Where to eat / Restaurant reviews in brief
Following are some restaurants visited by News restaurant reviewers. New restaurant reviews appear the first Sunday of every month in Niagara Weekend.
Shorty’s Ultimate Sports Bar and Grill ★★z 2626 Pine Ave., Niagara Falls (205-0378) Former Gov. Eliot L. Spitzer made calls from this establishment to a high-priced call girl ring that helped seal his political downfall. The bar sells “Client No. 9” T-shirts— and also makes a pretty good burger.
Hailey’s Cafe ★★★z 6124 Buffalo Ave., Niagara Falls (283-3506) This spot near the foot of the North Grand Island bridges has changed hands a few times and offers a robust menu in a simple setting. Try the chili.
Pyung Taik House ★★★z 420 Niagara St., Niagara Falls (285-8529) This Korean Restaurant has a limited menu that is a delight to the taste-buds, even when we’re talking about dishes like barbecued eel.
Burgundy’s on the River ★★★ 7001 Buffalo Ave., Niagara Falls (283-7612) Limited hours — 5 to 9 p. m. for dinner, call for breakfast times, which vary — demonstrate the challenges of running a hotel restaurant along the water in the Cataract City. But this spot, nestled inside the Inn on the River, is worth a visit for strip steak and other American cuisine.
Eddie Jay’s Family Restaurant lllz 8881 Buffalo Ave., Niagara Falls (236-0730) Whether you sit on chairs or high stools, your bound to enjoy the homemade soups and other fare in this spot along the Little Niagara River.
Salisa’s All American Diner lllz 2214 Niagara Falls Blvd., Wheatfield, (731-5616) Top-notch sandwiches and daring menu items like stuffed sweet pepper soup underline the notion that sometimes it’s good to be cheap. This place spares the expense.
Mary O’s Soul Food ★★★z 829 Main St., Niagara Falls (282-7685) You can’t go wrong with anything on the menu in this homespun spot in the Falls which features some of the best barbecue ribs on this side of the Mason-Dixon line. And the candied yams? Yum.
Lighhthouse Grill-n-Spirits ★★★ 5885 E. Main St., Olcott (778-5580) Nestled in a waterfront hamlet near a lighthouse, of course, this spot offers a simple, satisfying menu anytime of year.
Suzanne’s Fine Dining ★★★z 2843 Niagara Falls Blvd., Wheatfield (694-6562) This friendly place pulls off elegance without excessive stuffiness, and the prices are reasonable considering the fine quality of the food.
Country Roadhouse ★★★z 2989 Ridge Road, Ransomville (791-4316) This affordable restaurant is worth hunting for and includes such hearty fare as Hungry Man Platters and the Roadhouse Omelet. Closed Mondays.
Raintree Restaurant ★★★z 6935 Ward Road, North Tonawanda (695-8888) This restaurant in a bar known for volleyball and clams is cooking up fine dishes such as French onion chicken, pineapple-teriyaki mahi mahi and champagne broiled haddock.
Old Falls Sports Bar and Grill lll 300 Third St., Niagara Falls (285-3361) Soup, sandwiches and plenty of sports are on the menu at this plush new hot spot in the Crowne Plaza Hotel, and there are beer specials during Buffalo football and hockey games.
Bada Bean Coffeehouse and Cafe ★★★z 921 Main St., Niagara Falls (285-2232) The owners have taken a chance on Main Street, but those who stop in for a top-notch fish fry or other fare can be sure that something tasty is headed their way. Even the side dishes here pack a delicious punch.
China Garden ★★★z 722 Portage Road, Niagara Falls (282-8100). This Asian restaurant has given a nod to American cuisine, including knocking down the spice that comes with some Chinese food. Jumbo shrimp and steak kew are among the tastier dishes.
Tuscana Ristorante ★★★z 515 S. Transit Road, Lockport (434-6151). The chef doesn’t skimp on garlic in this Italian-style eating spot, located poolside in the Lockport Holiday Inn. Create-your-own pasta was our reviewer’s recommended menu choice.
Hideaway Grille ★★★z 399 Division St., North Tonawanda (694-2710). The sweet potatoes alone are worth the search for this indoor/ outdoor establishment, which specializes in ribs and offers nightly specials at a reasonable price.
The Silo ★★★z 115 N. Water St., Lewiston (754-9680). This spot, overlooking the Niagara River, is reopened for the season and may have the best view of any restaurant on the Niagara Frontier. It certainly has one of the top signature sandwiches, the Haystack: a concoction of thinly sliced ribeye steak topped with melted mozzarella, slathered with crispy shredded hash browns and stuffed in a sub roll.
Chet’s Dog House ★★z 14 W. Main St., Lockport, (433-1003). Home of the dog biscuit sandwich — a bacon, egg and cheese contraption on an English muffin — this Lockport landmark has you covered when it comes to fast food at low prices.
La Cascata ★★★z 310 Fourth St., Niagara Falls (877) 873-6322. The service and understated decor in this Italian restaurant in the Seneca Niagara Casino & Hotel will make you feel at home. The food will make you feel like you’re in a fine restaurant. You’ll be glad you ordered dessert.
Tina’s Place ★★z 5835 Buffalo St., Sanborn (731-2444). One of few dining options in Sanborn, this breakfast and lunch spot also serves dinner on Fridays. Pancakes, omelettes and French toast are on the menu. Nothing fancy that’s going to break the budget.
Koi ★★★z 310 Fourth St., Niagara Falls (877) 873-6322. This Pan-Asian restaurant in the Seneca Niagara Casino & Hotel, which means “brocaded carp” in Japanese, presents an ambitious menu, including Malaysian satays, Japanese sushi and sashimi, Hong Kong-style dim sum and traditional Szechuan and Hunan-style Chinese dishes. A couple can easily enjoy a luxurious dinner with appetizers and dessert for less than $80 — if they don’t go wild on the sake.
Spices lllz 135 Charlotte St., Lockport (439-1516). Some have tried to coax owner Basil Davis to move this Jamaican restaurant to Buffalo, but he likes his spot on a Lockport side street. Island favorites include jerk chicken and the surprisingly tasty carrot cheesecake.
Garlock’s llll 35 S. Transit St., Lockport (433-5595). The plain facade belies the incredible food this city landmark restaurant serves. A top choice for a special occasion or a special meal. Don’t bother looking past the surf and turf on your first stop.
Half Moon Bay ★★126 Wheatfield St., North Tonawanda (692-3171). Black Angus pot roast and creative decor are among the draws at this restaurant.
Granny’s Cafe ★★★ 276 Oliver St., North Tonawanda (692-0165). You won’t lose any weight eating in this diner, but boy does Granny know how to cook breakfast and lunch favorites.
Fatima Shrine ★★z 1023 Swann Road, Lewiston (754-7489). The cafeteria-style restaurant in this world-renowned shrine might not be the most divine restaurant in the world, but its prices allow enough change for the collection plate.
Peppertree Restaurant ★★114 Buffalo Ave., Niagara Falls, in the Four Points by Sheraton (285-2521). The food is sound, but the menu needs expansion, and attention to detail needs to improve if this dining spot is to compete with the nearby Seneca Niagara Casino.
Sunshine Cafe ★★8649 Buffalo Ave., Niagara Falls (236-0051) This busy restaurant features some nice dishes, such as Shelly’s Eggplant, but it may take a while to get your food.
Muscoreil’s Bistro and Dessert Gallery ★★★z 3960 Niagara Falls Blvd., North Tonawanda (692-9081). Soups, salads and sandwiches are super here. The only thing that will force you to stop at an ATM before you get here is a desire to get married and buy one of Muscoreil’s wedding cakes.
Knead the Dough ★★★★ 3678 Ransomville Road, Ransomville (791-4991). This converted Agway store from the 1940s passes the great restaurant test with flying colors.
Willowbrook Golf Course Clubhouse lll 4200 Lake Ave., Lockport (434-0111). The clubhouse, open to the public, is above par when it comes to the standard pub fare at affordable prices.
