There are quite a few restaurants in the area with “view” at the end of their names—the Hillview in Depew, the Gardenview in West Seneca, the old Fairview Inn in Hamburg, even the Creekview in the Village of Williamsville.

The Forestview Restaurant looks like none of them. In fact, it looks like an offspring of a Cheesecake Factory—the foyer contains a seating area that puts people waiting for tables face-to-face with a case packed with delicious-looking desserts, the windows and doors are very tall, the barstools are made of cast iron in the shape of tree branches, and they will hand you a pager, which lights up and buzzes when they want you back at the front desk.

John, Ruth, Dan and I didn’t have too long a wait at dinner-time on a recent Saturday, although the place was full. The specials list was mostly over our budget, but we found plenty of selections among sandwiches, salads and burgers, and almost all the half-size dinners.

We started with a basket of warm, delicious ciabatta bread, a broad, flat loaf with a crispy-chewy crust. Dan and I, the soup-eaters, enjoyed beans and greens soup that had a delicious broth with plenty of smoky ham flavor and an abundance of beans, accented by soft greens. The bread was so good that we asked for another basket, and it was immediately delivered.

Dinners weren’t far behind it. A dish called “The Mediterranean” was like something a good cook might whip up at home: grilled chicken tenderloins over a melange of spaghetti, soft and cooked peppers and onions, tomatoes and mushrooms, dressed with a little garlic sauce and finished with a generous sprinkling of feta. The half-order ($9.99) was a good-sized portion, if not enormous.

A half-rack of ribs ($10.99) contained six pork ribs, praised for their lack of fat and tender texture, falling off the bones without being soft. The barbecue sauce was sweet, just slightly spicy and rich in tomato taste.

It was possible, we learned, to order the Colossal Cheese and Bacon Burger ($8.29) without cheese, and so it was prepared. The nicely cooked burger tasted beefy, and a side of crispy fries filled the plate.

Speaking of filling the plate, we were all astounded at the pile of nachos in the chicken nacho platter ($6.79). The slightly salty, toasted, tri-colored chips topped with chicken, melted cheese, black olives and peppers would be a great table appetizer or a filling dinner.

The Forestview Restaurant is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. It is handicapped-accessible.