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.
Steelhead Irish Pub ★★★z 453 Center St., Lewiston. This spot offers a slice of the Emerald Isle, whether it be with its music, decor or food selection. Great for a sandwich or heartier fare, and don’t forget to try the Dublin Stout Onion Soup.
Brickyard Pub and BBQ ★★★★ 432 Center St., Lewiston. The restaurant has become the staple of the blues and barbecue set, with ribs, chicken and brisket to die for. This place smokes.
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.
Pyung Taik House z420 Niagara St., Niagara Falls (285-8529) This Korean Restaurant has a limited menu that is a delight to the tastebuds, 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 ★★★z 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 ★★★z 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.
Lighthouse 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, pineappleteriyaki mahi mahi and champagne broiled haddock.
Old Falls Sports Bar and Grill ★★★ 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.
