800 Maple
800 Maple, which is conveniently located at 800 Maple Rd., is known for its sophistication, class and, unfortunately, its high costs. However, Restaurant Week offers the perfect opportunity to spoil yourself on a budget.
There is bound to be an option for every person's taste buds. The two-course meal is kicked off with a choice of either Caesar salad or the original 800 Salad. Once finished, a person is able to enjoy one of three entrees.
A Penne Romano entrée features chicken, peas and oven-dried tomatoes served under a creamy Romano sauce. A traditional Panko crusted Hake entrée, baked with an herbal compound butter, is available for seafood-lovers. A lightly breaded pork tenderloin meal is available for meat-lovers.
800 Maple is one of the closest restaurants to North Campus participating in Restaurant Week and is also usually one of the more expensive ones. This week is the perfect time to get hooked on fine dining without breaking the bank.
Black and Blue
Black and Blue, located at 5492 Sheridan Dr. in Williamsville, creates a new twist of seafood and steak in a chic contemporary setting.
Enjoy a three-course dinner for $20.10. Dinners include a house salad and choice of entrée. The options include a fresh Atlantic salmon stuffed with local cranberry goat cheese over sweet potato mash with dried cherry bourbon glaze & sautéed green beans, or a grilled top sirloin over lobster chive mash with button mushroom demi glaze. An apple spice cake will be included for dessert as well.
Black and Blue, known for ever-fresh crab and delicious steak, will be the spot to hit this week. Take advantage of this great opportunity to experience some of Buffalo's best steak and crab.
Buffalo Chophouse
Hailed as one of the best restaurants in Buffalo, the Buffalo Chophouse is widely known for its sophistication, class and exorbitant prices. However, Restaurant Week has made fine dining accessible to even the most financially-strapped Buffalonians.
Diners have the option of a grilled 8 oz. Filet mignon, 8 oz. Filet of salmon with a dill cream sauce, or a free-range chicken breast with a lemon thyme sauce. Each entrée comes with Yukon gold mashed potatoes and broccoli.
Normally, all options are a la carte, so this deal may be saving patrons more than they realize. Although other restaurants may offer more food for your dollar, the quality and ambiance are second-to-none, making the Buffalo Chophouse an excellent dining option.
Oliver's
Oliver's, found at 2095 Delaware Ave., features "fine dining in the ‘Old School' tradition." With an extensive wine list and an air of classic elegance, Oliver's usually expensive fare will take a dip in price and give students with a limited budget a chance to indulge during Restaurant Week.
For $20.10, one can choose one item from each of the two offered categories, which amount to an appetizer and an entrée. The first category features local corn bisque, warm duck confit salad, shrimp "firecracker" spring rolls, roasted asparagus or stuffed Anaheim peppers.
Entrée options include roasted wild salmon, braised beef short ribs, grilled pork tenderloin, sage crusted chicken breast, or seared scallop and shrimp risotto. Additionally, Oliver's offers wine discounts with the purchase of an entrée on Sundays.
Outside of Restaurant Week, an average dinner-for-two could run a couple $100 before the cost of any alcoholic beverages. This week offers patrons the perfect opportunity to dine at one of Buffalo's finest restaurants for a fraction of the cost.
Ristorante Lombardo
Commonly referred to as the "Best Italian in Buffalo," Ristorante Lombardo features original creations inspired by authentic Italian preparations. Found on 1198 Hertel Ave., this venue has won numerous awards for their fine cuisine and wine list.
Lombardo's features two lists which list options for first and second course meals. Options for the first course include a Tuscan chicken and vegetable soup, a Caesar salad prepared tableside, fall caprese or crispy polenta gnocchi with braised beef and wild mushrooms.
Second course selections include veal and eggplant parmigiana with cappellini, porcini dusted sea scallops with brown butter vinaigrette and caramelized mushroom-spinach risotto or a grilled Snake River Farm Wagyu Tri Tip Steak encrusted with spices and served with sautéed broccolini and poutine fries. For the vegetarian, wood roasted seasonal vegetables with basil pesto, aged balsamico and mashed potatoes is also a delicious option.
This fine Italian restaurant cannot be beat, especially when a two-course meal costs only $20.10.
