Western New York Eats Well: Our top ten

DSCF7169-1           We love to eat well. Or should we say, well…we love to eat!

Western New York enjoys her food and many foodies agree that her everyday eats are really great! She doesn’t have to put on the dog and dress up to put on a good show.

The 2chicks will probably have another top ten favorite restaurants and eateries blog in the not too distant future… because there are so many darn good places to eat around here. We could do a top 100 and get it over with, but that would just be piggish. So we’ll take our time and savor it, and show you around…slowly…on simmer… at 325 degrees, because we’re not in a hurry and like things tender, flaky, and oh so juicy.

(These are not in any particular order, they all serve plain old good food).

1) Red Coach Inn

The Red Coach Inn, which was opened in 1923, is a fine dining establishment in Niagara Falls and right across from Reservation State Park, steps from the Falls. There is a lunch and dinner menu and a lovely veranda outside with quite a few tables.  They have an innovative twist on some dishes as well as standard fare, nicely done. http://www.redcoach.com/

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Red Coach Inn

And don’t forget dessert!!

2) The Fuji Grill

The Fuji Grill is a chain Japanese style restaurant that has some very delicious food choices, entertaining presentations and lots of fun for the family. Some of the choices are pretty healthy, including vegetarian dishes, brown rice, fish (both cooked and raw) and a variety of other items. Sometimes it’s especially nice while on vacation to have the opportunity to eat healthy! They have a friendly staff and we’ve never left hungry or bored. They have two locations, one in Williamsville, and the other in Niagara Falls.

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3) The Royal Family Restaurant

The Royal Family Restaurant  has not only authentic Greek style food, but also American, including daily specials. We absolutely love their Open Souvlaki Salad, and the tzatziki sauce is to die for! http://www.letseat.at/royalfamilyrestaurant

The Royal Family Restaurant has not only authentic Greek style food, but also American, including daily specials.

Royal Family Restaurant, Kenmore, New York
Royal Family Restaurant, Kenmore, New York

4) The Griffon Pub

The Griffon Pub is in the Town of Niagara, off the beaten tourist trail, near the famous Canadian soaked Outlet Malls.  Every time we visit this pub, we are not disappointed! Their food is very inventive, definitely not your typical bar food. Their Roasted Strawberry Salad with panko coated goat cheese is very fresh (See photo below). We also loved their Bahn Mi sandwich; it was so flavorful! This place has just made the Thrill List on the Best Bars outside of New York City.  http://www.thrillist.com/drink/new-york/upstate/best-bars-new-york-state-where-to-drink-in-ithaca-lake-placid-albany-and-more

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The Griffon Strawberry Salad

5) The Pizza Bistro

Third Street, Niagara Falls, has a nifty little place called the Pizza Bistro. It has authentic brick oven pizza with several interesting choices, salads, soups and daily specials. The Bistro is a cute niche, next door to Wine on Third, which isn’t shabby either! They have a nice outdoor eating space and indoors is stylish and comfortable. It isn’t a tacky pizza joint, but has a bit of panache, and the food is just really yummy!

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6) Chu’s Dining Lounge

There’s a Chinese food restaurant, Chu’s on Main Street, Niagara Falls, which is just a little different than the others. For those in the ‘know’, this is a ‘Canadian Chinese’ place. Many Western New Yorkers have been appreciative of the small differences and nuances that the other side of the border has produced in its Aisian Cuisine. A couple of examples would be the hand made egg rolls, which are amazing. They also have homemade “little pillows”in their won ton soup. So, if you don’t want to cross the bridge, but want a taste of this excellent food, save the trip and visit Chu’s. We’ve been fans for many years now. https://www.facebook.com/pages/Chus-Dining-Lounge/111669492203391

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7) Viola’s Subs

So, we went to the Niagara Falls Italian Festival on Pine Avenue in the summer and decided to do our own little taste-test. We ordered several items from several vendors in order to find which had the best tasting dish, in our humble opinions, and came up with a decidedly number one winner. It was Viola’s Sub’s! This well known sub shop is popular and reknowned for a reason…the subs are delicious! We had the steak and cheese, and they beat out any others we’ve tried, thus far. You really should try one out for yourself and then give us your opinion!  https://www.facebook.com/pages/Violas-Submarine-Shop/157132101003133

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8) The Lewiston Stone House

The Lewiston Stone House is more like a “wine house’. It isn’t actually even a restaurant, but it’s a fun night out! They have a wide variety of wines, entertainment, even painting nights. They also have a food truck that stops by on certain nights. It’s an outdoor space, so weather needs to be considered and you should always check their Facebook page for the latest “goings on”.

https://www.facebook.com/TheLewistonStoneHouse

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So, grouped with this place, we’ve added the Foodini Food Truck!

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The Foodini fare tickles our tastebuds. The Bang Bang Shrimp Po Boy is a flavor festival. The above quesadilla is really nice too! There are different choices written on that board of their’s and there’s always a line-up no matter the festival, concert, event or Wine Bar they happen to park their little wheels. https://www.facebook.com/greatfoodinifoodtruck

9) Mullberry Italian Ristorante

Mulberry Ristorante in Lackawanna New York, (the Southern end of Buffalo) is a restaurant worthy of the ride. Diner’s Drive-Ins and Dives featured it, and no wonder! They have a meatball the size of my fist, homemade noodles, and ridiculous layers of lusciousness in their original lasagna. There wasn’t a bite that passed our lips that wasn’t welcome!  http://www.mulberryitalianristorante.com/menu.html

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Mulberry's Italian Ristaurante

Gigantic, yet somehow delicious meatball!

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Chicken Violante, Parmesean crusted chicken, sliced tomato, provolone lemon butter sauce. Scrumptious!

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Their lasagna is simply lip smacking fabulous!

10) The Brickyard Pub & BBQ

Western New York isn’t necessarily known for barbecue, but you wouldn’t know that if you went to Lewiston’s Brickyard. Their slow cooked meats have the “smoke ring” which is an indicator of an authentic smoking process. We particularly love their Brunswick Stew, and the beef brisket is tender and juicy. Their sides are plentiful; you could even choose a shot of Evan Williams Bourbon with their platters (if you dare!)

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So with all the delicious choices, what are you waiting for? Come for the sights but let your taste buds have a holiday too!

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