Great resturant (Buffalo: live, restaurant, prices)

[mikesuicide]

I just wanted to share my recent experience with you guys. I eat 75% of my meals out, whether it be in Tim Hortons or a nice bistro. I have become quite the connoisseurof good food. I've tried most reputable resturants in the city twice. I recently went to Pano's for the first time after the remodel and was utterly blown away. I have had a love/hate relationship in the past with this place. I used to stumble in drunk as a young partier and they have had their share of lousy cooks as well.
They are harboring possibly the best chef in Buffalo, his name I heard is Travis. I have been there two nights in a row and have tried the pork chops (my favorite), salmon, macaroni, soup, and chicken. The presentation was something you rarely see anymore (straight out of the food network)
And the food was very tasty. I suggest anyone go and see for themselves. Pano really did a great job with the remodel and stepping up the fare. Bottom line, they give you an entree for $14.00 that would cost you double anywhere else and it wouldn't be half as good

[Buffalonian4life]

Originally Posted by mikesuicide

I just wanted to share my recent experience with you guys. I eat 75% of my meals out, whether it be in Tim Hortons or a nice bistro. I have become quite the connoisseurof good food. I've tried most reputable resturants in the city twice. I recently went to Pano's for the first time after the remodel and was utterly blown away. I have had a love/hate relationship in the past with this place. I used to stumble in drunk as a young partier and they have had their share of lousy cooks as well.
They are harboring possibly the best chef in Buffalo, his name I heard is Travis. I have been there two nights in a row and have tried the pork chops (my favorite), salmon, macaroni, soup, and chicken. The presentation was something you rarely see anymore (straight out of the food network)
And the food was very tasty. I suggest anyone go and see for themselves. Pano really did a great job with the remodel and stepping up the fare. Bottom line, they give you an entree for $14.00 that would cost you double anywhere else and it wouldn't be half as good

There should be a special on Pano's on the Food Network . The remodel is absolutely astounding, and including their bright, modern, and colored sign with the large new restaurant building - this local favorite is grabbing more people's attention!

[JustinH]

My favorite restaurant in Buffalo, by far!

Lobster Mac and Cheese was very good.

Lunch is great also..

Try getting a table, be prepared to wait at any hour of the day.

[coldwynn]

Hate to be the nay-sayer in this crowd, but I live just around the block from Pano's and have gone twice with my spouse since the place reopened - and we both don't understand why people are gaga for the food.

I understand that the ambiance is great, I can appreciate that they give you LOTS of food, and the service is good despite the 15min wait on a weeknight, but the food, IMHO, is way too greasy and unimaginative.

I understand that Greek food tends to have a lot of oil. However, if flavors are lacking and an attempt to fix that is done by just slathering it with oil and herbs, then -to my mind- it shows a lack of understanding of BALANCE.

Try going across the street to the little Vietnamese/Thai restaurant (Saigon Cafe) - you get simple dishes, served artfully, with incredibly fresh ingredients, and a sense of JUST ENOUGH. These people know how to use sauces and oil to let the food come through.

[Buffalonian4life]

Originally Posted by coldwynn

Hate to be the nay-sayer in this crowd, but I live just around the block from Pano's and have gone twice with my spouse since the place reopened - and we both don't understand why people are gaga for the food.

I understand that the ambiance is great, I can appreciate that they give you LOTS of food, and the service is good despite the 15min wait on a weeknight, but the food, IMHO, is way too greasy and unimaginative.

I understand that Greek food tends to have a lot of oil. However, if flavors are lacking and an attempt to fix that is done by just slathering it with oil and herbs, then -to my mind- it shows a lack of understanding of BALANCE.

Try going across the street to the little Vietnamese/Thai restaurant (Saigon Cafe) - you get simple dishes, served artfully, with incredibly fresh ingredients, and a sense of JUST ENOUGH. These people know how to use sauces and oil to let the food come through.

I'm surprised there is anyone out there who doesn't like Pano's! (Its food at least).

[mikesuicide]

The Pano's of yesteryear was greasy, the entrees I had were not greasy, however I don't recall anything greek on the entree menu. Siagon is still my favorite resturant in the city

[ocnymonty]

Where is Pano's located? I lived in Buffalo 93-97... at the time my favorite place was the 'Gate'. The food wasn't outstanding... but the prices were really affordable and the ambience was great.

[Buffalonian4life]

Originally Posted by ocnymonty

Where is Pano's located? I lived in Buffalo 93-97... at the time my favorite place was the 'Gate'. The food wasn't outstanding... but the prices were really affordable and the ambience was great.

On the Elmwood Ave. strip where everything is growing and bustling 24/7. Check out the Pano's website for more information.

[coldwynn]

Originally Posted by Buffalonian4life

I'm surprised there is anyone out there who doesn't like Pano's! (Its food at least).

Maybe it was the entrees we tried?

Let's see (I have a good memory for food ): we've had the rack of lamb (too greasy, they must have roasted it and then oiled it before serving), chicken parm (my spouse's comment was that it was like a breaded chicken from a fast food place sitting on a huge mound of pasta), gyro souvlaki (the tzatziki seemed more mayo than yogurt, the pita was definitely greasy to the touch), falafel sandwich (my spouse thought that the falafel bar's -just a touch south of pano's- version was much better and cheaper).

I expected the greek salad dressing to be herb infused oil blended with vinegar or wine, but it was heavy on the oil and an astringent that over-powered the spices. And does the use of feta and olives make a salad greek? My idea of horiatiki is that it does have those, but it should be a nice complement with tomatoes, capers, red onions, bell peppers, and cucumbers - you know, a country salad kind of thing, with everything working together. I understand that salads are the most difficult thing to get right, but I got the sense that the salad chef didn't trust the greek traditions and tried to update it somehow and didn't quite get there.

. . . anyway, just my $0.02.

[Buffalonian4life]

Originally Posted by coldwynn

Maybe it was the entrees we tried?

Let's see (I have a good memory for food ): we've had the rack of lamb (too greasy, they must have roasted it and then oiled it before serving), chicken parm (my spouse's comment was that it was like a breaded chicken from a fast food place sitting on a huge mound of pasta), gyro souvlaki (the tzatziki seemed more mayo than yogurt, the pita was definitely greasy to the touch), falafel sandwich (my spouse thought that the falafel bar's -just a touch south of pano's- version was much better and cheaper).

I expected the greek salad dressing to be herb infused oil blended with vinegar or wine, but it was heavy on the oil and an astringent that over-powered the spices. And does the use of feta and olives make a salad greek? My idea of horiatiki is that it does have those, but it should be a nice complement with tomatoes, capers, red onions, bell peppers, and cucumbers - you know, a country salad kind of thing, with everything working together. I understand that salads are the most difficult thing to get right, but I got the sense that the salad chef didn't trust the greek traditions and tried to update it somehow and didn't quite get there.

. . . anyway, just my $0.02.

Your input is greatly appreciated. Thanks for your two cents - you have a great memory too! . I'm just surprised that you feel this way, as Pano's on Elmwood is certainly IMHO outstanding and the food is top notch. We do indeed have our own opinons, however are you sure your got the right "Pano's"?