“Awesome wine list.” “Magic Mushrooms and Lobster Ravioli were tremendous.” “Fred is cool.” “We’ve been here several times. It’s always good.”

Menu Tapas: Ceviche; shrimp/scallop goblet with spicy lime salsa Thai Sticks; grilled chicken with chili peanut sauce over sesame noodles Salads: Fredi house salad; greens with raspberry vinaigrette and feta cheese Entrees: Duck Breast; seared with oyster sauce Steak au Poivre; garlic & black pepper crusted tournedos with Gorgonzola Dessert: Key Lime Pie Chocolate Muse Torte Libations: Wine with Mousse Tapas; Pinot Bianco, Au Bon Climat, Bien Nacido, California Wine with Entrees: Zinfandel, Cellar 8, Beringer Blass Selection, California Wine with Key Lime: Muscat, St. Jean de Minervois, France Wine with Chocolate Muse Torte; Black Grenache, Banyuls Rimage, France 6010 Goodrich Road Clarence Center, New York 14032 (716) 741-4012

Are you ready… let’s do the Fredi! It’s definitely worth the drive to the hinterlands of Clarence Center (at least the directions are easy— out Main Street, turn left on Goodrich). In addition to outstanding “French Country” fare, you’ll meet one of the most gracious and gregarious hosts in Western New York. The restaurant is tastefully sensual. With the glow of defused lighting, rocket red walls, original paintings, and the Danish blonde bar and wood floors, one could easily mistake it for a Manhattan bistro. With an excellent wine list and the host’s knowledge and propensity to pick winners for every course, I suggest ordering a wide array of wines by the glass. Look for Blues piano on Sunday evenings, cooking classes on Tuesdays, and check for special events and theme parties. Fredi also operates My Personal Chef, a venue providing busy people with convenient delivered gourmet meals.