For families who like to dine out and are looking for something a little different, here are a few restaurants that offer something a bit unique … places that are fun for older kids (who are adventurous eaters) and palatable for adults who are tired of pizza and wings.
Weird and wonderful…
Black Iron Bystro
3648 South Park Ave., Blasdell; Blackironbystro.com
With a cool, crafty vibe, kids can check out the interesting décor, mostly made by chef/owner Bryan Mecozzi and his father — like a chandelier created using a hanging ladder, extension cords and light bulbs. The menu is eclectic gourmet, but with items like Garlic Knots with homemade San Marzano tomato sauce and a Kefta Burger (basically seasoned ground meat) with fries, it’s kid-friendly. On Thursday, house magician Garrett Thomas wows guests from 6-9 p.m. Mecozzi says, “He leaves even the most skeptical hawks scratching their heads!” (This is casual: call to make sure the magician will be there in case he has another gig.)
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Play with your food … no, really you can
Carrabba’s Italian Grill
1645 Niagara Falls Blvd., Amherst; Carrabbas.com
If you ask, Carrabba’s will bring pizza dough to the table for kids to play with. Kids can create whatever they’d like out of the dough, then the kitchen will bake the creation. “It can get pretty messy but it’s fun,” said one Carrabba’s employee.
Melting Pot
Walden Galleria; Meltingpot.com
This upscale chain provides a way for kids to cook their own meal on a burner in the center of the table. From appetizers and fondue to entrees and dessert, everything is cooked by dipping into a broth, oil, cheese or our favorite, chocolate. Bread, meats, vegetables and even cake are just some items you can expect to spear and cook.
Dinner with a show …
MoMo’s Mongolian Grill & Sushi
7590 Transit Rd., Williamsville; Momomongolian.com
Guests can enjoy a “build-your-own-stir-fry.” Diners select ingredients from a buffet, add sauces and other toppings, then hand the bowl to a cook who sizzles it up on a griddle. The restaurant also offers dishes cooked in the kitchen, as well as sushi.
Texas de Brazil
Walden Galleria; Texasdebrazil.com
Part buffet and part sit-down. Grab salads and sides at the buffet. The meat comes to the table on giant skewers to be sliced. Use red and green paddles to signal when ready for more.
The Rainforest Café
300 3rd St., Niagara Falls, NY; Rainforestcafe.com
Décor gives the impression of dining in a jungle (complete with a “snake” hanging in a tree). Servers wear safari uniforms too. Kid and adult menus are available, but the place really caters to kids, who are encouraged to “explore” the rainforest. Try Lava Nachos or a Sparkling Volcano chocolate dessert.
Also fun is (716) Food & Sport (HarborCenter; Harborcenter.com) with its mega TVs turned to every sport imaginable, as well as Tully’s Good Times (several locations in WNY; Tullysgoodtimes.com). With its claim to fame as “Best Chicken Tenders On Earth,” Tully’s also features “Kids 2¢ Wednesdays” — pay just 2 cents per pound of a child’s weight for one kid entrée (age 10 and under). Tully’s also divides its menu into “Little Sluggers” for the very young, and “Major League” for older kids. Arcade games provide amusement for all.
The Chip Strip…
Chippewa Street isn’t just for adults. For events downtown, we like these family-friendly places: Bada Bing Sports Bar & Grill (42 W. Chippewa; Badabingbuffalo.com), which serves great pub food, pizza and wings, and Frankie Primo’s +39 (51 W. Chippewa; Frankieprimos39.com) which serves Italian. Our other favorite is The Chocolate Bar (114 W. Chippewa; Thechocolatebar.com) which serves soups, salads, sandwiches and more, in addition to amazing kid-friendly desserts like Cookies & Milk and Build Your Own S’mores.
