By Andrew Z. Galarneau

Hertel Avenue has long had a reputation as a center of Italian-American opportunities for Buffalo-area diners. There's a good reason the Galbani Italian Heritage Festival has called it home for 29 years. But have you driven down the North Buffalo thoroughfare lately? If you're hungry, and not sure what for, it might take you a lot longer than you expected to decide where to park. Western New York's recent burst of restaurant-building enthusiasm has helped turn the 13 blocks between Delaware and Parkside avenues into one of the region's great eating zones.

It's not like the Italian flavor ever left the neighborhood. Romeo & Juliet's restaurant and bakery (1292 Hertel Ave.), has a loyal clientele for its pizza, pasta and sweets, and La Tavola Trattoria (1458 Hertel Ave.), which opened in 2013, is making its own. Newcomer Salumeria Belsito (1368 Hertel Ave.), offers pizza, a wine list and full bar, and paninis made with imported Italian salumi like prosciutto di Parma.

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Source: http://buffalonews.com/