Las Puertas Buffalo

We recently had dinner on a random Wednesday night and feel this is one of the best meals we have had in a long time if not ever! Between the two of us, we ordered the set menu as well as pretty much every add-on that was available. We are so glad we chose this option as we would have been disappointed if we missed out on any of the items. Because it was a slow night we had the attention of our server/bartender who made specialized drinks and entertained us the whole evening. It was my first exposure to a miso cocktail as well as duck fat cocktail and cauliflower soup. The duck and beef entrees were tender and delicious while desert was an amazing finish. Overall we had more than just a meal… it was a dining experience!!

Came here for our anniversary dinner and it was so worth it! The service was great and the food was excellent! It’s got a great cozy and aesthetic ambiance and I’m so happy that I finally got to try here! I would definitely recommend for a special night out! I’ve had the pleasure to eat at several Michelin starred restaurants and this definitely gives the same kind of food experience!

Overall, my group of 4 had a delightful experience. The ribeye (4th course) was by far all of our favorites-the flavor combination was ideal. The gnocchi in the soup (2nd course) was the best I’ve had-perfect consistency. Unfortunately, I found the dessert to be slightly disappointing. Also, it was rather cold for our liking, but the overall atmosphere was lovely. I would highly recommend this to adventurous eaters- what a hidden gem!

If you only care about presentation, not the portion size or the quality🤗you might be satisfied. The open kitchen being located right in front of the restroom was also a bit off-putting for me.

After eating a 3 star Michelin restaurant in Paris just last week, I can say this tasting was 100% better than that! The prices are reasonable for the food being served and each dish was a delight and a larger serving than I'd expect for a tasting. We went on Wednesday when they were doing a vinyl night and also offered an à la carte menu which was perfect for me as I don't eat meat so I could choose the meatless options, only. The owner and other server were very friendly and hospitable and the chefs in the back obviously know what they're doing - every dish was cooked perfectly. We will definitely be back and hope everyone tries it out!

We decided to go to this restaurant abd try their multi course experience. I have mixed feelings about the food but the service and atmosphere was pretty nice. The courses we ordered were very decorative and beautifully presented. I personally wasn't the biggest fan of the course selection. It's not that the dishes tasted bad but I feel like my taste palette doesn't match up with what they're going for. My partner with me highly agrees with me and enjoyed every course. The service was excellent. The person tending to our table was very attentive and came by often. The courses came out pretty quick as well. The atmosphere was nice and warm. It is a tiny restaurant but there weren't many people to feel cramped. The bathroom is a single person room that's very clean. In my opinion, I wouldn't go back due to the price as well as the course items but I encourage anyone who's interested in this type of dining experience to try it out if you have the funds or think you'll like what's being served.

Las Puertas is special for Buffalo. Small place, tasting menu that changes regularly. Delicious drinks. Excellent service. The owner/chef Victor has brought out at least one of the dishes and chatted both time I’ve been there. Victor, if you read this the carne asada was amazing and I’m still thinking about it. Pricey but highly recommend if it’s in your budget.

If you’re thinking about trying this restaurant in Buffalo, here’s the honest truth: save your money. They advertise a $45 per person reservation, which already feels steep, but what they don’t make clear upfront is that there’s a $125 per person at minimum once you sit down. By the time you realize what the actual commitment is, you’re already seated and essentially locked in. That kind of pricing structure should be crystal clear before anyone walks through the door. And the worst part? The food absolutely does not justify it. The portions are small, the flavors are mediocre at best, and there’s nothing about the experience that warrants that kind of bill. You walk in thinking you’re paying for something special, and you walk out feeling like you’ve been taken advantage of. Charging premium prices is one thing — plenty of great restaurants do that — but you have to deliver premium quality and be upfront about what people are signing up for. This place does neither. There are far better spots in Buffalo that will give you great food, generous portions, and transparent pricing without making you feel robbed. Do yourself a favor and spend your $125 somewhere that actually earns it.

Finally, I got to experience the tasting menu. I had no clue going in what the courses were going to be. They were featuring baja experience. At first glance of the menu, I was nervous several things were on there that I don't eat or have never tried. But I also am a foodie and always willing to at least try things. Firstly it is a very small intimate place. Great vibe and atmosphere. Staff is very friendly and super attentive. During the courses, each one was explained in great detail. With anyone Rhode Island/west side downtown place, parking is always an issue. We did get lucky and find a spot last night. First, go around (bonus) The food was amazing! Out of the 7 courses, I had only had ONE thing prior, duck. After the tasting, I now love tofu, shrimp, and bone marrow! The octopus course, although I didn't like octopus, I enjoyed everything else that came with it. The creations and the flavor profiles they combined were awesome. Everything tasted so fresh. The portion sizes for us were good. By the end of the meal, I was satisfied and felt like I had eaten plenty. Love leaving a place and not feeling weighed down. The tasting menu does run $100.00. I felt the price and what we received was worth it. The drinks were creative as well and will run you about 15 bucks. I would and will definitely do more tasting courses. I was told they change them every 4 to 6 weeks. Which can be found on their instagram page.

Delicious food, surprisingly tasty combinations, and beautiful presentations. This was a 6 to 7 course experience, but I only captured a few photos. Missing here are the black bean & pepper puree, and a beet & brussel sprouts salad. The app had the option of caviar, and a sourdough side dish with matcha butter was also a temping add-on. But I chose the mocktail Hot toddy which was AMAZING!! From the lighting to the music and the attentive waiter, the food was perfect, and I give the experience 5 stars.

Had the absolute pleasure of trying out Las Puertas for the first time last night. I've been dying to try their coursed dinner experience, and it was one of my boyfriend's Christmas gifts to me. Score! Las Puertas is a small but mighty force in Buffalo's Westside -- there's 10-12 tables total and as I mentioned, they're currently only offering a coursed meal experience that changes every 4 weeks or so. The service was impeccable, every course was explained thoroughly to us and we even got to chat briefly with the owner. Our dinner consisted of seven small plates, each inspired by and comprised of traditional Mexican flavors. I won't go too in-depth on what the courses consisted of since the menu rotates so frequently -- but across the board, every dish was flavorful, true to the season, and well-thought out. The plates gradually got larger in size (except for the final dessert course). I was really surprised to see so much negativity in the reviews here on the size of the meal -- my boyfriend and I left completely full. It was the perfect portion size for us. I will say that this is likely not the place to take a picky eater as their menu isn't posted anywhere, and intentional surprise for customers. The courses pushed the boundaries of my own palate, but I'm extremely grateful for the experience. I loved everything. Buffalo is so lucky to have a place like Las Puertas. An experience like this is rare, and I implore everyone to try it at least once. We will certainly be back someday!

We went and did the 7 course tasting menu and it was good! I missed a photo of the salad. The duck fat butter on the toast with cheese was so good. The beef shredded so easily and melted in my mouth. The mushrooms and carrots with the beef were delicious. The craw fish dish was good too. This menu we had was French inspired. The tart was a little odd but that's just my personal opinion - the buttery crust and fruit was so good, the beets didn't feel like they fit. Chocolate cake for dessert was great! We went on a Friday and made a reservation for 630. We left around 9. It never filled up the entire time we were there which was nice. It was quiet, intimate, nice setting, attentive and kind staff. Only reason for 4 stars is just that the food was good. Nothing blew me away. Would definitely go back! The bar space was also such a vibe. I'd go back to sit at the bar for drinks.

Las Puertas is absolutely fantastic! Their dishes are incredibly innovative and ALWAYS delicious! The atmosphere is intimate, welcoming, and one-of-a-kind. Every single employee is friendly, joyful, and knowledgeable about the menu! I have been twice and both meals were legitimately flawless! I already can't wait to go back! One of Buffalo's best restaurants, for sure!

This is a jewel in buffalo and one must experience at least once! I'm well into double digits and they always exceed my expectations

Food was insipid , very expensive because the skimpy portion and the cost of the ingredients didn't justify the price. Nothing special at all. Buffalo has better, much better restaurants like Olivier's and Lombardo's where the food is prepared much better and tastier. It's a scam the several courses because the preparation is like an assembly line where everybody gets the same food exactly. I've been in top restaurants in other cities that offered several courses and were very tasty. An alleged poblano sauce didn't taste like poblano pepper at all. Can't believe it was made with poblano for reasons to long to explain. To be fair, the Chef wasn't there and didn't prepare the food, but for an over 500.00 price tag with wine pairing I wouldn't go there again just in case the chef is around. I read the glowing reviews but after my experience the people had too much mezcal during dinner or are not accustomed to good food. They went there to celebrate something special and the rest of the year they go to McDonald's. As I said, the chef wasn't there and will never find out if it would have made a difference. Assuming the people preparing the food during his absences do exactly what he'd have personally done. Service was good, ambiance nothing special, the place is plain and cheap.

Last night was my first time at Las Puertas and wow was it an experience! We made a reservation for four people and were seated outside. The service was immediately welcoming and attentive by the chef/owner. It ended up starting to thunderstorm and we were able to move inside (in the time of COVID-19). There were two other parties inside so we felt safely socially distant. My party started with cocktails which were unique and nicely crafted. Everyone in my party elected to do the 7-course chef's selection and I was very impressed. Each and every dish had superb presentation and blew me away with the flavor and uniqueness. For every course the chef/owner came out and explained the dish to us. Some of the dishes we had were a coconut appetizer, squash soup, ceviche, dumpling pasta, tamales, pork belly and dessert. This really was an amazing dining experience that was specially designed by the chef. I really can't even pick which dish was my favorite because they were all so expertly crafted. I understand that the menu changes regularly so I will definitely be back to this restaurant that offers such a unique and tasty experience. I felt like the price was worth it although it's likely not something I can afford other than a special occasion.

First of all, I am giving a five-star rating because this was the first time we got to experience a tasting menu. The chef Victor is a Mexican who got trained in a culinary school in Montreal. The items on the menu have Mexican, Italian, and French inspiration. For someone like me who had very little idea about what a tasting menu is, the restaurant staffs were pretty patient with answering all questions we had. The restaurant is very cozy, they have only seven tables and 18 seats in total. They have an open bar and an open kitchen, so anyone interested can watch the chefs prepare and plate the food for you. They have three chefs and one bartender, and they limit the number of customers so that they can spend more time with the customers, walking them through the menu, explaining the food items, and answering any questions. I love restaurants with such intimate treatment; otherwise, you feel very disconnected. The menu keeps changing every five weeks and the chefs use seasonal fruits and vegetables from local farmer's market to decide what they are going to prepare. This gives a very homely environment as the use of seasonal fruits and vegetables is not something that you see in restaurants very often. It was almost like having a walk through the chefs' mind and what they want you to taste. We loved the explosion of different flavors that each food item had and the frequent use of chili oil did satisfy my Indian taste bud. Especially, the mole tasted like a spicy chutney even through the preparation is nothing close. All the items tasted very good. I can't distinguish which one I will recommend because each item has been carefully researched and has its own charm. Overall it was an artistic experience and I definitely would like to visit there again.

I have been wanting to try Las Puertas for a while and it did not disappoint! Everything was incredible. I did the tasting menu with a cocktail. It was 7 courses with dessert at the end. The food was seasoned perfectly and every course that came out was my new favorite. It was enough food that I left completely full. The restaurant had a cozy atmosphere with the lighting and music.

This is by far one of my favorite places in Buffalo. I've been coming for a few years and it's always an amazing and memorable experience. Victor, the owner and chef, is James Beard nominated and will blow you away with his creations made of high end, fresh and seasonal ingredients. I feel very fortunate that he chose Buffalo for his lovely restaurant. Take note that this is not your standard large portion, beans and rice, chips and salsa kind of Mexican restaurant. Las Puertas has a small and intimate setting. If you don't know where you are going you would easily pass by the store front. Once inside you will feel like you found a really cool and amazing gem in Brooklyn. The chef is present, serving guests and enhancing the experience. He and the staff are helpful, attentive and approachable. It is obvious that their craft is executed with love and care. Depending on the night you might hear stories about the restaurant or the chefs own experience which only makes the night more memorable. At the current time they are only offering a tasting menu. We got 7 courses of small plates for $85 with the option to add pork to a course for an additional $15. This honestly makes it easier so you don't have to make the hard choice of deciding what to order because you will want to try everything. Every plate here is carefully planned. Each bite has the perfect amount of each ingredient and everything is seasoned to perfection. Everything I've ever had here has been out of this world and leaves me wanting more. There is also a wine paring option as well as wines and cocktails by the glass. Wines are always carefully chosen and cocktails are always delicious even when it's an unexpected combination. Course 1- peas please- the peas were sweet and in season and the tart was cooked perfectly. The pecorino cheese added the perfect amount of salt to this. Course 2- beets- the accent of pickled beets was right amount to the roasted beets. The yogurt was a delicious way to tie the dish together. Course 3- campanelle- pasta ribbons were the ideal vehicle to soak up the sauce. Eggplant was a nice touch to the ragut and the cheese was a beautiful accent. Course 4- shrimp crudo- the coconut dressing, cucumbers, pickled jalapeño slices and Chile oil were the perfect combination. Course 5- slow roasted tetela with slow roasted pork- the tetela was a thin layer of masa, slightly crispy with 3 kinds of cheese melted inside. The sauce, zucchini ribbons and pickled red onions were delicious complements to the slow roasted, melt in your mouth pork. You would be silly not to get the pork as an add on. Course 6- watermelon granita- this was the palate cleanser but was still tasty. It was refreshing, bright and had a creme fraiche which balanced out the sweetness. Course 7- brown butter blondie- delicious lemon mint mousse on top of the blondie. It was the perfect way to end the meal. Sweet but not overbearing. The scoop of chocolate hazelnut ice cream was rich but just enough and satisfied a sweet tooth. For drinks we tried the mezcal margarita which had the perfect amount of smokiness, the spicy Martinez which was a take on a dirty martini with tequila and pineapple of my eye which felt like a tropical vacation. I also had a glass of the rose which was one of the best I've had in a long time. Very light and smooth. Since this is a smaller place you will want to make a reservation. Look for dinners they host at Stillwater Farm, where they buy their lamb, for a unique experience. If you haven't been here yet treat yourself, find a reason to celebrate and try something new and exciting.

Are you ready for a culinary adventure? I hope so if you come here.... UBER EXPENSIVE, but very very good. Everyone gets the same multi-course meal. You're presented with a menu with several courses just so you know what's coming. They can accommodate some change requests for dietary restrictions but its somewhat limited in what they can actually change. The menu is set monthly. This place is definitely for a special occasion, anniversary, engagement, etc. Expect to pay $150 per person possibly. Food is awesome, service is spectacular, atmosphere is super cool and cozy. Parking is a bit of a challenge right now because of the winter, ice, etc. Also, it's great to see a high end establishment in this part of Buffalo. Hopefully more business can spring up in this area of the West Side. Will go back as soon as we save up an extra $300, ;-)

The food here was excellent!! The owner is very hands on and so nice and passionate. However, the food here and service is also a joke. We got the 7 course meal and every course was literally an amuse bouche....a bite. Which is fine, but it was godly expensive for what you got. We thought it was just to start off and then get bigger plates and then we looked around and thought is this a joke? I felt like I was in that movie Always Be My Maybe. We went there hungry and got more upset as we waited and waited for each course to come out...just to be disappointed in the lack of food. It took over 2 hours for this craziness. We left hungry and upset that our time was waisted on this circus. We went out to eat again and I wanted, so bad to take the second meal bill to them to get reimbursed. Save your money for a different place.

Las Puertas is by far the best restaurant in the Buffalo area! They recently changed their tasting menu to highlight Oaxacan cuisine and it is incredibly unique and flavorful. First of all, the atmosphere is so inviting. The drink menu is extensive and unique as well. They even had mocktails. The mocktails and cocktails were excellent! They do a tasing menu for $100, which is a little steep for Buffalo BUT it is worth every penny! Each dish was extremely delicious and felt fresh and even healthy! There were a lot of flavors I had never experienced before! We have been to a Mexican Michelin star restaurant in Toronto and this was on par with that. They were also very good with a dairy intolerance (even though Tock said they don't accommodate no dairy, you can call and they can probably accommodate). I highly, HIGHLY recommend this place for a special evening out and am very happy Buffalo has a place like Las Puertas!

The food is delicious. Chef owner Victor is a high end James Beard nominated chef, the atmosphere of the restaurant is quaint and intimate (not a whole lot of tables) and the menu is varied and changes seasonally. It's a french/Mexican food. I shared the pork belly, the chicken mole and a few other dishes and the pork & beans (pork belly) was the standout winner for me, but definitely don't skip dessert as the pastry chef knows what she's doing. The squash we had had a nice smoky flavor and was cooked perfectly, while the mole sauce had a lot of richness to it. All in all, it's an experience to come here. I wish I had the disposable income to do so for my every meal, but I'll settle for a nice treat every once in a while.

Amazing attention to detail and the most personable staff that I have encountered in all of my Buffalo dining experiences. A small, intimate atmosphere and a definite must for a special occasion! Delicious and unique food with a tasting menu that changes every 5 weeks. Highly recommend the wine pairing too!!

Las Puertas opens up an artistic culinary journey for its audience. It takes us into the mind of the chef; allowing us to read his thoughts through food. For me, such an exposure was enlightening and gastronomic delight. When we walk into an art museum, we allow the painter to drift us though the myriad of colors. Chef Victor, paints our palettes with flavors that burst bright and citrus. The portion sizes may look small, albeit it being a tasting menu, but by the end of our culinary journey, our hearts are more satisfied than full. And that speaks a lot, because food equals fullness, but this course satiated our hunger, not by quantity but their impeccable quality that transcends the definition of hunger. Looking at food from a different spectrum, permitting it through travel through the senses, in the light of the summer season--was a revelation that kept revealing surprises throughout the 7-course meal. Victor, a James Beard Award winner chef, creates art on the plate. The course was explained at each step by the wonderful team mates and made the experience even more unique and personalized. The watermelon soup was one of a kind--with tiny perfect pieces of watermelon in a double strained soup, with the freshness of herbs and olive oil. The sour dough toast with wild mushrooms and the miso purée was a magical bite. The umami of the mushrooms married beautifully with the puree as it slowly melted away in the mouth. Carrots in a Mole sauce was a surprise, with its undertones of citrus and chile, hitting us right at the back of our throat; not overbearing but just right. What made a moment exhilarating was my first bite of the Risotto with black beans and Queso. It reminded me of my mom's comforting starchy rice, rich with a dollop of butter and a bit of chilli oil that would be a bowl of utter contentment on a crisp sunny day. We savored every bite. The shrimp ceviche in its slight tartness was magic. My husband had a not-so-good experience with ceviche at Florida but he was blown away by the taste of the delicately seasoned shrimp. I had the citrus fruit in a seasoned broth. It seemed pretty simple to the eye, but it packed a punch of flavors that burst in my mouth, surprising me in every bite. The entrée was a Sous Vide chicken roulade--and I wasn't very comfortable with the concept. Given I like my chicken absolutely cooked at 165 and nothing less, the doneness of my chicken was up to question. However, the chef mentioned that it was cooked and I had my taste of it. I like my chicken spicy, and despite the chicken being a little bland, the chile puree created a glorious coating. My husband had the steak and asserted that this was one of the best he had. The chile lime crust on the steak was remarkably balanced into a perfect medium rare. We waited for the perfect curtain call with the dessert and already knew this experience would be sublime. Wild blueberries from a local farm, conduced into a warm compote, with a masa cornbread and a minty blueberry sorbet was the highlight of the meal that left was wanting more. It teased our palette and instead of weighing us down at the end; woke us up with its bright tantalizing notes of freshness. I walked over to Chef Victor at the end to pay my compliments. This incredible gastronomical experience elevated my respect for good, thoughtful food that shares a story that needs to be shared, loved and explored in its deepest levels. It is simple food; yet fails to be ordinary. It is powerful in its simplicity and homage to summer and to citrus. Bravo! Look forward to more tasting menus; sharing more of the seasons and stories.

Love. Love. Love. Beautiful seasonal menu with top notch ingredients. Couldn't decide what to eat in our group of 4 so "one of everything please". Chef Victor took care of everything and made the experience one to remember. Can't wait to experience his vision of a course tasting menu in the coming months to try new flavors. Only possible criticism is that there's nothing to use to soak up the amaaaaaaazing sauces with each dish!!! Also loved the drink suggestions as the Lambrusco suggestion was unexpected and spot on. Can't wait to come back

So so happy to have had an intimate dining experience like this in Buffalo! Las Puertas is a hidden gem for sure. Really loved how intentional every ingredient is for each course and the staff was super attentive. Can't wait to come back

For those of you living in or traveling to Buffalo, our New Years Eve dinner at Las Puertas on Rhode Island Avenue was magnificent. Owner Victor Parra Gonzalez narrated the tasting menu throughout and we had the joy of being seated at the table next to his mother Olivia (also a chef) and his wife. The food, a unique fusion of Mexican and French Canadian, was magnificent, the milieu was charming, and the entire experience was one we will never forget. Las Puertas is open Thursday, Friday, and Saturday nights. The menu changes every five weeks. The experience of the tasting menu and accompanying conversation with the chef continues throughout the year. New Years Eve 2022 was an experience we will remember forever, and we plan to return with family members again and again and again.

Completely innovative cuisine made with the freshest ingredients for the season. Each bite of food that we tried was the best way we had ever had that food. Added bonus, the cocktails were tremendous!

It's always fantastic. I have never in my life had a bad meal or a bad drink at this place. The staff is terrific and the creativity is off the charts.

Fine dining. Food tasted intensely good. Flavors of sweet, smokey, salty all perfectly balanced. Hands on Chef. Innovative use of foods and unique combinations. Tasting menu preselected.

It's taken me a long time to come here for a proper sit down meal. I've had both the food and the pastries other places though, so know that it's good. Many people I know now have this as their "go to" choice in buffalo, and I'd recommend reservations. I also recommend sitting at a table and not the bar. And I'd go early because it can get really loud. The menu changes often I've been told. We let the chef bring us food as his choice, which saved any decision making. If you are good letting them choose, I'd encourage you to do that. We ended up with a shrimp dish I didn't taste but was loved by my companion. A chicken mole dish that I'd order again, especially if he does take out (which I don't know). Two other dishes that were very good, but it's been a while and I have forgotten. He recommended a wine to us, a red, that was fantastic. However, at $14 a generous glass, I'd hesitate to do that again. Desserts, which I rarely order, were fantastic. She is a terrific pastry chef, which I have known for a while. I'd totally go there, sit at the bar, order a nice glass of wine and have a dessert around 8-9 pm. I think this place deserves all the national write-ups it's getting and more. It really is "that good". If I were going to change anything I'd lower the music volume. No one wants to shout at their companion.

Oh where to start, this restaurant is highway robbery. The tasting menu we had was not cohesive, or curated in any way. We had an under seasoned "blini" to start with pomme purée on top of it with walnuts - it was shitty fried dough with mom's mashed potatoes on top of it. No walnuts. No seasoning. Then we had the crab soup. It was literally ONE SPOONFUL. I've been to omakase restaurants in the $$$ cities, and this portion size, on the west side of Buffalo (lol), was comical. It needed salt, acid and oil. Then we had - "hamachi crudo". It was fluke. With a sprinkling of pickled peppers. So bland. Needed acid and salt. This isn't a sushi restaurant we're not highlighting FLUKE. We're paying for a well seasoned curated bite. Here comes the piece de resistance. Sous vide chicken thighs. Came with some type of root veg purée. Which was bland. My chicken was inedible. See pics. Actually raw. Haha. Dessert was nice actually. Chocolate bread pudding and passion fruit ice cream. Spicy margs were delicious as well. Staff was very kind and attentive. For the price - this is a shameful establishment.

Best restaurant in Buffalo hands down - every time we come back the tasting menu gets better. Perfect selection and amount of food.

Wow I'm so glad I came here. Everything was excellent and so delicious!! Chef Victor greeted us and walked us to our table. Everything was perfect. I loved the decor and feel of the restaurant. So minimalistic but artsy. The food came out immediately one after the other. Service was wonderful. Everything that was on the plate was explained. Very impressed with each dish. My favorite had to be the mushroom pate or the lavender honey dessert. Can't wait to come back to try another menu they will be serving. Price was very very fair. I loved it! Thank you chef for a wonderful evening. Ps: the mezcal is soooo bombbb.

Wow. What a beautiful meal. Came with my husband on high reviews and we were blown away. The depth each dish has! Can't wait to come back on a Wednesday byob Always a great experience here. Tried the tasting menu for the first time and I'm not sure I can return to ordering from the regular menu. In Victor we trust. Each course was a unique bite I can't say I've tasted before. It was a true bonding moment for my husband and FIL. Thank you for a memorable evening!

In our never ending quest to find new and interesting dining experiences I decided to give Las Puertas a try. Dining here is far from your typical dining experience. This is an adventure in dining. There is a menu but beyond beverages you do not choose what to order. The menu simply provides what the evening's courses are that will be served. Each item served is meticulously prepared and is a culinary work of art. Where I was sitting provided a partial view of a chef preparing the courses. At times he was actually using what appeared to be a long pair of tweezers to assemble an item. I could see that fresh herbs were being trimmed from plants when required for a dish. Upon arriving we were immediately warmly greeted by the owner/chef and taken to our table. The restaurant is small but still precautions are being taken to distance and keep patrons separated. The menu has a choice for wine pairing with your meal, which we chose to do. Prior to each of the six courses the owner/chef presented a bottle of wine and explained what it was, why he chose it as well as its origins. We found his choices to be excellent and that they perfectly complemented each course served. I found that while eating each course taking a moment or two to examine the item served enhanced the dining experience. You could see the art in the preparation and the intention that each item was placed where it was out of reason. Our first course was a churro. Normally a churro is a sweet item served as a dessert. This churro was savory and filled with a delicious creamy filling. Next came a roasted red pepper tartare that was served on locally sourced dark bread from Five Points Bakery. This was both delicious and a work of art. You could see that each herb or pickled item was placed on the red pepper mixture in a specific location to both enhance the flavor as well as the appearance of the dish. Next was macaroni and cheese, though not what one thinks of when macaroni and cheese comes to mind. This appeared to be a deep fried cube filled with their delicious interpretation of macaroni and cheese, topped with a cream and herb. This was another culinary treat. Next came a salad like dish with shrimp. It was delicious and another culinary work of art. I commented to my wife, not to let the liquid at the bottom of the bowl to go to waste, as it was quite good. The main course was halibut. It along with the tomato mixture it sat on was amazing. Eating this was a revelation to us, as several years ago we had eaten an amazing red snapper in Key West. Since that meal, all over the world, we have tried to find a snapper that came close to that meal. The revelation experienced at Las Puertas was that it wasn't so much the type of fish we had eaten as it was the preparation. The halibut had the same light and fluffy texture. Our quest had ended, though unfortunately it may again continue as their menu changes frequently. The final course was dessert and another work of culinary art. It contained an ice cream like portion on top of a crunchy mixture sitting next to a black cherry creation. I can't do it justice with describing it but it was another delicious work of art. It was a wonderful evening filled with amazing culinary works of art while being entertained by owner/chef Victor Parra Gonzalez. While I highly recommend dining here, and definitely will return, I do caution that this type of dining experience might not be what some are looking for. The menu is not typical in the sense you can choose what you eat. Here you are served what was planned for the evening. They do though inquire about potential allergies. While we left completely satisfied and not hungry you are not given a plate full of food that will require a doggy bag. If adding the wine pairing the evening can be on the expensive side for WNY. Dining here is fine dining that is culinary entertainment and adventure.

My husband and I very excited to dine here after reading all the positive reviews. However, we were thoroughly disappointed. Firstly, when we were trying to reserve a table (albeit quite last minute) we were told that we had to sit at the bar if our reservation was for 7, but if we came in at 6 we would get a dinner table. As we reached at 6, we were informed that we could not get a dinner table and we had to sit at the bar. If we HAD to sit at the bar, we would have preferred to come in at 7 instead. We soon got over it and excitedly ordered some food (tuna, frijoles, bone marrow, and potato with poblano). The tuna was great but the other three dishes were terribly over seasoned. I deemed it inedible. For a place that was nominated for a JBF award, these things should come as second nature. In all fairness, the cocktails were excellent. Bottom line: not worth it. Not worth the money. Not worth the hype.

I really wanted to like it here. Saw so many great reviews. I knew the menu changed regularly so I didn't get my hopes up for anything in particular. Greeted by very friendly staff and our server was able to explain the different wines. I allowed her to pick one for me and it was nice. My friend got a gin drink w/ pomegranate on their cocktail menu which was very good as well. Food was something to be desired. Not enough choices in my opinion. I stared with the Caldo de pollo. It was flavorful but basically tasted like a beef broth. Nothing to it. My friend got the crackers and goat cheese. The crackers tasted stale and the cheese was too creamy. We both ate the crab dish which we both agreed it was good. Crab and avocado on top of a soft bread. Lastly we ordered the Tamal to share. No bueno. It tasted like a dense cornbread with some bland cheese on top. Again, nothing to it; needed more flavor, something else with it. It was not what we expected. We decided to get dessert if something looked good but there were only 2 choices and we didn't want either one. $100 later and we were dissatisfied and still hungry. I'm all for creative, exotic cuisine but this missed the mark for me.

Here's the summary: decent food, terrible value for your hard-earned money - ridiculously overpriced for the tiny portions, and HORRENDOUS service. It was my husband's bday last week so we decided to do a date night and celebrate with some friends. There were 6 of us total and I made reservations in advance. Hubby and I have been craving a good ceviche and everyone told us they had it there, so we were excited. They don't have menus online and when one of our friends inquired online, no one responded. So, we went in blind. We asked our waitress (who was extremely cold and unfriendsly) about ceviche since it was no longer on the menu, and she said they didn't have it on the dinner menu but it is on the Chef's tasting menu ($75/person). So we asked if it was possible to order it as a dinner dish and just charge us what they were charging on the menu before they changed it - it was a cold hard NO. Her attitude was so terrible that it actually made it worse. Mind you - we were all very nice and polite. We spotted her walking over to the kitchen and talking to the girls in the kitchen who then looked over at us. They quickly looked away though as soon as they realized that we were looking right back at them. So... I can only imagine what the waitress said to them. 5 minutes later, the owner came over and took our orders, and she was a "little" friendlier. We asked her about the ceviche and she said no it's just not available at all, not even on the tasting menu. OK, well that makes sense then, although I wonder if she just said that so we would stop asking. Also, one of our friends never got her drink - they brought it over eventually but no apology whatsoever. Honestly, at this point, if we weren't with company, we would have just paid for the drinks and gone somewhere else for dinner. But, we decided to stay and give them a chance anyway. 4 of us decided to share food while the other 2 people shared their food. We ordered the "roasted camote" - basically just a fancy sweet potato for $12 - not worth it. The lechon con frijoles (pork belly) for $17, it was delicious and about the only dish that might have been worth the price. The potato with goat cheese was pretty good ($12), crab ceviche (16) which was NOT actually ceviche, as the definition for ceviche is "a South American dish of marinated raw fish or seafood". This was cooked crab and to be honest, it tasted like artificial crab, not even real crab meat. We also got the asparagus ($13), the beets ($15), the carrot with green goddess dressing ($13), and tamal ($14) - which was just a little blob of roasted pork inside a big corn bun. Think corn tortillas mashed up and formed into the shape of a bun - there was just a little too much bun and not enough meat. We ordered doubles of the pork belly and potato dishes, and also a couple of desserts. Most of everything we had was pretty tasty, but all of them were just ridiculously overpriced, especially the vegetable dishes. I have eaten at restaurants ALL OVER THE WORLD including notoriously expensive cities such as NYC, San Francisco, Napa, London, and Paris. But I have to say, Las Puertas was the most overpriced meal with the worst service we have ever had. The entire 2.5 hours we were there - no one came to check on us. No one even looked over at our table even though they were passing by it all night long going between the kitchen and the rest of the tables, so we couldn't flag anyone down to place more orders. We had to quickly spit out our requests whenever they delivered our food or else they were GONE, and they looked annoyed and impatient the whole time. The bill came to almost $450 for the 6 of us, and honestly, the prices don't matter to me that much as long as it's WORTH it. This entire experience - to say it was NOT WORTH IT is actually an understatement. We all left hangry, and will never be back. Maybe they had a better menu before but I will never pay $12 for a sweet potato or $13 for 3 carrot stalks again. PS. Be careful of the bottle pricing - a glass of the cabernet was $12 but a bottle was $65! We did not realize this since all restaurants charge about 4-glass equivalent for the bottle, or cheaper. But nope, they upcharge you by $17 if you order by the bottle.

As I review the comments provided by Buffalo residents I'm shocked by the average 4.0. What does it take to achieve a 5? Surely, this is the place! If not here, where? Each and every course was flawless. It is inconceivable how they could be better. Remarkable Beets, perfect Asparagus, a Sweet Potato that was on fire and WOW what a Tamale! The large plate Chicken was bathed in a wonderful jus and dessert took chocolate to another level. This is a tiny place with very personal service. Your needs appear to be more important than the average restaurant. This touch and this quality of food equals a meal you will not soon forget. We won't. Wake up Buffalo! You've go a tiger here! It's time to vote 5!

Short version: horrible service, overpriced, amazing food. So, six of us went to Las Puertas because our friends were dying for ceviche (which they no longer have on the menu). I had tried to find out if they had anything gluten free in advance. There was no menu online and nobody ever replied to my Facebook question re: same. We asked when we got there and the waitress pretty much shrugged the question off before coming to the conclusion that I could have anything. So, I asked the other wait person who came over as well and was told the same thing (except the tasting menu) with far more confidence. People couldn't agree on what to order - we went from 'one of everything' to only some things but two of them all, etc. Finally, we figured out what we wanted and ordered. Our four friends ordered together and I ordered for my husband and I. It was clear that these were two separate orders. We got drinks - or I should say everyone got drinks except me. I ordered a frozen drink so we thought maybe it was just taking the bar a little longer. We waited and waited and finally found someone to flag down. She brought over my melted, watered-down drink and indicated that the waitress had forgotten about it (with no apology). We drank and chatted and finally food started to come out. The first five dishes that came out were for our friends and we encouraged them to eat while it was hot. Our friends had their food for 20 minutes before we got our first dish! The food itself was amazing - hands down without a doubt the best part of the experience. My husband and I shared three small plates (Lechon Con Frijoles, Potato and Poblano, and Tamal) and a large plate (Chicken en adobo). They were delicious, well-balanced and full of flavor. Everything was cooked perfectly. I could have eaten those potatos all night long. As other reviews have mentioned the portions are quite small for what you pay - even relative to other tapas. (When they brought out a crab dish, the waitress pointed out that this would be something I couldn't eat due to gluten. Which made me quite glad that I hadn't ordered it since she previously said everything was safe! I did not get sick last night but I was anxious about it.) We had trouble flagging the waitress down for more drinks and one of our friends had to ask for a second bottle of water three times before they brought one over. Service remained poor throughout the meal. The waitress was not very polite - not welcoming, didn't once ask what we thought of any of the food or if we needed anything else. She really detracted from the experience. Our four friends must have shared 15 or so small plates. We are average eaters (with maybe one heavy eater). Between the six of us we spent more than $500.... and we all either left the restaurant hungry or were hungry within an hour. When we got back to the house we were hanging out at, two of our friends called for Chinese delivery. If you are going to have a meal cost $150+ per couple it needs to be an amazing meal with great service and attentive wait staff. We've spent that numerous times at other restaurants (Lucky Day Whisky Bar, Bacchus, Hutches, Dick and Jenny's) and walked away feeling content and satisfied from our amazing experience and looking forward to doing it again. That is not remotely how we felt after our meal at Las Puertas. The food is four or five-stars but overpriced for what you get. The service and experience was one-star at best.

This was one of the best meals I've had in Buffalo. Born and raised, but have lived in NYC for five years. This still takes the cake. Yes, it's a little pricey for "Buffalo standards", but despite other reviews I still left full and delighted. I regret getting the duck for +$35 over the lamb, but you live and learn. Will be back!

I was thoroughly disappointed to have to give such poor review as I was so excited to eat dinner here and had heard wonderful reviews. Unfortunately, it seems there had been multiple changes since the reviews. First, the only menu offered is a 7-course tasting menu for $95. That in itself is not a problem as I love tasting menus, but I do feel like it would have been nice if that was advertised somewhere as I am sure not everyone shows up expecting to be forced to pay over a hundred per person. The service was good and attentive, although inconsistent. I was slightly confused why when the second table arrived for seating 15 mins after we were sat they had to be sat directly next to us as the entire restaurant was empty. I then proceeded to notice differences in service such as they were provided with a meat knife for the pork course when we were left with our butter knives to cut the pork. They were actually asked what they wanted to order as I had to stop the chef while presenting our first course and inform him that I would like the wine pairing. Honestly, all of this I could have overlooked if it had not been for the miniscule amount of food provided. Please know my husband and I are no strangers to tasting menus, it is one of my favorite ways to dine. We have been to many upscale restaurants including a few Michelin star restaurants and almost always choose the tasting menu. However, I have never left feeling hungrier than when I entered. The first four courses were the size of an amuse bouche. The fifth course was a more reasonable size, although still small. The sixth course was basically lime ice with a small amount of chocolate mousse that they actually had us share, and lastly a small dessert. We literally left and went straight to a burger place because we were both so hungry. I was extremely upset and disappointed, the food was not bad, but it was not earth shatteringly wonderful either. Ultimately, the biggest disappointment was the value, even if the food had been the most amazing thing I had ever tasted the amount offered was unacceptable for the price. I will not be returning and will definitely not be recommending Las Puertas to my friends.

Some of the best food I've ever had in my life. The service is amazing: as they bring each dish to you, they explain in detail all about the foods in the dish. The food: I may never have better. They switch things up seasonally. Drinks: all perfect. Atmosphere: romantic. 100% want to come back. You should keep in mind , it's a pricier meal, however it is so worth it for a special occasion. They also started a bodega to make dishes at your own home; I have not tried this yet but it is just a matter of time.

Quite possibly the best meal I've ever had in WNY. I'd give them 5 stars if they offered vegan items all the time. Went tonight for a special event organized by Buffalo Vegan Drinks but the owner of restaurant told us they can do vegan with a couple days notice. This is Buffalo's smallest restaurant, only 700 sqft with a 98 sqft kitchen. As such, they can't keep a wide variety of food on hand and have to plan ahead. There were 5 vegan dishes and each was phenomenal. Guacamole with a twist had pickled veg, lots of fresh ingredients, some magical crisp with seeds, and large flat pieces of house made hard candy which sounds odd but really worked. Guac was served with flour chips. Pho was unexpected by so flavorful with a nice kick and pickle slices in top. Humus topped with pepitas, spices, pickled cauliflower and oil was served with what seemed like fresh pita-inspired toasted flour tortilla triangles. Mole made with 30 ingredients and topped with roasted and pickled veggies was bursting with flavor. Final dish was an outstanding tiny bowl of broccoli that looked simple but tasted cheesy, vinegary, salty and just crazy tasty. The chef truly transforms the food. I haven't seen anyone else in town apply this kind of skill to such simple ingredients since Martin Cooks and honestly, this food was even better. So much skill. I was really impressed.

Great food however the portions are way to small and over priced. You have to order two entries to make a meal. Bigger portions with the same price and I would give them 5 stars. His last restaurant in Youngstown had the same problem.

I've been twice - LOVED it the first time and left really bummed the 2nd time. Sure, it was more than a year apart, but most recently we liked 2/5 dishes and were disappointed by the lack of non-pork options. It's an expensive experience, one we will try again as the menu continually changes, but know that you will need a snack either before or after since it's a tasting menu almost like tapas.

I'm struggling with this one and maybe I'll still change my mind. I wavered between three and four stars but ultimately, the fact that we had to get wings, tots, and pizza logs at Goodbar afterward is enough to keep me at three. First and foremost, I really want to like this place and will be going back to give it a second shot. The building is beautiful and trendy and a great atmosphere for going out with friends. I love that they are elevating Mexican food and hope they continue to improve. When we arrived, the three of us were seated very quickly although it was a bit confusing when we first walked in. There was nobody to greet us and we weren't sure if we should seat ourselves. The service was attentive but not overly intrusive so no complaints there. Between the three of us, we ordered the guacamole, shrimp, cheese plate, vegetables with mole, ramen, and two desserts (and several bottles of wine but who's counting). The guacamole was ok. Too acidic and the addition of ground up bugs seemed to be to add quirkiness but ultimately added nothing to the dish. Shrimp was perfectly cooked but the corn puree underneath was brown, gluey, and did not have a distinct flavor. I would not know it was corn if I didn't know already. The cheese was good and the mole was delicious. However, the vegetables could not stand up to that rich, powerful sauce. I think it's the wrong vehicle to showcase that beautiful mole. The ramen was super disappointing. They poured the broth in at the table but it was lukewarm at best. It also didn't have that addition of fat that ramen should. When you ate it, you really couldn't get past the flavor of oregano. I'm already not an oregano fan but it was soooo overpowering. There could have been a good broth in there but it was difficult to tell. We decided to order to cherry s'mores dessert and the peach sorbet. Holy crap were they good. I could describe them but honestly, just go try them. Creative, inventive, beautiful, and freaking delicious. However, at the end of the meal, all three if us (who are pretty small by he way) were still very hungry. Even taking the wine out of the equation, the dinner was certainly pricey so leaving feeling unsatisfied was disappointing.

Trendy but casual atmosphere. Friendly staff excellent chef. Everything is fresh and innovative. Plates are thoroughly explained and expertly presented. This was a culinary delight! And bonus you get 2 desserts! The restaurant strives for zero waste and locally sourced when possible.

This place is exceptionally creative. I hope that it's not too creative for blue collar Buffalo. My husband and I had the following: Guacamole: this came with a salty caramel brittle with added a unique sweet kick to avocado with crushed spicy crickets. The presentation was cool on a piece of tile. The portion was small considering the $8 price but the presentation and taste more than made up for it. Acapulco ceviche: this had a surprising tomato taste that overpowered the fresh citrusy taste common with ceviche. At $15 it was reasonable and presented in a manner that showed care for display. Tiradito: this same with raw red snapper served sashimi style garnished with strawberry and sorbet. The taste was outstanding. It's $14 and worth every penny of the tiny portion. Order two! Scallop Aguachile: the raw scallops come with a cucumber and apple garnish and sauce that's mildly spicy. The flavor is unique for scallop and very enjoyable. Highly recommend at $16. Bone marrow: this is very different than bone marrow served anywhere. They serve this cold and puréed and place back into the bone after preparation. It tastes like a mousse more than the normal taste of gel like bone marrow. I wasn't a huge fan but my husband loved it. It's comes with four small slices of bread and we had to ask for more. Chicken with Poblano: this is shredded chicken served sweet in a poblano sauce which is green and mildly spicy. This is the largest portion served when compared to the above option and priced at $17. It's delicious but not a full entree size. Arroz con leche: a different take on the traditional, comes with horchata ice cream and two pieces of house made puff pastry and small pieces of grapefruit. It's tastes great priced at $9 Our total bill was $113.10 (add to that tip). We were satisfied but not overly full. The taste and presentation was exceptional. I highly recommend this place for a unique flavor sensation. This is not a bread and pasta, fill your plate kind of place. It is also not a rice and beans stuff your face type of place. For adventurous eaters looking to experience a variety of flavors, this place is a must! The service is attentive, polite and personal. The owner talked to us and explained the different food options. They don't have a liquor license but do serve unique juice drinks including a watermelon and a lime non-alcoholic cocktail.

Las Puertas is a refreshing concept in the scene of cultural restaurants in contemporary America. I see many new creative and/or up-scale cultural cuisines opening; elevating them from what White America sees as fast food and cheap eats, and educating on what authentic food from these respective cultures entails. The restaurant sits in an rather unexpected location; a somewhat run-down residential neighborhood. The building itself is small, curious, and minimalist, standing out from its environment. In terms of dining experience, the drinks and food are executed in a creative, tapas and tasting menu style. The odd part is that there were no prices listed for à la carte. (Ordering à la carte yields the same amount of food as the tasting portions.) It was also strange that ordering a few individual dishes was almost the same price as doing the entire tasting. All that aside, the food was good albeit not stand-out. The visual presentation was present but the flavors did not reach the same level of resolution; the desert was best among the dishes we chose. Overall, an great concept. Visually and creatively indulgent but could reach a higher level of taste complexity. Side note: The reservation system is lacking. There is no way to do it online; one has to call, leave a voicemail, and wait for a call back.

This was the best meal I've had in Buffalo. We went last week and let the chef choose our courses. He did an amazing job, explained each course, and also happily accommodated my mom, who does not eat seafood. Needless to say, the service was good. The food was even better though. Our meal started with a warm traditional Mexican drink I'd never had, but I definitely want more of. This was followed by a soup which I believe was corn based but could be wrong. Then we had a ceviche like dish which was to die for, as mushroom taco which I think they are well known for (my favorite course), a pork dish which was very good, and a spectacular chocolate desert. Honestly, Because I don't remember the names of the dishes i feel like I may not be doing them justice. but I think that they change the menu quite a bit so you'll probably have to get something different anyway. There seems to be a little grumbling about portions and price on other reviews. It is very nice place with excellent service and food. It is priced accordingly and absolutely worth it. I can't wait for my next excuse to to go to Las Puertas. .

Buffalo is lucky to have such an amazing restaurant. Everything about the decor, menu, and experience is extremely thoughtful. I would deter from listening to the negative reviews that state the portions are too small or it's too expensive. My experience has been that I am perfectly satiated by the end of the meal - which I can only assume is intentional. They rotate the menu seasonally and it's amazing to see what the chefs do with what's available. The wine pairings are also very well thought out and compliments the dishes. Everything is also so well seasoned, having multiple elements that elevate the dish (salty, sweet, acidic, texture). The cocktails are also meant to be simple, but well made so you can taste every element. I wouldn't recommend Las Puertas to everyone. It's not for those who are used to your classic American or French white table experience. However, if you have a large appreciation of the time and thought that goes into a tasting menu, a culinary adventure, and an open mind, I would highly encourage you to visit. Chef Victor, kudos to you and your team!

Enjoyable meal, quite pricey. For the price I don't expect more food per say but I would expect an impeccably clean restaurant. It was clean, but I expect clean ceilings, cleans windows, glass, no cobwebs in the corner, this is what one expects. Service is good. 3 different people bringing you food throughout the meal which is just "okay". We did add the steak option, I would say it's worth it. Best dish was the tuna followed by amazing dessert. Drink was excellent. Menus were cardstock and bent up, again, these small details should be taken care of, print new menus each night if they are mishandled.

Visited once before couldn't eat because it's a tiny room that requires reservations. Whatever, cocktails were delicious. Called the second time to make reservations to try their tasting menu with a friend; the phone number goes straight to voicemail. The voicemail was left five days ago and I still have NOT received a response. Followed up via another voicemail and iMessage and still nothing. Very disappointing. Somewhat over priced tasting menu. However, could potentially thrive better in a bigger city in my opinion. My suggestion is to return inquires about reservations more promptly. To clarify -- not responding to a customer messages does not constitute as being "busy".

Best restaurant in Buffalo. Wow. First time in tonight. Definitely an indulgence, but worth every penny. From the cocktails to the tasting menu to dessert, I enjoyed every bite. Service was outstanding. You can tell the chef has put seasonal and thoughtful spins on each course. Will be back!