Mira: Upscale Mediterranean
In Buffalo's Elmwood Village
Once upon a post-revelry evening in college, I finished eating a simple breakfast at 1081 Elmwood Avenue. I was accompanied by a good friend, who serenaded her toast as she tucked it into a to-go container. The year was late 1990-something. Much of the city was open till four, and many diners operated 24/7. This was the location where we typically ended our late nights. This was Pano’s.
Three decades later, and under new ownership, 1081 Elmwood would be the site of one of the best, higher-end dining experiences of my life. The menu, inspired by the coastal cuisines of Italy, Spain and Greece, features dishes from a basque-style grill and coal oven, along with homemade pasta and desserts. The ambiance, moody and lively. The service, impeccable. Now this, is Mira.
We began our dining experience with two small plates or mezze. First to arrive at the table was the crispy octopus. Light breading added texture to otherwise tender seafood which was served with smashed cucumbers and a tomato aioli. Jeff and I agreed this was the best octopus dish either of us have ever had.
The second plate to grace our table was the tuna conserva. The delicate tuna is poached in herbed olive oil, served atop a aji amarillo sauce and topped with fresh ramps. I detected pleasant hints of lemon and mint. Slices of perfectly toasted semolina further enhanced this masterpiece.
For his entree, Jeff ordered the Lamb Ribs. Braised for five hours in beef fat and then roasted in a coal oven, the fork-tender lamb with its charred exterior, slid right off the bone. Served on a bed of crispy bomba rice and finished with dollops of garlic yogurt and tangy, pickled red onion, I was happy to help Jeff out with this hearty serving.
Unable to resist the lure of homemade pasta, the culurgiones were my entree of choice. Filled with potato and finished with fresh ramps and truffled pecorino, these stunning dumplings bathed in a buttery sauce and were perfectly cooked.
A shared tiramisu—layers of malted milk mascarpone, chocolate ganache, and espresso, finished with a sprinkling of salt, was the perfect finale to our meal.
A full drink menu features red, white, rose, and sparking wine options by the glass or bottle, cocktails, beer, digestifs, coffee, tea, and espresso.
Important Note: before heading over to experience Mira for yourself, I strongly suggest a reservation. We made ours two months in advance to secure a 6:30 pm spot on a Friday. The exception would be for Saturday brunch, which is walk-in only.
Thank you to Jeff’s parents for the gift card that helped fund this wonderful evening.