Bill Rapaport's Buffalo Restaurant Guide

Alphabetical Listing of Restaurants: S

17 Noir
Sahara Grill
Saigon Café
Sake Café
Sakura
Sala Restaurant
Sample
Samurai Japanese Grill
Santasiero's Restaurant
[am] Santora's Phase II
Sara's Deli
Saville's Farm Market
Sawyer Creek Hotel
[a] Say Cheese! Pizza Co.
Scharf's Schiller Park
Schimschack's
Schunk's West Hill Grill
Schwabl's
[a] Scotch 'n Sirloin
[a] Sea Bar
Sea Bar City
[a] Sean Patrick's
Seneca Niagara Casino
Seoul Garden
Shadow Lounge
Shadow Martini Bar & Restaurant
The Shamus
Shanghai Red's
Shango
[am] Sheridan Family Restaurant
The Shores
Signature Cafe
The Silo
Simme's Martini Bar & Restaurant
[m] Sinatra's Trilogy
Sinbad Market
Sippy's Restaurant
Smokey Bones
Snooty Fox Lounge
[a] Solé
[a] Sorrentino's
Spices
Spicy Thai (in Tonawanda)
Spot Coffee
Star of India
Starbucks
Steelhead Irish Pub
Sterling Place Tavern
Stillwater
Stone Road Grille
[a] Sun Garden
Suzanne's
Suzy-Q's Bar-B-Que Shack
Swannie House
[a] Swiss Chalet
Swiston's Beef & Keg
Syros

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.

---

17 Noir.
6380 Fallsview Blvd. (in the Galleria of Niagara Fallsview Casino), Niagara Falls, ON, CANADA.
905-374-6928; 1888-FALLSVUE [1-888-325-5788]

Canadian; also has sushi and noodle bars.

[8/04] Given 3½ (out of 4) stars by Janice Okun, Buffalo News restaurant reviewer.

[BL, 2/06] says: "A very good evening the other night at 17 Noir. This is the signature restaurant at the Fallsview Casino Resort. It's fine dining amidst roulette table imagery—the red stairs were fun and the seating intimate. Probably a good view from this escarpment location during warmer months. We would suggest a jazz soundtrack or piano if possible for background music. Attentive service (Ann was her name, friendly and knowledgeable). Our choices for appetizers were the strozzapretti pasta with braised rabbit, chestnuts, and pecorino romano and foie gras "en Torchon" with quince chutney, and pumpkin spice bread. Both recommended, we traded back and forth with joy. Have wine with those—sommelier was quiet, efficient, and made excellent suggestions. Main entrees: We went the more traditional chops route—provimi veal chop and NY strip with Chardonnay (Deveans?—wonderful bouquet!) and a Merlot. Steaks are grilled nearby in an open circular area; fresh herbs are on display at the counter surrounding the chefs. Fun to see. Ended with Cognac Courvoiser and a sorbet dish with fresh fruit—many other good choices, but we are partial to sorbets. Delicious. Food loyal to Canadian sources...foie gras from Quebec, sorbets made locally by an Italian shop. Great dining, and fun to see this casino and the surrounds. The menu can be downloaded from the website."

Sahara Grill.
976 Elmwood Ave. (at Bidwell, between Allentown & Buff State), Buffalo.
885-0200.

[LCo] says:

[10/08] "This review is basically my Dear John letter to Sahara Grill. Several recent visits have left me disappointed with the quality of the food. The hummus has been watered down so that it is basically a watery slop on the plate. Hummus is very inexpensive to make; there is no reasonable excuse for cutting corners on it. Aside from the hummus problem, I've also had burned entrees, watery lentil soup, and portion sizes that were noticeably different from my companions', though we'd ordered the same dish. Also, that "homemade pita" touch ended about as soon as it started. Sahara Grill isn't worth it anymore."

[1/08] After being closed for a while, Sahara reopened: "Sahara Grill is back. It seems like the biggest changes are a new paint job and a trimmed-down menu. In its prior incarnation, I used to get frustrated with the menu because several things I wanted to try were repeatedly not available. Luckily all of those things are gone now, so I'll get the same two dishes I have always gotten but I won't be bogged down by pressure to try anything new. On a recent visit, I had the Khabz Thawa, a fried flatbread, served with hummous. Sahara Grill has the smoothest hummous I have ever come across, and the bread is the perfect accompaniment. We were also served homemade pitas with our meal, which was a nice touch. For an entrée, I had the Vegetarian Hummous with Ghallaba, "zesty" flavor, with Lentil Soup and rice. Everything tasted great, and Sahara Grill will once again be one of my favorite dinner spots."

[LS, 3/06] says: "I made reservations recently for a large group, and this restaurant accommodated us well and treated us with great service. I did not enjoy my falafel appetizer (ordered as a meal)—it was overly dry and flavorless, and it didn't come with the accompaniments described in the menu. I didn't finish it—a rarity for me. I will give this large and colorful place another try, though, as there are several vegetarian menu options that looked good."

[BNR, 11/05] says: "My vegetarian partner and I went for a late (2pm-ish) lunch one day. The selection was good—we found more than enough to eat with hummus, tabouleh, falafel balls, and other assorted delicacies. The smoothie machine that they tout and are so proud of was broken, so we settled for pop. The service was s-l-o-w—as if they were surprised there were actual customers in there on a weekday at that time of the day. The falafel balls were sort of dry and served coldish—definitely nothing to write home about. The hummus was good and definitely homemade, but on the bland side. The other salads and appetizers were quite good. Dessert offered us many different types of baklava, and unfortunately the one we chose was dry and crumbly. I'll revisit that next time we go. I tend to think they are just going through a bit of "new restaurant growing pains," but will come out on top. Get coupons from their website. 2 1/2 provisional stars from me."

[CW, 10/05] says: "This new Middle Eastern place on Elmwood at Bidwell has some of the tastiest, smokiest baba ganoosh in town. Grape leaves, falafel, and salads are also well done. Dinners can be served in the restaurant, or be taken out. The take-out window features a smoothie bar with delicious fresh fruit drinks."

Saigon Bangkok.
[] [am] 512 Niagara Falls Blvd. (south of Sheridan Dr.), Tonawanda. 837-2115.
8080 Transit Rd. (at the corner of Maple and Transit Rds. in Tops Plaza), Williamsville. 632-8884.

Thai and Vietnamese.

Reviews of the newer, Williamsville location:

[5/09] Given 3½ (out of 4) stars by Janice Okun, Buffalo News restaurant reviewer.

[AFN, 6/09] says: "You can probably tell that I like Saigon Bangkok a lot by the fact that I've been there three times this month, but this time a friend and I went to the new location at Maple and Transit. We had spring rolls to start, then shared orders of Panang curry chicken and chicken Pad Thai. Both were delicious. I would say Saigon Bangkok is now better than Jasmine or The King and I

[ECB, 3/09] said: "Having only just tried out the NFB location for lunch with a friend, my wife [AAB] and I decided to do dinner at the location that just opened around the corner from us. We found the interior to be pleasant but a bit cold. The waiter kindly went to turn up the heat to accommodate and was similarly attentive and helpful throughout the meal. My wife started out with the Tom Yum Soup, while I opted for the Vietnamese Hot & Sour, both with shrimp, and both turned out to be outstanding. We then had a Spring and Summer Roll, but were a bit put off by the rice-paper wrapping. Not the fault of the restaurant, the ingredients were fresh and the sauces were wonderful, but the texture just didn't agree with us. My wife only took one bite and explained that she just didn't like it, and they took it off the bill without asking, something we very much appreciated. Finally, I ordered the Red Curry with Shrimp hot, and she had the Panang Curry with Chicken. Absolutely divine. Accompanying our meal, we had the Vietnamese iced coffee, which was also very good. Despite our mis-step with the rolls, we were very happy with the meal and are anxious to return."

[CWi, 1/09] reported that there is a new branch at 8080 Transit Rd. (at the corner of Maple and Transit Rds. in Tops Plaza), Williamsville.

Reviews of the original Tonawanda location:

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

[AFN] says:

[6/09] "I returned to Saigon Bangkok on the Boulevard for lunch, along with my sister, today. We started with their delicious spring rolls, included with the $6.95 luncheon special. For the main course, I had Prik (a.k.a. Prig) Khing chicken, with green beans and basil. My sister had chicken Pad Thai. Both were excellent. Highly recommended."

[6/09] "My daughter and I went to Saigon Bangkok on NF Blvd. for lunch on Friday. I haven't been there for a long time, but the restaurant has been completely remodeled since the fire a few months ago and is sparkling clean and new looking. The lunch special for $6.95 includes a spring roll and choice of entree with rice. I had Panang curry chicken. My daughter had spicy takrai chicken with eggplant, which neither of us had heard of before. (I looked it up and found that takrai means lemon grass, so it was lemon grass chicken with eggplant.) All entrees are available with your choice of meats, seafood, or tofu. The luncheon was very good. I'm looking forward to trying their new location, which is closer to home."

[LCo, 10/08] said: "I had the Spicy Takrai with tofu on a recent dinner visit to Saigon Bangkok. The dish is a blend of stir-fried onions and peppers, peanuts, and eggplant in a lemongrass sauce. It's tangy and spicy; the vegetables are fresh and the tofu is lightly crisp."

[4/08] I [Bill] ate here with a visiting speaker, my first visit in 10 years, and I'm now willing to award it a star. I opted for the Vietnamese side of the menu, beginning with a very nice summer roll consisting of shredded lettuce, basil, rice noodles, cucumber, shrimp, and chicken in steamed rice paper, with an overly spicy (to my sensitive taste buds) hoisin sauce (fortunately served on the side). For the main course, I chose the non-spicy Bong Cai: chicken with broccoli, onion, baby corn, and carrots stir-fried in a brown sauce that was scrumptious; the veggies and chicken actually seemed to be more steamed than stir-fried, and were tasty and crispy. My companions all enjoyed their meals, too. This is clearly a popular venue for UB faculty: nearly every table was occupied by one!

[MZ, 2/08] said: "Day or night, east, west, or midwest, this is among the top three SE Asian restaurants that I have visited. I remember going with friends to a Thai/Vietnamese restaurant in Chicago after just having dined here in Bflo—in Chgo, less good, at least three times the price, equals.... Especially when you don't want to cook in the heat of the summer, this food is stunningly refreshing and delicately-enough flavored to appeal even to people who say "I don't like such-and-such food". My culinarily-unadventurous, very old mother loves this place, too. I always order her the pad thai (which comes with not only chicken but also a number of extra large-sized, freshly sauteed shrimp), a plate generous enough for two; and the delicious chicken or beef satay with astounding peanut sauce, or both or all. The summer rolls are exceptionally delicate and refreshing, also; and the soups are impressive, spanning a range of flavors from delicate, tiny wonton to lip-plumping hot and sour. Lunch here is an interesting experience, since you can watch the staff meticulously prep the greens for the rest of the day. (I like that: truth in advertising, etc.) Also, you will note a preponderance of Vietnam-war era guys at this time; no accident, I would guess; not to mention the same portions at less than half the price. Decor is refreshingly Zen, clean, and, yes, a tablecloth destination (polyester; so, unassuming). Nicer? They remember you. I go in, when I visit Bflo, maybe twice a year, and they know where we want to sit. (Mom is hard of hearing. LOL: Maybe that's why they remember us!) Also, they have a live coral fish tank, which is a pretty wonderful piece of pleasure. Limited bar is available, if you so desire. I just wish they'd named the place in the western poetics, Bangkok Saigon. But, then...they aren't Western are they?"

[TT, 7/07] said: "I took my co-worker from NYC to Saigon Bangkok when they were in Buffalo, since they wanted to try something different. My companions rated Saigon Bangkok as one of the best Thai food they ever had. Even in NYC, they would be hard-pressed to find a place that has great food that is reasonably priced. I tried the Vietnamese pancake, which was stuffed with pork and shrimp. It was very crispy on the outside and served with light garlic sauce, which was nice. My co-worker tried the cube steak and Dancing Seafood, which was very tasty. The seafood dish was on the spicy side, so please be warned if you can't handle spices; this dish is probably not for you. The food was amazing, and the service was great. Every bite we took was an explosion of taste with spices like lemon grass and basil. You can tell when you are in a great place when you go on a Wednesday night and the whole restaurant is full of customers. Apparently, I am not the only one to think that Saigon Bangkok is a hidden gem in Western New York."

[KW, 4/06] said: "Saigon Bangkok is a small and intimate Thai & Vietnamese restaurant. When you first walk into the restaurant, you're greeted with Asian artifacts and an unusual smell coming from the kitchen. I went with a friend on a Saturday evening, and it was packed with people. I had the Tom Yum Goong soup as an appetizer; it was prepared with shrimp and mushrooms in hot & sour broth. It was really tasty; it reminded me of a better version of hot & sour soup. Tom Yum Goong soup cost $2.95. Pad Thai was my main dish; it was prepared with stir-fried noodles with shrimp, chicken, egg, peanuts, bean sprouts, scallions, and Thai seasoning. Pad Thai cost $7.95. I thought the dish tasted unusual, just like the smell of the restaurant. I think this type of dish requires an acquired taste. I thought the dish consisted of too many unusual ingredients combined together. Overall, my dining experience was pleasant, although I wouldn't suggest it to anyone unless they enjoy this type of cuisine."

[ABi, 3/06] said: "The commies would claim it should be named Ho Chi Minh City Bangkok, but that is irrelevant. More germane is the fact this restaurant serves decent Southeast Asian fare. The food itself is the focus, as it's a fairly blah space excepting a few lit candles and the requisite statue of an Eastern deity sitting Indian-style perched at the entrance. We had an extended period to enjoy the sterile surroundings, as it took a fantastically long time for our waitress to mosey over and take our orders. It wasn't as if we were there at crunchtime, as our reservations were for 5:30 on a weeknight, but the inordinate delay did give us a chance to memorize the menu, drink water, and admire the authentic, elegant paper placemats. After dinner arrived, the waitress pulled that inattentive move where she held up each entrée and let us figure out who it belonged to. Thankfully, the food quality compensated for the glacial pace of its arrival. I chose the Xao Xa Ot from the Vietnamese portion of the menu, and it was as tasty as it was unpronounceable. I got it with beef, which was served in strips along with onion hearts and red and green pepper squares in spicy brown sauce; Asian cuisine is one where you can identify a condiment by color and instantly know how it tastes. The beef and vegetables were both tender in their own unique ways, while the latter still had a crunchy bite to them. At the same time, the sauce was moderately fiery, just pungent enough without being overwhelming. The other members of my party reported their dinners were of good quality in a manner representative of said region's cuisine. They could easily cut down on the wait time, but Saigon Bangkok provided exotic Eastern dishes that were at least better than most chopstick takeaways."

[UL, 7/05] said: "When my brother and sister-in-law flew in from Denver last week, I immediately turned to Bill's guide to find a vegetarian-friendly restaurant. Saigon Bangkok was just what we wanted. The food was fresh and delicious, with an impressive mix of vegetables in the Spicy Rainbow (it included fresh asparagus, among many others, and was not overwhelmed by celery and carrots, like so many Asian restaurant vegetable dishes). The food was a tasty level of spiciness, without hot chilis overwhelming the seasoning blends. Water glasses were kept full, and the water is flavored with fresh lime slices (perhaps what gave the "oily" effect JB noticed?) This was just what we wanted! A definite thumbs up rating."

[KBo, 4/05] said: "Saigon Bangkok has especially nailed it down; we go there at least once a month, and we're amazed by their consistency. Can't wait to have their Choo Chee curry with duck again!"

[LG&ST, 1/05] said: "I've tried several Thai resturants in the Amherst area, and Saigon Bangkok is the best I've found for freshness and taste and presentation. Very fresh ingredients cooked just right (not a musty bean sprout in the bunch, and, if you've had musty ones, you know what I mean). The lunch menu has just the right size portions, and the egg rolls are crisp and come with a ginger dipping sauce that's yummy. My favorite is the pad thai. I could eat it every day. What a lovely combination of noodles, chicken, egg, sprouts and a peanut sauce that is not heavy or overpowering. Haven't tried the extensive tea menu but will soon. I give this two forks up!"

[JB, 4/04] said: "I heard a lot of positive things about this restaurant, but when I ate here with my wife last week for the first time, we really had an unpleasant experience. I found a lipstick mark on my glass the first time the server brought the glass to the table, and the water is somewhat greasy/oily. It's just so disgusting we never ordered a single glass of water again that night. We settled with Coke instead. We ordered two desserts at the end of our meal and found the cream caramel chocolate sliced in two already. Bad service? I think so. And what's the deal with that lipstick mark, anyway? Unwashed/uncleaned glass? I'd never come back to this restaurant."

[HPK, 8/03] said: "Best Thai soup in town! Great service and food; a definite must for anyone who likes Thai food."

[SMD, 5/03] said: "My dining companion (who was new to Vietnamese/Thai cuisine) and I had a lovely meal at Saigon Bangkok. We were greeted by a friendly hostess, who seated us and promptly took our drink order. The tables are nicely set with cloth napkins and tablecloths (remember those?!), and soft music was playing. For appetizers, we tried the chicken satay and summer roll. The chicken satay was grilled to perfection and served with a finger-lickin' peanut-garlic sauce; my companion was very impressed. We also tried the summer roll, a combination of shrimp, chicken, and veggies, all steamed in a rice-paper wrapper; it came with a ginger-garlic sauce for dipping. The summer roll tasted like a wrapped-up fresh salad, really refreshing and crisp. Two thumbs up for both appetizers. For our entrees, we tried the chicken panang and the national dish of Thailand, pad Thai. Both were beautifully presented and tasted as good as they looked. The service was really outstanding. Our water glasses were never empty, and we were greeted and served with a smile. So much nicer than the "Can I get you guys anything?" line that I'm hearing more and more frequently. I'd be glad to return to Saigon Bangkok anytime and would highly recommend it to anyone looking for something a little different yet very delicious. I highly recommend it."

[MEL, 6/99] said: "I had the roast duck here and thought it was pretty good. I've never met a Thai restaurant I didn't like, and Saigon Bangkok is no exception.

[DS, 8/96] adds: "Their mango salad, available in early summer, is also wonderful."

[LIN, 4/96] said: "Very good and reasonably priced."

[MT, 5/95] said: "Good spicy soups; not as lavish in their use of herbs as authenticity would demand; inexpensive and large portions."

[DS, 1/95] said: "The place is nice and the food is very good. My wife and I have tried pretty much all the vegetarian dishes they have, and they are all good—their `Spicy Rainbow' is one of the best. Another good news for vegetarians is that they use only vegetable oils in all their preparations! Heartily recommended."

Saigon Café.
1098 Elmwood Ave. (between Allentown & Buff State), Buffalo.
883-1252.

Vietnamese-Thai. Same owners as Papaya and Tsunami.

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

[JCr, 1/09] says: "Recently, I had my first dining experience at Saigon Cafe, and I must say it certainly will not be my last. We stopped in on a Friday evening around 7:30; the host told us that there was a 30 minute wait, and, if we would like to grab a drink next door, he would call my cell phone when the table was ready, so we were more than happy to do that. 2 pints later, and the table was ready, my phone rang, we walked next door and were seated. My wife and one of her girlfriends order a squid dish of some sort, which they both really enjoyed. Our other guest had the Pad Thai, which was reported to be very good, as well. I went with the deep-fried whole red snapper; it was excellent. Crisp on the outside and moist inside, this fish I believe was topped with peppers, scallions, and a spicy Thai basil-type sauce. This was an excellent dish. Most entrees are between $8 and $14, with my whole red snapper entree being the most expensive at $21. Great value, great food, great service; we will certainly return again."

[LCo, 5/08] said: "I've been to Saigon Café twice in recent months and enjoyed both visits. As starters, I had the Vegetable Tempura and the Tofu Spring Rolls. The Tempura was crisp but light and was served with a light sweet and sour sauce instead of a soy-based sauce. The Tofu Spring Rolls are fresh and served with a peanut sauce. On one visit, I had the Tamarind Tofu, which was served with white rice. The sweet but sour tamarind taste complimented the tofu and vegetables very well. On another visit, I tried the Tofu Curry. It was lightly fried tofu with a red curry and vegetables, served with white rice. It tasted great, and the portion was more than I could finish. I've always had a good experience at Saigon Café; the food is fresh, the service is great, and they have a nice range of vegetarian options."

[JFi, 4/06] said: "Saigon Cafe is a wonderful, quaint restaurant that has an enjoyable atmosphere. I started my dining experience there with some grilled pork rolls and some fried rice. For my dinner entree, I had the chicken with curried peanut sauce. For dessert, I had some of the fried bananas, which were wonderful. I enjoyed the meal because it was something different and out of the ordinary, in which I would not normally try. The service was very attentive, and they make sure that you are taken care of. The dinner was inexpensive. I would give this restaurant four stars and recommend it to anyone looking for something different."

[MRT, 10/04] said: "Saigon Cafe is a small restaurant on Elmwood. There are only 12 tables in the entire restaurant. There are fresh flowers on each table. My husband and I each began with fresh vegetable rolls with a peanut hoisin sauce. They came accompanied with noodles and carrots. They were very delicious, and I ate all the noodles and carrots with the delicious sauce. While they have a good wine list, my husband ordered a beer, and I a pot of ginger tea. There is a sheet of specials besides their regular menu. We each ordered from the specials. My husband order grilled chicken with curried peanut sauce. I ordered grilled tuna with lemon grass, coconut milk, and vegetables. I ordered my entree with a 7/10 hotness, because I wanted to enjoy the taste of the dish. My husband commented that I ordered the better tasting of the two specials. I know I greatly enjoyed the tuna and the sauce. For dessert, I enjoyed a classic creme caramel. I will most happily return to Saigon Cafe. You do not need reservations on a Saturday night, it is not very expensive (my entree was $14, my husband's cost $9), the food is delicious, and the service very attentive by all."

Sake Cafe.
8222 Transit Rd. (north of Maple, in East View (Lowe's) Plaza), Williamsville.
689-2888; 1-866-722-7740.

Japanese.

[12/07] Given 3½ (out of 4) stars by Janice Okun, Buffalo News restaurant reviewer.

[WHN] says:

[6/09] "We had an excellent dinner at Sake Cafe on Tuesday, 6/9. I had an appetizer of yellowtail sashimi with jalapeno peppers and roe. The fish was fresh, and the slices of jalapeno added an extra flavor element not usually found in Japanese cuisine. For main courses, my wife had chicken teriyaki, which she said was very good, but maybe not quite as good as Morimoto in Philadelphia. I had shrimp tempura, accompanied by an assortment of tempura-coated vegetables. My main course was excellent also. Both meals were accompanied by rice. All meals include a choice of Miso soup or salad. Everyone else had various sushi entrees, which they also enjoyed."

[3/09] "My wife, our daughter, son, and grandson dined at Sake Cafe on Monday 3/16. Our son had eaten here previously and recommended it over Wasabi and Fuji Grill, but we had not been to Sake Cafe before. When we first arrived, there were two small children running back and forth, obviously offspring of one of the chefs or kitchen workers. I found this to be annoying, but their mother quieted them down, and they stayed in the side room for most of the evening. As noted in other reviews, the cuisine is pan-Asian rather than just Japanese. To start, we shared beef satay, served over greens with a mango dressing instead of the usual peanut dip. I also had a crunchy, spicy tuna roll. (I had ordered sea urchin, but they were out of it.) Both appetizers were delicious. For main courses, our son and daughter each had a different platter with an assortment of sushi. I had beef negimaki, with teriyaki sauce and steamed vegetables, accompanied by a bowl of rice. My wife had vegetarian fried rice, and our grandson had mango chicken over steamed vegetables, also with a bowl of rice. All entrees come with a choice of miso soup or salad. I chose miso soup, while the others chose the salad with a miso-ginger dressing. My son said the dressing wasn't as good as Taki in Niagara Falls (Ontario), which he described as similar, but with more subtle flavors. Overall, the meal was excellent, and the variety of choices satisfied everyone, especially my wife, who won't eat raw seafood."

[3/08] I [Bill] had dinner here with a visiting speaker and 5 other faculty colleagues. Excellent service. I had the shumai (4 Hong Kong-style steamed shrimp dumplings) as an appetizer; they were excellent, though the sauce was a bit on the spicy side. For my main course, I ordered the Malaysian yellow curry clay-pot with chicken (it also comes with tofu or shrimp), described on the menu as having "mild spiciness". This was served in a nicely decorated bowl: chunks of chicken and veggies in a very spicy sauce (if that's "mild", remind me never to try "medium" here!) with a bowl of rice on the side. It also came with a bowl of miso soup that was served before my shumai. The soup was OK, but a bit on the smoky-tasting side. To our pleasant surprise, the server offered to give us separate checks. I'm sure we'll be back, but if I had to compare this to other Asian fusion restaurants, I'd have to say that O Restaurant is still my favorite in the Amherst area.

[ECB, 2/08] said: "Took my wife here for her birthday, and the experience blew away our expectations. We started with the Peking Duck appetizer, which came as two huge rolls cut in half, with onions and an asparagus stalk, served with a dollop of duck sauce and a drizzle of hoisin on the plate. The duck was superb, and the vegetables and sauce complimentary. She got Miso Soup with her meal, which she said was the best she ever had, and I got the wonderfully spicy Tom Yum Soup, brimming with fresh seafood. For entrees, I had the Shrimp Pad Thai, and she tried the Kamikaze Sushi Platter, which came in a large wooden boat with a small plastic cube that emitted shifting colors. My dish was superb, and hers was transcendental. I have never particularly liked sushi, but the fresh fish served here won me over. It is a whole other league from what we've tried elsewhere. We finished off the meal by sharing a Tempure Banana and a glass of plum wine. A fantastic meal and a relaxed atmosphere. We shall be returning."

[ABa, 12/07] said: "Let me start out by saying that I love sushi. So when I heard that there was a new Japanese restaurant, I quickly grabbed my girlfriend and took her out for a nice meal. We started our meal off with the crispy calamari. The calamari was a little too breaded and deep fried for me. I felt that it covered up a lot of the taste. It wasn't bad though, and my girlfriend liked it. We then ordered five rolls: a tiger roll, crunchy spicy yellowtail, shrimp tempura, sweet potato tempura, and tuna. They were all great. There were ample amounts of fish in all of the rolls. The tiger roll was a little too busy for me, but the presentation was beautiful. I look forward to returning to Sake Café to try out some of the food from their kitchen!"

[MRT, 11/07] said: "Sake Café is an excellent new restaurant on the right hand side of East View Plaza. It is a savvy pick for diners who love Japanese food and for those who rarely eat it. The new restaurant showcases sushi and exquisite American-Japanese cuisine. We visited Sunday, November 11, 2007, when the restaurant had only been open a few days. They will soon have their liquor license. American-Japanese here includes a host of appealing dishes beyond the expected teriyaki-tempura brigade. An appetizer of sliced rare tuna with an herb and pepper crust presented alongside a salad of sprightly mixed greens is a prime example. The spare decor is decidedly Japanese. They have charming wooden booths, and the food presentations are beautiful. I began with a delicious Japanese garden salad, and continued with Thai Basil Fried Rice. My husband began with Shrimp Tempura with a lovely coating, and the most delicious dipping sauce. He and our friend each ordered a piece of tuna sushi. Speaking of sushi, the restaurant soars with impeccably fresh fish. My husband also ordered Malaysian Chicken Satay. My husband's main dish was New York Strip Steak Teriyaki. Our friend ordered a piece of tuna temaki. The biggest break with tradition comes with desert. The dish called rice cake ice cream is a Japanese cousin to tartufo. In this version, disks of ice cream are robed in a smooth, creamy, flavored rice coating. Our friend ordered the vanilla, and we each ordered the coffee flavored. We shall certainly return."

[DaK, 11/07] said: "While driving through the Lowe's Plaza on Maple and Transit a few weeks ago, noticed a small sushi restaurant starting to take shape; last night drove by again and noticed the Grand Opening sign—decided to try it out. Upon first entering, you notice a small bar with a few stools and a flat-screen TV; modern funky light fixtures add a nice touch. Overall decor was pleasant, with nice booths or seating at the sushi bar if you wish. My husband and I started with edamame, as we always do, but this time it came to the table hot—not warm, but hot—not what I was expecting, but we really enjoyed it. Next, he had a green salad with some interesting ginger wasabi dressing, and I had a Japanese vegetarian soup—both average, nothing spectacular. The real treat came with the sushi—the large plate came to the table, and we were both afraid to eat such a beautiful work of art. Sushi is truly an art form, and in Buffalo the presentation just doesn't seem to be as appreciated as in other cities, but this was the exception. We enjoyed the Lady in Red (specialty roll with a soy wrapper), spicy crab roll, an asparagus roll, and a shitaki mushroom roll with a sweet sauce. All was wonderful—never had a mushroom roll around here, but it was quite good and more flavorful then I would've thought. Great new spot that others should try—very friendly employees, too."

Sakura.
3719 Union Rd., Cheektowaga.
683-7310.

[TD, 2/07] says: "I dined at Sakura restaurant last night despite the negative review it received. I must say it was the best sushi experience I have ever had, and I am a frequent diner at Sushi Train, in Toronto; Taki, in Canada; and the many glorious restaurants here in Buffalo. For starters, my guest and I had the miso soup, which was excellent, and the edamame, which was noticeably better than at other restaurants. We ordered the Shrimp Tempura Special roll, Special Spicy Crunch Roll, two nigiri pieces of eel, and a Spicy Tuna Roll. The wait for our food was longer than it should have been, due to a large take-out order coming in and a large party dining in the restaurant placing their order simultaneously. To compensate and thank us for our patience, the owner, who was speaking fluent Japanese to his co-chef as well as to the waitresses, offered us a complimentarly Wakame (seaweed) salad, which was delicious. Then he came out with a "Flaming Tuna" appetizer. Hands down the best sushi dish I have ever eaten. Served in a creme brulee-type dish, it consisted of spicy tuna, cream cheese, and tobiko. The top was treated with a torch to give it a nice crispy finish, and the dish was set atop another shallow dish, which was then filled with vodka and lit on fire so that the dish was warm and bubbly while being devoured. The owner then offered us another special roll, on him. We entrusted the decision to him offering only that we like spice. He brought out the spiciest roll both my guest and I have ever eaten. It was amazing. The rest of our food was terrific as well. I cannot wait to go back. I did pay attention to all the negative comments left and did notice the repeated "ding" the other reviewer thought was coming from the microwave. It was from the service bell used by the Japanese-speaking chefs to attract the attention of the Japanese-speaking waitresses. The decor of the restaurant was impeccably clean, simple, understated, and delightful."

[ARo, 12/06] says: "My wife and I eat at Sakura at least once a week. We often order a few pieces of nigiri, a couple basic rolls like tuna or salmon, and one or two "special rolls". The fish has been consistently fresh and delicious. We've tried just about all of the special rolls, but actually feel guilty about eating them because they are so artfully prepared. The restaurant itself is impeccably clean, and the waitresses are always very helpful and friendly as well. We have yet to try to speak Japanese to the sushi chefs, but we also don't think it's a prerequisite for making great sushi. Sakura should definitely be on any sushi lover's list of places to try."

[RDK, 11/06] says: "Quite possibly the worst Japanese restaurant I have ever gone to. I get the feeling that the first reviewer is affiliated with the store in some way. A while back, I gave a negative review to Fuji Grill, but if you compare the two, Fuji Grill beats Sakura by far. When I first arrived at the restaurant, the hostess greeted me, and I took a seat at the counter. I was wondering if the chefs knew Japanese, so I asked if they are Japanese. They said "yes". So I spoke a little Japanese to them to see if I can order in Japanese (I'm Japanese). They lied to me and told me they can't speak it. Well, I thought "whatever", but it certainly did not give me a good first impression with them. I then ordered their lunch menu "Sushi Box", which came with 4 nigiri, 1 roll of California roll, some tempura, some cooked egg, and something else on the side. I also ordered shrimp shumai. Everything was prepared really fast and came to my table within 5 minutes. But before that, I remember hearing about 4 microwave rings in the kitchen. So I was actually scared of how much of my food was cooked in the microwave. What do you know? My tempura wasn't even fried in the oil! It seemed like they bought some pre-made tempura and warmed them up in the microwave. It was barely warm and very soggy. Tempura is supposed to be crispy and hot. Fuji Grill at least makes their food from scratch and fries their tempura. The shumai tasted OK, but I ordered it as an appetizer, and I at least expected them to bring me another small plate to put soy sauce in, but all I got was 1 soy sauce plate in the beginning. I ended up dipping shumai in it, and then ate sushi with it with all the oil floating on the soy sauce afterwards. The sushi was at most "OK"; their fish tasted all dry, but the good thing was it didn't have a bad smell. I was very angry after I ate the meal, but I decided not to blurt it out. Instead, I wrote it down on the back of the receipt that I was very unsatisfied and that they need to study more about Japanese food because they obviously know very little about it. I definitely will not come back again. If you're looking for good sushi to eat, do visit O Restaurant and Lounge. They know what they're doing, and their food tastes great. I haven't tried Kuni's To Go yet, but will very soon and write a review on it as well, but I have a good feeling about that place. Don't go to Sakura."

[CA, 4/06] says: "Drove by the "grand opening sign" last week and, being a sushi fan, decided to try it out. Presentation was fantastic, and the taste and quality matched. We only tried a few specialty rolls and sashimi. The rolls were some of the best we've ever had—and I am comparing not only to local favorite Kuni's but also to the originality of local O, as well as Toronto's highly rated Blowfish and Philadelphia's Morimoto's—yes, the one owned by Iron Chef Morimoto. The tightness of the rolls at Sakura was of marked distinction. The chef obviously knows how to pair flavors and have them work off each other—as with the Sakura roll. And the sashimi was fresh and sliced to perfection. The salmon wasn't the best we've had, but still very, very good. The red snapper, octopus, scallops, and eel were of top quality and extremely tasty. The décor is simple, yet elegant, and the menu is very traditional. Sakura doesn't have a liquor license until the last week of April 2006, but you won't need anything to wash this cuisine down. You're missing out if you don't try Sakura—I'd go so far as to say, it's probably the best sushi you'll find in Buffalo, roll-wise, and the sashimi/sushi was great as well. Pricing is reasonable, and service was phenomenal."

Sala Restaurant.
9780 Main St., Clarence.
759-6840.

Greek; related to Kostas.

[BMcWS, 12/08] says: "We blew into Sala on a snowy night soon after they opened. We were pleased to see the interior has been revamped (this is the former Saffire Grill). It's now a Greek place. They serve breakfast, lunch, and dinner (all day). The food was terrific!! My son had pancakes (which came with nice, fresh strawberries) and sausage. His order came out, and it had 3 giant pancakes (the one on the bottom filled the entire oval platter) and 4 sausage patties. This was enough for 3 meals. The pancakes were incredibly light and fluffy—possibly the best I have ever tasted. I had the chicken souvlaki dinner. This platter had two full chicken breasts sliced on top of a Greek salad (with green lettuce and red tomatoes in December—Hallelujah!). I got fries, and pitas (which were terrific) came on the side. Everything on my plate was good, except the chicken was slightly pink, so I would have liked that to be cooked just a tiny bit more. The husband got the gyro platter, which had the same great Greek salad, and he got Greek potatoes with it. He liked the potatoes, but I didn't. They were very vinegary, I thought. The daughter got the saganaki and a Greek side salad. This saganaki (fried cheese) is to die for. Fabulous. I thought it was better than the saganaki at the Hellenic Festival. Her boyfriend got a bacon cheeseburger and fries, which he enjoyed. The service was very attentive and the owner very friendly. I felt the prices were a bit high—my souvlaki platter was $18, but it was definitely enough to feed at least two people. If I had known it was so huge, I might have ordered the lunch size instead. It also would have been nice if the waitress had let us know that my 10-year-old son was ordering such a huge pancake platter. We would have gotten him the child's size instead, if we had known. We left with two plastic bags full of leftovers and will be eating this for days. We will definitely be coming back here. Next time, I'm either coming for breakfast and getting pancakes, or for lunch and having saganaki! I will also have to have the spanokopita some day. Lots of other great choices on the menu are tempting—beefteki, dolmathes, pastitsio, a combo platter, some great sounding omelettes, Belgian waffles."

Salvatore's Italian Gardens.
6461 Transit Rd. (not far from airport), Depew.
683-7990.

Italian.

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

Known primarily for its amazingly gaudy decor. The decor is indeed gaudy, though some of it (especially the Christmas decorations) are not bad—a bit like being inside a New York City department store window.

[L&GK, 3/09] say: "I love your site [Thanks!] and never before submitted anything. But the folowing experience yesterday led me to write this. Food was good to average; but condescending maitre d'. They say you must check your coat. When my wife said she's always cold and preferred to wear her coat, the coat-check lady said OK as long as she didn't take it off. OK, but then another hostess warned us again, and then the maitre d' warned us yet again. When we said we now had been told three times, he got snotty and arrogant, saying it was for liability reasons, so no one trips and sues. Don't they think they will lose more business than any economic gain from not being sued? Can't they at least do so diplomatically and once (perhaps a sign) rather than three times? What about purses left on the floor? After this happened, I googled ‘"Salvatore's Italian" coat’ and found that others had the same ridiculous experience. I don't know if this was the rule when the father owned the restaurant, but hopefully the son will realize the error of this being their policy."

[CEP, 1/07] said: "My significant other and I were celebrating our one-year anniversary and were looking for a nice restaurant to do so. We chose Salvatore's, despite reading mixed reviews, figuring that it would be a WNY "experience". The Christmas decorations were still up in the halls and lobbies, which were beatiful to look at during our short wait (we made reservations, because it was New Years Day). Upon being seated, it was nice to realize that the extravagent decorations did not overtake the dining area, which was spacious. The service was excellent. I had the Salmon Wellington, which had a very nice cream sauce, but in favor of pacing myself, I did not eat most of the pastery. My boyfriend ordered the Surf 'n' Turf, which he could not rave about enough. All in all, the most detracting feature of the restaurant was the range in diners' attire. During our dinner, the formally dressed family next to us was replaced by a passle of children in sports jerseys and baseball caps. I would dine here again, but it wouldn't be my first choice for a night out."

[WHN, 1/06] said: "We went here with another couple on Saturday night after the holidays. We had a 7 PM reservation, but our table wasn't ready, so we ordered a bottle of white wine at the bar. After finishing the wine an hour later, our table still wasn't ready, so we walked around to look at the garish displays. When we returned, we had to wait still longer. After about two hours, we were finally seated. After another 15 minutes, our waitress finally showed up to take a drink order. We didn't want any drinks at that point, but she said she would be right back to take our dinner order. When she returned 15 minutes later, we ordered our dinners and a bottle of red wine to go with them. The quality of the food—we all had salads and steaks—was fine (or maybe we were just starving at that point) when it was finally served around 10 PM. In due course, the waitress brought our check, along with a $50 gift certificate. We thought that the gift certificate must have been compensation for the ridiculously long wait and slow service. When she came to take our payment, we asked if we could use the gift certificate that night, or if it was for future use, and she said we could use it immediately. We paid and started to leave, but as we walked through the bar area on the way out, the waitress chased after us and shouted something like: "Wait! That wasn't your gift certificate. It belonged to another table", and acted as if we were thieves trying to leave without paying, instead of quietly saying that she had made a mistake by putting the gift certificate in with our bill. Obviously, it was embarrassing. We paid the $50 and left. None of us will ever darken Salvatore's door again."

[JAu, 12/05] said: "There are few more extraordinary things than Christmas at Salvatore's. The over-the-top deocrations are incredible, and there is so much kitsch that it's cool. Maybe my memories of the place are improved by the atmosphere of holiday cheer, but I always had the impression that the service here was top notch. Either my memories were incorrect, or this place has taken a turn for the worse. The service was rude, the meal was mediocre. Much like other reviewers here, I noted the fake potatoes on contact. I left angry that I spent my time there and that my host spent his money. It was just one of those dining experiences that make you want to grind your teeth. If you are looking for Buffalo's finest dining experience, it's not here, and it has not been for some time. Keep looking."

[CP, 12/05] said: "I completely agree with [KATS]'s review. This has to be the most overrated restaurant in Buffalo. If you're an out of town guest or tourist, please don't be fooled into thinking this is a true representation of Buffalo's finest. It doesn't even come close!!! What it is is over-the-top gaudy decor with mediocre overpriced food. I've given this place plenty of chances (not by choice) and was disappointed every time. Don't waste your money! I give it a negative [—] review."

[KATS, 11/05] said: "I had been to Salvatore's on numerous occasions for banquets and weddings, and the food was always better than expected for those types of events. So I was curious to see what a normal restaurant meal there would be like, and I had an opportunity last night at a birthday party for a family member. First of all, everyone could not make it at the exact reservation time, but we thought that 12 of the 15 people could sit at the table and order drinks and appetizers. No such luck. They made us sit in the lobby and wait for the last 3 to arrive. Then we had to wait another 30 minutes for them to show us to our table—which had been empty since the moment we walked into the restaurant. I hate restaurants that will not seat you at your table and make you "wait at the bar". Left Bank does this as well, and, while I normally have no issue having a drink and waiting for a table to get ready, I will not do this when my table is empty and I want to sit. It's simply rude. Enough of the bad hostessing problem and on to the food problem. What can I say? This is the worst meal I have ever had in a supposedly upscale restaurant. For $32, I expect real mashed potatoes, not potatoes from a box. My husband's shrimp? They had been frozen and reheated. The texture was disgusting. I asked the waiter how they cook a "rare" steak (having just had a pan-seared steak that was even too rare for me). After assuring me that the meat was cooked "extremely rare and bloody", I decided to go for a medium rare sliced filet with wild mushrooms and sautéed cipollini onions. My meat? Well done. Not a bit of pink on it. The vegetables? Sat in the warming tray too long and were overcooked and soggy. The Caesar salad? Dressing from a bottle. No anchovies, even though they were requested. I am so happy that I was not paying for this meal. I cannot believe how incredibly disgusting the food was. I have nothing positive to say except that the little bit of bananas Foster ice cream cake that I had was excellent. Even the 6-year-old's ravioli was some type of frozen and reheated monstrosity. I would have sent my food back had we not been with a large party. I was disgusted. For that type of money, and for being a "special occasion" restaurant, they are ripping people off. Box potatoes; need I say more? I will never go back there again. Next time, I'm picking the restaurant. Café Gar Angelo on Hertel is superior."

Bill said:

[9/05] [MER] and I returned exactly one year later with those same visitors (see below) to celebrate the successful business matter. Once again, a superb meal! I had one of the daily specials: a pecan-crusted sea bass with baby corn and asparagus, in a raspberry butter sauce, served over basil fried rice—a wonderful mixture of sweet and savory. One of the visitors had a Porterhouse steak, which he described as excellent, and [MER] had an outstanding chicken marsala. We shared desserts, which the waiter kindly split into portions for us; I had a very good apple pie with ice cream. The service was among the best I've had anywhere.

[9/04] [MER] and I took out-of-town visitors here. They wanted to be impressed, and we had some business matters to discuss. Salvatore's fit the bill perfectly: It's certainly impressive, it's large enough that we had the privacy we needed, and the food was really excellent. I had a tender and juicy swordfish in tomato sauce, with shrimp, baby corn, baby carrots, and garlic mashed potatoes. Salvatore's continues to be an excellent restaurant, and its exhuberant decor adds to the fun. I have raised its rating to 3 stars.

[5/00] After a few OK-to-mediocre meals here in the 1990s, we returned to the restaurant and had a fantastic meal! The meal began with a delicious bruschetta, soaked in a tasty olive oil/tomato/garlic concoction. This was followed by a complementary "salad" of olives and some other unidentifiable pickled items in a tomato sauce; one taste, and we passed on the rest, but it was a nice touch. That, plus the lack of bread, were the only real downsides to the meal. There was a good mixed sald with tomato vinaigrette. I had a seafood bisque with large chunks of shrimp and scallops; a bit on the thick side (which is not to my liking), but the flavor was wonderful. [MER]'s mozzarella and tomato with a bleu cheese/purple onion/minced carrot dressing was also wonderful (at least, [MER] thought so; I hate bleu cheese). For the main course, I had whitefish stuffed with crab, and [MER] had steak à la Russell (as in Russell Salvatore), both of which were superb. For dessert, nice (though ordinary) strawberry shortcake. The service was among the best I've seen in Buffalo: equal to that in the finest NYC restaurants. I should add that our meal was quite inexpensive, since it was part of a package deal with the affiliated (and quite impressive) Garden Place Hotel (though we were entitled to order anything from the menu at a slightly extra cost).

[EC,2/02] said: "I had the pleasure of going here in late January for my fiancee's birthday. It was the greatest dining experience I've had in my long first year here in Buffalo. Sure, it's very gaudy decor, but the big picture makes everything worthwhile. The lighting was quite dark, but intimate. The service was very good & professional. The food was better than fantastic...It was superior. The owner sent over a nice mini-birthday cake with an impressive sparkler-like torch. Everything was wonderful. It was pricy, but worth every penny. Best place in town, hands down. Can't wait to go back!"

Sample.
242 Allen St. (Allentown), Buffalo.
883-1675.

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

[RN, 9/08] says: "Having frequented the restaurant in the past, I was shockingly disappointed with our latest visit to what has gone from a great concept restaurant to a mediocre-at-best, cocktail lounge. We started off with their Mediterranean plate: an assortment of spreads served with warm pita bread. The hummus, the best part of the plate, was over-acidic and tasted more of lemon than the more traditionally flavored hummus with notes of garlic and tahini. But the tapenade (just pureed kalamata olives?), eggplant, and ceci bean salad, respectively, were all boring and uninspired. And yet we moved on. Let me again say that my original visit was delightful—as I recall, consisting of unique "gourmet"-style items. But this visit we had beef on wick? While the description is appealing enough—something like red wine and fresh horseradish braise—we could not taste the red wine, and especially not horseradish. Now risotto: a nice idea, but, again, executed with unenthusiastic candor. I can understand keeping dishes simple, but rice and peas, no matter how well prepared, is bollocks. The list goes on, as our flight went on, and our dismay arose. But I will leave it here. It is a real shame to have to write this, but maybe Sample needs a wake-up call. Truly, a great restaurant at one time that has now fallen to the wayside."

[DJL, 1/08] said: "1/19. Terrific. Four of us at 5:30. Beautiful space, nicely appointed lavatories. Brandon our server was very attentive, and the food was a wonderful taste adventure. I am the picky eater of the bunch. The Chef's Flight was our choice. Each of us. Well, the portions were perfect, and the diversity of flavors and textures were great. We were full (that big breath) by the end of four. But we sucked it up and powered on. We did it and were happy with how we managed to do it. Great desserts. Next time, we'll choose separate entrees, but we got to Sample all and I liked 95%. The Mediterranean was not my fav. Oh well. One negative was the coffee. French Press Yay! The flavor of the coffee was disappointing, and it wasn't hot. The tea Janet had was also not hot. We'll be back for certain. We are attempting to follow your list after our Shea's performances and eat our way through it."

[MPM, 11/07] said: "I had heard some chatter about this restaurant, and my wife and I paid it a visit on 11/9. The waitress was fabulous and suggested a Chef's Flight, which was a sampling of everything on their menu staged in 6 courses of 3 items per course. Very creative spin on some favorites like beef on weck, tater tot, pumpkin soup, etc. Very creative matchings and great plate presentation. The Chef's Flight was 6 courses, which was $41, to split with my wife, and we had a bottle of wine. Very reasonable. I am a large man, and I did not walk away hungry. It was a real delightful culinary adventure, not just going out for dinner. I would recommend it to anyone and plan to introduce the experience to as many people that will listen to me."

[ELC, 6/07] said: "A very interesting concept—I ate here in 7/07 and found the food to be quite delicious. The Key Lime Pie in particular was fantastic! It's a little pricy—the cheese board appetizer was good, but not worth $10 in my opinion. They do have a "cocktail party" package, but it should be available without a beverage (it comes with champagne—not good for those who like mixed drinks, wine, or N/A beverages with their dinner), and possibly with salad or something substantial. The food is wonderful and incredibly creative, but don't come here hungry b/c each "bite" will cost you big $$$!"

[SAS, 4/07] said: "Positive. Sample seems like a cross between tapas and a night-long cocktail party. Diners select from an array of morsels (one or two bites each) listed on their regular menu and a nightly specials list. My wife and I started with a raspberry bilini and their "Unbloody Mary", a house specialty made, I can only guess, with yellow tomatoes. It tasted like its bloody cousin, but much lighter in color and texture. Our opening course was a cheese tray (with three fromage samples and homemade crackers) for $10. We then ordered 6-7 "samples" each, priced from about $2.50-$5 each. The focus, of course, is on quality and blends of flavor, not quantity. I particularly liked the "club" sandwich with lobster and pancetta, as well as the lobster ravioli special. The micro beef on weck was very tasty, leaving me wanting more. My wife loved the grilled cheese and tomato soup, a tall shot glass of roasted tomato soup (as advertised) with a matching toy size sandwich of melted goodness. Not much in the way of salad or vegetables on the menu. Dessert was a sample of three creme brulees and a sample of three pastries. Both were very good, but the creme brulees seemed pricy at $6. We enjoyed, and were quite satisfied by, our tasty meals, but we did suggest that they create a package deal with a salad and a customer's selection of samples, say 4 or 6 of them, for a fixed price. We all need our leafy greens!"

Samurai Japanese Grill.
9648 Transit Rd. (in Tops Plaza, near N. French), E. Amherst.
688-7808.

[8/08] Given 3½ (out of 4) stars by Janice Okun, Buffalo News restaurant reviewer.

[KaB, 12/08] says: "I went to lunch at Samurai with two friends that haven't lunched together in years. Buffalo News recommended this restaurant ("Stunning little restaurant that serves beautiful and tasty Asian food."), so we had high expectations. Our server had poor communication skills. After taking our order, she came back and told us that our lunch entrée did not include miso soup and a choice of sushi rolls. We pointed out that the menu said that. She went back to the kitchen and out came the manager, who explained that the menu was printed wrong and if we wanted the soup and sushi we had to order the bento boxes. Rather than disrupt a special lunch, we changed our order. Our lunch came out, and the miso soup was too salty to eat. The bento box was OK, but, having eaten at Wasabi and Kyoto recently, it was nothing special. The manager came over and interrupted our lunch to explain how they don't like to commit to printing the menus when they are getting started up because some items sell and others don't, etc. I can't understand why they can't afford to stand behind the menu. What does a bowl of miso soup and only 3 sushi rolls cost? I can say it cost three people and their families and friends never trying this restaurant. By the way, the décor is nothing to write about. Wasabi and Fuji Grill are comparable."

[m] San Marco Ristorante.
2082 Kensington Ave. (near Harlem), Amherst.
839-5876.

Northern Italian.

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

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

Clearly one of the best restaurants in the area; very expensive.

[CPu, 11/08] says: "Review: Poor. After hearing all the rave reviews, I figured it was time for my first trip to San Marco. I honestly don't see what all the commotion is about. While some would say the atmosphere is "intimate", I call it cramped. We went for an early dinner and were the first party to be seated. The next two couples that arrived were seated right next to us on either side. Literally 2 feet away! Why do that when there was plenty of room to spread us out? Obviously, this bothered the other couples as well, as all three tables spent the evening whispering in a vain attempt to have some privacy. For appetizers, we ordered the lobster ravioli with baby shrimp and the mushroom risotto. I like lobster, I like shrimp, I like ravioli. I hated this appetizer. It tasted way too "fishy". Maybe that is what the chef was going for, but I didn't like it. The mushroom risotto, on the other hand, was awesome. Finally, a restaurant that realizes risotto doesn't always have to be surrounded by pounds of melted cheese and butter. This was by far the best thing we had. For the main course, I ordered the shrimp and scallops in brown sauce with angel hair. My date ordered shrimp with spinach ravioli. The scallops were small, sandy, and had no flavor. The shrimp tasted bitter, mealy, and "off". Maybe it was previously frozen. The sauce, however, was excellent. Same went for the date's dish. Good sauce, bad seafood. The raviolis were OK but nothing to write home about. For dessert, we split the apple pie. It was decent and came with cinnamon gelato, which was tasty. All in all, San Marco did not live up to the hype, and I will not be returning."

[WHN] said:

[4/08] "We returned to San Marco on Friday night, 4/25, for dinner with our son and visiting daughter. Three of us started our meals with one of their often-featured specials, lobster ravioli, with a tomato cream sauce and baby shrimp. The ravioli was perfect this time—not as salty as the last time my wife had it. My son had pasta fagioli—bean and pasta soup—which he pronounced as very good. For the main course, my daughter and I had one of the frequently featured nightly specials—whole fresh rainbow trout with a lemon butter, pink peppercorn, and caper sauce. I've had it before (although I don't recall the pink peppercorns from the last time), and it was, again, delicious. My wife had Chilean sea bass, also finished with a white wine, lemon butter, and caper sauce. Our son had grilled venison, something you don't find very often on restaurant menus in Buffalo—in a Barolo wine sauce. All were accompanied by roasted potatoes and vegetables, and all were excellent. 3 stars."

[4/08] "My wife and I dined at San Marco with another couple on Saturday night, 4/6/08. To start, my wife had lobster ravioli, which she said had a different, and less tasty, sauce than the last time she ordered it a couple months ago, and was also overly salty. I ordered another evening special, cheese-filled tortellini in a cream sauce with mushrooms. It was quite good, but also overly salty for my taste. Our friend and his wife had Caesar salad and the tortellini appetizer, respectively. For main courses, my wife had her San Marco favorite, veal Marsala (which they call something else). I had Sardinian wild boar in a Barolo wine sauce with pink peppercorns, a house specialty. I had it the first time we dined at San Marco years ago, but haven't had it since. It was excellent. My friend had whole rainbow trout, and his wife had filet in a Cognac-pepper-cream sauce. They both said their meals were delicious. The service was less than we've come to expect from San Marco: The meal, which consisted of two courses plus coffee, took nearly three hours. Nevertheless, it's still one of my favorite restaurants."

[2/08] "After a hiatus of about a year and a half, my wife and I dined at San Marco on Thursday night. For appetizers, we both had an evening special of house-made lobster ravioli, topped with a creamy tomato sauce with baby shrimp. Exquisite. For the main course, my wife had the restaurant's version of veal Marsala, made with black truffle oil and topped by porcini mushrooms. I had one of the daily specials—fresh rainbow trout with a lemon butter and caper sauce. Both dinners were accompanied by winter vegetables and roasted potatoes. Both were delicious! For dessert, my wife had a chocolate "dome cake" filled with cappuccino cream. I had a caramel pear tart with vanilla ice cream. The desserts were excellent as well. San Marco remains one of the best restaurants in the area, in my opinion."

[10/06] "Having gotten through 9 days of partial (emergency generator) power, as a result of the "October surprise" storm, I called San Marco on Friday, 10/20, and found that they had just reopened and had a table for two available the next night, albeit either earlier or later than we would have preferred. We opted for earlier—6 p.m. Saturday afternoon, our utility power was restored, so we had reason to celebrate that night. Driving down a darkened Kensington from Main, the street lights, traffic signals, King and I, and other businesses and homes were still dark, without power. We thought San Marco might have lost power again, but the block from San Marco to Harlem was normally lighted. After a glass of Pinot Grigio, my wife and I both had an evening special, an exceptionally tasty shrimp and lobster risotto to start, followed by Caesar salads. For the main course, my wife had a variation of Veal Marsala made with black truffle oil, while I had Vitello Nonna—veal escalopes and eggplant with a creamy, tomato-flavored sauce. Both were tender and delicious. San Marco had not gotten their wine delivery, and were out of the wine that I ordered, but the owner, Frank, recommended an Amarone Valpolicella that was excellent. For dessert, my wife had a chocolate cake, and I had a fresh pear tart, which were both very good. I would rate San Marco as one of my top five favorite Buffalo-area restaurants, along with Rue Franklin, Hutch's, Tempo and Left Bank."

[BL, 8/06] said: "A fine meal for us at an outstanding area restaurant. This was our first time at San Marco's, and we were not too familiar with Northern Italian cuisine. But not a problem. Quality in all areas from ambiance (in our case, we wanted a warm, romantic setting and got it) to service to excellent food and creative menus. We will go back again and try several other items on the menu. Very, very good. But more important, and not trying to sound silly about this, the main ingredient that you feel at San Marco's is an atmosphere of love. There are many repeat patrons who obviously have a warm relationship with the owners, and you see this as they enter and greet each other and are seated. It stepped up a notch our entire dining experience. Very happy, very loving, and then couple that with great food and surroundings—what more could you want? A confident and competent dining establishment. ($103 before tax and tip for shared appetizer, salad, and soup, separate entrees, two glasses of wine each and desserts.)"

[JCr, 1/06] said: "This past weekend, I enjoyed a nice meal at San Marco Ristorante. This was my first dining experience there, and I would say that it was a positive one. I went with a party of 7, and I must say the service was good for the most part. We did wait a while between our first and second courses, and, when the second course did come out, they brought them out individually, and it seemed to be almost 10 minutes between the first entree and the last being served. For our first course, ravioli with lobster, mixed greens salad, and a thin-sliced, cured meat (can't recall what exactly it was) served on a bed of arugula and drizzled with olive oil and balsamic. All of these starters were reported to be very good. For our entrees, most of us ordered off the specials. My fiancee and her mother ordered the sea bass with a pesto sauce, which was said to be tasty but like [Bill's] review was reported to be a bit "crisp". A few other guests ordered the veal special, which I am not sure how it was prepared, but was quite good. My future brother-in-law ordered the wild boar, and I ordered the venison on special; both were cooked with olive oil and balsamic and finished in a type of red-wine reduction with juniper berries. Both of these dishes were very tasty and very tender. A variety of different desserts were had, and all were supposedly very good. All in all, it was a nice dining experience,but there are many restaurants that I prefer that I would return to before this one, and many more that I haven't tried yet that I would visit before a return trip. 8 out of 10."

Bill said:

[10/03] Began with an absolutely exquisite buffalo mozzarella salad with roasted red peppers and artichokes instead of the usual tomatoes (which, they said, were out of season); the mozzarella was soft, almost custard-like. For my main course, I had one of the evening's specials: sea bass in a pesto sauce; it was tasty, but the skin seemed a bit on the crisp (dare I say burned?) side. Dessert was an excellent apple tart with ice cream. As always, the service was impeccable.

[6/99] I was here with [MER], my father, and my son: My father and I started off with a wonderfully tasty risotto with white truffles and porcini and portobello mushrooms, [MER] had a buffalo-milk mozzarella with tomato salad, and we shared a bruschetta—all excellent. For our main course, [MER] had a delicious quail over the same risotto we had had as an appetizer, I had a sea bass in a lemon-caper sauce, and my father had salmon; we all agreed that our meals were excellent (even I, who normally doesn't like sea bass, but the owner recommended it since the chef was no longer making the sole I had originally ordered, on the grounds that it had spoiled). For our 3-year old son, we ordered a plain grilled chicken (not on the menu), which they happily prepared and served with our appetizers. Our desserts were a chocolate cake for our son (which we all shared), a raspberry trifle, and a chocolate-walnut pie, again all superb. The service was excellent.

[AK, 6/99] said: "The other night, my wife and I had a fabulous dinner at San Marco's on Kensington. We called at roughly 7:00 P.M. on Tuesday night and were told that there would be no problem seating us. We were seated promptly and were two of about eight people there. LisaBeth ordered a fresh buffalo mozzarella and red pepper appetizer, while I had an exquisite truffle risotto. I had a very nice Cabernet (I don't recall the vinyard) with the meal. For an entree, I had an excellent spinach ravioli with a sun-dried tomato sauce. LisaBeth had a wild mushroom pasta (it was a pasta I was unfamiliar with—a thin, somewhat wide noodle). I had a magnificent cappuccino, and we shared a double-chocolate (mousse and dark chocolate) cake. The whole meal was slightly over $60 and was truly incredible. Everything was done to perfection. The service was warm and friendly without being intrusive; the waiter and host were both very helpful and knowledgeable. I have not had a better Italian meal in Buffalo. The food has dramatically improved from when I was last at San Marco (when it was in Kenmore)—and it was incredible then."

[RM, 5/00] said: "The best northern Italian restaurant in town. The place to take a visitor to impress them with quality food. Listen to Frank's advice and go with the specials. Truly excellent food. Desserts are good, but not the strength of the restaurant."

[ALS, 6/98] said: "An excellent Northern Italian restaurant"

[RSK, 5/98] said: "I'm not claiming to be an expert, but this is a great restaurant by any standard."

[PW, 5/98] said: "This is the second-best restaurant in Buffalo (to Warren's). Fantastic and unusual food." [Editor's note: Warren's has closed.]

[GDT, 8/96] said: "By a wide margin, the best Italian restaurant in Western New York. The Grimaldis (Nancy is the chief of the kitchen, Frank is the master of the floor) put together a delightful combination of well-prepared food, delicious wines, and warm surroundings that sum to a wonderful dining experience. The emphasis is on northern Italian cooking, principally Tuscan but with a generous Venetian influence as well. Particularly well-prepared game courses, such as the ever-present grilled quail and the more seasonal wild boar, rabbit, and red tipped venison, are the pride of the place. Vegetarians (my wife is one) find a half dozen pastas, soups, risottos (on occasion), and polentas to choose from. Appetizers include the quail (rated by my French friends as better than their French brethren); the mixed antipasto, which includes a very good prosciutto from Parma; and freshly roasted red peppers with fresh bocconcini. Soups include pasta e fagioli, which can be ordered spicy or mild. Many of the pastas are freshly made locally, including the gnocchi, which are as light as air. Linda, the pasta cook, is particularly adept as pulling the pasta from the water within seconds of perfection. This restaurant cooks all its pasta on order, as opposed to the usual practice in other `Italian' restaurants of pre-cooking the pasta and re-heating it at meal time. Among the favorite main courses here is the salmon finished with a light lemon sauce; others choose the gamberi, the large shrimp finished on the grill and served in a shallot sauce that is flambeed in cognac. The kitchen is open to suggestion on side dishes and saucing. The wine list recently admitted a few well-chosen California vintages to complement the great Italian choices, including seven Brunellos, six Chiantis, and a number of Barolos, Barberas, and Pinot Grigios. Service is efficient and friendly without being smarmy. While a good Brunello di Montalcino Talenti can easily boost the cost of a meal past the century mark for two, it is still possible to eat modestly in cost, yet feel immodestly well fed and wined. Are there any negatives? Sure. Desserts, with the notable exception of Nancy's tiramisu, are not made on site. San Marco is open Tuesday through Sunday nights from about 5PM. There is absolutely no smoking."

[ALS, 8/96] said: "Excellent environment in their new location and wonderful northern Italian cuisine."

[PJE] said:

[5/95] "Very good, though I've eaten their menu, I think."

[5/94] "Very good (better than Just Pasta now, I think)." [Editor's note: Just Pasta has closed.]

[BJ, 6/94] said: "I greatly enjoyed the pasta and salad. Not much for vegetarians here, but whatever they had was very good."

Santasiero's Restaurant.
1329 Niagara St. (West Side), Buffalo.
886-9197.

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

[JCr, 1/08] says: "Can you really beat this place as far as price goes? My parents took my brother and me to this place every Sunday for dinner during the summers on our way back from Bay Beach, and I am quite fond of this place. I have not dined here in many many years, but I still occasionally order take-out from here, and it is always fantastic and quite affordable. My mother still makes the best red sauce, but Santasiero's is a close second; however, their meatballs are second to none. I really love this place and hope it sticks around for many, many more years to come."

[LE, 5/07] says: "Santasiero's was a favorite place to eat dinner when I grew up and lived in Buffalo, and remains a favorite when I got back to visit. The food has been consistently great throughout the decades. Santasiero's has a charming menu posted on the paneled wall in the back room of the tavern. The food is incredible for such a cheap price. The sauce is excellent. Their pasta fasoul (spelling?) is just about the best in the entire country. Santasiero's is a precious gem for people coming back to their hometown. Its warm, casual, down-to-earth atmosphere, large portions, and great food all make for a comforting, homey experience."

[MEL, 6/99] says: "Good, nutritious fast food in a quaintly blue-collar setting. Just go to this little bar/restaurant on an industrial street, ask for a plate of spaghetti, and for $3.75 you have a good, filling meal in about 3 minutes (and the bread comes about 2 minutes before that!)."

[MD, 4/98] says: "Another fine Italian restaurant....Talk about vintage West Side buildings, I felt like I was in Sicily! Just take a look at the ceiling in the front room."

[am] Santora's Phase II.
1402 Flint Rd. (across from Marriott and Red Roof, in Triad Apartment Bldg.), Amherst.
688-3081.

Delivers subs, pizzas, wings.

[GF, 12/05] says: "Ordered wings and pizza from here for a large group: two large pizzas and two 50-wing buckets. I had ordered from here before, and it was OK. This time, terrible! The cheese barely covered the pizza, and there was minimal pepperoni. The flavor of the wings was all right, but nothing worth writing home about. To make it worse, there were obvious little tufts or whatnot (where the feathers had been plucked) in the skin. Gross! I know they started that way, but no one wants to see that before you bite into it."

Sara's Deli.
Suite 122, 55 Cross Point Pkwy., Getzville.
636-7272.

[CCo, 8/07] says: "This place specializes in Mediterranean and American food. They have excellent take-out service or, if you prefer, they have a few tables to sit at. You can also buy lotto, cigarettes, snacks, beer, coffee, and other beverages. I chose to have the chicken-finger basket—talk about good food, great pricing, and a good amount (I couldn't finish the entire meal). The fingers were more like my hand size, and I could order them any way I wanted. My companion choose one of their wraps, which was plentiful as well as made to order on your choice of honey wheat, white, or tomato wrap. I will continue to patronize this establishment; they are great!!"

Saville's Farm Market.
3910 N. Buffalo St. (Rt. 240), Orchard Park.
662-4485.

[EC, 8/04] says: "A neighbor told me about the pies that Saville's makes. I kick myself for not trying them sooner, but I bought an apple pie there last Friday. It was so tasty that it didn't last more than 12 hours!!! I simply couldn't stop eating the pie! It was the best I've ever had. They're baked fresh each morning on the premises by the owners. Definitely worth the trek to Orchard Park!!! There is a wonderful selection of fresh fruits & vegetables as well. Much fresher, and much cheaper than the local supermarkets."

Sawyer Creek Hotel.
3264 Niagara Falls Blvd., North Tonawanda, NY.
694-2168.

[ES, 1/07] says: "I went to the Sawyer Creek Hotel for lunch on a Friday afternoon, my first time there. As I waited to place my order, the ccok came from the kitchen and dumped the swill container (the container that catches the overflow from the beer taps) into a pitcher and then continued to fill the pitcher with fresh beer from the taps. He said he was making beer batter for this evening fish frys. Oh my good; can you believe this? I went back a second time, this time just to have a beer and see if he did it again. Again, it was a Friday afternoon, and sure enough, he did it again. Needless to say, I will never eat at that restaurant again. Never. I have contacted the Niagara County Health Department and hope that they address this issue. Can you imagine what they do back in that kitchen?"

[SD, 11/06] says: "Several years ago, we visited this restaurant. I ordered a fish fry, and, although the fish was good, the macaroni salad was spoiled. We didn't see the waitress again until we were finished eating. When I told her the food was spoiled, her response was, "Oh", and she took my plate away. She never apologized or took anything off my bill. Since I don't like to make a scene, I just left vowing never to return. Last week, we decided to give the place a second chance, since it is very close to our home. I ordered the filet mignon, and my husband ordered the baby back ribs. My filet was so tough I couldn't cut it with the steak knife. And my husband's ribs were nothing but fat. I did complain about the steak, because I couldn't even chew it, and the waitress did apologize and ask if I would like something else. I decided on the roast beef sandwich, because I thought it would be quick. 15 minutes later, I received my sandwich, and it was very fatty, but at least it was shredded fat. The restaurant is also very dirty, and the ceiling looks like it is about to cave in. I will never return and would just like to warn others not to waste their money. The fact that there were only 2-3 other couples in the place on a Saturday night should have been a clue. Also, on my credit card receipt, the restaurant was listed as Rico's Cafe, not Sawyer Creek...?"

[a] Say Cheese! Pizza Co..
545 W. Klein Rd. (near Hopkins Rd., near Dash's Plaza), Williamsville.
689-9477.

Possibly part of a chain. There's also a restaurant with this name on Grand Island.

[WHN, 11/08] says: "Their pizza and wings are fairly good, but the second last time we ordered, they left the mushrooms we had ordered off the pizza, and forgot the bleu cheese and celery that come with the wings. I don't know if we were charged for the mushrooms, but when I called about the missing bleu cheese, they said they would deduct $2 the next time we ordered. Next time, they forgot."

[ECB, 8/06] said: "We received a coupon for a free pizza and decided to give this place a try. It's your usual hole-in-the-wall local pizza joint that does pick-up and delivery exclusively. We got a pepperoni and green olive pizza for our coupon and added an order of fifteen hot wings and a 2-liter of Coke (after being told they were out of root beer). Went to pick it up and were told they were out of Coke as well, so we ended up with Cherry Coke. Got the food home. The pizza was OK, about what you'd expect, but it was sloppily sliced (irregular sizes and only cut halfway through). The wings barely had any sauce, putting them on the mild side of mild, and there were only eleven. Not a place I'll be ordering from again."

La Scala Ristorante.
9210 Transit Rd., East Amherst.
213-2777.

[WHN] says:
[6/09] "We went to La Scala with our son, daughter, and grandson last night, Thursday, 6/11. We started with salads, since the small dinner salads that once came with entrees are no longer included. Both the house green salads and "de-constructed" Caesar salads were very good. My wife and I had veal Marsala and veal piccata, respectively. Our son had an evening special, cowboy rib-eye steak. Our daughter had eggplant parmesan. Our grandson had "1/2 roasted chicken La Scala". All the food was very good, but the half chicken was more like a quarter chicken, with a drumstick and thigh and a little white meat, presumably part of a breast. He's not a big eater, so it was fine, but an adult or hearty eater would have had a problem with the serving size. My only other complaint was that, although we were seated at a round table with plenty of room, our server said "excuse my reach", two or three times, then reached in front of me to put or remove a dish at or from my wife's place. He could have just as easily served from my other side or walked a few steps to the other side of the table. Maybe I'm being picky, but I found it very annoying. Still, an excellent meal overall."

[9/08] "We returned to La Scala for the first time in about a year with another couple last Saturday night, 9/20. We had dined with them there about three years ago and were put in a nondescript banquet room and subjected to poor service and food of varying quality. Our friends were completely turned off and had not been back since. This time, I specifically asked that we not be put in a windowless back room and was assured we would be in one of the main dining rooms. To start, three of us had their delicious crab cakes, with what the menu describes as horseradish aioli. They were excellent, although my wife says hers, made with lump backfin crab meat and nearly zero filler, are better. The fourth member of our party ordered a Caesar salad, which was served when the rest of us were served small house salads, which are included with entrees except when salads are ordered. For main courses, our friends both ordered filet mignon, which they said were perfectly cooked and tender. My wife enjoyed her veal Marsala, which she said was better than Pietro's. She also liked the potato and vegetable sides better than Pietro's side of pasta, but that's a matter of personal preference. My main course of veal Portofino, with mushrooms, artichokes, and fresh tomatoes, was excellent. No one else wanted dessert, but when I heard key lime pie on the verbal menu, I had to try it. It was delicious. Our friends were happy that they gave La Scala a second chance, and agreed that it was too bad that they had waited so long to return."

[8/07] "We met another couple for dinner at La Scala last night (8/18/07). It was our first return visit in nearly two years. My wife started her meal with the "Fattoush" salad of mixed greens. Our waiter warned her that it was "hot", but she told him she liked spicy foods. Actually, she thought the salad, and especially the dressing, was bland and not at all spicy. She said she would not order it again. [Editor's note: I don't normally interrupt reviews, but here I can't resist observing that one person's "hot" is another's "mild": I had the Fattoush once and found it so hot that I never had it again, but my "supertasting" taste buds just don't like spicy foods. I think "mild" wings are hot enough. So the fact that [WHN]'s wife didn't think the Fattoush was spicy doesn't necessarily mean that it wasn't :-). And now back to the review....] The rest of us ordered Caesar salads, which were very good. A few diced tomatoes and a slice of prosciutto were served to the side, which was a nice added touch. For the main course, our wives had a nightly seafood special—monkfish in a saffron-flavored wine sauce. The fish dish was described as fabulous and "absolutely delicious". My friend and I had both had veal Francaise—egg-coated veal escallops, sauteed, and served with capers and lemon. It was perfect. We skipped dessert, but ordered coffee. Our friends lived in Italy for five years and said the coffee tasted just like Italian coffee."

[10/05] "Our second visit to La Scala was somewhat disappointing. The food was still very good, with three exceptions—cold mashed potatoes with two of the dinners, one tough steak (out of four), and the coffee wasn't hot. But first... our reservation was "lost". Once "found", we were put in a back room with no atmosphere, no ambiance, and no decor, except for a room-wide mirror on one wall, and large, red "EXIT" signs over the doors. Very depressing to spend $100+ per couple for dinner, and be put in a room that has all the charm of a warehouse. In general, the service was disjointed: The bread arrived after we finished our appetizers, and our main courses arrived before our salads, which we would not have gotten at all if we hadn't reminded the waiter. Yes, we will go back, but we will definitely specify we do not want to be put in one of their "banquet rooms"."

[9/05] "Excellent! I drove by La Scala many times recently, and wondered when it would open. After reading your review, I learned it was open and made a reservation to celebrate my sister-in-law's birthday. When we pulled in, we noticed their grand opening sign and hoped they wouldn't be overwhelmed. No fear. We were promptly seated, and the service was impeccable and perfectly paced. We shared several appetizers: excellent crab cakes—probably part of the above-mentioned La Marina legacy—fried calamari, and baked goat cheese salad. A small house salad is also included with each entree. My wife and brother-in-law both had pork bracciole ($24), which they agreed was tender and delicious, with a red-sauced pasta on the side. I had one of the daily specials, veal chop saltimbocca ($38), which was cooked perfectly to medium rare, as ordered. It was served with an unusual, sweet, but tasty, fig risotto. My sister-in-law had sole, sauteed, I think ($21), which she said was also excellent. This also came with a side of pasta. All dinners included a vegetable (zucchini), too. My wife and I shared key lime pie for dessert, and my brother- and sister-in-law shared a cannoli. Both desserts were very good. The coffee is imported from Italy, our waiter told us. Although we had decaf, it was fresh brewed and strong, as coffee in Italy usually is. The wine list is quite good and fairly extensive, although with somewhat fewer Italian wines than I had expected. Pasta dishes are available in half portions for those who want a pasta course, or a side dish with their entree, as well as full portions as an entree. We were told they're open for dinner only, so this may have changed since the August review. We're looking forward to returning very soon."

[ECB] said:

[6/09] "My wife and I have been here twice to sit and eat, and both times found it thoroughly enjoyable. This is why it saddened me that, when we opted to order a pizza for take-out, the experience was so disappointing. The Juliana pizza was strangely cut: not the perfect slices we had in house but an odd collection of different-sized pieces at odd angles. The two fattoush salads we ordered were sparse and missing their toasted pitas. Both of us agreed we won't be ordering out from there again."

[3/09] "On the basis of the wonderful reviews it received here, my wife [AAB] and I went to La Scala for my birthday back in January. We were immediately blown away by the wonderful decor. The restaurant is beautiful and perfectly set up so that the tables aren't so close as to seem crowded, and the light level is just low enough to be intimate without making it hard to read menus. Our server was wonderful, helpful, and attentive. The complimentary olive tapenade was excellent, and our appetizers, mussels and stuffed peppers, came quickly and were remarkable, followed by Fattoush and Caesar salads that were just as good. The only down point came with the main course. My wife's Ahi Tuna was spectacular, but my Seafood Trio was bland and uninspiring. We finished up with excellent coffee, cinnamon gelato, and key lime pie. On the way out, I chatted with the hostess while waiting for my wife to return from the bathroom, and she sensed my reservations when I said the meal was good, and was very interested in knowing what I ordered and why I wasn't pleased with it rather than just accepting my words at face value. I was very impressed by this. We will definitely be returning, particularly to give their pizzas a try."

Bill said:

In a word, superb! Italian, by way of Lebanon, with at least one chef from the late lamented Pranzo.

[3/09] MER and I had another wonderful meal here on a Friday evening (they now have a new menu). MER had her usual filet mignon, as good as always. I began with the soup du jour: cream of asparagus—a rich, deep green in color, with bits of asparagus and bits of brie that melted while eating (drinking?) the soup; delicious. For my main course, I had the seafood risotto: "Baby Lobster Tail, Shrimp, Calamari and Asparagus Tips in Saffron Risotto"—exquisite. For dessert, we both had a rich lemon cake and excellent coffee. As always, the service by Tom Vullo was professional in every way.

[1/09] MER, our friend visiting from Indiana, and I ate here on a Monday night, originally intending just to have a light dinner of pizza, but MER and our friend were tempted by a slightly new menu to have a roast chicken (with a smoky flavor) with garlic mashed potatoes and broccoli, asparagus, and carrots; the latter were done to perfection, and the whole dish was exquisite. I stuck to our original plan and had a Pasqualina pizza: pesto sauce, ricotta, sauteed chicken, fresh spinach leaves, and caramelized onion. Really good, though enough for two (I took the other half home).

[10/08] La Scala catered our son's Bar Mitzvah party. The catering was done off-site at The Tonawanda Castle, whose facilities left something to be desired from the perspective of an outside caterer. But La Scala came through with flying colors. Under very adverse conditions, they prepared a meal as good as anything we've eaten at the restaurant: caprese salad; ziti with Bolognese sauce; filet mignon and grilled salmon served with roasted, red, baby potatoes, asparagus, carrots, and sunburst squash; accompanied by homemade bread and their wonderful olive tapenade. Dessert was a pear poached in wine, covered with chocolate, and served with Mascarpone cheese, as well as a dessert buffet of Italian pastries. The coffee was every bit as good as you would have expected in the restaurant. Kids had a burger bar with various toppings and, for dessert, a do-it-yourself sundae bar with various toppings. Superb. (I'll add that the rest of the party was also superbly organized and overseen by Event Elements, who have organized several events for us before.)

[5/08] Stopped in for an early, impromptu dinner without reservations on a night when they were fully booked, but the (new) hostess, who didn't recognize us, offered to seat us in the pizza dining area, which we happily accepted. I began with the pear, strawberry, walnut, and arugula salad with a citrus vinaigrette; it was light and fresh. For my main course, I chose one of the daily specials, a tender and sweet, pan-seared butterfish with a crunchy, tropical fruit salsa (avocado, pineapple, mango, honeydew), accompanied by the most delicious ("Mediterranean") rice I've ever had—a secret ingredient that might have included some cinnamon (it tasted a bit like shortbread). [MER] had her usual, tender, delicious filet mignon cooked medium. For dessert (or "desert", as their on-line menu spells it), we shared the cooked-to-order Godiva chocolate soufflé—a sort of dark chocolate cake-like pudding with hot, melted chocolate in the center. The service, headed by the ever-attentive Tom Vullo with excellent assistance, was perfection as usual.

[11/07] Returned with [MER], my stepson, and my 12-year-old son. La Scala now has a slightly new menu, with more extensive seafood items. I began with an off-the-menu field-green salad with fried leeks, garbanzo beans, beets, tomatoes, and what may have been portobello mushroom slices with melted bleu cheese (which I avoided like the plague) in a balsamic vinaigrette: a perfect starter. For my main course, I had the new Seafood Trio: canatappi pasta (curly macaroni), asparagus, artichokes, spinach, tomatoes, large shrimp, huge scallops, and a baby lobster tail: delicious. [MER] began with a special appetizer: coconut shrimp with polenta, which she loved, and had filet mignon as her entree, tender and tasty as always. My stepson loved his gnocchi with steak tips in a cream sauce (another new menu item), and my son loved his cheese-and-pepperoni pizza (ordered from the separate pizza menu). Once again, a superb meal, and the waitstaff, headed by Tom Vullo, was—as always—impeccable.

[4/07] [MER] and I returned with a friend from out of town. As usual, the food, service, and ambience were superb. [MER] and our guest began with appetizers of beefsteak (unfortunately misspelled as "beef stake") tomatoes and fresh mozzarella sliced with red onion rings and fresh basil, with an olive oil and raspberry honey balsamic vinaigrette; they were both pleased, as was I with my rich and creamy, lightly fried, sweet-potato gnocchi in a maple-walnut cream sauce. For their main courses, [MER] and guest opted for the "cowboy filet", tender as all La Scala's steaks are. I opted for a northern Italian shellfish stew with clams, mussels, shrimp, and scallops, sauteed in San Marzano tomato broth with cannellini, banana peppers, and crostini: delicious. Excellent coffee, and, for dessert, I had a wonderful tiramisu. Be warned: La Scala is not inexpensive; our meal, with wine, came to over $200.

[12/06] [MER] and I stopped by for a late, light supper. I began with a slightly-too-salty shrimp bisque filled with lots of tiny shrimp, followed by the mussels alla romana: sauteed with garlic, basil, cannelini beans, tomatoes, and roasted red peppers in a white wine lemon sauce; delicious—the only thing I should have asked for was a spoon to scoop it all up with. As always, the service was impeccable.

[8/06] I began my meal with a grilled romaine salad with aged balsamic, strawberries, and candied pecans; it was tasty, but I must admit that I didn't like the consistency of the grilled lettuce, and the dressing was a bit overpowering. However, my Mediterranean pasta was excellent: caramelized scallops, sauteed shrimp, and the largest mussels I've ever seen, along with Kalamata olives, artichokes, baby spinach, sundried tomatoes, and red-wine-soaked feta over whole-wheat penne.

[6/06] I returned and ordered from the menu of daily specials. I began with a citrus salad with Bibb lettuce, strawberries, kiwi, and (I think) avocado, with a honey vinaigrette and toasted pine nuts; light and tasty—a great start to a meal. For the main course, I had a caramelized halibut over roasted potatoes, finished with grilled pineapple, mango salsa, and grilled lime, topped with a white wine, lemon, and butter sauce. The salsa had just enough tang, but not overpowering the delicate fish. My 10-year-old son had a pepperoni pizza, which was quite good—more along the lines of the pizzas we've had in France than anything else available in Buffalo.

[4/06] I came with some colleagues and a visiting lecturer; I had a special: pan-roasted filet of escolar (a white fish), with roasted potato and grilled asparagus served with a homemade pesto sauce and a homemade ravioli. The fish was excellent, the asparagus and roast potatoes quite tasty; the lone ravioli, however, was overly al dente. My colleagues seemed to enjoy their meals, too.

[2/06] [MER] began with sauteed artichokes battered with parmesan and egg; delicious. For my main course, I had Alaskan halibut, pan seared over artichoke risotto with citrus buerre blanc, garnished with a jumbo shrimp; excellent. Dessert was a wonderful tiramisu. My 10-year-old son had a pepperoni pizza, which he enjoyed (and which I had as a leftover for lunch the next day; also excellent, even for my NYC pizza taste buds :-).

[9/05] We returned and were equally pleased. I ordered from their "specials"-of-the-day menu: Caprese Roma Tomatoes with Sweet Basil, Bocconcini Mozzarella, and Red Onions as an appetizer salad, followed by Golden Rainbow Trout broiled with Apple-Smothered Bacon, Roasted Garlic and Thyme, over Orange and Yellow Snow Crab Lentils with Asparagus, with a Warm Roasted Garlic Sherry Vinaigrette. I was worried about the bacon ovewhelming the trout, but it was merely wrapped around the outside and could easily be ignored; the lentils were nicely crunchy and tasty—altogether a successful dish. For dessert, I was offered a surprise, since it was my birthday: hazelnut ice cream with chocolate sauce and whipped cream, accompanied by various fruits (straw-, rasp-, and blueberries, watermelon, pineapple).

[8/05] [MER] and I ate here a few weeks before its official opening, having asked the manager (a friend of ours, as are the owners, who overlap with the ownership of La Marina) if they were serving yet and being told that, though not yet officially open, they had had a "soft" opening about a week before and had been doing a brisk drive-by business since then, which just goes to show how this East Amherst neighborhood had been desperate for this kind of restaurant. Located in the former Salonika site, but completely—and elegantly—redecorated (with separate private dining rooms that are wi-fi equipped and separate pizza and drinks bars), their nearest competitors would be Pietro's and Calvaneso's (definitely not the much more informal Salonika that it replaced). Before eating, we were given a small dish of a scrumptious olive tapenade to spread on bread (along with oil, if we preferred). We both began with the $7 La Scala Fattoush salad ("field greens tossed with tomatoes, onion, cucumbers, toasted pita, dressed with extra virgin olive oil, lemon juice & Cayenne"), which can be ordered plain, mild, medium, or hot (the pita bits are soaked in varying degrees of Cayenne); we ordered "mild" and it was plenty tangy. [MER] had the $32 filet mignon ("10 Ounce served over roasted potato [actually, the potato was displayed vertically to the side of the steak], vegetable [asparagus the night we were here, cooked to perfection], gorgonzola bread & Cabernet demi"); it, too, was cooked to perfection and as tender as marshmallows. I had the $25 bouillabaisse "Marseilles" ("Baby lobster tail, clams, mussels, shrimp, scallops & catch of the day served in an herb tomato broth served with a parmesan cheese crouton"); though not quite as garlicky or saffrony as I like, it was delicious. Dessert for [MER] was a delicious trifle; for me, a chocolate-wafer cup filled with mixed berries; exquisite. We'll be back for more! (Other options included a daily "Minestra"; Caesar salad or baked goat cheese salads; roasted banana peppers, crab cakes, or fried calamari appetizers; a clam and oyster bar; various pastas; tripe, chicken, bethanjhan (stuffed eggplant), seafood, or bracciole among the entreés (as well as daily specials). The separate "Pranzo" lunch menu includes the daily "Minestra", several salads, various panini and pastas, and three varieties of pizza. They also do home and office catering, as well as private parties.)

[GOw, 4/08] said: "On a recent Saturday night, we decided to check out this seemingly-always-busy restaurant on Transit Road. I called at 7:30 pm and asked what the chances of getting a table for two were and was told there was a 40 minute wait. I made a 9 pm reservation. We were seated immediately in one of the busiest (fine dining) restaurants I have been in. Wow, I think they may just make a go of it here. The bar was packed and most every table was full with quite a few parties of 6. This is a noisy place—a good noisy. It creates a sense of excitement and anticipation when everyone seems so happy and having a good time. We were able to have fun doing some people watching—lots of interesting characters. The place is beautifully decorated, with warmth and a very cool waterfall. It takes a little maneuvering to get to the restroom—had to elbow a few men in Armani standing around the bar to get there. J had a nice Chianti, and I stuck with a lager. They have no beer on draft; bottles only. I thought our server just forgot to bring me a glass; then I noticed a few other guys drinking right out of the bottle, so I said what the heck and took a good swallow. Seems a little too fancy a place to suck beer out of the bottle, but I am fine with that. We ordered the fried calamari, and it was very good. I believe it had a cornmeal based coating. Nice and crunchy, and the marinara sauce was very good. They also have a bread server who brings bread, olive oil, and an olive tapenade. This was fine. Our server never mentioned a salad, and I assumed it was à la carte, but then he came with 2 dinner salads; I am glad we like Italian dressing, since we were not asked. Not a problem; it seemed a bonus to get this. J ordered the La Scala Eggplant, which was excellent! This is not a typical eggplant parm. This was 3 thickly-sliced pieces of eggplant, crisp and delicious with excellent sauce and al dente spaghetti. Truly, this was one fine entree. I had the chicken marsala—I know, terribly boring of me when there were so many other interesting items to order, but I was very happy with my choice. I love the taste of the marsala sauce with the mushrooms. These were not canned mushrooms, nice and fresh—Portobello perhaps. A good, albeit comfortable, choice. We like this place and will be back."

[MRT, 12/05] said: "This is a superb restaurant. When you are first seated at your table, you are brought a basket of delicious bread as well as a very tasty olive tapenade and extra virgin olive oil. It was difficult to hold back on enjoying the bread to save room for the rest of our meals For appetizers, my husband and I each ordered off the specials. I ordered a portabella mushroom stuffed with salmon. The taste was outstanding 10/10. My husband ordered their lobster bisque, as well as their crab cakes from their regular menu. I tasted his crab cakes, and they were excellent (10/10). He rates their lobster bisque 8/10 as compared to Hutch's. My husband ordered the Dover sole off the special menu. He rates that 7/10 as compared to the Dover sole of the long lost Grano restaurant in Clarence. I ordered their filet mignon. My filet was perfectly cooked, and accompanied with spinach and mashed potatoes. I rate their filet mignon 10/10. Both of our meals were accompanied with an excellent simple salad. For dessert, my husband ordered a Godiva chocolate eruption. I ordered tiramisu. We rate both desserts 10/10." [MRT] returned [11/07]: "Last weekend, on Saturday, 11/3/07, my husband and I visited la Scala for dinner. We once compared La Scala with Hutch's. My husband ordered three appetizers for dinner: crab cakes and 2 items from the specials list: a shrimp tempura and a pasta with steak tips. I began with the La Scala Fattoush Salad, and a fish from the specials list with shrimp risotto. My husband was not terribly impressed with his dishes. I adored my salad, and so I was very much looking forward for my main dish. I was very disappointed in the fish. It smelled fishy—it was not terribly tasty. I left most of it over. I did enjoy the risotto and the sautéed vegetables that accompanied the dish. I must say that the service at La Scala is exceptional. We did not order desert (no item appealed to us). Editor's comment: They could not order dessert, however, because the menu only offers "desert"!] Rather, we ordered coffee and espresso. Sadly, we are crossing La Scala off our list of excellent restaurants. We drove to Butterwood Gourmet Desserts, where we greatly enjoyed our deserts.

[MJH, 9/05] said: "If you are looking for spaghetti and meat ball type restaurant you are at the wrong place I was very disappointed. Nice restaurant but no Italian food."

[] Scallion Bistro.
60 Chautauqua Ave., Lakewood.
763-0051.

[8/08] This year-old restaurant is located in the heart of the quaint-village area of Lakewood, near Jamestown and the Chautauqua Institution. We were there on a Friday night, and the place was hopping. And no wonder: The food is excellent. We shared the bruschetta with basil pesto, plum tomatoes, and melted mozzarella; three big slices, very tasty. For entrees, I [Bill] had the Miller's Wife: sauteed Holland sole with lemon beurre blanc and asparagus; it was exquisite. It was accompanied by a salad of mixed greens with a very light Dijon dressing. [MER] began with a French onion soup that seemed to have a minestrone-like base (instead of a beef-broth base); she pronounced it "spectacular". Her entree was a veal Madeira with wild mushrooms, shallots, and wine, which she also thought was excellent and superior to the more usual veal Marsala. One of our companions had the Bar Harbor: pan-seared sea scallops over lobster risotto with lemon scallion vinaigrette; she was very pleased with her meal. And her daughter had the Bistro Steak: a 10 oz. sirloin strip steak with wild mushroom saute and scallion butter, cooked rare to perfection, and described as being tender as butter. Between the salad course and the entrees, we were served a blackberry sorbet. Three of us opted for desserts (none made in house, though occasionally some are, we were told): a very light triple-berry flan cake, an almond torte, and a chocolate peanut-butter pie; all were excellent. The service, though a bit leisurely, was excellent (our server and the bartender recognized us from Vullo's, where they used to work and where we often eat). We'll be back soon!

Scharf's Schiller Park.
34 S. Crossman (in East Buffalo, off Genesee St., between Pine Ridge and Bailey, near the Cheektowaga town line), Buffalo.
895-7249.

[CMe, 11/08] says: "I am unhappy to report an awful experience at this highly recommended restaurant. We waited an hour and 15 minutes for our dinner with a waitress who never once returned to check for drinks or quality of food (which was awful!: tough squares of roast beef and reheated canned green beans). When we questioned her on it, she told us, "I was in the kitchen; they make us scrape our own dishes." We brought a visiting friend there; never again."

[BMcWS, 7/07] said: "Finding Scharf's is a bit tricky, and the neighborhood it is in is not the best, but this is surely a piece of authentic Buffalo. Call ahead to find out their hours. On the night we went, they were only open until 7. Also, skip going on Fridays, since the fish fry replaces the dumplings. Don't be alarmed when you get there—the restaurant can be found by going through the old-time tavern. Three of us enjoyed sauerbraten, potato pancakes, Wiener schnitzel, German potato salad, and sweet and sour cabbage. Everything was excellent. The sauerbraten was fork tender. The potato pancakes were thick and crunchy. All the sides were excellent. The place was practically empty when we were there on a Friday night, which is a shame since the food here was truly excellent. We also enjoyed the rye bread that came before our meals, and found our included salads pleasant."

[DY, 9/02] said: "One of the few places left where you can get authentic German cuisine in Buffalo (I recommend that you don't go there for burgers or steak, although I'm sure they're excellent; instead, enjoy ethnic cuisine that you can't find elsewhere). Their sauerbraten is as good as I've ever had, as are their potato pancakes, spaetzle, and dumplings. The German band music and wall decorations lend a homey feel to this German-American treasure."

[MEL, 3/98] said: "Standard German fare at cheap prices; I had a beef and noodles entree which was pretty good."

Schimschack's Restaurant.
2943 Upper Mountain Rd., Sanborn.
731-4111.

[WHN, 5/09] says: "We have not been to Schimschack's in a very, very long time, but on Saturday night, 5/30, we met my wife's sister and our brother-in-law there for dinner. My in-laws have been there many times and love it. Unfortunately, the sometimes ‘spectacular’ view of Lake Ontario and the Toronto skyline was obscured by haze. Two loaves of house-baked bread divided into three parts—white, dark and cheese-flavored —preceded the appetizers. As for the meal, my in-laws split an appetizer of barbecued, baby back ribs, while my wife and I ordered sherry crab soup. My wife is usually sensitive to saltiness, but she thought the soup was fine, while I felt it was extremely salty, bordering on inedible. The tossed green salads included with the entrees were quite good. For entrees, my wife ordered shrimp scampi over rice, and her sister ordered scallops au gratin with a side dish of rice. I ordered a strip steak, cooked medium rare, ‘more toward the rare side’, while my brother-in-law ordered a filet, cooked medium. Everyone else enjoyed their meals, but my steak came well-done. I had ordered a side dish of bearnaise sauce, which alleviated the dryness of the overcooked steak to some extent. I probably should have complained and sent it back."

[MTe, 2/09] said: "My husband and I had the Early Bird specials here on 2/15/09. On the plus side, you can't beat the price of $13.95 for soup, salad, bread, entree, dessert, and coffee. The view was spectacular (we could see Toronto), with all tables situated so that you can enjoy it. However, the food was mediocre at best. Soup tasted like canned broth; salad consisted of all iceberg lettuce. Dessert choices were limited to ice cream and a lemon cream pie that I found inedible. On the plus side, both entrees (beef Stroganoff and prime rib) were quite good, though they are not served with any vegetable at all. Service was competent but not friendly. If you are in the area (we had been wine tasting on the escarpment) and recognize that this is not haute cuisine, it is not a bad choice—especially on a clear day."

[SMD, 5/05] said: "I had the pleasure of dining at Schimschacks recently. I was a little skeptical, given recent reviews, but it turned out to be one of the most pleasurable dining experiences that I have had in a long time. While enjoying the view, we dined on Chicken Rolundo, a boneless breast stuffed with spinach, smoked ham, swiss cheese, and topped with a white sauce and their house specialty of baby back ribs. Both entrees were delicious and well prepared. The ribs just fell off the bone and were served with a sweet tomato, not hickory, BBQ sauce on the side. The chicken was equally satisfying. Really delish! The service was attentive and professional, and we both remarked how nice it was to dine in a restaurant where the only noise was the murmured conversations of the other diners, not music blaring in ears. For dessert, we opted for the bananas Foster, which was prepared tableside. It was totally decadent and a great ending to a really lovely meal. All of the diners around us seemed pretty happy, too. I will definitely return to Schimschacks."

[J&NS] said:

[2/05] "I'd like to respond to the latest review of Schimshacks by [LG&ST]. If they had been patronizing this restaurant for years with fond memories, why do they let one evening stop them from coming back? As I read the review, it appeared that the restaurant tried to make amends with a gift certificate and a round of drinks. The main problem to their evening was an inexperienced waiter that had missed an order and forgot to credit the table with a round of drinks. I have been to this restaurant a number of times and have always enjoyed the evening with my wife. I think everyone is deserving of a second chance, especially since [LG&ST] have been going there for years. They shouldn't let one waiter's forgetfulness and inexperience keep them from coming to a place that they have enjoyed for years. That's my take."

[11/03] "My wife and I have been going to Schimschack's Restaurant for a number of years and have always found the food very delicious, the view outstanding—especially at sunset—and the ambiance very enjoyable and relaxing. I'm not going to be repetitive to [T&CT, 4/03]'s writeup, but that is exactly the way we see this place. The Banana Foster is an excellent way to finish off a meal split for the two of us. It's about a 50-minute drive for us to get there from Lancaster, but it's always worth the trip. I recommend, to those interested, to get there before sunset. It adds to the romance of the evening. 3 stars!!!"

[LG&ST, 1/05] said: "A party of 6 of us went to Schimschack's this past summer. This is a restaurant my husband and I have been patronizing for years with fond memories. What a disappointment this past visit was. The waiter was harried and inattentive. When he brought our food, everyone's arrived but mine. The reason? I quote our waiter—"Sorry, but your order didn't make it to the kitchen." Hmm, didn't make it to the kitchen? What happened in that no man's land between our table and the kitchen? When my meal did finally arrive, most of my party was finished eating. Within minutes, the waiter came to clear the dishes and asked if we wanted dessert. I had to ask for my plate back as he reached for it, as I hadn't come anywhere near finishing. The waiter offered a round of drinks on the house for the trouble, not so magnanimous since we all were having soft drinks or house wine. (When the check arrived, we were charged for the drinks anyway.) I wrote a letter of complaint to the management and got a 20 dollar gift cert. in response. Like I'd go there again! Too bad, too, as the place used to be quite good, and the view is great. I've talked to others who've had similar disappointing experiences. The place is running on its old reputation now, and, in my humble opinion, won't be running much longer. No stars here."

[BC, 10/03] said: "We went to Schimschack's for our anniversary dinner and left disappointed. The menu consisted of the the standard items. Our food was bland and uneventful. The view was very nice, but the decor inside needed some work. The service was good."

[T&CT, 4/03] said: "As we exited the car, our noses were met with enticing fragrances of char-grilled food. The entrance filled with figurines immediately relaxed us as homey feelings came over us. Our coats were hung, and our host led us to a table with a breathtaking view. Our server, Sharon, was not only efficient but caring. We never felt rushed or in need of anything. Courteous checks on our needs were not handled with "How are you guys doing?". Instead, we heard "May I get anything for you?". Personal and comfortable. The only interuption to a soft, candle-lit dinner were the occasional flames from their dessert confection, Banana Foster. The steak was tender, and done as requested. The seafood was fresh and tasty. Our overall experience was wonderful, relaxing, and truly a dining memory to cherish."

Schunk's West Hill Grill.
Keller Rd., East Eden.
No known phone.

[P&NO, 3/04] say: "I live in Jacksonville, Florida; I used to live in North Boston. I found a very good tavern/restaurant in place of an old bar that used to be a dive. It is on Keller Road, called Schunk's West Hill Grill. My husband (Pat) and my in-laws enjoyed the Friday night fish fry. The food and service were wonderful. The bar has been redone, very clean and comfortable; they were crowded, but we were seated promptly. The portions were generous, and the food was very tasty. We had a bacon-wrapped shrimp appetizer, which I highly recommend. My husband and I visited 3 more times before returning to Florida; we had the specialty of the house, invented by the owner, Daniel Schunk: He calls them Maple Wings; they were the best wings I have ever eaten. We also sampled his prime rib sandwich, which was very large and delightful. They have a full bar, and they are open for lunch. My mother in law's golf girlfriends frequent this establishment after their games. It was a very pleasant dining experience. I look forward to returning on my next trip up to Buffalo."

Schwabl's.
789 Center Rd. (on Rt. 16, near Union Rd.), W. Seneca.
674-9821.

German, Hungarian.

[ATw, 6/06] says: "We arrived at approximately 7:30 on a Thursday night in late June to find the place packed. We were directed toward the front of the restaurant near the bar area, but no one gave us any more information. Finally, we asked if we should put our names on a waiting list, and were told we were already on one. We waited over a half hour, then were told we could seat ourselves "over there". We had looked at a menu, so we knew what we wanted. Our server came over and asked to take our order. I ordered the haddock dinner, and we were told they were out of haddock. Now, the menu is pretty limited—maybe 12 items or so in the dinner area, so being out of haddock, which is used to make 3 of the dishes, was disappointing. Instead, I ordered roast beef on weck, and when I ordered mashed potatoes, we were told they were out of those, too. We got our food about 15 minutes later. The roast beef was fat-filled and chewy, and the yellow pike we ordered instead of the haddock was filled with bones. We were not told there were bones in it, so when I took a bite and chomped down on a bunch of bones, I was not happy. The waitress did not check back on us for about 15 minutes. By this time, I was disgusted with the food and had no more pop to wash it down with. The waitress was fair—no t overly friendly, but efficient for the most part. When I mentioned the bones, she said "That's the problem with yellow pike." That would've been nice to know when we ordered it. All in all, considering the reputation that Schwabl's has, I'm surprised it was this lousy. Needless to say, we will never return."

[a] Scotch 'n Sirloin.
3999 Maple Rd. (at Bailey), Amherst.
837-4900.

Although probably not part of a chain, there are a lot of look-alike restaurants around the country with similar names (e.g., "Cork and Cleaver").

[JSc, 9/07] says: "Our visit to the Scotch and Sirloin Steakhouse was a pleasant one. There were four of us in the party, and we had reservations at 6pm on Tuesday (9/25) for which we were seated promptly. The SnS was very busy, unusual for a Tuesday nite. Appetizers/drinks were ordered: shrimp cocktail, stuffed peppers, and a seafood-type of bruschetta (special for the day). The salad bar was simplistic, but everything was well stocked. Also, there were four types of bread that were available at the salad bar. The appetizers arrived at the same time we came back from the salad bar. Good timing!! We all ordered the NY sirloin with various side dishes. My wife, who loves sweet potatoes, got a generous plate of sweet-potato French fries with her steak. Some places offer that selection but get skimpy on them. I got the veggie of the day, which was green beans mixed with a balsamic sauce. My in-laws both got baked potatoes heaped with sour cream. If you love mushrooms, you must order the side order of mushrooms at SnS. They are the best in the area. The steaks were grilled exactly the way we all had ordered them. My wife and I shared a delicious piece of key lime pie with our coffee to finish off a wonderful meal. We had Gusto coupons for 15 dollars each. Total for the bill came to $150.00 w/coupons, tip, and tax. We saved 30 dollars on the coupons. We've gone to SnS numerous times, Saturdays, Fridays, weekdays, and it's always been consistently good. Maybe that's why they were so busy on Tuesday; the word is getting around."

[RM, 5/00] says: "It seems to have gone significantly downhill over the past few years. The salad bar made me nervous, and the accompanying dishes were not particularly well prepared or presented. The steak, however, was excellent, which made it worthwhile for me."

Sea Bar.
5229 Main St., Williamsville.
204-5283.

[9/07] Given 4 (out of 4) stars by Janice Okun, Buffalo News restaurant reviewer.

[JCr, 4/09] says: "On 4/18, we returned to the Williamsville location with another couple, 8:30 reservations; the dining room was about 85% full, and we were seated right away. We ordered a large amount of food for the whole table to share, consisting of beef on weck roll, Spider Roll, large sashimi plate, chef's Nigiri tasting, and steamed dumplings. We started with the Spider Roll, which was deep-fried, soft-shell crab, avacado, and cuke. This was my first Spider Roll, and will not be my last; it was amazing. The beef on weck roll followed, along with the Nigiri tasting. The Nigiri tasting was the best part of the evening: 5 various pieces of Nigiri (tuna, striped bass, marlin, salmon, and a 5th I do not recall) adorned with different seasonings. Last up was the large sashimi plate, consisting of tuna, albacore, salmon, hamachi, sea bass, octopus, scallop, fluke, and a surf clam, I believe. Each of us had a few drinks, and the bill after 20% tip was $75 per couple. [Comparing JCr's visits to Sea Bar and to Sea Bar City (see below)…] Both meals were great, City and Williamsville location, especially for the value. I prefer the setting in the Williamsville location, and the Nigiri tasting on special was the best plate I have ever ordered from Sea Bar. I'm not sure if this would have been offered at the City location, since the menu appeared to be a bit smaller. I thought the beef on weck roll I had at the city location was better. The city sashimi plate had larger pieces; the Williamsville location's pieces were smaller, but a much larger variety. Overall, both locations are great: great food, great value, and service. Mother's will now have to share a spot in my heart with Sea Bar as my favorite restaurant in Buffalo."

[MESe, 7/08] said: "I have eaten there 7 times since it opened. Do not miss the Volcano Noodles on the appetizer list, perfect ceviche with crispy noodles and crunchy red roe. Divine. Also, the panko-crusted avacado with ceviche, tempura crab rolls, and seared tuna with black beans and Asian rice are not to miss, either. Not happy with the brie and asparagas rolls, beef on weck rolls, or rolls with the cream cheese; just my preference. All the sashimi has been excellent, as is the green-tea ice cream, and don't forgo the Sea Bar Sundae: Warm mango and banana chunks sit on top of a coconut macaroon topped with vanilla ice cream, whipped cream, and chocolate. Have been happy with all the sake choices they have, but the treat is a bottle of Zaipang (spelling??) champagne. My vote for the best sashimi, rolls, and noodles in town."

[DaK, 8/07] said: "Positive Review! Had dinner with some friends at Sea Bar, 7:30 on Wednesday evening. Unable to make reservations (they don't accept them), we were going to simply have a drink while waiting for a table, but alas there is no traditional bar at Sea Bar, so we stood around in the miniature lobby until a table was ready. Luckily, the wait was not very long, and we were seated within 15-20 minutes. Wine was good; mostly very traditional wine choices, but they do have a special sushi wine (not saki), which I haven't seen before, and which was quite good with the sushi. On to the main attraction: The sushi was marvelous! We enjoyed: Beef on Weck Roll, Vegetable Butterfly, Spicy Tuna, Miso Carmel Crab, BBQ Salmon, and a Tiger Roll. All were wonderful, each having a unique twist on their original counterparts, and all containing very fresh fish. Fish tacos were the only disappointment of the evening: too much rice and not enough fish. Atmosphere was very relaxed and not nearly as uptight as I was expecting a new sushi bar in Williamsville to be. We will definitely be back to try more of their "contemporary sushi"."

[JAK, 7/07] said: "Last week, as I was driving home from work down Main Street in Williamsville, a new sign caught my eye. At the site of the former Caffe Aroma was a new sign with the name "Sea Bar" and a Kirin Beer neon sign. Being a fan of sushi, I was giddy with the thought of a sushi bar within walking distance of my house and took note for the following week. Being next to Trattoria Aroma, it was difficult to tell how busy Sea Bar was, but tonight my wife and I stopped in, in hopes of securing a table, and we were in luck! A table was open, and we sat down. The new surroundings were decidedly not coffee house—a curved wall with chunks of raw glass, wall mounted vases with fish, a flat screen TV (blissfully off), and a long arced sushi bar and display case. My surprise came when I sat down at the table, gazed at the sushi bar, and saw...Mike Andrejewski! After the loss of the beloved Tsunami, I could not imagine that this was not a huge event, but as we learned from the waiter, this new restaurant only opened days before in a soft roll-out and will become a huge hit I am sure! This is not a big place—bar seating, a few singletons along the windows, and maybe 8 tables in all. This will become a tough booking! Alongside Mike was a gentleman we well recognized from Kibarashi the first time we lunched there, so it seems that the Buffalo sushi wars are on! We ordered two glasses of Pinot Noir from a short but accommodating list as we looked over the menu. This is not a place to come for great breadth, as the choices definitely feature the fish, but there are some very pleasant twists. We started with the foie gras. Lightly torched and placed over a loose maki roll with mango, it was unwieldly but worth the struggle to break apart and savor. Seconds came up with a BBQ salmon maki with avo, a sour component (pickle?), and a deep, smoky BBQ sauce underpinning it all. Lastly, we had the large chef's sashimi platter, which included (this night) a bed of daikon and seaweed salad, tamago, lobster-tail chunks, octopus, salmon, kani, and several other fish that were tasty but unannounced by the server. There was nothing left on the plate. This was perhaps the best drop-in visit I've ever had. Expecting nothing, we were treated to the return of a man who is coming back with a new and refreshing offering. The newbie service will smooth out, and the Sea Bar will find its land legs. It's just great to find this old friend back in fine form. And within waking distance!"

Sea Bar City.
475 Ellicott St. (downtown), Buffalo.
332-2928.

Downtown branch of Sea Bar (see above).

[7/08] Given 3½ (out of 4) stars by Janice Okun, Buffalo News restaurant reviewer.

[JCr] says:

[6/09] "This past Wednesday evening, 6/24, my wife and I returned to Sea Bar City for a light dinner. We arrived around 8 p.m. to a fairly busy dining room and were seated right away. They now have an outdoor seating area that is open as well. For our meal, we ordered a small shashimi plate, an order of fried-pork spring rolls, and a Spyder Roll (deep-fried, soft-shell crab). The sashimi plate consisted of 3 pcs each of ahi tuna, albacore, salmon, crab stick, and a 5th fish I cannot recall. Everything was great, as usual, and we will certainly return again soon."

[4/09] "This past week, I had the pleasure to return to Sea Bar, twice. My first visit was Thursday, 4/16, to the city location; Saturday, 4/18, to the Williamsville location. Thursday evening, we arrived at the city location around 7:45 pm, sans reservations, and were seated right away. This was my first visit to the city location: The space is a bit smaller and more of a blank canvas than the Williamsville location; the menu appeared to be a bit smaller as well. There is a long sushi bar that was pretty busy, with seating for prob about 8–10 people, and then about another 10 tables, which were half full. For our meal, we ordered the small sashimi plate, beef on weck roll, shrimp and asparagus spring rolls, and Duck Bao. The sashimi plate consisted of tuna, salmon, sea bass, and hamachi, and a piece of flute with salmon roe. This was a great plate; the hamachi really stole the show. Next up was the beef on weck roll; if you have been to Sea Bar but never had it, then you're missing out. Next, we had the shrimp and asparagus spring roll, which was deep fried; inside was an asparagus spear and shrimp mousse, with a citrus housin dipping sauce; this was great. For our last dish, this was the Duck Bao. It was a rice-type flatbread, folded over some sliced duck breast, and various vegetables and herbs. This was very refreshing, specifically due to the cilantro. My only complaint would be that the duck was cooked medium well, as opposed to the medium rare/medium that I would have expected. Including 2 bottles of their sparkling sake, our meal came to $65 after 20% tip." [For JCr's comparison of the two branches of Sea Bar, see above.]

[CAT, 7/08] said: "We visited SeaBar City just after it opened, and we had a great experience overall. We started with their Avocado Shrimp, which was a bit bland. The avocado filling was studded with black sesame seeds, but lacked definition that a sprinkle of sea salt could have offered. We also tried the Fish Tacos, which were similar to their fantastic ceviche (offered at the Williamsville location), but stuffed into a rather stale, Ortega-style (and definitely store-bought), hard taco shell! Ugh! We ate the filling, but left the shells. I hope they seriously consider serving these with homemade taco shells—otherwise, the flavorful fish filling is wasted. Things improved with the "sushi". We actually opted to try the "Beef on 'Weck" Roll, which I'd previously avoided at the other location. But it really is great. We had to add some extra wasabi, and I got a few chewy bits of beef, but the carpaccio was perfectly tender and fresh, and the salt and carraway added delicious flavor. We were surprised the rice didn't taste strange with the beef (my prior concern). I'd definitely recommend trying this roll, even if you are a bit weary. The other highlight is the three hand rolls (I can't remember what they are called on the menu). Instead of traditional sushi rolls, these are more free-form roasted nori (seaweed) cones, stuffed with sushi rice, a piece or two of fish (ours were shrimp, real crab, and tuna), a veggie (avocado or cucumber), and a smear of spiced mayo. They were fantastic. This is where having quality, fresh fish makes a huge difference. And the three cones are only $9—compared with $7 and up for individual rolls. So it seems like a deal, as well. We were actually stuffed by the end of our meal. Our bill was only $50 (including 2 import beers), which is a good deal for excellent sushi."

Sean Patrick's.
3480 Millersport Hwy. (near N. French), Getzville.
636-1709.

[WHN] says:
[5/09] "On Saturday night, 5/16, we met another couple for dinner at Sean Patrick's. We've been here a number of times for lunch, but only once before for dinner—a Friday night fish fry. Two of us had an evening Prime Rib special. Both wives ordered lobster ravioli from the regular menu. The included salads with house creamy parmesan dressing were very good. The prime rib dinners, ordered medium and medium rare were tender and delicious. My wife thought the lobster ravioli was "OK", but not great and not at all comparable to that of San Marco. She said she wouldn't order it again. Overall, it's a nice, casual restaurant with good food at reasonable prices, and good service."

[7/08] "We took our daughter and her family to Sean Patrick's for lunch before their flight home to Phoenix. Among the Buffalo specialties ordered were chicken wings and beef on weck, plus cheeseburgers and fried mozzarella sticks. All the food was good except that the kummelweck rolls were incredibly salty. Everyone brushed most of the salt from the rolls."

[AFN, 7/06] said: "My daughter and I had lunch at Sean Patrick's on Saturday, 7/15. She had a dish called Chicken Madeline—sauteed chicken in a red-pepper cream sauce over penne pasta. I had Chicken Souvlaki. Both were very good. Previously, my husband and I had been here for lunch and dinner a few times, and to a pre-wedding rehearsal dinner for a large group in their banquet room. On all occasions, the food and service were very good."

Seneca Niagara Casino.
310 Fourth St. (at Rainbow Blvd.), Niagara Falls, NY.
299-1100 or 1-877-8-SENECA (73-6322).

See La Cascata, Koi, Thunder Falls Buffet, and The Western Door.

Seoul Garden.
2298 Niagara Falls Blvd., Tonawanda.
692-3888.

[JeL, 10/08] says: "I am rather dull in matters of Korean cuisine and cannot offer very detailed information, but found the restaurant too good to pass up the chance of giving it a positive review. There is a container of hot barley tea; the hostess will give you two styrofoam cups of it, and then you help yourself to as many refills as you please. I had braised squid, and my wife had monkfish tofu soup. Both of them were flavorful and hearty without being cloying or heavy, a balance that is not easily achieved. The mandatory appetizers did not disappoint either, especially the kimchee and cold tofu."

[CJH, 3/05] said: "Price is reasonable, and food is great. It would be better if I was Korean, because they give their own people food first, even though I ordered before them. Service is okay and could really be better. Got to try BiBimBob, KimBob, Bulgoki, and that squid stuff. I love their side dishes, especially their KimChi and dried bean curd. I give it a 2 out of 4 stars."

[AG, 5/02] said: "The site of a former Chinese greasy spoon, they still serve Chinese dishes, but the Korean offerings are a bargain compared to Korea House, especially for lunch. The panchan (side dishes) aren't as elaborate as KH either, but they're fine, with your obligatory kim chee, marinated mung bean sprouts and pickled veg, etc. No table grill for your bulgoki—it's cooked in the kitchen—but it's mighty tasty, and for $5.75 at lunch, how can you go wrong? Also recommended: dwen jang chigae ("soybean paste pot stew with seafood, vegetables and tofu"), a bubbling little cauldron of tofu, bonito-y broth, and bits of squid and mussels ($5.75 at lunch). Not on lunch menu, $8.95, another Korean classic: Ohjing uh bokum, squid with vegetables and rice pasta discs in a piquant hot and sweet red chile sauce, with vegetable."

Shadow Lounge.
1504 Hertel Ave. (between Sterling Ave. & Wellington Rd.), Buffalo.
835-3975.

[CEP, 1/07] says: "Some friends and I decided to come here on a Friday night specifically for the fondue. Walking in, the bar was crowded, and we met with a sign that said "Please wait to be seated", so we did. And we waited. And waited. No one ever came to the door, so when we saw a table of four vacating, we swooped in and seated ourselves and were acknowledged by the waitress clearing the table. Once we were seated, we waited and waited some more. After about 15 minutes, the waitress finally came back over, and we expedited our ordering by asking for the drinks and chocolate fondues simultaneously. These were brought out reasonably (for the evening) promptly, and were excellent. When we were finished, we did get the check after we made a point of asking for it, but were wary about leaving the money on the table at such a crowded bar. We couldn't find a waitress for about 10 minutes, but, when we saw one, we handed it off and left. The fondue, however, was very good and reasonably priced. The decor was comfortable and chic, but the live band was ear-splittingly loud for such a small place, which detracted from conversation and the general experience. Had the volume been down a few decibels, it would have been wonderful music. Overall, I thought I would go back on a weeknight or for lunch, when it would be quieter and less busy, but, after reading the above, review I might reconsider."

[TD, 9/06] says: "I dined at Shadow Lounge approximately two weeks ago with a friend. We went to the restaurant specifically for the fondue, which the restaurant was supposedly famous for, as well as for the seafood Alfredo, a personal favorite. The decor, upon entering, was nice enough. The service was incredibly slow, despite the restaurant being almost empty. We immediately ordered the fondue only to be told they were out. After a bit of chatting, we were told they were not out of the Maytag bleu cheese, just the steak skewers that accompany it. So we asked if we could order the fondue and just get a steak and have the chef cut it up. The waitress shared with us how crabby and miserable the chef was so he probably wouldn't want to do that. We sent him a drink back to help improve his mood. The waitress apparently understood nothing, because as our throats were starting to bleed from having absolutely nothing to drink, despite placing drink orders, she came back to take our orders, seafood Alfredo and chicken pot pie, and asked what we had decided to do about the fondue. We were dumbfounded. We expected the fondue out any second. So we cancelled the pot pie, ordered instead a steak, specifying that it was for the fondue. Finally everything came out, together. The steak was not cut up, apparently both the waitress and crabby chef were confused, and the seafood Alfredo would have been mildly tasty had it been edible. Unfortunately one of the shells around the utterly tasteless clams came out shattered, so each bite needed to be taken with great care. Eventually, I gave up. The Alfredo sauce was not tasty enough to risk chomping down on a clam shell. We attempted to order more drinks throughout the meal and were sucking on our ice cubes by the time the waitress returned and, again, the bar and restaurant were empty. I will absolutely without a doubt never go to Shadow Lounge again."

Shadow Martini Bar & Restaurant.
441 Third St. (near the Seneca Casino), Niagara Falls (NY).
205-0757.

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

The Shamus Restaurant.
98 West Ave., Lockport.
433-9809.

[SMD, 4/09] says: "Positive review: We made reservations for a Friday night at the Shamus, a risky proposition, especially during Lent and "Fish Fry season". We were happily accomodated by the friendly voice on the other end of the line. I have dined there several times and can report that the staff is always unfailingly polite and professional. This night was no exception. The restaurant is located in a charming old house near the "downtown" area of Lockport. Parking is available in a tiny lot beside the restaurant or on the streets surrounding the restaurant. Once we were seated, our pleasant server took our drink order and was back quickly when she saw we were ready to place our dinner orders. I started with a lobster bisque, which was creamy and delicious. Our house salads were fresh and crisp. We chose the the maple vinaigrette and crumbled bleu cheese. It might sound a bit odd, but the combination of the piquant bleu cheese with the slightly sweet maple vinaigrette is incredible. Hot, fresh rolls were also served. My dinner entree of crabmeat-stuffed shrimp was very tasty, and I chose the rice pilaf side. My only minor complaint was that the "crabmeat" stuffing didn't seem to contain any discernable crabmeat; however, the flavor was still very pleasing. As my side, I chose the rice pilaf. My companion ordered the seafood pie, which came with a crunchy potato-chip-and-bread-crumb topping and sauteed mashed potatoes. It contained crab, shrimp, and scallops in a creamy sauce and was declared very delicious. Our stomachs were too full to try dessert, but we did see the dessert tray making the rounds to other tables, and it looked tempting. All the diners around us seemed to be enjoying the atmosphere and the good food. I look forward to returning."

[WHN, 9/07] said: "Shamus is in an old house (150 years old, they say) in downtown Lockport. Our Lockport friends have been there several times and said they enjoyed it very much. With the Gaelic name, we thought the menu might include Irish pub fare, but it doesn't; it is primarily beef, chicken, and seafood, plus some lamb, pork, and vegetarian dishes. We had an excellent lobster bisque to start, then I had baked chicken breast stuffed with spinach, mushrooms, and feta cheese that was delicious. My wife had a garlicky shrimp scampi served over rice that she enjoyed very much. One friend had filet of sirloin, while his wife had a seafood pie made with crab, shrimp, and scallops. They both said their meals were very good, too."

Shanghai Red's.
2 Templeton Terr. (downtown, on the waterfront former site of Crawdaddy's), Buffalo.
852-7337.

[CPu, 6/09] says: "Negative Review. I came here with a friend on a sunny Friday after work for dinner. We were seated on the patio for dinner. It took 15 minutes for our waitress to come by to take our drink order. Given this, we figured service was going to be bad, so we put in our entire order right then. 15 minutes later, our drink order came back, and it was wrong. It took another 15 minutes for it to be corrected. So, 45 minutes after being seated, the only thing we had been served were our drinks. Nobody even bothered to give us our dinner bread. Our appetizer finally came out: the artichoke cheese dip. No problems with that except they used to serve it with toasted bread wedges, which were excellent. Now they just have tortilla chips like you'd get at TGI Friday's. Another 30 minute wait for the main course to arrive. I ordered the Seafood Collage, which is billed as ‘Lobster, shrimp, scallops, and fresh Atlantic salmon served with bowtie pasta and white wine sauce’ for $33. There was a small lobster tail, 19 pieces of bowtie pasta (yes, I counted!), 2 small shrimp, a 1" by 1" piece of salmon, and no scallops. I'm not a big eater (only 98 lbs), but I hate to get ripped off. If the kitchen ran out of scallops, at least tell me, instead of hoping I wouldn't notice. It tasted fine but not any better than what you could get at a Pasquale's for half the price. My friend ordered the Maryland Crab Cakes that come with ‘roasted vegetables and fingerling potatoes’. There were two pieces of vegetable and 1 potato (I guess they should put ‘potato’ singular in the menu description!) The crab cakes were horrible. Obviously, the chef has never been to Maryland. Buying a round trip ticket to Baltimore for $99 on Southwest would be money well spent. That way, they'd have a clue as to what a real crab cake tastes like. Realizing how awful the service was, we gave the waitress our credit card when the main course arrived. We didn't see her again until 18 minutes after we finished eating (yes, I timed it!) Unfortunately Shanghai Red's is going to survive, even though they have bad food and horrendous service. Buffalo is that starved for waterfront restaurants. My suggestion: If you want a nice dinner on the water, drive 5 minutes up the 190 and go to Harry's. They never disappoint."

I [Bill] have not eaten here, and, judging from the early reviews below, I had no plans to. At least one other friend of mine, who was at a fund-raiser held here for a local hospital, had told me that the food was pretty awful. What I find fascinating is how many negative reviews I've received; it seems clear that a good restaurant is desperately desired at this location. So let me suggest an alternative: Drive a few minutes down Route 5 to Root Five Waterfront Restaurant; I think you'll like it a lot better than some of the folks who have reviewed Shanghai Red's liked Shanghai Red's. However, nearly a year after the then-most-recent review, things seem to have improved.

[WHN] said:

[10/08] "We returned to Shanghai Red's for lunch on Columbus Day. The big draw here seems to be the $11.95 all-you-can-eat buffet, which most people were getting. We don't do buffets, so my wife ordered lobster bisque and a mixed green salad, and I ordered a smoked turkey club on ciabatta. When our food arrived, my wife asked our server if she could bring a roll or some bread to go with the soup and salad, since none was provided. She said she would bring some. After one taste of the bisque, my wife declared it inedible, saying it was way too salty and way too thick. When our server returned to ask how everything was, my wife told her the bisque was terrible, and it was taken away. Her salad was reportedly OK, but was very small. My sandwich was good, however, and quite large, so I shared it with my wife. When our server returned later, she said the chef was remaking the lobster bisque, and that the rolls were still baking, but would be ready soon. By then, we had nearly finished our lunches, so my wife no longer wanted either. The bisque was taken off our bill. Slow service (the kitchen's fault, not the server's). Inconsistent food. Great view. Too bad they can't get it right."

[9/08] "My wife and I had lunch at Shanghai Red's today (Friday, 9/26). First time for me, second time for her. It was a breezy and somewhat cool day, so we requested and got a window table inside. My Reuben was very good. Her panko- and parmesan-crusted chicken breast on focaccia was said to be delicious. The service was fine. The best part of the place is undoubtedly the view of the marina and the city skyline, but we had no complaints about the quality of the food or service. I would go back."

[PT, 7/08] said: "We met another couple for dinner at Shanghai Red's on Saturday night. After all the bad reviews here and elsewhere, we were not expecting a great meal, but our friends have been there several times and like it. The food was actually very good, the service was fine, and the lake view was spectacular. Maybe they are turning the place around to give Buffalonians a nice place to eat on the waterfront."

[JCr, 7/08] said: "On 7/19, 6 of us dined at Shanghai Red's for our first time. When my wife's visiting friend said she wanted to go to Shanghai Red's for dinner Saturday evening, I started to cringe. I have been there for drinks; I have seen the huge diverse menu and read the mountain of negative reviews that have amazingly piled up on this site for this restaurant; and I never intended to visit unless forced. That's what it basically finally came to. I made a reservation Sat. afternoon for 6 people, seated outside, for 9pm; by this time, only 5:30pm and 9pm were available. We got to the restaurant at about 9pm, met the rest of our party at the bar, which had a live band playing and many patrons; then we were promptly seated. The restaurant still was pretty busy, and everyone seemed to be enjoying themselves. It ended up raining that afternoon/eve, so we ended up sitting inside, along the windows with a nice view of the Erie Basin Marina. When presented with the menu, I was pleased to see they shrunk it down a bit from the ridiculous menu they once had to a more realistic menu that would allow the chefs to decently prepare 12-18 different entrees, as opposed to the 30+ that were listed on the previous menu. I started with the Caesar Salad; it was no Fiamma or Lombardo's Caesar salad, but not bad nonetheless. For my entrée, I chose the horseradish-crusted lamb chops, ordered medium rare, served with fingerling potatoes and root veggies. When my entrée arrived, the lamb was cooked properly and was very moist and tender. The potatoes were cooked perfectly, and the root veggies were decent. My wife ordered a salmon entrée, which was reported to be pretty good: not mind blowing, but certainly not a disappointment. Most others ordered pasta dishes; one was a portabello ravioli special, which was well received. I was pretty nervous about coming here, but left pretty satisfied. With so many great restaurants I love around the city, I never really planned to take this risk, but I suppose I'm glad we came. I'm glad I am not writing another bad review for this place, because I would like it to succeed, so hopefully they have turned things around, and this wasn't the exception to the rule."

[SL, 8/07] said: "I was very excited to try this restaurant. Firstly, the hostess was rude and not helpful at all. The waitress was very nice. The food was terrible. It had no favor at all. I will not be going back again."

[AFN, 8/07] said: "A group of friends from school went to Shanghai Red's for lunch (Thursday, 8/16). After all the bad things I've heard and read, I have to say I was pleasantly surprised. My turkey club on ciabatta was very good, and sitting on the outdoor patio overlooking the water on this beautiful summer day was very pleasant. Everyone in our group seemed to enjoy their meals, too. And the service was fine and prompt—we only had an hour for lunch and had very quick service. I suggested to my husband that we have lunch on their outdoor patio before the end of summer."

[SWi, 7/07] said: "I eat here often, not because I enjoy it, rather because people I dine with often want to try it out. It's become almost comical how bad this restaurant is to me. Last week, I ate with two clients and their spouses along with mine for a total of six. It will be the last time I will ever enter the restaurant. Our reservations were made a week in advance for a 7:00 meal. At 8:15, we were finally seated after spending close to $100 at the patio bar that charged upwards of $5.00 for a drink served in a disposable plastic cup. After ordering an appetizer (calamari), we sat for another 30 minutes for it to arrive. This wouldn't have been quite so bad had our salads and meals arrived less than a minute later. The servers must have literally crossed paths on their way to and from the kitchen. I asked the waiter to bring the meals back in a few minutes to which he replied he couldn't and left them (covered) next to our table. I was embarrassed in front of my clients and wife. No matter how much a client wants to go there, I never will again."

[JCH, 8/06] said: "On Sunday, August 6, we went on the Miss Buffalo with a group of about 20 people from our church. We decided that, after, we were going to go get some drinks and appetizers. Much to my dismay, Shanghai Red's was suggested. Someone from our group called in the morning to see if they were open for drinks & light snacks and could accommodate our group. They told this person that they have a beautiful patio with a bar that serves snacks/sandwiches or we would have the option of going to the inside bar that also serves snacks/sandwiches. After the Miss Buffalo, we all walk over and go outside to their 100-degrees patio that is totally in the sun. We find a couple of tables to sit at with umbrellas, and the waitress tells us to move to the other side of the patio because they need to get those tables ready for dinner. Keep in mind that it is 2:20 P.M., and dinner doesn't start until 5:00 P.M. No big deal; we move to the other side (10 feet away) and ask if we can borrow two or three umbrellas because it is full sun and hot. (These are patio tables with the cloth umbrellas in the middle of the table.) The waitress was just plain rude about the whole situation and goes on to explain that they can't move the umbrellas because they need them for dinner. We explain that we just want to borrow them. She wouldn't budge. So we decide that we'll go inside, because it is just too hot out on the patio for some of the members in our group. She replies that the bar inside doesn't serve food because they are too busy with brunch. Brunch was just about over when we got there. We asked to see a manager, and the waitress came back and told us in her sassy voice, "If you really think you need it, you can take one umbrella, but it has to be returned at 4:00 P.M." Needless to say, our group was appalled by their lack of professionalism, and we chose to leave. I could totally see if the place was packed, but there wasn't anybody there. I also could see if the tables were a mess and they had to get them all set-up for dinner, but they were already set and ready. What is the big deal about moving three umbrellas when their patio is in the full sun?????? There were 20 of us who would have easily dropped between $20-$50 per person on drinks and food!!!!! In the end, we enjoyed a delicious meal at Ilio DiPaolo's Restaurant and Ringside Lounge."

[NS, 7/06] said: "Worst swordfish ever—expensive, came cold when served; came back warm and soggy. Lobster bisque—where is the lobster?"

[SO, 6/06] said: "Not a good place at all!!! Nice view on the water, but that is it. I had a chicken Caesar, and I didn't love it!! I wonder how they are in business—not a big lunch crowd for the size of the place!"

[DBr, 12/05] said: "Having received an invitation to attend a company Christmas party at Shanghai Red's, I checked this site to read the reviews. After reading a few, I hoped that the management and the staff had made some improvements. I'm sorry to say that nothing seemed to have been improved upon, and I have to echo other reviews of Shanghai Red's. Of the 20 people in our group, not a soul had anything positive to say about the food or the service. Those who ordered prime rib said it was tough and lacked flavor. Filet was so overly cooked as to be compared to a hockey puck and left uneaten. One dinner was too salty to be eaten, and lamb chops were visually dry—no pink juicy flesh in sight. Lobster bisque lacked that nice creamy, pinkish appearance; it was more of a lumpy brownish consistency and color. My own dinner, the beef short ribs, were completely unappetizing. The presentation I will compare to diner food. Three ribs piled atop horseradish mashed potatoes with carrots and little else. First, I noticed I did not have a knife. Borrowing a butter knife, I attempted to cut the ribs as the potatoes oozed from beneath them. Whose bright idea was it to place meat that needs to be cut over mashed potatoes in a bowl? Then, I noticed that there was quite a bit of half-cooked, rubbery bacon accompanying my meal. Funny; bacon wasn't mentioned on the menu! I don't eat pork, and thought I had chosen my meal appropriately. I took the bacon off, only to find that the mashed potatoes were so heavily laden with horseradish as to be inedible. After dinner, coffee was served without a spoon, a saucer, or a refill! I wondered how much the company had been charged for that coffee. I truly spent the evening sick to my stomach, unable to fall asleep, and did not serve my leftovers to my dog. It says a lot about an establishment when 20 people can agree that their dining experience was awful."

[JE, 9/05] said: "My wife and I frequent many nice restaurants in the Buffalo area and have been very excited about the opening of Shanghai Red's. We finally got the chance to go late this summer. After a terrible review from my sister and brother-in-law, we decided to try it out anyway. We made last minute reservations Friday night), and we were seated right next to the windows. Wow; what a great view, and the restaurant was awesome inside. Our good experience ends there! Our server was sloppy, dirty shirt, no apron, sleeves rolled up. I felt like we were at Denny's (no offense). To my surprise, the menu was extremely limited. So I waited to hear the specials. "No specials," our server told me. OK; so I ordered the lobster ($38), my wife and mother both ordered fillet ($32). The server broke the cork in our bottle of wine, didn't offer us a new bottle, and then poured it in all 3 of our glasses. The lobster bisque was good, and so was the Caesar salad. Our main dishes arrived; the steaks (9-10 oz) were both overcooked and charred on the outside. My lobster tail was extremely small for $38, and the butter wasn't even kept over a flame. The portion sizes were very small for the price. After asking for my water glass to be filled three times, it finally was. The bus boys hardly ever came to clear the table. In fact, our server took away our soup and salad plates while our dinners sat on a tray next to us. I will say that the desserts were very good. All in all, for a $200 dinner with tip, I was extremely disappointed with Shanghai Red's. I will never return, and make sure all my friends don't waste their time or money to eat there. Hopefully, they will fix all their problems; otherwise, they will just be another failed business in Buffalo!!!!"

On the other hand, [EBP, 6/05] said: "I'm reading several negative entries about this restaurant, and I think it is a bit one-sided. I went there for the Sunday Brunch, and it was fabulous. Good seating; no hassle with the servers. Most of the negative comments previously posted are about the wait-staff, and, since we were at a buffet-style brunch, that wasn't much of an issue. I thought it was pretty good food and reasonably priced. I look forward to visiting on some summer evenings to really see how the service is. Overall, a B+ grade."

[JSc, 6/05] said: "I wish I would've read some of these reviews of Shanghai Red's before we went there this past June 25th. My wife called on June 15th to reserve a window seat at 5 p.m. on June 25th. We were psyched to check out a new restaurant. When we got there, the greeter could not find our reservation. But, in all fairness, we were immediately seated at a window seat, and I thought all was well. Wrong!! We had a waitress that was not that professional. My wife would use other words, but I'm trying to be objective. We both ordered shrimp stir fry; we really didn't care for any of the appetizers. We started with a "petite Caesar", which was a ripoff. It was just romaine lettuce with Caesar dressing on it. Where were the croutons? The sprinkled cheese? And, viewing other waiters who offered pepper, we were not offered that, either. There were large parties of people being served, but they didn't seem like they were served that well, either. The shrimp stirfry was good, the bread was good, but the waitress never offered dessert or coffee. We had to flag down a busboy to ask our waitress for our bill; another waitress dropped it off as she flew by. It was only when I opened my wallet that our waitress came to our table to ask us if we needed any change. How funny is that? The stir frys were 20 bucks each; the so-called salads were 5 bucks each. The drinks were about 5 bucks each. Total bill: 72 bucks + 5 bucks tax. I didn't leave much of a tip, and that is the first time I've done that in a long time. While we waited, Nancy and I people-watched other tables and service, and, by judging the body language of at least three other tables of people, they didn't seem happy, either. In summary: Good food, average prices, but lousy service. We may come back to give the place another chance, but not too soon. There are other restaurants to try out, but I will definitely read up on them on Bill's Website before we decide!!"

[KMR, 6/05] said: "Review: negative. My mother and I visited Shanghai Red's on a Monday night; there were very few people in the restaurant, but we were told that the window seats were reserved for people with reservations. So, we opted to sit in the bar, near the window. The bar waitress was very accommodating as she opted to provide us with table service. That's where the good experience ended. There was little on the menu that we were interested in trying, so we decided on sharing the appetizer combo, which included spinach and artichoke dip, shrimp bread, calamari and crab stuffed mushrooms. To their credit, the calamari were very good. The artichoke dip was bland, runny, and flavorless; the shrimp bread was sparse and mediocre; and the mushrooms should have been called "green pepper" stuffed mushrooms. They were terrible. We also shared a shrimp dish: Cantonese shrimp over noodles. It was absolutely terrible. It seems juvenile to call something gross, but neither of us finished even the shrimp. We both left with (literally) a bad taste in our mouths. And it was very expensive considering the quality of the meal. It's unfortunate that such a lovely location can't simplify their menu and focus on quality dishes. We will never return."

[AZ, 5/05] said: "I recently dined at Shanghai Red's with my significant other and found our experience to be simply terrible! First, I had called to make dinner reservations and was told that I could only make reservations between 5 and 6 p.m.; otherwise, it would have to be after 8 p.m. Fortunately, the 5 p.m. time slot was exactly what I had wanted, but I felt as if I was inconveniencing the restaurant. Secondly, when we arrived at the restaurant, I had requested a table by the window, so my significant other and myself could enjoy the waterfront view, but was told that those tables were reserved for parties of 4 or more! Thirdly, we had ordered the strip steak and T-bone steak dinners and were very displeased—the food was extremely bland: no spices or seasonings whatsoever. It tasted like "warmed food" only! Finally, our waitress possessed all the characteristics associated with a biker gang!...I will forward my personal dining experiences to all who inquire and save them the time, trouble, and finances of such a "distasteful" dining experience!"

[LK, 1/05] said: "We have gone to this restaurant twice: once within the first month after opening and last night 1/7/05. In both cases, the hostess was unfriendly and inappropriate. On this second visit, she would not seat us at our table but rather sent us to the bar and left our dinner partners at the table waiting for over 30 minutes. Our dinner partners found us at the bar. The waitress was lovely. She profusely apologized for the mistake. We ordered the specialty clam chowder. It was so salty, none of us could eat it. We ordered a Caesar Salad that was so old, the romaine was limp, and completely drenched in dressing with no hint of anchovy and tons of garlic. It took almost 2 hours before we got our entrée There was a mistake in our bill that took yet more time to correct. Our reservation was for 6:45. We left with no refill on coffee, although we requested a refill, and no dessert, at 10:30. All in all, it is the most overrated, overpriced, unprofessional restaurant I have ever been in. Even Burger King gives more professional training and service."

[HPK, 11/04] said: "I cannot tell you how I looked forward to seeing this new restaurant; I was so excited to see something worth while on the waterfront. However, I am not sure how to review the experience. First—the restaurant is gorgeous; they spent a lot of money fixing the place up, and they are still in construction mode. Not all the rooms and banquet halls are completed. After we ate, we went outside in front of one of the dozen or so fire pits and just enjoyed a not-too-cold fall night. The food is superior, but the kitchen has a way to go. Some food came out cold or overcooked. Once some small bugs are worked out, this will be a premier place in Buffalo. A little slow on filling up my water glass, which I hate. The price for four people was $180 with about two drinks each. Not cheap, but there are more expensive places to go with lousy food in Buffalo. The menu is eclectic. You name it, it is on it. Seafood, steaks, wings, stir-fry, etc. Weird but fun menu. Check it out; it's worth it."

Shango New Orleans Bistro and Wine Bar.
3260 Main St. (near UB South Campus and the Gloria J. Parks Community Center), Buffalo.
837-2326.

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

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

[KH, 4/09] says: "My mom and I had dinner at Shango on April 22nd. It was the first time either of us had been there, so we were excited to try somewhere new. We were seated immediately near the front window. It appears there are only 4 tables that are for 2 people. The table was fine: a little small and very close to the other tables, but fine, though I would request a booth next time I went. (Although we sat next to the nicest couple—they overheard us talking about trying the mussels and offered to let us try one from their order. We declined, but thought it was very sweet!) We ordered a bottle of wine from a very nice wine list, and we shared a mussel appetizer that was a special of the evening. It was mussels in a spicy, tomato cream sauce. It was very spicy, but really delicious. We loved it. Then I had a house salad, which was good. My mother ordered the black pepper linguini, which was a mushroom and cognac cream pasta with a few scallops and some lobster. She enjoyed it very much. I ordered the oyster po-boy, which was delicious and huge! I could only eat half. Since it was my birthday, we split a dessert of sorbet. It was a large serving of blackberry cabernet sorbet and peach Riesling sorbet. It was very good, too. We will definitely return, and I am excited to take my husband there as well."

[WHN] said:

[3/09] "My wife and I went to Shango with two other couples for their "local restaurant week" $20.09 specials Friday night, 3/27. The 3-course offerings were: starters—chicken and andouille sausage gumbo, a salad of mixed greens with goat cheese and smoked salmon; or seafood chowder; main courses—seafood (mussels, scallops, crawfish, shrimp, and catfish) etouffee; or chicken, crab, shrimp, mussels, and lobster jambalaya; desserts—miniature bananas Foster (one of their house specialties) or beignets with coffee ice cream. There were also a number of red, white, and rose wines available for $20.09 per bottle. Among the six of us, all the special menu items were tried. Except for the gumbo and bananas Foster, none of the special items are on their regular menu, so it differed from their everyday food offerings. We all agreed the food was excellent. One of our friends asked the waiter if they had any openings the next night (Saturday), but he said they were sold out. However, Channel 7 news reported last night that "Local Restaurant Week" was such a success that it is being extended until April 1st."

[8/08] "We returned to Shango with a group of seven. We began with shared orders of fried calamari with spicy remoulade and cocktail sauce. Among the appetizers selected were Shango's "award winning" gumbo, the soup of the day—shrimp and corn chowder, and Caesar salads. Everyone agreed their appetizers were great, except that the shrimp and corn chowder had only one tiny shrimp per cup, but the chowder eaters said it tasted very good nonetheless. The gumbo was delicious, with a very dark roux base, but I thought it could have used more rice on top. After our previous visit, I had decided in advance to order the pecan encrusted grouper, so I had that for my main course, as did several others. All agreed it was delicious, served on a bed of corn maque choux and topped with a mustard sauce. We shared some rosemary-parmesan French fries, since the fish dish didn't include a starch. They were very tasty, too. Two people had Creole meatloaf, cooked with Andouille sausage in the middle, served with garlic mashed potatoes and maque choux. One diner substituted green beans for the maque choux, and later said the maque choux looked like the better choice. He apparently didn't like the meatloaf, either, since he ate around the sausage and left 3/4s of the meatloaf. He said he just wasn't very hungry. But the other person who ordered the meatloaf cleaned his plate and said it was delicious. Finally, another person had a blackened catfish po' boy with sweet-potato fries that he also said was excellent. With our meals, the wine drinkers had the Austrian Gruner Veltliner that was out of stock the last time we ate at Shango. The restaurant also has an expansive selection of beers, for those who prefer beer. The service was fine, too. Overall, this is an excellent restaurant."

[6/08] "I've always wanted to try Shango's Cajun/Creole cuisine, but somehow never got around to dining there, so when my son asked where I would like to go for Father's Day, I chose Shango. We went on Saturday night, 6/14. To start, we were served a small dish of olives and celery, and three breads—white, brown, and corn—with an olive-oil/spice blend. The breads were fresh and tasty. As an appetizer, I had an evening special: deep-fried, cornmeal-coated softshell crab, topped by corn and tomato salsa and greens, with Cajun (i.e., spicy) remoulade and creme fraiche. It was delicious. My wife had lump crabcakes with remoulade, maque choux (a traditional Cajun dish of creamed corn with tomato, peppers, and onion, plus greens with a mango vinaigrette. We had been to the Eastern Maryland shore a couple of weeks ago, and she compared Shango's crabcakes favorably to the ones we had had on the Chesapeake Bay. My son had the soup of the day—broccoli and broccoli rabe soup. His soup was also said to be very good. For my main course, I had to make a difficult choice between blackened Ahi tuna, which I have never found locally to approach that of K-Paul's Louisiana Kitchen in New Orleans, and pecan encrusted grouper, which I also had in New Orleans, at Commander's Palace. I decided to go with the tuna, ordered rare. When it arrived, it was more medium than rare, and more what they call "bronzed" in "N'awlins" than blackened. At first, I was disappointed at how it was overcooked, but it was not cooked to the point of being too dry, so I decided not to send it back. I was glad I kept it. (As an aside, the most perfectly cooked tuna that I've had locally has been at Carmelo's in Lewiston—charred about 1/16" on both sides and nearly raw in the middle). Shango's tuna was served with sweet-potato cubes and green beans. I normally don't like sweet potatoes, but these were prepared with a mild horseradish sauce, which contrasted nicely with the sweetness of the potatoes. My wife ordered sirloin steak topped by a cabernet demi-glace, with rosemary-parmesan French fries, and a Portobello mushroom stuffed with bleu cheese and spinach. She also thought her meal was excellent. My son had Creole bouillabaisse—shrimp, scallops, crab, Duxbury (Massachusetts) mussels, and catfish, in a seafood-tomato broth with peppers, onions, and potatoes. He said the mussels were "muddy" but, beside that, said his meal was delicious. For dessert, I had the "house special" bananas Foster, which was served like a sundae, rather than prepared tableside. It was delicious. The others had pecan pie with coconut and rum ice cream, that was reportedly rich and excellent. Besides the critically acclaimed food, it is currently one of only three restaurants in metro Buffalo with a Wine Spectator Award of Excellence. (The others are City Grill and Bacchus.) Although they no longer have the Austrian Gruner Veltliner that I ordered, our server recommended a white Spanish Garnacha, known as Grenache in France, which he said was similarly citrussy. I had never heard of a white Garnacha, but it was very, very good and went well with the spicy dishes. Excellent food, excellent service, worthy of several stars."

[DaK, 1/09] said: "Went to dinner on a Friday evening with some friends and had one of the best meals in recent memory at Shango. Sat at the bar for a leisurely glass of wine before sitting down to our table and had an excellent red wine from Australia upon the recommendation of the bartender. All 4 diners started with the spring greens salad, all with various requests: some without bleu cheese, some dressing on the side. All served perfectly as ordered. Every entrée was declared as wonderful and all very different: evening special steak with truffle butter and French fries (cooked perfectly), ahi tuna steak, seafood pasta with Creole cream sauce and Creole bouillabaisse. We all declined dessert, as we were much too full, but the coffee was excellent and kept coming. The pace was relaxed, and, even though we were some of the last patrons in the restaurant, we never felt rushed. Wonderful experience!"

[PT, 11/08] said: "We dined at Shango for the first time last night, Saturday, 11/22. Some friends recommended it very highly. The complimentary olive-celery appetizer was very good, as were the various breads, especially the corn bread. We started with their delicious gumbo. For main courses, a friend and I had sirloin steak with bleu-cheese-and-spinach-stuffed Portabella mushroom. My husband had "Mac and Cheese" made with a variety of cheeses—Gouda, cheddar, and goat cheese—and topped with grilled chicken: not your usual Kraft macaroni-and-cheese dinner. Our friend's husband had the Creole meat loaf with Andouille sausage in the middle, which he raved about. The gumbo and all of our entrees were wonderful. From one of the previous reviews, I read that Shango has a Wine Spectator Award of Excellence. I would agree that their wine list, whether by the glass or bottle, is very impressive and reasonably priced. We had an excellent bottle of Italian Primitivo. We will definitely return."

[MPM, 3/08] said: "My wife and I recently went to Shango on 3-21 to celebrate our anniversary. We were pleasantly surprised with the overall experience. The location brought back many memories of underage drinking at some of the local bars; that may be why some are now closed. Our meal was outstanding, consisting of two appetizers: frog legs with some sort of cucumber-tomato salad, and I had a quesadilla consisting of Andouille sausage with smoked Gouda with a fresh slaw. Our main course was a mac and cheese that was very decadent with smoked Gouda and other blends of cheese, topped with fresh bread crumbs. I had a 12 oz., bone-in, pork chop with a root beer reduction sauce; alongside was a sweet potato and Swiss chard selection. Presentation was great, food was very good, a little pricy but worth it. Probably the most impressive part was the wine list. Must have had close to two-hundred different selections from low $20s a bottle to over $200. We enjoyed a Califonia Cab from Poppy 96. It was outstanding for $38 a bottle. Don't forget to finish with the bananas Foster."

[HDe] said:

[3/08] "I'm going to keep this short. I've been to Shango twice recently, once for Valentines and again this past week. I consider this one of the best restaurants in Buffalo and have been to almost every one. This past week, I was lucky enough to get invited to a beer tasting at Shango. I had some dinner before and was ecstatic to have ordered rack of lamb in a wonderful Creole mustard sauce. It was cooked perfect med rare and was from Colorado and maybe the best I've had. I was there with 2 "beer experts", and we sampled various beers that they had on tap, not to mention the extensive bottle selections. My two friends had the meatloaf (with andouille) in it (wonderful) and a steak Po' Boy, which was also great. We went on to the tasting, which featured 9 different beers from around the world, which was great. This is to not forget that Shango has won Wine Spectator's award of excellence (wine being my specialty), and I can see why. It's obvious that not only does Chef Jim pay attention to his food but just as much care in selecting wines and beers. It has a family feel to it, as Chef Jim cooks, dad is around greeting and tending to things, and his wife is very helpful with wine selection. The wait staff is very knowledgeable and efficient. I can only say the ambiance is great, the food is great, the beer and wine selections are superior to most bars or restaurants, and just all in all Shango does everything right. I can be critical but have never had a bad meal or experience there. It should be on everyone's short list and is superior to most of the "big names" you hear about. It will continue to be one of my favorites."

[3/05] "I went to Shango for my birthday. I used to go to this location when it was Coffee Bean Café and wasn't surprised at all when chef Jim switched this over to a full "upscale" restaurant. His food at Coffee Bean Cafe was always good, so this was a logical move. I started with a cup of his well-known sausage-and-okra gumbo. It was excellent as always but, I felt, overpriced at $3.50 for a cup. It was loaded with okra but a tad light on sausage and could have used a tad more zip to it. My companion and I then shared the spinach-and-artichoke dip, which was huge. I don't mind large portions, but it was large enough to ruin your appetite! It was served with bread, and I would have liked to perhaps see some pita chips instead. It was rich and creamy, but somehow to me nothing "jumped out" flavorwise. We both then had the mesclun salad with goat cheese. Excellent, but you have to be careful not to put too much balsamic dressing on it, which was very strong. For entrées, my companion had spinach ravioli in a rich, wonderful Portobello sauce. Very rich and satisfying. I opted for the creole bouillabaisse, which was terrific, loaded with scallops, clam, crawfish, you name it, in a rich tomato broth. I accented it with a bottle of Kunde Zinfandel, which was perfect. I did not have room for dessert, but they looked fabulous. The coffee appeared to have a hickory taste to it, and was frankly addicting; great cup of Joe. The service was very good and the bill reasonable. I'd definitely go again and would put this around 2-2 1/2 stars."

[JAK, 3/07] said: "This past Friday, 3/16/07, my wife and I met two friends at Shango for after-work drinks and ended up staying for an extended appetizer-dinner session. We've been to Shango three times over the past year and have been very happy each time, but going with friends who hadn't been before allowed us to see it with new eyes, and it was every bit as good as we thought. If you've not been to Shango, the first things to understand are that they have an interesting and varied list of wines and beer (no hard alcohol) and that the service tends to be crisp and professional, but also friendly and helpful. Weston, our waiter for the evening (and bartender on our previous visit), was knowledgeable and comfortably able to describe in detail everything from the drinks to the menu. Very helpful, especially when you can't make up your mind. At our table, we had a very nice bottle of a tempranillo-cab blend and a selection of beers, including a raspberry-flavored wheat beer and the outstanding Samuel Smiths Oatmeal Stout. Nice way to begin the weekend! After extended conversation, our table of four opted to share several appetizers rather than separate entrees. We had a plate of six raw Blue Point oysters, an order of calamari, a huge plate of mussels with andouille, and two orders of parmesan-rosemary fries. Presented as they were ready, this sampling was a nice cross section of flavors and textures. The Blue Points were meaty but not overly briny, served with lemon and cocktail sauce—perfect for those who'd never had the raw oyster experience before. The calamari were beautifully cooked, tender and yielding with a flaky coating and two dipping sauces, one sweet and one spicier. The mussels arrived piping hot and tender, redolent of the smokiness of the huge slices of sausage. The fries—one for each side of the table, were crunchy and savory and not overly salty. For the first time in a long time at a restaurant, all plates went back to the kitchen empty! It's not that the evening's entrees were not appealing—far from it—but sometimes it's fun to share the experience, and, with the recent trend toward smaller plates, we were grateful that Shango had them in abundance. So...we're going again when?"

[NK, 10/06] said: "Being a vegetarian, it's a pretty frustrating endeavor to go out to eat (even with the numerous restaurants around town), but I stopped by Shango in late July and absolutely fell in love. The staff were wonderful, they had a pre-app of pickles and olives and a bountiful bread basket with corn bread, wheat bread, and spelt, with a side of whipped butter and a jam. I ordered the portabella po'boy, and my friend ordered the steak po-boy, and both came with a side of sweet-potato fries and vinegar cabbage salad. Both were amazing! My mouth waters thinking of this dining experience again—truly fabulous!"

[KATS] said:

[8/06] "Continuing as one of my favorite places to dine and wine in the city, Shango also serves some of the best homemade ice cream I've had in a while. It's a must order."

[11/05] "Finally made it to this charming spot on Saturday night. Although we didn't have reservations, there was plenty of seating in the bar area for our table of 4. What a fabulous, well-priced, and varied wine list. We really enjoyed our Super Tuscan, and the hostess was very knowledgeable on wines. Our service was a bit slow. The waitress came over with our menus, didn't ask about drinks, and started reciting the specials. When she finished, I remarked that I was simply dying of thirst and would like a glass for the bottle of wine that my friends had ordered. That took quite a few minutes to arrive. I'm pretty lax about slow service so long as I have a drink in my hand to distract me. We quickly ordered the fried calamari—interesting sauces, not rubbery, and lightly breaded and fried. I had one of their salads with cranberries, which was excellent. The Creole meatloaf was interesting. It had a great, spicy flavor, but the texture was off, like it had been through a food processor too many times. I like a nicy, chunky meatloaf. The corn salad was great; the mashed potatoes needed some butter. We really wanted the bananas Foster that the table next to us had ordered, but no one was going for dessert."

[YB, 4/06] said: "I recently went to the restaurant Shango for a bite to eat with my significant other, and enjoyed every minute of it. The creole/Cajun-style cuisine was new to me, and I was dying to try it. The restaurant decor is very pleasing, with dim lighting, glazed wood, copper table tops, and up-beat jazz playing throughout the place. At first glance of the menu, I was going to "play it safe" and choose the blackened steak po-boy, but, after some convincing from my significant other, I went with the creole meatloaf; she had the fettuccini. While waiting for our meal, we were given slices of bread with an olive oil and red pepper dipping sauce, which was very good. Our food arrived promptly and hot, just the way I like. The meatloaf was cut into 3 slices, and at first I was disappointed, because I thought the portion was small, but, when I finished, I was stuffed. The mashed potatoes were light and fluffy, and the corn was cooked to perfection. My girlfriend wasn't too pleased with the fettuccini (though I was) due to the spiciness of the sauce and ended up eating most of my meatloaf that she obviously loved. The service in Shango was great; our waiter checked on us repeatedly, and our glasses were kept full. After dinner, we had a little room left in our stomachs, so we decided to have the "house special" bananas Foster. I thought it would be a small dish that I could eat alone, but boy was I wrong. It was placed in a large glass dish filled half way with vanilla ice cream and topped off with the sautéed bananas and a mound of whipped topping. I would rate my overall experience at 2½ stars; it was great, and I can't wait to go back."

[NJ, 4/06] said: "I had dinner here with my two children and a classmate. This was our first visit to this restaurant, and it was a unique experience for us, because we were not familiar with New Orleans cuisine. The menu did not have a variety of other cuisine selections, so my children were not interested in ordering anything. The waitress and hostess were friendly, and we enjoyed the live music that was playing as we read over the menus. The atmosphere was nice, but the tables were so close together that we did not have much leg room, and the benches were very uncomfortable. Once the waiter read the specials to us, I began my meal with a New Orleans fish chowder. It had a nice flavor and a smooth taste. The combination of the seafood with the tomato broth had a strong fishy odor and taste. I picked at it a few minutes, and then I couldn't take it any more. After spending over thirty dollars at this restaurant, we left to go get take out."

[MRo, 4/06] said: "The minute I walked into Shango Bistro and Wine Bar, I felt that I had walked into a place where you wanted to be seen. The decor was very stylish, modern, and inviting. They serve a vast array of creole dishes straight from New Orleans. There is also an extensive wine list to accompany the menu, which has appetizers, po' boy sandwiches, and many meat and seafood entrees. There is a lively late crowd with live music on some nights and a later happy hour. The prices may be a bit higher than some places, but they aren't extraordinary. The higher price pays for a unique experience unlike any in Western New York."

[ARN, 4/06] said: "I was extremely pleased with the entire staff at Shango: they were all very cordial and inviting when we walked in. The wine list is large, but glasses can only be purchased on less than a dozen of the wines. The menu is very fancy, and the entree selection is extremely small, with lots of meat and fish dinners. My entree (fettucine) was excellent, though overpriced along with the rest of the entrees. The bananas Foster dessert was delicious—highly recommend it. Overall, the atmosphere was lovely and the staff and service great, but the pricy limited menu will not appeal to college students."

[MALD, 4/06] said: "This small Cajun bistro has a lovely appearance and outstanding food. However, the overall experience is not for everyone. Mid-April, two of my friends and I ate here. Our first mistake was not making a reservation. After waiting about 15 minutes, we were placed in a small booth. Now, when I say small, I mean we had to take turns moving the table over to one side so we could all get into our seats—and we are not overly large people. To add to this tight seating arrangement, the service was slightly disappointing. Our waiter had no problem taking orders and delivering drinks, but when it came time for the bill and a few to-go boxes, we were left waiting almost longer than it had taken us to order and eat. The food, however, was delicious. The bread and vegetable appetizers were a big hit. I had the chicken fettuccini dish in Cajun spices, and I was delightfully surprised by the taste. One of my friends ordered a Portobello-mushroom sandwich, and she, too, was impressed with the taste. (Being a vegetarian, this was about the only meal option for her.) The dishes did seem a bit pricy—it was near impossible to get a meal under $20.00. The desserts looked spectacular, but also seemed a big pricy. The table next to us ordered bananas Foster, which my friends and I were anxious to try. However, none of us were up for dessert. Overall, amazing food; I just feel the service could be due for a little improvement."

[KN, 4/06] said: "I ate at Shango last week for the first time. I had the blackened catfish po'boy with mesculin greens, and I was very pleased. The catfish was perfectly seasoned, and I really liked the sweet-potato fries. I was especially impressed with their dessert selection. I had ordered the bananas Foster, and I was shocked at the size of it when it came out. It was more than enough to feed my boyfriend, my sister, and me, and it was reasonably priced. I would definitely go back to Shango in the future. The food was great, I enjoyed the jazz, and it was reasonably priced."

[ECB, 9/05] said: "Shango makes me wish I hadn't moved out of the University Heights district. I've been there twice in the last few months and have been overwhelmingly impressed both times. I had enjoyed their Cajun Brunch back when they were still the Coffee Bean Cafe and was thrilled to hear that they'd changed format to a full-fledged restaurant. Their gumbo is still the best to be had in Buffalo: rich, spicy, and laden with healthy chunks of chicken and andouille sausage. The fried oyster po' boy sandwich is excellent, and all of the items my family and I tried at the brunch were superb. Prices are a bit on the high side, but nothing you wouldn't expect from a bistro. Service can be a bit slow but is friendly and attentive. I heartily recommend it."

[JG&LG, 5/05] said: "We just ate dinner (5/7/05) at a great newish restaurant right across from the South Campus Its card says it's a "New Orleans Bistro" and "Wine Bar." It has New Orleans-style food from gumbo, to po'boy sandwiches, to barbecued shrimp and oysters with a very unusual and tasty sauce (a special on the night we went). I am always a little leary of ordering shellfish in new places because I am afraid it will be overcooked or just blah, but these shrimps and oysters were tender and very tasty. I also had a very nice mesclun salad, and my companion had a wonderful huge bowl of jalapeño corn chowder (spicy, but not overpowering) and a salad. We enjoyed two very nice beers on tap—they had a great selection of microbrews in bottles and on tap. They also have an extensive wine list and what looks like a great menu that has something for everybody—vegetarians, meat-eaters, fish-eaters, etc. They also serve brunch and I think lunch. The restaurant is where the "Coffee Bean" used to be and is still owned by the same person, who was there the night we were there, chatting up the guests. The service was nice and the crowd was a mix of couples, family groups (even with small kids), and just groups. They have a big bar, and the atmosphere is very pleasant. We will definitely be back and encourage everyone else to go, too. Reservations are recommended (if not always required) on the weekend evenings."

[am] Sheridan Family Restaurant.
3901 Sheridan Dr., Amherst.
839-3011.

Greek.

Takeout available from Takeout Taxi, 631-2222.

[WHN, 6/08] says: "Every few months, several of us meet here for breakfast to talk about our respective businesses. I've never had anything besides breakfast, so I can't comment on other offerings, but those are very good and quite economical."

Shogun Ichi.
7590 Transit Rd., Williamsville.
631-8899.

Japanese teppan bar restaurant.

Bill says:

[11/07] I returned with my 12-year-old son the day that I received [HPK]'s review; our meal (filet mignon and fried rice) was excellent and well-prepared. I really think that the quality of the chef is the governing criterion here (as, of course, it is at all restaurants, but here the chefs vary much more than elsewhere). I might also note that I'm pretty sure that the sushi kitchen is a separate operation from the main kitchen where the appetizers are prepared.

[9/06] As [LF] indicates, it is pricy, and the quality of the food will vary with the chef, who cooks it at your table. But I've eaten in other hibachi-style "Japanese" restaurants (I'm told that, in Japan, some of them style themselves as "Denver ranch" restaurants :-), and Shogun compares favorably with them.

[12/01] We've been back several times, and it has always been good.

[10/99] [MER] and I ate here for the first time, on a whim. We liked it quite a bit. The chef's showmanship was flashy and fiery (literally), and our chicken, fried rice, and vegetables were delicious. Dinner includes soup, an iceberg-lettuce salad with a rather odd-tasting, allegedly Japanese dressing, and 2 (count 'em, 2) shrimp. Dinner for 2 with 2 glasses of wine, and no dessert, came to $50 with the tip, which is a bit pricy. (I must add, however, that the meal did not sit well afterwards; a bit on the greasy side.)

[HPK, 11/07] says: "I have been here a couple of times with varied results, but it is always generally good and fun. Last night we had a party of 12 for a triple bday celebration. The cook was just boring, he did not do anything. Very odd. Also, for the prices, one does not expect to be rushed. Some of our guests' sushi dinners were out and ready before any of our appetizers were even ready. We asked about this, and all they said was, "sorry." The kitchen is busy. Of course it is! It is Saturday night! That does not mean it is OK to rush us. Other tables were feeling the same way. For 12 people with tip, it was almost $700. I hope, if the restaurant reads this, they will take into consideration that being rushed does not equal return business."

[WHN, 4/07] says: "We went to Shogun for our son's birthday, along with ten guests. Most had steak cooked on the teppanyaki. One or two had chicken. My son had a sushi and sashimi platter as his main course, and I and one or two others had small sushi/sashimi appetizers as well. Everything was first rate. The chef was fun to watch as he sliced, diced, and cooked the meals. I would say it compares favorably to Benihana, where I've eaten a number of times in different locations. It is not the equal of teppanyaki restaurants in Japan, where they serve Kobe beef, but neither is the price."

[LF, 9/06] says: "This restaurant was truly a bad experience. The food was awful from the start. The fried rice was inedible, as the rice was undercooked and the chef burned the egg, creating a crunchy and burned taste. The soup was tasteless, and the salad was very blah. However, my steak was very good and well prepared. Ordinarily, since the steak was quite good, I wouldn't give a negative review, but the cost of my meal was insane for the quality I received. I paid $22.75 for the entire meal. Now, I've been to several hibachi-style Japanese restaurants, and I've never paid this much and been this dissatisfied with the outcome; in fact, I've always had really great experiences with Japanese cuisine. The service was unbelievably bad, very inattentive and unable to clarify items on the menu. The manager was very hostile and not at all concerned with a customer's satisfaction. Overall, the food is definitely not worth the price, and beware of extra charges, as they will not inform you of them ($2.75 for fried rice instead of steamed, and they don't give free refills). I do not recommend this restaurant to anyone, and I will never return."

[AJB, 8/02] says: "Strange thing happened: We arrived for dinner, and they automatically seated us by the Hibachi grills. We had come only for sushi and didn't even know they had a separate sushi bar area in the back. The sushi was great, and the service was decent—somewhat slow and inattentive, but there was really no reason for us to watch the (admittedly good) showmanship at the grill. Wrong atmosphere for the food we were eating. They should ask at the entrance whether you want to sit at the sushi bar. Also: They now take digital photos of birthday folks. The digital shots run as a slideshow on a big-screen TV visible from our seats, and the birthday boy or girl gets a framed printout of their photo."

[PH, 12/01] says: "My daughter's 9th birthday recently rolled around, and, of course, instead of a kiddie joint, she chose Shogun. It being a school night, we arrived early (i.e., 5:30ish). The sushi bar area was already active, but we were led to a completely empty hibachi room and seated at a hibachi table at the end (not the best seat, that being directly in front of the cooking area). Since the place was deserted, I requested that our friendly server (in appropriate garb) seat us in front of the table, which she did. Our chef was a very nice young man named Bruce, who interacted nicely with Danielle. Danielle, who of course did not order off of the children's menu (sigh...), ordered the number 13—a steak and shrimp medley for 20 bucks. (I, feeling the Christmas pinch, ordered the Hibachi Chicken—the poor house calls at this time of year....) Our server brought two bowls of broth ('Mom, this smells like pee!'—'don't eat it', I growled). An iceberg lettuce salad with an undescribable pink dressing quickly followed. We were being given quickie treatment as the place started to fill—all adults, who understandably would not want a table with a child. The chef did a great job, pleasing child—and that was the point of the meal. The food is adequate; obviously one is paying for the show and atmosphere, which expensive daughter thoroughly enjoyed. I had arranged for the birthday surprise (5 bucks), which consisted of a slice of pineapple attractively presented with the ubiquitous umbrella. Our pretty server then clapped a 'Japanese' wig on Danielle's head and an oriental drape over her shoulders. Expensive daughter was shocked! After a brief conference, three chefs and our server banged gongs and sang a happy-birthday song. Danielle was the center of attention, of course, and loved every moment. A poloroid photo in a frame was the take-home treat. 50 bucks for two. And the daughter left very pleased and requested the same for next year. Worth it? Hell, yeah. The chef, Bruce, and the server went out of their way to make this kid feel special. We will return for birthday number 10. (Unless she requests the Tour D'Argent next year. In that case, please come visit me in the poor house!)"

[RM, 5/00] says: "A lot of fun to sit at a table and watch the chef cook in front of you. Good food and plenty of it. Nice for couples of families."

[MEL, 9/99] says: "Another of those touristy, Japanese places where you watch the chefs grill the food (similar to the Benihana chain in other cities)—but better than I remember. Unlike other such places, it has sushi that is actually fairly OK, and I thought my grilled salmon was OK too."

[JCM, 5/95] says: "Very good food and a great show. A little pricy, but worth it. Informal. Tables seat up to parties of 10. Reservations are recommended, since the restaurant does not have many tables. The dishes were very tasty, and the menu had a good selection."

The Shores Waterfront Restaurant & Marina.
Placid Harbour Marina, 2 Detroit St., Tonawanda Isle, Tonawanda.
693-7971.

Informal American cuisine.

[WHN, 6/06] says: "We had a very pleasant lunch on the outdoor patio at Shore's today, Sunday, 6/18/06. If you're looking for a great meal, don't go to Shores, whose food can best be described as not bad. However, on a nice summer day, it's a great place to relax outside and watch the activity of boaters and jet skiers on the Niagara River, while enjoying a drink or two with food that's merely OK. If you stick to basics like burgers, chicken fingers and wings, beef on weck, grilled chicken sandwiches, etc., you won't go wrong. On weekend evenings, there is usually a band playing, so it can get to be extremely busy, with a long wait for a table and service—and very loud. At lunchtime, it's usually much less crowded, and much more pleasant, from our viewpoint."

[SCS, 9/01] has told me that he finds it pleasant enough once a season and that it has a great view of the Niagara River and Grand Island.

[am] Siena.
4516 Main St., Amherst.
839-3108.

Gourmet pizza and pasta. Outdoor dining in summer. Informal but upscale.

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

[AFN, 1/09] says: "My sister and I had lunch at Siena on Friday, Jan. 2nd. I had shrimp scampi served over Italian bread. My sister had "surf and turf"—beef filet and scallops. The food was very good, but overpriced. These were really, really light lunches—mine consisted of two fairly large shrimp, while my sister's had two scallops and a very small piece of filet—for about $14 each."

[KATS, 8/06] said: "My husband and I recently re-re-re-tried Siena, as we're now within walking distance in their neighborhood. Our experience, like it is every time we go there, was underwhelming at best. We put our name on the 45-minute waiting list and sat outside with a glass of wine. After 30 minutes had gone by, my husband decided to go inside to check on our table, and they had forgotten about us, and our table was ready right away. I ordered a horrendous grilled romaine salad with bacon and some sort of thick dressing. The grilled romaine was huge and unwieldy to eat. The dressing overpowered the dish, and I picked at it. I ordered the steak and hot pepper pasta upon the recommendation of the waitress—the steak pieces and peppers were good, but the watery sauce left much to be desired. On the other hand, my husband loved his rack of lamb (but he is otherwise not a fan of the restaurant, either). They were out of the 3 or 4 wines that we asked for, and we ended up with an overpriced Cabernet. We took half the bottle home, and it ended up down the sink. We will be back—everyone we know always wants to go there—but there will be some kicking and screaming."

[JCr] said:

[10/05] "I had recently dined at Siena again a month back and found it to be much more pleasing. I just love the fresh breads and flat breads they put on the table, as well as the olive tapanade. I started with their mixed greens salad with gorgonzola, which was just a good regular salad. For my entree, I went with the special, which was a Rib eye steak with some sort of Cabernet reduction, I believe (I don't recall exactly though), along with smashed potatoes. This was a good entree and much better than my previous experience there. It is only a matter of time till my next visit."

[6/05] said: "Recently, I dined at Siena and have mixed feelings about my experience. I thought that the atmosphere in the restaurant was great, and the menu prices are very fair. I was seated with a party of six, and the service was excellent; we never had to wait more than a minute for a refill of wine or what have you. On to the important part, the food; the menu consists mainly of pasta and pizza, and I was in the mood for neither. This didn't leave me with many options, and I decided to go with one of the specials; it was pork tenderloin in a curry-coconut sauce topped with a sort of salsa. The tenderloin alone was not of great quality, and the sauce tasted like a watered down piña colada, it was sub-par, to say the least. My girlfriend ordered the one pasta dish on the menu that I was going back and forth on between that and the tenderloin entree. This was tagliatelle with grilled shrimp, tomato, banana peppers, fennel, and calamata olives; all right, now I get to see if I made the right decision on my entree or not. Well I don't know what to say; both dishes seemed extremely bland and missing that one special ingredient. I will return to Siena again and sample one of their gourmet, brick-oven pizzas. P.S.: I was recently in Cleveland and dined at a great steakhouse; if anyone finds themselves there, go to the Hyde Park Restaurant in the warehouse district and order the 12-14 oz. bone-in filet—you won't be disappointed."

Bill said:

[9/05] Returned with [MER], [SLD], and my 9-year-old son; I was expecting the worst: a menu full of items containing ingredients I didn't like, but, much to my pleasant surprise, they had a new menu with several tempting items. On the table were two different kinds of breads, along with thin pizza crackers, all accompanied by a tasty olive tapenade and a white bean tapenade. [MER] and I both began with an arugula salad with corn, tomatoes, roasted red peppers, and pecans, in a poached garlic dressing that was delicious without being overpowering. I had an excellent whole-wheat spaghetti with steamed mussels in a porcini mushroom broth; messy to eat, but good. However, [MER]'s chicken marsala was tough; not even the sharp steak knife made it easy to cut. On the other hand, [SLD]'s filet of sirloin with roast leek was tender. My son, whose tastes are rather finicky, opted for the Margherita pizza: cheese and very spicy rectangular pepperoni; he requested that the mushrooms be omitted. He pronounced it better than Pizza Pizza, which is high praise, indeed. Dessert for me was a "magic cube": A cube of chocolate shell covering a chocolate mousse and a vanilla mousse, covered in raspberry sauce and accompanied by strawberries: exquisite. My son had a lemon sorbet served in a frozen and hollowed-out lemon, and [MER] had a cheesecake with raspberry sauce. All in all, a pleasant dinner.

[10/02] [MER] and I came here with some friends for a light supper of pizza; I had a great salad and an interesting ultra-thin-crust pizza—quite enjoyable.

[5/00] I returned twice recently. The first time, I was very disappointed; every single item on the menu seemed to have some ingredient that either I hate (e.g., fennel or gorgonzola) or can't eat. But the second time, I had a quite delicious meal: an arugula/radicchio/endive salad followed by a wild-mushroom cannoli in a goat-cheese cream sauce. The cannoli were more like crepes than pasta, and were excellent. A double scoop of chocolate and cinnamon gelati completed a very nice meal.

[MRT, 4/05] said: "My husband and I enjoyed an excellent meal at Siena last Sunday night. When you first sit down, good bread and two dips are brought to you. We tried to not fill up on the bread and dips, delicious as everything was. I began with a baby greens salad with corn. It was perfectly dressed, and very tasty. My husband began with crab cakes. He approved of the small size of the crab cakes, and really enjoyed the dipping sauce. We each ordered from their special. It was filet mignon with truffle butter. We were given steak knives, but they were not needed. The meat was perfectly cooked. The vegetables on the side of the meat can be improved. Raw chopped red pepper, two thin slices of grilled zucchini, and two small pieces of roast potatoes. Desserts were not exceptional. I ordered a crème brulé. It was good, nothing more. My husband ordered a snickerdoodle pie. He also said it was good, nothing more. Still, Siena service is exceptional. They must not have a pastry chef, and we do wish they could improve their side vegetables. It is one of my favorite restaurants in town."

[KB, 9/02] said: "We picked Siena's to try last Friday because the weather was beautiful and we wanted to dine outside one last time before summer ended. Hearing that Siena had a patio, we went. The patio was filled up when we got there, so we sat inside. The atmosphere is not bad—warm colors, relaxed feel. The food was a different story. Our meal started with lackluster bread accompanied by dipping oil. To the eye, there were lots of herbs in the oil; however, when you ate it, there was only the olive oil taste. For the entreé, I ordered a special—turkey rolled around sage compound butter, with a sage sauce. Very disappointing—while the turkey was moist, it had no flavor at all, and there was no sauce to speak of, either. Another special, wild boar chops, were ordered and were served startlingly rare. They had good flavor, but we were a little nervous to eat them quite so rare. The third member in our party ordered halibut, which he raved about. Very delicate flavor and cooked perfectly. One out of 3 meals: not the best ratio. I don't think I would go back."

[TM, 3/01] said: "On Thursday evening, my wife and I decided to head out to dinner. We picked Siena on Main St. in Snyder. Since they do not accept reservations, we chose to have an early dinner in hopes that we might avoid waiting. We arrived at about 6:15 PM; the dining room still had some open tables, and the bar was just starting to fill in. So far, so good. We were seated immediately and ordered a glass of Merlot for me and a Pinot Grigio for my wife. Our waitress recited the specials, which included some appetizers and several entrees. Siena is known for their thin, wood-hearth-baked pizzas and their Osso Bucco. My wife likes to order two appetizers instead of an entrée for dinner. I often gravitate to their pasta selections, but wanted to try something different. She ordered a Caesar salad and a seared ahi tuna appetizer. I ordered a pork chop special upon the strong recommendation of our waitress, and a hearts of palm salad. Our bread basket had three types of bread—a dense Italian bread, an olive bread, and a flat bread encrusted with sesame seeds. The breads were presented with a fresh tomato spread; this is a departure from the seasoned olive oil I have enjoyed here in the past. The tomatoes were refreshing, not to mention healthy. By the time our salads arrived (a few minutes), the dining room and the bar had filled up. (Are we in Buffalo on a Thurs. night? No; I guess it's Snyder.) The salads are generous portions of really fresh greens, and the dressings are exceptional. My hearts of palm was presented over crisp romaine laced with a tomato basil vinaigrette dressing. The salad was full of sliced imported ripe olives, sopresat, and sliced yellow tomatoes: colorful and delicous. My wife's Caesar was piled high and topped with toast triangles instead of the croutons so often seen. The flavor combination of my salad was great—the dressing was subtle yet piquant, and all the ingredients were of top quality. When my entr´e arrived, it was presented on a charger that was very hot. I must not have heard the waitress mention that the dish was smoked pork chops—so often smoked meats are too strong or artificial, and I tend to avoid them. The chops were 4 oz. each, boneless, lightly breaded, napped with a smoked tomato coulis, and accompanied by risotto, and fresh green beans and matchstick julienne carrots. My first bite of the chops made me a believer. The flavor was marvelous, and the pork was very moist and cooked perfectly in the wood-hearth oven that Siena uses for their signature thin pizza crusts. I would have been satisfied with one of these pork chops, but I couldn't resist finishing both. The risotto was creamy and well seasoned, and the vegetables crisp and colorful. My wife's appetizer portion of seared ahi tuna looked beautiful (I'm not a fish person), and there was no sign of a fishy odor or ammonia. She said it was very fresh and tasty, and it was presented with fresh watercress. We topped our dinner off with a cappucino and split an order of Tiramisu. This is a restaurant that could make it in any major marketplace in the country. The atmosphere, the food, the service are exceptional. It is not stuffy, either. There were some single diners, a young mother with two children (perhaps 5 or 6 years old), and a diverse mix of ages of patrons. The decor is slick, but not flashy. The paper overlays on the tables signal a more casual attitude about the place. I like the idea that no matter what your appetite, you can find multiple choices, whether a light meal or a multi-course dinner. This restaurant works, and I guess that is why so many people are willing to wait to enjoy something quite special."

Signature Cafe.
1595 Elmwood Ave. (near Amherst St., north of Delaware Park), Buffalo.
875-3500.

[RMi, 7/06] says: "This is my regular spot for lunch, and I take for granted some of its unique features. The Signature Café is a gourmet sandwich and pizza cafe with prices that are cheaper than a run-of-the-mill pizza or sub shop. They have a wide selection of coffees and teas. They are also open for breakfast and Friday nights for a fish fry, but I have only gone there for lunch. I was hooked by the great tasting food that is prepared with healthy ingredients. They have homemade soup along with sandwich specials. I often get the half a turkey and roasted red pepper Napoli (which looks like a whole sandwich) and either soup or a mixed green salad for $5.95. My favorite special is the apple walnut salad with raspberry vinaigrette dressing (I get it with grilled chicken). It's in the same building that Karen's restaurant was on Elmwood at Amherst, just down from the art gallery. The Café has been reconfigured and remodeled to have a more comfortable layout and now has full table service along with takeout and catering. It can get a little busy at lunchtime, so I get there a little before noon or after one to avoid the rush."

The Silo.
115 North Water St., Lewiston.
754-9680.

[WHN, 5/07] says: "Your basic hot-dog-and-hamburger-stand but, perched above the town's waterfront park and boat dock; offers a great view of the Niagara River."

Simme's Martini Bar & Restaurant.
99 Aurora St., Lancaster.
683-1740.

[GOw, 3/09] says: "Simme's is a tavern/restaurant in Lancaster. It had closed a while back; it is my understanding that it is now owned and operated by the folks who own Kennedy's Cove in Clarence. We had eaten at Simme's 4-5 times in the past and always enjoyed the food and atmosphere. In the past, they seemingly wanted to be a fine-dining restaurant and serve fancy martinis. The crowd never seemed to fit what they were trying to accomplish, which may have led to its demise. We went last night (Friday) for the first time since the new owners took over. We arrived about 6:30 pm and were able to snag a table right away. We sat upstairs and were waited on by an energetic and willing-to-please server. Jan had a Beefeater martini, and, since I was on call, I stuck with a glass of beer. Decent selection of draft beer available, and the martini was good. There were a few specials and a basic, limited menu. I think there were 2 pages. We didn't plan on going out for a fish fry, but that is exactly what we ordered. In fact, we ordered exactly the same food. We did find the "extra" charges for things confusing and annoying. A fish fry is $13.99. Perhaps a bit high, but it does include soup or salad, and a choice of potato. We enjoyed an interesting New England clam chowder ($1 extra???). The soup did a number of things well. First, it was hot; I find many restaurants have trouble serving piping-hot soup. The soup had plenty of clams and was thick without being pasty. The unusual part was the sweetness. We asked the server, and she told us that the chef adds sweetened condensed milk. I liked it; Jan was not as enthused, but not put off either. Our fish fries were very good. I believe it was haddock—big, crispy and hot. No complaints at all. Baked potato was huge and not steamed in foil, truly baked. Big cup of butter and sour cream—no way we would use all of it. Garlic bread was also served using a bias-cut piece of a Costanzo's sub roll. This was excellent. Tartar sauce, cole slaw, and a nice piece of lemon were all fresh and good. The owner came by and greeted us. He took an interest in how we liked the service and food. We really hope they can be successful. Our total bill for 3 drinks and 2 fish fries was $53.00 including tax and tip. Maybe a little higher than what is the norm, but the food and service were very good. We will try the place with the kids and check out whether it compares with our favorite family eating place—Grover's in E. Amherst."

[m] Sinatra's Trilogy Restaurant and Lounge.
938 Kenmore Ave. (across from St. Joseph's High School), Buffalo.
877-9419.

Italian.

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

[4/05] Given 4 (out of 4) stars by Janice Okun, Buffalo News restaurant reviewer.

[PMcL, 6/08] says: "Yesterday, we had a most wonderful experience. We visited Sinatra's for the first time. From the greeting at the door to the good-bye at the end, it was most attentive. The food is without question worth a 4-star accreditation. I highly recommend this restaurant."

[DwH, 3/07] said: "Travelling to Buffalo almost weekly since February and wanted to pass along some impressions: Took my South-Jersey-Italian-to-the-roots colleague here for the bracciole. It more than passed—although he could not quite bring himself to utter the words that no Italian son can ever say aloud—"It's as good as/better than my mom's". Reduced him to muttering, however. Bartenders are classic old-school barmen who make you feel right at home."

[WHN, 8/06] said: "My wife and I, along with ten other family members and friends, attended a dinner party for my brother-in-law's birthday Saturday night, 8/12. Sinatra's is one of his favorite restaurants. My wife and I had been there twice before, once by ourselves and once with my sister- and brother-in-law. One of the hosts, our nephew, ordered appetizers for the table—antipasto platters, artichokes "Francaise", and roasted peppers stuffed with asiago cheese and, I think, prosciutto or pancetta. The antipasto was the usual mix of meats, cheeses, olives, roasted peppers, tomatoes, etc., but the cheesy fried artichokes and cheese-filled peppers were delicious. Main courses include soup, salad, and a side of pasta, risotto, or potatoes, and a vegetable. The tortellini soup was good, and the house salad of assorted lettuces, tomatoes, cucumbers, etc., with Italian dressing and crumbled Gorgonzola was very good. As a main course, I chose Veal Milanese with risotto parmesan. My wife had Veal Marsala, which had lots of sliced mushrooms in the Marsala sauce, with a side of pasta. Our veal dishes were both excellent. (The waitress never asked anyone what they wanted as a side dish, but I had noticed the choices and asked for risotto. Everyone else got pasta. My wife said she would have preferred risotto, but didn't realize that was an option.) Our son ordered lasagna, one of the daily specials, which he said was the best he had ever had. It had layers of sliced meat balls and mushrooms, along with ricotta. Among the other entrees ordered were pork brasciole, veal and chicken parmesan, and a not-at-all-Italian broiled filet mignon. The brasciole and the chicken parmesan were reported to be excellent. (I had had veal parmesan at a previous meal here and thought it was nothing special, about the same as every other Italian restaurant's.) Everyone seemed to enjoy their meals. Most entrees are in the $25—$30 range. The portions are very large, so a lot of food was left over and taken home. Our other host, my niece, asked me to pick the wines. The wine list, especially the Italian wines, is excellent, and moderately priced. For the white, I chose 2004 Santa Margherita Pinot Grigio from Alto Adige; for the red, 2001 Beni di Batasiolo Barolo. At $32 and $50 respectively, both were only about $10 above retail, far below the double or triple mark-ups of most restaurants. For dessert, there was ice cream cake for the birthday celebration. After all the other food, a small slice was more than enough, but one person also ordered cassata cake, which she said was excellent. Overall, the food was excellent and the service good—the waitress could have used more help serving twelve people simultaneously—but probably not worthy of the 4-star rating that Janice Okun gave it, considering that Rue Franklin, Hutch's, and San Marco also received 4 stars. On the Bill-Rapaport 3-star scale, I would give it 2 stars."

[MRT, 6/05] said: "We enjoyed dinner at Sinatra's Saturday, July 25. When you first sit down, they bring you good tasting bread and caponatina. We tried not to fill up on the bread. Our appetizers were the best part (4 star) of the meal. I ordered a salad of tomatoes, mozzarella, cucumbers, and lamb tenderloin. The salad was creative and delicious. Our friend ordered sweet peppers capicola and asiago, and my husband ordered shrimp and lobster. Our entrees were more pedestrian. Lasagna, ravioli and meatballs, and I ordered veal marsala. Our entrees were good, but the veal was just as I would prepare it. It was nothing special. I did order tiramisu for dessert with espresso. The tiramisu was delicious. With a $50 bottle of Chianti, our final bill was $170. I would give the restaurant 3 stars, and do not understand the rationale that Janice Oken used to give them 4 stars."

[ATh, 4/02] said: "You should try Sinatra's....It is expensive, but everything about it is fantastic. The bread is great. The salad is crisp. The house dressing is great. The meal itself is phenomenal. Unlike other places I have been to that could be considered expensive, you get ample portions, and the taste will leave you forgetting about the price."

Sinbad Market.
2896 Delaware Ave., Kenmore.
877-5630.

[DaB, 7/08] says: "This middle eastern market and lunch stand in downtown Kenmore has quite a variety of freshly prepared, tasty foods for incredibly cheap prices! In addition to selling a wide variety of fresh produce, various syrups and spices, and other groceries of various sorts, Sinbad Market sports a large lunch counter run by kind and helpful staff who quickly serve up a number of favorites, including: falafel sandwiches with a variety of optional toppings, freshly made hummus, various crispy sambosa (only $1 each, and they're large!), tabouleh salad, shawarma, and several meat entrees with rice. Being vegan, I always opt for my usual, which is two flaky vegetable sambosa with hummus and a delicious middle-eastern fruit drink from the large cooler. Service is always fast and friendly, and this is a great place to stop if you want to try something a little bit different on your lunch break. The manager is named Mr. Asaleh."

Sippy's Restaurant.
3455 Genesee St. (west of Union Rd.), Cheektowaga.
631-0308.

Italian and Indian (!). Formerly Ricci Roma, with new owner (Indian) but old chef (Italian).

[CG, 6/09] says: "My mother and I have just gotten back from a dinner at Sippy's Restaurant. I've wanted to try it for a while, as Indian is my favorite cuisine, and this is the closest and least expensive Indian restaurant that I know of. A recent review of it in The Buffalo News said that the Indian food was mediocre, so I was a bit leery but decided to give it a try. I've eaten at several other local Indian restaurants (India Gate, Taste of India, Tandoori's) as well as some in California and Arizona. Walking in, the look was that of an Italian restaurant, but the smell was that of an Indian restaurant. Most people eating there were eating Italian food (which looked and smelled excellent). There was complementary clam chowder and onion soup with big croûtons; I tried the onion soup and it was very good. We ordered the Paneer Pakora as an appetizer, and, for our entrees, I ordered the Malai Kofta, and my mom had the Chicken Tikka Masala. She also had a gin and tonic, and she was pleased because it was only $2 and quite large and not watered down. We also ordered Garlic Naan to go with our meal. The portions seemed a bit larger compared to other restaurants I've been to, and we both thought it was among the best Indian food we've had in the area. The basmati rice was plentiful but probably the least remarkable, but still a nice accompaniment to the curries. We also received complementary raita. The waitress was prompt and polite; there was no ‘attitude’ like there can be in one other local Indian restaurant. The biggest problem I found was that they didn't have waterproof take-out containers, and I had to hold the containers upright and they still leaked a bit. This restaurant would be perfect for someone who has never had Indian food and is nervous about trying it. The buffet has both Indian and Italian (I can't wait to try it) and the décor and music are very casual and not the typical Indian style. We were very happy with our meal and will be back."

[BaR, 12/08] said: "I almost did a double take when I first saw their sign that said Indian/Italian, because I had never seen that particular combo. Odd combination, I know; but they have a lunch buffet that is under eight dollars that is surprisingly good. My son dragged me there under protest one day, and I'm glad he did. The website lists both of their menus—the Italian and the Indian. I'm not a super big fan of Italian, but what I have had on that half of the buffet has been good. I tend to stick mostly to the Indian part of the menu, and I have yet to be disappointed. They often have lamb on the buffet, which to me is a plus to begin with. The lamb is always very tender and very tasty, with no gristle or fat. The lamb korma will make you think you died and went to heaven if you enjoy lamb. The buffet is only for lunch, except on Wednesdays, when they also have a dinner buffet. The regular menu portions are very decent in size. The owner is always around checking to see if you are enjoying your meal, and the wait staff is very pleasant. If there is a question they themselves cannot answer, they will find someone who will. I have enjoyed every instance we have dined there. The decor may be a bit bleak, but my feeling is that you can't eat atmosphere. The food is good and fairly priced, and the employees are pleasant and helpful—can't ask for much more than that."

Smokey Bones Barbeque and Grill.
2007 Walden Ave. (between Union Rd. and the I-90), Cheektowaga. 683-0724.

Part of the chain.

[ABi, 10/06] says of the Maple Rd. location: "Smokey Bones is barbeque Epcot-style: you get a plastic environment that's a rough approximation of the original, but no one will ever mistake that chintzy pagoda for one you'd find in rural Japan. There are lots of fake-looking logs, deliberately ragged-looking brick walls, and a huge picture of a mountain sky that must be at least 2,000 miles away; the last was a generic, motivational-poster-type shot that wasn't exactly effective at putting my mind in a faraway place. Not helping us look past the plastic environs was our initial encounter with the hostess: We told her our name and party size, and she just sort of wandered off, leaving us sitting there before an actual helpful employee asked if we'd like to leave our name and party size. Wait, we already gave that to...where'd she go? If the phantom hostess is reading this, don't worry, we eventually got a table in spite of you and your apparent utter disdain for customers, so thanks for nothing. Our waiter was an improvement in terms of basic courtesy, although he also disappeared for long stretches. Maybe he joined a search party to find our missing hostess. He also didn't offer us the all-you-can-eat ribs special that was advertised in a circular that made its way to our home's mailbox; it wasn't on the menu, either, which meant we awkwardly had to explain the promotion to him and then ask if it was still available. Not wanting to limit myself to ribs, I got a platter, which included half a rack of them plus a choice of two other meats. I went with brisket and pork, and both were fair. Each was meaty and fairly rich in flavor, but both were too tough: They needed, say, about another two hours in a barely hot grill to be finished. The St. Louis-style ribs were better, because they were not only individually ample but also more tender than the boneless grub. If there was any complaint, it's that the dry rub was too dry: The peppery spice was a tad overwhelming. If it were a martini, it could have used another part of vermouth. I sampled a companion's baby back ribs, which were the best thing I had, because the tangy sweet sauce was the best flavor balance Smokey Bones was able to muster. Oddly, the receptacle provided for bone disposal was a small paper bag, the sort that holds junior's grade school lunch. Don't they have any big bowls? If they work for chicken wing bones, they should work for ribs. Smokey Bones was a middling approximation of barbeque, but the authentic-as-Vegas decor, decent-but-not-super food, and thoroughly spotty service won't entice me to consider returning, especially when compared to a genuinely fine rib place like Kentucky Greg's. Smokey Bones is to Kentucky Greg's as Godfather III is to Godfather II."

[BL, 2/06] says: "Agree with first review. A chain with adequate food and pleasant interior including large stone fireplaces and rustic mountain feel. Food not quite up there with local favorites Kentucky Greg's Hickory Pit or BW's BBQ. Sides like the cole slaw and beans are good, but French fries need improvement. Spouse liked the dry rub on the St. Louis ribs, but we both thought the ribs could be more moist. Maybe the baby back ribs are better. A little bit expensive, especially for any extras like soup or a salad. Good service, and the management comes to talk with you and ask opinions. Part of the Red Lobster/Olive Garden Group."

[JS.C, 11/05] says: "Not bad for a chain BBQ joint. Definitely a sports-bar atmosphere. Great place to spend Sunday watching the game, as they have a bunch of TVs playing and the appetizers are in good portions. 1 star."

Snooty Fox Lounge. —WARNING: WEBSITE PLAYS LOUD MUSIC!
445 Delaware Ave. (between Edward and Virginia, downtown), Buffalo.
846-3699.

[BA, 6/07] says: "My friend and I went to this new lounge last Thursday, June 14th, the night after their soft opening. A very nice spot, geared towards socializing, with some fine wines and excellent food. The two of us tried six of their wines by the glass (3 white, 3 red). We had a question about one served to us: It was immediately replaced with a glass from a bottle opened as we watched. That bottle matched the quality of the other five we tried. All fine and good value. We had two of their dishes. The first was a tuna sashimi. The fish was pristine, with an arugala salad, capers, and lime. Might have benefitted from a touch of truffle oil and fresh-ground pepper but was delicious regardless (who can resist customizing to their own taste?). Our second dish was grilled scallops in a saffron cream sauce, with very tender asparagus. In one word, excellent—perfectly cooked all around. The two bartenders (Heidi and Randy) did well by us—very pleasant, professional, friendly. The setting is classic—wood, glass, stone—and they have a small party room. Had a chance to meet and speak with the owners when we explored their back room, and wished them great success."

[a] Solé.
5110 Main St. (in the Walker Center), Williamsville.
362-0356.

[GOw, 6/09] says: "We enjoyed a beautiful, early evening on the patio at Solé. We were in no rush and ordered the Margarita Classic with Sauza Tequila, Triple Sec, lime juice, and sour mix. First impressions were that it was somewhat dinky for a drink that cost $7.50, but it sure packed a wallop. While bigger may be better, it was fine. We shared the tableside guacamole; very good. My only comment is that I prefer my food quite a bit spicier than Jan. The gentleman that prepared the dish said he would get me a side of hot sauce, but that never appeared. The guacamole may have been a bit heavy on the onion, but was very fresh and tasty. Aside from the lapse on the hot sauce, our service was very good. I ordered the Tres Empanadas: 1. lobster, black bean, goat cheese, grilled mango salsa. 2. smoked chicken, cheddar cheese, roasted poblano & corn, pico de gallo. 3. braised beef, caramelized onions, Gorgonzola, salsa verde; very good. This was comparable to a dish ordered at the godawful Havana House, only with flavor. Jan ordered a very nice salad—Tierra y Mar—described as spiced grilled petit filet and shrimp, crispy onion, black beans, roasted corn, roasted tomato, Gorgonzola, and creamy avocado dressing; excellent, just needed a bit more dressing, which was brought promptly. This was plenty of food for both of us. This was our second visit, and both have been positive."

We have some interesting contrasting reviews of Solé this month; read [LMi]'s first, then [JCr]'s, then [PT]'s, which is the order I received them :-)

[PT, 5/09] said: "Seeing the review by [LMi, 5/09] reminded me of our experience at Solé several months ago. We went for an early dinner, around 5:30. There was no one else in the place, but they put us at a tiny table for two, with a partition on one side and another table a few inches away on the other. Not that we're claustrophobic, but my husband asked if we could be moved to a roomier table in the more open area of the dining room, where we could have some privacy if someone was seated at the adjacent table. We were told "No, we are booked solid", even though the restaurant was empty, and we would probably be done before, if ever, it got crowded. So we left and went to Siena, further down Main, where we had an excellent meal at an un-cramped table. We have not been back to Solé and never will return. Hard to believe that an experienced restaurateur would hire staff that ignores their customers' preferences."

[JCr, 5/09] said: "I have had many great dining experiences at Solé, most recently about a month ago. On this visit, we had a party of about 8, we were seated promptly, and gave our drink orders. To start, we decided to order a bunch of appetizers to all share, the Ahi Tuna Ceviche and tableside-prepared guacamole were really fantastic. For entrees, my wife ordered the Lobster Tacos, which she really liked, and I had a special, which was a Porterhouse steak with a side of Poblano and Lobster mac 'n' cheese. The steak was of good quality and prepared correctly, and the mac 'n' cheese was rich, creamy, had large lobster chunks, and was fantastic. Service throughout the meal was good, and everything was certainly reasonably priced. I will certainly return again. On a side note, pertaining to the reviewer [LMi] below, like 95% of the restaurants reviewed on this site, this is a upscale, sit-down restaurant, so a 1½–2-hour meal is the case more often than not. Also, if you're going to review a restaurant, please review the food as well. Aside from the mention of the crab cakes being ‘scorched’, there was no mention of whether they were good or not, or what the rest of your party had, and if they did or did not enjoy their meal. Scorched to you may be a nice golden crust to me. With that being said, I am in no way affiliated with this restaurant, or any of the other dozens I have reviewed on this website, or any restaurant anywhere, and would suggest Solé to most people."

[LMi, 5/09] said: "I ate at Solé on Wednesday evening with 2 friends. I have never been so disappointed. We arrived at 7:30; at 9:30, we were finally able to leave. The service was horrible; the food merely adequate; and the price, well with all things considered, it was outrageous. The waitress neglected to tell us that they were down waitstaff and one in the kitchen; instead, she preferred to stay as far away from us as possible, pretending she did not notice our annoyance. Had she been up front, she might have fared much better. I ordered a crab-cake appetizer as a dinner; she brought it out 15 minutes early; I sent it back. She was well aware that it was my dinner. I was very clear. When those same crab cakes came back 15 minutes later, they were scorched. We did complain to the hostess twice! In the end, she gave us a card for a free guacamole on our next visit. I asked her point blank if she really believed there would be a next visit. To add insult to injury, when we got home, we discovered the card for the free guacamole was expired. I will never eat there again and would not recommend it to anyone."

[WHN, 1/07] said: "Solé is a fairly new restaurant run by the owners of Le Metro. It's in the location most recently occupied by Vue and, before that, by ZuZon. I would describe the menu as Latin American/Caribbean-Spanish. On our first visit, last night (1/6/07), a basket of taco chips with two kinds of salsa (mild and milder) and guacamole was served after we were seated, but the menu is much more than Mexican, with a long list of tapas, including such items as a Serrano ham, Chorizo and cheese plate, house-made lobster sausage, chicken quesadillas, etc. Prices for the tapas range from about $6-$10. The wine list consists exclusively of wines from Chile and Argentina. Not a single California wine on the menu, which was fine. No Spanish wines either, which was a bit disappointing. We chose a Chilean Chardonnay and an Argentine Malbec. The wines by the glass are in the $5-$6 range, with most of the bottles in the $20-$30 range. We shared two tapas among our party: crab and roasted corn cakes with tomatillo salsa; and fried calamari with three sauces—tomatillo salsa; tartar sauce; and a sweet, fruity sauce. Both dishes were excellent. I also had a spicy red pepper and shrimp soup that was delicious, just enough spiciness and very flavorful. For the main course, I chose a "Churrasco-style" hanger steak with a creamy sauce. It was tender and very flavorful. The steak was served with twice-baked, stuffed, baby red potatoes and assorted roasted vegetables. My wife had pork carnitas, with rice, onions, and peppers. This was served with flour tortillas for wrapping, fajita style. She thought the pork was overly salty, but not so salty that it ruined the flavor. Other menu choices include a variety of seafood and chicken dishes. There is also a long list of nightly specials, both tapas and entrees. Main courses are in the $18-$24 range. The service was efficient and friendly. Around 8 pm, a jazz band started playing in the bar area. Our only minor complaint is that the wines are served in trendy, stemless glasses. We prefer the traditional stemware. I would give it two stars. We will definitely return to try some of their other menu items."

[ am] Sonoma Grille.
5010 Main St. (in the Lord Amherst Motel), Snyder (Amherst).
204-0251.

[GOw] says:
[6/09] "Stopped by on a sunny weeknight. We sat on the front patio; pretty nice. I was pleasantly surprised when we were told we could use our coupon with the prix fixe menu; this was a very good value: The deal is $25 per person, which includes a drink (house liquor), soup or salad, entree, and a dessert. The entrees are limited, of course, but we had no trouble choosing. We enjoyed a substantial gin & tonic—OK, two—while we enjoyed watching and listening to rush-hour traffic. Salads are fine with a house balsamic vinaigrette. Jan was pleased with her choice of the Mixed Grill, which was a Petit Filet Mignon and marinated skewered jumbo shrimp char grilled; nicely done. The steak was a bit past medium, but tender. I went with the Pork Tenderloin Medallions Niagara, which are described as pork tenderloin seasoned with rosemary and lemon thyme, accented with a Niagara Peninsula ice-wine reduction over potato pancakes; tasty, but I thought the potato pancakes could have been crispier. The meal was really good so far, but the dessert really was the highlight—well, for me anyway. Jan had the creme brulee, which was fine. I had the chocolate peanut-butter cheesecake; it was really good. It is not made in house and the waitress offered to find out the exact make, but I said not to bother; the last thing I need is more of this stuff. I'm not sure why liked it so, but, dang, this was really a good cheesecake. Very good experience. Two visits, two positive experiences. Call for the specifics on the prix fixe; it may be $29 and is probably only available on weeknights."

[11/08] "On Saturday, Jan and I, along with another couple, took in a late matinee at the Transit Regal and decided afterward to get a bite. We discussed where to go, and it boiled to either La Scala or Sonoma Grille. We opted for Sonoma and glad we did. We called to ask if they could accommodate us in 10 minutes or so, and they said come on over. We arrived at approximately 6:30, and we were seated immediately. The place is sharp. We sat in the front, by picture windows that look out on Main Street. The place was pretty busy. The noise level was up there, but not unbearable. Actually, I think the 4 of us added to the din. It was fun eating with another couple. We chose to forego wine/alcohol and still had a good time. Dinners come with a soup or salad along with vegetable and a starch. The prices are reasonable. Our server, Katie, was energetic, knowledgeable, and none of us had any trouble hearing her. She brought us some bread, which was just fine. The butter was squeezed out from a pastry bag in the corner of the bread basket. We noticed other tables had a cone-shaped tortilla shell in a funky holder. We asked what it was, and Katie said it was what they used to serve bread in, but they must have run out of them. They must have come up with more, since subsequent tables did get them. I guess they take a large tortilla and bake it in this shape and use it as a bread basket. Our salads were fine. I believe we had the house dressing, which is a balsamic vinaigrette. Tim did have the soup, which was a tomato Gorgonzola. Very rich and creamy. Jan ordered the Grilled Boneless Atlantic Salmon on Cedar. Delicious. It is described on the menu as cedar-infused, grilled, boneless salmon with premium lump crab meat and asparagus spears, finished with hollandaise and served on a cedar plank. This was a winner. The cedar makes the bottom of the salmon crispy. We all wondered what happens to the cedar planks. The accompanying mashed potatoes were fine. Our friends Tim and Cheryl also enjoyed their meals, with only slight reservations. Cheryl ate light and had a pizza called the San Gimignano. This is described as fresh basil pesto, sun-dried tomatoes, smoked Gouda cheese, grilled asparagus, and prosciuto and chopped tomato. Substitutions were easily made, as Cheryl subbed in artichoke hearts for the prosciuto. She thought the Gouda tasted great. She could not finish this dinner-plate-sized pizza. Tim had the Chicken Pot Pie, which is described as tender cuts of white meat with truffle oil and vegetables in a flaky pastry crust. This is not Banquet, Swanson, or a Marie Callender-type pot pie. It was sizeable, and the flaky pastry looked delicious. Tim's only negative comment other than it was incredibly hot was that it was a little thin. He ran out of pastry to sop up the innards. I ordered the Diver Scallops and Risotto lightly seasoned with crushed poppy seed, sesame seed, and ginger and served with mushroom risotto. Tasty. I learned something new; Diver Scallops are farmed by divers, rather than the more commercialized way of dredging the ocean floor with some sort of scallop-gathering machinery. This is supposed to lessen the chance of them getting the gritty sand, which is the bane of scallop lovers. It worked; no grit. I think there were 5 scallops and a mound of risotto. The risotto was mushroom flavored; no actual mushrooms in sight. Unlike Tim's pot pie, this was just on the warm side of hot. Not quite close enough to cool to send back, but almost. It was good, not memorable, and I was still hungry. Thankfully, Jan shared her salmon. We finished the night with coffee: exceptionally good coffee. Nice place, moderate prices, good food. We will be back."

[BJC, 4/09] said: "Positive review: My girlfriend and I recently went out to dinner at the Sonoma Grill. The atmosphere is very nice and cozy. The service was excellent, as the waitress was attentive all night. We opted to get the prix fixe menu for $24.95. It includes a drink from the bar (nice touch), then a starter salad or soup. We both got the salad. It was not that impressive; reminded me of a salad they mass distribute at banquets. Next we had about 5 options of entrees to choose from. I selected the salmon stuffed with crab meat cooked on a cedar plank and covered with asparagus and hollandaise sauce. It was delicious, although the portion was a little smaller than I would have liked. The salmon was moist and went great with the hollandaise sauce. My girlfriend had the petite filet with charred shrimp. She also enjoyed them very much. I tried a piece of hers, and the meat was tender and much more of a portion than I would have expected. Next with the deal came dessert. I went with the mud pie, which consisted of a coffee-flavored pie on top of an Oreo crust. It was great, and accompanied by whipped cream and strawberries. We both enjoyed our experience very much. We will definitely return."

[GIP, 6/07] said: "Just got back from dinner with wife and teenage daughter at the Sonoma Grill. Easy to drive to, just off I-290, good parking. On a nice summer evening, most outside tables had groups smoking and tapping cigarette ash on the walkway. We were shown to an inside table—loud neighbors, but seemed OK on the whole. The appetizer arrived along with the main course—I had given up on it! I had veal, wife had swordfish, and daughter had ravioli. Ravioli was OK, but the others plain bad. Everything, including the starter soups, tasted of overcooked tomato sauce. Reminded me strongly of cheap spaghetti meatball joints. The waitstaff were polite, but in a great hurry to clear dishes. We had to repeatedly deny their requests to clear the plates. The beer on tap was good, but that was the only good thing I can recall. I left feeling we were not welcome to linger over our dinner. Poor food and value; will avoid going here."

[J&NS, 6/06] said: "We read the reviews on your website (as we usually do) before we go out to dine at a restaurant we haven't been to. So when we decided on going to the Sonoma, we didn't know what to expect. What we found was a place more like the two-star review that Bill Rapaport had given it and not the lukewarm ones from others. We started out hitting a speed bump: We ordered the spinach-artichoke dip Positano for an appetizer; Jason, our waiter, came back and apologized that it wasn't available. We ordered the Mulligan's French onion soup and were not disappointed. It was excellent, especially with the bread that was presented with it. Nancy's main entree was the chicken breast marinated with fresh herbs. Once she had seen that it was served with roasted eggplant and calamari sauce, it got her vote. It was such a large portion that she had to take some home. She enjoyed it but wished that there had been more eggplant in it. I ordered the swordfish Oscar, which was one of the day's specials. It was excellent. It consisted of garlic mashed potatoes with the swordfish on top of it, followed by a portion of crabmeat. I would definitely get this again. We followed our meal with orders of creme brulee. It was perfect. Every dish we ordered, from the appetizer to the dessert, was as eye appealing as it was tasteful. We are definitely coming back. The food and service were excellent."

[WHN, 12/05] said: "Four of us went here on a Saturday night. We were seated at a table near a window overlooking a former loading dock and the Lord Amherst's rear parking lot. After having a glass of wine, I ordered a veal chop with Port wine sauce. My wife ordered seafood marinara over pasta. Our friend ordered a steak; his wife also ordered the seafood marinara. When dinner arrived, my veal chop had no sauce, and my wife's dinner had very little seafood over the pasta. (Her friend's was fine, as was the steak.) When the waiter asked how everything was, I complained that my veal chop had no sauce, and my wife complained about the lack of seafood. The waiter took my dish and returned in a few minutes with a watery, tasteless "sauce" over my veal. When the manager came over later to ask how everything was, I said the so-called Port wine sauce had no flavor of any kind, certainly not Port wine. My wife again complained about the lack of seafood, but by then we had nearly finished our meals. The manager said he would deduct the price of both entrees and offered free dessert, as well. But, as a friend says: "Sometimes free is too much". This ranks as one of the worst meals I've ever had in a supposedly first-class restaurant. To top off the evening, when we paid the bill, we requested that it be split equally between our two credit cards. When the waiter returned, the entire bill—about $125 even with two free entrees and desserts—was on my card, and half on the other gentleman's card. I complained that I had been charged the entire amount instead of half, and the waiter responded: "That's just how we do it". I refused to sign and asked for an adjusted charge slip, which he provided. However, when my credit card statement arrived, it was for the entire amount, plus about a 20% gratuity. Since I had the signed copy, I disputed the charge and was given a 50% credit by American Express. Based on other positive reviews here and by Janice Okun, I had suggested to my wife that Sonoma might have had an off night, and that we should give them another try, but the credit card incident sealed the matter. We will never return."

Bill said:

[5/05] & [11/04] Returned for a business lunch and a Sonoma-catered wedding. Both times, the food and service were impeccable!

[8/04] [MER] and I ate here, with a large party. There were 11 of us, we decided to eat here at the last minute on a Friday evening, and several of our party had just finished a construction job and were not exactly dressed in their finest; we also had three young children with us. We called for a reservation and were told there would be no problem. When we arrived, they seated us in a private room, and we had an immensely pleasant evening, with attentive service. The kids had a children's menu to choose from ($5), with the usual kid's-menu items; burgers, however, were not one of them. The adult menu, however, had a $16 Kobe-beef burger on it, which one of the kids ordered; she got a kid-sized portion, and we were only charged half-price (without asking—we expected, and had been willing, to pay full price for the sake of peace and quiet). There was also a menu of daily specials, though I ordered bouillabaisse from the main menu. It was delicious (not exactly a classic bouillabaisse, but close enough). I also had a tomato-and-mozzarella salad: red and yellow tomatoes, mozzarella, and pesto: good, but not the best I've had (I prefer basil leaves to pesto). Copious amounts of good bread were made available, along with an absolutely delicious herbed dipping oil. [MER] had the grilled chicken breast in Tuscan spices, and loved it. We'll definitely be back.

[AB, 4/05] said: "My boyfriend and I dined here last weekend, and it was an absolutely wonderful experience. The restaurant is extremely pretty on the inside—really cool, funky lights and extremely charming and elegant décor that is not too fancy, but still feels like something special. The bread is thick and warm and delicious, and is served with olive oil and fresh herbs for dipping. I had to force myself to stop eating it and save room for my food! I had a delicious house salad, which came with artichokes (a nice touch). The specials looked wonderful, but we ordered off the regular menu. My boyfriend ordered hot banana peppers, which were spicy and served with a delicious, gooey cheese filling. Our entrees were even more wonderful. I had San Francisco Bay Stew, a twist on a traditional bouillabaisse that I enjoyed even more than regular bouillabaisse, as it had a delicious light, spiced tomato flavor and was light and delicious. The seafood in it (especially the lobster) was perfectly cooked. My boyfriend got a marvelous, perfectly-cooked seared piece of Ahi Tuna. But thank goodness we left room for dessert. We tried the Mud Pie on the menu, which was a light coffee ice cream on a thick Oreo crust with whipped cream and hot chocolate. But the special dessert was the best—a chocolate chip cookie shaped like a tart, with peanut butter mousse inside, topped with chocolate sauce and chocolate whipped cream. The service was a bit slow, but it was a busy Saturday night, but our waitress was attentive and friendly. The whole meal was absolutely delicious and worth the wait. There is also a very nice wine list—highly recommended; we'll absolutely go back."

[a] Sorrentino's Spaghetti House.
5640 Main St. (at Mill), Williamsville.
633-2150.

[JSG, 12/05] says: "A group of us went to dinner here on a Friday night in December. The place was very busy, and the take-out business was booming. We chose to eat in; big mistake. The waitress took 20 minutes to take our order, 10 more minutes to bring us drinks, another 20 minutes to bring us salads, and 30 more minutes to bring out dinner. Dinner didn't come until we spoke to the manager. Rather than apologizing to us, our waitress came over and very rudely informed us that she was busy working in the back and had "done this a long time and knew how to waitress", going on to blame her manager and criticize the entire establishment. Three of five plates came to us cold. The sauce was good, but not good enough to tolerate the service. This place was the first time where I did not leave any tip at all. Any future visits will be to pick up take-out."

[DY, 9/02] says: "In my opinion, reviewer [MEL] is completely off-base, and is confusing the sweet-sauced pizzas made by Bocce Club and several others as "standard" Buffalo pizza. Those pizzas, as far as I know (and I've lived here for all of my 40 years), are the exceptions, not the rule, to true "Buffalo-style" pizza. Sorrentino's is a true Buffalo street-corner pizzeria, with a nice restaurant included. Their pizza has a wonderful sauce, an exceptional amount of cheese, and the pepperoni is crisped just right. They also make great spaghetti (complete with homemade pasta), their wings are plump and meaty, and the Sausage Royale sub is one of our favorites. Their nightly specials are true bargains."

[MEL, 7/99] says: "In the Sun Belt, where there are few Italians or Greeks to instruct the natives on pizza, there is a certain uniquely awful type of pizza: incredibly bland, without the sweet and salty tang that makes some Buffalo pizzas so exceptional. Unfortunately, Sorrentino's makes Sun Belt pizza: a pizza that you would like only if you liked the pizza of Fort Smith, Arkansas."

[a] SoupHerb Gourmet.
5403 Sheridan Dr. (in Williamsville Place Plaza), Williamsville.
631-4822.

Gourmet soups, sandwiches, salads, light meals. Mostly lunches, but some early dinners.

[MRT] says:

[5/07] "Drive to the next mall just east of Georgetown Plaza. There you will find Williamsville Place Plaza and SoupHerb Gourmet in the far right corner. SoupHerb Gourmet offers superb soups, salads, bread, and desserts for less money than the Soup Nazi. SoupHerb Gourmet is one of our favorite restaurants."

[5/05] "My husband and I enjoyed dinner at SoupHerb Gourmet last night. SoupHerb Gourmet and the Globe Market on Elmwood downtown are my two favorite soup and sandwich places in town. Last night, I ordered a glass of wine; my husband ordered beer. I began with a cup of mushroom barley soup. My husband began with a bowl of corn and bean soup. Both soups come with a slice of delicious bread. The mushroom barley soup tasted as good one of my own making. My husband said his soup tasted spicy and delicious. We each ordered sandwich #15, which is filet mignon with spinach and cheese on a baguette. I ordered my steak rare; my husband ordered his medium rare, and both steaks were cooked to perfection. The sandwiches are accompanied by potato chips, a slice of pickle, and a slice of orange. For dessert, my husband enjoyed a slice of a very delicious and moist sour cream-streusel coffee cake that included apple. Our meal cost $40.00."

[2/04] "My San Francisco brother said he wished they a SoupHerb Gourmet in San Francisco. At lunch time, the restaurant is packed. We only visit the restaurant in the evening, when it is far quieter. We love their soups and sandwiches, salads, as well as their desserts. A plus for them is that they also carry wine. It is a charming little cafe, and we wish they were also open Saturday and Sunday nights."

[HPK, 12/03] says: "This is a small, little sit-or-take-out restaurant that specializes in sandwiches, soups, and salads. If you want a quick, healthy meal that has a gourmet flavor to it, I would suggest going here. It is a small space, so eating there can be an issue, but it is also great for take out. I had a field-greens salad with baked goat cheese and grilled vegetables on top. Delicious!"

[MLS, 1/98] says: "Has tasty and healthy sandwiches. A pleasant lunch. Quite informal."

Spices.
35 Charlotte St. (former site of Outwater Park hot-dog stand), Lockport.
439-1516.

Jamaican/Caribbean.

[TSu, 12/04] says: "No need to dress up; it is casual. If you are in the neighborhood, I recommend you stop by. He is open for lunch and dinner, closed on Sunday and now Monday, but only for winter. My personal favorite is the Jerk Chicken Sub, but everything I have tried has been superb. The owner's name is Basil."

Spicy Thai (in St. Catherine's, ON)
See Chon Buri's Spicy Thai.

Spicy Thai (in Tonawanda).
2865 Sheridan Dr., Tonawanda.
831-3921.

[RA, 1/08] says: "A friend told me about a Thai restaurant in the area that I didn't know existed—most likely because there was no review on this website. (I like the fact that you can search by cuisine; very handy.) The restaurant is called Spicy Thai. My friend had been there for the lunch buffet and said it was very good. I recently decided to try the place out and get take-out for dinner. I ordered the food at the restaurant from their take-out menu, which is complete with descriptions of most dishes. There is a limited menu on their website without descriptions. I ordered the Tom Yom Shrimp soup (hot) and the Green Curry Shrimp (hot) for my wife. She said both were good and was happy that the curry was spicier than any other she's had in WNY. For myself, I chose the Pataya Chicken and the Pad Crazy Noodles (hot). Besides the chicken, the Pataya consisted of fresh broccoli and a mild spicy peanut sauce—simple, but very good. The Pad Crazy Noodles were wide, thin, rice noodles with chicken and shrimp (I opted to leave the shrimp out), and Thai basil, which gave it a wonderful, light licorice flavor—again, very good. The entrée sizes were a bit smaller than other Thai restaurants in the area. Overall, I was very impressed with the food at Spicy Thai, and I am looking forward to trying other items from their menu."

[] Spilios Family Restaurant.
5175 Transit Rd., Clarence.
633-2040.

Greek. A Towne-like, informal restaurant.

Bill says:

[5/08] Well, we've been back a few times; service depends on the server, but lately it's been good, and the food remains good.

[8/07] We've been back twice this summer. Both times, the food was good, but the service has been terrible! The first time, not only was the service slow, but the waitress completely forgot one of our orders. More recently, the service was so slow that we waited nearly an hour for our food and then, when it came, we found that our two French onion soups, which is what we especially had come to eat, had been not merely forgotten, but the waitress had never even written them down! The other soups (we had ordered a total of 5 soups for 6 adults) came one at a time. We were also told that they were out of pita. A Greek restaurant out of pita? What kind of planning is that? Couldn't somone have driven across the street to Wegman's to buy some? (And to make matters worse, or at least puzzling, the waitress told us that because they were out of pita, no wraps were available. Since when are pita sandwiches considered wraps? Wraps should be tortilla sandwiches, no?) We may continue to come here for takeout, but I doubt we'll be back for table service anytime soon.

[6/06] We returned, and had a great meal. [MER] had what she considered the best French onion soup around, even better than her previous favorite at Friday's. I had a delicious Kritikos Florentine pasta dish: sauteed tomatoes, spinach, mushrooms, and olives in a red-wine marinara sauce with linguini and feta—a huge portion that I continued to savor for lunch the next day. They still have the best avgolemono soup in town. We finished with a nicely warm strawberry shortcake, a nicely warm baklava with whipped cream, and an apple pie with whipped cream.

[11/03] Their avgolemeno soup and bifteckia are superb, and they have a new set of specials that are quite good. I downgraded Spilios from 1 to 0 stars a while ago, but have now returned its star to them. The general quality of the food that had been declining over the years has revived; I strongly suspect that a new chef has been hired! My 8-year-old son had always been faithful to them because of his love of their avgolemeno (lemon-chicken) soup, which is really quite good. Lately, he and I have been eating here when I take him out without [MER], who had refused to return after our previous bad experiences. I've tried some of their new specials (lamb shank with tomatoes and carrots, served with mashed potatoes and gravy, and tasty baby carrots; "Greek Combo" of beef and chicken souvlaki served over rice pilaf) and liked them. They also have, from time to time, rack of baby lamb chops, stuffed baked fish, baked half chicken, steak caesar salad, salmon caesar salad, makaronada (= beef tenderloin chunks in red sauce over noodles), etc. And they have a couple of new "European gourmet" desserts that are not too bad (though they taste as if they had been frozen and thawed out): Chocolatina (a white cake surrounded by chocolate icing, topped with whipped cream and a strawberry) and Greek White Pastry (similar to the Chocolatina, only covered with almonds). The service has been excellent (another improvement). (But see more recent reviews!)

Spot Coffee.
227 Delaware Ave. (at Chippewa, downtown), Buffalo.
854-7768.

[MEL, 7/98] says: "One of the few places to get a late dinner downtown (by which I mean south of Allentown) and therefore a blessing no matter how the food is. As it happens, the food is erratic: sandwiches are premade and microwaved if they have been out too long, adversely affecting their taste (though they look like they are good when fresh). But I have no complaints with their pasta dishes. They also have free milk if you know where to look for it!"

Star of India.
3167 Delaware Ave. (south of Sheridan Dr.), Kenmore.
447-4388.

Indian.

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

[GSc, 11/08] says: "My husband and I have been eating at the Star of India for over two years now. Every time we eat there, we have an excellent meal! On our most recent trip, I ordered the Chicken Malai, which is my personal favorite. The chicken is cooked in a creamy coconut sauce, which sounded strange to me the first time I saw it, but tastes amazing. My husband enjoyed the Tandoor dinner, which is served on a sizzling plate and includes Chicken Tikka, Tandoor chicken (both with sauteed peppers and onions), as well as a choice of chicken or beef curry (he chose the beef) and naan bread. We love that the entrees are served family style, so we can share whatever we order, and that there is always the choice of ordering your meal mild or medium (and sometimes the medium is spicy!!!). The best part of this restaraunt is that they also do take-out! Whe n we don't know what to have for dinner, we can order, and our food is ready in 15 minutes! I would recommend this place to anyone; even a picky eater could find something to like here!"

[SmC, 9/07] said: "Negative: I went there for buffet. It was limited selection and not much of taste to the food there. The tandoori did not have enough flavor; rice does not have enough herb. There's only about 3 kinds of curries, and these dishes have the lack of curry spices."

[AG, 11/06] said: "Excellent lunch buffet for the area—a chicken dish plus tandoori chicken, a beef dish, a paneer (cheese) dish, several vegetable offerings, plus the usual rice, pickles, soup, etc. Fresh naan after you fill your plate from the buffet. Milky, gently spiced sweet chai is a nice touch."

[EC, 11/04] said: "At the encouragement of two Indian friends, I tried out the Star today. I was totally blwon away by the quality, and I kicked myself for not going there sooner. The location is not terribly convenient to the UB North Campus, but it's well worth the road trip. Everything was excellent. There was nothing that was simply hit-or-miss. It was consistent. The service was very prompt & courteous, there was a huge selection at the lunch buffet, and prices are very fair. Many of the Indian students on campus are now going there. I was impressed to see papadam & gulab jamun on the lunch buffet. Everything is excellent. I stopped there to get dinner to go the day after my first visit. It's that good! If you like Indian food, and you're sick of the needlessly gouged prices at other such restaurants, give this place a try!"

[CAS, 8/04] said: "I am sending in a review of one of our favorite restaurants in the Buffalo area. My family and I have been going to Star of India on a regular basis for the past year and a half. It is easily our favorite "local" in the Buffalo area. In addition to superbly flavored, traditional Indian cuisine, the welcome is warm and unfailingly gracious. While the daily buffet (except Monday) is always a delightful bargain at $6.49, the dinner menu is extensive and spiced to suit the individual tastes of the patron. The chai is the finest I have tasted in the Buffalo area and created from scratch (no mixes), featuring a glorious hint of fennel as a subtle note. As a final treat, try Kor's homemade hot sauce with its distinct taste of fresh ginger!"

[a+] Starbucks Coffee.
UB Commons.
636-3607.
Also other locations.

Part of the chain of coffee houses.

Steelhead Irish Pub.
453 Center St., Lewiston.
754-8181.

[KTe, 11/08] says: "We patronize this Irish pub quite regularly both for the food and atmosphere. They have an unusual sandwich menu, and all the sandwiches we have tried are of a high quality and substantial size. Known for their Reubens, regular and baked open-style; both very good. Can get a little loud by the bar. They have a large and quite good fish fry using panko breading, hand-cut french fries, and good coleslaw. Steamers are served in a wonderful wine broth (get extra bread). They usually have 3 or 4 specials that we enjoy. Fresh fish specials are very nice. Mid-range pricing for food and a large beer selection (Belgians, Craft beers, etc.). Staff is friendly, most customers seem to know each other, and we have made friends at the bar. As a previous review said, the Guinness is really served properly, and the barmaid forms the traditional shamrock in the foam. Nice touch! We recommend this place to all."

[TN&VN, 3/06] said: "My wife and I are from St. Catharines and make the short jaunt to this clean and well managed Irish-oriented restaurant. In the two years we've been going, never have we been disappointed with our meal. Having owned a "UK-Style" restaurant myself, I know good fish & chips, and, I'm privileged to say, the fish and chips at Steelhead are the best we've ever tasted. As a secondary dish and something simple, I would recommend the grilled Reuben any day. Belly up to the bar afterward and enjoy a coffee and a "free pour" Drambuie...once again, very good value. I've tasted Guinness in many restaurants, but few pour it as well and at the right temperature as at our favourite upper NY State restaurant."

[WHN, 11/05] said: "We had a gift certificate to use, and went here with another couple on Thursday night (11/10). The place was quite busy, with a large crowd at the bar, and many tables occupied. Besides pub-type foods like bangers and mash, fish and chips, shepherd's pie, and boxty (meat-stuffed potato pancakes), there are many standard American items on the menu—steaks, broiled grouper, chicken over pasta, etc. Plus wings, burgers, and sandwiches. Several evening specials were written on a blackboard, which sounded good. One of them was blackened sesame seasoned ahi tuna. I had blackened tuna at Paul Prudhomme's K-Paul's Louisiana Kitchen in New Orleans years ago, and it was so delicious that I decided to try it at The Steelhead. I should have known better. I ordered it rare—K-Paul's will not serve it any other way. When it arrived, it was well done, and the only thing blackened about it were the sesame seeds. I should have asked what they meant by blackened, but assumed it was the tuna and not the sesame seeds. My wife ordered another evening special, haddock stuffed with crabmeat. She said it was overcooked and dried out, too. I guess we should have stayed with some of the more basic menu choices."

Sterling Place Tavern.
1487 Hertel Ave., Buffalo.
838-2448.

[MS, 2/08] says: "Thanks for your great website—I have been using it frequently for the past four years, and really appreciate the effort you have put into it. The Sterling Place Tavern is a neighborhood bar on the Hertel Avenue strip that has truly exceptional food. I have been eating here once a week for the past year with a colleague and my wife, and we have thoroughly enjoyed the great food and beer. The burgers are unbelievably delicious—thick, juicy, and always perfectly cooked. John, the very friendly co-owner and cook, does not shy away from cooking a truly medium rare burger (he would serve it rare if you asked), and he gets it right every time. The steaks are also delicious and perfectly cooked (we tried it rare one night, and it was blissful). I have also had the fish fry, the pierogies, the sausage plate, and the fried bologna sandwich, and have never been disappointed. Judy (the bartender and co-owner) and John are very friendly and are passionate about the quality of the food they serve. Highly recommended."

[DwH, 3/07] says: "Travelling to Buffalo almost weekly since February and wanted to pass along some impressions: OK, now I feel like a total insider, because most folks I meet in Buffalo (from Buffalo) have never been or never heard of it. The beers are a great and throughtful selection, and the bartender really knows his brews—a beer sommelier. The burgers: transcendent—I have never had a better burger, anywhere, ever. Get it unadorned, for it is the essence of burger, a nearly Zen-like experience. Beer and burger—nothing else matters."

The Stillwater Restaurant. —WARNING: WEBSITE PLAYS LOUD MUSIC!
481 Delaware Ave. (Allentown, in the former Lord Chumley's site), Buffalo.
884-9283.

At one time, had the same owner as Verbena, but I don't know if that's the case now that Verbena is under new management.

[1/07] Given 3½ (out of 4) stars by Janice Okun, Buffalo News restaurant reviewer.

[GOw] says:

[6/09] "This was a return visit, again early on a Thursday evening. Jan and I had a very, very good experience. I believe the website menu does not match what is now offered. I believe they have a new chef. We started off at the bar with Beefeater martinis; once you have two of them, it's hard not to have fun. We were seated upstairs and had excellent service from Sarah. She was attentive, knowledgeable, and laughed at my attempts to be funny. The calamari appetizer was one of the best I've had, and we order it often. It was lightly breaded and tossed in arugula: light and delicious; loved it. The bread was also fresh, warm, and delicious. Salads were also winners; I can't remember all the ingredients, but they were delicious. Jan's beet salad (a special this day) was served with goat cheese. Normally, when you order anything with goat cheese, you get a little dollop or two. Not here: There were two large encrusted discs; delicious. Entrees were very good, also. I had a halibut and shrimp special. Jan had the scallops. All nicely prepared and flavorful. We ended with coffee and shared the Stillwater brownie. If we had any complaints, it was that the dessert was just OK. The Stillwater brownie is blonde with chocolate sauce, ice cream, and whipped cream. Sounds good, and it was, but we were expecting a gooey brownie, and it was more like a bread-pudding consistency. This may be the coolest space to dine in Buffalo. All the ambience, excellent food, and service does come at a cost, so be prepared to pay; our bill was $120.00. That is not a complaint, just a fact of life."

[8/08] "Thursday night at 5:30, we ended up at the Stillwater. We had been here once before on a Friday this past winter, and it was hopping. On a nice Thursday night in July, pretty early, it was mostly empty. Thursday at the Square, outdoor patios, and backyard BBQs are stiff competition. We were seated in the courtyard area on the 2nd floor. The hostess was pleasant. The place is truly special; a unique space, for sure. I noticed a few people seated at the bar, and there was 1 table occupied in our area. There are a number of rooms, but I do not believe that there were many more dining. Quite a few more tables were occupied as the sun set and the hour approached a more suitable time for fine dining. Our server had his moments; mostly, they were somewhat comical. We liked him but wondered if he had just gotten up. We ordered martinis, which were brought quickly. We did ask about any specials, and our server said they did not have any until Thursday-Saturday. Ummmm, excuse me, today is Thursday....Oh yeah, dude!.....We were brought some rolls that were crusty and just this side of stale. I love warm, crusty bread or rolls; these were certainly warm and crusty. We ate them all. The butter was delicious: regular and one with bleu cheese; nice touch. We ordered an appetizer called Hot Crab Dip. This is described as blue lump crab, creamed spinach, Parmesan bread-crumb topping, with fried flatbread. We looked for the crab but didn't find a whole lot. We could certainly taste it, but there were next to no lumps. It was the consistency of a thick soup rather than a dip. Quite tasty; the fried flatbread was excellent. We asked for a couple more rolls to sop up the rest of it. I also ordered the soup of the moment. I cannot remember what it was called; I believe it was a New Orleans sausage soup of some sort. Since it was just last night, I guess you could say it was not memorable. I asked if it was going to be spicy, and he said not at all. I like spice. He was right. It was just OK. A table of 6 ladies was brought to a table near us. I believe that after 10 minutes, they asked to be moved due to a wobbly table. The decision was to move them right next to us...and I mean right next to us. There was barely room for our server to maneuver between the tables. These ladies were fine and not disruptive at all, just too close. We were going to ask if we could move to another of the 100 empty tables that were scattered about but decided we were OK. This was not a huge problem, especially after tables were beginning to fill up, but it was just a rather peculiar decision. Our server offered up a sheepish shoulder shrug. Our entrees came, and they were very good. Jan ordered the fire-roasted lobster and shrimp over pasta. Delicious! It had sauteed onions & peppers, spinach, marinated sundried tomatoes, garlic-saffron cream sauce, and basil-tomato fettuccini. The only suggestion would be to lighten up on the sundried tomatoes. I ordered the marinated lamb; excellent choice! This was described as lamb with Moroccan spices, sliced sirloin, frenched lamb chops, veal demiglace, portobello-&-spinach-filled pastry. Ordered medium rare, it was presented perfectly cooked. I could not remember what the lamb was sitting on, and the server took a guess at risotto. I looked at him strangely and said it was something in a phyllo dough, and then the light turned back on. He recalled that it was a mushroom-and-spinach-filled pastry. It was really good. We were finishing up our main course and sipping martini #2 when the wobbly table was used for another group of 6. No complaints about the table this time. I never did see anyone do anything to fix it. I wonder if the ladies regret moving, since the setting sun was shining right through the window and basically blinding one of them. There are no blinds on the west-facing windows. We did have a few flying friends, the common housefly; two or three came for a visit. When I went downstairs to the men's room, I noticed the outside door was propped open; that would explain it. Another curious management decision. We are going on 2 hours and have had a good meal and a nice time. We decided that we required dessert. It is noted on the menu that the desserts are made in house and mentions the name of the pastry chef. Bravo! We had the tequila lime pie, and it was incredibly tasty. It's described as an authentic Key West-recipe pie with a tequila-flavored whipped cream and fresh fruit. The fresh fruit consisted of a lemon slice. When Jan asked where the tequila-flavored whipped cream was, the server offered a blank stare and grinned. He then offered to bring some whipped cream. Jan said: tequila whipped cream. It took a while, but we did get the whipped cream. He brought a dollop on a ceramic white spoon. The pie was so good because of the tartness; it made us pucker. I am not a baker, but, when I have made lemon meringue pie, I double the lemon and halve the sugar. This was good enough to come back for. I ordered the Vanilla Bean Crème Brulée. The menu says it is a smooth, creamy custard topped with caramelized sugar, served with a brown-sugar biscuit Very good, but I disappointed myself by not getting something with chocolate. Coffee was very good, and they do use ½ and ½."

[DW, 8/08] said: "Food is just OK, but expensive. The service is very slow. Made reservation for 6pm. Food arrived at table at 7:10pm even though we made them aware that we had play tickets. When I received my credit card statement, I saw that $10 had been added to the tip. I contacted the GM twice, but he has never returned my calls. The bookkeeper said that she would check and get back to me. I have received no response from The Stillwater. Honest mistake or theft; how do we know?"

[CKr, 4/08] said: "4-19-2008. My husband and I joined 2 friends for dinner at Stillwater early on a Saturday evening. We arrived together, and we were seated immediately. Our server was friendly but not overly attentive. A request for a second glass of wine was forgotten. After another request and a bit of a wait, we were told they were out of white Zinfandel. To the credit of the staff, 20 minutes later we were told that more white Zinfandel was procured and was chilling. For appetizers, two members of our party enjoyed crab cakes, another found the lobster medallions to be undercooked, but the Caesar salad was excellent, as was its presentation. The entrees chosen were steaks, lamb chops, and salmon, all done perfectly with large portions. Wild rice and risotto served as sides. Good—but not memorable. I would have liked a vegetable served with my entree. Presentation was lacking. Desserts were bananas Foster (good) and crème brulé (excellent). We liked the ambience of the Stillwater but found the service and the food to be only slightly above average for a restaurant in this price range. Overall, a nice experience but not over the top. (We preferred Amaryllis and The Dove.)"

[DaK, 8/07] said: "My husband and I dined at Stillwater @ 8:00 on a Friday night for our Anniversary. Upon arriving, we were greeted and given our choice of tables on the mezzanine level; some might find that particular dining a bit noisy, but the atmosphere was fine with us. First off, the wine choices were, well, inexpensive. A bottle of very nice German Riesling was only $25.00 per bottle; the rest of the wine list was equally reasonable in cost. As far as the food goes, we both started with a dinner salad that came dressed with a very different Passion Fruit dressing. The salad was beautifully presented and of more than ample size for a dinner salad. Along with the salad came an assortment of breads and butters, one a basic sweet butter and the other a Thai coconut curry butter. For entrees he ordered the roasted pork on the recommendation of the waitress; she was right. It came stuffed with fruit, a large pile of mashed sweet potatoes, and a whole baked apple—nice twist on the traditional apple sauce. Only comment was he would've liked a little acid to cut all the sweetness on the plate, but great never the less. I enjoyed a vegetarian gnocchi with peas and assorted vegetables in a light cream sauce. Everything was wonderful, and service was great, attentive without becoming annoying. We decided to skip dessert that night, but all of the desserts are supposedly made in house."

[SWi, 7/07] said: "I went here last week for lunch with a client, a colleague, and my boss. I picked it on a recommendation from an employee of Mother's because Mother's wasn't open for lunch. It was a perfect place for a small business lunch, and I will return frequently. The décor is fantastic (we were seated upstairs near a window), and the service was friendly and professional. The food was pretty good. I had the lunch buttered fish, another diner had the steak and eggs (lunch), and the last two had roast beef. Each commented that the food was pretty good: not extremely memorable, but good. The atmosphere of this restaurant was the memorable part, at least for lunch. Another plus, after the lunch, the restaurant let my boss and me stay for some other business at our table for 30 minutes with no hassle at all. The only negative is the absolute lack of parking. Having to stand outside to ensure my client had quarters for the meters was a bit aggravating. Prices for lunch were very fair, in my opinion, as the bill was about $75 for four people with drinks. I would have no problem recommending it to anyone."

Stone Road Grille.
238 Mary St. (at Mississagua St., in Garrison Plaza), Niagara-on-the-Lake, ON, CANADA.
905-468-3474.

Canadian cuisine.

[6/05] Given 3½ (out of 4) stars by Janice Okun, Buffalo News restaurant reviewer.

[PT, 6/07] says: "We've looked for this place (admittedly, not too hard) on several visits to NOTL. Finally, we found it. We had passed it by previously, because the sign says "REST" in front of the plaza and on the building, with the name "Stone Road Grille" hardly visible. There's a story behind that, which can be found on their website. Once we found it, we had a very good lunch. Maybe it's changed since Janice Okun's review, but I would describe the menu as more eclectic than Canadian, with choices like sushi, mussels and fries, pasta, risotto, fish (salmon) and chips, soups, sandwiches, and salads. Their specialties include house-cured meats, so my husband and I split a "Vintner's Lunch" of deli-style meats and locally made cheese, then mussels in a stew with sweet peppers and chorizo sausage, which was excellent, and French fries. The dinner menu sounds very good, too, with entrees like cassoulet, steak-frites, cornish hen with fois gras sausage, salmon Bourguignon (the description sounds like coq au vin, but made with salmon instead of chicken), and shepherd's pie made with lamb (most American restaurants use ground beef, which is not how shepherds' pie is made in the UK. If it's made with ground beef, it is cottage pie)."

[a+] Sub Shoppe.
UB Commons.
639-0694.

[a] Sun Garden.
Suite 118, 55 Crosspoint Pkwy. (corner of Millersport Hwy. and N. French Rd., in Cross Point Business Park), Getzville.
689-8228.

[HPK] says:
[2/09] "Sun Garden has changed ownership. The new owners have all the "recipes" of the old owners. They are making some changes; some I am not so pleased with yet. I am not saying give up—just make sure they know that it was successful because of the way the food tasted; playing with a good thing can be dangerous in the food business. People like it; please be careful."

[3/07] "I have continued to go here about once a week. Every person I have brought to this place (take-out) keeps coming back over and over again! There is no better! My favorite thing now is that the owner keeps trying new things, new dishes. He has exposed me to things I never heard of before or would have tried. He is a great guy! I recently decided to eat healthier, and there are many choices to choose from. The veggie dumplings great!"

[7/06] "This is one of the best Chinese restaurants I have ever been to. It is a small, take-out place with a couple of tables. The restaurant has an open kitchen where you can see everything being cooked. The owner brought up a chef from New York City. It has all the standard items, and a small Thai menu. The freshness, taste, and spices are just perfect! When you take out food, it is not all in the standard white containers. The main dishes are in a different container that does not make the food leak out all over the place."

[MRT] said:

[11/06]: "We love this restaurant. On Sunday, November 5, 2006, we stopped in for a late lunch (2:00 PM). I ordered a lot of food. I ordered a fried vegetable roll, a scallion pancake (yum, yum, yum), and, from their specials, Thai beef with green beans. Everything is delicious and very inexpensive. My husband and I will both enjoy leftovers for dinner tonight. I highly recommend this restaurant."

[8/06] "My husband and I greatly enjoyed dinner at Sun Garden Saturday, August 12. It is a small, take-out place, with two tables indoors and two tables outside. We opted to sit outside. They brought us a plate of delicious pork dumplings as an appetizer. My husband really enjoyed them. (I cannot eat pork.) My husband ordered Shredded Beef with Garlic Sauce. I ordered Basil Beef with Scallion and Ginger. A big plate of white rice was brought to our table. [HPK] is correct. This is one of the best Chinese restaurants to which we have ever been. We hope to return soon, and bring friends. In the winter, we shall order take away."

Suzanne's Fine Dining.
2843 Niagara Falls Blvd. (in Wheatfield), Niagara Falls.
694-6562.

[MDM, 5/09] says: "Found BR's listing after searching for an idea where to get dinner last night (May 9, 2009) and was reminded that my husband and I had not been to Suzanne's Fine Dining for almost a year. We've probably eaten dinner there about a dozen times in the last 4 years and have never been disappointed. The food is consistently well-prepared. Soups are always excellent, and the Turkey Chowder lived up to my husband's expectations. I passed on the soup, and we also passed on appetizers last night. In the past, we have had the Bacon-Wrapped Shrimp, which is definitely deserving of its multiple kudos as People's Choice Award and Best Food Award at Taste of Buffalo. I believe it is also available as a main course. For entrées, I had Garlic Steak ($21), and my husband had Pasta Alfredo ($14), both favorites we reverted to since we'd missed them in our long absence from the place. A pleasant surprise was the au gratin potatoes, which I believe are a new starch choice since our last visit. The square serving was robust with 3 cheeses of flavor and had a nice, crusty top. The steak is always cooked to perfection, and all food appropriately arrives hot (we hate it when we get cold food!) The dessert tray offered 6 or 7 choices, but, for me, the only choice is chocolate, so we shared the Double Chocolate and Amaretto Bread Pudding, which fulfilled the chocolate food group. Details of lesser note are warm rolls and soft honey butter, chef salad with basic iceberg and pleasant house dressing, and mixed vegetables with my entrée. I ordered a side of Asparagus w/Hollandaise, which was perfectly cooked. Servers are always excellent; one of the few places we routinely leave an extra-generous tip. Suzanne's is not the place to go for nouvelle cuisine or "snob" food. Rather, it's the place to go for delicious ‘date-night’-type dinners that consistently deliver quality within an affordable price range. Also, Wheatfield is probably less than 15 minutes drive north of Boulevard Mall."

[SMD, 6/06] said: "I am a frequent diner at Suzanne's and was surprised that this fine restaurant hadn't been reviewed since 1997. This is a very high quality dining spot with excellent service and, most importantly, delicious and well-prepared food. I'm happy to report that since the last review, they certainly do have a liquor license and also provide banquets for 30-200 people. All entrees come with a dinner salad and rolls with honey butter. For our salads, we chose the the house dressing, which is a French vinaigrette with crumbled bleu cheese. Do not confuse this light and tasty vinaigrette with the orange "French" salad dressing in the supermarket. Other dressings are also available, but the house is really a standout. For my entree, I enjoyed the Chicken Cosmopolitan: bowtie pasta with grilled chicken pieces, fresh mushrooms, and asparagus with a creamy, roasted-red-pepper sauce. My companion enjoyed the special that evening, which was Shrimp Alfredo with broccoli over homemade fettucine. Of note here was the shrimp, which were cooked to perfection. Since we were celebrating a birthday, we topped off our excellent meal with a superb peanut-butter bombe from the dessert tray. It's a peanut-butter mousse with a chocolate ganache coating. The staff at Suzanne's is knowledgeable, friendly, and efficient. Just a short trip north on Niagara Falls Blvd. from Amherst, visit Suzanne's for an extraordinary meal. One caution: probably not somewhere you'd want to take the little ones."

[ElB, 8/97] said: "They do not have a liquor license. Only sell beer and wine. Their food was excellent and reasonably priced. Their soups and all home made and very good. I had a veal dish—seasoned very well. I have been there a couple of times. Service was very good."

Suzy-Q's Bar-B-Que Shack.
2829 Niagara St. (a block or two from the intersection of Vulcan Rd. and River Rd., between Riverdale Ave. and Roswell Ave., near the Chevy plant on the Buffalo border), Tonawanda.
873-5981.

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

[MAH, 4/07] says: "I had the pleasure of getting take-out at Suzy Q's Barbeque Shack on March 31, 2007. Suzy was up front taking orders. She was very friendly and helpful. She suggested the BBQ combo so that I could try two different meats. I got the pulled pork and turkey combo with beans and cornbread for my sides. Suzy said they would give me both the sweet and hot barbecue sauces so I could try both. I swear, it was one of the best meals I've ever had (and I'm fussy, because I'm a cook myself and make everything from scratch). Both meats were cooked perfectly, the sauces were out of this world (the perfect balance of smoky and spicy), the cornbread was the best I've ever had, and the beans were even perfect. They give such generous portions, too. I had enough left over for 2 more meals. There's nothing fancy about this place, but you won't find a better meal anywhere else. This restaurant is a keeper!"

[SPo, 4/06] said: "I would like to share some positive views of this restaurant. As you walk in to this tiny place, you are welcomed with a friendly atmosphere and the smell of great Southern barbecue. This place is very authentic, with friendly service. The food is all prepared by hand, and, in addition, all sauces made are also homemade. The pulled pork is so tender it breaks apart in your mouth, and all the sides are so delicious. Suzy-Q's can take a regular side dish, such as coleslaw, and turn it into a great unique bite by using only homemade ingredients. I enjoyed my experience at the shack, because I had the exact experience I expected. This little hot spot deserves some recognition. Go to Suzy-Q's if you're looking for a place to eat some great food and feel like you're in a relaxing getaway in the South!"

[TBa, 8/05] said: "You must try the "Lil' Oinker"! Layer of fries, layer of baked beans, layer of pulled pork, layer of cheese and salsa. Top it all off with Suzy Q's homemade barbeque sauce (either sweet or spicy). You can get it "Memphis Style", with cole slaw, as well. Great value for the food you get. Its big brother is the Piggy Pie. Way too much food for me, and I'm a big guy. There is also a version called the "Salty Hog" that has salt potatoes instead of fries. My mouth is watering just writing about it. The "Messy Marvin" is also a great sandwich. Lots of food for the money! Suzy is also a very warm, friendly person. Stop in and say Hi!"

[SMD, 11/04] said: "My dining companion and I stopped in here on a Friday night, looking for some good BBQ. We were not disappointed! The staff is so friendly and helpful. You place your order at the register, and then it's brought out when ready. I opted for the pulled pork sandwich "Memphis style"—which means coleslaw on the sandwich instead of as a side. This was truly some of the best coleslaw I've ever tasted. (Sorry, Mom.) I also had a side of mac 'n' cheese to round out my meal. That was okay. My companion had the combo of pit ham and pulled pork with a side of cole slaw and sweet potato fries. All of the food was well prepared, and the price was right! I couldn't believe that this place wasn't packed to the rafters on a Friday night, because it really is a gem. Come on WNY; back away from the chain-restaurant habit and support your local restaurateur!!! Anyone who likes BBQ will surely enjoy a meal at Suzy's."

[AJB, 11/03] said: "Let me say that I wholeheartedly concur with that earlier review and recommend this charming little BBQ house. It is true that the place is immaculately clean, sparsely yet comfortably furnished. They have classic blues playing on their sound system, but not obtrusively. The staff is helpful, polite, and friendly, as is the owner, Bob. I tried a combo platter of ribs & pulled pork. The ribs were just amazing. You could tell that they had spent quite some very valuable time in the smoker, and they were juicy, tender, and had that nice "char" on the outside. The pulled pork was plentiful and delicious. It was (thankfully) not served drenched in BBQ sauce (like Fat Bob's is), but, instead, you are able to choose from the homemade sweet BBQ sauce and hot BBQ sauce. They are both excellent, and I couldn't pick a favorite. The homemade coleslaw is also very good—not too sweet, and with just the right amount of celery seed. I fed the three of us—and we were all very full—for just over $20.00. This place is truly a gem, and I'm glad your site helped me find it." [DD, 11/03] says: "I found the greatest BBQ restaurant in the world. It all started a couple of months ago when, as a temporary Building Inspector, I helped inspect what was going to become Suzy-Q's. I got to go all through the back of the restaurant where they did their food preparation, and it was immaculate. Anyway, they opened up a couple of weeks ago, and I've eaten there three times since for dinner. It's the best damn BBQ/ribs I've ever eaten anywhere. They also have this Hunter's Stew/soup that knocked my socks off. Anyway, I've noticed that, each time I've gone in there, the place is getting more crowded, so I guess the word is getting out. Let me know if I steered you straight to BBQ heaven. My wife always talks about comfort food, and I think that maybe Suzy-Q's BBQ is a man's comfort food. Not only are building inspectors and police going there, but now the firemen have found out about it, and they are starting to show up. A retired Brighton FD Chief told my friend that he also had gone there three times in the last week. What a wonderful place to eat. I wish I had such talent. The owner is going to be very rich, very soon."

Swannie House.
170 Ohio St. (near Michigan; south of downtown), Buffalo.
847-2898.

[JuK, 8/07] says: "I went to a good little restaurant last night called Swannie's, on the corner of Ohio and Michigan. It is a bar/restaurant with a neat little patio area and ample parking. My husband and I had the broiled fish platter. It was delicious. The fish (haddock) was broiled with fresh tomato slices on top and included french fries and homemade macaroni salad with mine and homemade potato salad with his. The meals were $7.95 each. Also on the menu were chowder and soups, and other platters around the $7.95 or less price. On tap, they had Newcastle Brown Ale, Killian's Irish Red, Beamish Stout, and Blue Moon wheatberry brew. We had the Blue Moon and Newcastle. Both were very good. They have an assortment of other bottled beers, as well as wine and mixed drinks. On the walls were authentic pictures of boats: fire boats in the Buffalo Harbour. The Swannie is the last Canal-era eatery. If you are in the harbour area, it is a good apres-sailing stop. Also, it is not far from the new Casino."

Sweet Tooth.
94 Elmwood Ave. (near Allen St., in Allentown), Buffalo.
884-2520.

Serves candy, ice cream, sodas, wonderful pastry, bagels, sandwiches. Self-service. Limited seating. Outdoor seating in summer.

[MEL, 10/97] says: "Wonderful selection, but I didn't think the frozen yogurt I had was that great—OK, but not memorable or anything."

[DN, 8/96] said: "The best place for desserts and coffee in Buffalo. Excellent cakes, good cappucino. Outdoor seats are great for people-watching in the summer."

[a] Swiss Chalet.
1551 Niagara Falls Blvd., Amherst,
837-4300.

Part of the chain. Takeout available from Takeout Taxi, 631-2222.

[EPF, 4/09] says: "Ate at the Swiss Chalet on Niagara Falls Boulevard in Amherst last night. I've been going there for many years. Won't go again. The prices are going up—which is understandable—but the portions are smaller than they used to be. Worse yet is the vile appetizer I had. Crispy (sic) rib ends. Rib ends overcooked so much they were hard. Stupid me; didn't send them back. They used to have really excellent chicken noodle soup. Not any more. Tasted like they put glue in it to thicken it. And the worst part was in the middle of the night. I'm going to miss what was a really nice, middle-class, barbecued-chicken joint."

A long time ago, Bill said: For a chain, it's not bad; good chicken soup. You can ask for all white meat.

[RM, 5/00] said: "Doesn't seem to change. Pretty solid chicken and ribs place. Predictable and reasonably priced. Don't expect a gourmet meal."

Swiston's Beef & Keg.
101 Young St., Tonawanda.
692-9723.

[GMW, 1/09] says: "I just had a meal with my roommate at Swiston's in the City of Tonawanda. It definitely has the "old school pub" look to it, with lots of wood and brick, and you can tell the place has been there for decades. We each had beef on weck and chili. We both agreed that the beef on weck was one of the best we've ever had. My roommate even said it was much better than Schwabl's. The chili was nice and hearty, with just the right amount of heat (spice). The prices are super reasonable as well: Beef on weck is only $4.75. Keep up the great website!" [Thanks!]

[WHN, 4/06] said: "We used to go here on a regular basis when we lived in Tonawanda, but hadn't been back in years. Their beef on weck is as good as ever, among the best I've ever had—extremely tender, absolutely delicious, and piled high. If you want variety, this is not the place to go. The menu consists of two items: beef—on weck or a plain roll, with a dill pickle on the side—and chili (which I've never tried but have heard is very good). No fries! Beef! No chips! Chili! Condiments consist of horseradish and ketchup. The prices haven't changed much either—$4.25 for a roast beef sandwich, $3 for a bowl of chili. Draft beer in a thick, frosty mug is $2.25. Besides the dining area in the barroom, there's an enclosed deck, where you can watch boaters go by on the creek behind the restaurant during the season."

[MB, 1/96] said: "By far the best beef on wick I've had (and a good atmosphere, too...my grandfather took me there 35 years ago, and it's only gotten better)."

Syros.
869 Cayuga St., Lewiston.
754-1900.

[AFN, 6/08] says: "My sister and I had lunch at this little Greek restaurant today. The food—I had chicken souvlaki—was OK, but nothing special. There are a lot of better restaurants in Lewiston."