Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
two adults. In winter, call ahead and ask for a table near the large open-hearth fireplace. In
warmer months, dine on the open patio overlooking the upper rapids of the Niagara River.
Don't judge
Villella's Ristorante
(795 Rainbow Blvd., 716/284-9778, 11am-9:30pm
daily,$15)byitsexterior.TheeateryisattachedtoaSuper8motelonabusystreetcornerat
theedgeofdowntown.Thediningareaisnothingspecial,butthetraditionalSicilianfoodis
extraordinary. Start with the fresh bread and homemade dipping oil, then relish a uniquely
Sicilian appetizer, the
arancini
(fried rice balls). Of the large-portioned and fresh entrées,
thevealparmigianaisalocalfavorite.Thissmallrestaurantisoftenfull,soreservationsare
a good idea.
AN OFFER YOU CAN'T REFUSE
For many years, the American Mafia controlled the city of Niagara Falls. Running
the organization was Stefano Magaddino, an old-school Sicilian mafioso known for
hisbrutalityandcunning.Asprohibitionenforcementforcedlegitimate distillersand
distributorstostopalcoholproduction,Magaddinofilledthevoid.MovingfromBuf-
falotoNiagaraFalls,heprofitedfrombootleggingowingtotheproximityofCanada
to his turf.
Magaddino earned the name “The Undertaker,” as he operated a chain of funeral
homesinthearea.Smugglingoperationsexpandedintolaborunionracketeering,ex-
tortion,gambling,loansharking,andnarcotics.Magaddinowasinfluentialonthena-
tional stage as well, where he became a member of the mob's “commission” of top
dons. The Undertaker eschewed the limelight, choosing to run his Niagara Falls op-
eration from the shadows. He survived at least two assassination attempts and died
of natural causes in 1974. Interfamily rivalry went on to rip the local mob apart, re-
ducing its influence in the area.
Wine on Third
(501 3rd St., 716/285-9463,
www.wineonthird.com
,
4pm-midnight
Mon.-Wed.,4pm-1amThurs.,4pm-2amFri.-Sat.,noon-10pmSun.,$25)isanupscalecafé,
perfect for a romantic dinner with wine. The cuisine is contemporary American, and the
winelistisgood.Whentheweatherpermits,eatoutsidealong3rdStreetandpeople-watch.
For good food fast, the
M
Misty Dog Grill
(431 Main St., 716/285-0702, 11am-10pm
daily Apr.-Oct., $6) can't be beat. Located in the heart of downtown (look for the giant ice-
cream cone on Main Street near Niagara Street), this take-out stand has a surprisingly large
