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    Inizio

    4.4 (230 reviews)
    PriceyItalian
    Open 5:00 pm - 9:00 PM

    Inizio Photos

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    INIZIO ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Casual
    Trendy
    Romantic
    Classy

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    Recommended Reviews - Inizio

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    panna cotta - chamomile pudding with strawberries, basil & balsamic syrup
    Jenny C.

    My husband and I recently tried this Resturant. We made our reservation very easy through their website. The drawing room was more of a traditional dining area and then there was a solarium with lots of big windows that looked out onto Elmwood, which is where we sat. It was a nice atmosphere, but a little loud when we arrived. Once a few tables left, it was much more enjoyable. We started with bread & butter as well as hanger steak bites. This was my favorite part of the meal. The bread seemed freshly baked with a rustic flour that gave it a really wonderful nutty flavor. The hanger steak bites came with this super fresh tasting aioli and little potato bites, along side this tender flavorful meat, it was perfection. I wish we got the bigger sized plate because I wanted more!! For dinner my husband got the gnocchi "pugliese" which he really liked. I ordered the sweet pea agnolotti. I liked my dish okay, and I'm glad I tried it, but it was a lighter dish and left me wanting more. The stuffed pasta was a really good flavor with that goes filling but it just needed something else, like maybe if there was a crunchy texture to the crab or something, it just felt incomplete somehow. I was also disappointed in the mocktail selections. One of them was a Shirley Temple... yes that's a virgin mixed drink of types, but it's a kids drink. I ordered the other mocktail, cielo rosso, and it just seemed like a bunch of juice mixed together. I was not impressed with that, although it did look nice. Finally, we had the pana cotta and a French press and we both loved it. Certainly a unique dish that's not available at every restaurant. It was sweet but not overly. The strawberry and balsamic was a great flavor. The service was fine. Nothing special to report that way.

    Wayne B.

    Went to Inizio for an early Valentine's Day, and was genuinely impressed. The food was wonderful, and for the price, decent portions. Everything tasted fresh-made, and left you feeling contented without feeling super full. The environment is warm; really cozy. Servers were attentive and kind. All the menus say there is a 90-minute time limit; that I didn't love. While this time limit was not for us, it still caused me to feel extremely sensitive to the clock. Took away some of the pleasure of fine dining. Still, everything else was great. Would definitely return.

    fresh cheese house-made fresh cheese with olive oil, saba & toast - A plate with several slices of toasted bread surrounding a bowl of fresh cheese drizzled with olive oil, balsamic vinegar, and balsamic glaze.
    Jacqueline R.

    Jonah was our server and he was excellent! We were torn between a few options because the menu has a lot of good things to choose between and I was very happy with his suggestions. The ingredients taste so fresh and are paired together. They make their own ice cream which was insanely delicious. You will not be disappointed. We chose to go for an early dinner at 5:15 which was a great choice because we beat the rush. The ambiance is lovely and simple with jazz music in the background. Will definitely return!

    Cacio e pepe
    Gina F.

    Had dinner with family here when my husband and I returned to Buffalo this past weekend and it was a good experience! We had wine and enjoyed the atmosphere. They were really good about adding to our reservation when I needed to include someone else last minute which was nice for a Friday night. Food was solid - it seemed like everyone enjoyed what they got. My husband especially loved his cacio e pepe. I ordered a small portion of risotto and added rock shrimp, which was good but that portion even for being small was literally like two bites. I guess I should have ordered the larger! be warned that the small portion is literally just a taster. Would come back here if we were in town again!

    Cacio e Pepe
    Kelsey H.

    I have been wanting to try Inizio since they opened up! Everything is made from scratch and you can tell, the food was absolutely delicious. We started with the bread (homemade along with the butter) and the cheese plate (also homemade). For dinner I selected the Cacio e Pepe, and let me tell you it was as good as what I had in Italy! For dessert I ordered a scoop of their homemade vanilla ice cream and the peach cheesecake. Both were so good I almost licked the plate clean. The service was very friendly and attentive as well. The inside is very cool, and it is still set up in rooms like the former home it is. It feels very cozy and like you're going over to a friend's for dinner. I can't wait to go back!

    Flourless chocolate torte with salted almond ice cream - rich & salty, yesss!
    Laura G.

    Intimate spot for fine dining experience in Buffalo. Although I LOVED Joe's Deli on Elmwood, glad to see that the spot is now occupied by Inizio. Great food lives on! They do take reservations and you can make them online for parties of four or less. For larger parties, just call. The caponata bruschetta was insanely delicious. I have never tasted burrata so creamy before. Three different types of pasta were ordered at our table. The gnocchi looked like pillows of heaven. I had the hanger steak, and while I loved the coffee crust, the meat had a lot of fatty pieces. We couldn't pass on dessert. The flourless chocolate torte was rich and smooth and paired well with the salty almond ice cream. Didn't love that we felt rushed throughout the meal and at the end; however, the food and company made up for it.

    Tricia B.

    This place was fantastic. From the cozy atmosphere to the great service. State of with a delicious cocktail and Caesar salad. The salad was so fresh it felt like you were eating crispy water coated in amazing dressing. The cheese was delicious and looked like little whispers on the salad. I ordered the sweet pea agnolotti for dinner. Such a delightful spring dish. Love the combination of peas, crab, and mint.

    Blackberry Spritz
    Carolyn B.

    Great food and cozy atmosphere! Besides having one of best homemade pasta around the appetizers to drinks were on par! The service from beginning to end was great. The waiter was very knowledgeable about the menu and offered recommendations which was great.

    My celebration pan a cotta dessert!

    We are definitely coming back! My husband and I are trying the restaurants near Allentown. Inizio's was perfection. From our waiter, to apps, to dinner; everything was amazing! And, I got a great call from my niece and our waiter turned my dessert into a mini celebration! We are definitely going back to this cozy, intimate and delicious restaurant!

    Broccolini
    Kathleen B.

    From start to finish everything was great with our dining experience. The staff was very attentive and knowledgeable on the menu when we had dietary questions. The restaurant had a quaint and cozy vibe. The only bad thing was the high table chairs they were very uncomfortable. The food was amazing from the apps to the entrees. You could just tell from the presentation to the taste that the chef takes pride in the dishes he sends out of the kitchen. We will definitely be back for quality food and service which is so hard to find these days when you go out to eat.

    Unique space
    MaryAnn T.

    This restaurant was absolutely amazing- the food was homemade which I love! With an atmosphere that was inviting. I arrived early for our delayed Christmas dinner party. I was seated immediately and got a head start with a glass of wine. I looked over the menu and found my absolute favorite- duck breast - it was honey roasted with porridge ( quinoa ) and squash- verrrry delicious- but I started with homemade bread and butter and also an appetizer of burrata cheese with olive oil and toast. The waitress was very attentive and never let us have to look for her. I was so full but nonetheless had to try the Spumoni panna cotta - geesh, I'm telling you next time I'm starting with dessert first - chocolate pudding with cherry sherbet topped with pistachio mousse- I was in sheer heaven. I felt the prices were average for this kind of restaurant. I can't wait to go back.

    CBW - The Whale (beer) and Bolognese - A bowl of pasta with grated cheese is on a table alongside various drinks, including wine and water, with side dishes in small bowls.
    Benjamin P.

    Simply awesome. Made a reservation. And it seems like you absolutely need one. People were getting turned away by the hostess. Love the drink menu. Only four beers on tap but this place is more geared towards cocktails and wine. The bourbon cocktail, which I couldn't pronounce, was possibly on the of the best I've ever had. Warm and smooth as velvet. Apps were awesome - various pickled items and olives. The bread and butter was incredible. Like a warm olive oil donut. The bolognese was incredible. Thick homemade noodles smothered in fresh parmesan. The only bummer was we were in and out in less than an hour. This is a place that should be savoured and not rushed. I can't wait to go back.

    a dining room with tables and chairs

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    1 year ago

    One of the first, and best meals arriving in Buffalo. Loved their pasta and quality of meats.

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    Great food, great service, great atmosphere! Their pasta is made from scratch. Cocktails & mocktails are delicious!

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    Ask the Community - Inizio

    Do they have gluten free pasta options?

    When I was there March 11th, they did not. But they did have a risotto option that was gluten free

    What's the dress code?

    Dressy casual.... but I do see jeans and button down shirt for a guy

    View All 3 Questions

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    Giancarlo’s Sicilian Steakhouse

    Giancarlo’s Sicilian Steakhouse

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    I was driving by and the smell drew me in. I was alone so I sat up bar and ordered a glass of wine…read more It was Good Friday so it was pretty busy but the service was quick. The bartenders were all friendly, but Tom was particularly helpful. Checking to mate sure that everything was good and offering suggestions. I ordered steak in au gratin potatoes. He brought me cheese bread that was phenomenal. It was served with butter and some sort of sauce that I didn't try. I got a new york strip that was seasoned and cooked to perfection. The au gratin potatoes were shredded potatoes. They were okay but definitely not what I would have expected at a steakehouse. I would not order them again. They had carrot cake available for dessert and it was delicious.

    Once again, Giancarlo's knocked it out of the park with our business dinner. We keep coming back…read morefor good reason: spacious parking (no anxiety-ridden ramps or stressful parallel parking on Buffalo streets), superb service (I love the place cards that introduce each server), and truly drool-worthy food. We ordered a variety of appetizers, and the meatball and Mediterranean platters remain my favorites. You must try their homemade pita--light, airy, and with just the right chew. They absolutely know how to do steak. My side of almond broccolini unexpectedly stole the show. The bright burst of lemon was the perfect complement, cutting through the richness of the mashed potatoes and filet. As for dessert? Hands down, the chocolate mousse cake. If you're getting it to go, be sure to ask for the coffee gelato before you leave--don't miss out on this perfectly smooth, rich treat. Our guests are still talking about their meals!

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    I am so so picky when it comes to Italian (being married to an Italian who creates his own sauce)…read more But Tappo was wonderful. We went during resturant week and what a steal, $25 got me a casear salad, spaghetti and meatballs with a small assortment of desserts. I also grabbed truffle fries which we a special. THOSE should be a permanent thing. The meatballs were ginormous, they should (and i believe ARE) a meal themselves. My only only gripe is that you have to pay for the bread as an app. But that's just the carb lover in me. With it being restaurant week, it was busy for a Wednesday but our server was on her toes and made sure our drinks were full all the time and everything came out promptly. One thing I want to note, that I did not take advantage of is there is FREE parking as long as there's space. This was true for the day I went, not sure if that is always. But there is a small lot across the street that you can park at. I paid the $6.75 in the ramp that is basically next to the resturant.

    Inizio - italian - Updated May 2026

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