AN, 7/95] says: " "Cool"."

[KR, 6/94] says: "Take-out or no-frills sit-down. Inexpensive Tex-Mex with all-fresh ingredients and a distinctive flair. The polar opposite of Chi-Chi's. Very simple and tasty. If you're into "slumming" (a pre-PC '70s term—the correct usage rules out McDonald's etc., and would be translated as "roving for authenticity" today), this rates 5 stars."

[PF] said: "They serve fajitas, tacos, chili, Tex-Mex fashion, and have lots of magazines about Texas lying around. It's a déclassé but hip atmosphere."

Loughran's Club and Restaurant.
4543 Main St. (next to the Snyder Fire House), Snyder.
839-0283.

[RMC, 9/03] says: "I have been reading [The Buffalo News's] Gusto for many years now, and I have not seen a review by Janice Okun of a wonderful restaurant here in Snyder, NY, especially its Friday night fish fry and specials menu. Their chef, JT, has been reviewed in the new book around town, After Six. The staff is very friendly and prompt. The prices and portions are very fair, and JT can really cook up specials to match any personal tastes. Their bar tender on Monday, Tuesday, and Friday is one of my favorites, Leo! A funny, talented man who runs a great bar, always has a new joke or story, and for years has been known to the Arts and Crafts world of WNY and PA, for his jewelry he hand crafts. Please stop by and find out for yourself. I hope to see comments soon in Gusto, so others can enjoy this restaurant's great food and atmosphere."

Louie's Foot Long Hot Dogs.
Main Place Mall (downtown), Buffalo. 854-5414.
470 Elmwood Ave. (just north of Allentown), Buffalo. 884-0382.

[MEL, 4/98] says: "Better than average hot dogs. Other food OK; unusually wide selection for a fast food place, including healthy stuff like grilled fish/chicken, odd stuff like Loganberry and Creamsicle shakes. Probably the best place in Main Place."

Lucky's Steakhouse.
In the Casino Niagara, Niagara Falls, ON, Canada.
888-946-3255.

[WHN, 1/06] informs us that "the former Twenty One Club restaurant in Casino Niagara (Canada) is now called Lucky's Steakhouse...[T]hey serve ribs and steaks."

[a+] Lunch Box.
UB Commons.
639-7821, 7831.

Sandwiches, tacos, etc.

[DN, 8/96] says: "Very good souvlaki and gyro sandwiches."

Lunetta's Restaurant.
1274 Hertel Ave., Buffalo. 873-7230.
878 Cleveland Dr., Cheektowaga. 833-9756.

Two Italian restaurants owned by the same people.

[J&NS, 11/02] say of the Cleveland Drive location: "Lunetta's Restaurant (Cheektowaga) is a place that my wife and I have been lunching at for years. They do have the best turkey subs—bar none!! The turkey is right off the bone. We were there on Wednesday, 11/20; we ordered the turkey subs, but my wife, knowing she couldn't finish hers at lunch, had them wrap half of it "to go" for later. She had a bowl of their chicken noodle soup, which was excellent. We had an order of sweet potato fries each, which was accompanied with packets of honey to enjoy them with. Not many places in this area have sweet potato fries on the menu, and the only drawback of them is that we wish they weren't so skimpy with the fries. Many times we've had the lunch specials, which were always good. Their milkshakes are very creamy and thick, too! The Hertel location is no different in the quality of food and especially the turkey subs!!"

And of the Cleveland Drive location, [DY, 9/02] says: "Fresh-baked turkey dinners on Wednesdays and Sundays, plus the best turkey subs I've ever had, make this a hit with all of us. It's small, so avoid dinner hour unless you're getting take out."

Of the Hertel location, [MEL] said:

[6/99] (after trying it again): "Much to my surprise, the pizza here is not very good—not the worst I've had, but below average for Buffalo."

[7/98] (based on a tasting at the Italian Heritage and Food Festival): "Solid linguini with clam sauce; pizza worth a second try."