Hearth + Press — Restaurant in Buffalo

Hearth + Press Pizzeria on Main Street in Buffalo is a gem for those who crave the authenticity of Mediterranean flavors fused seamlessly with local culinary traditions. The moment you step into this pizzeria, you're greeted by an ambiance that promises a unique dining experience, one that pays homage to the roots of traditional pizza making while embracing the essence of Buffalo.

Their 1000 degree Stone Hearth pizza oven is not just an appliance; it's the heart of the restaurant, bringing life to their family's cherished dough recipe that has traveled through time and geography to land on your plate. Watching the Pizzaiolos at work is part of the magic—each pizza is crafted with a passion that's palpable in the atmosphere and, more importantly, in the taste.

Let's talk about the popular Margherita Pizza. Priced at $18, it may seem like just another item on the menu, but it's a testament to Hearth + Press's dedication to quality. The simplicity of basil, fresh mozzarella, and extra virgin olive oil come together on a crust that's the perfect amalgamation of crispy and chewy—a balance often sought but rarely achieved.

The starters don't shy away from excellence either. From the $16 Meatballs & Sauce to the Hot Pepper Dip at $15, the prices reflect not just the quality of the ingredients but the care put into each dish. The blend of cheeses, banana peppers, and sausage accompanying the crostini offers a symphony of flavors that's both comforting and invigorating.

The salads, often a side thought in pizzerias, stand their ground with fresh, vibrant ingredients that justify their price points. For instance, the Goat Cheese Fruit Salad, with its blend of crumbled goat cheese, arugula, walnuts, and fruit for $16, is a dish that would be at home in any upscale dining establishment.

But where Hearth + Press truly shines is in its variety and the versatility of its offerings. The pasta section is robust, with vegetarian, meatball, and sausage penne—all at $20, offering an enticing reason to veer off the beaten pizza path. The pesto walnut gnocchi for $20 is an inventive twist that elevates the humble dumpling to new heights.

As for the pizzas, they range from the $14 basic Cheese Pizza to the more complex and sumptuous Steak Gnocchi Pizza at $30. Each pizza is an exploration of taste and texture, with options that cater to every palate—whether you prefer the meaty punch of the 3 Meat Pizza or the earthy nuances of the Funghi Pizza.

Desserts like the $10 Cast Iron Cookie and the timeless Baklava at $6 provide a sweet closure to what is undoubtedly a feast. Even their lunch specials, like the variety of sandwiches priced from $10 to $15, offer a taste of Hearth + Press’s commitment to quality at a more casual pace.

In conclusion, Hearth + Press Pizzeria is not just a restaurant; it's a culinary experience that cherishes its heritage while embracing its home in Buffalo. It's a must-visit for anyone who believes that pizza is more than just food—it's...

For context, “Too Good To Go” is an app used by stores to sell food at the end of the day that would have been thrown out, in order to reduce food waste.

Today after a long day of work I was craving pizza, and good pizza not from a chain store, so I placed an order using this app, which was $4.99, and $5.43 after tax. The pickup window was from 8:00 to 9:00 pm and I came at 8:52. I tell the lady at the counter that I have a TooGoodToGo order, and she tells me, and a lady who came in a few seconds after me, to show her our phones and swipe for TooGoodToGo. Strange, I thought we were supposed to swipe that AS she was giving us our surprise bags. But I did so, and she told me to have a seat while they get it ready.

Only in retrospect did I realize she probably made us swipe so we wouldn’t back out after seeing/feeling how little food we would get.

As soon as I picked up the bag, I knew something was terribly wrong. The bag was light as a feather, not even half a pound, and I work in a deli weighing meat constantly, so I KNOW. In my head i’m hoping there’s at least TWO slices of pizza and not one.. I open it as I’m a few steps away from the restaurant and see that they gave me seven small pieces of dry, cold garlic bread.

I didn’t choose a PIZZA place for garlic bread, and now i wasted a combined 40 mins on the bus, $4 on bus fare, and $5.43 on seven pieces of not even cheese bread, but just a third of a flatbread with some garlic paste smeared on it.

The strangest thing? A few minutes after I took a seat, and the bags were ready, I heard the lady at the counter say to the man who just prepared the food, “this is for him?” and the man said yeah, and then the lady gave me the bag. Me and the other woman got the exact same $5 bag, and I know that since i just checked the app and all they’re selling for tomorrow are also $5 bags. So why did he specify that this bag was for me??

If they had no pizza they could have just told me and I would have asked for a refund then. But instead they threw a few pieces of garlic bread into a bag and thinks it’s worth $5.43.. And I also don’t understand why it took five minutes to “prepare” my order, but the bread was still cold so it’s not as if he reheated them or anything.

If this is how they treat TooGoodToGo customers then they shouldn’t be using the app at all. Except they wouldn’t do that because then who would they sell seven pieces of their cold garlic bread to for $5!!

The whole experience left a bad taste in my mouth and I will never be back here to spend another cent at all and I recommend you...

The lady and I went on a Saturday evening before a show at Shea's, which is literally across the street from this restaurant. It was about 7pm and I'm glad we made reservations. This place was bustling with life, but the wait without reservations would likely scare off most people. So just go online and make reservations and you'll be fine.

Their menu isn't huge, but it doesn't need to be. Everything we had was really tasty. We started with the Hot Pepper Dip and we both loved it. Our only criticism was that it wasn't a huge portion, but just enough for two people. It was cheesy and spicy and fantastic.

We each ordered a pizza for dinner. They are probably 10-12 inch pizzas. We had the Buffalo chicken and the Za'atar. The buff chix was cooked perfectly and had some decent heat from the Buffalo sauce. The blue cheese cumbles really sealed the deal for that pie. The Za'atar was our favorite though. A very unique pie that I've never seen anything like on a menu. It was different but very accessible if you're worried about eating sumac and sesame seeds on your pie.

The only thing that kept this from being 5 stars all around was that the service was quite slow. It was very busy, and the staff was very pleasant and helpful, but we definitely sat there for a solid 10 minutes before anyone came over to talk to us. I don't need to be served immediately, but at least bring me a water and take a drink order whilst we wait. Regardless, I'll definitely be returning next time I'm going to Shea's or the...