Bill Rapaport's Buffalo Restaurant Guide

Alphabetical Listing of Restaurants: R

[— a] Red Lobster
[—] La Rosa

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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Rachel's Cafe & Deli.
5953 Main St. (across from Williamsville South High School), Williamsville.
635-1100.

Typical American and not-so-typical Mediterranean cuisine.

[2/08] Several of us took a visiting UB speaker here for a light dinner. It's a small, non-descript, storefront restaurant, with about 6 tables. The manager (the owner's son) was very kind about putting two tables together and "reserving" them until our full party of 7 arrived. We decided to share two "house platters", each of which entitled us to 3 choices from the Mediterranean Dinner section of the menu, along with two side dishes per platter. We chose the NY strip beef kabob, the chicken kabob, the kafta (steak) kabob, chicken shawarma (a bit like chicken souvlaki), beef shawarma, and stuffed kibbie (described as being like a Mediterranean meatloaf), along with hummus, tabouli, and stuffed grape leaves as the sides. We also ordered some falafel wraps with extra hummus. All the food was excellent, as was the service (by the manager). The only disappointments were that they no longer serve baba gannough (their spelling), and, somewhat surprisingly, they had run out of teabags(!).

[a+] Rachel's Mediterranean Food.
UB Commons (520 Lee Entrance), UB North Campus, Amherst.
636-0049.

[Bill, 4/09] says: "The newest addition to the food offerings at the UB Commons. I had a tasty and satisyfing falafel ‘sandwich’ (actually, a wrap) with tomato, parsley, pickles, tahini sauce, hummus, and onions. They also serve Mediterranean subs, hoagies, chicken fingers, various Mediterranean sides (like grape leaves, spinach pie, etc.), souvlaki, sandwiches, wraps, salads, and full dinners, plus a few desserts."

Ray's.
2070 Clinton St. (between S. Ogden and Harlem Rd.), Buffalo.
824-3227.

[BL] says:
[9/06] Update: Buffet is now $10.95. Same good quality of food. Place was crowded this past visit, but we were seated within a small wait time (5-10 minutes). Waitress told us previous week was quiet but other weeks are busy. Also, there is an open menu if you wish this as opposed to the buffet. I did not read the menu, but they serve a fish fry, pork chop dinner among other items according to waitress. Everything is good and fresh. Buffet food is replaced regularly, and buffet presentation area is kept clean. It looked like the bar area was open, if you wished to sit there. Most of us were heading for the buffet. We have been back twice since last report, and the comfort food is consistently good."

[1/06] "Offers Friday night buffet, 4:00-8:00 P.M. Food like your Grandmother made (if she was one of your favorite cooks!). American with Polish influence. Clean, homey interior; polite service (expect to hear a Polish accent here and there. Our variety of accents are a pleasure to hear at some of the area restaurants). Relaxing atmosphere. Each item is well prepared: Fried, baked or roasted chicken, excellent pork chops but once a month, Polish sausage, fried fish, fried shrimp, pierogis (cheese, and very tender that evening), cabbage rolls (use your own European word), mashed potatoes, French fries, pasta, macaroni and potato salads, sauerkraut, vegetables, rolls, very homemade soups, full salad bar, dessert table, etc. Soda, $1.50, very large. Front bar was closed, but alcohol served from inside bar. Buffet $9.95, all you can eat. Kaisertown location diagonally across from Pumpernik and Pastry with easy parking in lot or street. Most of us probably tasted the food first via their wedding receptions, funeral breakfasts, showers. Will put on our list for our Friday night cycle of Western NY dining locations. Nice addition to the Polish cuisine, but lots of American items here."

Red Coach Inn.
2 Buffalo Ave., Niagara Falls, NY.
282-1459, (800) 282-1459.

[AFN, 6/09] says: "My sister, our daughters, and I went to the Lewiston Region Tour of Kitchens on Saturday, 6/13. Seven restaurants from Lewiston, Niagara Falls, and Youngstown offered samples of their cuisine at the various houses on the tour. The food served by most of the participating restaurants was excellent, including Mediterranean pasta with pesto, artichoke hearts, olives, sun-dried tomatoes, and feta from The Red Coach Inn. Overall, the tour was like a multi-course tasting menu experience. Excellent!"

[WHN, 7/06] said: "We had our wedding reception here, but had not been back in years. In the summer, there is an outdoor covered patio overlooking the rapids approaching the Falls. Upon arrival, we were promptly taken to our reserved table on the patio. We ordered a bottle of Wolf Blass Cabernet Sauvignon ($22.95; about 2x retail) from their somewhat limited, but reasonably priced, wine list. We both ordered strip steaks ($33.95), cooked medium rare, as requested. There are many accompanying sauces that can be added at no charge. I chose a mushroom and black pepper one; my wife chose a Port wine demi-glace. All meals include a salad, a choice of several potato dishes (personally, I'm tired of the ubiquitous smashed potatoes that too many restaurants now serve) or rice, and a vegetable. There are many other main courses to choose from: fish and shellfish, prime rib and filet, veal, pork, chicken, and vegetarian dishes, starting around $21.95. Our meal and the service were both very, very good, and we enjoyed watching the tourists walk by."

[a] [—] Red Lobster.
4010 Maple Rd. (at Bailey), Amherst. 837-0202.
Also at other locations.

Part of the chain. Seafood. Fairly expensive for what purports to be a family restaurant.

[HPK, 12/03] says: "If you have not been to Red Lobster in a while, it's time to check it out again; this is not a place to go for fine seafood, but if you want a quick bite and at a reasonable cost, I would suggest it. I had not gone back in a long time, as I was not happy with the quality of the food. This has changed dramatically, and the chain has added many real "fish" dishes to their menu, rather than just shrimp and scallops. I had the blackened catfish. It was really good, served with nice vegetables on the side. Plus, I was running really late and walked in at 10 p.m., when they close. They said, "no problem", and let my party in with no rush to leave."

Red Osier.
6492 Main St. (Rt. 5), Stafford (near Batavia).
585-343-6972; 1-888-343-6972.

[JFG, 3/09] says: "My wife and I went to celebrate her retirement and had heard about this "institution" for years. As it was a bit of a trip—it's outside Batavia—it was quite a production to go there, but it was her pick. We started out with escargot and their signature lobster bisque. I should know by now that escargot in Western New York isn't the same as, say, in Toronto. The bisque was ordinary. Prime rib—carved nearby (as you'll hear later in the review) was good, and we both had that. The sides were passable at best. Desert was pretty basic and, while billed as Peach Melba, was a local interpretation rather than the real thing. Maybe it's a seasonal thing, as the peaches could have been fresh instead of canned. I think the prime factor affecting diners' visits to this institution is the mere fact that it is an institution. They work hard to preserve an image that has been carefully cultivated to be a steak/beef-oriented restaurant with a history. The food is non-exceptional and mundane, although an attempt is made at flourishes like the "roaming" carving cart and some tableside presentation—although the tables are too close together to make this very practical, and one views the theater from a distance. We almost viewed some of the dinner in our laps as the waitress spilled a tray of fixings for salad. If you are in the area and don't mind spending $40–$50 per person on the theater and ordinary food, by all means go."

[J&NS, 5/06] said: "Visited this restaurant for the first time ever with a lot of good referrals on their steaks and prime ribs. We made reservations, and, although it was a Tuesday evening, the place was busy. Within 10 minutes, we were seated and started the night out with a bowl of lobster bisque that was presented in an empty bowl with a column of lobster in the middle. Once it was placed in front of you, the server poured a ladle of broth in the bowl. Nice touch. The accompanying bread consists of mini chocolate-chip muffins and pieces of sourdough bread, as well. Tasty as well. Then a choice of iceberg or spinach salad (we all chose spinach) with the hot sweet-sour dressing (with bacon) followed; that hit the spot. Finally, the cart pulled up at our table; we had heard of the cart. It consists of the prime rib we had ordered, sliced in front of us, au jus. Choice of baked potato, sweet potato, rice pilaf were options. The sweet potato was our choice. For dessert, we split a serving of bananas Foster with coffee. All the food was excellent and well served. The Osier has very professional people serving you, who are very attentive and friendly. We had a coupon that is published in Gusto that was used for all four of us. We had drinks, appetizers, main courses, 1 dessert, and coffees and tip that came to $140. As we were enjoying our meal, we were already talking about the next time we were coming back to the Osier, coupon or not. It's worth the trip from Buffalo, and if you want to take the slow and scenic way home, just stay on Route 5 and avoid the NY State Thruway tolls! 4 stars for sure."

[am] Red Pepper.
3910 Maple Rd. (across from Boulevard Mall), Amherst.
831-3878.

Chinese and Vietnamese.

[MFr, 3/09] says: "My husband and I ate at Red Pepper last Saturday, and it was wonderful. I had the pork in garlic sauce (lunch special) with hot and sour soup, which was rich and spicy, chock full of mushrooms and bamboo shoots and a little bit of bean curd (which is how I like it). My husband had the beef lo mein (lunch special) with the won ton soup. The fried rice that came with the lunch specials wasn't too greasy, as you can find in other generic Chinese restaurants. Our meal was satisfying and delicious, and we enjoyed the tea that came with it. After all was finished, I still had enough of my lunch for a lunch later this week, and the bill came to $11.83 before tip. We will be back!"

[RAh, 9/08] said: "We loved the food, and service was good. We did notice that the interior was very tired. There was hair on our table, and we noticed that the walls had about an inch of dirt on them. Overall, we would not go back, because it was a turn-off to see all the filth while dining."

[LCo, 2/08] said: "On a recent visit to Red Pepper, I started with the Spring Rolls with vegetables and tofu. They tasted great, and the peanut dipping sauce was delicious. I also tried the Veggie Pho. It was another great dish, full of fresh vegetables. If you believe in the supernatural, this Pho may have some kind of "loaves and fish" property to it. I put a steady hour into eating from my bowl and even after sharing it with friends, I swear the bowl was as full as when it was served to me. As a note for vegetarians, the Pho comes with a meat-based broth, but you can ask for a water base. I had the Sesame Bean Curd as well. The bean curd was fried crisp, and the sauce had a sweet and nutty flavor. I think it would be too sweet to eat as a sole entrée, but it's a welcome compliment to more savory dishes. I'd eat at Red Pepper again just to sample more of the menu, but at the same time I'm not overly eager to go back."

[ECB, 1/08] said: "A friend and I were looking for something new to try close to UB North Campus and decided to check out Red Pepper entirely on the strength of its reviews here. We were not disappointed. It was crowded, but we still were seated immediately. We started with Vietnamese egg rolls, which were divine, and moved onto Pho, wanting to try something traditionally Vietnamese. She got the simple beef pho, and I got the roast duck. She liked hers, though was put off a little by the cilantro, which she wasn't used to. The more adventurous of the two, I not only tried mine as delivered but also availed myself of the many condiments provided, from hoisin and red pepper sauce, to bamboo shoots and lime wedges. Each new addition created even more complexity in the rich soup. As noted by another reviewer, however, the duck is still on the bone, so eating it is a bit of a challenge. We very much enjoyed the meal, though neither of us was able to finish the huge bowl completely. I look forward to returning and trying some of their Chinese fare."

[AMSo, 10/07] said: "K. & I went to the Red Pepper last night and had a wonderful dinner! Only problem was that my water glass still had someone else's lipstick on it! When we ordered, we asked the server for a new glass, as I showed him the lipstick and expressed my issue with drinking out of a dirty glass. My companion was observant—she saw him wipe off the lipstick and give the glass back to me. We were pretty grossed out and decided to order soda with straws so that we wouldn't take chances with what might be on the glasses. Food was great, though. We shared the Spring Rolls (veggies, tofu, rice noodles inside a steamed rice-paper wrap, served with a dipping sauce), then each ordered the Veggie Pho, which was more than a meal—a huge bowl with rice noodles, vegetables, mushroms, & tofu, along with a plate of fresh mint leaves, bean sprouts, and limes to add in. They also have two wonderful sauces to add to the pho—one is like a hoisin sauce that is flavorful but not spicy (dark colored), and the other sauce is a hot chili one (red colored). The food was wonderful, and we wound up taking home our tofu & veggies w/rice-noodle dinner that we had also ordered to share. There was so much to eat in the bowl of Pho that we didn't even touch the stirfry dish. All in all, a wonderful food experience, but my advice is to stay away from the glasses!"

[ABi, 4/06] said: "It's easy to define passable Chinese food by what it's not: Getting a dish that isn't gelatinous mush is often considered acceptable to diners weary of attempting to distinguish between limp, sauce-laden veggies and soggy, sauce-laden unidentifiable meat chunks. Thankfully, Red Pepper is good and not merely absent the bad. I'm a soldier in General Tso's Army, and the restaurant does great justice to the career officer's signature chicken. You get a huge portion of juicy, meaty pieces that are huge themselves, crispy and seared on the outside with the meat's succulence preserved. It was also worthy of having its typeface cast in red on the menu, as it was sufficiently spicy hot without being overwhelming; of course, I wouldn't recommend placing one of the red peppers interspersed with the serving on your tongue unless your mouth wronged you in some way and you want revenge. My dinner buddy ordered sweet and sour chicken and found her entrée prepared to an identically outstanding standard. Hers was coated in a sauce true to its name, the perfect pineapple-y balance implied by the title. We both liked our chicken lots. Our choices proved excellent, and they also offer a full menu of Vietnamese dishes for pho aficionados in addition to the extensive Chinese options. Red Pepper is very clean, the servers are as polite as they are affable, and the restaurant is proof that Asian cuisine and high quality are not mutually exclusive."

[LS, 3/06] said: "Excellent, friendly and fast service on a busy Friday night. I must credit [JGM] for his tip about the sauteed eggplant—it was like nothing I've ever had before—delicious, melt-in-your-mouth texture and a bright purple color that surprised me. I had a vegetarian rice noodle dish with tofu from the Vietnamese menu. It was good, but the eggplant was the star of the evening."

[JGM, 11/05] said: "Very popular with us at the UB Law Library; a good selection of vegetarian items. My favorite thing here is the sauteed eggplant."

[1/05] I [Bill] ate here for lunch with several UB colleagues. The place was packed. The menu, at least at lunch, consisted of a single-page, small-type, numbered list of Chinese lunch combos and 2 pages of large-type, numbered Vietnamese dishes. Confusingly (see below), the numbering scheme for both menus began at "1"; thus, dish #22 (say) was ambiguous between Chinese #22 and Vietnamese #22. From the "Pho" portion of the Vietnamese menu, I ordered Chicken Rice Noodle Soup; this needs to be parsed as "Chicken Rice-Noodle Soup" (i.e., chicken soup with rice noodles, not chicken soup with rice and noodles). [SCS] ordered the Spring Rolls with Tofu as an appetizer and the Vietnamese Pan Cake (their spelling) containing shrimp, pork, and bean sprouts ("Banh Xao") for his main dish; they arrived together, with everyone else's main dish (well, almost; see below). Another colleague also ordered from the Pho list: Roast Duck Noodle Soup. A third colleague ordered Stir Fried Roast Pork with Egg Noodle. And the fourth diner ordered wonton soup and something else (sorry; I didn't record it) from the Chinese menu. When the dishes arrived, the waiter announced the number of the dish, asking who had ordered that number; had I known there was going to be a quiz, I would have taken more careful notes! Things were made a bit easier for deciding who ordered what—but not easier for dining—by the fact that the dishes arrived in waves, with the last diner getting his meal after everyone else had been served. The wonton soup arrived first, before the main courses, even though [SCS] had to wait for his appetizer till his main course arrived. OK; so much for odd service: What about the food? Everyone was happy: [SCS] said his was "real good", and the colleague who ordered the duck soup initially said it was "quite good", though later commented that it was hard to eat because of bones. My soup came in a gigantic bowl, more like a serving bowl than a single-portion. The broth was less tasty than I would have preferred, but there was ample chicken and gobs of slippery noodles that refused to stay on the porcelain spoon. Unfortunately, the aftertaste lasted for hours. The Vietnamese menu (at least at lunch) includes Stir Fried Noodle dishes, Egg Noodle dishes, Rice dishes, Pho (noodle soups), and Bun ("vermicelli"). I guess the restaurant is good, and I suppose I'd be willing to try it again, but it wouldn't be my first choice.

[EC, 10/03] said: "I started going to the Red Pepper this past summer. It instantly became my favorite Chinese restaurant in WNY. The menu is quite extensive, and even features some Vietnamese cuisine, too. The owner is extremely personable and gracious, and always welcomes me with a smile and a handshake. The service is very polite and efficient. The food is simply fantastic. Chang's used to be my favorite, but Red Pepper has taken over the #1 spot. It's much more reasonably priced, and they make you feel welcome here (unlike Chang's). The international students from UB really seem to enjoy RP too. That's always a good sign! Everyone should really check this place out."

[a] Red Robin. WARNING: WEBSITE HAS LOUD MUSIC!!
4080 Maple Rd. (between Sweet Home and N.Bailey), Amherst.
834-4100.

Part of the burger chain.

[NMJ, 6/09] says: "3.5 stars. I am a big fan of chain restaurants. Having two young sons who don't want to sit still is a magnet for fast(er) food, in my book. Yesterday, June 8th, went to Red Robin. Celebrating my birthday, the fellas (my family) thought it was a good idea, and so did I. I've been here a few times before and have never been disappointed with the quality. Pricing is reasonable, and the atmosphere is pretty good, too. Seated right away, the server greeted us, asking for our drink order. My favorite part is ordering my diet pop, then asking for a basket of fries. At Red Robin, bottomless French fry baskets is probably one of the other main reasons I go there. Steak fries are on top of my food-chain list. They're always piping hot and cooked just right. My husband ordered the grilled turkey burger, side of fries; I ordered a gourmet cheese burger, no veggies, only cheese/pickles, side of (additional) fries; and the kids ordered a chicken-strip meal and a mac-and-cheese meal, both with fries. As the drinks were served, so were two baskets of fries: enough to go around. Between the fascination of fries, the kids' menus that could be colored in, and TV with cartoons on, children will be occupied enough to sit through the wait before dinner is brought out. The burger was cooked perfectly; I added my own condiments. I could only eat half, because the basket of fries I'd eaten prior were quite filling. My husband's turkey burger was equally good: cooked just right. Although it didn't come with cheese, that could be added for about $1.30 more. The total bill was just under $32.00. For four meals and three drinks, I consider that a great deal! I recently learned that Red Robin has a 45-minute rule: Patrons should be waited on, served, and out the door in 45 minutes. Well, I have to say, ‘Job well done’. We were in and out in less than an hour."

[DRi, 4/08] said: "Date of meal: 4/2/08, 6:15 PM. A friend and I came back from a surprisingly positive experience at Red Robin. I had been there before and was not terribly impressed. Tonight, they left a positive impression on me commensurate with the bill. We were seated immediately during the dinner rush, and service was prompt. I ordered their California chicken burger, their term for a chicken club sandwich. My friend got a shake and the bacon cheeseburger. The server asked if he wanted some pink, and readily reeled off the types of rolls you can choose to have your burger on. About 10 minutes later, our food appeared. My sandwich was quite large, very tasty, and more importantly, prepared exactly as ordered. It was so big I only finished half, and took home the other, as well as a second helping of their fries. About the fries: They salt the living daylights out of them and toss on some seasonings. Yet the potato can still be clearly tasted through the salt. Kudos on that. My friend's burger came out just as he ordered, also. The shake didn't look as large as a Friendly's shake, but they did provide the mixing container with more shake. Our server kept away while we chowed down, and came back when we were done. All this was a pleasant surprise from the last time I was there a year ago. I can now soundly recommend this place, as long as you're prepared to spend $10+tip for a very good burger and fries."

[HPK] said:

[7/07] "I had a bad experience, and I hope it was only once. It was on the 4th of July, maybe that was it. The waiter, food, timing, everything was off. I ordered a salad, and it was more like a side piece of single lettuce. The fries—limp. The waiter—argumentative. The manager—hiding. The bar—weak. I waited this long to write this because I was just not in the mood to argue. After all, it was a great night of rain for the fireworks. I filled out one of those "comment cards" to see if anyone really pays attention to them. My name and address, the waiters, even the managers. Did I hear anything?—nope! Nothing! Nada! Will I go back? Yes, once more, to see if this was just a bad night."

[3/06] "My family and I went to the newly opened Red Robin on Maple Road in Amherst. We actually had a free meal. We had called earlier in the week to see when they opened, and they invited us for the meal, and many other people as well. Red Robin is a somewhat fancier than Fuddruckers (there are waiters), kid friendly (TV sets on walls with cartoons for kids) national chain that caters to basic foods. They are known for their burgers, which I have to say are very good. There are something like 30 different burgers on the menu, plus you can mix and match anything you want. My kids loved the "bottomless fries". My oldest, who is 7 and reading everything, read that and kept ordering more and more fries. They did not mind, even when you had not eaten any. To those of you who do not know, fries are the major food group for a 7-year-old. I have a feeling that late at night the atmosphere changes to an older crowd (after kids go to bed). There is a full, sit-down bar, and it would fit a good place for a first date or friends who are out late and want to grab a burger. Yet, I would take my kids here at anytime. The food was good. This is not a fancy steak house. If you want a good burger, salad, etc., I would go here, and will go back."

[CJK, 1/07] said: "The only Red Robin in WNY and located next to Smokey Bones on Maple Road, which is just minutes away from UB's Amherst campus and seconds from the Boulevard Mall. My first time ever at a Red Robin and was happy with the mouth-watering selection of burgers on the menu. The difficult part was choosing, but I went with their 5 Alarm Burger, which consisted of: "Pepper-Jack cheese, jalapeños, fresh tangy salsa, sliced tomato, crisp lettuce and Chipotle mayo." The burger was well cooked and made me want a second because of the nice zestiness. It is not overly spicy, but just enough to have a quick drink. Preventing me from having a second was their Bottomless Steak Fries, which do not need any extra salt. The service is very good, and I highly recommend Red Robin...and worth a return to try a different burger!"

Restaurant Tony de Luca.
160 Front St. (in the Oban Inn, end of Gate St.), Niagara-on-the-Lake, ON, CANADA.
905-468-7900, 1-866-394-7900.

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

[WHN, 12/06] says: "Contrary to what we had heard earlier this year, before it actually opened, Restaurant Tony de Luca is now open for both lunch and dinner. Some friends took out-of-town guests there recently and said it was excellent, so we decided to have lunch there. The former formal dining room looking onto the Niagara-on-the-Lake golf course and the river has been converted to a spa, and the main (and only) restaurant is where Shaw's Corner lounge was, so the view is not what it used to be. Nevertheless, the food is very good, and more than makes up for any other shortcomings. Since it was a cold and blustery December day walking in Niagara-on-the-Lake, we started with an excellent butternut squash soup. As main courses, my wife chose seared scallops served over goat cheese potato gateaux, with wild mushrooms. The scallops were underdone to her taste—basically raw inside—so she asked that they be cooked more, which was done immediately. Once cooked through, she thought her meal was delicious. I had the sandwich of the day—open faced Kessler ham on sourdough bread, with a soft Quebec cheese, similar to brie, and wild mushrooms. This was served with a small salad and matchstick potato chips. The sandwich was delicious, but our friends had raved about the match stick potatoes, which I found to be greasy and somewhat soggy, not crisp, as I had expected. Perhaps the oil wasn't hot enough or they had not been cooked long enough. Overall, the food and service were very good. At dinner, they offer fixed price dinners: three courses for C$55 or four courses for C$65, and an eight course tasting menu for C$85, or C$115 with wine. They also offer a "Chef's Table" of eight to ten courses for groups of four to six in an area near the kitchen, where diners can interact with the chef—for C$125, or C$175 with wine pairings."

[MRT, 7/06] says: "We have always enjoyed the cooking of chef Tony De Luca. When he left Hillebrand's Vineyard Café to begin his own restaurant at the beautiful Oban Inn, we followed him there. Our meal yesterday, Wednesday, July 26, 2006, was extraordinary. Our fine waitress worked at Hillebrand's Vineyard Café for 10 years. Tony De Luca called her when he began his new restaurant. We started the evening with a local brut champagne. The chef brought us a delicious small amuse gueule. My husband and friend each ordered lobster salad for an appetizer. I ordered venison carpaccio. My mother-in-law ordered a mixed green salad with peaches. Walnut bread and another delicious bread and butter with a black salt were brought to our table. The chef brought us each a small shooter to cleanse our palates. We enjoyed pinot noir with dinner. My husband ordered beef rib eye, our friend ordered lamb loin and lamb rack, and my mother-in-law and I each ordered wild Atlantic salmon. After our meal, we ordered one cheese course for the four of us. We have always loved Tony's cheese courses. The other three ordered a dark chocolate cake. I ordered a tour of peach. Our meal could not have been more extraordinary. The chef came out to meet us, which really topped off the evening. We hope to return in a month or so."

Rick's on Main.
687 Main Street, East Aurora.
652-1253.

[MiM, 9/08] says: "My husband and I dined at Rick's last night. We did not have reservations, but we were seated immediately; it was early for a dinner crowd. The menu is somewhat small, but it is pretty diverse. It is pricy. The specials of the day were what to order from. They offered 5 appetizer specials, another 5 salad specials, and 3 entree specials. The hardest part was picking which ones to order. We decided on a scallop and a shrimp appetizer; these were wonderful—and large. My husband chose one of the salad specials, which was amazing—we shared. I decided on a salmon special, and my husband ordered the sirloin steak, which was the only thing we had off the regular menu. Everything was fantastic, with much attention to detail and tons of added flavors from fresh vegetables and spices. The service was very good, and it seemed like the waitress was well trained on everything that went into every dish. They have a lovely front porch/patio that has available seating for summer evenings."

[GWa, 3/07] said: "It has recently opened in a former restaurant site on Main Street in East Aurora. Very upscale and pricy, but food and service and ambiance were superb. I was there 3/2/07, and it was wonderful. The owner/chef was formerly the chef at David's Grill in Orchard Park, another quality restaurant."

Ridgeway's Restaurant.
355 Ridge Rd. (south of Rt. 3 [Garrison Rd.], near Crystal Beach), Ridgeway, ON, CANADA.
905-894-4229.

[MER] and I ate here [8/04], and were very pleasantly surprised. First, Ridgeway seems like a very cute village to explore, with several interesting shops. The restaurant has a large menu, on a white board as you enter; there's no printed menu, which is unfortunate. I had an excellent shrimp-stuffed trout, accompanied by a very nice salad with a good house vinaigrette dressing. [MER] had a good chicken parm with ziti, and our 8-year-old son had chicken fingers with plum sauce; he skipped the plum sauce in favor of good ol' ketchup, but said that he liked the chicken fingers, which were accompanied by delicious homemade French fries.

Ripa's.—WARNING: Their website doesn't work with Firefox and loads ve.r..y...s....l.....o......w.......l.........y.)
4218 Walden Ave. (south of Genesee St., near Pavement Rd.), Lancaster.
684-2418.

[GOw, 4/08] says: "The previous posting is correct. I was at this restaurant for a wedding in 1990, and it looks the same. My guess is that there have been few changes if any going back to the '70s. That is not necessarily a bad thing either. Why mess with success? So, my 15-year-old daughter and I dined here on a recent Tuesday night. It was a special night for her, and I w anted something different than the chain restaurants with all the noise and steam-table food. Ripa's was a very good choice. The only downside was that, when we arrived, there was no one to seat us. The door buzzes when you walk in, and we stood dutifully at the hostess podium for a couple of minutes. I then walked back and opened the door again to buzz the staff...again, nothing. I'm the type of guy who could leave and never return, but I was in a good mood and went over to the bar and requested assistance. The bartender came right over and seated us. We received very good service the remainder of our meal. The salads were good, with a nice house Italian dressing. The Italian bread was fine, with a delicious dipping oil. I knew I was getting the char-broiled fish, and it was very good. This is their specialty, and it is well done. The baked potato was huge and a bit hard, but a big dollop of sour cream fixed that. My daughter had manicotti, and she tasted it and said "Oh my goodness, this is sooooo good!" I thought the serving was a little on the smallish size for 13 bucks, but at least we didn't have to cart any home. We ended with a huge piece of vanilla cheesecake and 2 forks. I believe that this was the perfect restaurant choice for what a dad and his little (15) girl required."

[WHN, 3/07] says: "Years ago, I worked near Ripa's and ate lunch there at least once a week. I had not been back in a very long time. The place still looks the same and probably has not changed much since the fifties or sixties. That said, the food is still quite good, especially the pasta dishes and the house specialty, char-broiled fish."

Ristorante Giardino.
142 Queen St. ( Gate House Hotel), Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario.
905-468-3263.

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

[WHN, 12/08] says: "Since seeing your 3-star rating and reading the brief description of the restaurant's "Exquisite, northern Italian food...", I've wanted to try it, but there are so many excellent restaurants in NOTL that we never got around to Ristorante Giardino...until now. Although we only had lunch, it was indeed excellent. The Calabrese bread with olive oil and balsamic vinegar was fresh and warm. Ristorante Giardino offers a 3-course lunch special for C$20.95, which I chose. To start, there was a tasty chicken vegetable soup. The main course was homemade spaghetti with clams, rapini florets and greens, and red and yellow peppers, in a wine and butter sauce. It was delicious, with minced clams throughout the sauce, and a dozen cherrystone clams on top of the spaghetti. My wife had a smoked chicken breast panini sandwich with provolone cheese and sun-dried tomatoes. A house salad came with her (C$15) sandwich. She thought the salad had too much balsamic vinegar and not enough olive oil, but the bread course included cruets of each, so she just added more oil. My 3-course lunch included panna cotta, drizzled with a sweet balsamic glaze and served with berries and sliced pears. I shared the very rich dessert with my wife. Thanks for the recommendation on your website."

[ca 1990s] I said: Exquisite, northern Italian food; desserts as beautiful to look at as to eat. Very expensive.

[m] Rita's. WARNING: WEBSITE HAS OBNOXIOUSLY LOUD MUSIC
3476 Main St. (near UB South Campus), Buffalo.
836-4170.

Part of the chain/franchise.

[LCo, 9/07] says: "Rita's is a frozen-dessert franchise. The menu includes Italian ices, cream ices, gelati, mistos (a blend of frozen custard and Italian ice), and the "Blendini" (Italian ice, frozen custard, and cookie pieces). Even though I'd prefer to patronize a non-franchised, frozen-dessert enterprise like Hanna's Frosty Treats, I must say that I was completely impressed with the variety of flavors of Italian ice (strawberry, lemonade, wild black cherry, pina colada, mango, tangerine, and more?). I had a small-sized pina colada ice. The portion was more than enough, especially for a cold and sweet treat, and the ice was very smooth, with small bits of real pineapple. Overall, it was good, and, if I were in the area on a hot day, I'd probably stop for a cup again."

River Grill.
70 Aqua Lane (near River Rd. and the GM Stamping Plant), Tonawanda.
873-2553.

[WHN, 10/07] says: "Our niece and nephew organized an extended-family dinner outing at the River Grill on Sunday 9/30. They had been here before, but most of us had not. We were forewarned that many of the dinners were large enough for two people, so my wife and I split a seafood platter ($24.95) consisting of fish, scallops, shrimp, calamari, and crab cakes, accompanied by potato salad, cole slaw, and French fries. The dinner can be ordered either fried or a baked and fried "combo". We ordered the latter, so the only fried foods were the crab cakes, the calamari, and the potatoes. It was very good. Our niece and nephew ordered bouillabaisse, which looked more like a pasta dish than a soup, combining lobster tails, clams, mussels, shrimp, and scallops, served over spaghetti. They said it was good but would order the seafood platter, which they had had before, next time. Others in the party also had a seafood platter (to split), a fish fry, and broiled tuna. The fish fry was described as average, but good. The menu also has many pasta dishes with shrimp, scallops, and seafood combinations. There are also steaks and chicken on the menu. Note that almost all of the seating is outside on a covered patio. Although it is on the Niagara River, the view is mostly blocked by a boat storage facility, so the view of the water is limited to a few open places between buildings. Sunday was the restaurant's last business day before closing for the season: until next May, we were told. There was a band playing very loudly, so the only time for conversation was during their breaks. Nevertheless, it was fun, and the food was good."

[ABi, 11/06] says: "Even us landlubbers need an occasional beef break, and while I don't eat food that can swim all that often, the River Grill is a good option for hankerings involving dishes from the deep. For one, it looks and feels genuine, whether it be plastic pop cups and beer served in cans or the sheet metal walls and abundant buoys hung around haphazardly. It's either an authentic seafood house or remarkably authentic-looking by design; if it's fake, themed places like T.G.I. Friday's should hire the designer to make their restaurants look realistic. Hindering the theme, however, was the background music, because the sound system was inexplicably tuned to some 80s station during our time there; if anyone is curious, dinners featuring underwater creatures are not enhanced by the sounds of Air Supply, Culture Club, or the Frank Stallone song from "Staying Alive". I would have preferred sea shanties or even, sigh, Jimmy Buffett to "I'll Tumble 4 Ya". Our waitress was friendly but a tad absent-minded, because she first forgot to take my girlfriend's drink order, then spaced on getting my sister's boyfriend's food order. There are six of us here, ma'am, not five. It also took some time before we got our order of appetizer mussels, so maybe she was fishing for them or however one catches them. It was a worthwhile wait, though, because they were tender and rich, a theme repeated for my entree of scallops and shrimp with crab stuffing. The dressing was immersed in sweet crab flavor, with a texture that was slightly mushy but not overwhelmingly or even unpleasantly so. The whole seafood items were also fine. For all I know, scallops are nothing more than that coin-shaped body floating around, but, despite my biological ignorance, I do know that the ones on my plate were delicately flaky. I consider shrimp to be fabulously overrated as a luxury culinary item, and am always baffled when people lose their minds with delight over something that's usually watery and veiny, but the River Grill may have converted me to shrimp fanaticism, because they served dense and meaty, yet delicately-flavored, little guys. Everything was tasty, and unlike a chain named after a particularly-colored crustacean renowned for skimpy, fantastically overpriced portions resulting in empty stomachs and wallets, the Grill served large portions, and I left full. I may never be married to the sea, but thanks to the River Grill, we'll be good friends."

Riverbend Inn and Vineyard.
16104 Niagara Pkwy., Niagara-on-the-Lake, ON, CANADA.
1-888-955-5553.

[WHN] says:
[6/09] "We haven't eaten at Riverbend for several years, but had lunch there on Thursday, 6/4/09. The dining room looks out onto their patio and vineyards, which we learned are Riverbend's but are tended by the nearby Reif winery, which produces wines under the Riverbend label, as well as in their own name. I had a roast chicken bruschetta with oven-dried tomatoes, prosciutto, and blue cheese. My wife had a barbecued, pulled-pork sandwich with smoked cheddar cheese, and onion salsa. Both came with a small side salad, and both were flavorful and delicious."

[8/05] "Riverbend Inn is relatively new, with a great restaurant and outdoor patio overlooking their vineyards. It's run by the former owner of Niagara-On-The-Lake's Prince of Wales Hotel. The food is excellent and, as is typical of NOTL restaurants, offers a wide range of locally grown produce, Canadian meat and seafood, and Niagara Region wines. For some menu items not typically found in Buffalo area restaurants, try the seared Quebec fois gras as an appetizer and the caribou as a main course, if available. Caribou has a slightly gamier flavor, but tasted very much like beef, at least to me. There is also a selection of seafood, lamb, beef, chicken, and even a vegetarian entree. Apparently the patio and lounge menus are somewhat different (and less expensive), but both areas serve in the evening."

[a] Rizzo's Restaurant.
15 New Rd. (near Dodge), East Amherst. 689-3600.
2763 Eggert Rd., Tonawanda. 834-4404.

Italian. They also do takeout and delivery.

[HJ, 9/07] says of the Tonawanda location: "Rizzo's is a classic Buffalo dining experience. It is a small place, with maybe ten tables set in what looks like a European plaza, plus a bar area with several more tables. We have been going here fairly regularly for many years and trusted them enough to have their catering branch (Banchetti's) handle the food at our wedding. When you arrive, you are usually seated promptly and given an abundant supply of fresh bread with pesto. The menu is typical Italian fare, not fancy, but well made and very inexpensive. It includes the usual parmigiana, brasciole, and some fish dishes, plus daily specials that are an amazing bargain. It's a family restaurant with a little class, and, unlike many cheap local eating holes, they actually serve tasty food."

All reviews below are for the original, East Amherst location:

[MRT, 9/04] says: "Rizzo's serves homemade bread and pasta. When you first sit down, you are brought a yummy pesto olive oil and a basket of warm bread. I have enjoyed their ravioli verdi and on 9/11/04 their vegetable lasagna. My husband enjoys their chicken Parmesan with extra meatballs. The food was excellent, as was the service. With a bottle of Chianti, the total bill with tax and tip for 2 was only $45. It's a good cheap dinner when you want to go out and not spend a lot of money."

[AJB] says:

[7/04] "I promised that I'd go back to try the pizza, and I did. For take-out. The pizza was quite pedestrian. For me ever to spend money at Rizzo's again, it had to be spectacular. It wasn't. Ciao, Rizzo's. I won't be back."

[4/04] "Upon arrival, we were told the wait for a table for 3 would be 20 minutes. About 45 minutes later, our table was almost given up to a party that arrived after us. I caught it just in time. We were seated, and it took quite a while for a waitress to appear and take our drink order. The bread arrived, and we were told that the pesto dipping sauce would be right out. I'm still waiting for it as you read this review. The drinks (a seltzer, a water, and a Shirley Temple) took about 20 minutes. Instead of seltzer, I was given tonic water. It took some time to get the waitress's attention, and, when I did, it took another 10 minutes or so to get the bubbly water I originally ordered. The table for two that was seated next to us—with the same waitress—was already eating their salad before we had even given our order. When we ordered, we asked that our daughter's kid's spaghetti be brought out as soon as possible, since by then we had been in the restaurant over an hour and a half with nothing to eat but some relatively stale bread. It took about 25 minutes for the salad to arrive, and the waitress had to be reminded. When that happened, she copped an attitude and left rolling her eyes. The salads—all iceberg, lots of inedible iceberg hearts, were literally chucked onto the table. At this point, I complained to the manager. I explained that we came into the restaurant in a great mood, and now I was quite angry. I live nearby, and this was our first time trying this place. I suggested to him that my default tip is 20%—all I ask is some friendly competence. I told him that this 20% was falling precipitously. He offered to take something off the bill, but I assured him that a discount wasn't what I was after. I just wanted reasonably prompt service without an attitude. About 15 minutes later, the dishes arrived. Of course, my request that my daughter's meal come out ASAP was completely ignored, and she waited about an hour for her meal, as did we. By this time, mind you, the restaurant was thinning out. Our waitress was dealing with about 6 tables altogether. Not exactly yeoman's work. I ordered a $12.95 veal parmigiana, and was appalled. For that kind of money, I never, ever, saw such a small portion. When I tried it, it was worth neither the wait nor the money. I began to understand why the portion was so small. Who'd want to bother eating more? The sauce tasted like it had been on a burner all day. The waitress cleared our plates, and didn't even bother to offer coffee or dessert. Or much of an apology for her rude, glacially slow service. No worry, though. I had no intention of spending more money on this shambles. She said something would be taken off the bill, and I assured her that this wasn't necessary. Nevertheless, the manager did take about 20% off the bill, which I did appreciate. I did eyeball other tables' pizzas, and they looked good, so as a gesture of goodwill in response to the discount we received, I'll try their pizza in the future. I will not, however, subject myself to the terrible service and mediocre food. Check out my other reviews. I don't trash places. But I must say, I have never been treated so shoddily by waitstaff in my life. I left that restaurant absolutely livid, my evening completely and utterly ruined. I won't tell people to stay away. I will tell them not to put up with the kind of nonsense I dealt with. Speak up and complain. Let management know what the staff is up to."

Bill says:

[8/02]: They've announced a new menu for 3 September 2002, so all of these comments might be moot by then. In any case, this was our best meal here so far: The pesto dipping sauce is still delicious; [MER]'s Pasta Jeffrey (with zucchini, squash, and carrots in a roasted peppercorn sauce) was quite tasty, with portions so large that I was able to have great leftovers for lunch the next day:-); and my Ravioli Verde (spinach ravioli stuffed with sundried tomatoes, portobello mushrooms, and cheese) was really excellent. (Though I must say in all honesty that my Italian Wedding Soup was overly salted and pastaless.)

[5/02] Things seem to have improved a bit, including what appears to be a new menu (so I'm eliminating my negative ranking). There was (cold, slightly stale) bread on the table with a delicious pesto sauce on the side. We had house salads (nothing impressive), [MER]'s with poppyseed dressing and mine with fat-free raspberry vinaigrette. [MER] had the chicken parmigiana special, which she thought was good but not as good as at Carmine's. I had the farfalle Rosaria (bowtie pasta with shrimp, spinach, and broccoli in a tomato cream sauce), which was quite tasty, though the sauce was a bit on the thick side. The portions are huge. The menu has a few things not seen too often elsewhere, such as Italian wedding soup and a teriyaki salmon (in an Italian restaurant?). The restaurant is small and cramped. I suppose we'll go there again, since it's in our neighborhood, but I'm not overly enthusiastic.

[Summer 97] Our first experience here, right after the place opened, was that it had great decor but unimpressive food. My pasta e fagiole was mostly pasta and fagiole, no broth; hardly a soup. My water glass had a bug in it; my wine glass had gook on the outside. The waitress said it was the owner's policy to serve food in the following order: salad first, then soup, then appetizer. I always thought that appetizers came first, then soup, then salad; maybe she was holding her instructions upside down? Mary had vealplant parmigiana "lightly breaded"; however, it was so heavily breaded, she thought she had been given a fish fry instead. My house pasta ravioli was nothing special.

Rocco's Restaurant.
44 Orchard St., Fredonia.
679-0044.

[RDM, 12/08] says: "Wow—wanted people to know about this hidden gem! The best restaurant in Fredonia is tucked away in a small neighborhood less than a mile from the village's center. It looks like a small, dive bar from the outside, and the interior is simple and small, but the food is why Rocco's is always packed. Last weekend, my husband and I were lucky enough to have dinner here. The bread was warm and fresh, and served with butter and Rocco's famous red-pepper pesto, which is garlicky but delicious. I started with the crab cakes: lots of crab, with a spicy sauce; my husband had the fried oysters, which came with a sweeter sauce. We both enjoyed the house dressing on our salads. It was an asiago lemon dressing, and it was wonderful. We both ate from the specials board for our entrée. My husband had a fish that we had never really heard of: Monchango (if I remember correctly?). It was a firm, grilled fish with a honey butter sauce, rice, and vegetables. I loved the southwest sauté. It was mussels, langostinos, and scallops over linguine, in what was more of a broth of roasted corn, onions, and peppers and southwest seasonings. I never really had a dish like this and was worried, because it looked watery, but could not believe how flavorful it was. We were too full for desert, but did enjoy another drink at the bar while we watched some of the Sabres game and chatted with the owner and the bartender, two very nice, down-to-earth guys. I can't say it enough that this is the best place to eat in Fredonia."

Rodney's Restaurant.
4179 Lake Shore Rd. (Rt. 5), Hamburg.
627-5166..

[RDM, 1/09] says: "Great pub fare: I had dinner here with a friend last Thursday night (and have been here many times before). Our waitress was so friendly, it made for a cozy, fun evening. We both were in the mood for a steak, so we each ordered the porterhouse. Our salads were fresh, steaks were cooked and seasoned perfectly, and the steak fries were great. I've enjoyed in the past their fish fry, beef on weck, blue burger, wings, and Reuben sandwich—all were very good!"

[SAS, 11/08] said: "Positive: My wife and I had a delicious dinner last night—we started with potato skins that were crispy on the outside and still meaty on the inside, with cheddar and real bacon on top. I continued with their New England clam chowder, which was served nicely hot, with lots of clams and potato chunks visible. It needed pepper for my taste, but then again most chowders do. I finished with a chicken (blackened) and spinach salad. Half of it came home for my lunch today! My wife had their chef salad and chicken fingers. Both were equally delicious and large. Half came home with us, too! Service seemed a little distracted that night, considering the relatively few tables occupied, but was not a significant problem. The menu is quite extensive, with a wide variety of appetizers, burgers, sandwiches, and entrees (especially seafood). I have previously been here for lunch several times, but I would return for dinner as well."

Romeo and Juliet's.
1292-1294 Hertel Ave. (near Crestwood), Buffalo. 873-5730.
[a] 5199 Sheridan Dr. (near Evans/Hopkins, next to Keybank), Williamsville. 839-4960.

Reviews of the newer, Williamsville location:
[WHN] says:
[6/09] "I recently ordered two pizzas for take-out from Romeo & Juliet's. When I got to the Sheridan location, I gave them my name, and the manager asked if I was ordering or picking up. I said I was picking up, and he said they didn't have my name or any take-out order. It turned out that I had mistakenly called the top phone number on their printed menu, which is the Hertel location. He called the Hertel store to cancel the order, which I'm sure was already completed, and told me they could have my pizzas ready in about 15 minutes. I apologized for my dumb mistake, and he said ‘don't worry about it; it happens all the time’. The pizzas were very good, as usual, and the customer service was excellent."

[3/09] "We had a quick lunch at Romeo and Juliet's on Sheridan on Wednesday. We shared a delicious Margherita Pizza and had two or three slices left over to take home. As I and others have mentioned, the salads leave a lot to be desired, so we skipped them."

[10/07] "We had dinner at the Sheridan Drive location Friday night, 10/12/07. We have previously had a variety of pizzas and panini sandwiches, but this was the first time we had full meals. The chicken parmegian, eggplant parmegian, and lasagna were all very good."

[6/07] "I first saw the signs on their Sheridan Drive location in January or February, and they finally opened in late May or early June. The menu seems to be the same as the original location, with excellent appetizers, pizzas, salads, panini sandwiches, and more. Their pizzas are the closest thing you'll find in this area to pizza as it's made in Italy—thin, crispy crust, and a wide choice of ingredients that you won't find at any pizza place around here, although they do offer a pepperoni and mozzarella one."

[AFN, 3/09] said: "My sister and I had lunch at Romeo & Juliet's on Sheridan yesterday. I had their delicious Margherita pizza. She had a panini sandwich—I'm not sure which one she ordered—which she didn't like at all. Fortunately, the pizza was too large for me to eat alone, and she had half of it. Next time, we will stick with a shared pizza."

[HPK, 12/08] says: "My wife and I went there this past week with a party of eight. I always hate to write a bad review, but very little was good. The salads had no flavor. A Caeser salad should have dressing on it. It was plain; a little drizzle of oil and with anchovies on the side. Nothing was right about it. Just not worth it. Other people had salads; same response. All ordered pizzas, and everyone was just under-impressed. I like the four-cheese pizza; both the others had very little flavor, if any. A previous posted mentioned the accent of the owner—wow. He/she wasn't kidding: completely over the top. Also a little bossy per when our meals would be served and how. If I went back, it would be for pizza take-out only. The previous restaurant was La Mezza Luna—please come back—their family owns another restaurant about 10 minutes away called La Castelana Pizzeria and Restaurant. Go there; it's worth the drive."

[SR, 7/08] said: "While home for a visit, a friend and I had lunch at the Sheridan Dr. Romeo & Juliet's. Their portions are large, so we split a Caesar salad and an eggplant panini sandwich. The Caesar salad was OK but had mixed greens, instead of romaine. The eggplant panini was delicious."

[ECB, 1/08] said: "I went with my wife on one of our few nights out without our son and had a thoroughly enjoyable experience. We were familiar with the basic layout of the interior from the Mezza Luna days, but they have done wonderful things with it, making it intimate and casual at the same time. Our waiter was charming, though his accent was pronounced and over the top, and we were well attended throughout the meal. We started with lemon Italian sodas and got the baked brie appetizer, stuffed with strawberries and topped with almond slices, served with sliced apples and pears, which we were advised to use like crackers or bread for the cheese. It was wonderful. For dinner, we had pizza. She got the Margherita and I got the Bianca. I was a bit surprised by hers, as I was expecting slices of mozzarella instead of grated, but it was still very good. The cheese was fresh and the crust superb. Mine was outstanding as well. My wife, who generally dislikes white pizza, loved it and regretted not getting the same. We had plenty of leftovers, as each was eight slices. For dessert, I had the best carrot cake I've ever had, and she had an indulgent chocolate bomb that was too rich to finish. We both agree that this is our new place for pizza!"

Reviews of the original, Buffalo location:

[WHN, 2/09] says: "Eight relatives went to a birthday celebration dinner at the original Hertel Ave. location on Saturday, 2/7/09. My wife had eaten at this location previously, but I had only been to the one on Sheridan Dr. To start, we shared appetizers—an antipasto, stuffed hot peppers, and a Mediterranean salad with goat cheese. The "birthday boy" had pasta fagiole. (We didn't share his soup.) Two people had entrees—ravioli with a pesto sauce, and eggplant parmigiana—but most of us shared several different pizzas—mozzarella and pepperoni; Margherita with basil; tomato sauce and mozzarella; and pizza bianca with mozzarella, tomatoes, basil, and shallots. We also had several different desserts—cannoli, biscotti, and a pastry dish, the name of which I don't remember. All the food was very good, and there was no charge for sharing. The only downside about Romeo and Juliet's on Hertel is the lack of parking. My wife and I were fortunate enough to find a space in front of the restaurant, but others had to park a block or two away. While walking to their car after dinner, my brother- and sister-in-law passed a roving band of youths who said something they didn't understand. When they didn't respond, one of the kids shouted: "Why don't you want to talk to us"? My in-laws got in their car and drove away. No harm done, but scary."

[CNo, 7/08] said: "I always enjoyed eating at Romeo and Juliet's. In fact, the atmosphere and service were very good last night. I have been a regular customer since they opened. I usually buy the Portobello Pizza and eat in the Bakery section. I had not been there for about a month. Since that visit, the price of the pizza for the bakery and take-out increased by what seems to be between 15 and 20%. The pizza, sandwich, and salad prices now match those of the "eat-in" Juliet's section. Given what seemed to be the same price, we chose to eat in last night. The menu stated that for "dinners" there would be a $2.50 plate charge. This only appeared in the section of the menu under the pasta entrees. The Portabello Pizza was mostly mozzarella with very little of the previously delightful Gorgonzola cheese that made the pizza special. The taste and texture were different. We let that pass as a "bad night", but what was most disconcerting was the plate charge for pizza that was added to the bill. When questioned about the plate charge on a pizza, I was told that "dinner" was after 5pm. It did not matter what item was ordered. What mattered was that more than one person ate it. I said the menu did not define dinner as after 5pm. They said it didn't matter. Going further, I asked, "Would the $2.50 be added for each person who partook of the pizza, even if they did not indicate that they would have a piece or ask for a plate?" They said yes. There are eight pieces to a pizza. The first person is not charged. As a result, when I asked, "Do you mean that if eight people each had one piece of the pizza, you would add a charge of $17.50 on top of the $10.45 for the pizza", they said yes. Buyer beware! I protested, but was told that nothing could be done. I was told that the price of gasoline had gone up. I said that this was disproportionate to that cost. They said prices were going up. I said that I certainly noticed that in every aspect of my life, but inflation was not this high—nor were costs increasing this much—especially relative to the plate charge for the number of people partaking of a pizza. The waiter said that their wages had not not increased. I indicated I had been a good customer over the years, but this, due to this new pricing, would be my last visit.
REVIEW—neutral on the food; definitely not the previous quality for the pizza. Given the price increase, this may not be accidental.
REVIEW—negative as to pricing practice."

[JCr, 10/05] said: "This is a great cafe-type restaurant that I am lucky to live within a quarter of a mile of. Relatively small inside, nice patio in the summer though; they serve take out as well. If you are looking for a great light meal, something to share, or just good Italian food that far outweighs the price you pay, this is the place. Their Panini are great; their salads are huge; great appetizers (stuffed peppers); and their homemade pizzas will make any La Nova-type pizza-joint pizza taste like a frozen freezer-burned piece of cardboard with old stale cheese. You can expect a pizza from Romeo's to be made with fresh sliced mozzarella, fresh diced tomatoes, and more. I love it."

[MRT] said:

[8/05] "My husband and I enjoyed a late dinner after a movie at Romeo and Juliet's on Saturday night. We quickly gobbled up the bread and olive dip. (They did bring more bread.) To begin, we shared a very large and delicious Caesar salad. We each ordered their delicious eggplant parmesan as a main course. It is a very large portion, and my husband enjoyed my leftover eggplant parmesan for lunch the following day. We shared a bottle of wine, and ordered coffee and yummy desert. Our final bill with tip was $70."

[7/03] "We went to Romeo and Juliet's today for lunch, on the recommendation of two different shopkeepers on Hertel. We were most certainly not dissappointed. This is now one of my favorite restaurants. The atmosphere is charming, sitting under umbrellas. When you first arrive, they bring you a basket of most delicious bread and a very delicious tomato dipping sauce. The bread and sauce were so good, we ate it all up before our food arrived. Our waitress most graciously offered to bring us more, but we declined, because we were afraid we wouldn't have room for our lunch. My girlfriend ordered a white pizza with tomato and basil. It was great. I ordered a special—I forget what they call it—but it is similar to a calzone, only far, far better. Mine had mushrooms and spinach, and delicious cheeses, and the bread on which it's cooked is great. In the end, both of us were only able to finish half of our lunch. The total price for our lunch, including tip was only $20! They graciously packed our lunches up for us. Their portions are so huge, two people can easily share one pizza (it has 8 slices!) or one `calzone'. We were very sorry we did not have room for dessert. I want to come back for dinner with my husband, and if I starve all day, I will be able to order their tiramisu for desert. Their menu is simple—the same for lunch and dinner. They offer antipasto, salads, soups, paninni, and pizza, as well as having a decent, not too expensive wine list, and wonderful desserts. They always have one special, such as lasagna, that will contain meat, as well as a special that is vegetarian."

[SMD, 2/04] said: "On a blustery Saturday, late in the afternoon, my dining companion and I were looking for someplace to grab a light dinner. I had heard of Romeo & Juliet's from several co-workers, so we decided to give that a try. What a delight! We were warmly greeted by Vito, the owner, and seated at one of the charming tables on the café side of the house. In no time, our server brought us fresh bread and a tasty little bowl of olive tapenade for dipping. The house specials included manicotti, pizzas, and panini sandwiches. We both opted for panini and were not disappointed. Everything was fresh and expertly prepared. The pizzas being brought out to the other diners looked worthy of the glowing reviews by other contributors. After our dinner, Vito suggested we check out his bakery next door, since we were in the mood for some dessert to go. I tried the cassata cake, and my companion had the peanutty noche. Both were sinfully delicious and fresh. This is a tiny place that fills up fast, but is very much worth the wait. If you happen to be on Hertel, give this place a try. You won't be disappointed."

[LK, 10/02] said: "Romeo's is another great secret. The food is well prepared; the staff is charming; the prices are downright cheap; and the staff, although young and inexperienced, do a fine job. You can have a conversation with friends without shouting."

[AJB, 9/02] said: "Absolutely unbelievably good pizzas. The best in town. By far. No comparison. Bocce and La Nova might as well be frozen pizzas compared to this great place that is counter & sit-down and waiter service. Romeo's has a counter where you can order pizzas, panini sandwiches, pastries, and fresh, homemade baked bread. Juliet's offers the same menu as Romeo's and adds wine, cheese, olives, a café and an expanded appetizer menu. This is a small, family-run place that was constantly packed with people one recent Saturday noontime. Definitely worth the trip and worthy of support."

Ronny's Take Out Service.
222 Aurora, Lancaster. 681-1900.

[MEL, 8/99] says (after visiting the Taste of Lancaster): "More mediocre pizza; not bad enough or good enough to say much about."

[] Root Five Waterfront Restaurant.
4914 Lake Shore Rd. (on Route 5, of course!), Hamburg.
627-5551.

[HPK, 6/09] says: "Very nice, elegant in some ways depending on where you sit. The food was great, all the way from the chicken fingers for the kids and the fish for the adults. I have spent a lot of time in the Hamptons, and this is very much like that atmosphere. It was an overcast night, so there was no ‘partying’ in the deck this night. Very nice; I will be returning."

[RDM, 11/08] said: "I had a decent meal here the other night with a friend. We shared the crab and shrimp cakes for an appetizer. They were good. My Caesar salad was a disappointment, though. It tasted watery and needed more dressing. Not a good salad at all, especially since the regular entrees on the menu did not come with a salad, and it had to be ordered separately. Only the evening's dinner specials included a salad. The stuffed sole was delicious. It was stuffed with a creamy artichoke stuffing. It was cooked just right, and the sides of rice and veggies were also tasty."

[CLH, 5/08] said: "I had heard good things about Root Five, but had not tried it. I took a chance by taking some out-of-town guests there and was certainly satisfied. The menu is not particularly imaginative (you can see it on their web site, linked above), but the food is well prepared, and it is a very nice location. It was too cool to sit on the patio, but our table indoors at the window seemed to be, as one of the visitors said, over the water. My review is limited, since we ordered neither appetizers nor deserts. Two of us had a bone-in, rib-eye steak off the specials menu, and one had a pork tenderloin off the regular menu. All were served with a massive quantity of garlic mashed potatoes (skins on) and an equally generous serving of the daily vegetable—beautiful fresh asparagus—perfect for the season (mid-May). Also served was a nice garlic baguette. The steaks also were preceded by a very large house salad with a now-typical selection of field greens. It's a mystery why the pork didn't come with a salad as well. You can see the other menu choices—generally familiar, with a very small twist on most dishes. I wish the entrees were a little more exciting, because the food itself was very good. (And I don't think my guests shared my reservations—the pork got a rave review.) Service was pleasant, unobtrusive, and fast—although we were eating on the early side, and the restaurant was not crowded. Wine list is mid-priced and adequate; a bit overpriced, in my opinion—about 3.5-4 times retail for the wines I know. Total bill for 3, including 2 drinks (total, not per person) and wine was $107 before tip. I would gladly go back to Root 5 again and would even take guests there again, especially given the scandalous shortage of waterfront restaurants, but would not rush to return. It is not a temple to fine dining, but it is an above-average restaurant in a very good location."

[9/06] This restaurant is the beneficiary of my [Bill's] first real use of my own restaurant guide! [MER] and I were supposed to meet friends for dinner at a restaurant in the southtowns that, it turned out, had quietly gone out of business several months earlier. Panicking, I called a friend who got online, checked out this guide, and recommended Root 5, which turned out to be an excellent suggestion, both for the food and the location, which is directly on Lake Erie and has a great view of the downtown skyline in the far distance. I began with the Adobe chicken and toasted corn chowder; tasty but spicy, followed by broiled catfish filets over langostino and jumbo shrimp Spanish rice—nothing fancy, really, but different from the usual fare and well-prepared. [MER] had French onion soup, which she liked, and a simple roasted half-chicken. One guest had pan-seared halibut over creamy white rice with peas, spinach, roasted red peppers, and mushrooms; she also liked it, and even took the leftovers home. The other guest had a Delmonico steak, which he, too, enjoyed. He had wanted to start with the pear and goat-cheese salad, but was advised that it was full-meal size, so he asked for a house salad with a few pears on it; the waitress prepared a miniature version of the full pear salad, which was very thoughtful. Desserts are not made in-house, but our chocolate cakes (one raspberry flavored, one cherry flavored) were excellent. Service was good.

[PT, 8/06] said: "We met another couple here for dinner last Sunday. My husband and one of our friends had NY strip steaks ($17), which they both said were very good—cooked as ordered, nice and tender. I had one of the daily specials—a spicy, grilled chicken ($16), and our other friend had a shrimp and pasta entree ($18). Soup or salad is included with all dinners. The food was very good, as was the service. Their wine list is quite extensive, with many choices by-the-glass from $4-$7, plus a wide selection of fairly priced bottles. We ate outside on the covered part of the patio, since it was a beautiful, sunny day. There was a band playing "classic rock" at the far end of the patio, which made it nearly impossible to talk, except when they went on breaks. For a quieter evening, I would suggest eating inside, but the view from the patio of the sunset over Lake Erie is worth it, if you can tolerate the sound level of the music. Root Five is not a place for gourmet dining or a quiet conversation, but is very nice for a good, casual, and reasonably priced meal on a summer day."

[JPN, 8/99] said: "Used to be called Oscar's, but new name, ownership and chef. I went there in June, and had a great experience. Of course, the view on the enclosed patio is spectacular (Lake Erie sunsets). I had grilled lamb chops with a mushroom sauce. Thick, pink, and tender on the inside, and a little charcoal on the outside...the way they should be. My companion had sea scallops over pasta. They were big, fresh, sea scallops, too. I surprised my companion by asking her to marry me, and all the staff (including the owner) came over to congratulate us. We had champagne, so I didn't really see the rest of the wine list. A great place for just drink and appetizer, too. I'd recommend it."

[—] La Rosa Pizza.
Eastern Hills Mall (on Transit Rd., just north of Main St.), Clarence.
626-2277.

[DNo, 12/03] says: "I had to respond to the review you posted. I'm disappointed to hear about your bad experience, but I have to comment on their pizza. Having grown up in Westchester County NY, I know what New York City style pizza should be—big slice, thin, spicy sauce, and just the right amount of cheese. La Rosa's is the closest I've found in all of the Buffalo area after 6 years of searching. My only disappointment is they do not offer delivery."

[12/03] I [Bill] have not tried their pizza, though it sounds like it might be good (see review above). But I was so annoyed by their attitude recently that I doubt I'll ever eat here: They had a coupon in The Buffalo News for a free slice of pizza, accompanied by a drawing of a pie-shaped slice of pizza. Many of the food-court restaurants at Eastern Hills have been running such coupons for the Christmas shopping season, and have been offering meals, sandwiches, etc. Not La Rosa: With coupon in hand, I asked for one slice for lunch. The counterman cut off a 2"x2" square from a full slice and gave it to me. When I asked if that was all, he said that this was "just a promotion". I call it a "bait and switch" rip-off. I had a wonderful veggie wrap at Hoagie Brothers on the other side of the food court; I recommend that you do the same.

Rose Garden.
2753 Wehrle Dr., Clarence.
632-9871.

[WHN, 1/07] says: "Someone recommended the Rose Garden Restaurant for German food, so we tried it, and found it to be truly awful. The Wiener Schnitzel tasted like it had been cooked in the same oil as the fish. (It was Friday night, so, of course, they had fish fries.) Never again."

Royal Family Restaurant.
1320 Sheridan Dr. (near Military Rd.), Tonawanda.
873-0056.

Greek.

[DaB, 11/08] says: "After eating at the Olympic restaurant at Sheridan and Military for many years, I decided late one spring night to head over to the look-alike restaurant directly across the street, just to try something a little different. At the time, the restaurant was nothing really special; just another 24-hour diner serving standard Greek-inspired food and breakfasts. After their major remodeling several years ago, however, I returned again to find that more than just the decor had changed. The menu was just as large and colorful as the brand new interior, and very affordable. The Royal is definitely a step above its next-door neighbor in terms of atmosphere. Step into the brightly-lit, spacious setting to see the gorgeous murals, large fountain, Greek relics, and ceilings painted to resemble the warm, blue sky of the Mediterranean. Pleasant background music mixes nicely. The service is always prompt and courteous, and oh, the food: Being vegan, I rarely find a restaurant that offers a truly filling and satisfying dinner, but the Royal does the trick. I always opt for the vegetable souvlaki dinner, without the feta cheese. Don't let the name fool you: At other local Greek restaurants, your "garden souvlaki" is nothing more than a simple Greek salad with some pita; not here. Succulent, marinated, grilled squash, eggplant, roasted red peppers, broccoli, and tomatoes top a nice, chopped, Greek salad (their dressing is very good) served with herbed rice pilaf and some delicious, slow-cooked Greek potatoes in tomato sauce. It is a large and filling portion. Their freshly-made dolmades are also quite delicious, as are the mixed marinated olives and "Greek bruschetta". When you leave, stop to admire the lovely planted gardens surrounding the place. The crowd is a very interesting mix, ranging from well-dressed couples arriving in fancy sports cars to truckers looking for a good breakfast. I must admit I'm often tired out by the countless "Greek" diners in this city, rarely serving authentic Greek-style cuisine. The Royal may fit into this category in some respects, but, in the end, I'd say it's one great place to grab a meal!"

Roycroft Inn.
40 S. Grove St., E. Aurora.
652-5552.

Recently renovated historic inn, originally built in 1905 as part of Elbert Hubbard's Arts and Crafts Community.

[JPi, 5/09] says: "Lukewarm positive. Companion and I had a late dinner at the Roycroft starting with Lobster Bisque and Mussels Marnier. The bisque ($3) was fine, as were the mussels (8) sauteed with shallots, garlic, white wine, butter, and fresh herbs served with toasted crostini ($12). House salads were field greens with homemade dressings and were very fresh. Entrees were a half rack of lamb ($22) for her and the night's special vegetable and mushroom risotto ($16) for myself. The lamb was medium rare as ordered and came with julienne vegetables and a side of the risotto. My risotto was a large portion and was tasty, but sadly arrived almost room temperature. Dessert was an unexpected delight and the most memorable part of the evening. Service was excellent throughout, as was the period, mission decor of the inn. I would return, as everyting was on cue except for the coldish entree."

[ECS, 11/01] said: "After 40 years of Thanksgiving at home, this was our second annual dinner away from home. Last year, we dined at the Harborside Inn, Martha's Vineyard. Roycroft should have, but didn't, compare, although the entire meal was adequate and priced very reasonably. The ambience was wonderful. Our party of eight, including three small children, was seated at the first table in the dining room after the hostess's station, but we still felt that we had plenty of privacy and that we were in an elegant setting. Everything on the table was coordinated, and the decor was relaxing. The restaurant only offered, although appropriate to the occasion, a fairly extensive buffet. Our server was, at first, attentive, courteous, and engaging. Her job thereafter consisted only of removing our soiled plates as we went up for another course, checking to see everything was OK, offering after-dinner coffee or drinks, and giving us the checque at an appropriate time. She fulfilled the first two chores once, but was not prompt thereafter, and was notably delinquent in recognizing that we were done, except for coffee and in offering the bill. The first course, strawberries, cheeses, and rolls, was presented prior to our ordering drinks. Bread and butter plates, not to mention the butter that should have accompanied the rolls, were noticeably missing, not only from our table but throughout the restaurant. The cheese (and fruit) selection, although normally presented as a dessert option, was excellent. The buffet offered an additional variety of breads; three salads that were very good; a corn chowder that was only sampled by the children, who thought it excellent; a wide variety of meats and seafoods including, of course, roast turkey; an undistinguished stuffing; a good cranberry relish; candied sweet potatoes; and an assortment of three squashes. The dessert table contained numerous pies, my pumpkin being quite good, and various tasty fruit and nut pastries. All in all, a good, but not great, holiday dining experience."

[MEL, 6/99] said: "A good fancy restaurant in a neat atmosphere; while I waited for my food, I walked around the Inn and discovered its charms."

[] Ruby Tuesday.
300 E. Fairmount Ave., Lakewood;
and many other locations
763-1340.

Part of the chain.

[4/08] [MER] and I tried this branch because of a good experience we had had at a branch in Long Island. I had previously hated Ruby Tuesday restaurants, but the one in LI was excellent. So was this one. First, the decor: A restaurant-guide friend of mine once had a rule of thumb that the quality of the food in a chain restaurant was inversely proportional to the number of hanging plants. The decor here is as elegant as the finest restaurant, with tasteful paintings and formally tableclothed tables. We shared an order of 5 steamed dumplings (like shumai) with a peanut sauce on the side; they were excellent. For my main course, I had the Chicken Fresco: 2 small chicken breasts perfectly prepared in a very light, creamy sauce with cold slices of tomato and basil, hot broccoli, and garlic mashed potatoes, as aesthetically arranged as the best Japanese restaurant might, and as good to eat. [MER] raved over her similarly presented Bistro BBQ Chicken, also with broccoli and garlic mashed potatoes. Two huge mugs of coffee completed our meal. The service, by Matt, was superb. We will definitely be back.

Rue Franklin West.
341 Franklin St. (between Tupper St. and Edward St., near Allentown), Buffalo.
852-4416.

Elegant, expensive, French cuisine. Reservations a must.

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

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

[JCr, 1/08] says: "A++: This past weekend my wife and I embarked on our first visit to The Rue, and I can say it certainly will not be our last. We were seated promptly upon arriving for our 8:30 reservation in the dining room with many other happy restaurant patrons. To start our meal, we ordered a nice bottle of Bordeaux from the wine list consisting of mainly French wines. I started with the quail breast appetizer, my wife with the mixed greens salad; both were good. For our entrees, my wife had the squab, which she loved, till she actually found out what squab actually is, the next day. The look on her face was priceless. For my entrée, I chose the New Zealand venison loin; this was an excellent dish. For dessert, we split a lemon curd crepe and a couple of stingers. Great experience overall."

[WHN] says:

[10/07] "We had an excellent dinner at Rue Franklin on Thursday, 10/11/07. Our original intent was to try the 3-course, fixed-price, mid-week menu for $30 pax, but neither of the two main courses appealed to any of us, so we decided to go with the regular menu. My foie gras appetizer and rack of lamb were absolutely delicious; the lamb was perhaps the most tender I've ever had. My wife's butternut squash ravioli appetizer and filet with Roquefort were also excellent. Our dinner companions' choices of raw tuna salad appetizer and main course of venison, and spinach and goat cheese salad, also with the filet mignon with Roquefort, were also described as excellent."

[3/06] "We went to "the Rue" to celebrate my sister-in-law's retirement from teaching. Our reservation was for 7 P.M. on Saturday night. We were seated immediately upon arrival, in the lower level adjacent to the patio, as we had requested. We ordered a bottle of Sancerre and appetizers—scallops and seared tuna—to share among our party of four. Next, we each had a mixed green salad. For the main course, with a bottle of Hermitage, I had duck and my wife had filet mignon, both very tender and perfectly cooked to medium rare. My brother-in-law had sea bass, and my sister-in-law, rabbit stew. All four entrees were superb. We shared a cheese course and two desserts, a delicious chocolate souffle and an apple tart with caramel ice cream. Our guests had never been to Rue Franklin. My sister-in-law called it "wonderful", and said that they plan to return soon for the mid-week "Prix Fixe" menu. My wife and I have dined at only one Michelin 3-star French restaurant—Restaurant Bocuse near Lyon. It was an extraordinary meal that I will never forget. Rue Franklin may not be at that level, but it certainly deserves at least one star ("a very good restaurant in its category") on the Michelin scale or the two that it has in the Rapaport system. The only negative note on the evening was a boorish group of three couples who were so loud that everyone nearby had to practically shout to be heard over their obnoxious behavior. Another couple asked to be moved, and was. We also asked to be moved and were, but not until dessert. Not the restaurateur's fault exactly, but one would expect some degree of civility from diners in a restaurant like Rue Franklin. If this were outside the US, they would have epitomized "The Ugly Americans"."

[RKl, 4/07] says: "My husband and I dined at Rue Franklin last Thursday night for an assignment for a class I am taking at Buffalo State. We had reservations and were immediately seated in a small, tastefully decorated room, with small tables set for intimate dining. The first thing we noticed was that we were by far the youngest people in the room, and we were a little uncomfortable with that fact at first but quickly got over it. We were immediately served warm French bread, which was delicious and replenished whenever it seemed to be getting low. I ordered the potato-crusted sea bass with buerre rouge on the side, and a salad with mustard vinaigrette. The food came quickly and was delicious. The potato-crusted sea bass was perfectly done, and the buerre rouge on the side was fantastic. I was looking forward to trying the crème caramel, which was listed on the online menu, for dessert, but it was not offered that night, so I chose the apple galette with homemade cinnamon ice cream, which was really good. The waitstaff was extremely attentive and friendly, with only one mistake made: When my husband was finished with his glass of wine, the waiter came by and took his empty glass away without offering another drink, but other than that they were excellent. We were thanked by three different people on the way out, and all in all it was a very pleasant dining experience and the food was great."

[ALK, 6/06] says: "Two good friends of mine and I, along with their family, went to the Rue Franklin on Franklin Street in Buffalo to celebrate their graduation on Saturday, May 6. We had quite a large group, with 9 of us in total, and enjoyed an absolutely fabulous evening! Let me start off by saying that I hadn't been to the Rue Franklin in quite a few years, and several in our group had never been there at all. I had almost forgotten how superb everything about the Rue can be. Service, atmosphere, food, and drinks were all of utmost superior quality. Each of us began with appetizers; I enjoyed a seared scallop dish and managed to (discreetly and politely) nibble off of a neighbor's plate. The crab cake appetizer was the best I had ever had! Bread service was prompt throughout the entire meal. Both our bread plates and water glasses were constantly and inconspicuously replenished. Our wine service was excellent, as we had a wide variety of palates to please within our large group. Dinner was also excellent; I can't say enough about our dinners. I enjoyed the monkfish with spiced carrot sauce, couscous, and grilled vegetable brochette. My dinner mates also enthusiastically proclaimed their dinners to be excellent as well (filet mignon with cognac sauce, Australian lamb rib rack, and potato crusted Atlantic sea bass were among the other main courses ordered my our party). We brought in a special dessert that the kitchen was happy to present to our graduates, cut, and plate for us. They even went the extra mile by plating the dessert with an assortment of fresh berries and fresh whipped cream; what a beautiful presentation! I would highly recommend the Rue Franklin for a great dinner served in a wonderful atmosphere by the most professional wait staff in town. And, as an added bonus, their patio is amazing. Too bad it was a bit too chilly for us on the evening of our dinner."

[GA, 4/06] says: "When I tell people that the best thing I have ever done in my life is move back to Buffalo, I usually receive blank stares followed by nasty comments about this wonderful city. There are many gems scattered throughout Western New York, I tell them. Architectural masterpieces, art festivals, museums, salt-of-the-earth people, and much more are present in our neck of the woods. Rue Franklin is one such treasure hidden away in our fair town. It is as French a restaurant as you are likely to find anywhere in the USA. The food is spectacular, the decor understated, and the wait-staff professional. There is even an air of French haughtiness that lends itself to a typically French experience. I, for one, am not put off by that attitude. On the contrary, I feel it lends itself to an evening leisure and refinement. I would suggest to anyone who claims this city has no culture that they visit Rue Franklin. If they aren't impressed, it's a safe bet that they don't like the French, and no ammount of wonderful food will change that."

[TPr, 12/05] says: "Five years ago, I would have never tried French food. Let's face it; I'm not a small guy, but their portions are notorious for being meager, and they seem to be able to produce the most calorically dense foods imaginable... But, with the onset of Iron Chef Sakai and other random filth that I watch constantly on the Food Network...I have been craving this untapped resource of edibles, and in honor of my forthcoming birthday (Sunday) Jules took me to the Rue Franklin on (you guessed it) Franklin Street, in the heart of our fine city. French food is notoriously expensive, but they have a prix fixe menu available during the week that includes an appetizer, entree, and dessert for a set price... and it is very reasonable. You do have to wear a coat, gentlemen, so leave the Bills sweatshirts and zubazz pants at home. The restaurant is kind of hidden between a few buildings in the theatre district. It looks and feels like a French restaurant should, I guess, right down to the bizarre French woman wandering around at the different tables... and the pretentious look of the place in greys with gardens and candles. The wicker scared me a bit, but it was fitting. Literally. I felt like Patrick Bateman ordering. It was really kind of interesting and fun. We started with a glass of wine. Julie had a Pinot Noir, and I had their Bordeaux that they recommended. Good stuff, but expensive. I think we paid 7-8/glass for wine. Their bread service was amazing, and they brought it the minute you finished a piece. I think it was the sole function of this girl that walked around with a large basket. I ate a plethora of bread. Julie has self control. I do not. My appetizer was proscuitto and melon with some roasted figs. Julie had pumpkin soup that literally had to be made entirely of heavy cream, pumpkin, and butter. The portions were just enough to be an actual "appetizer". For our entrees, I think I made out on the deal. Julie had a sea bass with some sort of a compote of fennel and other vegetables. It was "good" but obviously very French in the way that they like to blend flavors... I, however, had duck, braised medium rare with a mango sauce on top, coupled with a corn rissoto. Yeah. For dessert, Julie had her first crème brulé with fresh rasberries, and that was just decadent. I had "Plum Napoleon", which was layers of fried phyllo dough with hot plums in between, and a sidecar of cinnamon ice cream. The service and our waiter were fantastic and very worth a 20% tip. He was great, always there, but not hovering or in your face. His timing was great, and we had a nice long dinner without really feeling like we were waiting for much. My only criticism existed in that much of the value of the pre-determined menu got eaten up in the bar tab for 4 glasses of wine... but then again, it was great wine, and what would you expect in a French restaurant? Total Bill: $110 with Tip. $30 per appetizer, entree, dessert for each of us and a $30 bar tab. Out of 5 SHORNS I'll give it 4... which is a great rating in my opinion. The food was great, the ambiance was nice, the service was top of the line. The only thing it's losing points for is not pairing a comparably priced wine or bottle with the meal, and the fact that I wasn't a huge fan of Julie's entree. Go with the duck."

[MRT, 11/04] says: "After having dined at Hillebrand's Vineyard Café, I think I shall not go out to restaurants any more, but cook at home. This past Saturday, we went to dinner at Rue Franklin, based on all the glowing reviews. I was not impressed. I began with ravioli with tomato confit and fennel sauce. Our friend ordered house smoked salmon with apple and fennel salads. Both appetizers were good, not exceptional. The three of us all ordered filet mignon with red wine sauce and roasted root vegetables. Unlike Hillebrand, we were supplied with steak knives, which were needed to cut the meat. The red wine sauce was tasty; the root vegetables were nothing special. We ended the meal sharing a cheese course, once again good, not exceptional. The meal for 3 with wine was $180. We shall not return to Rue Franklin."

[HPK, 12/03] says: "I figured it was about time to check out the Rue. It is obvious why this restaurant has gotten so many rave reviews in the national press. You can tell that the food is cooked in a way that is superior. I tried the venison, which was the best I have ever had. On the down side, the Rue is extremely expensive. If you have a big appetite, this is not the place to go. Portions are small."

[LK, 10/02] says: "Rue Franklin is neither expensive nor unprofessional. I have eaten there for twenty years, and never had either poor food or poor service. Dede Lippes is the most gracious hostess; the garden is beautiful and charming for spring, summer, and fall; the food preparation is always exquisite; the servers always are efficient, courteous, and knowledgeable; and you can actually speak in a normal tone and be heard, without overhearing everyone else's conversation—something that cannot be said about many of Buffalo's trendy, upscale, fine-dining restaurants. If you have the fixed-price dinner, you get the deal of the century! I have traveled extensively, and have yet to find any place that is as all-round superb."

[MEL, 6/98] says: "A basic, fancy French restaurant, with good food. Another expense-account place."

[5/95] One of [KNL]'s "top-ranked favorites".

[AR] says:

[5/94] "Had a superb meal there last night. Confirms my opinion that it is head and shoulders over any other restaurant in Buffalo not just because of the food but also because the ambiance is far superior to any other restaurant."

[3/94] "Superb; clearly the best meal I've had in Buffalo this academic year; in particular, much superior to a good meal at Oliver's a few weeks ago!"

[9/93] "You'll be surprised that I agree with your Parisian friends about 'pure French'. Although I still think it's the best restaurant around, I try to avoid it for a few months after I've been to France so as not to make the inevitable invidious comparisons."

[J&AD, 1993] say: "Buffalo's only pure French restaurant. For Buffalo, it is expensive, but well worth it."

Bill says:

One recent time that I went there, our table wasn't ready, they ran out of some food items (it was only 7:30 P.M.!), and the service was poor. But the food was great.

[10/96] Had an excellent (catered) meal here.

But I must dispute with colleagues (see above): My Parisian friends who ate here [ca 1980s] hardly considered it as "pure French".

Rundles.
9 Cobourg Street, Stratford, Ontario, Canada.
519-271-644.

[GDT, 8/96] says: "Is 135 miles too far to drive for dinner? Not when the destination is Rundles, in the festival theatre town of Stratford. Plan a weekend of plays and great food. The atmosphere in Rundles is sleek and artistic; the place has the feel of a Manhattan watering hole. The art is modern and the settings are eye-catching. Proprietor James Morris has an idea of what he wants you to experience and food is only one part of it. Chef Niel Baxter works with a staff of nine. Baxter came up through the ranks at Rundles and now calls the shots in the kitchen. The menu is a model of sophistication. Start with the sweet red pepper puree soup with eggplant custard and vegetable chips. The ripe, ripe peppers have been pureed smooth and lightly seasoned. The chips may be of various vegetables that have been quickly fried to a fantastic crunchiness. Or with the sauteed squid with fresh coriander. The most tender bits of squid are very lightly sauteed. The coriander just seasons it. Served in a bed of locally grown greens, some of which are spicy mustard greens, and lightly dressed. As a main course the grilled breasts of quail are exceptional. They are tender, filled with flavor, juicy. And the tamarind basting and moulded eggplant and potato bring all the taste to a head. Fresh herb ravioli in a fresh tomato and basil sauce is the vegetarians' entree. The hand made ravioli are paper thin and filled with a dollop of ground and sauteed herbs. The tomato and basil sauce is light and fresh on the palate. You will want the glazed lemon tart. Trust me, you will. It is like biting into a fresh lemon; your mouth will go all puckery. The crust is feather light and tasty. If you'd prefer (and about three in ten customers do) put yourself in Baxter's hands and order from one of three gastronomical menus. Here the chef can bring together appetizer, entree, and dessert selections that harmonize beautifully. There is also always something on the list of appetizers and entrees for the vegetarian. All the breads are made on the premises. The wine list is exciting. There are the usual Ontario and California wines, and some of the better French wines, such as a Clos du Cailleret pouligny montrachet, on the regular card, but in the older wines there are a few superb selections from Burgundy and Bordeaux vintners. To close, choose from a good list of grappas, cognacs or dessert wines, or perhaps from a selection of single malt whiskies. The dinner menu is prix fixe ($49.95 Canadian) while the gastronomical menus start at $56.60. With taxes and gratuity plan on a $200 Canadian meal for two (at the current exchange rate that's $150 US). Is it worth it? In a word, YES. Rundles is open during the festival season (mid-May to mid-October). Dinner from 5 P.M. to 7 P.M. seatings on Tuesday and Sunday, from 5 P.M. to 8:30 P.M. seatings Wednesday through Saturday. If you plan to attend a play plan to sit to dinner between 5 and 6 P.M.; otherwise come at about 8 P.M. to relax and enjoy the rest of your day in Baxter's hands. Lunch is served on Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday from 11:30 A.M. to 1:30 P.M. There are abbreviated menus for after theatre in July and August, only on Friday and Saturday nights. Reservations are strongly suggested."

[PW, 9/98] says: "Great meal!"

Russell's Steaks, Chops & More.
6675 Transit Rd. (south of Wehrle), Lancaster.
636-4900.

[WHN] says:
[6/09] "Last night, Thursday 6/25, we met another couple for dinner at Russell's. As soon as we were seated, our server asked if we wanted Fiji water or Pellegrino; we said tap water would be fine. We ordered drinks. Within seconds of serving them, we were asked if we were ready to order; we said we hadn't even looked at the menus. She came back a few minutes later and asked if we were ready to order yet. We said, no, we just wanted to relax with our drinks for awhile, and she said to signal her when we were ready. When we were ready, we ordered from the $35 dinner-for-two menu. Our server asked if we wanted to order any of their signature breads. We would have been content with their standard breads, but our friend recalled enjoying the tomato bruschetta previously, so we ordered that. Three of us ordered Caesar salads, and one ordered the house salad. The house salad was described as OK. The Caesar salads were good, but small. The bruschetta was tasty. When we dined at Russell's in April, my wife had the half rack of lamb and thought it was excellent, although the chops were small, so we both ordered that as main courses. The lamb came with what the menu described as bread pudding. The lamb chops, with a rosemary demi-glace, were very good, but I didn't like the bread pudding at all, nor did my wife, who said it was nothing like what was served previously. It was overly sweet and was more like Thanksgiving turkey stuffing than something suited to lamb. One of our friends said his Steak Russell was ‘chewy’, but his wife's was fine. The accompanying vegetables consisted of one slice of zucchini and one baby carrot. For dessert, I had bananas Foster cannoli, which was delicious. My wife had cheesecake with what the menu described as Grand Marnier-infused fruit. The fruit was like corn starch-thickened, cherry pie filling, and had no Grand Marnier flavor at all. Since local strawberries are in season now, that would have been a better choice than canned cherries. Our friends had chocolate cake and vanilla-bean gelato with fruit, which both said were good. Overall, the meal was good, the service was a bit rushed, and the overall dining experience was not as enjoyable as our two previous visits to Russell's."

[4/09] "We generally avoid restaurants on holidays, because the food is usually inferior and less extensive than the normal menu offerings, frequently features a buffet, which my wife and I both hate, and the service can be spotty. But this Easter we went to Russell's with a small family group after being assured by the person who took our reservation that the regular menu plus some specials would be available, and they would not have a buffet. We arrived at 6 PM and were greeted by Russ Salvatore himself and promptly taken to our table. Both the food and service were excellent. Most of us had one or another cut of beef, with one order of rack of lamb. All the meats were perfectly cooked as ordered. The only minor negative: The sweet-potato-and-chorizo-sausage soup of the day was reported to be a little too sweet, but still good. There has been a minor change to the "Dinner for Two" since our visit in December: Each person can now choose his or her own dessert, instead of one dessert for two people. The desserts are downsized accordingly. Overall, an excellent dining experience."

[12/08] "You've probably read that Russell is Russ Salvatore, long-time owner and proprietor of Salvatore's Italian Gardens, who has opened this new restaurant and hotel in competition with his son, who has taken over his father's former businesses. We were greeted by Russ Salvatore himself and taken to our table in a dining room decorated in a tasteful, modern style. There are three large dining rooms and one smaller dining room, plus what appears to be a room for the hotel's breakfast buffet. The three large dining rooms were full on Tuesday night, indicating that they are off to a highly successful start. There is a nice selection of wines by the glass or bottle. The bread was fresh and flavorful, especially the garlic bread with whole cloves of garlic baked in, and plain Italian bread. These were served with whipped butter, honey butter, and olive tapenade. For our dinners, we opted for the 3-course dinners for two, consisting of an appetizer, entree, and dessert to split, for $35. We all had Caesar salads, which were OK, but not wonderful. They were on the small side. For entrees, three of us chose Steak Russell—two 5-oz. beef tenderloins with a delicious mushroom, herb, and wine sauce, and accompanied by scalloped potatoes and sauteed, julienned squash and peppers. We all agreed that Steak Russell was excellent. The fourth member of our group had a small (8-oz.) filet, topped with mushrooms, with the same accompaniments. He felt that his filet and the mushroom sauce could have been more flavorful. All the steaks were cooked medium rare, as ordered. With our entrees, we had a bottle of Justin Paso Robles Cabernet Sauvignon for $48, priced less than two times the retail price of about $30. For dessert, my wife and I had cheesecake with strawberries soaked in Grand Marnier. Our friends had Amaretto chocolate cake. Both desserts were huge, and excellent, but we would have preferred larger salads and smaller desserts. Our server, Bob, was professional and did an excellent job. When Janice Okun reviewed Russell's, she gave it two-and-a-half stars. On her scale, we agreed Russell's should have 3-1/2 stars overall. On the Bill Rapaport scale, I would say they deserve at least two stars. We'll definitely return."

[DMo, 3/09] said: "We do have great restaurants in WNY, and I think that good reviews and constructive criticism can help improve what generally is already a healthy restaurant economy in the area. Most recently, I had a surprising experience (at least it was to me), which follows. Russell's Steaks, Chops, & More was the destination for a small party including my Grandmother, wife, young son, and me on a cold February evening. I wanted to cheer Gran up at a tough time of year, so we made reservations for a Saturday evening and set out. We anticipated a great experience, but we were in for some unexpected surprises. We arrived a little early and were asked to wait at the bar for a short while, as our table was not yet ready. Not a problem. Twenty minutes later, we were summoned to the dining room. We were escorted, with something of a flourish, to our table by a gentleman wearing so much cologne that it was difficult to distinguish smells coming from the kitchen from his lack of restraint. We were seated in a room so dark that Gran fished a flashlight out of her purse (not a problem, she insisted) when it came time to read the menu, though we were not given menus until about 10 minutes later. Our server was completely out of her league; I'd have expected to see her more appropriately behind the counter at a Dairy Queen. Dripping with cosmetics and jewelry and with her long hair loosened, she proceeded to stumble through the simplest of questions about preparations and recipes (Gran has a sensitive stomach). We could have had the server taking care of the table next to ours, who spoke in a condescending falsetto half the time, so we didn't ask for someone else. Despite these entertaining distractions, we were able to settle on appetizers and place an order; the dinner-for-two menu seemed appropriate for the smaller appetites like Gran and my son (and as we couldn't get answers to questions about more complicated dishes), but we added a few appetizers, sides, and a bottle of wine to round us out. The shrimp cocktail was beautifully presented, and the shrimp and sauce were just the way we like it, nice and fresh tasting. Oysters were also wonderful and presented beautifully with a subtle mignonette. The combination specialty bread was melt-in-your-mouth delicious, crunchy on the outside with just the right amount of garlic butter slathered over the crust. Gran didn't have any, but my son and I enjoyed it. The dinner-for-two menu, understandably, features smaller portions, but the Caesar salads that came from the kitchen were sloppy, drenched in dressing, and featured croutons that were both hard as rocks and dripping with dressing. Meanwhile, every time the host passed us by, I became a little nauseated by his cologne, which was starting to make me queasy. Just before our entrees were served (I wonder if, maybe, our waitress was on medication), something unexpected happened, as the ladies went to use the restroom before dinner was served. Gran returned to the table completely flustered and flushed. She had heard an appalling conversation at the restaurant desk, which made her so upset she practically lost her appetite entirely. Dinner was served and it was fine, but our server's hands reeked of cigarette smoke. The beef was flavorful and prepared well, and the dishes were good (but very pedestrian; nothing really stood out). I ordered à la carte, and my 16-oz. strip steak was delicious and well-prepared. The side of broccoli rappini was wonderfully flavorful, and I found it interesting that it was even available as a choice, which I found to be one of the more adventuresome aspects of the menu. My wife's sea bass was overdone, and Gran's salmon was fine but unimaginative (champagne dill cream; tasted as though it were from a mix). I needed coffee after dinner but was disturbed to discover that it was some sort of instant concoction made from concentrate. Dessert was served with Cool Whip (or something similar; more accompanied my coffee-like-beverage). Gran did her best to get through dinner, but it was obvious she just wanted to leave as soon as possible, and all she could occupy her mind with were the very things we took her to Russell's to avert. All in all, the food was good, service amateurish, and atmosphere touchy at best. Sad to say, we probably won't be back. A lot of emphasis is placed on sensual elements at this place (some to its detriment), but, menu-wise, there isn't much separating it from a chain steakhouse."

[BMcWS, 12/08] said: "We visited this new restaurant on a Saturday night. Reservations are essential. The place was very, very busy. The kids had Shirley Temples, and we had soda. My Diet Pepsi had a hint of vanilla in it, which was interesting (it was not Vanilla Coke, but Diet Pepsi they did something to). The bread basket was nice and came with 3 butters. I had French onion soup to start, and it was delicious. The husband had the Caesar salad and, like the previous reviewer, felt it was far too small, but tasty. The son had shrimp cocktail, which comes in a very nice presentation with the sauce in a little ice tower. The daughter ordered tuna carpaccio, which was seared (carpaccio should not be cooked) on the outside and lukewarm on the inside (was still completely rare inside, though). She did enjoy the flavor. For the main course, we all got steak. I had a 10-oz. filet with bearnaise sauce. It was nicely done, and the sauce was tasty. However, I think it is ridiculous to charge $38 for a piece of meat and 3 asparagus stalks. The husband had steak in a nest, which was filet on a bed of potato sticks. The son had filet as well, with bearnaise. The daughter had filet with goat cheese. She thought it needed more goat cheese. We ordered a side of smashed garlic potatoes, which were flavorless. I ate the rest the next day for lunch after doctoring them with butter, sour cream and cheese, and salt. They were very, very bland. We also ordered a side of lobster mac and cheese, which was to die for. Five stars for that dish. I would just get that if I ever came back. The dessert menu was small and unimpressive, so we skipped it. The decor of the restaurant was nice—not gaudy and ostentatious like Salvatore's. It featured muted colors and some modern, blown-glass, wall hangings. Our waiter was pleasant and skilled, even though it was his first night. Overall, we enjoyed our meal but felt it was overpriced ($254 was our total after tip, with no alcohol). I don't think I would return."