D’Avolio Kitchen has opened its new restaurant at 535 Main Street. Right out of the gate, the eatery looks to be a giant success. I stopped in for lunch today and found the place pretty packed with downtown office workers who had stopped in for soups, salads, build-your-own sandwiches and artisanal pizzas.
The actual menu is brilliant. Each menu comes with a magic marker, and the customer is expected to check off the desired items and ingredients. The process makes it effortless for both parties, and because the menus are covered by a laminate surface, the wait staff wipes them off and they are ready to go again.
The food at D’Avolio is simple and bright – nothing fancy, just old work cooking techniques that brings the wholesome goodness out of the ingredients. It would figure that the leading olive oil purveyor in Buffalo would come up with such a successful hit. The list of ingredients is remarkable, the prices are fair, the portions are sizable, and the service is quick and efficient.
Along with great sandwiches, the pizzas are strongly recommended. First of all, one pizza can easily accommodate two people – perfect for a couple of office workers to split. They are not heavy, so you won’t get weighed down, which is nice, especially if you have to go back to work.
The interior of D’Avolio is reminiscent of a modern marketplace, with an entire wall dedicated to the company’s signature olive oils and vinegars.
I was speaking to a friend who I bumped into at the restaurant, and he was saying that for years his only option within walking distance of his office was the Food Court at the Main Place Mall. Today he has a hard time choosing where he is going to go – from killer food truck options to a variety of new brick and mortar restaurants that have opened. “It’s certainly a new day for Buffalo when it comes to food,” he told me. “I can’t believe we made it as long as we did without these types of places down here.”
D’Avolio Kitchen | 535 Main Street | Buffalo, New York | 716-342-2167 | Across from The Hyatt | Beer and wine available | Lunch