Clarence

A second-ring suburb of Buffalo, New York, affluent Clarence is a haven for antique shopping. Main Street in Clarence Hollow, the town's adorable, quaint business district, is where you'll find many of the antique stores that draw visitors to Clarence from all over the region—as well as a wide range of other charming shops, restaurants, and other attractions.

See: 5
Do: 2
Eat: 20
Drink: 6
Buy: 24

20 places match

Eat

Asa Ransom House

The Asa Ransom House is a luxurious bed and breakfast and a restaurant each evening from Tuesday through Sunday (including an elegant five-course dinner on Saturday nights for $40-55). The food at the Asa Ransom House has its basis in traditional country-style American cuisine—chicken pot pie, roast turkey, shepherd's pie, and "Jeffersonian Beef" with sherry mushroom sauce are prominent options—with occasional detours into various Continental cuisines exemplified by selections such as sauerbraten and fettuccine bolognese. The homemade desserts served here the same culinary zeitgeist; traditional American selections such as apple strawberry rhubarb pie and berry cobbler are offset by European specialties, including crème brûlée and a delectable amaretto biscotti torte. Dinner theater is held on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday nights.

Lunch Wed 11:30AM-2PM; Dinner Tue-Thu & Sun 4PM-8PM, Fri Sat 5PM-8PM$40-80

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Bocce Pizza

Located on Goodrich Road about a quarter of a mile (300 m) north of the Four Corners, Bocce's specialty—not surprisingly—is a wide gamut of specialty pizzas offered in a variety of serving sizes, from single slices to full sheet pizzas. The creativity of the menu in this regard is epitomized by such selections as the Greek Pizza, Lasagna Pizza, the Italian Stallion Pizza (which includes pepperoni, salami, capicolla and Romano cheese), and not one but two varieties of Hawaiian pizza. Subs, tacos, appetizers, an impressive offering of salads, a modest range of pasta dishes and dinners, and well-regarded wings are also served, the latter available tossed in mild, medium or hot Buffalo sauce as well as Cajun, garlic parmesan, and two different varieties of barbeque sauce.

Daily 11AM-10PM$10-30

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Brennan's Bowery Bar

Brennan's is an authentic Irish pub and restaurant that is a Transit Road institution. Though the business traces its roots to New York City, where it was founded in 1888—hence the "Bowery" portion of the restaurant's name—Brennan's relocated to Western New York in 1970 and has since adapted its menu to local tastes, integrating (quite successfully, according to local consensus) typical Western New York dishes such as chicken wings and beef on weck into the framework of more traditional old-world pub grub. Authentic Celtic musicians and bands take the stage at Brennan's frequently. Understandably, this is a popular place on St. Patrick's Day.

Daily 11AM-7PM$15-30

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Clarence Grille

Located at the west end of Clarence Hollow, this "restaurant and rathskeller" is the purveyor of what they claim to be "Clarence's Best Chicken Wings", which are available in barbeque, parmesan, garlic and Cajun styles as well as traditional Buffalo style. In addition to the usual pub grub, the Clarence Grille boasts an admirable selection of burgers, sandwiches and hoagies that is matched by an equally extensive offering of salads and a full soup bar. Dinners are also offered, including Friday fish fries and baby back ribs, the latter a house specialty available in both half and full racks.

Open daily for lunch and dinner$15-30

Eat

Falletta's Restaurant

Founded in Kenmore, Falletta's Restaurant has operated since 1999 in an Arts and Crafts-style farmhouse built in 1902 on Clarence Center Road, half a mile (800 m) east of Transit Road on the banks of Gott Creek. Upscale Italian cuisine at surprisingly affordable prices is served in what is still a verdant and idyllic setting, with an ample selection of appetizers and salads (the latter served with a selection of homemade salad dressings brought to the table in carafes) accompanying a delectable range of main courses, among which the seafood entrees, including shrimp scampi and a filleted breaded haddock, have earned particularly rave reviews from patrons. Try one of the daily dessert specials to top everything off.

Tue-Thu 5PM-9PM, Sat 5PM-10PM, Sun 3PM-8PM$20-45

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Gate House Grill

Opened in 2006, the Gate House Grill is, in the words of Buffalo News food critic Janice Okun, "a comfortable neighborhood restaurant with a sophisticated bar and good food". The food here is often quite innovative and high-quality: starters such as the Lollipop Lamb Chops (marinated in red wine with garlic and rosemary) and a chili con queso dip made with corn and chèvre, entrees such as their Chicken Paillard in lemon caper sauce, and lighter fare such as the Gouda Chicken Sandwich seem meant to stand out in what may seem to be a casual, even unassuming, environment. Gate House Grill's specialty, however, is its Chicken Rockefeller, which has won numerous awards at the Taste of Williamsville, as well as its delicious homemade desserts.

Mon-Thu 11AM-9PM, Fri 11AM-10PM, Sat 4PM-10PM$15-40

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Gianni Mazia's on Main

Evolving from its roots as a humble take-out outfit offering pizza, wings and subs, today Gianni Mazia's is a full-service restaurant offering delicious food in a family-friendly environment at reasonable prices. Traditional, hearty Italian fare such as spaghetti and meatballs, lasagna, chicken Florentine, calzones, and wood-fired brick-oven pizzas form the core of the menu, with other simple fare such as burritos and fajitas, burgers and sandwiches, and barbeque wings on the menu as well. Gianni Mazia's also offers delivery service.

Sun-Thu 11AM-10PM, Fri Sat 11AM-11PM$15-30

Eat

Hayes Seafood House

The Hayes Fish Company has been a well-known purveyor of fresh fish and seafood in the Buffalo area since 1877. Though tough economic times caused the company to close their seafood markets in Kenmore and Snyder, the Hayes tradition continues at their restaurant in Clarence (which now also features a much smaller-scale fresh-fish counter on site). Sandwiches and soups (including both New England and Manhattan clam chowder) are available at Hayes Seafood House, in addition to a selection of fried or broiled dinners of tilapia, haddock, sole, salmon, catfish, shrimp, scallops, oysters and more. Non-seafood items, such as grilled chicken and steak sandwiches and a delicious half-pound Black Angus Burger, are also on sale. Not surprisingly, Friday fish fries pack the house at Hayes.

Tue-Thu 11:30AM-8PM, Fri 11:30AM-9PM, Sat 3PM-8PM$15-35

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Kabab & Curry

An excellent, authentic Indian restaurant that serves top quality North Indian and Pakistani cuisine with attentive customer service. Curries of lamb, beef and chicken—many of which are cooked in a deep circular pot, or karahi, typical of Pakistani cooking—are accompanied on the menu by rice-based biryanis and roasted meats and breads cooked in their own tandoor. Vegetarians are well cared-for at Kabab & Curry, particularly via their small selection of dosas, a sort of lentil-based crêpe typical of South Indian cuisine, and vegetarian curries.

Lunch Mon-Fri 11:30AM-2:30PM, Sat Sun 11:30AM-3PM; Dinner Sun Mon 5PM-9PM, Tue-Sat 5PM-9:30PM$20-45

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Kennedy's Cove

Do not be misled by this restaurant's name: seafood is only half of the equation here. In reality, Kennedy's Cove is an upscale steak and seafood restaurant situated about halfway between Harris Hill and Clarence Hollow. Generous cuts of steak, including New York strip, filet mignon, and others, share space on the menu with lamb chops, surf-and-turf specials, and—yes—seafood options such as salmon filets, Australian lobster tails, and scallops. The selection of appetizers, desserts, and fine wines at Kennedy's Cove is equally impressive.

Mon-Sat 4PM-10PM, Sun 3PM-8PM$40-60

Eat

Orazio's Restaurant

At Orazio's Restaurant, the Ippolito family serves up enormous portions of delightful upscale Italian cuisine made from scratch, to legions of adoring patrons. Starters range from familiar but well-executed standards such as parmesan garlic bread and fried calamari to more creative options such as mussels Augustina, babalucci, and orangini. A similar mix of well-known and more exotic items characterizes Orazio's extensive slate of main courses, comprising seafood, pasta, chicken, and meat dishes; their award-winning pasta con vodka is an especial favorite. Cap your meal off with your choice of delicious homemade Italian desserts and coffees. A kids' menu is available for guests 12 and under. Again, guests should be prepared for enormous portions (the leftovers of which Orazio's staff will be more than happy to box up for you.)

Mon Wed & Thu 11AM-10PM, Fri 11AM-11PM, Sat 4PM-11PM, Sun noon-9PM$20-40

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Pautler's Drive-In

At first glance, Pautler's may seem to be nothing more than a run-of-the-mill drive-in that any town might have. But visitors will soon learn what it is—aside from plain old tradition; this place has been here forever—that makes Clarence residents flock to Pautler's every summer. It's the combination of the always delicious dessert treats this place serves up year after year, including Mexican sundaes and a unique specialty called the Mint Explosion, with consistent service and at prices that can't be beat. The other items that Pautler's serves—the usual range of hamburgers, hot dogs, and sandwiches—are perfectly passable if not nearly as distinguished as the ice cream. The "Happy Days" feel that the whole package evokes is strengthened by the classic car shows that occur in Pautler's parking lot every Tuesday. Open in summer only.

Daily 11AM-9PM Apr-Sep$5-15

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Samuel's Grande Manor

One of the most elegant restaurants in the area, the refined ambience of Samuel's Grande Manor begins with the building itself, a stately Italian Renaissance-style edifice in the middle of a large parcel of verdant, impeccably manicured grounds that include gardens, fountains and a charming gazebo. The elegance continues inside, with upscale Continental cuisine served cheerfully by attentive professional waitstaff, in an expansive, airy and exquisitely-decorated dining room. Samuel's specialties are deliciously prepared steak and chicken dishes, the latter especially betraying the definite French and Italian influences on the cuisine. A small selection of seafood dishes is available, and dinner buffets and Sunday brunches are especially popular. Samuel's banquet room is a popular choice for weddings and other formal events.

Mon 9AM-5PM, Tue-Sat 9AM-8PM$20-45

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The Hollow Bistro & Brew

This building has an impressive history: built in 1841, for over a decade it housed the Clarence Classical School; later it served as the home of several storied local businesses such as Wagner's Bakery, the Clarence Deli, and the "Heart of the Hollow" ice cream parlor. Since 2010, however, the Hollow Bistro & Brew has been its tenant. The menu here is almost inarguably the most innovative of any restaurant in Clarence Hollow: the dizzyingly eclectic menu encompasses interesting takes on standards such as steaks, pork chops, and grilled chicken. However, the prominent inspiration is Asian, with appetizers such as pork potstickers and mussels in red curry sauce and mains such as Thai curry shrimp, sesame chicken, and Hong Kong seafood stew that has a loyal following amongst its customers.

Mon-Sat 11:30AM-3PM & 5PM-9:45PM$15-40

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The Rock Kitchen and Bar

formerly Ruzzine's Rock Bottom Eatery & Saloon

Peanut butter and Jelly Chicken Wings (we're not making this up -- it's on their menu). $5 bottomless mimosas and bloody Caesars at Sunday brunch. Specials on nights the Sabres are playing.

Mon-Thu 4PM-11PM, Fri Sat 11:30AM-11PM, Sun 10AM-11PM; bar open until mid-night every nightSandwiches, burgers, salads $8-15

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