The best cocktails in town; pricey but worth it, 2 of them will have me good'n'drunk. The downside is that if it's busy, it's very difficult to get at the bar and get your drink order in, and you can wait a while for them. You have to know what you're getting into. Another flaw is that I once saw Carl Paladino hangin' out with his way-too-young date and it was creepy.
Review Source:OK, this has been a long time coming. A few weeks ago, I was with a group, and they really wanted to go to Vera. I was uncharacteristically pessimistic, as my last trip hadn't gone so well, and I had written as such. So when I walked in, I had set the bar pretty low. To my surprise, they not only passed it but hit the standard I had expected when I first visited.
First off, and I know this is going to sound crazy, was the bread. It was vastly better. I know it's strange to talk about, but when you're working on a drink and your food still hasn't come, it's all you really have to occupy yourself. Remembering last time, taking some was a bit of a last resort yet to my surprise it was...good. It won't blow you out of the water, but there was a proper amount of salt to help the crumb, and it had a nice crust. Should this be rote for all restaurants? Maybe, but it does counter a problem I had mentioned before.
I kept my drink choices as douche free as I could, and was rewarded with a very tasty concoction reminiscent of a margarita (of the non-frozen mix variety). I will repeat that while the drinks are very tasty, they are indeed small, especially when you factor in the big block of ice they drop in and also that as a result, the going rate for a small, non-nightclub place in Buffalo is fairly high. Worth it? It depends on how much you like to pay for a drink.
In spite of the heat, people at my table wanted soups. Still waiting for my pizza, and starting to get hungry now, I sampled a little and found that I rather liked it. Their creamy spinach soup was like drinking...well, really good creamed spinach. There's nothing wrong with appealing to flavors that people like, and make them comfortable and think of home, and they did it in an elegant and refined way. The cheese plate they brought out was pretty good, if unspectacular.
When the pizzas came, I had stuck with a simple pizza margherita, and I am very glad that I did. It was pretty good, though I wish they had added a touch more cheese. I know that it's supposed to be minimalist, hell that's why I picked it, but I think just a little more would have prevented the wide swaths of ok sauce with that very nice crust. When all ingredients were present, it sang. I will repeat my earlier opinion here: go simple here. The blue cheese, pear and caramelized onion pizza (from one person at my table) still was stacking sweet on sweet on sweet.
In the end, I had to write this because pretty much everything I had that night either addressed, or circumvented my complaints from the last visit. Did I, knowing their weaknesses, play into their strengths? Maybe. Did a few things really surprise me and show marked improvement? Â Absolutely. I stand by the things I said in my last review, even if I was a bit of a douche at times while writing in, but isn't the whole point of reviewing something so people know what the best and worst things about a place, of knowing what to do to maximize the fun for your dollar? In the end, one thing stayed the same above all else: The best things I had that night were simply prepared, with a few simple ingredients, and there is NOTHING wrong with that, as long as they are of high quality.
I don't think I'll ever jump for joy at coming here, but it's a very solid option for a night out.
Perfect atmosphere, wonderful cuisine, and the greatest "prohibition era" style bar tending that I've encountered yet. The duck pizza is amazing. The specials are usually pretty good and so is the mac and cheese. All of the bartenders are extremely knowledgable and the owners are a real gift to the Buffalo scene. They're very friendly and work hard to make each visit unique.
I love the fresh ingredients used in both the food and drinks. They even have had custom created booze by local distillers. Which is why we're more than willing to pay a premium for such a unique and wonderful experience each time we visit. We also pay the price for too much fun the next morning some times but it's worth that too. If you haven't been go! Now! If you are a food gourmand then you will have plenty of options to choose from and drinks that are an art form n themselves.
If you prefer Applebee's and Cosmos then you might want to skip this place because it's targeted towards a more mature, sophisticated palette. I love, love, love Vera Pizza and consider myself lucky to have "found" it. You want be disappointed!
Cocktail culture invites both boneheaded snobbery and know-nothing philistinism. Your best bet in this town is to eschew both, order a house specialty, and enjoy yourself. Most of the drinks here are excellent, and the food is passable. Be forewarned that the prices are steep by Buffalo standards.
Review Source:It was good, but nothing worth returning for. Â Nice cocktail menu but expensive for small drinks. Â I was excited to have a Pisco Sour, which isn't served at most places. Â We had 9 people and ordered 5 pizzas and two orders of garlic knots. Â Just enough food for everyone. The pizzas are unique - fig/pear, caprese, chicken/mushroom, sausauge/peppers, arugala/mushroom. The desserts weren't anything special, they sounded better than they were. They don't serve coffee!!!! Â How do you sell cakes without coffee?! Â Overall, wasn't a bad experience, just nothing great.
Review Source:What a treat it is to come to Vera Pizza! Â I look forward to not only the unbelievable creativity of their dishes, but the show their 'mixologists' put on at the bar. Â Uniquely formatted, their menu offers something for the adventurous as well as the timid. Â I being a bit of an Andrew Zimmerman if you will, really enjoy the inspiration that must go behind each and every ingredient in their signatures. Â Although I wish the braised veal pumpkin mac n' cheese was an all-around staple, I truly look forward to the next seasonal twists as they are strategically introduced. Â Continue to surprise me, Vera, I wouldn't want it any other way!
Review Source:I love that they have cheese-less pizzas right on the menu. Â It's easier to sub a veggie for meat and enjoy the original intent than it is to order a pizza without cheese. Â
I ordered one of the cheese-less pizzas and asked the waitress to have the kitchen sub the prosciutto with whatever vegetable they thought would be best and she was happy to oblige. Â I was quite pleased with the pizza they brought out...the fig jam, truffle oil...none of the flavors were lost.
The drinks are old timey and interesting and I got something with muddled berries. Â It was lovely.
The fancy pizzas are a nice treat but I'd rather have a real pizza and I could have a huge one for the same price as the small thin crust ones at Vera. Â
The place is very dark and very loud and full of hipsters. Â I could walk here from my house but there aren't shoes I could walk in that I would feel comfortable wearing here.
It was nice to try with friends but not special enough to return.
We stopped in on a Saturday early evening after a Shea's matinee and were greeted by a friendly hostess. She explained all their tables were reserved but one, so we headed to a hi-top in the window. The table was very small and the chairs were modern looking but VERY uncomfortable (I felt like it was forcing me out of it the whole night) so I would recommend a reservation to avoid that unfortunate fate.
We ordered an appetizer (goat cheese stuffed arancini, which was one medium sized arancini nicely fried but with cold goat cheese inside - not too bad) and a few drinks (delish but pricey) and waited for our 3rd to join.
From the time our 3rd sat down to the time we paid our check, it was a mere 35 minutes. Both impressive but slightly disappointing - we felt like it was too soon to call it quits and were faced with ordering dessert (too full!) or heading elsewhere. Had the meal not been so rushed we probably would have spent more money (ie another round of drinks) and it would be great for a weekday lunch - but alas, they aren't open for lunch!
We each had ordered a pizza and finished less than half of it - I would say 2 pizzas is plenty for 3 ladies. Between us we had a "Caprese," "Vera smoked porchetta," and an "Herb Roasted Chicken" pizza. I would say they're a little closer to grilled flat breads - a thin and rugged crust without any distinctive flavor.
The Caprese was very good - the sweet balsamic reduction paired beautifully with the fresh tomatoes and not-too-anise-y basil. The roasted chicken was good, the garlic sauce was by far the best component (no complaints but I will try something else next time). The porchetta was also good but apparently an acquired taste as the woman who ordered it found it too earthy and missing the sweetness of a tomato sauce (however I thought the red wine flavor in the sauce paired nicely with the mushrooms).
Each of the cocktails we ordered were fabulous and, despite their price, would be a reason alone to return.
All in all, I was pleased!
Vera is probably the hippest place to get drinks in the Elmwood Village. To me it gives off a very urban vibe that is hard to get in Buffalo sometimes. I've only ever gone for cocktails, so I can't speak much for the price of the food. The only thing that could potentially be problematic about Vera is that it gets VERY loud and crowded on popular nights the later it gets. Usually this is why I go there. To see and be seen. If you want a quiet date spot, go early or go elsewhere.
Review Source:I visited Vera Pizzeria for a drink. Â
Pros: Â Excellent service with bartenders who really care about their craft. Â The bar is well stocked. Â I was especially pleased with their selection of rye. Â Prices are commensurate with the quality of the cocktails. Â Very nice atmosphere.
Cons: The bar was too crowded when I was there. Â Maybe prices should go up.
Synopsis: Â Maybe the best option for a good cocktail in Buffalo.
This place is VERY popular. Â People talk about it.... people RAVE about it..... all of the "cool" people talk about going time and time again. Â Maybe I'm just not all that cool.... because while I thought it was okay... I just wasn't all that thrilled.
Sure, it's beautiful inside. Â I love the exposed brick and the wood. Â Three of us were seated at a high-top by the window. Â Now, maybe I'm a bit old and a bit ummmmmm... over endowed in the booty area.... but I found the seats VERY uncomfortable. Â They weren't deep enough. Â The height was awkward. Â And, I felt like I kept sliding forward. Â I had to keep one foot on the floor to keep from slipping right onto the floor. Â And that was before I even had a drink.
Speaking of drinks, that's what this place is "famous" for. Â I would have to say that it's more of a bar that serves food than a restaurant with a good drink menu. Â VERY INTERESTING cocktails, as they should be for ten bucks each. Â I had the "Earhart" (vodka. strawberry and blackberry puree, fresh lemon juice, and St. Germain elderflower liqueur). Â It was fruity, fresh, and tasty... but honestly didn't pack any "punch".
For dinner we decided to each get a salad and then share a pizza. Â My Caesar was fresh and flavorful, but definitely on the small side. Â I was a little taken aback with the addition of sun-dried tomatoes (instead of croutons), but the flavors all did work together. Â The pizza: "Caprese" (asiago, roma tomatoes, fresh mozzarella, basil. and balsamic reduction) was very delicious and enough for three of us to share following our salads and bread..... but am I the only one who is annoyed when the toppings are only in the very center of the pizza and there is a full two inches of unadorned crust all around the edge? Â I mean SERIOUSLY..... a bit more "middle" would be greatly appreciated!
We asked about dessert and were handed half an index card with the choices handwritten on it. Â I forgot to ask if they were made in house. Â Anyway.... the chocolate cake we shared was chocolaty, rich, and yummy. Â The curious thing is we were told that they don't serve coffee. Â WHAT???? Â Â I've never heard of such a thing!!! Â Well, maybe in a bar..... but definitely NOT in a restaurant!
Heard about this place from someone I worked with, so I came one night with a friend. It's a small space with a classy bar but a very low key vibe. Great date spot, but also just a nice, classy place to hang out if you're looking for something a little quieter than the bars.
Everyone I know who's been here raved about the cocktails, and they did not disappoint. My friend and I each ordered two off of their cocktail menu as the night went on. I can't remember what they were now, but I think one of mine was a hot apple cider... In any case, they were delicious, and I'd be willing to try any drink they have to offer.
For our appetizer, we ordered garlic knots, which are a guilty pleasure of mine, and it came with fig jam and roasted garlic ricotta. The knots themselves were nothing spectacular, but tasty; it was the fig jam that really stole the show. Out of this world. Highly, highly recommend the fig jam.
Following that train of thought, I very fortuitously ordered the Fig Jam Prosciutto pizza, minus the prosciutto and plus whatever the chef felt would be a good replacement. What he made up for me was delicious. He basically replaced the prosciutto with arugula and added more of the other ingredients. The flavors all worked out perfectly; something had to offset the sweetness of the fig and pear, and the bitter arugula did just that.
My friend got the Lobster and Shrimp Carbonara, which she really enjoyed. Good meal, great time.
It always means a lot to me when the chef is willing to change things up a bit to accommodate a diner's dietary restrictions. It shows an open-mindedness and creativity, so thank you! That alone is enough to bring me back. The cocktails are just an added bonus! Now it'd be really cool if there were some permanent veggie fixtures on the menu... eh??
During my previous visit to Buffalo - a town that my wife and I now frequent - we were asking locals about the best places for things like craft cocktails, whiskey bars, and good food. Vera was mentioned by a few people as our one-stop solution to all three, so we walked through the doors ready to be wowed...and maybe that was the first real problem.
We walked in and stood at the hostess stand for a minute (in those moments, a minute feels MUCH longer). The bar area was packed, which isn't a surprise for a Friday after a workday. The bartender noticed us as I approached to get the scoop on the seating situation. I told her we'd probably sit at a table, so she sent someone to seat us. It was an odd interaction. They might be better off allowing people to seat themselves. It's a small place, and it would be better than having patrons aimlessly left wondering what to do upon entering the place. Of course, that would require a waitstaff capable of recognizing customers. More on that later.
When a place has the reputation for being a craft cocktail bar, our expectations are this...tell the bartender what kind of spirit you like, what kind of character you like, and let the mixologist do his or her thing. More often than not, this results in a good, if not great, drink. My wife attempted this approach as their limited menu only had about 9 specialty drinks, and none of them really sounded great to her. The drink that she received was awful. She asked for a drink with gin and basil...something lighter. First, the waitress said she didn't think they had basil (yet, we saw it right there on the menu for the margherita pizza?!?!). What she received tasted like cheap gin and an overwhelming amount of simple syrup. As first-time customers, we let it go, and she switched to wine. Bad sign for a cocktail bar when your patron opts for the house cab.
For me, I just wanted a whisky. I asked what kind of Scotch or bourbon they had? Our waitress had no idea. She said they had Bulleit (and Bulleit Rye) - which is perfectly fine - and she thought they had one or two Scotches, neither of which she could name. Wow...okay. This experience isn't going well at all so far. I guess we can cross this place off as both a place to enjoy whisky OR craft cocktails. I guess we'll let the food improve our outlook...
We ordered a margherita pizza, garlic twists, and shrimp fritters. The fritters were okay, but very spicy and too gooey inside. I didn't mind the heat, but they weren't advertised as spicy. Black pepper was in the ingredients mentioned, but that doesn't usually mean "spicy." My wife took a few bites and I was left eating them all. The garlic twists were really good, and the fig jam was great for dipping. I wasn't a fan of the garlic ricotta dip, though, as the garlic was simply too overwhelming. The garlic on the twists were enough. The ricotta should've just tempered that instead of scaring me away from it. The pizza was actually pretty good. They did a good job with the crust, which was crisp enough to not get soggy in the middle, and the sauce and amount of cheese was good. Overall, I'd say the food is the only reason I opted to not give Vera one star, but it wasn't good enough to change our feelings on the experience. Oh, and I enjoyed the olive bread, but my wife - who hates olives - didn't eat any of it. Perhaps a more neutral bread would be better to serve with dinners. I liked it, but I can see it being a love/hate thing with customers.
Finally, the service. As mentioned before, our server couldn't name their limited whisky list, and then she didn't understand why my wife would want an off-menu drink mixed up. She did a fair job throughout our meal and the food came out fast, but never checked back to see if I needed another drink, despite my glass sitting there empty for a half hour. When our friends joined us and only one of them got a drink, her attitude became sour and she didn't wait on us at all. She walked by our table countless times, refusing to even ask if we needed anything. The irony is that my wife and I spend a lot eating out, with my wife constantly taking customer out to dinners, and we tip way better than we should. This girl missed out by not doing her job. On top of that, she ruined the experience enough that we're left with negative reviews and an unwillingness to return.
I hope Vera gets its act together, because it's a cool space with a lot of potential, but right now, there's no reason to add to the hype.
I had such high expectations for this place given it seemed to be one of the few craft cocktail bars in the area. Â After my visit here, I have to say this... Such an underwhelming experience and they can definitely use a big lesson in mixology as well as customer service. Â
First of all, no one is ever up front so if you are looking to get a table, you have to track someone down or wait for them to decide to pay attention to you. Â The set up of the place isn't good plain and simple. Â The flow is bad and it is very loud. Â I could usually get past this though... It's everything else that makes me give this one star review.
The drinks were not that impressive from what I've seen. Â I guess I am spoiled by my craft cocktail bar at home in Pittsburgh where you can always be assured an awesome beverage. Â I decided to stray from the menu because they said they can make anything... Don't do this unless you want a basic drink like a gin and tonic or vodka and cranberry. Â I asked for a gin based drink with a hint of basil... I was shocked that they didn't even have Bluecoat Gin which is a staple for craft cocktails. Â My drink was pretty much simple syrup with a splash of gin garnished in basil. Â I knew better after this and opted for wine after.
The pizza was okay... Good but basic since we just opted for the Margherita. Â The garlic twists were great. Â The shrimp fritters... Not so good and more spicy than described. Â Nothing was amazing at all.
The service (or lack there of) was the ultimate kicker. Â It sucked. Our waitress was pretty much non-existent, and when we were trying to get our check, we were given attitude. Not a good way to be in the industry. I travel to Buffalo often and will take customers out for drinks and dinner, and I certainly won't be doing it here now.
On a cold, snowy morning a few weeks ago, I was driving to UB South for school, and on my way there, on WBFO, they were talking to the mixologist from Vera Pizzeria about his classic pre-prohibition era Manhattan recipe. Â That was a few weeks after I discovered my newfound love for Manhattans. Â So naturally, I had to try it.
I didn't end up going until last night, and I have to say, I was originally somewhat hesitant due to the mixed reviews on here. Â We got there around 6:30, and managed to get a table for 2 with no wait. Â The restaurant was pretty much full at this point, though. Â The waitress came over to ask what we wanted to drink. Â I did not see the classic Manhattan on the small drink menu they give, but she knew exactly the one I was talking about. Â My boyfriend got the hot buttered rum cider. Â Holy. Cow. Â Both drinks were amazing. Expertly crafted, perfectly mixed, and just so delicious. It was definitely worth the steep pice ($10) because they were actually DELICIOUS.
So anyway, we ordered our food. Â My boyfriend wanted to the duck breast special but, of course, right before ordering she comes up and informs us that they were all out. Â Lucky him! Â We had the $10-off-$30 Buffalo Dining Card, so I ordered the Fig Prosciutto pizza which had a fig jam, gorgonzola cheese, caramelized onions, Bartlett peats, and prosciutto. Â My first reaction to taking my first bite: "Holy crap this is too hot." Â My second reaction after letting it cool: "There is nothing on this pizza that I don't like." Â The fig was so sweet, the prosciutto was salty, and just everything about it was amazing. Â I ate literally the entire thing (which it funny because originally I wasn't sure if we should have just split one pizza -- good thing we didn't)!
My boyfriend got a pasta dish, some creamy chicken pappardelle which was very good, and he really enjoyed. Â It had these very sweet and spicy red peppers which were delicious.
Overall, this meal was awesome. Â The drinks were phenomenal, and the food seems to have improved from what others have said, because everything looked and tasted delicious. Â I will definitely be coming back here for cocktails and food!
This place is always jam packed and full of life. It hasn't been around long, but these people know what they're doing. The pizzas here are SOO GOOD. If you're a vegetarian or meat lover they have a pizza for you. The Vera Sausage is a personal favorite, but make sure to check out their specials as well. I've also had a duck pizza, the margherita, caprese, and more. If you're not sitting at the bar it's an intimate setting(alittle loud) but candle lit. Apparently their drinks are awesome as well. Alittle on the pricy side but fresh and strong when it needs to be. Definitely check this place out if you want a late night dinner or to enjoy the bar!
Review Source:Zen and the Art of Crafting Cocktails:
I've already waxed poetic about the drinks at Vera, not only in my last review, but in about every other review I've done of a restaurant in Buffalo which has a bar. Â The reason, at first, is quite simple, this bar is the very best. Â In regards to Western New York, they have singlehandedly redefined the Platonic ideal of the concept of a drinking establishment. Â Vera created a Hegelian antithesis to the old Buffalo standards of what a bar is at its very nature. Â Vera's philosophy states that it is not enough to serve a Gin and Tonic if you do not make your own tonic, or utilize a specialty Martini list which was handed to you by your liquor distributor. Â Out of this antithesis came a synthesis in the creation or upgrade of various bars around Western New York: Mike A's, Cantina Loco, Cafe Aroma. Â However, even the best of these bars do not compare with Vera. Â There is a je ne sais quoi quality to their drinks which I have spent the better part of a year studying to figure out why they are so damn good. Â Any monkey can make a drink taste good, hell I even make a decent cocktail now and again. Â The old Buffalo approach is behavioralist, i.e. tasty drink makes mouth happy. Â Vera is in the Gestalt camp; it takes more than an artist to elevate a drink to the next level, it takes a philosopher.
The magic behind Vera are the bartenders Jon and Kerry, the Yin and Yang in perfect harmony  (I should have went with Ebony and Ivory).  Socrates said "the unexamined life is not worth living."  There are few people in Buffalo who illustrate that concept better than Jon and Kerry. Â
Jon is the mastermind behind Vera's philosophy, and bar manager extraordinaire. Â It is his philosophy which Vera has wholeheartedly embraced, to examine every aspect of the bar, streamline production, use the finest quality ingredients and very old school technique. Â However, out of this concept is a wonderful masculine artistry which shines though in everything he creates. Â Jon is also a teacher. Â He is not shy about the knowledge he has gleaned, and will pass it on to whomever is willing to listen.
Kerry is the Yin to Jon's Yang. Â A wunderkind in her own right, she was the student of Jon's philosophy, but this student has not only mastered Jon's technique, but has taken it to an amazing new depth. Â Kerry's skill is in subtlety. Â While Jon's drinks punch you in the face with his creativity, Kerry's drinks make you ponder their depths with her wonderful undertones. Â This is especially prevalent when she utilizes stronger spices which could easily overpower a drink like star anise and cinnamon. Â Her cocktails have an amazing balance and her passion for her trade is unabashed.
However, Jon and Kerry bring more to the bar than a nuanced palate and skill for mixing, they are intellectuals, constantly plumbing the depths of their craft. Â They have not just memorized cocktail recipes, they know the history of their artistry. Â The bar at Vera has the greatest hand curated collection of spirits mine eyes have ever beheld. Â What is more impressive is that Jon and Kerry know the history behind every bottle on that bar. Â I've heard Jon quote the year certain liquors were first distilled without looking at the bottle. Â To Jon and Kerry, cocktails are more than just a combination of liquors, they tell a story. Â To them, it is as important to know how a cocktail chrysalizes (yeah, I made it up, just trying it on for size) into its present incarnation, as to what the ingredients are. Â Like Freud, when one analyzes the seeds which birthed a classic cocktail, or the trial and tribulations it endured in its early years, one can manipulate and tweak ingredients to elevate it along its evolutionary path. Â Finally, and most importantly, they know the histories and utilize the techniques of finest bartenders of today and yesteryear. Â Walk into Savoy on Elmwood and see if they know who Harry Craddock was, I guarantee you Jon or Kerry could.
Vera is the best because they intellectualize and examine, nay scrutinize every aspect of their business. Â With their minds in the past and their eyes on the future, this bar is the very best that Buffalo has to offer. Â Furthermore, through their passion for their artistry it makes the denizens of this tavern question the details of their very own lives, and yearn to strive for more, and it is there, in that striving where I would hope one finds the momentum for the forthcoming Buffalo Renaissance. Â While Descartes was close, he was a bit off: Â Bibo ergo sum. Â Â Â Â
*As a postscript, while I did not like the food at Vera when it first opened, the Chef has improved dramatically and clearly stands out as one of the most creative and talented chefs in Buffalo. Â He cures pig cheeks like bacon, need I really say more? Â I didn't think so.
We stopped in here specifically to sample their prohibition-era cocktails. We were on our way out for other events so I only had one cocktail - The Duke, but it exceeded expectations. Here's why. The ingredients consisted of American rye, sweet vermouth, bitter amaro, maraschino liqueur and Jerry Thomas bitters. I've had drinks from a number of places back home lately, including Brothers Drake and Caffe Apropos, that went completely overboard on the bitters.
This isn't even limited to the two I named, in fact, I think in general, bartenders might have a lack of understanding on how to properly add bitters. I'm no bartender, but I'm fairly certain there shouldn't be so much bitters that the drink is undrinkable. Which has been the case in several instances. At Bros Drake, the drink was sent back (it wasn't mine, but I was asked to verify). At Caffe Apropos, I had to add soda water to a drink that doesn't call for it to make it drinkable. At Vera's Pizzeria, I sipped enthusiastically on the drink with no qualms whatsoever. It was perfectly balanced, and I do mean perfect.
They don't quite reach the full five star potential because the space is too small and I was promised tattooed hipsters serving me, but got an untattooed hipster. Lulz.
I often find myself sitting at the bar, drinking a Duke, waiting for a date and wondering why I don't come here more often. The cocktails are incredible. Sure, they're over priced. I could kick back with a nice bottle of hooch for what I'm paying for three drinks. The foods good, but I make a pretty mean hand tossed pizza myself.
No, there's really no good reason why I'm not here more often. It's a good location to be a launching point for an evening of fun. The staff is friendly, the atmosphere relaxed. It's a great place to bring a date, being both classy and laid back at the same time.
Bartenders are great and the kitchen rocks. Alright, the waitstaff sometimes tries to rush you out the door a little too quickly, but I get it. There are people waiting.
It's a nice little place. Just expect to pay for the booze.
Vera is not a place to go often. Â It's expensive (10 dollars for a cocktail) and often crowded. Â But, it is a good place - and I can't give it a negative review for being popular or classic.
Vera's cocktails are some of the best in Buffalo and while the price is a little steep, if you want a one-drink night, this is a nice way to do it. Â They use fresh ingredients and know how to mix - plus the cocktails on their menu are interesting tasting. Â I just wish their ice cubes were smaller - they use a single, large ice cube for their drinks. Â Which is pretty cool when you think about it... and then you realize that you want all that to be liquor too. Â But I digress...
The pizzas are pretty good - though I am a vegetarian, so I haven't had many of them. Â The beet pizza is wonderful, though can be a little tough sometimes. Â But, it's a nice pizza.
My warning would be to check out what the crowd is like. Â Some nights, it is packed and no fun at all. Â And the crowd changes every night - sometimes they are nice people and sometimes they are wanna-be hipsters who don't realize they are yuppies-in-training. Â (Wow, I'm judgmental, right?)
Going early for a pizza and drink is perfect, especially since you get more face time with the bartenders. Â They are friendly, smart, and fantastic at putting on the actual show of bartending. Â And are often generous when you are face to face with them.
The cocktails are so innovative! Â I had the "Earhart" which had St. Germain Elderflower liqueur, potato vodka, & fresh berry puree. Â My husband had "The Duke" which had Amaro, bitters, rye, & sweet vermouth with an over-sized ice cube! Â John the bartender was very professional, and knowledgeable! Â The place was packed but the bartenders were so attentive & made sure all patrons were served. Â Parking wasn't bad. Â We got there at 7pm so the first wave of diners were leaving. Â We didn't have any food, but the menu looked great. Â We will return!!
Review Source:Drinks: 5 stars (most professional bartenders in Buffalo, in my opinion - good at their craft. Â Drinks are expensive but worth it - be prepared to spend $10 on a drink but enjoy something truly unique).
Food: 2 stars. Â The food service was sub-par. There were 8 of us in our group and had started at the bar. Â I had a tab open with my drinks on it so it would be easier to split our food order at the table. Â Without even asking me, the waitress/bartender transferred my tab onto our food bill which meant that we couldn't just split the bill in equal parts anymore. Â Why did they do that?? I would have just closed my tab!!! When bill splitting came around it was an absolute nightmare. Â Thankfully, the bartender bought us all a round of shots to make up for it.
The food itself is mediocre at best. Â Don't even bother with it. Â Eat at The Place across the street and just stick with drinks at Vera. Â
We ordered 3 pizzas. Â One was pretty good. Â The next was kind of gross and the third came out completely burned on the bottom. Â
In addition, the bread that they served before the meal was stale and bland. Â The oil served on the side was tasteless.
The cocktails were fantastic! Â The vibe was awesome in this lively bar/ pizzeria. It had a good mix of people, I was not the oldest nor the youngest person there, very comfortable. Â The server was great and the bartenders attentive. Â
We started off on the right foot with some cocktails, "The Duke" and "the Old Fashioned", damn they were great!  I knew after the first sip my wife would be driving home!  For food we started with the caprese and caesar salads.  The calamari was done well with the caesar salad..mmmmmmm!  For the main course, I had the marscapone pizza (which was on special) which blended the fig puree, prosciutto and balanced by the argurllia  wonderfully.  The wifey ordered the frog legs (another special for the evening), which she was slightly disappointed.  The legs were lightly over done and lacked flavour.  We finished with absinthe, which was poured to perfection.
Great place to chill with friends, I can't wait to go down the entire cocktail list!
The ambiance and cocktails get 4 stars. It's got a laid back, wood-modern industrial look going to it. Â The servers were friendly; we did go at 5 pm before the weekend dinner rush.
But....yes there had to be a "but"..... if you searching for Neapolitan Pizzeria, keep looking. Â The pizza is definitely not baked in wood fired nor a coal oven. Â SO you won't get the thinnish, crispiness on the bottom of the slice nor the slightly chewy bite in the dough.
The topping combinations here are interesting. We tried the butternut, potato, sage pizza and surprisingly it was enough for two people with modest appetites. Â The execution of the sage has some room to improve. You are biting into whole leaves of sage at a time. Meh.
I'm re-reviewing here in hopes that Vera will take note. Â I am a huge fan of this place and think it's a great asset to the neighborhood. Â The drinks are, as every has said, fantastic, and I appreciate they keep trying new things, without pandering to sickeningly sweet junk cocktails. Â
I'm re-reviewing here because as my wife and I were there last week for dinner, we realized we've been avoiding the food more and more. Â We usually stop in for cocktails and split a salad and app and split. Â I feel the food has become more clunky, fatty, over stuffed, and unappealing recently. Â Personal preference of course, but the pizzas have become more doughy, with overbearing toppings - away from the thin sleekness of the pizza they were making a year ago.
I still love this place, and hope it continues to find it's feet, but wanted to add my two-cents as a loyal fan, who wants to keep coming back.
AMAZING cocktail menu. Bartenders are truly fantastic and make works of art with their menu. Have been back multiple times and have tried everything from my first Old Fashioned, to the Desperado, to the Duchess, Duke, Maple Old Fashioned and North Star-- every single one was as delicious as the next. NOTE: this was over multiple trips to Vera's and not all in one night... whew.
The first night I was there we also ate dinner. Pizzas were decent, my porchetta was just ok. Would definitely come back for pizzas and drinks.
Great place for an after work or after dinner cocktail. Order a pizza if the drinks are too strong and enjoy the munch. Get a spot at the bar and talk to the really amazing bartenders. They answered all my questions about the lovely libations they shake up. It was really interesting and fun.
So ever since I moved into the neighborhood, almost a year ago, everyone kept telling me to check this place out. Â Eight months later I finally decided to see what all the hype was about.....boy was I disappointed!!!!
This review does not reflect a dining/food experience. Â I only went for a drink and sat at the bar. Â First and foremost, the chairs!!!! These are the most uncomfortable things I have ever sat in! So bad, that I actually ended up standing. Â I kept gazing around to see how everyone else was tolerating their discomfort. Â To my surprise, it appeared to be just me!
My boyfriend and I could immediately tell upon arrival that this just wasn't our scene. Â Glancing around the packed bar and (small) dining area, it appeared to be, for lack of a better word, quite "hippy-ish". Â I would expect to see this bar and atmosphere located on artsy Allen Street. (I do enjoy some Allen Street bars and restaurants, don't get me wrong)! Â
We ventured here on a weekday night (can't remember which day), at approximately 9 pm. Â This place is so small that is was completely packed, in a rather uncomfortable way. Â We could not gain access to the bar. We had to wait until people left just to order a drink. Â During this awkward waiting time, I felt like my rear end was smack dab in the faces of those dining directly behind us. Â There isn't much space between the dining area and the bar.
Finally! We were seated at the bar (me soon to be standing...the chairs!). Â I decided to order a drink from their special drink menu (can't recall which drink). Â What I can recall though, is the five sips it took to start and finish the drink, and the $10.00 it cost! Unbelievable!!! I am familiar to the pricier drinks in the Elmwood area, but this is just ridiculous! My boyfriend wasn't too pleased either with his $5.00 beer IN A CAN! (That he had to ask for a glass for).
At this point I couldn't wait to get out! I have way too many favorite Elmwood Village spots to visit, before I ever decide to return here!
I have been to Vera many times over the past year and cannot recommend it highly enough. There is no better cocktail in Western New York. This is the type of place where you can it at the bar and just tell the bar tender what type of alcohol you are in the mood for and they will take it from there. My favorite nights are week nights where there is room to sit at the bar and you can have a conversation with the bartenders and experiment with drinks.
A few reviews mention the cocktail pricing($10) being high. Their cocktails are hand crafted with many house made ingredients and take time and skill to make the right way. My wife and I always try to check out cocktail bars in other cities when travelling. Similar bars tend to charge from 10-18 for their cocktails. Before you says that, this is Buffalo, the $18 cocktails were in Cleveland.
The food is great too, definitely get the garlic twists and I am a big fan of the Vera Sausage pizza that has a very spicy tomato sauce.
The beet arancini appetizer was absolutely excellent. The beet flavor really came through on the orzo & the cheese was perfectly soft and wonderful on the inside. Crisp beet slices were a great compliment to the slightly crunchy exterior. Â The presentation was great too - only wish I could see it better to get a load of those fall colors.
The fig jam prosciutto pizza was meh. The crust was not strong enough to hold its toppings and it had a cracker flavor. The fig was overpowering and blobbed on haphazardly. We hoped the prosciutto would picked up the slack, but it barely did it's job. I just wanted more - the description really had my mouth watering!!
The thing is, I want to come here for the drinks & bar scene. Does anyone else think their drinks are overpriced? I want to like this place - Â I live less than a mile away and have talked it up to everyone visiting my area for a year now, but the hipster vibe gives off this sense of entitlement / you dont belong feeling that makes me confused and uncomfortable. Then $10 drinks on top of that anxiety? Not worth it for me. I keep going back hoping it changes but it seems they just keep catering to the elite crowd. Where do these people come from anyways? Â In the meantime, where can I buy one of those hats so I fit in a little better? Hehe.
I love the cocktail menu! When I came to this place for the first time I thought FINALLY artisan cocktails! I like places that create their own special cocktail menu and still allow a customer to order what they want.
I have had the Garlic Twists with the fig jam/ricotta spread and the sun dried tomato. I know they change it up by season but I am partial to the fig & ricotta combination. I've tried several of their pizzas, the majority of them were great but I do wish their Margherita pizza had a bit more mozzarella. I don't know if it was the night I was there or if they were skimping on it. Of course a real Margherita pizza does not contain a lot of cheese but having gone to Italy it does contain much more than the one I got the one time I ordered it. I have had the pizza with the potatoes with an added egg - which I love that they have that option! I have recently had the Bianco pizza with an egg on it and that was wonderful!
I love the atmosphere, which can get crowded and noisy, but that is part of the appeal.
I liked Vera for the certain richness the food has. I tried smoked pork pizza first. The smoky pork in combination with the dark red, almost concentrated tomato sauce resulted in an indescribably deep flavor. I also had a pasta on the specials menu, penne with a garlic cream sauce, sun dried tomatoes, corn and steak. Both items each had incredible balance of flavors without being so predictable. Vera's chef definitely has a  strong handle on what makes a solid dish.
Also, I hear they make a good cocktail.
Really fantastic spot. It's a legit cocktail bar like you'd find in NYC, with a friendly Buffalo atmosphere and great food. I've been a couple times now and it's consistently high-quality. The pizzas are generous and delicious. The drinks are outstanding -- the menu changes by season, and if you're at the bar, John the bartender can find something for your needs. It's not cheap, but I'll go as often as I can.
Oh, and don't miss the fried-to-order homemade donut holes with warm Nutella dipping sauce.
After my first visit when they first opened, the opportunity arose to meet my man friend out for drinks, so I happily obliged since I was wanting to try it again.
The bar was pretty busy when I arrived, but I found an open spot and got right in for a drink. Cameron is a fabulous bartender; always has been. If there's one reason you should go to Vera, it's to get yourself a damn good cocktail! The drink menu is impressive that he designed himself. Â I couldn't decide which drink to get while I waited, and being a gin & tonic kind of girl, he suggested the Bees Knees. The Bees Knee hit the spot; lemony and strong with honey that you don't even notice the gin. Don't get me wrong, the drink was strong; you only need about two to get a good buzz going; though they're not cheap. So after getting a little buzz going, I ordered a plate of garlic knots as my man walked in. Â He ordered the Blood & Sand drink. A Scotch cocktail that's refreshing and damn it was real strong, but real tasty; a very hard thing to balance.
Our garlic knots arrived looking decadent, from the display to the taste. Served with Ricotta Cheese and fig that complemented the light fluffy dough of the tasty garlic knots perfectly. I was blown away. I'd go here simply for the drinks and the garlic knots (which were only $7). I'm getting hungry just thinking about them!
Round two: We got more drinks, why not? It's Tuesday! This time I got the Earhart a vodka drink with berry puree, lemon and mint. YUM! Very girly drink and would be perfect to have a pitcher of this bad boy in the middle of summer! I'm not sure what he ordered, but it was the follow up to the blood and sand. So what does that mean? We concluded that by follow up it means, one step closer to a scotch on the rocks. It was stronger than the last but still good; I couldn't drink it, but he did. haha We ordered a pizza; the margherita.
The pizza was better than the last time I had come, but still not the best pizza I've had and it's different. It is what it is. It was delicious, I was hungry, I ate it. It wasn't very memorable to me in any ways, I just want more cheese and more basil and more? Regardless, the whole experience was good and there's a reason people frequent this joint.
If nothing else, go get yourself a drink.
!st off the drinks were very good....handcrafted old school.
Salad was very good also...pizza on the other hand...not good. Â They claim to be doing italian pizza...not american italian? Â Sorry... I have had good pizza in rome, napoli & florence....as well as here in Buffalo. Â This pizza was way down on the list. Wasnt cooked in a super hot oven like wood or coal fired. Â The Pesto was so heavily applied that it was dripping with oil. Â Pizza has to have a balance of ingredients and cooked hot and short. Â This was just a disaster. Â They should go to 800 maple, roccos, sienna, or even carrabas. Â Thats how pizza should be made. Â The place was very small and very loud. Â I had a headache when I left. Â But did I mention well made drinks?
The highlight of this place? The cocktails. Truly they taste like nectar of the gods and they're reasonably priced.
Pizza? Its OK. The toppings are fresh and sauce is flavorful. Â I'm not the biggest fan of the crust. I wish it was light and airy. Instead it tasted like a dense cracker.
The dining room is small and its a popular joint so come early and often.
Went here last night after reading the raves on Yelp, and had a fantastical time! The tiny place was packed, the bar was hopping, and the low-lit, bohemian ambiance and the delicious-looking food coming out of the kitchen convinced us to put our names in for dinner and stay awhile.
As we waited, we sampled the cocktail menu, which features a few house cocktails amid a list of 1920's classics like the Bee's Knees. The bartenders seemed keen to recreate the success of craft cocktail joints in other cities, and urged us to give them a few cues and then let them go at it. We gladly obliged.
Interestingly, I gave the same instructions to two different bartenders and received two totally different drinks: the first, made by a upbeat guy named Jon with tattoos up and down his arms, was a fizzy concoction of prosecco and bitters. Tasty, but a little too girly; we were looking for serious booze. The second drink, mixed up by an awesome female bartender named Kelli, was more my speed: heavy on the whiskey and bitters, with a big ol' ice cube in the middle. We joked that while Jon had perhaps gone easy on me, a first-time female customer, it takes another woman to sense when a lady needs serious bourbon, not bubbly!
Anyway, thanks to my girl Kelli, we were three sheets by the time they found three seats for us near the bar. This might explain why our first appetizer, a plate of garlic knots with a side of garlic ricotta spread and fig jam, tasted so delicious, but I'd happily order it again sober in order to assess it more thoroughly.
We also tried two thin-crusted pizzas, the goat cheese with pesto and the fennel with caramelized onions. Both were tasty, but a bit bland. Would have liked to order an entree to mix it up, but we were with a vegetarian and wanted to share plates, and all the main courses included meat. Hopefully Vera'll add some greens to the menu in the future to balance things out; til then, I might file this place away in my "drink at the bar and snack on apps" folder versus going for dinner.
Our table was smack dab in the middle of the sizable bar crowd, a mix of young professionals living it up on a Friday night and hip middle-aged regulars with homes in the 'hood. This setup encouraged socializing; we had great conversations with our neighboring diners and bar patrons as we ate. It's always a good sign for a spot when you feel comfortable enough with the crowd to strike up a convo with any given stranger there.
Vera more than any other place in Buffalo reminds me of my favorite joints in Boston and NYC, where craft cocktail spots have had a stranglehold on the nightlife scene for a few years now (not a bad thing). It's only three months old now and still has some kinks to work out, but I think it bodes very well for Buffalo that it's doing so well already. Keep it up, Vera!
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