Buffalo Table For Two: January 2009

Zebb's Deluxe Grill & Bar

Posted on Monday, January 19, 2009, under BBQ, burgers

If you find yourself driving down the boulevard and are tired of all the same places around the mall, drive north a few miles and check out Zebb's Grill & Bar. This place has so many positives if you haven't been here, you need to go soon. Whether it's the juicy burgers or the condiment bar (featuring lettuce, tomato, onions, pickles, relish, salsa, etc.) or the freshly cut fries with the skins. On every table you'll find an exotic hot sauce for your enjoyment, beware some are tongue numbing.

The interior has a neo-diner ambiance including the neon lights and old black and white pics of movie stars of yesteryear. On the wall is an autographed Pat LaFontaine Sabres jersey. Zebb's feature 1/2 price appetizers in the evenings after 9 as well as an assortment of draft beers. Enjoy sports events in the lounge with 4 suspended TV's. If you have hungry little rugrats I recommend going on Sundays where kids eat free. Not only do they eat free, but Zebb's is kid friendly with crayons and activity place mats which helps keep toddlers occupied (for a little while anyway). Your children will love the old-fashioned homemade milkshakes, but only if they finish their dinner. They even bake fresh cookies which are out of this world!

The service is friendly and fast. The portions are huge so plan to take some food home. All in all Zebb's is a fun place to go, check out the humorous, yet true list of laws here. What do you like at Zebb's? Please comment below.

Review by Ian Walpole

Panera Bread

Posted on Wednesday, January 14, 2009, under breakfast, coffee, lunch

Since we all don't live in or near an art district in a big city, Panera sort of gives us a similar feeling of some of the avant-garde, modern cafes. With free wi-fi you never want to leave.

Sure it's a chain but I can't find anything not to love. Their service is friendly, the sandwiches, soups, salads and of course bread is exceptional. I chose the "You Pick Two" which gives you a choice of a 1/2 sandwich, bowl of soup or salad. I ordered the chipotle chicken sandwich w/bacon and the new chicken tortilla soup. I loved the sandwich and felt the soup was so so. My favorite soup by far is the broccoli cheddar, it of course is the least healthy of the choices which isn't a coincidence.

They have a choice of 5 different brews of coffee including the house, decaf, dark roast, hazelnut and stronger Colombian. They have a unique process when roasting the coffee beans. Panera roasts them in smaller batches so they can closely monitor the process and make adjustments where necessary. The coffee is refillable so you can get jacked up on caffeine to take on the rest of the day's rat race. I will say the only negative is the prices. My order came to 9.41 and all I ordered was 1/2 a sandwich, a bowl of soup and a coffee. It would be more reasonable to be around 7.00 than over 9.00. I recommend Panera and go whenever I can.

Review by Ian Walpole

Apple Granny

Posted on Monday, January 12, 2009, under dinner, lunch

In the heart of picturesque Lewiston lies a local favorite with a warm and inviting atmosphere coupled with friendly servers and amazing food. You're not a customer here, you're part of the family. Granny's feature daily specials as well as a fairly diverse assortment of choices. Not sure what you're in the mood for, go to AG's. I highly recommend the reuben and french onion soup! I haven't tasted their equal, and it hasn't been for lack of trying. More details here

Review by Ian Walpole

Ashker's Coffee House

Posted on Saturday, January 10, 2009, under breakfast, coffee, lunch

If you're in Youngstown and you like coffee, check this place out. It's in an old antique house and is beautiful inside and out. There is indoor and outdoor dining as well, including a lounge with a comfy leather couch, chairs and a huge plasma TV on the wall. The kind of place that you don't want to leave. The owner, Ron Ashker has spared no expense making this a cozy environment. Their coffee is always brewed fresh, I highly recommend the "Jamaican Me Crazy" ! Each entree is homemade, try any of the breakfast sandwiches or wraps.

The service is top notch, very friendly. I go out of my way on occasion just to spend time here. Also check out the location on Center street in Lewiston and or the new place on 3rd Avenue in the Falls. Also I don't own this place or work here, I just appreciate good coffee, food and service. It seems to be in the minority these days.

Review by Ian Walpole

El Palenque Mexican Grill

Posted on Friday, January 09, 2009, under dinner, lunch, mexican

Bueno comida, gracias!
In the past few years, there have been more and more authentic Mexican restaurants popping up around WNY. We've tried a few of them and were very impressed with El Palenque. The food was really tasty and served quickly with a smile. Of course by the time the entrée is served you're stuffed with tortilla chips and their amazing salsa. You need to be careful, the plate is hot! I ordered one chicken and one beef tip enchilada with rice and beans. After a few bites I realized this place was special. There seemed to be more flavor, more seasoning in each bite than the other places. The prices were quite reasonable too. La Tolteca may have better ambience, El Palenque has the superior flavor.

Review by Ian Walpole

Dunkin' Donuts

Posted on Friday, January 09, 2009, under breakfast, coffee

Do you know how a restaurant with "donuts" in their name are still in business? Not because of the food, it's the coffee. Better than Starbucks and Tim Hortons, their brew is exceptional! There's even evidence besides my palate, click here.

I can't say the same for their breakfast sandwiches. They're pricey and processed as ever. Timmy's breakfast sandwich blows them out of the water. I do, however like the flatbread sandwiches, but once again they're not cheap (3.99 are you serious?) Looking for a great cup 'o joe, look no further.

Review by Ian Walpole

Brickyard Pub & BBQ

Posted on Friday, January 09, 2009, under BBQ, dinner, lunch

If you love barbeque you have to take a trip to Lewiston (WNY's answer to Niagara on the Lake). This classy, quaint village is home of the best BBQ restaurant west of Dinosaur BBQ. You name it, pulled pork, chicken, ribs or steak, it's all phenomenal! I highly recommend the Brunswick stew as a side item as well as the baked beans. Each entree comes with freshly baked cornbread with honey butter.

Not hungry? Spend time in the beautiful bar and enjoy a microbrew while you watch the game. Preferably the Sabres though, watch the Bills and you'll no doubt lose your appetite.

Click here for menu

Old Man River

Posted on Friday, January 09, 2009, under hot dogs, ice cream, seafood

Ahhh, the sweet smell of spring and summer. It's only a couple months away, we can make it! Taking a drive down to Niawanda park in Tonawanda when the snow melts is a staple of many Buffalonians. Whether you're taking a walk, riding your bike or blades, it's the place to be! Old Man River is roughly 100 feet from the Niagara river so the view is superb.

OMR has a variety of sandwiches and items to choose from. The hot dogs and burgers are cooked on the grill as well as the unique vegetarian treat, the bunny dog. It's a seasoned, par boiled carrot grilled to perfection and eaten with a bun like a hot dog. There is quite a variety of hot dogs to choose from, the regular, foot long or white hot, my personal favorite. They have a wide variety of condiments that can be added by their dressers, I recommend the hot relish. Their french fries are made from natural potatoes and you really can tell the difference. The sweet fries are made from freshly cut yams and served with butter and brown sugar. Do you like seafood? Check out the "seafood shack". Clams served raw, boiled or casino, as well as lobster and shrimp.

It's a great place to take the family, serving ice cream, milkshakes and sundae's. There's a replica of a pirate ship for the children to eat or play on. You also have the option to walk down to sit by the mighty Niagara river. It's certainly something you need to do a few times over the summer. As you can see from the Urbanspoon ratings it's truly a WNY fave.

Tim Hortons

Posted on Wednesday, January 07, 2009, under breakfast, coffee, lunch

What is as Canadian as beer, hockey and snow? Tim Horton's. We here in WNY can benefit from what Canadians have been enjoying for years. I appreciate the coffee, the refreshing ice capps, hot soup, breakfast sandwiches and muffins. I don't like the coffee as much as Dunkin but it's still a quality brew even if a little weak. I can honestly say I've NEVER had a "bad" cup of coffee though. In the summer I get probably 4 ice capps a week, it's a great remedy for a hot, sweltering day and gives you some pep for a tiring afternoon.

For the most part the soup is good, not enough chicken in the noodle soup though. The chili is hearty and even has mushrooms? Timmy's breakfast sandwiches are amazing! They blow away Dunkin's by a mile and considerably less expensive. It's that moist flaky biscuit that keeps it from being so dry. Of course you're not eating them for your health. They're available before 11am on weekdays and before noon on weekends and holidays.

I can't comment on the donuts because I didn't have any, but the muffins are top notch. I highly recommend the cranberry-blueberry bran heated with butter and the seasonal pumpkin muffin. For a chain, Timmy Ho's gets the job done and helps many WNYers start their day on the right track.

For list of locations click here