BUFFALO, N.Y. — You know those places where some of the food comes out looking like a work of art? Grezi on Main is one of them. For example, they sculpt their autumn salad with a bruléed apple base, topped by a ball of goat cheese, and with greens balancing carefully on top.
"We call it casual fine dining," Chef and partner, Brendan Wakeham, said.
He and and partner Chef, Jonathan Freer, say it's high end food, but with a laid back atmosphere.
"We want to use fresh ingredients, we do 99 percent of our stuff is from scratch. Everything's seasonal, and we kind of want to make it approachable," Freer said.
Freer also has the goal of making the menu " forever changing."
"That's my one thing about growing up in Buffalo, is that I go back to some places and it's still the same stuff," he said. "So we want to keep it fresh."
One thing that has solidified its permanent status on the menu is the smash burger. Since Grezi opened in early September, it's been their most popular dish.
"That will be the one thing we can't change," Freer said.
Grezi is named in honor of Wakeham's parents, Greg and Desi. The team spent more than year transforming the former home of Loughran's on Main Street.
"The biggest difference is how bright it is," Wakeham said.
a part of the changes, everyone is talking about their windows
"They used to be the old block windows there and now it's so much brighter in here. It's definitely a lot, lot different," Free said.
With a large bar space and a late night menu served until midnight nightly, Grezi is hoping to be your new go-to, no matter what they're looking for.
"People always say what's the dress code and I always answer, whatever you want," Freer said. He added, "We want to be approachable for whoever, whatever, whenever."
"That's one of the things we love about Buffalo," Wakeham said. "It's casual, it's down to earth and we love that."
For Gerzi's menu and hours of operation, click here.