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    CRāVing Restaurant

    3.9 (233 reviews)
    ModerateNew American

    CRāVing Restaurant Photos

    CRĀVING RESTAURANT ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Good for groups
    Outdoor seating

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    Recommended Reviews - CRāVing Restaurant

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    Restaurant week house noodles
    Niki E.

    I'm going to say I luv it being on hertel, it's a hoping strip, customer service are friendly and its just dam cute inside, "smallish" but cute! BUT! I was confused by this place...I am Buffalo bred and know what a wonderful spread of ethnic eats we have but what is Crave striving for? I feel like I saw everything but Mexican on the menu, you can't do it all-who are you? I couldn't figure it out Lamb showed up a lot from lamb meatball appetizers to lamb leg to lamb Idk what something else...but no, it's not Greek, it's not Italian though random Italian stuff, it's not Chinese or Thai but you could find that too, yea I'd like to recommend it but not sure what I'd be talking about! I got the house noodles which was a part of their restaurant week fare and it was a pad Thai type of thing but it left something to be desired, like idk fast food pad Thai? I don't think there should be such a thing! Drinks were pretty looking but tinnnnny! And as usual for me I would have ordered double the drinks I did had I seen my server more, when you have a box size restaurant that only fits a handful of tables should I ever be able to lose sight of my server? That was confusing as well, not to mention the time it took for our first round of drinks to come out. While I'm waiting to order my second drink I turn around and see the bartender taking a shot with some bar customers, glad to know our bartender is getting to drink it up , while I sit here in wait! I tried to ask our friendly waitress for recommendations and as friendly as she was she told us she was really picky herself so hadn't tried much so it got to the point where comically I was asking her um, okay so like what about your customers when they order this or that do they finish their plate? Hah do they have a smile on their face when they eat this? are they willing to tk their left overs home after ordering this?! lol I shouldn't have to work this hard hah with my waitress to figure things out?!?! so unfortunately I won't be bk I luv hertel and Elmwood restaurants and our wonderful Buffalo selection of eating options but yea this place just left me confused and not as tipsy as I had hoped for a belated birthday outing to a new place I had never been before but was willing to give a try

    Rabbit is on my radar.
    Anna W.

    I was craving CRaVing forever. Their menu changes frequently and always looks tempting and intriguing. Our table was ready and waiting for the three of us. I'm a huge sucker for soft and comfortable seats, so I asked our super friendly hostess whether we could move to a different area -- not a problem. My excitement and expectations were high. I really liked the vibe and atmosphere at the rather small dining room area. I don't mind dimmed lights. It creates a romantic feeling. Music was playing quietly, filling up the space just perfectly. Our Prosecco Rosé: "Pale pink color with persistent perlage. Delicate nose of red fruit, hints of rose petal and biscuit notes. Palate is dry and fresh with light tart and white cherry flavors. Elegant and balanced palate with lively acidity and creamy mousse. Long dry finish." Sounded delightful, and tasted just as good. We really enjoyed it along with some oysters. My company ordered leg of lamb. I decided to have a rabbit loin. That's when everything just went downhill fast. With my first bite of meat I panicked thinking whether there was anyone around who would rescue me from choking. My rabbit was dry. Luckily, I survived and was able to try the rest of my dish. I simply didn't like it. I was hoping for something loaded with fresh herbs, or maybe a different, unusual flavor. Only thing I tasted was salt. My dish was overly salted, plus pieces of bacon added even more salt. It was just a sad dish. What a waste of meat from SaJe Farm. The lamb with scallion and roasted garlic grits, and stewed collard greens was excellent. Overall, I had a great time. I appreciated the wonderful service, hospitality and ambience, but my food was a disappointment.

    Calamari
    Claire B.

    I really can't say enough good things about our experience at craving - if you haven't been here you're missing out on one of the best dinners in the hertel area. The drinks and food were all wonderful and we will be back for sure. Anthony, the bartender, took care of us the entire time. Went with a group of 4 on a Thursday night and we ordered pretty much every "small plate" option they had. The Brussel sprouts were perfectly cooked with a little crunch. Not being a fan of carrots I was hesitant to try their deconstructed carrot taco but they were the best cooked carrots I've ever had. The mussels came with a decadent sauce served with kimchi and onions that was flavorful and delicious. The calamari was lightly fried and came with a drizzle of Japanese aioli and I could have ate the entire plate by myself it was so good! We also enjoyed a half a dozen oysters and the sticky rice. We had a chance to talk to the owner and chef before we left. It's very obvious a lot of careful and thoughtful execution is made by him and it truly shows through his food. I couldn't recommend this place enough.

    Salmon -pan seared salmon with cucumber sauce and beets reduction.
    Nikkeya N.

    I was here a few weekends ago for a friends birthday and I absolutely loved the experience. Covid19 has of course put a hiccup in a lot of things for a lot of people. A night out with good friends and good food was just what I needed. I ordered the chicken pizza and my boyfriend ordered the salmon. My friends ordered the massive fried chicken sandwich. Three friends ordered and it and it did not disappoint. It was huge!! They all said it was delicious. My pizza was amazing. It was a perfect thin crust pizza with just enough sauce and seasoning. I wanted to be cute and take some home but I ate every last bite. My boyfriends salmon was delicious. I know this because I reacued into his plate and tasted it. He can be very particular about his seafood and he loved it. That cucumber sauce was amazing. I would have eaten that on fries, chicken or by itself. It was that good! And the drinks!!! Ugh!! There's a drink called The Bramble Jam that I am now officially obsessed with. Not gonna lie, I think I had 3!! There was another one called Patio Punch that my friend let me try and I'm sure that will be my next favorite. Overall, it was the good time and good atmosphere that we all needed. The service was impeccable. The staff was very patient and kind; especially when it came to the bill!! They even allowed one of the girls to bring in cupcakes from home. Again this would probably be no biggie any other day but Ms. Rona has made everyone a little more cautious and a little more likely to say no. And rightly so. Therefore, it really was appreciated to have such a wonderful night. Our server, whose name I cannot remember (shame on me) was even kind enough to take our pictures (all 17 of them until we looked like we hadn't had 3 Bramble Jams!) It's the little things like that, that make me want to return for another great night. Sidebar: Josh the bartender HATES Yelp reviewers but he makes a mean ass drink!

    Housemade pappardelle bolognese photo by @phil_eatsfood
    Philip V.

    Farm to table with a rotating menu, local ingredients, local farms, amazing staff, reasonably priced, highly recommend

    Ricotta gnocchi.. photo by @phil_eatsfood
    Phil V.

    Incredible place for farm to table food in North Buffalo, homemade pastas, fresh farm produce, local meats, sustainable seafood, scratch made food, amazing staff, need I say more? Menu changes weekly w the seasons and the farm availability. Look for new thai inspired items on the menu w new ownership, cant say enough about this gem, go check it out!

    Yum. Heirloom Tomato Plate
    Mark F.

    I hadn't been able to visit Craving since my first preview a couple of years ago. At that time, I only sat at the bar and shared an appetizer with a date. The date wasn't great BUT the visit to Craving was! I revisited Craving recently with a buddy of mine who lives close to Hertel - he hadn't heard of the restaurant and we both wanted to grab a delicious dinner with drinks. We are trying to support the local businesses in the area as they attempt to recover from COVID. We booked our reservation through their website, which was very easy. We were seated in the main dining room where all of the tables were spread out to allow for social distancing. It isn't too loud and the room was full of great vibes all around. This is a great spot for meeting up with a friend or going out on a date. Our kind waitress quickly introduced herself and discussed the specials. She took very good care of us. The drink menu was quite extensive and impressive! I had the New York Sour and my friend had 2 gin-based drinks - we were very pleased! With regards to the dinner menu, it is not as extensive, however they at least offer salads, fish, and meat on the menu. How do I've been more hungry, I would have probably tried the brussels sprouts appetizer. I went with the Chicken dish which was ABSOLUTELY delicious. My friend had the Cod dish and he was happy with the meal. I loved my side of delicious vegetables which were all sautéed with a delicious sauce. The chicken could have been eaten with a fork and knife...but I was too lazy so I ate it by hand! The meat was cooked to perfection - it was hot and moist by the time it was brought to the table. I hope they can expand the menu soon. I definitely plan to return soon to try other entrees. I may also stop by for a drink at the bar - the bartender is fantastic. Overall, A+ !

    Mai Thai
    Pat M.

    Stopped in on a Friday evening for a bite to eat and a cocktail. Didn't have a reservation but was seated promptly inside. The restaurant was moderately busy at 9:15pm and the staff was friendly and attentive. Ordered a Mai Thai which was served promptly and was tasty. Ordered a pesto pasta dish which was also promptly served and was good. Restaurant has an upscale but casual atmosphere and a great patio for people watching. Would not hesitate to return and check out more of the menu.

    S'more
    Scott L.

    My family and I went here for an early mother's day celebration, and we were surprised that able to make an reservation during the weekend for dinner. Came here pretty early, and got quickly seated. My wife was worried about our two little naughty kids, Waitress gave them cranes and some quick meals (cheese pizza and pasta), both were less noisy this time. Ordered bone merow, lamb, pork chop, and fish dish for every one to enjoy. Portions were big enough, lamb, pork were both very tender. My wife loves the lamb as others tend to be too dry. Fish dish were well seasoned and cooked. Every things were perfect for the special occasion. We even tried the s'more, loved it, especially for the hot coco, which hot chocolate married milk makes taste wonderful. Service was excellent, Nicole make sure to accommodate us with best she can. Things might be bit pricey, but worth for the celebration night.

    Jennifer R.

    I ATE AT A RESTAURANT. There, now that that's over with I can get on with the review. Craving is one of our favorites, everything is very local and the menu changes, usually each day. Their pork steamed buns were delicious, their salads are always exceptional, and they have a decent wine and cocktail list. I miss their specials they used to do at the bar but I hope to see those soon when we can go in. Their patio set up was really nice and I felt comfortable the whole time. If anything my only complaint was the fried chicken sandwich was just a tad dry, it just needed a little something to wet it up. But it was delicious and I ate it all. Even their fresh cut fries are above and beyond. Don't get me started in the desserts. EXCEPTIONAL. This is a must go in Buffalo.

    Croque Madame
    Jenna W.

    I visited CRāVing this weekend with some friends for brunch and with my baby. I mention the baby because I always love when places are accommodating and they certainly were. Brunch was wonderful. Lots of fresh hot coffee, sweet breads to kick it off (the vanilla was my favorite), and the main course was so good I wanted to lick the plate. I enjoyed a Croque Madame and it was everything! Definitely recommend! I ended up taking home a BLT for my husband (I'm so nice, right?!) and stole a few fries and a bite on the way home. It was fantastic. The focaccia bread is fresh made and you can definitely tell!

    White Pizza
    Shauna R.

    Stopped by here for lunch one afternoon on their dog friendly patio with our family and out of town guests. We were looking for a place to have a light lunch and this place exceeded our expectations. The lunch prices are so reasonable considering the meals were giant! Everything tasted perfect on our outing but the real star of the day was the sweet potato fries with honey and truffle. These were the best sweet potato fries I've had in a long long time. The white pizza was thin and cooked to crispy perfection. The BLT was filled with a pile of crunchy bacon. Needless to say, everybody was full and happy after this delicious lunch. I can't wait to come back to try dinner here also.

    Lisa A.

    My new favorite date night restaurant Food: 5 stars Drinks: 5 stars Service: 5 stars Ambiance: 5 stars I had such a great time here. Our waitress was excellent at explaining the menu, and we fell in love with the fact that all the meat and produce were organic and grass fed. Their menu changes daily so it felt really special to be there that day because they were offering oysters and beets which are some of my favorite things to eat. I cant wait to go back, thank you.

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    Nice menu, changes frequently. Service is very good and entrees are wonderful. Great bar and dining room

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    Page 1 of 6

    Ask the Community - CRāVing Restaurant

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    The Dapper Goose

    4.5(333 reviews)
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    On a recent trip to Buffalo we stumbled upon The Dapper Goose and were so impressed. The menu items…read moreare sourced locally and created with thoughtfulness. We both enjoyed our meals, and the atmosphere was very cozy and welcoming. we will definitely be back!

    Some friends, my husband and I came here for dinner a couple weeks back when visiting the area, and…read morefound both hits and misses. The service was very good and it's a cute spot that I'd be willing to come back to. The best thing we had BY FAR were the beef croquettes. These were perfect, and I could have made a meal out of them. They had a tender birria like shredded meat inside with some cheese and probably some potato, I can't even remember but I do remember that everyone loved these. We also ordered asparagus, the Korean Fried Chicken, the shrimp with potatoes (all small plates) and one of my friends ordered the duck entree. My husband and friends had cocktails and mocktails; I didn't order one because they said they had nothing that was sweet. Incidental pet peeve: Saying "all our cocktails are balanced". I get it, you want to brag. But, some of us like things that are sweet, or as in the case of one of my friends, decidedly NOT sweet. If all of your cocktails are balanced the same way, it gives little useful info on what to order. I will respond to this by NOT ordering and sticking to tap water. I'd prefer it if you have a little something sweet and a little something not-sweet on the menu for those of us who don't actually want "perfectly balanced". That said, I did have a sip of the cocktails the others ordered. To my surprise, I liked the Broken Garden Tools. Though it wasn't particularly sweet it was also not super sour/tart and it was refreshing. I *could* have ordered that one, but I never would have known it from the description. I didn't like any of the others I tasted, but I can't remember what those were. Since I don't like whisky and I prefer sweet drinks, don't take this to mean that they don't have good drinks - the others enjoyed theirs, they just weren't to MY taste. Of the other dishes, I liked the cabbage that was on my friend's duck plate (I didn't try the duck). The asparagus was fine. The shrimp and potatoes was ok but not as good as I'd hoped for. And honestly, I didn't love the KFC. It didn't seem to be twice-fried and super crispy like KFC should be, and the sauce to me wasn't balanced between the sweet and spicy flavors I prefer. However, my husband liked it very well. The only other thing I'd caution is to double check ingredients. There was a dish ordered (I can't remember which now, some kind of bread maybe, but not listed as a bruschetta) that said it contained rosemary among other things but did not list basil. We saw no rosemary at all, but a lot of basil, which I can't eat. So I didn't have any. The others shared it. I would have been more disappointed had it been my selection. My friend noted that the server did not ask us about any food allergies, which, if your menu doesn't accurately list its contents, is problematic. Fortunately I know what basil looks like so no harm done. All in all, I would return, get lots of croquettes, order a Broken Garden Tools, and maybe try some other things we didn't get to. But I'd double check all the ingredients.

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    The Left Bank

    The Left Bank

    4.1(619 reviews)
    2.8 miWestside
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    I came the other day for a Galentine's dinner and wasn't disappointed. This place is a Buffalo…read morestaple and loved by many. It is a top notch restaurant that uses high quality and fresh ingredients and adds gourmet touches that are higher end but still work for the Buffalo crowd. And the portions are usually generous. I like it here but a lot of the menu options don't work for my diet. So when I come it's for someone else's occasion but it's still very much a treat. I will say that the staff is always accommodating and helpful to ensure I find something to eat. Most recently I was able to enjoy a delicious special that was grilled prawns with mescaline and vinaigrette, supremed oranges and grapefruits and artichoke hearts filled with herbed goat cheese. It was delicious and filling enough I was able to eat it as my main. The flavors were unique and blended well together. I was full but it was still light. The herbed goat cheese stuffed artichokes were delicious and a real treat. I'd hope to have them another time. The citrus fruit touches were a nice contrast to the richness of the cheese. If you want a delicious meal and a nice place for a date or girls night definitely check this place out.

    So good! Went here for a Saturday evening birthday dinner. Parking was available right in their…read moreparking lot next to the restaurant. We had a drink at the bar and then we're seated at our table. The waiter was cordial, friendly and informative. We ordered the stuffed mushroom appetizer, the Carrot Papardella, and the Penne w/ grilled steak "au poivre". So good! The bread with the tomato sauce was fresh and the sauce had an amazing flavor. The stuffed mushroom with artichoke stuffing was very rich and flavorful. Lots of stuffing. The Carrot Papardella had large chunks of fresh seafood and great sauce. The penne with steak was very good. The marsala sauce was very rich and filling but flavorful with that sweet marsala wine sauce. Steak was tenderly cooked perfectly. The waiter brought out a great slice of complimentary birthday caramel ganache cake. Great surprise. Our water glasses were never empty, the bread was plentiful and the meal was so tasty, fresh and flavorful. This place has a good amount of seating but reservation recommended for busier times. It's a nice dining room with a bar at the entrance of the restaurant. They have daily specials and rotating dessert specials. Highly recommended and always worth the visit!!

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    The Left Bank - This was the picture at 5:00, by 5:30 every table was full.

    This was the picture at 5:00, by 5:30 every table was full.

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    The Phoenix at 269 - 269 Burger

    The Phoenix at 269

    4.5(43 reviews)
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    Our family loves the Phoenix at 269. There usually is a group of seven of us that always select…read morethis restaurant for our special occasions.Dave and his staff are always so pleasant and accommodating plus the food is always delicious and amazing.I highly recommend visiting this restaurant not only for special occasions but anytime.

    What a find!!! Was too late to make it to a nearby Thai place and this was our plan B for siblings…read morenight. First visit, won't be our last. Great service from Renee who was very accommodating, patient and knowledgeable. Upon walking in the restaurant is intimate, prohibition era like, romantic, yet homey vibes. The food was VERY good. Started with one of the BEST mushroom soups I've ever had. Mushrooms were thick cut, broth was very tasty ..a cup of love that think could win over a non mushroom eater. I had the meatloaf, mashed potatoes and carrots and surprisingly the star of the show was the carrots. The mains, although good didn't leave me wondering how in the world did they made them like the carrots did. They were sweet and savory, cooked perfectly with great texture and taste. My guests had the Salmon burger and another, the Lamb. Tasted my sister's salmon burger and it was amazing. I'll be coming back to have my own. Salmon was meaty, seasoned well, on a soft brioche bun. I also don't know what the sauce was they made to go with it but it added the perfect compliment. My brother's lamb was TENDER, cooked perfectly and seasoned to perfection. I'll be back for that too when they add a couple more chops to the plate. It was delicious, but the lamb chops were tiny and there were only four. THE DESSERT::: soooo good... definitely appreciated the HOMEMADE taste of the chocolate tart. Three people shared it and with the first bite I could tell that was a mistake. Next time I'll get my own for sure. Pro's- Quality food, great service, decent pricing Con's- Size of Lamb and Hibiscus Spritzer was definitely missing something.

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    CRāVing Restaurant - newamerican - Updated May 2026

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