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Shango Bistro and Wine Bar
Categories: Restaurants Cajun/Creole Restaurants Breakfast & Brunch Nightlife Bars Wine Bars Cajun/Creole, Breakfast & Brunch, Wine Bars
3260 Main StBuffalo, NY 14214
Neighbourhood: Main Street
(716) 837-2326
- Hours:
Mon-Thu 5 pm - 10 pm
Fri-Sat 5 pm - 11 pm
Sun 11 am - 3 pm
- Good for Kids:
- No
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Takes Reservations:
- Yes
- Delivery:
- No
- Take Away:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- Yes
- Wi-Fi:
- No
- Good For:
- Dinner
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Good For Dancing:
- No
- Ambience:
- Intimate
- Has TV:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
62 reviews for Shango Bistro and Wine Bar
Review Highlights
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"...I had the black pepper linguine with lobster, scallops and..." In 3 reviews -
"You'll love the mac and cheese entree." In 6 reviews -
"some of the best sweet potato fries we've had." In 5 reviews
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62 reviews in English
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Review from Cindi B.
5/21/2012 1 photo
*Brunch Review*
I can't remember my first visit too well, mostly because it was so long ago. My second visit was to come and cross this off my bucket list for brunches. I like my breakfast time to be relaxing and cozy so I don't often opt for fancier brunch places, but the atmosphere at Shango allows you to feel comfortable while being in a place that exudes more class. The brunch menu is fantastic! I hadn't remembered that Shango was a New Orleans cuisine inspired restaurant. The options consisted of very creative dishes and included several items I would have never thought to have during breakfast, like smoked salmon or fried oysters. They did a great job combining food items that marry breakfast and lunch so well. The menu is a little expensive but it is the price you pay for such sophisticated dishes.
We ordered the avocado spring rolls as a starter and they were perfectly seasoned. You got the creaminess from the avocado, the sweetness from the roasted corn and the crispy consistency from the spring roll. They were served with two fantastic sauces: cilantro pecan pesto and chili pepper garlic. I was happy to find that I could not decide which I liked more! As a main course I ordered the poached eggs over smoked salmon hash, cornmeal fried oysters, with hollandaise sauce. I'd wanted to try salmon in a breakfast dish for so long and this was one hell of an introduction. The smokiness really came through and their homemade hollandaise is top notch. I really liked that they didn't smother the dish with the hollandaise and allowed the other flavors to shine through. What's a brunch without a "breakfast cocktail?" as my date called it. Shango had offered mimosas and Bellinis on their brunch menu so of course we had to try them! The Bellinis were great and if we hadn't been stuffed, we would have probably had to walk home.
Great experience and I am almost apologetic that I let so much time go by before returning. -
Review from Diana R.
4/25/2012
My bf brought me here for my birthday and it was phenomenal.
The service was awesome - friendly, knowledgeable, prompt and *cough* nice to look at.
The ambiance is great. Upscale but very comfortable, low lit with candles on the table, a very intimate and romantic setting. Very swank looking bar area as well.
The food was excellent. We were provided with a basket of various house-made complimentary starches and seasoned dipping oil. For dinner, I had bouillabaisse - it was loaded with seafood and veggies in a spicy, savory tomato based broth. My bf had the famous house mac'n'cheese - multiple types of gourmet cheese blended with hearty pasta, topped with a panko breading. I rounded things off with an excellent slice of their bourbon pecan pie - SO gluttonously good. Everything on the menu sounded tasty (it's upscale Cajun food and has a very authentic flavor but with some contemporary twists); prices were reasonable for the quality and portion size. I got two meals out of my entrée, and I easily would have gotten two out of my bf's (he's 6'3" so he finished but was quite full).
Wine prices were average and the Riesling I had was excellent.
This place is very busy so make reservations. Also, very limited parking, but don't be afraid to park behind Queen City Books (turn right at Windspear if you are heading south from Shango) or at UB and walk. It's a pretty calm area. -
Review from Cheryl P.
How exactly have I not written a review for Shango's yet?
I've been here a good amount of times and the food is excellent! I feel like the best times is during Restaurant Week - it seems like all the food is stepped up and delicious. I highly recommend the steak with the special Shango's sauce because it is soooo velvety and delicious! The blackened catfish on the restaurant week menu this week is also SO good. I also recommend any bread pudding that they make - they have somehow perfected whatever they put into the bread pudding. I must steal that recipe one day - I'll dress up as a server and just go rummaging in the back! :D The best bread pudding was the banana chocolate chip pudding..... Oh yes. The soups that they had were super good too - one of them was corn something and the new one is southern greens and beans soup. Where do they come up with such deliciousness?
I've been here quite a few times for their regular menu too. Haven't made the best choices, but it was ok. The avocado spring rolls, frog legs, calamari, and gumbo were ok, but their catfish tacos were gooddd! The only thing I didn't really like was the creole bouillabaisse and the blackened steak po boy was meh. But that doesn't stop me from coming! I'm on a mission to try everything on their menu! :D
Oh! And Thursday's from 5-7 pm - they have 1/2 off appetizers if you sit at the bar area. Hollaa! -
Review from Lexie L.
5/12/2012 1 Check-in Here
Service is fantastic. A million specials to consider... Instead of going the traditional route with appetizers and entrees my bf and I decided to just get small plates and share in order to save more room for tasting. Despite our efforts, we still managed to completely stuff ourselves. Yikes! Had the chowder... Yummy! Lobster cakes, amazing. Oysters, can't go wrong. Blackened tuna tacos... Not our favorite. The taco was soggy and the tuna was much too large a piece. It ended up completely falling apart. Finally, Mac and cheese...as a side (same as the main, but smaller portion.) Yum yum yum!
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Review from Laura S.
5/14/2012
Wow. Brunch at Shango yesterday was remarkable. My mother and I shared an appetizer, description pasted here from online menu: Two avocado spring rolls, sun-dried tomato and roasted corn, cilantro pecan pesto, chili pepper garlic sauce, sesame-seaweed salad. The thin rolls were lightly fried, not greasy nor too crisp, and created a party in my mouth. All spring rolls shall be held to this standard henceforth. The cilantro pecan pesto, chili pepper garlic sauce and seaweed salad were served for dipping. The seaweed salad could stand on its own as a side. Perhaps I need to get out more. Portions were large for the prices charged. I had, get ready, more cutting and pasting here: Scrambled eggs, arugula, roasted tomatoes & smoked gouda wrapped in a whole-grain lavash, hollandaise sauce. Simply divine. The eggs were not not runny, the smoked gouda made its presence known and the wrapper was sturdy enough to keep the contents happily bundled inside. The bill came to $30. We were headed to a movie so didn't have cocktails, but wait 'til next Sunday.
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Review from Katie P.
Buffalo, NY
3/8/2012 1 photo
Hands down, my most favorite place to go for brunch on Sundays'. I have yet to go for dinner, but if the quality of food and service is anything like it is for brunch, I would have the same review.
I have tried almost everything on the menu once and do not have 1 complaint. My favorite is tied between the lobster cakes and the Blossom Hill sausage cakes (probably not the right description, but I'm sure you get the jist). -
Review from Daniel M.
Manhattan, NY
3/26/2012
Great Service
The lobster cakes were simply amazing...........
My only issue was the salmon I ordered was slightly under cooked & the entrees came out a bit too fast.
Over all a great experience & fairly priced for the quality. -
Review from Jody G.
1/26/2012
Before I go on I must say that I wish I was the kind of person who liked interesting food. I even wish I was the kind of person who WOULD TRY interesting food. Maybe I shouldn't even go to places with that kind of stuff because I know I'm not going to appreciate it. I'm not going to order turtle soup or oysters or mussels or crayfish. Fish-sticks and tater-tots are more my kinda thing. Hey, I'm being honest here.
I ate at "Shango" tonight with my Book Club. We chose the place because the book we read ("A Confederacy of Dunces"...FANTASTIC book, by the way) takes place in New Orleans and we wanted our experience and discussion to feel authentic.
I was very nervous as I looked over the menu. I could have played it safe and gotten the macaroni and cheese which I know I would have loved... but I wanted to be cool and eat fancy stuff so I ordered the Blackened Catfish Po-Boy. And you know what...it's really a sub. I liked the spicy coating on the fish. And, the fish was nice and white and tender. But (and I don't know how it's SUPPOSED to be), I would have toasted the roll a bit because the whole thing was kind of soggy. Tasty, but soggy. The creole mustard slaw was FANTASTIC and the sweet potato fries were THE BEST I've ever had. And, the serving was quite large. I brought half of my sandwich home to give to someone who would really appreciate it.
There's a WONDERFUL wine list and the dessert menu looked terrific. Those things I know. Maybe next time I'll stick with a couple of glasses of wine and Bananas Foster. Now THAT'S something I know I can appreciate! -
Review from Jessica E.
Buffalo, NY
4/1/2012
AMAZING! Everything we tried was delicious, and our waitress was super nice! She even let me sample the turtle soup (because I wasn't positive I would like it). The menu was familiar enough, yet had a couple new twists to make it just right and exciting!
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Review from Amanda A.
Shango is a fantastic choice for dinner! The restaurant has an intimate, yet not too fancy atmosphere with a nice bar. They're service is always top notch, and they're always pretty busy. They have excellent New Orleans style cuisine, and my friends and I try to hit it up annually for marti gras. In the past few years, we always had a BLAST! They really know how to be festive! They have live music, beads, and specials on the menu that will blow you away! I love the olives they bring out before the meal. Their desserts are always really yummy too.
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Review from Annette W.
WOODHAVEN, NY
3/29/2012
I came here for Local Restaurant Week with my best friend and the food is absolutely delicious. I got the cat fish and my friend got the sirloin steak. They were both filled with a ton of flavor. The ambiance is perfect for a first date and has a New Orleans' vibe to everything with the music in the background, paintings on the wall, and setting.
I heard wonderful things about Brunch and am making it my goal to try it soon. Everything screams classy and elegance when you first walk in. Hands down, one of my favorite places to eat in Buffalo. -
Review from Bethany M.
Buffalo, NY
Updated - 1/20/2012 2 Check-ins Here
Visited Shango again last night for a birthday dinner... delicious as always!
First we stopped at the bar for a happy hour drink-or-2, the bartender Dan was great as always.
The restaurant was nice and warm especially considering the terrible weather outside. Our server Ted was both knowledgeable and professional and gave a great beer suggestion to my husband, who thinks he may have found a new favorite (fin du monde). He had the wild boar (a special) and after starring at the menu for too long I went again with the penne. This time around it was better than I've ever had... slightly sweeter somehow, which really highlighted the flavors perfectly.
We also had the Canadian blue mussels (also a special) and the frog legs (first time we've ever had them). I don't know what frog legs are really supposed to taste like so I won't really comment, but while the sauce was very tasty and I'm glad we tried them, I don't think we'll be ordering them again... we'll stick with wings!
We finished with the pecan pie with rum ice cream (sound like a lot of food? It totally was) which was fantastic.
Thanks Shango for a fantastic night!Listed in: Best Happy Hour, Best beer lists, Brunching in Buffalo
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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9/8/2010
Definitely one of the best restaurants in Buffalo, and as a new yelper I decided to make it my first… Read more »
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Review from Jerod L.
Buffalo, NY
3/25/2012 2 Check-ins Here
This restaurant is one of my favorite's in Buffalo. They have great service and the environment is very welcoming. They have awesome half off appetizer specials every Thursday evening, which is a must. The blackened tuna tacos are delicious, crisp and refreshing. For entrees the grilled hanger steak is one of the best on the menu, with their homemade steak sauce. And for dessert the bread pudding is warm and very fresh. The head chef knows what he is doing, and you should definitely try their diverse menu.
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Review from Ruth H.
Buffalo, NY
1/4/2012
Went here for dinner because of those Buffalo Dining Cards, and it was great. At first, I was very skeptical, with the location so close to South Campus, and a very sketchy exterior...but the inside is pretty and elegant. Loved the dimly-lit rooms with candles.
The service was also great! Not too pushy, never felt rushed, and she always kept the water glasses filled.
I ordered the mac and cheese with andoille, which was delicious! For some reason, I had a little kid craving for mac and cheese, and this satisfied it completely! My dinner mate ordered the meatloaf, which he loved. I know that I'll be trying the crepes next time (they're calling my name!!) -
Review from Dan K.
11/23/2011
Took the wife here for her Birthday yesterday, turned out great. Food, Atmosphere, Service is all top notch.
Started off the meal with Otter Creek 20th Anniversary Ale and got a Dogfish Head Pangaea for the wife. Both excellent beers and to me says a lot about what kind of beers this place has on tap.
Next we had the Charcuterie plate. Some Duck, Beef, and Ham cured to amaze.
For dinner my wife got the mac and cheese while I got the Bouillabaisse. Both were super tasty and good proportion size. We switched plates half way through. Everything basically melted in my mouth for the Bouillabaisse.
All in all not the cheapest eats for a Buffalo place, but some of the best. -
Review from Meghan M.
3/2/2012
I went during restaurant week in the fall. I had heard a lot of wonderful things about this place, but I found my meal uneventful. So uneventful, that I have no idea what I consumed which is unusual for me. It was good, but it was not exciting enough to entice me back for their $17-24 plates. However, I have heard wonderful things about their meatloaf, and the Thursday happy hour (5-7pm) may convince me to try again.
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Review from Steven C.
Bellerose, NY
7/6/2011 1 Check-in Here
One of the best restaurants anywhere! Not just in Buffalo. They do amazing brunch and dinner. Here's some of the more memorable dishes:
Chicken and Waffles. How about Rabbit and Waffles? Savory waffles with large piece of fried succulent rabbit. it's the best damn rabbit I ever tasted. I normally avoid those rascally wabbits because they always come out bone dry and taste like overdone chicken. But I was pleasantly surprised by the moist tender meat.
Halibut Cheeks anyone? I didn't know what to expect but you can't go wrong with fish cheeks. And it was awesome. They were large tender nuggets of meat. And it was kind of stringy but in a good way. Very interesting and delicious.Listed in: Best of Buffalo
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Review from Cheryl C.
8/29/2011
Don't be deceived by the somewhat sketchy-looking exterior - this place is a gem.
I only vaguely remember that service was good, and the decor was nice, because a bunch of my brain cells melted away as the catfish in my catfish po'boy melted in my mouth. I also vaguely remember thinking that it was an expensive restaurant for Buffalo, but reasonable compared to DC, and probably better than anything I had there. -
Review from Rebecca D.
Buffalo, NY
9/30/2011
Went for the first time last night during restaurant week and will certainly be back again!
Both of us got the restaurant week special. I started off with the salad and my fiance got the corn chowder which was soo good. My fiance got penne pasta with shrimp in a chile cream sauce- the shrimp was cooked perfectly and the sauce had a nice flavor. I got a flat iron steak with mashed sweet potatoes and green beans. They even cooked my steak very rare just how I like it!
My favorite thing was the restaurant week wine bottle specials- we also enjoyed a bottle of wine.
For dessert I got an apple pear tart with vanilla ice cream- the crust was a little sandy and there was a bit too much cinnamon but still tasty. My fiance got the banana chocolate chip bread pudding which was really, really good.
The service was excellent! We always felt as though we were being taken care of but they never rushed us through any of our courses. I can't wait to go back! -
Review from Cynthia F.
Orchard Park, NY
8/27/2011 3 photos
We started with shared cups of gumbo, and although I'm not a gumbo-connaisseur, I thought it was excellent. Two of us ordered the black linguine with lobster, etc, and again, it was very good - I liked the sauce a lot. One of us (me!) ordered the bouillabaisse - tender, also good sauce....I would definitely order it again. The one food complaint was the buttermilk fried chicken, which had too much fried coating on it and was nothing special.
The bill for four of us was $200 before tip, which included two bottles of wine.....
Other reviews have mentioned poor service - this was not true in our case, as the waitress was attentive and accurate with our orders. -
Review from Derrick C.
Buffalo, NY
Updated - 12/21/2011
Came recently for brunch and got the sirloin w/ poached egg and the brie-stuffed french toast. This place is good on all accounts but still not 5-star worthy. My steak was perfectly cooked but my egg was a little overcooked. Also, the jambalaya that came with it didn't really fit in. I would've liked to see something else in place of the jambalaya or maybe incorporating New Orleans flavors into a sauce to go w/ the steak & eggs. The french toast was pretty bland and got boring after a few bites. Also, our waiter was super awkward as he fumbled around w/ the specials but maybe he was new. Definitely recommended to make a reservation b/c this is the 2nd time I did so and bypassed a bunch of ppl waiting in line.
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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11/2/2009
I called at 7pm on a Friday hoping to land a reservation within 30 minutes but found out that the… Read more »
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Review from Jo H.
Buffalo, NY
6/12/2011
Had a great brunch. Shrimp cakes with eggs, smoked salmon Benedict, and sausage made in house over cheddar biscuits and eggs-- all really good.
Place has a nice vibe not rushed just what we needed on a gloomy Sunday . Cannot wait to try it again when the patio is open. -
Review from Cal S.
Elma, NY
12/20/2011
The food was spectacular and the wine selection was superb. This place is a real gem in the Bufalo area...
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Review from Prakit D.
9/25/2010
Went there the first time during my business trip and I loved everything about this restaurant from very friendly and knowledgeable staff to comfortable atmosphere to live New Orleans jazz. And did I mention how amazing their Cajun food was? It was amazingly tasty and the highlight of the night for me. I ordered Black Pepper linguine with Lobster, scallops, wild mushrooms, arugula in a creamy sauce and jambalaya as a side order to go with dark beer. The creamy sauce was so good that I dipped it with leftover bread. Everything was fresh and cooked to perfection.
I regret that I did not try their appetizers or homemade desserts. This place is on my list to revisit when I have a chance to return to Buffalo. Overall, I had a wonderful experience at Shango.
So for a total package...great music + fantastic food + cool atmosphere + superb service = 5 stars (obviously). -
Review from Dan B.
Chicago, IL
2/7/2011
The chicken and sausage gumbo ranks in my favorite menu items of all time. Loved my creole meatloaf, and the pork chop was possibly the best I've ever eaten. The banana's foster is an outstanding way to end the meal, despite not being served in the most authentic manner.
Atmosphere is elegant and fun, and service and food quality more than justifies relatively high prices for Buffalo-area.
My favorite restaurant in the city. -
Review from Richard M.
Alexandria, VA
5/21/2011 1 photo
Life is good when you can have dinner with your daughter who lives across the country.. Life is even better when that dinner happens at Shango.
Back in my hometown for a wedding, I poked around Yelp for new ideas and found this gem. Deep fried pickles for an appetizer and linguini with lobster & scallops were very satisfying. Splitting the generous Bananas Foster dessert capped off an outstanding dinner.
Next trip I think I'll try the mac n cheese...... Don't tell my doctor. -
Review from Michelle B.
Buffalo, NY
9/16/2010
I've eaten at Shango twice and have not been disappointed. Their menu seems to rotate pretty frequently, which saddened me on my second visit but turned out for the best, as it forced me not to order the same thing and try something new. The quesadilla appetizer was to die for, and the calamari was fried just right. I've had or at least tried a few of their entrees, all of which were wonderful. The only dessert I've had here is the bananas foster and it's delicious. Plan on sharing, because it's massive.
The atmosphere is wonderful, very cozy and intimate. The wait staff is excellent, which is key to a good dining experience.
I'm a big fan of eating food from many different cultures, so I'm glad Buffalo has this place! -
Review from Ryan W.
Buffalo, NY
1/17/2011
I've been 3 times. One was great - amazing. Fried chicken, mac and cheese, greens - all the southern specialties. Beer and wine selections are very good also. The olives and jardiniere as an amuse-bouche were treated by appetizers by my wife and me, ordering seconds and gobbling down both servings.
The second and third times we went, I tried the more refined (cajun? creole?) entrees. Bouillabaisse. Oysters. Eh. The bbaisse was not good - broth tasted like tomato soup and fish was overdone. Fried oysters were over breaded and crusty.
I would go again, but would be apt stick with the chicken and mac and cheese. Its just that good and I hate to be disappointed with a meal, as I don't eat out as much as I used to. Sounds like i need to try brunch from the other reviews.
The chef Jim Guarino is a huge supporter of local foods and I want to support him, but the consistency needs to improve until I bring more guests there. -
Review from Fingerpuppet R.
Baltimore, MD
1/29/2011
It's almost been three years since I moved away from Buffalo.
I miss my friends, I miss the Sabres, and my god I miss Shango.
I'm always up for trying one of their appetizer specials, but when nothing jumps out at me, their calamari is always delicious. Crispy, peppery, and tender on the inside, it's good with just a squeeze of lemon. Sometimes, though, I'll have to go for the gumbo.... it's so intense and so delicious. Have it with a nice, dry brown ale and you'll be pleased as punch.
I tend to stick to the same entree dishes -- cajun meatloaf or fried chicken, and an order of sweet potato fries to share. My favorite, though, is the cajun cream penne, which delivers every time. The smokiness of the sausage brings out the sweetness of the seafood, and the cream sauce is rich without being too heavy.
Save room for dessert, because their chocolate lava cake makes you want to cry, it's so good. It takes 20 minutes or so to prepare, though, which actually helps you digest your meal for a bit, enjoy some drinks, then you're rewarded with a melty, chocolatey, gooey, happy, tasty treat.
The only thing I don't like about this place is the church-pew-like seats they have in the dining area, which can make you feel cramped and it's really hard to get in and out of when you want to enjoy a slow, long meal. When I call for reservations, I always ask for the table in the "nook" which has normal chairs and more space, or if I'm going with a big group, I ask for the back room with the big round table. Most of the time, though, I just sit at the bar and chitchat with the bartender while I enjoy my meal.
I had practically every special dinner there while I lived in Buffalo. Birthdays, anniversaries, even my farewell dinner with my closest friends. I still go back every time I am in town. -
Review from Aez A.
Boston, MA
4/10/2011
Went there on a Friday night. Had reservations for 730... Glad we made 'em because shango was packed. I was considering getting either the bouillabaisse or the tuna steak. I took our waiters advice and went for the t-steak. It was great.
It came sliced on top of a bed of what I believe was lentils, spinach, & chopped sausage. The tuna's edges were seasoned and quickly seared. great texture and a nice sized portion of quality tuna for $23.
the kitchen must have been a little backed up because it took about an hour or maybe a little more to be served; our waiter was apologetic and was quick to offer reassurance that steps were being made to have our food out as soon as possible... I always personally appreciate it when restaurants have the courtesy to apologize and give estimates as opposed to letting us stew and wonder if we were forgotten...
hah, this place is great; I laughed a bit when I pulled up and saw it was right next to 3rd base... I can't imagine a better night than dinner at shango then flip night at 3rd base. -
Review from Hungry A.
Buffalo, NY
Updated - 11/15/2009 3 photos
OHHH - They Have Brunch....
Shango has an outstanding brunch where I can down a few tasty Bellinis followed by fresh coffee, all while enjoying a relaxing Sunday.
Service excellent as usual - the hostess seated us in a most desirable window location - Reservations recommended even for Sunday morning.
Started with a Chorizo/Apple/Carmelized Onion Quesadilla which was a perfect starter.
I had "Salmon Hash" which was quite fresh and topped with a poached egg. I would order this once a week if I could. There are so many options on the menu - it made it difficult to choose. I was not disappointed.
Outstanding - SHANGO could double as Best Brunch and Best Wine List in Buffalo.1 Previous Review: Show all »
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9/10/2008
AweSOME New Orleans STYLe in BUFFALO.
This is one of my favorites - Have been here three times and… Read more »
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Review from Kelly S.
9/25/2007 2 Check-ins Here
I'll admit it, my review is 100% biased. I am a regular and good friends with the owners. The food is generally cajun/bistro style. 9 out of 10 times I order the blackened tuna, rare, "Kelly style" (spinach instead of sweet potato fries). The staff is an utter delight, and it's a fabulous place to kick back and enjoy a bottle of wine at the bar (especially when Stacy's around, ha ha ha ha). I consistently recommend 2 restaurants in Buffy--Shango for almost all meals and Tempo for when you want a bit of a blowout.
The most varied wine list in the Buffy, by the glass and by the bottle. You may not recognize the bottles (frex, no pinot grigio), but the staff is very knowledgable and always has a recommendation.Listed in: I'm a LUSH
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Review from Joshua L.
Buffalo, NY
Updated - 2/27/2010
I can't believe I'm updating so soon but life is funny like that once in a while.
Basic rundown - my brother paid me off to evacuate the premises so he could entertain someone at the apartment. Taking his hard earned money, I went to Shango alone for dinner last night (Friday, 8pm). No rez, no problem - with a smile I asked the hostess if I could please be seated in the dining room, and away I went with no problems. The dining room was effectively full and I think I got a bit lucky because of the snow storm earlier in the evening.
My choices came from the specials menu for the evening. Drink for the evening was La Fin Du Monde. I started with the steamed mussels and crawfish in a white wine broth w/creole mustard ($9). This was fantastic and delicious, although to be sure crawfish is not everybody's idea of a good time. This really is a two-person appetizer at least - if you see it again and you happen to be flying solo like I was, keep in mind that it is a lot of food for a starter.
Entree was a massive bone-in ribeye, medium rare, served on a bed of spinach, cherry tomatoes and potato w/blue cheese butter ($31). The servers seemed to enjoy seeing this dish come out, and it was a fabulous cut. All natural, charred, juicy - it was everything I ever ask for when I order protein. Again, portion size was generous and I gave up after about halfway - I wanted to try the sorbet duo I saw during brunch the previous Sunday.
The sorbet was fantastic ($6) - it makes me more determined to make this stuff at home, particularly out of alcoholic beverages. One half peachy rieseling, another half some type of red wine, served in a frozen cocktail glass with a strawberry and a small pepperkaker. If you are looking for a light dessert at Shango, I really would recommend you try this.
A word about the service - thank you, thank you, thank you Shango. It appeared (at least to me, anyway) that I was getting a little extra attention. Not sure why - maybe it is because whenever I eat alone I dress up a little - maybe they took pity on me, hehe. One of them even asked what book I had with me. In any case, the ladies at Shango were very good to me, a guy eating alone on Friday. I'm so happy that I decided to sit in the dining room rather than at the bar last night!
Overall - dynamite food, louder than brunch (to be expected) and I will be back yet again to try more of the menu. All told, including bread pudding to go for my brother, was $85 including gratuity. Keep in mind - you really don't need super deep pockets to eat here. I'm not a big eater and went balls out - the only way I could have spent more money is to have ordered a bottle of wine. Next time I want to come down after work and sit at the bar with a Southern Tier and a po' boy w/sweet potato fries. Mmm.
Thanks again Jay - I hope the payoff was worth it!1 Previous Review: Show all »
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2/21/2010
My brother and I recently decided to hit some of the local brunches. (Any recommendations are… Read more »
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Review from Heather W.
Buffalo, NY
1/18/2008
Everyone who has reviewed this so far seems pretty on point. I loved everything about this place. The attention to detail was amazing!
They served olives to munch on while we waited instead of bread or something more filling... The presentation of all the food and the taste was great. The manager/owner (?) came out and asked us how everything was.. He even remembered a friend of mine I went with who had only been there a couple times before.
Also, the TEA IS LOOSE LEAF!! As a tea fan, I find this a completely irresistible addition to the otherwise creole style restaurant.. I don't think there is any place else in Buffalo you can get loose leaf style tea to drink that does not specialize in tea.
As a nod to the amazing service, I thought it was awesome when a friend and I decided to share an entree and they split it into two dishes for us so we didn't even have to split it up ourselves!
I can't wait to go back. -
Review from Keyshaun S.
Buffalo, NY
9/9/2011
I love this Shango. The food, the service, the wine selection and the atmosphere. The prices are very reasonable and I really just cannot say enough about this place. Just go and you will love it too.
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Review from Sarah M.
San Diego, CA
7/25/2009
I am currently at a conference in Buffalo, New York and went here last night with a large group and absolutely loved this place!
They have a fantastic wine list (just a bit overpriced) and their food is delicious. We shared many appetizers including the quesadilla (delish!), the avocado spring rolls (love avocado!), and a salad that was quite delicious. My coworkers also loved the gumbo.
To top it off, I had a delicious meal: The black pepper linguine with a generous portion of seafood (the scallops were cooked just right - which is difficult to do!) and a delicious lobster tail! The flavors were absolutely fantastic and the sauce was not too creamy!
The ambiance is fantastic for groups, a romantic date, or close friends.
I am a fan and want this place to relocate to San Diego!
My only complaint? They didn't have sweet tea! -
Review from Meg D.
Buffalo, NY
10/11/2011
After hearing rave Shango reviews for months, my husband and I finally managed to get there last night for dinner with a couple friends. My only regret is that we didn't go sooner. I'm still drooling a little about my linguine with mushrooms, shrimp and lobster. Our server was the tops -- really snappy with response times, but not at all pesky -- and wasn't at all fazed by the 1-year-old baby at our table who sucked down half the contents of the fancy bread basket. We all dug the atmosphere, both at the bar and in the dining area, and came away with definite plans to go back.
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Review from Christopher B.
East Amherst, NY
7/1/2009
Arguably, my favorite restaurant in all of Western New York.
This is the kind of place I get excited for DAYS before my visit. It's THAT good.
I cannot think of one thing that Shango could possibly improve on.
The wine list is awesome. Appetizers, entrees, desserts, atmosphere, staff, decor, everything is 5 stars in my opinion.
You'll love the gumbo. You'll love the mac and cheese entree. You'll love the sweet potato fries. In fact, if you're visiting Shango for the first time, order all three. You'll even walk out with a decent lunch for the next day!
Thank me later -
Review from Jake P.
Chicago, IL
3/7/2011
The best brunch in Buffalo. Hands down, there is no better. I have been twice and never disappointed.
I have not had dinner or lunch here, but it is on the list. -
Review from Phin S.
Decatur, GA
8/17/2008
Came through here on a 17 hour drive from north of Toronto down to Columbus, OH. The line to get into the US stretched all the way across the Peace Bridge, so we turned back to Niagara Falls and headed back down to Buffalo around dinner time. I checked Yelp for a good Buffalo restaurant, and Shango it was.
Typical Yelp; this place was amazing. One of the best restaurants I have ever been to. Terrific place for a date,
I got Meatloaf and my girlfriend got Mac and Cheese. Both were delicious. I love that you can get Mac and Cheese as a $17 meal.
There was a nice beer selection, and a terrific wine list.
The staff was also very friendly and helpful.
We had no problem getting a seat at 8 on a Saturday.
The area of Buffalo is very nice as well.
