Located in the Allentown area is Mother's, where you can get a great gourmet late night meal. A popular weekend spot, the bar is usually quite crowded and noisy, but once you enter the dining area, it is surprisingly quiet and cozy. Dishes are on the expensive side, but quite good. I recommend ordering from their specials. I recently had a grilled mahi mahi with mango salsa and coconut infused rice. Delicious! Great wine list. Servers were quick and informative.

Sake Cafe opened late 2007 in a local strip mall. I was skeptical, but this place won me over. Food is Asian-inspired, with an emphasis on Japanese cuisine. First time out, I had the sushi and sashimi, which were prepared wonderfully. They have some very good specialty rolls. On other visits, I have tried their various entrees, which were quite good and artfully presented. Save room for dessert too! They have several flavors of mochi ice cream and a yummy banana tempura! Obviously, they also serve sake. The restaurant's name is somewhat misleading, however, as sake is not a prominent feature on the drink menu... only a few choices.

Amaryllis has the unique feature of the chef also being the owner. It is clear that this combination leads to much pride and care put into every aspect of the dining experience. The food is delicious and quite reasonably priced considering its extremely fresh taste and beautiful presentation. I had the sea bass with lentils and bacon in a syrah sauce, which was excellent. Menu is French-inspired, as the owner was formerly a chef at the Rue Franklin. Ambience is lovely with a New York City theme. Live jazz is a feature several nights of the week. Reservations recommended. Parking is limited, but valet available Fri and Sat.

Located near Buffalo State College and the Elmwood Village is Panos, a neighborhood favorite. While Panos still serves up your favorite breakfasts and Greek diner fare, they have added several upscale dishes to their dinner menu. The food is great and the price quite reasonable. Service is generally quick to keep up with the crowds, mainly on weekends for brunch. Panos is open late and is great after a long night of partying or studying. Casual atmosphere, child and family friendly!

Chen Garden offers delicious and affordable Chinese and Thai cuisine. The selection is incredible with a nearly five page menu! I recommend the Mandarin Crispy Duck and Hunan Shrimp. The restaurant has a nice atmosphere and can accomodate small and large parties. Extensive drink menu. Various vegetarian options. Lots of yummy food for not a lot of money!

The Buffalo Chophouse has gained in popularity the last few years, which is a mixed blessing. It's great to catch a drink at the bar and run into the occassional Sabres or Bills player, but it also makes the wait for a table impossibly long and the service quite slow. I still find the steak to be the best in town, but the service has definitely slipped. The Chophouse is still a beautiful place and certainly worth a try. Reservations a must.

My favorite Indian restaurant! Every Monday night, Thali does a dinner buffet, which is popular among college students, professionals, and families alike. You can find all the traditional favorites... and some new additions as well. Ordering off the menu, Thali specializes in a Balti menu, an Indo-European style of cooking curry in a cast-iron pot. Good stuff! Staff is always friendly and service is speedy. Overall atmosphere is quite nice.

If someone hadn't tipped me off to this place, I would have missed it. Situated in a small plaza where Mt Hope and South Ave merge is this great little restaurant. Paola's serves amazing, authentic Mexican food... hard to find in WNY. I love the mole enchiladas, tamales, and flautas. The burritos are huge and the guacamole is delicious! Several vegetarian options available.

When I'm in the mood for really great Japanese food, I always head to Shiki. They have amazing sushi, sashimi, noodles, and other yummy dinner entrees. The space is small and cozy... and for Rochester they're open pretty late- 10pm! Staff is always friendly.