With the arrival of summer comes the hunt for lakeside patios. One of the best patio experiences I have had as of late was found at a place that is located just outside of city limits (under 15 minutes from downtown). The Public House on the Lake is an offshoot of The Public House of Buffalo. The new building owners have taken what appears to have been a pretty much turnkey spot, spiffed it up, and opened the doors, unveiling a patio destination unlike anywhere else in the area. Not only is the patio worth the trip, the food comes highly recommended as well.
During a recent visit to The Public House on the Lake, we were treated with plenty of sunshine, some cold beers, a giant wedge salad and a perfectly golden crisp Rusty Chain fish fry. The fish fry came with a heaping pile of macaroni salad. Despite the fact that my dining partner and I split the fish fry, finishing it was beyond the realm of possibility. Actually, we did manage to polish of the fish, but the macaroni salad got the better of us. Maybe it was due to the appetizer of steamed beer clams that I consumed before our actual lunch arrived? The only thing that we didn’t care for was the coleslaw – we felt that it was a bit on the bland side.
Despite the oversized food offerings that put me into an immediate food coma, I had nothing to complain about. The views of the water and the city of Buffalo are spectacular. There’s shade covering for those who are looking for it, and plenty of sun for those who just want to soak it up. There’s a sea barnacle-looking bar situated right on the patio, that looks to be a big draw for obvious reasons.
Another salty dog bar is found inside as well. Music fans looking for live entertainment will be happy to discover a wide array of bands that play on a weekly basis – see entertainment schedule.
For those looking for a quick ‘seaside’ escape, within viewing distance of the city, take a quick ride to The Public House on the Lake. Go for the live music, go for the steamers, go to relax in the sun… whatever the reason (there are many), this place will quickly climb to the top of your list for irresistible patio destinations.
The Public House on the Lake | 4914 Lake Shore Drive | Hamburg | (716) 627-5551 | Facebook | Menu