Friar’s Table ??(Nov. 13) 301 Cleveland Drive, Cheektowaga (833-5554, www.thefriarstable.com). Large popular restaurant specializing in steak and seafood.



Tokyo Shanghai Bistro* ?? (Nov. 6) 494 Elmwood Ave. (886-3839, www.tokyoshanghaibistro.com). A handsome new addition to the Elmwood dining scene where the menu offers not only Chinese and Japanese cuisine, but Thai food as well. You can even get Buffalo wings, chicken fingers and pizza logs.



Village Inn ??? (Oct. 30) 1488 Ferry Road, Grand Island (773-5030, www.villageinngrandisland.com). It’s the kind of place where they have loganberry loaded in the bar serving guns, liver and onions on the menu and homemade desserts. This homey little country restaurant is quintessential Western New York.



Romanello’s South ??? (Oct. 23) 793 South Park Ave., Hamburg (649-0450, www.romanellos.com). A huge banquet house/restaurant with a long Western New York history. The specialty is Italian American food.



Torches ???? (Oct. 16) 1141 Kenmore Ave., Kenmore (447-7915, www.torches1141.com). A small, slightly funky restaurant serving carefully thought-out, innovative food.



King’s Court ??(Oct. 9) 189 Delaware Ave. (www.kingscourtrestaurant.com, 856-9262). It seems to have been here forever. This large, old-school restaurant specializes in friendly service and Greek-American food.



Eastern Pearl* ??? (Oct. 2) 938 Maple Road, Williamsville (204-8898, www.theeasternpearlrestaurant.com). Great-looking restaurant, newly opened in the Boardwalk Boutiques Plaza claims to be Western New York’s “first gourmet Cantonese restaurant.” There’s a huge lineup of popular favorites, mostly Cantonese and many with imaginative touches.



Tempo ???? (Sept. 25) 581 Delaware Ave. (885-1594, www.tempobuffalo.com). One of the dining-out scenes in Western New York. Under the supervision of well-known chef/owner Paul Jenkins, it’s housed in a grand old Delaware Avenue mansion. The menu features well thought-out contemporary dishes.



Danny’s South ?? (Sept. 18) 4300 Abbott Road, Orchard Park (649-1194, www.dannysrestaurant.com). The parking lot is the size of a football field; everyone’s wearing football jerseys. Is this Bills’ headquarters? No, but it could be.



Della Terra ???* (Sept. 11). Embassy Suites Hotel, 200 Delaware Ave. (842-1000, www.buffalo.embassysuites.com). A very handsome two-story dining room in the new hotel with huge glass walls that overlook urban surroundings. An extensive menu offers a variety of Italian-influenced dishes.



Juniper ???* (Sept. 4) 810 Elmwood Ave. (885-5239, www.juniperelmwood.com). A new restaurant with an adventurous menu and with great emphasis on local food sources.



Lagniappes ??? (Aug. 28) 244 Allen St. (883-3663, www.lagniappescafe.com). There’s seating for about 15 people in this funky Cajun place in the heart of Allentown. And maybe another 10 diners can sit outside if the weather cooperates. One thing is for certain though — there’s a whole lot of takeout going on. No beer or wine.



Wasabi ???(Aug. 21) 3701 McKinley Parkway, Hamburg. (828-1881, www.wasabius.com). The third version of this successful Japanese restaurant — the others are in Williamsville and on Elmwood Avenue — features the same menu and handsome decor.



Stars reflect rating given at time review was published. * indicates that restaurant is so new that this is a provisional rating.