Left Bank   

511 Rhode Island St
Buffalo, NY 14213
716-882-3509
www.leftbankrestaurant.com

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Walk or drive by the Left Bank any night of the week and you'll know exactly what's up. Large windows in front let you gauge the atmosphere in the barroom at a quick glance. Sometimes it is full of patrons waiting for a seat in the adjoining (and excellent) restaurant, and sometimes just a few people occupy stools and watch the TVs; game days there will more than likely be a crowd cheering on the athletes that make this their low-key, in-town haunt. No sports-bar atmosphere here, though. The brick interior and candlelight create a warm place to have a pint or a glass of wine (of which there is a good selection by the glass). Neither the music (the best management-programmed tunes in town) nor the TVs overwhelms the room, making this a great place to meet up with friends. Don't miss the lounge-area in the dining room if you are in a larger group. In the summer, the adjoining patio is among the most relaxing in town. -Stephen Gingerich