History

Cabaret is a family owned and operated restaurant which first opened its doors in 2006 by Buffalo native Nadine Lattanzio. The building was originally the Prince Edward Hotel built in 1882, and after a year of renovations was transformed into what it is today. The restaurant has a much “classier” atmosphere, thanks to the interior updates. When it first opened, the Cabaret was divided; one side was a small diner, the other a bar. Now the restaurant area of the building is fully opened and used for Cabaret’s restaurant business. The building has operated as a variety of different businesses such as Joe’s Café, Andriaccio’s, Vinny’s and Lydia’s Pearl, however the building has stayed in the family for the last fifty years where the current owners began working as teenagers. The owners hope to continue renovations on this historic building and expand its commercial use to accommodate larger banquet facilities and provide a multi-purpose building. The beautifully decorated restaurant, with dark woodwork, flowers and decorative lights gives a warm and welcoming feeling as you enter the building.

Owner Nadine Lattanzio, has worked in the restaurant industry since the age of 15 years old, due to her passion for food service. Success didn’t come easy, it took years of hard work. Nadine started in the industry by handing out menus, and today she is an owner. She continues to introduce herself and develop relationships with local businesses, and knows the importance of growing her clientele, while maintaining a loyal customer base. She takes pride in the cleanliness and operations of her restaurant which has taken off since 2006. Her expertise in front of house operations has exemplified by the work of her staff.

Cabaret’s head chef, Craig Brown, has over 30 years in the restaurant industry. He attended school at the Culinary School Institute of America, where he was inspired to create delicious and unique dishes. He has been working with Cabaret since the grand opening in 2006 and has been a major part of its success. Craig is one of the main contributions to the restaurant that creates such a delicious menu.

About

Cabaret is located in the heart of the theater district in downtown Buffalo, a great place for dinner before the shows. It is also a close walk from the businesses downtown, able to accommodate you during your lunch hour. There is onsite parking available and train access able to provide you with transportation to sporting events at the First Niagara Center. Nearby hotels recommend Cabaret for their out of town guests to experience a taste of Buffalo. Cabaret’s Italian-American cuisine provides a variety of menu items to choose from. Whether you are looking for a salad, sandwich, steak, seafood or pasta dish, Cabaret has something for everyone. The tastefully decorated restaurant is appropriately furnished with playbills and posters from the previous shows performed in the different theaters in the downtown area. With a casual atmosphere, it is perfect for any type of occasion. Cabaret celebrates every holiday such as New Years Eve, St. Patrick’s Day, and Valentine’s Day with specials, live music and entertainment.

Cabaret is open for lunch and dinner six days a week offering daily specials and a variety of beer, liquor and wine for an enjoyable evening. The restaurant is creatively themed after theater and shows, from their menu titles such as appetizers called “Pre-show favorites” and salads called “Act 1.” As well as their seating areas called “Backstage” which is the back area and the “Orchestra Pit” is the back room. An extensive martini list features a variety of drinks named after famous performances on Broadway. The “Mama Mia,” named after the famous play “Mama Mia” is a delicious drink and a guest favorite. It is made of vodka, peach schnapps, cranberry juice and pineapple juice. Happy Hour at Cabaret is a calm and relaxing atmosphere where local business workers come to meet after work for beverages and appetizers. If a large work party is coming in, Cabaret staff will work with them to provide a buffet of their famous appetizers such as “Stuffed Hot Banana Peppers” and “Stuffed Mushrooms.” Although walk-ins are always welcome, reservations are recommended for guaranteed seating.

Cabaret offers private dining rooms appropriate for birthdays, wedding and baby showers, holiday parties and any other hosted event. The upstairs dining room overlooks the city of Buffalo and can accommodate up to thirty people. The room offers an intimate feel and large classy doors that can open up to the fresh air. The lower level seating accommodates a larger group up to a hundred people with access to bar and patio. Cabaret will work with you to make any event enjoyable by providing affordable prices and excellent service. On-site staff will decorate and arrange seating specific to each event. A banquet menu is available for you to choose appetizers, sit-down or family style meals. Cabaret’s patio is open during the spring and summer months and is a great place to enjoy the nice weather with cocktails and a delicious meal.

Valentine’s Day is a popular holiday celebrated at Cabaret, with a special dinner menu, guests can have a romantic feel with a candle lit dinner, drinks, choices of entrees and a homemade dessert. St. Paddy’s Day is another big day for the bar. People come in before, during, and after the parade to have some drinks, stay warm and enjoy the crowd, music and drink specials. New Year’s Eve is a favorite holiday to spend at Cabaret, they provide specials that include a wristband for open bar, pizza and wings and a champagne toast at midnight. For a night out with friends or with a significant other, Cabaret is a great place to spend your night to watch the ball drop and ring in the New Year. The patio is also the perfect spot to see the Downtown fireworks display at midnight.

Cabaret participates in local events such as the annual Taste of Buffalo. Over the years Cabaret has won awards for the “Rookie of the Year” and “Fan Favorite” categories for their signature dishes, Eggplant Parmesan & Seafood Gumbo. This is a great event for Cabaret’s friendly staff to share with locals and give them a sample of their delicious food. The Taste of Buffalo is a great way to advertise as well as participate in a famous local event. This event attracts around 450,000 people annually. It is the largest two- day food festival in the United States.

Cabaret is a "must see" and place to try in the downtown area. This is the type of place to visit for either a relaxing evening or a fun night on the town. Enjoy a night out and experience a new establishment. Casual dress code is the appropriate attire to wear or to make things special, dressing up brightens up the night. Cabaret is a wonderful place that is centrally located to enjoy before any event in downtown Buffalo.

Photos credited to: John Lattanzio Used with permission

This post was created for Professor Pabico's COM 336- Web and Social Media Production class.

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