Nestled among Rizzo's banquet halls, off busy North French Road, is a little piece of Italy.
Caf?(c) Banchetti, located at 550 N. French Road in West Amherst, is a semi-casual Italian restaurant offering homemade food - right down to the dressings - for lunch and dinner.
Whether patrons prefer to dine in or order takeout, there is an extensive menu of appetizers, salads, soups, paninis, sandwiches, pizza, pasta, fish fries, wraps, breads, and desserts. There is also an array of vegetarian options, and a separate children's menu.
Even better, as far as UB students are concerned, is the 15 percent discount for UB students with proper identification. The discount and the quality of service and food at Caf?(c) Banchetti should make it an ideal dining destination for UB students.
Although the caf?(c) isn't particularly large, they were easily able to accommodate the seven diners in my dinner party.
There is seating both inside and outside the diner, perfect for quick meals or a leisurely evening of great food and conversation.
The d?(c)cor is just what one would expect to find inside a quaint restaurant in Italy, with red cloth on the tables, some black umbrellas over a few of the tables, a statue of a pudgy little chef and decorative pictures on the walls. Large boards with the menu written in chalk hang on the walls for the takeout diner's convenience.
The atmosphere is warm and friendly, a stark contrast to the cold, white-starch walls that are the pillars of quite a few local chain Italian restaurants. Owner Michael Rizzo said he put his own decorative touches on the place, and many patrons would agree that stepping into Caf?(c) Banchetti is like stepping out of Buffalo for a little while.
The food is a great complement to the restaurant's surroundings. Bread and butter, along with square-shaped bread with garlic sauce were served for complimentary dipping pleasure.
One of my dinner mates ordered one of the Friday Fish specials: fish over cooked spinach, spaghetti and coleslaw combination for $9.99. It was served with a side salad.
The Chicken Caesar wrap for $5.49, the large Chicken Caesar salad for $5.50, and the Pollo Loco Panini consisting of chicken, pepper, spinach and provolone for $5.49 all looked equally tempting, as did the breaded chicken fingers.
If you opt for the Grilled Veggie Panini on a homemade baguette for $4.99, ask for extra vegetables.
Some of the pasta options on the menu include Seafood Harvest Pesto for $13.99, Italian Ribs for $14.99, Seafood Ravioli for $12.99, and Manicotti ala Rosemary for $8.99.
Six kinds of pizza are offered ranging in price from $5.99 for a medium cheese and pepperoni, to $9.99 for a large Calabrese pizza with capicola and portabello mushrooms.
The sandwiches and salads are suitably priced for the average students' budget with prices ranging from $4.59 to $5.95, without the student discount. There is even the option to "Builda You Own" sandwich. Homemade soups are available throughout the week.
According to Manager Mary Reed, there are two other Caf?(c) Banchetti locations, one on Eggert Road in Kenmore and the other near the corner of New Road and Dodge Road.
Caf?(c) Banchetti was established after the two banquet halls that surround it, which are also owned by Michael Rizzo and used for wedding receptions and large parties.
According to Reed, in addition to enjoying a few meals at Caf?(c) Banchetti, UB students can work at filling the deficit in their pocket by picking up employment as a server at one of the banquet halls.
With the highly enjoyable meals, the friendly staff and the unique ambience, Caf?(c) Banchetti is certainly a worthy place to drop a few precious dollars.
