Thomas Lombardo Sr. and his son Tom Jr. opened their eponymous restaurant in 1975 to serve classic Italian food on Hertel Avenue, the heartbeat of Buffalo’s Little Italy. Fifty years later, Ristorante Lombardo is the preeminent Italian restaurant in Buffalo. Informed by the recipes of Tom Sr.’s mother, Rose, and Tom Jr.’s annual trips to Italy, where he discovered regional cuisines, Lombardo’s offers diners elevated Italian classics against the backdrop of a rustic, white tablecloth dining room and an outdoor patio. The Caesar salad for two is prepared fresh table-side and tossed in an umami-rich anchovy dressing. The crispy octopus is a fan-favorite: prepared in a squid ink aioli and tomato coulis and paired with crisp purple potatoes, chorizo, shaved fennel, kalamata olives, and orange supremes. Its steaks are always cooked to a perfect medium rare and its housemade pasta is perfectly al dente. Our favorites are the tagliatelle bolognese (with veal, pork, and beef ragu) and the spinach gnocchi, which arrive in a flavorful saffron brodo filled with herb-marinated chicken, heirloom tomatoes, and grana padano.
Saint Neri is known, among other things, for its robust caviar service.
Saint Neri
220 Lexington Ave
When interior designer Samuel Amoia and entrepreneur Michael Woltz joined forces to create a nightlife destination that also honored Buffalo’s architectural history, Saint Neri was born. Named for the patron saint of laughter and joy, the space oozes Art Deco opulence and has pushed the boundaries for cocktail bars in the city. Saint Neri also offers an outstanding cheeseburger and a robust caviar service. Saint Neri is the perfect place to impress a date (perhaps after dining at Kuni’s, which is next door) or catch up with friends. Take a seat in one of the bar’s leopard print seats and indulge in your new favorite cocktail.
1081 Elmwood Ave
Mira, the new Mediterranean restaurant from the Grange Hospitality Group, is filling a long-vacant niche in town, highlighting Italian, Greek, and Spanish cuisines through its Basque-style grill. During brunch hours, the sun filters in gorgeously through the restaurant’s two floors, while dinner service offers a moody, candle-lit ambiance. For brunch, Mira’s breakfast sandwich and smoked salmon toast are both excellent, but if you’re looking for something more hearty, the tuna melt is sneakily good thanks to quality yellowfin tuna, aji amarillo mayo, and Cooper Sharp cheese. For dinner, we recommend the four-course tasting menu for a well-rounded sample of Mira’s offerings. If you have to choose, start with the scallops as your appetizer, which are served with a spicy green sauce and crispy guanciale. For your main, you have to order something from the Basque grill, and the lamb and brisket kofta served with Rancho Gordo beans and mint is the perfect pick. The meat is juicy and tender, while the beans have a welcome creamy texture.
1375 Delaware Ave