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Toro Tapas Bar
Categories: Nightlife Dance Clubs Restaurants Tapas Bars Restaurants Spanish Dance Clubs, Tapas Bars, Spanish [Edit]
492 Elmwood AveBuffalo, NY 14222
Neighbourhood: Elmwood Village
(716) 886-9457
- Hours:
Mon-Wed, Sun 5 pm - 12 am
Thu 5 pm - 2 am
Fri-Sat 5 pm - 4 am
- Takes Reservations:
- Yes
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Attire:
- Dressy
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Good for Kids:
- No
- Price Range:
-
$$$
- Delivery:
- No
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Wi-Fi:
- No
- Good For:
- Late Night, Dinner
- Music:
- Background
- Best Nights:
- Wed, Thu, Sat
- Happy Hour:
- Yes
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Smoking:
- Outdoor Area/ Patio Only
- Coat Check:
- No
- Noise Level:
- Loud
- Good For Dancing:
- Yes
- Ages Allowed:
- All Ages
- Ambience:
- Trendy
- Has TV:
- Yes
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
24 reviews for Toro Tapas Bar
Review Highlights
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"Chicken spring rolls are yum." In 2 reviews -
"I was at the bar and the bartenders were very friendly." In 3 reviews -
"They're not too big, so usually to get full it might take..." In 2 reviews
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24 reviews in English
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Review from Bethany M.
Buffalo, NY
2/20/2012
My husband and i visited Toro on a Tuesday night. The restaurant was relatively empty but still warm and inviting.
We started with the cheese plate, which was great but HUGE - def not a 2-person starter! We packed up more than half the cheese and ordered off the extensive specials menu. We also had the spicy shrimp and the calamari from the main menu. Everything was delicious and the wine list was a good size.
I agree with some reviewers that the menu could use a few more exciting items, but the specials have been getting better with each visit, so I like that the variety is coming from daily, in season ingredients instead of an old standard menu with one or two specials. -
Review from Meghan M.
2/7/2012
I was eager to try Toro due to the good reviews. With a pre-meal glimpse of the menu, I knew it could be good, but unfortunately, it did not appear overly inventive or exciting. It is different from most Buffalo establishments, but outside comparisons would deem it somewhat underwhelming in originality. Regardless of originality, the food was rich, but good.
As others have said, the atmosphere is very nice. The building interior is modern and industrial, yet it has nooks to allow for a cozy atmosphere. We were there on a very slow weekday, and thus, the staff were quite casual. TVs were on, they were relaxing, and so were we. This was fine by me, but for the prices and the atmosphere they are setting, I was surprised by the TVs and excessively casual vibe.
We ordered three tapas and one drink for $55. Most of their tapas range from $10-20. As other reviewers have said, and the waitress said, they are not traditional tapas. They are larger servings, and I would definitely say they are the Buffalo version of tapas (as opposed to the Spanish version). All the dishes are heavy and have their fair share of fat. Even the salads (deliciously so) are topped with rich and decadent cheeses. Unfortunately, the heaviness left my date and I with a bit of a post-meal stomach ache.
I agree with a previous writer about the olive oil and balsamic vinegar being in too deep a dish. I love to do this combo at home, and I find that the best way to serve it is in a shallow plate so that the diner may get both oil and vinegar on their bread without soaking it in oil. Otherwise, the natural separation of these two liquids make it damn near impossible to get both on the same piece of bread when they are combined in such a deep bowl. Other food items enjoyed were the bread and spreads plate, calamari, and portobello mushrooms. The tapenade spread was terribly rich, but delicious, while the hummus was boring. The mushrooms were decadent, but I loved the bright and fresh marinara that cut the heaviness of the dish. The calamari was good. They were lightly battered, and I appreciated the uniquely seasoned batter.
As for the booze selection, I was honestly disappointed. It's a nightclub/restaurant. I thought the selection would be impressive. At first glance, it appears to be an extensive bar and is presented beautifully. However, upon further inspection you will find that half of the bottles are flavored vodkas (and I believe it was pinnacle, at that, which is too cheap for their prices). When I asked about a specific liquor, they had 4 offerings. In addition, I thought their booze mark ups were a bit higher than most, but my rocks drink was one of the biggest pours I've ever had (even if it was $9).
Overall, it was good food and a fine time. Our server was relaxed, yet there when we needed something. It's worth going to once, but I am not inclined to return for dinner again. -
Review from Karen Z.
1/26/2012 1 Check-in Here
I visited Toro last night with two friends from highschool that I haven't seen in about 12 years! I had previously been to Toro late night a few months back, just for drinks...so I was excited to see what they had to offer on the food front.
The quick review: the perfect place to catch up with old friends....the food was muy bueno, and the snacking quality of tapas allowed for lots of free flowing conversation. Glad I had a groupon to pick up some of the check.
The long winded:
Most everyone on yelp is correct...the tapas are larger than usual tapas bars...but that's Buffalo for ya! ;) The food was good, but the prices were a bit high (despite the fact that the portions were decent.) The atmosphere was inviting, and I didn't even mind being seated smack dab in the middle of the restaurant--which I usually hate. (something about that makes me feel like im back at the dining hall)
Before our trip, my friend and I checked out the menu online to get an idea of what we were gonna get. I had a groupon worth $40 so we prematurely decided to get the Paella (their signature dish, to the tune of $46 bucks.) When we got there, we were informed that there were a few items that they were not serving...and sadly, the paella was one of those dishes. The waitress assured us that this was a rare thing and that paella was always on the menu--but that's just my luck. So we were forced to order a few other items instead...no biggie
The service:
It took a while for the hostess (who also happened to be our waitress) to greet us at the door. It also took her a while to take our drink order, and then to come back and get our food order. She seemed a little spacey, so I think it was just her, rather than Toro as a whole. I'm easy, so really it wasn't an issue...but our entire dining experience lasted 2 and a half hours...and although we were Chatty McChats and enjoyed our time there, it wasn't necessarily because of us! Oh, and I really appreciated that they brought out the food a little at a time...it was timed perfectly.
The food:
Table bread and dipping oil....standard....but the oil was in a little bowl and the vinegar or whatever it was mixed with was at the bottom, so in order to get any flavor other than the oil you had to soak the whole thing in the oil. i'm ok with that because i happen to love me some evoo, but it was really oily. not really a complaint, just a comment.
Cream Cheese Potatoe Enchilada...um really good! i wasn't expecting them to be so delicious because when it comes to enchiladas i can take em or leave em. but the sauce was really good, and the inside was yummy and creamy.
Stuffed Portobello: my least favorite of our choices, but still good. it was wrapped in a little pastry type thing...the spinach was good and all of it together made for a good combination. I liked that there was so much sauce with it because I dipped the bread in the left overs:)
Breads, spreads, and olives: Same bread...just grilled... and so deliciously crispy. the olive spread was more mild than other tapenades ive had, which made for a delicious change. and the hummus was a little spicey but really enjoyable. served with a handful of olives on the side. definitely overpriced, though... imo
Tangerine BBQ Pulled Pork: a huge scoop of tangy pulled pork, sandwiched between two slivers of cornbread. I wish there was more corn bread :) some pico on top...a little sour cream drizzle...delish.
Apple pie type dessert...I only had a bite but it was warm and tasted like something my mom would make....although I can't say for sure if it was a Toro original.
I was a little nervous I wasn't going to be full after our meal....but the over abundance of bread helped me out. ;)
Drinks: We tried three specialty martinis. Save your $9 and drink water....or get a traditional drink (double Vodka/water/splash of cran with a lemon!)--at least you know where your money is going in that one!
Appletini (not as sour as you'd expect from an electric green martini)
June Bug (tasted like tanning lotion)
Nick's Nastini (the best of the three but still just mehh)
*I think i'm more of a snob with my liquor than I am with food. lol
Overall, I think the atmosphere and the tapas style serving will bring me back more than the food itself....although there were no major complaints (except for the drinkies.) And I can honestly say I will probably not return unless I am equipped with a groupon again... -
Review from Theresa R.
Buffalo, NY
5/25/2012
Just got back from dinner here and loved my meal - BBQ salmon with asparagus and mashed potatoes. I had a hard time choosing a dish as there were quite a few specials that sounded awesome. My husband got the calamari with hot peppers - it was good, but probably would have been best as an appetizer rather than meal. The only downfall is that they serve the food as it is ready - so one person can get their meal a few minutes before the 2nd, and so forth. The first person to get his food was done eating by the time the 4th person did. I get why they would do that - best served hot and fresh than having to wait for all the dishes - but it was still kinda awkward. They did however mention this prior to ordering. We also got the cheese platter app which was delicious with a ton of variety. Great overall and very trendy. This was my second visit - first time was just at the bar (they have a great martini list)
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Review from Ryan W.
Came here with a ladyposse post-work for some wine and small bites, and was really impressed.
It's tough to tell from the outside, looking in, how beautiful this space is. It feels like a sleek LA or NYC wine bar.
And while some of our party were familiar with Toro due to their Saturday night danceathons, they were still surprised at the relaxing, yummy restaurant experience that preceded it.
First off, the food was excellent. The pictures don't really do it justice. The olive oil served with our fresh-sliced bread put other EVOOs to shame, the cheese plate had some beautiful fruit and a sage cheese I'd never tried before, the red pepper spread and olive tapenade were explosions of umami and salty goodness, and the ricotta-stuffed portobello we tried was super-tasty, and came with plenty of red sauce for dipping.
While there were a few ringers on the list, the wine offerings were also mostly solid and well-priced ($28 for a bottle of velvety Spanish temperanillo/cabernet? Yes please).
Strangely, we were among the only parties who came for dinner, which is sad. Am thinking this may have motivated our waitress's slightly pushy attitude when it came to ordering more food and wine. I'm willing to overlook it, as she took great care of us and happily brought more bread on the house when we requested it. Maybe it was just a bad day.
We also benefited by getting the coziest table in the house -- the six-top with comfy benches right by the window. If you're looking to have a chill, intimate dinner in the city with a date, a group of coworkers, or family members you wanna impress, I'd recommend this spot. -
Review from Don H.
Lancaster, NY
9/18/2011
When I have out of town guests I always suggest this place. It's industrial interior works as does its bar and seating. Wait staff is always friendly and capable. The food is VG. My fav's: Spring Rolls, Pulled Pork, Suffed Portobella and Flank Steak Skewers. For a larger party try the Paella ........ VG!
Wine list is good. Suggest the Salviano Di Turlo Italian blend if you like a good Red.
The portions are a little big for Tapas so plan to share with your guests.
I think a wine flight would work well so it could be matched with the various dishes. I'm just sayin.
Try Toro, I think you'll like it. -
Review from Mo A.
10/2/2011
Been awhile since I've been here but my experience was fantastic. Chic decor that shouldn't mistake romantic for intimate because while you can sit in close proximity to your honey, it's not cute to yell sweet nothings over loud music!
The food is very good and considering most tapas style restaurants, the prices here are not that bad. Definitely worth trying at least once. -
Review from Dan K.
8/5/2011
This review is really on the bar / nightlife scene as I have not eaten here in years. Was walking by Saturday night and ran into old friend who was smoking outside but bar tends here. He mentioned the place gets pretty hopping and things were just starting to pick up. I looked and between this place and Faherty's patio next store, people were flowing out onto Elmwood side walk laughing and having a good time.
Decided to stop inside and had a ketel n soda. Found out an old friend Steve Kream was DJ'ing that night too. Chatted with him a bit while this place literally started getting flooded with hotties in short skirts sucking up martini's.
Seems that Toro and Faherty's have a good things with the open to the street atmosphere both have right next to each other. Definitely will come back when I am in town if I am looking for a cool place for a night out. -
Review from jess o.
9/7/2011
This review is for the food. My first thought is that if you are going to call yourself a tapas bar, you should actually serve tapas.
What they serve are actually pretty substantial servings of okay food. I would rather have smaller plates that were less expensive and be able to try more things. The food also isn't very spanish. There are only a couple of dishes that are spanish food (e.g., the paella). There are very few vegetables on the menu and they don't have some traditional tapas dishes like potatoes.
But the food is generally okay. I would avoid the artichoke pesto that they put on the steak and go somewhere else for dessert, but they have some interesting food, good drinks, and friendly staff. -
Review from Steve S.
Buffalo, NY
9/20/2011
We had the pork loin special, which was roasted pork loin with a butternut squash puree and dumplings, the shrimp salad, and the salad special, which was field greens, apple, candied pecans, and bacon in a vinaigrette. The pork loin was tender and went lovely with the sweet and savory puree. The shrimp salad, which featured mango slices, avocado slices, shrimp, and greens in a citrus vinaigrette was excellent.
Bartender started off as sort of a tool but came around by the end of the meal.
Overall, food was really good, yet really expensive, and the feel of the place was a bit stuffy. Probably won't go back.
$12-15 for tapas-sized salads?
If, like me, you're looking for a down home, Spanish-style tapas bar, this ain't it. -
Review from Mary K.
Tonawanda, NY
8/1/2011
Toro is a place I'd always seen, and finally my boyfriend and I gave it a try. Though it refers to itself as a tapas bar, the server helpfully let us know that Toro does not serve traditional small tapas. Instead, servings are slightly larger to encourage plate passing among parties. The bison quesadilla was SO delicious, my only complaint being that the charred tomato salsa did not come in a huge bucket. So good.
The paella sounded great, but the menu mentions that it feeds up to four people, and, only two of us being present, decided to forgo the dish in lieu of a few smaller dishes so we could sample more. Our salad, including brie, apples, and my favorite, walnuts, was the perfect size for two to share. The calamari had a delightful texture, and though it was a large portion for even two people, we toughed it out and enjoyed all of it. The wine-by-the-glass came in decent sized servings. All in all, a bit pricey, but a tasty venture indeed. -
Review from K J.
Buffalo, NY
12/4/2011
I usually come here for the bar and DJ on Saturday nights. To be honest, i didnt even know this was a tapas bar; i just heard that their drinks are good. I'm a martini gal, and I'll admit, their martini's are really good, but expensive: $9. Usually their well drinks are nothing special at all, but the last couple times I was there, this new bartender spruced up my whiskey sour; actually mixing it as if he were making a martini, and even serving it in a tall glass with an orange slice. It was the best damn whiskey sour I ever had; gave me more of a buzz than the martini did!
Anywho, I actually havent had any of the food; I've glanced at the menu and it is indeed pricey; the portions are teeny tiny, but the food at least looks appetizing.
The atmosphere during dinner hours is nice...intimate, w/ candles @ every table. The booths are really cozy too. Also, the crowd is older; lot of businessman-types in suits.
The atmosphere during club hours is hectic! Too many damn college kids who dont know how to hold their liquor, all up in ur personal space, and there's always one bachelorette party goin on. As I mentioned previously, the DJ is pretty good, the best in Buffalo (plays old school and new school hip hop, classic dance tracks, MJ, techno, some 80's classics...so definately something for everyone). However, he can be off his game sometimes, and he cusses way too much for no reason, but he knows how to get people to the dance floor. Popularity of this place spread over the course of the year, and as a result the caliber of ppl who come now has...how shall I say...declined considerably.
The other annoying thing is that the place gets PACKED by midnight, so exect to stand outside waiting for people to leave so you can get in.
Last time I was there some drunk college student kept following me around on the dance floor and grabbing at my arm; the time before that, some creepy dude kept elbowing me.
Jahwell....at least there's no cover. -
Review from Willie M.
Buffalo, NY
12/2/2011 1 Check-in Here
God food, and if you stay late..... Nice party also
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Review from Laura T.
11/30/2009
Toro.
Admittedly, I love it. Love-loved it 6-7 years ago when I lived in Buffalo and was a night owl Thursdays through Saturdays. It was always our go-to place to kick off the evening festivities. Back then, I knew the bartenders, and my BFFs and I would have the same thing every time.... Nick's Nastini. If I remember correctly.... equal parts stoli vanilla, stoli ras, pineapple and cranberry juices, and a splash of chambord. Went down so easily.....and there were a few nights we did too!!
We probably spent a good percentage of our paychecks on the food too.... our favorites always included the chicken spring rolls, the tangerine BBQ pulled pork, the pad thai (when it was on the menu), and I'm sure there are a few others that I am forgetting....
These days, Toro provides a great location to meet up with friends when we roll into town for a visit. The food it still delish, and I've learned to stay away from martinis.... the wine by the glass menu offers a nice variety. Perhaps a tad pricey, but not any more so than some of the other higher end restaurant/bars in the area.
I still love it. -
Review from rebecca m.
Alexandria, VA
12/10/2007
Granted, I am not a local say the way Jill may be. However, coming in with relatively high standards I was very happy with this place. Great lobster corndogs and the atmosphere was very trendy. My main caveat was the music played- the list was all over the place. We're talking classic rock, to barbara streisand, to 50 cent all in an hour time span.
The drink selection was awesome. They have this one Espresso Vodka that is absolutely delicious on the rocks. Great Scotch selection too.
I was at the bar and the bartenders were very friendly. It was swarming so service was not as quick as I would like but I never felt unvalued. Perhaps the table service was a bit lackadaisical, but I thought this bar was a bit different from everything else I saw on the Elmwood strip. -
Review from Kelly S.
5/5/2008
I used to come here for drinks a lot when I lived in the city proper. I'd occasionally eat here, and 50% of the time, my food would be good and the other 50% of the time it sucked. It was the "every other" visit rule.
It's not true tapas in the Spanish sense of the word, as the food does not bear any resemblance to any type of Spanish food that I've eaten in Spain or in NYC or in cities with restaurants other than Greek and Italian. Howevs, they do the "small sharing plate" thing, and they do it a bit spendy.
Went for drinkies at the bar, and decided to nosh. Ordered the fried calamari (a good choice), and the menu notes "NO SAUCE", so please note that it comes with NO SAUCE. Chicken spring rolls are yum. Stuffed piquillos pepper was bland. Not much in the way of flavor.
I'm giving them 3 stars for the lack of consistency. And the need for a bit of an upgrade. It's cool, but it's not kewl. And not having sufficient bar staff on a Saturday night. I do hate waiting for my beverage. -
Review from Lisa J.
Old Forge, PA
6/9/2011
Excellent restaurant. Food is fabulous and the service outstanding. I will definitely go back.
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Review from nicole m.
Buffalo, NY
1/19/2012
Have been there twice and have only been disappointed with a couple of dishes. Although it;s a little annoying that they call themselves a tapas bar because they are not tapas. Good dips with the bread. The lobster risotto was really way too salty when i had it.
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Review from Jill W.
IL
3/14/2007
Listen, I am not a hard gal to please. In fact, I dare say that I am easy. There. I said it. But, this joint left me high and dry.
The 716 has some incredible food-establishments. Don't laugh. Have you ever seen people from Buffalo--we like our food! Buffalo is Chicago's little cousin when it comes to the selection and tastiness. Unfortunately, Toro is a ToNO for me.
We went there for a friend's birthday and the service really needed an overhaul. I usually enjoy long drawn-out siestas, but we are in Buffalo, people, not Spain. When I order a glass of wine, I expect it to come within 20 minutes. Not too much to ask, right? Christ, I thought they were pulling the grapes off of the vine somewhere in Spain! Oh, and my guys appetizer came out 30 minutes after everybody else's food and each time we asked, the server said, "It's coming." Now, I was a server in a past life and when you say, "It's coming," what you really mean is, "SHIT! I forgot to place your order!" I like to have a connection with my server bc I think of dining out as much more than satiating myself. It is an bonding experience both with my food and my server. But, this connection was as cold as Buffalo in the middle of January. -
Review from James R.
Buffalo, NY
6/9/2011
I eat at Toro on a regular basis, at least twice a month, and have never had anything but the greatest service, food, and atmosphere. The menu is unique, fresh and innovative, and the place is an awesome place to hang out at the bar, grab some drinks and take in all that Elmwood has to offer.
The best items on the menu are the Tuna package, the Calamari, and the Paella. The food has always been fresh, the service is always great, (and they have some of the best looking servers/bartenders in the city).
With the addition of their new Saturday night DJ, and their new Sunday brunch menu, they have become one of the best spots in the city. Their brunch menu is an awesome addition to the many other places nearby, but since its so different, its nice to not just get an omelet and hash-browns. I just ate there Sunday and we shared the French toast, with caramelized bananas, and then also got the huevos rancheros which were amazing.
I would absolutely recommend this place for dinner, drinks, snacks or even a really fun first date (or second, third fourth). -
Review from Derrick C.
Buffalo, NY
8/15/2010
Nice late night spot w/ a really good DJ and a great crowd. Classy enough to just people watch and the music is good enough to get everyone on their feet. Gets really packed in the wintertime though when everyone wants to be inside and there's little spill-over outside. Also as good as the DJ is, dude mixes too often and it's hard to get in a flow and he loves his dolphin squeals a bit much.
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Review from Chas K.
Buffalo, NY
2/4/2010
One of Buffalo's best night spots for sure. Slick atmosphere, great food, great service. My girlfriend and I took some of her co-workers out for dinner and drinks here recently and everyone was impressed. One of Buffalo's finest establishments.
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Review from Aaron K.
Astoria, NY
8/2/2008
Toro is delcious. We would come here and spend over a hundred dollars just slowly eating tapas and drinking sangria. I didn't find a single Tapas on the menu that I didn't like. They're not too big, so usually to get full it might take at least 3 over the course of a leisurely hour to get full.
I like coming here to eat, watch the Sabres games and enjoy some of the best food for its type in Buffalo. -
Review from Carmen B.
Buffalo, NY
7/2/2010
I've only had the sangria here---but oh, what delicious sangria it was. The taste was authentic, rich, and just a touch cinnamon-y. . .I felt like I was back in Andalucia, sipping away in Plaza Nueva. Perfecto!
