With all the bright lights and flashy, eye-catching windows along the Elmwood strip, it's all too easy to drive by the Ambrosia restaurant, which offers up one of the best meals in the area, without even knowing it's there.
Casual enough for students but classy enough for a more formal meal on the town, the restaurant gives you a taste of Greece without putting too much stress on your wallet.
The Greek eatery, opened for business in 1999 and is touted by many for Buffalo's best souvlaki, sits on the corner of Elmwood Avenue and Hodge Street. There are no flashy signs, no bright attractions or corny mascots to draw in the crowd. In fact, the restaurant relies on a simple window decal with the restaurant's name in lowercase letters to draw in their guests.
Perhaps it's the word "ambrosia," drawn from ancient Greek mythology and considered to be the food of the gods and thought to confer immortality, which inspires people to dine at the restaurant.
One must only take a step into Ambrosia, where music from Les Miserables fills the air, to sense that this restaurant is not like all the others. There may be burgers and onion rings on the menu alongside the traditional Greek spread, but you can tell that most of the customers are not there for a cheeseburger.
The earth-tone walls are decorated with designs that mimic Greek sculpture and the blue and yellow suspended lighting adds a contemporary feel. Filled with tables and small booths, the atmosphere is clearly arranged for conversational dining.
In the warmer months, diners can enjoy the privilege of sitting on the outdoor patio.
"I bet it's really nice in here in the spring when they open this up," said Leah Bailey, a graduate student. "You can eat out on the patio."
Even during the winter, however, the restaurant remains cozy and relaxing. The best part of the restaurant nevertheless, is the food.
Each table is set with the usual saltshaker and packets of sugar, as well as a bottle of oil and spices to dip pieces of grilled pitas in. The restaurant is open early for breakfast and stays open long after dark for those night-owl diners, serving breakfast all day.
The breakfast menu ranges from made-to-order omelets, pancakes, Belgian waffles, French toast, and crepes to the more simple selection of cereals, toast, bagels, or a grilled pita.
For lunch there is a wide selection of specialty soups, salads and sandwiches. There is also a selection of Greek-style pizzas, topped with your choice of fresh tomatoes, peppers, artichokes, olives, feta and mozzarella cheeses or chicken fingers. And most importantly, Ambrosia doesn't hold back on their serving size.
"They give really generous portions," Bailey said.
Ambrosia specializes in Greek dishes, especially their souvlaki, despite the fact the meal can potentially be quite messy. Ambrosia's original souvlaki includes tomatoes, onions, tzatziki sauce - a blend of yogurt, cucumber and garlic - and tomato sauce all stuffed into a pita and wrapped in wax paper to hold it all together.
"I usually start at one end and peel away the paper bit by bit," said John, the host and server at Ambrosia.
The menu may seem a bit pricy, but budget conscious customers should have no fear. Only $10 can buy an enormous plate of pasta, pita bread, and even a soda to wash it all down with. Don't be alarmed if the drink glasses look small.
"There are free refills," John said.
The Ambrosia restaurant doesn't claim that its food will offer guests immortality like that of ancient myth, but the atmosphere and cuisine have just enough style to make you feel a little god-like, and UB students agree.
"Tuesday nights are a good time to come," said Dan Bailey, a graduate student in the physics department. "We could make this a regular thing."
Plus, the prices can't be beat.
"Four people for $40, that's a really good deal," Leah said.
Photo: Courtesy of Matthew Messina, from the RMBERS' Instagram page
