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Last Update: 3 May 2008, 3:09 p.m.
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[
] Tandoori's
[
] Timothy's Coffee House
[] Towne
[a+] [
] Tiffin Room
[] Toro
2 4 1 Pizza
31 Jamestown Street
Tail Gate Deli
Taj-Mahal India
Taki (Buffalo)
Taki (Niagara Falls, ON)
Tantalus
Taste
Taste Good
[am] Taste of India
Taste of Thai
Ted's Hot Dogs
Tempo
Terroir La Cachette
Tetley's
Texas Roadhouse
Thaxton's Dinner House
Thunder Falls Buffet
Tiara
Tiddledybinks Catering
Tina's Italian Kitchen
La Tolteca
Tom's BBQ Pit
[a] Tom's Family Restaurant (Tom's Souvlaki)
Toni Pepperoni
Tony de Luca
Tony Rome's Globe Hotel & Restaurant
[m] Torches
Touch
Trattoria Aroma
Treadwell
Tru-Teas
[a] Tully's Good Times
Twenty One Club
| [—],
,
,
|
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) |
All phone numbers are in area code 716, unless otherwise indicated.
2 4 1 Pizza.
1122 Elmwood Ave. (between Allentown & Buff State), Buffalo.
881-0241.
31 Jamestown Street.
31 Jamestown St., Gowanda.
532-6600.
Tail Gate Deli.
741 Delaware Rd. (in plaza on corner of Delaware Rd. and Sheridan Dr., across
Delaware Rd. from Tops), Tonawanda.
877-5401.
Taj-Mahal India.
425 3rd St., Niagara Falls, NY.
285-5185.
Tandoori's.
7740 Transit Rd. (at Sheridan Dr.),
Williamsville; 632-1112.
[AW, 5/04] says: "According to my friend from Calcutta, Tandoori's serves the best Indian food in the Buffalo area. Since it is also probably my favorite restaurant in Buffalo, I am just shocked that there are even 2 bad reviews for this place! Maybe it is because these people just don't like Indian food? The spices are very different and more intense than any other cuisine, which is why (I'm not sure what these reviewers ate, but) "bland" is the last thing that comes to mind when I think of this restaurant. If anything, it's good to be careful to make sure that you don't order your dish too spicy! Another reviewer said that the food seems "prepared and reprepared", which I don't think is true. With the chicken dishes, they roast the meat for a long time in a tandoor so that it is incredibly tender and delicious! The Murg Maharaja is the best (chicken in a buttery, curry-ish sauce with cashews and poppy seeds). My boyfriend and I absolutely, positively love the Gosht Samosas—they alone merit a trip to Tandoori's. It is expensive, though, especially since you'll probably want to order an appetizer and some delicious naan, so it's more of a place to go for a birthday or anniversary (especially since it's so romantic!). Otherwise, I'd go to India Gate on Elmwood Ave. for a tasty, less-expensive meal (and my friends who aren't the biggest fans of spicy food do like this place, whereas Tandoori's is a bit too much for them). A word of advice for Indian restaurants in general: Order off the menu. Buffets are tempting because of the lower prices and variety, but the food is usually of much poorer quality."
[WHN, 1/06] says: "I thought I would express my opinions on the four south Asian restaurants that we have tried in the area. Tandoori's is the best, with Kabab and Curry and Taste of India tied for second. Every dish we have tried at Tandoori's has a distinctly different curry, all of which have been excellent. For those who like their food very spicy, Tandoori's will prepare it "Indian hot" (although the owner may ask if you know what you are asking for). The only negatives about Tandoori's are that their prices are quite a bit higher than the others, and there is an extra charge for rice. Moti Mahal is a far distant fourth."
[WHN, 4/06] says: "We dined at Tandoori's twice recently. Both meals were excellent, but one was exceptional as far as the service and helpfulness of the staff on a busy Saturday night. On that occasion, we went with my sister- and brother-in-law, neither of whom had ever eaten Indian cuisine. My wife and her sister had had Thai for lunch at Jasmine last summer, and she (my sister-in-law) liked it. She wanted to try Indian, and convinced her husband, a very picky eater, to try it, too. To start, Tandoori's serves complimentary vegetable pakoras (fritters) and wafer-thin pappadums (like tortillas made from lentils), accompanied by tamarind and green chili chutneys. I requested their "secret" super-hot and spicy chutney, as well. Since neither of my in-laws had the slightest idea what to have, I was going to order for the group: a vegetarian appetizer platter, and an assortment of main courses. I chose chicken makhani, my wife's favorite dish, and Goan red curry lamb. I wanted to order a seafood dish, but with a completely different curry from the others. I asked about a green curry shrimp, but our very helpful and knowledgeable waiter said it was made with coconut milk, as was the lamb, so he suggested instead machi koliwada—marinated fish fillets, fried and topped with a tasty curry that was totally unlike the other two. He also suggested a vegetarian dish—tawa nazakat—potatoes, eggplant, okra, and onions sauteed with spices, but no curry sauce. An Indian meal is not complete without rice and bread, so we ordered Tandoori's saffron rice—which is very flavorful, plain naan, and a whole wheat bread recommended by our waiter. Their garlic and onion naan is delicious, but my brother-in-law won't knowingly eat garlic or onions, so we skipped that. For dessert, my wife and I shared mango ice cream sprinkled with cardamom and pistachios. My in-laws shared Basmati rice pudding. The entire meal was delicious. We had wondered whether my brother-in-law would eat anything, but he actually enjoyed the dinner. (We did order the food mild to accommodate his sensitive palate.) At the end of the meal, Tandoori's presents each woman with a rose—a nice touch. Incidentally, there is a coupon on their website to buy one entree and get 50% off the price of the second." And, more recently, [WHN, 7/07] wrote to say: "Tandoori's has changed their menu and added a number of new items, including, for example, goat curry. Most of the old menu items remain, as well. As always, the food and service were excellent."
Given 3 (out of 4) stars (a long time ago, when there was no 3.5-star rating) by Janice Okun, Buffalo News restaurant reviewer.
Taki.
5500 Victoria Ave., Niagara Falls, ON, CANADA.
905-357-7274.
[WHN, 5/06] says: "I've been to Taki's many times and always thought it was very good. I have not been there recently, because, every time we wanted to go, they have been closed to the public to host busloads of Japanese tourists for private events. In the past, their food was always excellent, and the $38 (Canadian) sushi and sashimi combo "Boat" was more than enough for two people. As of my most recent visit (5/6/06), the menu has changed completely. The "Boat" is gone, and their combo platters now offer either sushi or sashimi (not both) with tempura shrimp, and the price is still $38, but the platter is now barely enough for one person. My sashimi combo consisted of 3 pieces each of tuna and salmon, 2 raw scallops (which I couldn't eat, because they were so mushy), some tough and chewy raw squid, and 4 shrimp tempura. I'll probably never go back again. If you do want to dine at Taki, be sure to call first to be certain they're open to the public."
Given 3½ (out of 4) stars by Janice Okun, Buffalo News restaurant reviewer.
Taki's Restaurant.
45 Court St. (downtown, between Franklin and Pearl), Buffalo.
845-6422.
Tantalus.
634 Main St., East Aurora.
652-0341.
In September, [JAu, 9/04] said: "Four of us called ahead and were seated almost immediately, despite a good crowd. The place has the beginnings of great character, but any ambience was destroyed by the lecture-hall acoustics. They have draped some blankets over the bare piping at ceiling level, in an apparent attempt to dampen the sound. They should consider doubling the number of blankets and perhaps covering the upper windows with a heavy fabric to control the reverberation as well. The wine steward made a poor presentation and was disheveled. The waitress was inexperienced but conscientious. She wanted to do everything right, but she just didn't have it that night. She dropped a greasy fork on my shirt and then forgot to bring me club soda and a napkin to blot the grease (her suggestion). She took an inordinate amount of time with the drinks and was unaware that they were out of my first two beer selections and then my first wine selection. It was a struggle to rise above the poor atmosphere and service, and just when your patience has worn thin, they plop down one of the best entrees I have had in months in this town. Everyone at the table was pleased with their meal, and everyone was shocked at the service quality. We want good restaurants in the southtowns; we really really want them. Two stars, with many very correctible errors." But [JAu, 10/04] now says: "We gave Tantalus a second chance. Last time the service was, well, immature. This time, it was haggard. A 35-minute wait was suffered through at their undersized bar. Three glasses of wine: $19.50. All three glasses were house calls. When seated by a very kind host, we waited 15 minutes before getting a menu and then only upon request. Then the specials were brought to us another 5 minutes later. The waitress's first visit to the table came 20 minutes after sitting. "Can we order an appetizer now, before the entree?" "If you do, it will just come out at the same time, so I would just wait." Okay. The first round of drinks at the table took another ten minutes; the waitress informed us that they were "swamped" at the bar. Leads one to conclude that "swamped" at Tantalus means there are 5 people at the five-foot bar, and each of them has ordered a drink at once. Last time the food was the thing. We forgave all when our meals were outstanding. I'm willing to concede that perhaps it was just so frustrating that the service had not improved this time that we just weren't in a forgiving mood. On the other hand, one person's burger was underdone and was not dressed properly. Another companion's pasta tasted like they did not put enough water in the Campbell's tomato soup before pouring it over top of the pasta. The roasted garlic appetizer had sprouts running through the center of each bulb. The hot pepper appetizer was good. The salads were never brought. The complimentary desert, meant to make up for all of the snafus—didn't. Fool me once, shame on you, fool me twice, shame on me. Shame on me, Tantalus still needs a lot of work."
[SCS, 10/04] says: "I stopped here for a light dinner on a Tuesday evening. It was not crowded. The service was fine. The "traditional" salad was overpriced ($3.50 for a small plate with a little salad on it), but my glass of wine was fine, and my pizza (a one-half spinach and goat cheese) was excellent, and more than enough. I highly recommend it." And [SCS, 1/05] informs me that he ate there again recently and had a fine experience (except for the too-small, too-expensive salad), comparing the restaurant to the likes of Linguine's or Carmine's.
[AEW, 1/05] says: "We wish we would have listened to the reviews on this web site regarding Tantalus in East Aurora. We have a six-month-old baby and managed to get a baby sitter for New Year's. We called Tantalus and made reservations for 2 people at 6 o'clock. We pre-bought theater tickets for 8 o'clock that night. When we arrived at Tantalus, the host (later to learn, the owner) recognized our reservation and told us the wait would be approximately 15 minutes. After waiting a half hour at the bar, I checked with the host to see how much longer the wait would be. He identified himself as the owner and apologized that he should better coach his staff that they shouldn't take reservations for 2 people. He then contradicted himself and said that, since it was New Year's, they had taken several reservations for tonight only. We waited an hour, and, at 7:00, we advised the owner that we were leaving. The owner was unapologetic and very unprofessional! We had traveled a half hour to get to Tantalus, waited an hour, all the while paying for a baby sitter; we left so that we could still salvage our theater tickets and our night! I advise others to listen to these reviews. Stay away from Tantalus! The service is terrible!"
[LS, 1/05] says: "I read the recent review, and it's time for me to speak up. I was born and raised in E. Aurora and went for a second time to Tantalus with my brother, two sisters, and spouses (all visiting from out of town), and we had a very bad experience indeed. We spent a lot of money (drinks, appetizers, and food aplenty). Those of us drinking bottled beer noticed that the bottles weren't cold—apparently the result of the restaurant's cooler being a charming tin tub filled with ice, no cover, no refrigeration. We asked our excellent server to bring us cold beer when she had a chance. They were room temp—it was summer. She explained about the tin cooler with ice. She brought somewhat colder bottles, and we were happy. Then, when we ordered more drinks later, she brought us opened, sipped-on bottles from earlier. My brother, who once found a syringe in a sealed(?) bottle in Mexico, was disturbed. We sent them back, explaining that we didn't want already-opened bottles. Plus, whose was whose? We couldn't tell. After our long and otherwise enjoyable dinner, my brother (who hasn't a mean bone in his body, unlike his older sister, me) approached the owner and told him that some diners might be put off by this practice of re-serving open bottles. He was brusque, OK, and told us that he didn't come into our places of business and tell us how to run them. Then he denied being the owner. We left and will never return. It's a darn shame—a beautiful place, good food on our visit. Prepare to be treatly badly when you visit." More recently, [LS, 1/07] says: "I ate here in June 2006 with a group of friends. I was very hesitant, but went along. We dined outside, and everything was good. The service was greatly improved, and I had no run-ins with the on-again, off-again owner this time. I'll happily visit again."
[JLi, 6/05] says: "May 29, 2005—Great food, atrocious service and treatment. My wife and I have eaten lunch at Tantalus at least five times in the past year, and the food has always been great. We decided to go there for dinner one Sunday evening. We were presented with a 4-page list of specials, and there were 2 that included soft shell crabs. One offering was 4 soft shell crabs and 14 oz. steak for $32, and the other was 2 soft shell crabs and 12 oz. steak for $22. We decided on a bottle of red wine, and we each ordered the 2 crab and 12 oz. steak entree for $22. As we were halfway through our salads, the waiter arrived at the table with our dinners, but each plate only had 2 crabs and no steak. He said there was a typo on the specials menu and that the $22 entree was only 2 soft shell crabs, and he hoped we didn't mind. I immediately said, yes, we did mind. He served our dinners and asked what he could do. I suggested that since we were getting 1/2 the meal, that they take one entree off the bill. He said he would see what he could do. Came back and said his hands were tied since the owner was not there. I then asked for at least one steak that my wife and I could split, since we were paying $44 and the $32 dinner came with a steak. He once again said he would see what he could do—same story. He said his hands were tied and the person in charge, the chef, would not make the decision. We were told that since the owners weren't there, we would have to pay the bill, and we could call back to talk to the owner to see if something could be done. We paid the bill, left a token tip, and left with the worst feeling ever from a restaurant. I have placed 5 calls since, and the owners never seem to be there. This was the worst restaurant treatment I have ever had, ever! And I travel across the nation. It is too bad. Great food, but they do not deserve anyone's business. We will never go back."
[SPi, 10/05] says: "This trendy-looking restaurant situated in the heart of East Aurora is fast-becoming known as the "East Aurora restaurant that only non-East Aurorians frequent." When the place open a year or so back, many of us were excited to see what this new spot would bring. Well, from day one, it's dished out little more than disappointment and disaster. The owner, by his own word, had little or no prior restaurant experience, and he chose to forge ahead with his "Grand Opening"...before the place was actually ready: unfinished decor, only partially hired staff (that was largely untrained), no host/hostess (more on that later), and no liquor licence. Because the food was somewhat unique and the location superb, I think most (including my wife and me) were willing to forgive the consistent problems of messed-up or forgotten orders, disappearing waitresses, exceeding loud eating area, and, of course, no drinks. By far the most annoying faux pas was the fact that the place had two entrances but no hostess; groups would stand at either entrance for long stretches and remain completely ignored. More than a few simply left in a huff. After one particularly bad experience in which my wife, who ordered the "Heated Brie and Bread", but was given a bowl of French Onion soup by a waitress who assured her that was the Brie dish, and a salad that was nothing but lettuce and dressing, we called the manager/owner about our concerns. As nicely as I could, I related our experiences and observation (mentioned above). I told him that we were rooting for the place and wanted to see it stay open. As earlier reviewers noted, he offered no apologies, was unmistakenly arrogant, and even suggested that we were mistaken about the Brie. Since I had ordered that item there twice before, I then informed him that they must have changed the dish to include melted mozzarella, soggy croutons, baked onion slices, and brown broth—my mistake! The conversation was over. We vowed, like many of our frustrated neighbors, never to go again. However, when the place was "supposedly" fully staffed, with decor completed, hostess in place, and liquor license and bar acquired, my in-laws from a nearby town were itching to go and insisted we just might have had a random bad experience. We relented and took them all. You know the phrase, "Lightning never strikes the same place twice"?...Wive's tale! It was déja vu: same delay with phantom hostess, same excuses ("oh, we're really swamped tonight," "I wouldn't order that—the kitchen's really backed up—unless you want a long wait," etc.), and same noisy din. A "new" surprise was the drinks, which, of course, took a long time to arrive. Worse, they were watery and basically undiscernable. When we complained, we were told that "tonight was a Wednesday, and the bartender was not there on Wednesdays, so the waitress had to make the drinks herself. OK! A few more highlights: watched two different groups by the door leave after being ignored; spoke to a young couple who had been there 3 1/2 hours, and not because they were slow eaters! Need I go on? One last thought: whenever we travel to a new city, the first thing we ask the hotel clerk is where the locals go to eat. Take it from a local, when in E.A., go anywhere but to Tantalus."
[DEv, 4/06] says: "Is this an equal opportunity web site or did Bill Rapaport have one terrible experience at Tantalus Restaurant in East Aurora and take a vow only to publish scathing reviews of the place? [Bill Rapaport's reply: The former. I've never eaten here, hence could not have had any experiences, terrible or otherwise. If the only reviews that I've published have been "scathing", then that's because—till now—they're the only ones I've received. Please read them again carefully:-)] If no one from East Aurora eats at Tantalus, why is the place always packed? Why did they expand more than a year ago? When it first opened, Tantalus was a little noisy and disorganized, but the owner has since gotten his act together—and the food has always been comparable to any of Buffalo's best restaurants. I've had the steak, steak, steak pizza many times and love the tenderness and flavor of the marinated flank steak. Last time I was there, my friend and I shared a delicious duck casserole that was so large I doubt even my 6'5" son could have eaten it alone. I may have had slow service once, but most of the time the service is great; the staff is extremely pleasant and knowledgeable about their product. And as I said—it is always packed on a Friday or Saturday night. Since I haven't taken a survey, I don't know how many of those people are "East Aurorans", but if they aren't—East Aurora is missing out on a good thing in its own backyard!"
[CMM, 8/06] says: "I've been a regular at Tantalus for two years now, and I have yet to be disappointed. The owner, the staff, the food, the décor are all exceptional. Sure, if you go there on a holiday evening or on a Friday/Saturday night, you're going to have to wait. Why? You're not being ignored: You're waiting because everyone else has apparently had the same idea. I had one of the best martinis of my life at Tantalus. There isn't much to absorb sound, so it can get noisy, but it isn't anything unmanageable. I urge you: Go there! If you're going on a busy night, consider getting there a bit early to beat the crowds. A kitchen can only move so quickly; when you have 80-some-odd tables, all ordering, it isn't easy. Maybe some people need to stop being primadonnas and learn the fine art of enjoying a meal."
[SJS, 9/06] says: "I'm amazed at all the negative comments about this restaurant! My wife and I have been to Tantalus about five times so far. In fact, we are going there again tonight. We usually go there on a Friday before 6pm. It is a very busy restaurant, so you need to get there early, or you will be waiting.
Perhaps this is part of the problem. It is very popular to a Southtowns community starving for some sophistication.
It is our new favorite restaurant. Its menu is extensive and cultured. This isn't a steak and potatoes place. The cuisine I would classify as contemporary with mostly Italian and French roots. If you like
Left Bank
or
Le Metro
(Elmwood),
you will like this. Our food choices have always been excellent. There are many pasta choices, and the salads all have some sophistication, using things like goat cheese, mango, walnuts, field greens, etc.
One of my favorite dishes is a simple pasta & grilled shrimp dish, where some very large, perfectly grilled shrimp are combined with a simple basil/fresh tomato/garlic sauce. I haven't been skunked yet. We've had other seafood dishes as well. All have been great.
Its wine selection is above average, with a lot of wines that are not found at most restaurants. If I'm having pasta, I usually order an Italian Sangiovese cab blend.
The ambiance is similar to Left Bank, but very casual, which is great in the
summer time. You can go into a place with shorts and sandals, and yet get high-quality food. The waiters are very young, and their knowledge of the food and wine is minimal. The hostesses aren't much help, actually. I can believe that there are problems with this area of management. However, the personnel have always been polite and intelligent. There might be some truth to the lack of training, but it really hasn't burned us yet. At least they aren't annoying or pushy.
It is typically loud once people fill the tables. However, Left Bank (which is similar and we love) and
Curly's
are two restaurants which are equally as loud. Don't go there for a quiet, intimate dinner. For us, it's a way to wind down the week and catch up with each other in a relaxed setting. There's a great walk awaiting you afterwards as well,
around the quiet village of East Aurora, or catch a movie across the street. It's a great night out."
[SAS, 3/07] says: "Positive; my wife, our friend, and I ate at
Tantalus
last week Thursday. It
was Mexican night, and the specials menu had many selections. (The
regular menu was also very broad and diverse.) We shared a quesadillo
(deliciously spicy) and three entrees. The three burrito (cheese, pork,
chicken) platter was filling, but the pork was a little dry, and the
chicken needed more spice. The "Anti-Margharita" pizza had a very thin
crisp crust (reminded me of my NYC days) and lots of garlic...very
tasty. The salad (with mango and guacamole) was very fresh and tasty.
Yes, it is a bit noisy (some wall and ceiling hangings seem to help),
but there is a great energy there too. Service was very good."
On the other hand,
[GWa, 3/07] says: "I recently spent a Thursday evening dining at
Tantalus, which came
well-recommended from a local friend. I was promptly seated at a small
table. I ordered the Kalamata olive tapenade with "imported
mozzarella", a NY strip steak, and a salad. The salad arrived first,
before the appetizer, literally swimming in vinaigrette dressing, with a
basket of French-bread slices (no butter). About 5 minutes later, my
appetizer tapenade arrived. It consisted of 6 small, stale toasted
slices of French bread with dime-sized pieces of mozzarella placed on
top and a pool of olive tapenade in the center, which had an off-flavor
and
was not terribly tasty. The steak arrived with fresh green beans and
a
side of mashed potatoes with gravy. The steak was done as I ordered but
did not have much flavor. The potato gravy was obviously canned and not
homemade. For $33.00 without tax or tip, I was greatly disappointed.
The restaurant began to fill with diners and was very noisy. I guess I
would have to advise that if you are looking for a quiet restaurant with
good food, good service, and ambiance, I would not recommend Tantalus but
Rick's on Main
just down the street for a few dollars more for a truly
memorable dining experience."
[JLo, 6/07] says: "Positively Positive.
Frankly I am shocked. I cannot believe the level of discontent that
Tantalus has aroused on this website. I have been going to Tantalus
since
its inception, hauling myself out to the burbs from my southern city
home in
order to be privy to such an advanced culinary experience. Not only is
the
structure itself a delight, but certain menu items are so good that it
would
be impossible to stop me from dining at this restaurant. Yes, I do
agree
that service is frazzled, getting a table is atrocious, and certain menu
items can be a little lacklustre, but Tantalus has mastered the art of
the
pizza. I cannot emphasize enough how wonderful every one of their
pizzas
are. Plus, a half pizza (the size of which would roughly fit on a
standard
cookie sheet) only runs around ten dollars. Their menu items are
inventive
and include fresh, innovative ingredients. I highly recommend the
Margarita
con prosciuto pizza, a bucket of fresh cut fries, and a side of their
signature Ranch (to die for) for dipping, and guarantee that you will not
even care about the noise or the fact that your server seems to have
forgotten you are alive. Once that heavenly thin-crust slice hits your
mouth, you will realize why so many will wait for so long at this place.
If
anything, head there for lunch when there is no wait. P.S.: Bill
Rapaport, I
hope you have been to this restaurant by now."
[No, sorry; haven't gotten there yet.—Bill]
[KJ, 10/07] says: "Do not go to this restaurant on a weekend
night, unless you are prepared to
wait up to 2 hours for a table. My table of 4 called ahead this past
Saturday, as instructed by the restaurant, to be put on the list for a
table. We called at 6:30 pm and were told we were "OK" to get a table
at 7 pm. We arrived promptly at 7 pm and were told by the hostess to wait at
the bar. We inquired twice during the next hour as to when we might get
a
table and were told both times by an extremely frazzled hostess that we
would get "one of the next few tables." We finally left at 8:15 pm and
had
a fantastic dinner down the street at
Rick's."
Taste.
634-3 Main St., East Aurora.
655-1874.
Taste Good Chinese Restaurant.
2308 Delaware Ave. (near Hertel Ave.), Buffalo.
874-3838.
[PB, 6/02] says: "Taste Good has really excellent vegetarian-meat choices (soy meat). For those of us that were meat eaters and are vegans and need to taste that textury meat to satisfy our taste buds, this is the place. The vegetarian sesame chicken is great!!!!"
[LCo, 7/07] says: "I don't know that there is anything to note about Taste Good, other than that it offers a large variety of mockmeat dishes. I have tried their bean curd in garlic sauce, but it was not nearly as flavorful as the same dish at Great Wall, and the tofu didn't have a good texture because it wasn't deep fried. I've also had several of the mockmeat dishes including sesame "chicken", "beef" and broccoli, General Tso's "beef", "beef" with orange sauce, and "beef" with black bean sauce. The vegetarian sweet and sour chicken/beef is not battered like your typical sweet and sour chicken; it's just the mockmeat in sweet and sour sauce, but it's delicious and has a great pineapple flavor. The mockmeats tend to be a bit chewy in dishes with thicker sauces like sesame, General Tso's, and the orange sauce, but the thinner sauces like the brown sauce in beef and broccoli or the black bean sauce help the vegetarian meats stay tender. The service for carry-out is always fast; I've never waited more than 10 minutes for my food. They do have tables for eating in, though I've only ordered take-out and then sat and ate; I don't know if you can order to eat in."
[am] Taste of India.
3093 Sheridan Dr. (in Northtown Plaza), Amherst. 837-0460.
[MRT, 4/05] says: "For the first time, I enjoyed a buffet lunch at Taste of India today. The service is excellent. They have a great assortment of foods, both vegetarian and meat masala dishes, salad, raita, delicious bread, delicious tea. Lunch for two: $17.22. The food is very mild (Americanized). Their hot sauce is not very hot. But if you have a craving for Indian food close to the north campus of UB, this is a very good choice."
[KATS, 1/06] says: "Excellent Indian food."
[WHN, 1/06] says: "I thought I would express my opinions on the four south Asian restaurants that we have tried in the area. Tandoori's is the best, with Kabab and Curry and Taste of India tied for second. Moti Mahal is a far distant fourth."
Taste of Thai.
1460 Hertel Ave. (near North Park Theater, which shows foreign films), Buffalo.
833-8423.
[MMcA, 12/04] says: "The head chef of the old King and I restaurant is now serving his delicious Thai offerings on Hertel Avenue under the name "Taste of Thai". On my first visit, I ordered some of my old "King and I" favorites, and these were indeed the same high quality dishes I used to enjoy in Amherst before that restaurant closed. [Note from Bill: King and I is still open, but possibly under new management.] You can specify the degree of spiciness on any dish. The pud thai is not too sweet, balanced just right with medium spice. The tom kha soup in a hot pot is savory smooth with coconut, ginger, lemongrass, green and red onion, mushroom, and tomato (plus your choice of meat). The red phanang curry is full of tasty vegetables (green beans, zucchini, chiles, and basil) over tender beef. Next time, I'll try the musuman curry with chicken, which was another of my favorites from the old menu. There are many more tables than there were at the old "King and I", and the service is friendly, relaxed, and very personal. "Taste of Thai" was packed on only its second day of business. After a year without it, I'm glad to have my favorite Thai food in Buffalo (and elsewhere) back. Highly recommended."
[KBo, 4/05] says: "We're still talking about it. The take-out we had last Friday evening (4/8/2005) was absolutely the worst Thai we've had in Buffalo (or anywhere, really). We're shocked because even though we haven't been to the King and I in almost a year (mainly because of its location; my partner and I are city-dwellers), it was always one of our favorite Thai places in the area: authentic, high-quality dishes with fresh ingredients. The first thing that should have made me suspicious was the fact that the person who took my order over the phone did not ask me how I wanted my duck prepared (I ordered the Choo Chee curry with duck). So I asked her if I could have it cooked medium rare. She paused for a moment and said "OK". I also noticed that she did not ask how spicy I wanted the dish (nor did she ask when I ordered my partner's dish, the vegetarian Musamum curry). Needless to say, I was a little concerned. When we arrived to pick up our dinner, a very courteous gentleman approached me and explained to me that my duck was not medium rare. He didn't apologize, but explained to me that they cook their duck dishes in advance! How far in advance he didn't say, but unless the staff has a crystal ball for foretelling customer orders, does it matter? What this means, if what he says is true, is that if you like your duck melt-in-your-mouth tender, you'd better go someplace else. What we brought home was simply unacceptable and would have been returned to the kitchen if we had dined in. The duck was so dry and overcooked, it had the texture of jerky. Instead of having a bright green color and crisp texture, the broccoli was a dark, almost blackish green color and was chewy and slimy. Not surpisingly, the broccoli in my partner's curry was exactly the same. Everything tasted overcooked and completely devoid of any freshness. As for the heat level, there was none. The curry tasted like it was made from the kind of jarred curry paste you can find in Wegman's. The coconut milk was thin and tasted watered down. Too much broth or water perhaps? They even managed to screw up the rice. We're still not sure if what we tried to eat was actually jasmine rice. It was dry, stuck together in clumps, and had no flavor whatsoever. It actually reminded me of the rice you'll get in those huge awful all-you-can-eat Chinese buffets (you know the kind of place: several large tables of everything from sesame chicken to Buffalo wings). It's not a good sign when you reach into the bag and find a little plastic dixie container of red chili flakes! Apparently, it's too much work for this place to accommodate the spice/heat preferences of its customers. Want your curry spicy? Here, just dump some chili flakes on it! It's possible, of course, that this was just an "off" night (but at 6:15pm? Most of the tables were empty when we walked in). Part of us wants to be fair and give them a second chance. But with food this awful, it's hard to justify going back there when you consider that the area has at least three ( Saigon Bangkok, Saigon Café, and Jasmine Thai) excellent Thai restaurants that always manage to please us. Saigon Bangkok has especially nailed it down; we go there at least once a month, and we're amazed by their consistency. Can't wait to have their Choo Chee curry with duck again!"
[CK, 9/05] says: "Wow, I was surprised to hear such a negative review from [KBo]. My brother and I have been long fans of Thai cusine and were regulars at the old King and I on Harlem Rd. We were happy to see the Taste of Thai open on Hertel with the same chef. As for the food, we have been there many times and have had a great experience. I recently was in Chicago at a Thai restaurant, The Star of Siam, which I used to measure all Thai restaurants against. I must say after revisiting the Star, I am using the Taste of Thai as my new yardstick. I recommend my two favorite dishes, the Panang Chicken and the Tom Kha soup. The pad thai is also excellent. I have tried almost all of the dishes on the menu and have never been disappointed."
[KATS, 1/06] says: "I, too, am amazed to see a negative review of Taste of Thai. It beats the other local restaurants, such as Saigon Café and Saigon Bangkok, hands down. The food is well spiced, and the vegetables are unbelievably fresh, never frozen. The soups are delicious. I thought the wonton soup at Papaya was the best in the area, but I now happily admit that Taste of Thai's is my new favorite. I have one complaint, though. The restaurant has gotten so busy that sometimes there is a long wait for your food. Last night, a Monday night, all the tables were filled. They don't have a liquor/beer/wine license, but you can bring your own wine and beer."
[RRo, 2/06] says: "Taste of Thai is not King and I. King and I (the one that you all have fond memories of) is still open (on Kensington) and still serves the awesome dishes that you say you "once loved". If you miss King and I—go back there. But please, please stop comparing your Taste of Thai experiences with King and I—they are different restaurants."
[SBu, 4/06] says: "I recently went to the Taste of Thai,...and I was quite pleased with the outcome of my experience. As a virgin to Thai food, I was unsure if I would enjoy the food that was available on the menu, due to the fact that everything seemed so foreign to me, and I didn't expect to enjoy it at all. I ordered the Gratten Plik Thai, which I had with sautéed beef, and they have ground pepper and a hot garlic sauce put on that, and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Two of the people I was with had a dish that consisted of chicken over some jasmine rice that looked absolutely delicious. The atmosphere of the Taste of Thai, although quite dark, was quite pleasing to the eye, and provided a good sit-down meal for myself and my company. Also, with a friendly waiter, and our food being brought out quite soon after our meal, it was refreshing to have such great service. So, overall, I strongly recommend the Taste of Thai, and although I have not had any other Thai experience, this one seemed to be quite pleasant."
[KrM, 4/06] says: "The food at the Taste of Thai was delicious. The food was very flavorful and aromatic. They have a great mixture of vegetables. It was my very first Thai food experience, and it was a great one. I will definitely be going back sometime soon to try other menu items. Being a first timer, I wanted to try something not so adventurous. I had the Pud Khing Sod. I recommend it. It was a nice option to choose how spicy I wanted it to be. The service was quick and very responsive to my lack of knowledge in the Thai food area. I highly recommend the Taste of Thai."
[MHu, 4/06] says: "I just recently tried Thai food for the first time and loved it! The restaurant that is responsible for my liking is Taste of Thai on Hertel Ave. I ordered the khow muh gai and I loved it. The combination of the jasmine rice and the sweet and tender chicken was delicious. Not that I have any other restaurants to compare them to, but I thought the service and the food at Taste of Thai was excellent. I strongly recommend this dish and the restaurant; I hope to go back there soon and try something new!"
[AMP, 4/06] says: "I recently ate lunch at Taste of Thai restaurant. This was my first Thai and Vietnamese experience. As I was walking into the restaurant, I felt as though I was walking into another country. I chose the Geow Nahn soup to start off with. It was very well prepared, and the noodles tasted homemade. The broth was spicy and definitely woke up my taste buds. The entree I selected was called Ghang Kheou Wan, a green curry made with coconut milk. There was a wide range of vegetables that were added to the curry. It was served with jasmine rice and an egg roll on the side. The meal was very good, but some of the vegetables were not labeled on the menu. The Taste of Thai was a wonderful and positive experience for me. I look forward to going back again and trying something else on their menu."
[DRo, 4/06] says: "This was my first time going to the restaurant, and I enjoyed my experience. I ordered sesame chicken; the chicken was very juicy. The sesame Thai sauce that the chicken was in was full of flavor. I will be going back to this restaurant very soon to try some of the other cuisine that is offered."
[VN, 4/06] says: "I ate at Taste Of Thai the other night for the first time. I thought the meal was good, yet I wouldn't rate it excellent. I ate the Red Ghang Phanang; I enjoyed the the different taste of the spices in the meal and enjoyed everything else with it. One of the few things that did not impress me about the restaurant was that it had cans of soda instead of fountain soda. I believe this is probablly one of the few things holding this restaurant back from becoming extremely nice."
[KDK, 4/06] says: "I cannot believe some of the comments I read about this restaurant. When I went on a Monday night, it was perfect. It wasn't too busy nor did they look like they needed folks to come in and just sit. The food was freshly made, and, even though it was my first taste of Thai food, it was great. I had the crab cakes but substituted chicken for the crab. It was better than I expected. This is a place that I recommend to everyone to eat at least once. I plan on going again this weekend."
[BLG, 4/06] says: "The restaurant was barely noticeable, being surrounded by drugstores, other restaurants, and a theater. The front door wasn't very welcoming; in fact, I walked right past it. When I walked through, the hallway was dark, and the only light was from the sunshine coming in from the door behind us. After I walked through the main door, I thought I went the wrong way, because the room was so dimly lit and quiet, even though 5-7 tables were occupied. It seemed like a while before we were seated, even though a couple of tables were available, and the hostress just left us standing. The menu was large, with gourmet meals and a wide variety of appetizers and side orders. I enjoyed the Pud Kemow dish, a stir fry consisting of wide noodles and vegetables covered in a delicious sauce. I wasn't too fond of the greens used in the dish. My 14-month-old didn't enjoy the food or the atmosphere. The restaurant was so poorly lit and quiet, it made my son very uncomfortable. I enjoyed the food and the peacefulness; however, the next time I go for lunch, I won't be bringing my son. Definitely a place for friends and couples, but not a family restaurant."
[CKo, 4/06] says: "This past weekend I dined at Taste of Thai. This was the second time I have had Thai food, the first being at the Saigon Café. In my opinion, both were delicious. I ordered the musuman curry (red & yellow) mild. I absolutely loved it, and the portion was big enough for me to take home for another meal. It was also not very costly at all. Everything tasted very fresh. The waitress was very happy to help explain some of the dishes for me and answer some other questions I had. I noticed some of the other customers brought with them their own liquor, which Taste of Thai welcomes (since they do not have their own liquor license). The only negative attribute of the evening was the seating, which was way too close to other guests for me to feel comfortable. The whole night, I was bombarded with their conversations. Other than that, I plan on going again in the near future, to learn and experience some more Thai cuisine."
[AMSo, 9/07] says: "We stopped @ Taste of Thai yesterday to order some take out, after having spent a very long Sunday helping our friends with their moving sale. As usual, food was great and staff was knowledgeable. I ordered one of the specials (vegan), a red coconut curry dish with tofu (my choice of meat) and vegetables, including the wonderful Japanese eggplant, served over some lovely jasmine rice; Kim got the vegetable pad thai without egg (vegan), which has a sort of bar-b-q effect, as opposed to some more traditional peanut sauces; we also got an order of vegetable spring rolls (vegan), which are made with steamed rice paper as opposed to egg wraps and come with a dipping sauce. We also ordered a bowl of vegetarian soup (tom kha) that had a coconut cream base with tofu (vegan). Melissa ordered the Thai salad (which came with two pieces of fried tofu and a house peanut sauce) and a seafood soup that is more spicy (tom yum). We also ordered two servings of dessert purple rice, which is served over some coconut milk and with sliced mango on the side (also vegan). The food there is always wonderful, and the servers are always very knowledgeable when you express your dietary (or lifestyle) restrictions. The only bad thing for me @ Taste of Thai is the floor—there is a center aisle that is always sticky when you walk on it—and I'm quite certain they wash the floor. It's just sort of creepy, as you wonder why you're sticking to the floor in a perfectly lovely restaurant."
[EN, 12/07] says: "I've been to this restaurant a dozen-plus times, taking many different people to it so they, too, can experience this wonderful culinary experience. Every single person whom I've taken to this establishment is just in love with the food (my grandmother never takes a doggy bag, never; she wanted her left overs and mine when I took her.) What the restaurant lacks in the area of ambience, it certainly makes up for with the menu. I've been to 4 other Thai places (Jasmine, Saigon Bangkok, a place in CT, and one in Toronto), and, while those places have some dishes that were wonderful (Lobster Won Ton soup and Thai Salmon at Saigon Bangkok) and most a decor that was much more inviting, they just don't match up to the food at this place. I've tried too many dishes on the menu to really recall everything, but I can tell you the only dish I didn't like was the Green Curry and a dish I had with pineapple in it (but that is just because I don't enjoy hot pineapple in my food.) The Pad Thai, Spring Rolls, Tom Yum Goong (don't know why I torture myself so with it; it is hot! But I love it), BBQ Beef, Chicken Satay, Taste of Thai Fried Rice...there are many more, but I can't remember the names without the menu in front of me. The decor still needs some work for sure, including the fact that it needs more light, but they have made changes in the past two years since I've been going (adding decorations and trying to make more natural light come in.) I certainly agree with an earlier post that it is not a restaurant for children at all. And the sticky floor...it is because of whatever kind of soap they use on the floor, which is waxed linoleum if memory serves me correct. I had the same problem at the place I manage, and we resorted to using bleach instead; no more sticky floor.) As for the mention above about the soda cans instead of fountain, I can't tell you how many Asian restaurants I've been in where they gave you a can of soda. This doesn't really bother me at all; would rather they have a liquor license first. If you're looking for the best Thai food around, this is the way to go."
Ted's Hot Dogs.
7018 Transit Rd., Williamsville (and many other locations).
633-1700.
[MZ, 5/07] says: "Just had to contribute about Ted's hotdogs, the only place outside of Mom's backyard where I'll get a dog. (She gets Sahlen's.) All of my high school friends moved away from Bflo, but we all (each) go to Ted's when we go home. Even if we're not hungry. Nothin' like watching those grillmasters stab those Sahlens, listening to that sizzle as the liquids are released into the real charcoal fire, watching them turn dark and busted-skinned. Stick 'em into that—nope, not-Wonderbread-rolls—but good bread, put next to nothing on them (maybe a breath of yellow Weber's mustard, I don't want to waste that fine Sahlen's flavor), and then grab that paper of freshly-fried potatoes, which smell like potatoes, not like Mickey D's. Then do the grown-up thing and put vinegar on them, not ketchup or catsup or catch-up. I've been going there for more than 50 years; there's no place better in the entire Yoonited States for a hotdog. I love you, Ted's! (By the bye, there is a history: In the early 60s, when my sister was a greaser, and I was in elementary school busy being studious, there were 2 hot dog stands on each (southern) side of Parker and Sheridan: Ted's and Louie's. That's where the greasers hung out in their cars. Then McDonald's came by and introduced the 13-cent "hamburger" and along the way tore down the original Ted's. (Well, of that era, of course.) Anyway, you have simply not tasted a good hot dog (or fries for that matter) until you've tasted Ted's. Lucky Buffalo!"
[BL, 5/07] says: "Have to agree with [MZ]—a great Buffalo area institution. We were visiting Phoenix and made a point to see their Tempe location. A lot of fun and even parts of the Buffalo news placed around so the Phoenix snowbirds could get a bit of the hometown happenings. Just the same as the locations here. Also fun to be eating in our home locations and meet visitors who are making a return to Ted's just to show it off to their spouses or children. Great fast food, and we are lucky!"
[4/07]
Listed as one of Buffalo's
"27 Best Restaurants"
by
Buffalo Spree
magazine.
Tempo.
581 Delaware Ave. (in Allentown; near Theodore Roosevelt inauguration site),
Buffalo.
885-1594.
[NL, 2/05] says: "Went to Tempo on Saturday nite. To start, they didn't have my reservation, so I had to wait a bit...not a big deal. They did a nice job sprucing the place up since it was "Biacs". It was always a great space (I had my wedding reception there), so major improvements were not really needed. They moved the bar to one side of the front room & made it smaller to free up more space for tables. We were seated in the rear room & unfortunately were seated next to a couple of larger parties. The noise level would have been acceptable if it were not for a select few who felt it was necessary to scream at each other. The good news was, it quieted down a notch once they started eating. Now...ahem...to the meal. I started with oysters, & my sweetheart had the fried eggplant Napoleon-style layered with goat cheese & sun-dried tomatoes. The oysters were very fresh, & the eggplant dish was great. We shared a field-green salad, which was mediocre. It must have been dressed awhile...know what I mean? After what seemed like a 1/2 hour to 45 minutes between courses, we finally received our main courses. I had a stuffed veal chop with sauteed rapini. Very tasty, but on the pricy side ($35). My wife had gnocchi with an osso-buco-style ragout, which was outstanding. Overall, a very pleasant evening. On the negative side, a large bottle of Panna water was $7. Way overpriced; maybe at Le Bernardin, when you're in a million-dollar space in the middle of Manhattan, but not here. Come on guys: You make your mark-up on the drinks; do you really need to gouge people for water?"
[HDe, 3/05] says: "I went to "Tempo" last night. It was my first time there and was impressed with the overall layout of the place and ambiance. Very professional staff, which I enjoyed. I started with their fried calamari. They were light and good; however, I simply prefer them with a spicy marinara rather than the sauce they provide. They were overpriced at $10. Next, I had the insalate caprese and again will say it was a tad overpriced at $10. Good tasting mozzarella with juicy tomatoes, a drizzle of balsamic & some arugula thrown in. The "main" menu was basic, but the list of daily specials was impressive and varied. I opted for a double-cut lamb chop with what appeared to be a nice sauce of grape tomatoes and kalamata olives, and a side of baby red potatoes. My friend had a beautiful veal chop with asiago and sun-dried tomato inside over a bed of risotto. My wine choice of Peter Lehmann Shiraz matched very well. The food was of very high quality. Honestly, my only gripe is that I feel they are a bit overpriced based on reputation. I have had similar quality food for a bit less. The veal chop was $35, where maybe I would have put it at $28-$30, the salad maybe $7-$8. While it may compare to a NYCity-style restaurant, this is not NY City, nor are our salaries NY City! But there is no doubt this restaurant compares to Oliver's or Hutch's. I simply feel I can get a similar quality meal, say, at a place like Mother's, which keeps things more reasonable, for a lesser price."
[EC, 4/05] says: "Loved this when it was Yianni's and then Biac's; I've always thought it one of the prettiest restaurants around (inside and out). In its new incarnation as Tempo, the quality of the food is excellent. We had diver's scallops and T-bone steak; both were thick, juicy, and flavorful. The wine list is fine; we had an excellent Zinfandel. Service a bit slow."
[KATS, 7/05] says: "Undeniably one of my favorite restaurants in the city, I had another fabulous meal at Tempo last night. Other than the confused and confusing hostess (who didn't seem sure they could fit us in without a reservation until she actually sat us down), our meal was flawless. Although they have shortened their regular menu, the specials menu is very long and still contains many old favorites. We opted for the beef carpaccio appetizer from the main menu, and the snails special. Both were mouthwatering delicious. The snails were very tender and served over polenta and shiitake mushrooms. The carpaccio came out rolled around arugula, sort of like a sushi roll. Although I preferred the snails, both appetizers were a clear winner. And then we got to eat main courses. My husband declared his lamb chops the best piece of meat that he has had in his life! Between courses, I lamented having ordered the Diver Scallops with Risotta and shaved black truffles. You see, the One Pound Steak Florentine has got to be my favorite dish in the world, but I wanted something a bit lighter last night. Well, the scallops did not disappoint. They were large and juicy and perfectly seared. The ends had caramelized in whatever delicious sauce they used, but the inside was just cooked through to perfection. The truffles and the risotto were both tasty and fabulous. They have a nice but safe wine list by the glass. Most would consider this a "special occasion" restaurant, but I need to eat there at least once a month. The food is just that good."
[MRT, 10/05] says: "We made dinner reservations at Tempo on October 29, 2005. We chose Tempo because of all the glowing reviews on this site. What follows is not a glowing review of Tempo. Our reservations were for 8:00 P.M. We were not seated until 9:05 P.M. We were not pleased. To appease us, we were given a small appetizer of olives, fried calamari, and marinated mozzerella. Our mood lightened. I ordered the gnocchi for an appetizer. It was satisfying, but nothing special. Our friend ordered salmon carpaccio—he greatly enjoyed it. I do forget what my husband ordered. Both men ordered the filet mignon. I ordered their asiago-stuffed veal chop. We all three agree Tempo does not hold a candle to Hutch's. For dessert, my husband ordered a chocolate cake and coffee; our friend, crême brul&eacue; and myself, a pear torte and espresso. The pear torte was nothing special. With a bottle of wine, the total cost of the meal was $240. The men say Hutch's has the best sauce for filet mignon these days. They said Just Pasta used to have an even better sauce on their filet mignon. I do not wish to return to Tempo." [MRT, 11/05] updates: "Tempo mailed us a $50 gift certificate, because on October 29, 2005, we had to wait over an hour after our reservation to be seated. We decided to give Tempo another try Saturday, November 12, 2005. We arrived 20 minutes before our reservation for 5:30 PM. We were promptly seated. This pleased us. Three of us ordered appetizers. My mother-in-law ordered her entree to arrive with our appetizers, because she eats very slowly. Before our appetizers arrived, we were given warm bread with soft butter and olive oil, and a small appetizer of marinated olives, marinated feta cheese, and fried parmesan with pepperoni. I enjoyed dipping my bread in the oil remaining on my bread dish from the olives and cheese. My mother-in-law greatly enjoyed her shrimp risotto. She ate her entire meal, a rarity for her, which means she really enjoyed it. For appetizers, my friend and I each ordered the beef carpaccio. The beef was wrapped around arugala and drizzled with balsamic vinaigrette. My husband ordered an appetizer from a list of specials—fried eggplant with goat cheese and greens. All of us greatly enjoyed our appetizers. Our friend ordered veal scallopini with a potato gnocchi side. My husband ordered a special bone-in Angus ribeye with shitake mushrooms and potato hash. For a man who doesn't eat mushrooms, he finished his entire dish. He said he really enjoyed the mushrooms, and that they took on the flavor of the beef. We explained to him that mushrooms do tend to take on the flavor of the dish.:-) On a friend's recommendation, I ordered the lobster risotto. I also enjoyed my entree. For dessert, our waitress recommended the pumpkin pie. It was an excellent pumpkin pie with a crumbled nut topping and whipped cream. Our friend ordered the cheesecake with something special in it, but he doesn't remember what it was. It was accompanied with a vanilla dipping sauce. My husband ordered a chocolate bombe with caramel sauce. We all enjoyed our desserts. The service was excellent. Our water and wine glasses were never less than half full. With a bottle of wine, espresso, and coffee, the total cost of our meal was $250. The restaurant only charged us $150. It was an enjoyable meal. I still prefer Hutch's to Tempo in overall enjoyment. While the Tempo pumpkin pie is excellent, the Buffalo Chop House still has the best dessert in the city with their apple pie."
[JAu, 12/05] says: "An exceptional dining experience. Although it is costly, there is a value in even their most expensive dishes. The service was courteous, kind, and patient with our indecision. The ribeye was the best cut of meat I have had on this side of the Hudson. The appetizers that we shared were absolutely outstanding. The wine was too good. Not a bad thing to say about the place. It ranks in the top five in Buffalo right now. When a dining experience is this enjoyable, it is difficult to put into words. I want to thank the people at Tempo for a great night."
[WHN, 6/06] says: "My wife and I celebrated our anniversary at Tempo (sister restaurant to Hutch's; our first time there) last night, 6/27 (our first time at this sister restaurant to Hutch's). Everything about the restaurant was excellent, from the classic jazz playing softly in the background to the service and, most importantly, the cuisine. To start, we had two evening specials: eggplant antipasto ($11)—fried eggplant layered with tapenade, sun-dried tomatoes, and goat cheese; and sauteed soft shell crab ($13) in a garlicky white wine sauce. Both were excellent. We then shared a delicious Caesar salad ($7.50). For the main course, we both chose another nightly special, veal steak ($28) topped with a rich mushroom sauce and crispy fried onions, served over truffle-infused risotto. The dessert menu sounded very good, but we had already eaten more than enough. There is an extensive selection of wines—by the glass for $7-$9, with bottles starting around $32 and quickly accelerating. The wine prices are about twice retail for the lower-priced bottles, but around 35% for the higher priced ones, which seems fair as restaurant wine mark-ups go. Yes, it's expensive, but we definitely will go back to Tempo soon." And he did [11/07]: "On our first return visit since the summer of '06, we both started with a delicious shrimp bisque, followed by "insalata mista", which was a quite ordinary salad with a few spiced almonds. For the main course, I had steak alla Fiorentina, perfectly cooked but way, way too salty for my taste. In fairness, the menu says "sea salt grilled", but it was more like "sea salt encrusted". The accompanying fried gnocchi and garlicky broccolini were good. My wife's choice of shrimp risotto was excellent, she said. For dessert, we split a piece of chocolate-mousse cake with berries and whipped cream, which was delicious. The biggest disappointment of the evening was the noise level. On our only previous visit, music was playing in the background, and could be heard. This time, the din of loud conversations at other tables was the only background sound. Maybe it was because, on this visit, we were seated on the side of the room with a half-wall between the dining area and the bar area vs. a full ceiling-height wall last time. Or maybe the other diners were just louder. In any case, it was not as enjoyable as our earlier meal."
[12/04] 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.
Terroir La
Cachette.
1339 Lake Shore Rd. (in Strewn Winery), Niagara-on-the-Lake, ON, CANADA.
1-905-468-1222.
Tetley's.—WARNING: WEBSITE PLAYS LOUD MUSIC!
60 Picton St. (in the
Moffat Inn)
Niagara-on-the-Lake, ON L0S 1J0, CANADA.
905-468-4641.
Texas Roadhouse.
900 Young St. (near Gander Mountain), Tonawanda.
692-0457.
[TFR, 4/06] says: "Texas Roadhouse is a very busy restaurant, but if you call ahead, you'll get put on a waiting list, and the wait is more manageable. The wait is even more pleasant at the bar, drinking a Margarita or enjoying a beer in a glass shaped like a cowboy boot. You have to be prepared for the atmosphere—the waitstaff line-dances when certain songs come on the speakers, and they make birthday victims sit on a saddle as the entire section says, "Yee haw!" Fun, but not a place for a romantic date! When they call you for your table, you are taken to a butcher freezer, where you can pick out the steak you want prepared for your dinner. There are peanuts everywhere—on the bar, on the tables, in large buckets throughout the restaurant. The waitress or waiter will soon bring you a basket of warm, fresh rolls, brushed with butter, and whipped cinnamon butter that is out of this world. If you're with a few people, order the cactus blossom (a fried onion appetizer). It's much larger than what I've ordered at other restaurants, and you definitely need to share. The entrees come with a choice of two sides, and there are about ten choices to choose from, including salads, chili, potatoes, rice, and vegetables. As for an entree, I recommend the filet medallions with peppercorn sauce. So tender, so spicy, so delicious. The salads are decent (be forewarned—there's egg in the chef salad, which I didn't like), and the sides are all good. My husband wanted his baked potato with sour cream and cheese, and they served it plain, so they brought a second potato prepared the right way to make amends. We were too full to eat most of our dinners, so we were unable to try any dessert. No matter—those sweet dinner rolls hit the spot! The prices are very reasonable—about $8-$15 for an entree. Their goal is to really feed you—you'll probably need a doggy bag! I would definitely recommend this place for anyone who enjoys good portions and a fun, laid back atmosphere."
[MKr, 5/06] says: "I was very skeptical about trying this restaurant—all of the other steak chains are very pricy and not so great. I was shocked at how good the food was here. I followed the previous reviewer's advice to call ahead, which is an absolute must for any day of the week (I drive by there everyday, and it's packed—even at 10 P.M. on a weeknight). I had the 8-oz sirloin, which came with two sides plus really great rolls for $10. In my opinion, the food quality was better then Outback or Roadhouse. It's loud, country, and crunchy (peanut shells), so not a place for a romantic night out—but great for anything else. I have to stress again—make sure you call ahead!"
Thaxton's Dinner
House.
5949 Campbell Blvd., Lockport.
434-6020.
Thunder Falls Buffet.
310 Fourth St. (at Rainbow Blvd., in the Seneca Niagara Casino),
Niagara Falls, NY.
299-1100 or
1-877-8-SENECA (873-6322).
[ABi, 11/06] says: "The best thing about buffets is the realization that the cultures of Earth have countless delicious ways to prepare chicken. The Italians slather it in tomato sauce and mozzarella, the Chinese cut and spice it up for you, our friends down South barrage arteries via frying, and everyone knows what we do here with the otherwise-wasted wings. One can try all of these and approximately one million other entrees and sides at the Thunder Falls Buffet, conveniently located just a few feet away from the blackjack tables and nickel slots at the Seneca Niagara Casino. Both the quantity and diversity of the offerings are almost overwhelming, and my three-and-a-half plates' worth only got me partway through the stations. Most of what I got to was of good quality: I especially enjoyed the Southern offerings, including the aforementioned fried dish along with the lusciously syrupy, candied sweet potatoes, the delightfully gooey mac and cheese, and buttermilk biscuits that were perfectly moist, crumbly, and buttery enough to make you forget about all your worries and problems. They were really good. The Italian take on chicken was pretty good, while the Chinese offerings were a little more towards mediocre, because they were only slightly spicy and a bit too mushy; they could have used a tad more red pepper and a tad less time sitting in hotel pans. My least favorite find was the crab legs; my understandable excitement at discovering their availability was tempered by the paucity of the meat as well as the spongy, watery taste. They weren't that great, and the portions were small, rim shot. But I moan too much, because I suppose one shouldn't expect too much from buffet crustaceans. I did enjoy another seafood offering, namely the flaky grilled swordfish. Even better for those who prefer land-based meat, they feature prime rib, cut to order and deliciously juicy and savory. I had fun bloating myself with Thunder Falls Buffet's largely good-quality offerings. Everyone should find at least a few things they like, and, as my girlfriend put it, if you leave without getting your money's worth, it's your own fault."
Tiara.
155 Byron St., in the Queen's Landing Hotel,
Niagara-on-the-Lake,
Ontario, Canada. 905-468-2195.
T.G.I. Friday's.
See Friday's.
[a+] Tiffin Room at Pistachio's.
In the UB
North (Amherst) Campus Student Union.
645-2551.
Tiddledybinks
Catering.
The Niagara Club, 24 Buffalo Ave., Niagara Falls, NY.
282-4657, 743-9113.
[MMB, 12/03] says: "I read with dismay MER's [12/03] comments on Tiddledybinks's catering of a home party. My wife and I have had Tiddledybinks cater more than six home parties ranging from twenty people to sixty people. At every party, there was an enormous amount of food, the display was fabulous, and the service was beyond our expectations. After the parties, the cleanup was such that you would never have known that a function had happened. The response of guests was always extremely positive, and we have given their names to friends who have used their services. Both Jennie and Steve, who handled the parties, were extremely efficient and charming. In fact, as a result of the positive response of our guests, we used their services at the Niagara Club for our daughter's wedding, attended by 210 guests. We received compliment after compliment about the wedding. It is pure pleasure to recommend Tiddledybinks Catering to all who desire home catering or the use of their magnificent facility for large affairs."
[HPK, 12/03] says: "I have been to many events that Tiddledybinks has catered. Always, it has been the most professional, outstanding, and elegant service that a high-end cater should be. My family has used them for parties at home and my sister-in-law's wedding. I cannot give them enough support or credit. We have gone to Mother's Day brunches and other people's weddings. The food has always been the highest quality and cooked to perfection. I was surprised and shocked to read the [first] review. My family and I have never had this type of experience with them, and I would suggest using them 100% to anyone who needed a caterer. Most of all, they can be trusted beyond reproach."
[Editor's Note: Yes, [MER] and I were surprised and shocked, too.]
[WHN, 4/06] says: "I came across the various pro and con reviews above and thought I would put in my two cents. We were invited to a large group party at the Niagara Club. There were probably 80—100 people in attendance. Since we were guests, I have no idea about the cost, but we thought the food, drinks, and service were excellent for this size of event."
Tina's Italian Kitchen.
22 Main St., Hamburg.
648-0100.
[AmS, 12/06] says: "I asked for eggplant Parmesan. I have eaten it before at Ilio DiPaolo's and Olive Garden. Both were delicious. I expected patty-shaped, breaded eggplant on top of a bed of pasta. Instead I got a small dish of pasta on the side, with very runny sauce, and hardly any of it, accompanied by six rolls of eggplant, unbreaded, jammed in a bowl-like dish. It was baked with cheese on top, and again, with very minimal sauce. I would not recommend this dish to anyone and will not order eggplant again from Tina's, if I go there at all."
La Tolteca.
—WARNING: LOUD MUSIC ON WEBSITE!!
7530 Transit Rd. (between Main St. & Sheridan Dr.), Williamsville.
565-0105.
[VD, 5/05] says: "This Mexican restaurant opened today, so they still don't have their liquor license. The food is no better than Don Pablo's and is the usual Tex-Mex fare. There is nothing very unique other than friendly waitstaff. Prices are comparable to other restaurants, and they charge extra for more than 1 basket of chips."
[MCT, 2/06] says: "After using your website for over a year and not posting a review, I saw one for La Tolteca that forced me to finally post. This is by far the best Mexican restaurant in Buffalo. I have tried everywhere, from Mighty Taco to Don Pablo's to Lone Star Fajita, etc... This is the best! The supreme nachos with chicken and beef are the best I have ever had. They use a cheese sauce that is amazing, and, when asked about it, the server said it's a secret. Almost all the servers are directly from Mexico, which makes it feel a little homey. The last time, I got the enchilada platter, which was perfect. I only ate about 1/3 of it due to the huge platter of nachos my girlfriend and I had shared. She got the 2 burrito platter. We have never had a bad experience at this place and have been there over 10 times. Decent margarita selection, all different tequilas; finally an authentic Mexican place in Buffalo."
[KMa, 4/06] says: "We went to La Tolteca on a Saturday night. The restaurant was busy, but we were seated very quickly. We were served warm tortilla chips and salsa. The salsa was spicy, but not the kind of spicy that sets your lips and tongue on fire. I was glad, because I don't like it when I feel like I'm going to breathe fire. Also, the salsa was chunky and full of tomatoes. I ordered quesadillas rellanas. It was a great choice! The quesadillas were sloppy, but very tasty. They were full of chicken, cheese, and beans. There was also quite of bit of well-cooked Spanish rice, lettuce, sour cream, and guacamole. My sister ordered the quesadilla supreme. This was interesting because it had baby shrimp in it. The shrimp were firm, and it was an interesting texture in the quesadilla. We were too full for dessert, but we'll be back to try different things!"
[MW, 4/06] says: "Very good food with colorful and clever presentation. The service was also particularly good (the manager greeted each table after you've been seated, which is unusual, but made you feel like a regular customer). The dishes were all complemented with crunchy greens and spicy sides of rice and beans. While the menu is largely meat, there are a few vegetarian dishes (to satisfy those who don't enjoy meat). Attire was casual and prices were in the $8-$20 range per entree."
[MACi, 4/06] says: "I was to dine at La Tolteca for a class project at Buffalo State College. I have to say, my teacher made a good choice for us. Although we were to eat our meal late, we were to still enjoy the food. On a personal note, I enjoyed the service, very friendly, and always there when you need it, especially when needing water. The food: vast choices to choose from! Once I finally decided, I must say I chose wisely (with much help from my companions). I was to order the enchilada supreme, which I definitely recommend to anyone looking to fill the stomach. The plates we were each served were large and definitely could feed two people. The prices for us being college students were pricy, but nothing we couldn't afford. I definitely recommend La Tolteca for those looking for good Mexican cuisine."
[KCu, 4/06] says: "The food was a little bit greasy, but tasty nonetheless. Great nachos before the meal! Friendly service, with a fun atmosphere. I was disappointed that I didn't get to see the live mariachi band!! Definitely recommended to anybody looking for Mexican food that doesn't use grade D beef!!"
[BO, 4/06] says: "As chains of restaurants go, this establishment was not bad. The atmosphere was enjoyable, staff knowledgeable and friendly, and the menu extensive. On this particular evening, I decided to try enchiladas poblanos, an enchilada dish served with rich poblano sauce, rice, and shredded lettuce—or what the menu refers to as salad. The food was served quickly and hot! My main reason for trying this dish was my interest in the poblano sauce. This is a dark sauce made with spices and chocolate. It was very good, neither spicy nor overly sweet. Because I enjoyed my meal so much, I decided to try something different for dessert. Any cheesecake lover will enjoy this creamy cheesecake wrapped in a pastry tortilla, lightly fried till golden brown and flaky, then topped with cinnamon, sugar, whipped cream, and a cherry! It was delicious and decadent! This was my first time visiting this restaurant and dining on Mexican food. I found it rather nice, with plentiful portions. The menu was extensive, offering appetizers, lunch and dinner specials, combination dinners, vegetarian or chicken dishes, children's menu, desserts and drinks. They also offer take-out service with the same menu selections. I would recommend La Tolteca as a good place to enjoy a meal with a good friend or a group of friends. The restaurant also invites you to enjoy a live mariachi band on a semi-regular basis. I suggest calling ahead for specific dates and times. La Tolteca definitely receives a "4 sombrero" rating from me!"
[BL, 11/06] says: "We think the decor is good for a suburban chain restaurant, and service is very good, but the presentations need an upgrade. Dishes come out looking so-so. Taste is OK, though some of the toppings have heat."
[GWh, 12/06] says: "The best Mexican restaurant in Buffalo. The great colorful cuisine and large menu to choose from are very desirable. The Steak Ranchero is my favorite. Where else can you get a tender 14-oz. T-bone steak for $13.95? It may not be too romantic, but this place is great."
[CJK, 12/06] says: "One thing people should expect is a long wait during the supper hours upon getting to the restaurant...especially on a mad/busy street like Transit Road. The decor is standard Mexican chain restaurant. Upon finally being shown to our table, it took a long enough time, after receiving a menu, for the waitress to ask what we would like to order. To add insult to injury, we received the wrong salads and received our meal minutes later. Nachos and salsa (with a little zing) are worthwhile appetizers. Chicken burritos will be less greasy than a beef burrito for those with sensative stomachs, although the beef really was not that bad. One will not find burritos here to be spicy unless one were to add a hot sauce. There are very few vegetarian plates to choose from, so check their website before making a decision to bring a veggie here. I found the food to be very tasteful and worthy for those who appreciate Mexican cooking. I would rate them as a better food quality over Don Pablo's but place them below a couple very good restaurants (Tampico or Jalapeno Loco) that recently closed on Grand Island. Personally, I would not return to La Tolteca based upon my unpleasant service; the food possibly, but all signs point towards "no"."
[WHN, 1/07] says: "After a return visit to Cinco de Mayo's Eggert Road location proved to be extremely disappointing—actually, the food was horrible—we decided to try another Mexican place, La Tolteca. The taco chips and salsa were very good. The carnitas entree was excellent—tender and very flavorful pork, with sides of refried beans and rice. Our only complaint was that the accompanying pico de gallo was unnecessarily salty."
Tom's BBQ Pit.
1655 Foote Ave. Ext., Jamestown.
488-2445.
[a] Tom's Family Restaurant (Tom's Souvlaki).
3221 Sheridan Dr. (near Bailey), Amherst.
837-7310.
[GMK, 5/08] concurs: "It is with a heavy heart I write a review for
Tom's. As college students 20
years ago, it was our favorite place to eat. We went there at all times
for all occasions. The service was excellent, and the place never closed.
During the first heavy snowstorm, it was the place the plow drivers could
get
a meal. They even remodeled while open. Then the daughter(?) took over,
and the place closed for remodeling. The menu changed, the prices went up,
the quality went down, the service started to stink, and after several
attempts, we've decided to never return. Friends and family have also made that
decision on their own, as there are far too many good restaurants in the
area
to bother with a place that's gone so far downhill."
Toni Pepperoni.
2818 Delaware Ave., Kenmore.
876-8664.