Black Iron Bystro — Restaurant in Town of Tonawanda

I review new restaurants all the time and this is one of a few that's worth coming back to! BEST scratch made gnocchi I've ever had in my life!! If they have gnocchi on the menu when you visit, don't pass it up! Been eating here for years. It's a small space with limited seating, the atmosphere is nice with dim lighting and there's always music playing which is nice. The only negative things are the tables are small and way too close together, you'll feel like you're having your meal with strangers if anyone sits at the table next to you because they can hear everything you're saying, no privacy.... And they expect you to use a QR code to view the menu. Not everyone wants to bring a phone into a restaurant or have to go through the hassle of doing that just to look at a menu, very inconvenient. They have a limited à la carte menu for walk-ins, I love that the dishes are always creative, and the presentation is always great! I love that they're always combining interesting ingredients and flavors together. Everything is scratch made. The fresh homemade agnolotti was stuffed with squash and cheese, it was decent, although a bit bland, with a nice texture. Pork tostada was decent. The frites are always delicious and usually come with some type of fantastic aioli. The roasted carrot plate was wonderful also. The Persian love cake was the absolute worst tasting cake I ever put into my mouth, it had a vinegary flavor which really threw me off, and a mealy texture similar to cornbread. I was expecting to like it because I really love cardamom but I didn't even detect much of a cardamom flavor because it was overpowered by the vinegary taste. My friend liked it, which I was completely baffled by. The service is always great here. the staff are personable and friendly. They said that the water they served was filtered, which is nice, nobody wants to drink chemical tap water. The only other complaint is that there's no salt or pepper on the tables which I always consider a clear display of arrogance by the chef. The agnolotti definitely would have been much better if there had been salt and pepper. If they have the basil ice cream, I highly recommend it, it's super creamy...

Take the drive out to Sunny Blasdell (it's not as far as you think) for a blue collar gastro pub experience. Local beers, farm to table, cool people, and fine food at fair prices. Small menu but check the chalkboard for the specials (it's quality over quantity). If you're from the area then stop in for something new and exciting! Vegetarian options I was told are available too.

We had the rancher steak, which is a thinner cut from the chuck, served with chimichurri sauce (think pesto, but lighter, made with parsley and no cheese), garlic mashed potatoes, and roasted rosemary veggies. Can't wait to have this again.

We also had the beet farmer grilled cheese. Don't be puzzled. The sweet earthy taste of FRESH beats with the tangy taste of creamy goat cheese makes this a winning combo. Served with homemade chips, and a coarse mustard sauce that's more sweet and vinegar tasting than a burn your nose taste. Goes well with the chips and sandwich.

The most expensive thing on the menu I think was $18 for the scallops, which I assume didn't come from a paint can. So you won't break the bank on some fantastic fresh food. The decor is a trendy not too dark, not too loud, industrial theme that fits well. The bar area is cool and there's an open kitchen as an added bonus. I'll be back and hope to...

Having eaten at many of the more acclaimed and established restaurants in Buffalo over the years, I have come to the conclusion that Black Iron Bystro is my new favorite restaurant in this area.

The food here is clearly prepared with creativity, care and passion. It has a fusion vibe, with some unusual and fun combinations both times we have been there. Vegetarian substitutions are just as good as the regular dishes. The quality of ingredients is very high, and execution is excellent. All of the food arrives at the perfect temperature and it is genuinely delicious. Portions were substantial but not overwhelming (which is sometimes a Buffalo thing).

The staff and service are friendly and excellent, and the atmosphere is relaxed. Obviously it's a subjective thing, but we really enjoyed the style of music they're playing in the background too. It feels like you're eating at the house of very talented friends rather than just at a restaurant. ...