Marotto's Restaurant

10/16/07

A reliable, friendly white tablecloth for grownups; with an intelligent, non-trendy menu

by pupchen at Citysearch

my fourth attempt to submit a review. Guess you guys have something against this place. Very comfortable, local kind of place. Nice for holiday me3als in a smaller environment.

Been going here for about 15 years. I'll make it fast before you eliminate me again. Nice bar area. Fireplace.Casual. Tragically have added 2 teevees, which buffalonians predictably love, I predictably hate. Still good food.Dining room romantic; white tablecloth, faux monet mural, mirrors. Lots of fish on the menu. Mostly stuffed. various Ditto veal, which I typically get. Italian, which I've never tried. Lots of regulars, some of whom eat at the bar. Carryout available, I suppose for people with difficult relatives (guess I'd better start doing that.) Warm bread, spiced butter. Vegetables typically forgettable but the protein is quite good or I wouldn't go back. (I did food PR for 10 years and worked with LOADS of recipe developers.I know food, having lived and eaten in NYC,Toronto, Boston, Chicago and eaten globally on expense accounts.) They have a clam bar during warm months in front of the restaurant, if you prefer clams to my fave, mussels, which they do not have.

Mark, the owner, is a graduate of Cornell's Hotel school, a gruelling, incredibly demanding place to survive, let alone endure. That alone should be a recommendation. Reservations recommended. Website is unbelievably loud. (Mark plays his harmonica, as he does de temps en temps at the restaurant. Note also that across the (side)street is a wannabe bar with a name so similar to Marotto's that I am positive he's lost business because of them. And it's clear by the sign that they want that to happen. But the wannabe looks like nothing short of a beer joint to me. (Tho Marotto's doesn't look fancy from the outside either. Restaurant diners should wear jackets in the real Marotto's, the bar area of the real Marotto's doesn't necessitate that. But don't be sloppy; this is a real restaurant, and not at all intimidating. )

• Pros: nice local feel to the place, love that there are regulars
• Cons: parking is somewhat limited but you can park on the side street. Beware of the similarly-named bar across the street.