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10 New Trucks Debuting at Food Truck Tuesdays

The return of Food Truck Tuesdays in Larkinville could be called the unofficial start of summer. It’s hard to imagine that just a decade ago, there were zero food trucks roaming the streets of Buffalo. Today, the local food truck scene is a diverse lot of flavors and styles. So head down to this Tuesday tradition for live music, great company and fare from dozens of regional food trucks, including these 10 trucks making their debut for Larkin’s 2019 season:

Photo by Rhea Anna

1. Craft Crepes

From the creators of Rochester’s Tuscan Wood Fired Pizza truck, Craft Crepes is bringing sweet and savory delights to the land of Larkin. As this truck is just getting its wheels on the ground, keep an eye on their page for a full menu of offerings.

Photo courtesy of Big Ed’s Ba-Ba-BBQ – That’s Big Ed!

2. Big Ed’s Ba-Ba-BBQ

Slinging full racks of ribs, pulled pork, BBQ-roasted chicken, grilled fish and burgers, with all the sides you could ask for, Big Ed’s is big-time BBQ, right here in Buffalo. Get ready to get your money’s worth, as there’s no skimping on portions here!

3. Wraps on Wheels

Coming straight from Rochester, Wraps on Wheels is bundling up your favorite flavors in a warm tortilla and serving them up speedy quick. Try their cranberry blue chicken wrap, Philly cheesesteak wrap, and an ode to the mighty wing – a Buffalo chicken wrap.

Photo courtesy of Souped Up

4. Souped Up

Soup’s not just for the cold weather months! Sure, Souped Up ladles out bowlfuls of traditional soups and stews, but they’ve been known to get a little out-there, too –  with soup versions of your favorite foods like cheeseburger, stuffed banana pepper, and dill pickle.

5. Caribbean Flava

From the islands of the Caribbean to your mouth, Caribbean Flava offers specialty dishes like jerk chicken, curry chicken, fried plantains and traditional rice and beans.

Photo courtesy of Fat Lady’s Cakes and Pies

6. Fat Lady’s Cakes & Pies

Cupcakes. Lots of cupcakes. Indulge your sweet tooth by chomping into these bite-sized pastries with decadent flavors like german chocolate, sweet potato pie and chocolate maple bacon.

7. Mad Sauces

Saucing everything in sight from wings, to burgers and fries, Mad Sauces has over 20 sauces stashed on their truck. Try some “normal” options like cajun, honey garlic and lemon pepper or go wild with flavors like pineapple glaze, peach mango stinger or ghost pepper ranch.

Photo courtesy of Rollin’ Deep

8. Rollin’ Deep

Rollin’ into the BUF from the ROC, Rollin’ Deep might be the first bubble tea truck at Food Truck Tuesdays. Get your fix with over a dozen fresh fruit flavors ready to sip.

9. Lugia’s Ice Cream on Wheels

A Rochester legend for ice cream, Lugia’s has an army of trucks roaming the streets serving cold cones with hot fudge. Now, one of those trucks is finally coming to Larkin Square. Two scoops? Make it three.

10. Falafel Bar

This brick-and-mortar Mediterranean hotspot is taking to the streets in 2019. Souvlaki, shawarma and cous cous are on the menu when this truck rolls into Larkin Square.

For the entire lineup of your favorite trucks and the musical acts through the 2019 season, visit larkinsquare.com

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6 Must-Haves at Buffalo’s Broadway Market

Pierogi. Chrusciki. Kielbasa. Placek.

If you recognize these names, you’re probably a Broadway Market regular.

Open year-round, the Market, located at 999 Broadway on Buffalo’s East side, is best known for its meat stands, fresh produce, bakery items and restaurants. But at Easter, festival season kicks into high gear and Buffalonians gather to stock up on holiday favorites.  As a first-timer, to say I was overwhelmed would be an understatement.  The market is swirling with people, sounds and aromas, so I did what any curious newbie should do and asked Broadway Market veterans what they can’t leave without.  Here’s what I heard:

1. Kielbasa: It’s on nearly everyone’s shopping list and it’s certainly plentiful. Camellia Meats and Lupas are two of the vendors on-site selling impressive amounts of fresh meats, including Polish sausage.  I grabbed my number, stood in line listening to the orders coming in on either side of me. Kabanosy, Odesskie, Wędzona, and Krakowska – all varieties of kielbasa.  I have so much to learn.

2. Butter lamb:  The tradition to end all Easter traditions. There’s a few spots at the market that offer this dinner table staple and I decided to dive into the crowd at Malczewski’s.  Five sizes to pick from, all handmade with a red “alleluia” flag signifying peace on earth.

3. Easter eggs: I asked a mom of two young girls what she typically comes to the market for and she let me in on their Easter tradition.  Each daughter gets to pick out a beautifully painted Easter egg with colors that have different meanings like purity, wisdom, love and faith.

4. Horseradish: Famous Horseradish, one of the market’s vendors that has stood the test of time for decades, sells everything from homemade sauerkraut to pickles and vegetables, and even fresh flowers.  But their prized offering is in their name. You can’t leave the Broadway Market without picking up some this spicy side to accompany your ham, kielbasa, and pierogi – or as I understand it, really anything on your plate.

5. Chocolate: Milk, dark and orange chocolate take the stage in lots of different forms at The Broadway Market, but Strawberry Island’s impressive array has that special nose-to-glass factor.  Even if your only goal is to pick up a few pierogi, you likely won’t leave without stopping to check out Strawberry Island’s chocolate covered convections – strawberries peeps and apples, and chocolate Easter bunnies as far as the eye can see.

6. Pussy willows: One of the most prominent Easter symbols, nearly every passerby was holding bouquets of these furry stalks. True to Polish tradition, these will likely be used on Palm Sunday as a symbol of new life, and again for a little fun on Dyngus Day.

This list only scratches the surface.  To see all that the Broadway Market has to offer, you have to immerse yourself in it. Try the food, talk to the people, and dance to the music. Check out our Facebook Live video below to meet just a few of the friendly faces at the Market.

It’s all part of a Buffalo tradition 130 years in the making!

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The History of the Butter Lamb

Lent and Easter are full of seasonal foods. Chocolate bunnies and marshmallow chicks are the likely conversation starters nationwide, but here in Buffalo you can’t make it through a conversation without including the famous Butter Lamb.

With every unique eat or holiday custom you hear about in Western New York – from the “angel wings” chrusciki to the post-Lenten bash, Dyngus Day – just about every one of them stems from European culture and is faith-based. Most people don’t consider the religious symbolism behind the popular foods they eat every spring – be it pork (a “forbidden” food) or bread or eggs (signs of new life) – they just know it’s all good!

And for the cute little creamy butter lamb, the same rings true. There is a very significant meaning to the butter lamb, which ties specifically to the biblical time of Passover and the exodus of the Jews from slavery. During this time, the blood of a sacrificial lamb was placed at their door so the angel of death would pass over their first born. Catholics refer to Jesus and His sacrifice as the Lamb of God.

Today, the lamb in its butter form is usually accompanied by a ribbon around the neck and a cross or a banner with a blessing such as “Alleluia” on its back. Peppercorns make the eyes, said to symbolize the light of the world. So why make it of butter?

Simple. To eat! Butter is an ingredient in just about everything so we can pin the idea on necessity.

Now as you know, the Spring and Easter season isn’t complete without a trip to the Broadway Market – which is Butter Lamb Headquarters. Look for Malczewski’s (Malla-cheski’s) – that’s where the Buffalo Butter Lamb got its start. And if you can’t make your way to the east side market this year, lucky for you most of the major grocers in the area carry at least a size or two in stock.

Oh, and of course, Buffalo’s Butter Lamb has a twitter account (@Butter_Lamb) for you to stay current on its whereabouts.

Happy Easter, Happy Spring!

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Classic Buffalo Spotlight: The R&L Lounge

“You’re famous!” “No, I’m Lottie!”

And so, in part, went the fast introduction and sunny visit with Ronnie and Lottie – the couple behind the famed R & L Lounge on Buffalo’s east side. The bar and restaurant, in the Broadway Fillmore neighborhood, is a scant fifty feet off Broadway at 23 Mills St.

Famed in equal parts for its local old-school status and its simple/verbal menu of Polish fare, R& L Lounge is a Friday fish fry destination, a site for friendly conversation, and where time slows down. You will feel like a jerk if you pull out your handheld device: this is a place to be in the moment.

Ronnie and Lottie Pikuzinski run the R&L Lounge

Ronnie and Lottie mentioned that later in the day a local television station would be by to interview them. That’s why, Lottie says, she has curled her hair, and had Ronnie put on a good sweater, so “he will look handsome on t.v.” In a flash Lottie puts on some lipstick and changes out of her flour-dusted apron for my portrait of them at a table, a photo collage blanket behind them showing off their several kids and grandkids.

Despite being glad for the media adulation, Lottie says “I don’t want to be busier. If I have to hire someone to help me out then I’m quitting.”

Opened in 1969 and married since 1957, Ronnie and Lottie are a solid team: he mans the bar while she does the prepping, cooking and serving. She adds: “I sometimes sing with them,” renowned for joining customers at table for song, and conversation. The sparkle in her blue eyes reveals her bon vivant status.

“A lot of young people from downtown come in and we talk. I become their friend, because I love people – like you,” Lottie says. This visit will end with a firm hug and she will suggest that I go and get another hug from Ronnie.

Lottie “was born in the neighborhood, near the Terminal,” while Ronnie was born in Poland, immigrating via a cousin’s sponsorship. Lottie learned the ropes of restaurant work in her mother Julia’s business at 363 Paderewski, another famed Polish business – Strusienski’s Restaurant.

The R & L menu is one easily committed to memory: pierogi, fish fry (with requisite/traditional sides), hand-cut french fries (R & L goes through 50 pounds of potatoes each week), and golabki (beef-stuffed cabbage rolls simmered in a tomato broth). Lottie shows off dozens of bags of her pierogi in several freezers in the kitchen, “more like a crepe, mine are flat, not stuffed like other people’s.” The R & L fish fry is only fried, and never beer-battered. Lottie’s sides are scrumptious: each fish fry comes with one scoop each of her potato and macaroni salads and her cole slaw, which she likes to make on the sweet side.

One of Lottie’s cousins has stopped in with friends from England and New York City and Lottie is very busy in her kitchen cooking for all of them and a few others at the bar, plus making take-out orders. I am leaning in the doorway and talking with her as she bustles about: her kitchen is small, efficient and spotless. She finishes plating a few dinners and hands me the plates. I spring back into my waitressing self from my 20’s and head to the tables. Then I am back in the kitchen, where food is cooking and advice is dispensing.

I am handed two more plates and am back in the barroom with a few more dinners. I check back on a table, as is waitressing custom. The woman, a devoted Friday regular, looks up as I ask “How is everything?” She, bemused, answers “Excellent, as always.”

Call ahead for hours.

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from Blog – Visit Buffalo Niagara https://www.visitbuffaloniagara.com/classic-buffalo-spotlight-rl-lounge/

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Birdwatching in the BUF

Nature has endowed the Buffalo Niagara region with abundance.  Our lakes, rivers, shorelines, forests, fields and massive day and night sky vistas are treasures.  Our location in the upper Great Lakes, at the convergence of Lake Erie, the Niagara River, and the Buffalo River, and at an international border offer visitors multifaceted ecotourism opportunities.

Eastern Bluebird

The Niagara River strait which runs 36 miles from Buffalo to Fort Niagara, has been designated a Globally Significant Important Bird Area.  This internationally-recognized designation was awarded because of the year-round presence of birds and other wildlife in the area.  The same designation has been awarded to the Galapagos, Yellowstone National Park, and the Florida Everglades.  Buffalo Niagara is a world-class bird area.

Birdwatching can be done year-round in the Buffalo Niagara region, but springtime offers a wealth of opportunities. In the coming weeks, the annual spring migration of neo-tropical songbirds will inundate our region. These colorful and energetic visitors come from winter roosts as far away as the Amazon as they move north to begin new families and life cycles.

The birds that visit, travel through, and live in our region help create and sustain the critical biodiversity of the Amazon basin to the arctic and all points in between. This makes the Buffalo Niagara region critical to the health and well-being of our entire planet and the human and biodiverse species that define it.

From April through May neo-tropical warblers can be seen at many local sites, including Forest Lawn Cemetery, the Buffalo Olmsted Parks, Times Beach, Tifft Nature Preserve, Knox Farm State Park, Beaver Meadow Audubon Center in Java, and at a wide variety of hotspots in our city, county and state parks.

•••

For more information about birding in Buffalo, contact the Buffalo Audubon Society at 585-457-3228 or buffaloaudubon.org.

All photos by Jay Burney

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14 Spots to Chow Down Within Ten Minutes of KeyBank Center

One of the great things about the 716 is downtown events 365 days a year. And with the Sabres, Bandits and concerts in full swing, it’s a plus that KeyBank Center is located in the heart of the city. That means some of Buffalo’s best bars and restaurants are just a short walk away – within a 10-minute walk to be precise! When Downtown Buffalo is rocking with action in the arena, there’s plenty of food and drink options for fans of every taste.

Now, to make the most of your night, you’re going to need a plan of attack. So before the puck drops, the sticks clash or the speakers blare, make sure you consult this handy guide for the best places to eat just a short jaunt away from KeyBank Center:

The Labatt Brew House & Draft Room

Labatt Brew House & The Draft Room, 79 Perry St.: The newest player to the downtown food and drink roster, this just-opened venture from the Labatt USA and Pegula Sports & Entertainment teams is one part test brewery, one part delicious restaurant, one part craft beer tasting room, and all awesome!

(716) Food and Sport, 7 Scott St.:  The 38-foot feature screen and 70+ TVs ensure there’s not a bad seat in the house at (716).  Watch all the sports you can handle while you eat and then head into KeyBank Center right next door! Swannie House, 170 Ohio St.: This is one of the oldest and most revered bars in all of Buffalo. Opening in 1868, the Swannie House has obviously been doing something right. This is the spot to grab a blue-collar beer and pub-style grub including legendary wings and fish fry.

Pearl Street

Pearl Street, 76 Pearl St.: Enjoy a view with your meal from this 4-story restaurant and make fast friends with a 180 oz. Annihilator beer tube and enough glasses to share.

Buffalo Iron Works, 49 Illinois St.:  Rock your face off at both pre-game and post-game parties at this live music venue in the Cobblestone District, including quick bites from Left Coast Taco and Pizza al Taglio.

Lockhouse Distillery, 41 Columbia St.:  The walls are covered in insta-worthy art at the first distillery to open in Buffalo since Prohibition.  Take an impromptu tour or sample the goods with a craft cocktail made by the city’s friendliest bartenders.

Pizza Plant, 125 Main St.: Home of the massive stuffed pizza pod, this longtime Williamsville pizzeria opened a waterfront location at Canalside two years ago. Plus, they’ve got a killer craft beer menu, too.

Ballyhoo

Ballyhoo, 211 South Park Ave.:  Corner bar meets fancy cocktails at this well-known spot behind the KeyBank Center.  Ballyhoo puts a unique spin on sausage with home made creations that include Korean short rib and Chorizo pork and bacon links.  You heard that right, kids: bacon.

Cobblestone, 130 South Park Ave.: Don’t sleep on Cobblestone’s wings. This is one of those wing joints that you’ll hear the locals talking about. Their menu also stocks another Buffalo favorite, beef on weck, along with wood-fired pizza and several soup and salad options.

Seneca Buffalo Creek Casino, 1 Fulton St.: You’ve got your pick of the litter when you step inside the Seneca Buffalo Creek Casino where you can get a juicy steak at The WD Bar & Grille, fresh salads at The Creek and tasty beverages at Stixx Sports Bar and the B-Lo Bar.

Liberty Hound, 1 Naval Park Cove: Situated right near the Commercial Slip at Canalside, Liberty Hound is local taps and fresh seafood with a view of the Buffalo & Erie County Naval and Military Park. This once seasonal restaurant is now operating year-round.

SATO Brewpub is the first Japanese brewpub outside of Japan.

SATO Brewpub, 110 Pearl St.: One of the newest breweries on the Buffalo block, this Japanese-style izakaya is located in the lower level of the historic Dun building and serves up small shareable Asian fare along with fun and deliciously crafted brews.

Tim Horton’s, 1 Scott St.: Although this coffee shop is Canadian-born, Buffalo has adopted Tim Horton’s as one of its own. And this location, located in HarborCenter, is an ode to the legendary hockey player from which this institution gets its name.

Panorama on Seven, 95 Main St.: On the seventh floor of HarborCenter, lies an upscale restaurant with spectacular views of Downtown Buffalo, Canalside and the Buffalo River. Pony up to the bar for a freshly shaken cocktail and shareable plates.

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7 Record Stores That Keep the Beat Alive

Just as important as Buffalo’s art and architecture, music is woven into the fabric of the Queen City’s rich history. From the roots of jazz at the historic 100 year-old Colored Musicians Club to the new local wave of young, startup indie rockers, Buffalo is quite in tune. Fostering that passion for music appreciation, these local record stores are cranking out the jams for generations, young and old, to discover new music.

Revolver Records, 1451 Hertel Ave., Buffalo & 831 Elmwood Ave., Buffalo On the corner of Hertel and Norwalk, this music lover’s paradise stocks nearly 15,000 albums spanning over six decades of music history. The owners of this shop also take a modern approach when it comes to letting you know when the latest music has hit their shelves, posting the latest releases directly to their social media channels.

  Black Dots, 363 Grant St., Buffalo This independent record boutique calls the diverse Grant Street neighborhood its home. Step through the doors and into their brand new corner space to find a record collection just as diverse as the community around it – hard to find jazz and rock album, psychedelic tunes and new pressings of modern music perfect for the young, up and coming audiophiles.

Doris Records, 286 E. Ferry St., Buffalo Doris Records’ background and role on Buffalo’s East Side is as storied and legendary as the music it sells. A young musically inclined James Johnson lived in an apartment next door and frequented the shop. That young man would grow up to become the Super Freak, Rick James.

Record Baron, 3048 Delaware Ave., Kenmore Record Baron is the classic sort of “no frills” record store. Don’t let its unassuming size fool you, this audio heaven is packed to the gills with great tunes, both from the modern age to the classic eras. Take your time and chat with the always-friendly and knowledgable owner as you flip through through thousands of albums.

Jam Records, 1225 Hertel Ave., Buffalo One of the newest vinyl vendors on the block, Jame Records found a home on Hertel in the summer of 2017. Hosting live performances and special events, Jam is a no frills record shop. It’s the kind of place where you’ll get lost in time, flipping through what seems like miles of crates.

Bob the Record Guy, 6047 Transit Rd., Depew This unassuming shop on Transit Road stocks a huge wealth of vinyl, cassettes and music across all genres. What’s more, Bob the Record Guy also has a setup at Antique World at 11111 Main Street in Clarence.

Antique Man, 234 Allen St., Buffalo Antique Man’s sole focus may not be vinyl, but you never know what LP gem you might find while perusing through this treasure trove of offbeat vintage media, memorabilia and wares. Visit the Antique Man shop in their historic Allentown location, a neighborhood as eclectic as its inventory.

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Take a Walk on the Wild Side at the Buffalo Zoo

Featuring over 1,000 animals and 500 different species, The Buffalo Zoo remains one of the city’s best family attractions. Nestled in a corner of Frederick Law Olmsted’s Delaware Park, the Zoo has debuted a series of state-of-the-art exhibits in recent years, including new habitats for its polar bears, river otters and its rainforest species.

Here are nine animals that deserve your gaze when you visit the Zoo. They are all animals with a bit of backstory, provided either by helpful wall notes, or in conversation with one of the Zoo’s knowledgeable animal handlers and specialists.

Arctic Edge/Polar Bear Habitat When entering the new Arctic Edge complex to view Ursus maritimus (a.k.a. polar bears), look for the group of children and adults pressed against the large windows. Luna, the seemingly fun-loving and crowd-friendly polar bear, loves to swim. It’s mesmerizing to see a bear do laps, kicking off and floating back and forth with her large paws and claws moving through the water.

North American River Otters River Otters (Lontra canadensis) are one of the groups of beasts that inspire long ganders at the Zoo. The otters seem like they’re having the most fun, chasing each other, swimming, emerging from mud and popping their little heads up to have a look around Otter Creek. Their little ears, expressive faces, and long lithe bodies place them firmly in the adorable and sociable category.

Green and Black Poison Dart Frogs Astute visitors to Buffalo Zoo will note that there is not one – but three – exhibits of these glistening bright green and black frogs. They are very still and they’re one of the amphibians that are extremely good (despite that bright green) of blending into their habitats that includes lush plants.

Giraffes A visit to Buffalo Zoo would seem incomplete without a stop to see the giraffes, inside or outside depending on the weather: they reside in a really tall giraffe house and seem happiest when they are outdoors in their yard with soaking up some rays. People who live near the Zoo in the Parkside neighborhood regularly see the giraffes stretching their necks to peek over the top of their enclosure.

CandyAnn the Mule This domesticated animal was integral to the success of the Erie Canal. The canal was the waterway superhighway of its day, with mules walking along tow paths dragging barges filled with cargo. CandyAnn lives in the Heritage Farm area of the Zoo in a rehabilitated historic barn. Nearby, visitors can learn more about Erie Canal, how locks work, and see a recreation of a river barge.

Bison Bison, or Buffalo as they’re frequently called, are a must for this list as they may be our city’s namesake. Speculation on the origin of Buffalo’s name abounds: was it indeed named for bison, or was it a mispronunciation of “beau fleuve,” French for beautiful river? Regardless, these placid animals, residing near the ring road of Delaware Park, are visible both from the park and from inside the Zoo.

Green Iguana One fantastic thing about the Zoo’s Green Iguana is its name: Iguana Iguana, which makes it sound very important important as its genus and species are the same same. Herbivorous and very still, this creature, with its coloring and crested head, looks very majestic as it basks in its warm, humid environment.

Blue-tongued Skink Irwin, a Blue-Tongued Skink (Tiliqua), was out and about giving teachable moments to visitors one day. With a head that resembles a snake’s, a skink is very soft and cool to the touch. Skinks, if caught by a predator, are able to drop their tail – once – and grow a new one. Skinks are unusual as they are reptiles who hatch inside their mother. And yes, their tongues really are blue.

Pride of Lions The lions at Buffalo Zoo exist in their habitat in a pride and they are very vocal in their space. It’s not uncommon to hear their roars while walking around the Zoo. Mama lion, Lusaka, and papa lion, Tiberius gave birth to a trio of lion cubs in recent years. Lions (Panthera leo) are dubbed “big cats” as they are one of the largest species of felines.

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from Blog – Visit Buffalo Niagara https://www.visitbuffaloniagara.com/lions-and-bison-and-polar-bears-oh-my/

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7 Buffalo Breweries You May Not Have Tried Yet

A few short years ago, Buffalo was home to only a handful of excellent breweries. Fast forward to today, the upstart pioneers of the local craft beer movement have ushered in nearly 40 new beer operations and Buffalo has joined the ranks of the nation’s great craft beer towns – just ask Uproxx. Spread across neighborhoods and communities all over Western New York, craft beer continues to be a leading catalyst of our region’s renaissance. Once industrialized neighborhoods and quaint villages are becoming hotspots for breweries and beer gardens.

Since this time last year, several new breweries have debuted in architecturally significant downtown buildings and historic towns. Let’s take a look (and a few sips) of Buffalo’s newest breweries:

Photo courtesy of Froth Brewing Co

Froth Brewing Co. 700 Military Road, Buffalo ••• On the fridges of the neighborhoods of Riverside, Black Rock and Kenmore, Forth Brewing has come forth with some of Buffalo’s most “out there” brews. Don’t believe us? The Always Sunny D pale ale is conditioned on citrus peels and blended with Sunny Delight. Mounds Bar is a chocolate stout with toasted coconut and locally-roasted coffee while Cinnamon French Toasted is brewed with pure maple syrup, macadamias and, well, cinnamon. Curious drinkers welcome! This brewery is not for someone looking for just another IPA.

Belt Line Brewery & Kitchen 545 Swan Street, Buffalo ••• At the time of opening, Belt Line Brewery’s head brewer, Erik Greiner, 27, was Buffalo youngest. But the beers at Belt Line drink like the work of a seasoned brew veteran. Standout taps include A Beer with Nelson, a hazy IPA, Crosscut, an oatmeal stout (try it on nitro), and Farm to Tap, a honey kolsch. Soak up those ABVs with some food from the kitchen like hand-cut fries with lemon tarragon mayo, a double-decker diner burger, or a vegan Chicago dog.

Photo courtesy of Community Beer Works

Community Beer Works 520 7th Street, Buffalo ••• Taking the words of Beyonce’s “Upgrade U” to heart, the owners of the once small but mighty CBW have graduated to the big leagues – still on Buffalo’s West Side, of course. Now sporting a beer garden and fire pit, outdoor games and a full food menu, CBW is consistently ranked one of Buffalo’s best breweries. The on-tap menu is also one of Buffalo’s most diverse, sporting beers like Let’s Go Pils, a simple-done-right pilsner, staples like The Whale brown ale and Frank American pale ale, Bang A ‘Uey New England IPA, and their Singularity series.

Buffalo Cider Hall 155 Chandler Street, Buffalo ••• Who would’ve thought the vacant industrial warehouses of Black Rock’s Chandler Street would make the perfect setting for a cider-focused bar. Behold, Buffalo Cider Hall is here. A menu of ciders for every palette are on tap – Premium Draft for a semi-sweet finish, Estate Reserve for semi-dry and the oak aged series for bone dry lovers. As a bonus, once the weather heats up, Buffalo Cider Hall will have one of the coolest outdoor courtyards in town.

Labatt Brew House/The Draft Room 79 Perry Street, Buffalo ••• The Canadian-born beer, that the citizens of Buffalo have loyally and lovingly adopted as their own, wisely opened a brew house in heart of Downtown Buffalo this past winter. Since the doors have flung open, this restaurant, bar and test kitchen tap room has welcomed thirsty sports fans and show-goers to nearby KeyBank Center in droves. And during the summer, it’s bound to be one of Buffalo’s most popular patios.

Photo courtesy of Woodcock Brothers

Woodcock Bros Brewing Co. 908 Niagara Falls Blvd, North Tonawanda ••• After the better part of a decade, brewing beers for the fine folks of Wilson, NY, the proprietors of Woodcock Brothers have found a second home in North Tonawanda’s historic Wurlitzer building (yep, the piano company). For those familiar to the Wilson brewery, first time patrons to this new location will find a space nearly as massive as the former. Equipped with a dozen refreshing brews and veritable smorgasbord of tasty eats, don’t be surprised if you find yourself spending a whole day here.

Photo courtesy of Prosper Brewing

Prosper Brewing 72 Webster Street, Tonawanda ••• Just on the other side of the Canal, Prosper Brewing claims to have broken a 70-year brewing drought in the Tonawandas. We say cheers to that! Set along beautiful Webster Street, directly across from the historic Riviera Theatre, visitors are treated to brews that have tradition in mind, from the Prosper Porter, Imperial Amber, Vienna Lager, Munich Dunkel.

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Thrillist Touts Buffalo as Best US City to Spend a Weekend

If you haven’t been to Buffalo in the past decade, you may not recognize it. The city has reshaped its industrial Rust Belt exterior into something fresh, exciting and unique – and national media have begun to notice.

Thrillist, an online publication known for its robust travel knowledge, selected Buffalo as one of its top weekend getaways around the United States.

“If you want to make new friends, drink until dawn, and hit the rowdiest tailgates in the NFL, Buffalo is your perfect, no-bull**** town. You’ll find more corner taverns than Starbucks, and Buffalo does wings, pizza, and other generally-unhealthy food as well as any place in America,” Thrillist reported.

While in town, visitors will discover a destination that lives and breathes local pride. From industrial outdoor playgrounds and 4 a.m. closing times to the most inviting neighborhoods, we take having a good time very seriously.

Read all about the treasures that Thrillist found in Buffalo here: The 25 Best US Cities to Spend a Weekend

Or, better yet, discover it for yourself!

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8 Top Spots To Celebrate Dyngus Day

Crack out the pussywillows and refill the squirt guns: the best party you’ll ever find on a Monday is back!

Buffalo is Dyngus Day central – the #1 city for the historically Polish festivities held the day after Easter commemorating the end of Lent. Few cities in America have as large of a Polish population as Buffalo – and perhaps none Dyngus harder.  While the city’s Broadway-Fillmore Neighborhood – also known as Polonia – has the most partying per square block, the whole county gets in on the fun these days.

Here are some of the top spots to Dyngus on April 22nd. For more information – including how to obtain a $10 “Pussywillow Pass” that admits you into many venues at a discounted rate, and information on the Dyngus Day shuttle running among some of the top event venues — head to DyngusDay.com.

1. Dyngus Day Parade, 5 p.m.

This celebration of Polish pride – a sea of red and white parade floats and revelers – winds its way through the streets of Polonia. Perhaps the best spot to view the parade is from the front of The Broadway Market, at 999 Broadway, which also has a garage filled with free parking. No Dyngus Day is complete without a stop at this 130-year-old market; shop for Polish staples like pierogi and placek, then watch the kielbasa eating contest at noon.

2. Adam Mickiewicz Library & Dramatic Circle, Doors open at 3 p.m., 612 Fillmore Ave. This is an incredible hidden gem in the city – a 120-year-old Polish library, bar, and theater that grew out of nearby St. Stanislaus Parish. Order a Tyskie and study maps of the Motherland that adorn the walls. $10 includes a Polish buffet and live music.

3. Central Terminal Dyngus Day: 3-11 p.m., 495 Paderewski Dr.

Buffalo’s historic Art Deco train station becomes a giant party hall tomorrow, complete with music from Hank & Joey Guzevich, Box On and, of course, the headliner Those Idiots as well as Polish fare from Pott’s Deli. $15 advanced tickets and $20 at-the-door admission includes parking.

4. St. Stanislaus Parish Annual Dyngus Day Party, 4-10 p.m., 389 Peckham St.

The steeples towering over the Broadway Fillmore neighborhood are a reminder of the important role the Catholic Church played in the area’s growth and culture. $10 admission to the party in the church’s social center includes a free Wardynski kielbasa (made right down the street).

5. Corpus Christi Church, 199 Clark St.

Another one of the stunning Catholic churches in Polonia features guided tours from 12:30 to 2:30, bowling all day in its basement bowling alley and a Polish Mass at 11:30 a.m., as well as pre-and post parade festivities.

6. The Polish Villa 2, 1085 Harlem Rd., 9:30 a.m.

Those looking to Dyngus as soon as they wake up need look no further than this longtime Cheektowaga restaurant serving up Polish fare. The Polish Villa 2 opens at 2:00pm and has live music all day and into the night.

7. Val’s 29th Annual Dyngus Day, Salvatore’s, 6461 Transit Rd.

This long-time Dyngus Day party rounds out three decades this year with continuous Polish music from 4 p.m. to midnight and a dance performance from the Polish Heritage Dancers.

8. Millennium Buffalo, 2040 Walden Ave., Starting at 11 a.m.

Billing itself as “Buffalo’s Original Dyngus Day Celebration,” this Cheektowaga hotel has become the home of the Chopin Singing Society’s annual Dyngus Day party. Entertainment begins at 11 a.m.; $10 admission, with an optional $15 lunch buffet beginning at noon.

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6 East Side Taverns to Get Your Dyngus On

“Everyone’s Polish on Dyngus Day!” Heading out for the massive post-Easter festivities on Monday or looking for an old world, welcoming atmosphere any time of the year? We’re taking you on a tour of neighborhood bars and joints in Buffalo’s historic Polonia District that are seemingly frozen in time. These are establishments that pride themselves on tradition, heritage, and celebrate Dyngus Day like no other – in grand Buffalo fashion!

1. R&L Lounge, 23 Mills Street R&L is an experience. It’s like going home to mom and dad’s house for dinner, if mom (Lottie) served signature pierogi and golabki every day of the week, and dad (Ronnie) served two-dollar Genesee cream ales from behind the pine. This staple of the east side has been going strong for nearly half a century. Pro tip: If you’re looking to get some grub, call ahead as Lottie makes everything fresh in-house.

2. Arty’s, 508 Peckham Street Situated in the middle of the Dyngus Day brouhaha, Arty’s is the epicenter of Polish pride. Music, singing and dancing will carry you from Dyngus day into Dyngus night. Bound to be boisterous and filled with patrons clad in red and white, strike up a toast with your fellow Dyngus-ers. Na zdrowie!

3. Daren’s Tavern, 514 Howard Street This blue-collar bar is the epitome of east side Buffalo: simple, modest, and humble to its core. Dressed in timeless decor, serving up a hometown favorite brew list, and always filled with welcoming and friendly customers, Daren’s is a one-of-a-kind joint. Oh yeah, and if you need to call a cab make sure to use their functional 40s-style phone booth.

4. Adam Mickiewicz Library & Dramatic Circle, 612 Fillmore Avenue Year after year Mickey’s, as it’s lovingly called, opens its doors for an influx of Dyngus Day celebrators. Aside from serving an extensive menu of Polish beers, Mickey’s houses stacks upon stacks of Polish books, literature, and hand-written plays collected since its founding in 1895.

5. Dick’s Eastside Inn, 221 Lombard Street Maybe you took a break from the Dyngus Day celebration in the streets to enjoy a meal at the Broadway Market. Now you need a cool beverage to wash it all down. Well, you’re in luck as Dick’s Eastside Inn is right across the street! A neighborhood favorite of Market shoppers for nearly 80 years, Dick’s is a must-visit Dyngus Day tavern.

Geno, “The Singing Bartender”, at G&T Inn

6. G&T Inn, 68 Memorial Drive Home to Buffalo legend, “Geno” Kiszelewski, the “singing bartender”, G&T Inn is situated along the Dyngus Day parade route in the shadow of the mighty Central Terminal. Guaranteed to be hopping and filled with joyous music and guests, G&T is a classic Polonia bar. And maybe, if you ask nicely, “Geno” just might sing you a tune.

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5 Stops for an Amherst Street Bar Crawl

You probably know all about Buffalo’s most popular destinations for knocking back cocktails.  There’s Chippewa – the original entertainment district – if you’re looking for a dance party, the Elmwood Village if you need something a little more low-key, and Allentown if you want to hang out with the hippest crowd in town.  Look, there’s no wrong answer here.  Pick any one of these hot spots and you’re going to have a good time.  But if you’re looking to change-it up a little bit, there are plenty of other crawl worthy strips, streets and avenues to suds it up here in the Queen City.  

One of the best might be Amherst Street.  This runway of fun (funway?) stretches from Elmwood Avenue all the way to Military Road.  It’s peppered with bars and restaurants up and down both sides of the street. On a recent Sunday, I grabbed a couple friends and did the hard work of figuring out exactly how to tackle this boulevard of boisterousness.  Here now is your roadmap to success:

Photo courtesy of Hot Mama’s Canteen

Hot Mama’s Canteen, 12 Military Rd. (at Amherst): Start at this former speakeasy that’s doing everything it can to live up to its name and its history including hosting a monthly burlesque show and sprinkling cayenne and red pepper on the complimentary popcorn.  This place is oozing with character.  There’s real dart boards, a shuffle board, a ghost in the basement, and throw a party to celebrate the end of Prohibition.

Sportsmen’s Tavern, 326 Amherst St.: If Amherst Street has an anchor, this is it.  Sportsmen’s Tavern is well known among the locals for its live music.  Touring artists and bands from all over the country swing through to play a show on the Sportsmen’s stage.  Climb the stairs to the second floor for a bird’s eye view of the nightly performances.

Photo courtesy of Dapper Goose

The Dapper Goose, 491 Amherst St.: If you’re more “craft cocktail” than “shot and a beer,” the Dapper Goose is the spot for you.  It hits all the millennial high notes with a killer brunch menu, farm-to-table dishes, locally sourced booze, and a patio that rivals the best in the city.

Photo courtesy of Rohall’s Corner

Rohall’s Corner, 540 Amherst St.: Rohall’s is an old school bar tucked neatly into the Black Rock neighborhood.  The interior features a glass block wall in the entry way and a retro collection of branded barware and signs including a Utica Club neon in the front window.  There’s a long list of European beers on tap and in half liter bottles.  You’ll find beers from the Ukraine and Croatia on the list as well as local and regional favorites.

#TravelBUF photo by @beautifulbflo (Casey William Milbrand)

Voelker’s, 686 Amherst St.: You know how a lot of bowling alleys have bars in them?  We’ll I’m pretty sure Voelker’s is a bar with a bowling alley in it.  This place is a rite of passage for locals.  You haven’t lived until you’ve rolled a few games and downed a few drinks under the glowing green neon at the corner of Elmwood and Amherst.  If you’re not a bowler, pull a stool up to the bar for dirt cheap drinks.  Voelker’s is the kind of place where one drink turns into a day-long affair.  So, clear your schedule and be prepared to Uber it home at the end of the night. •••••

So, there you have it.  Next time you’re in need of new scenery head to Amherst Street, where there’s a watering hole for everyone.   

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This Pastry Chef is Redefining Buffalo’s Sweet Scene

It’s morning again in North Buffalo, and Pastry By Camille has just opened for the day. The aroma of chocolate-filled croissants cooling on a baker’s cart fills the café. Employees offload loaves of hot sourdough just out of the oven. Chef and owner Camille Le Caer, who arrives at 6 a.m. daily, is behind the counter sprinkling cocoa powder onto a fresh batch of tiramisu.

Le Caer, a 25-year-old native of Brittany, France, sets the tiramisu aside and pours a cup of coffee. He explains how his journey took him from the French coast to his patisserie along Buffalo’s bustling Hertel Avenue in the shadow of the North Park Theatre’s neon marquee.

Le Caer credits his 86-year-old grandmother, who still sells fresh produce and eggs at her café/ grocery store in Brittany, with introducing him to great cooking as a child. By 17, Le Caer had struck out on his own and set out for Paris, knocking on the door of the nearly 300-year-old Stohrer Bakery – France’s oldest patisserie – one morning at 5 a.m. and refusing to leave until they offered him a job.

The next several years proved to be immersion by fire for Le Caer, who trained in several different Parisian cafes and bakeries before moving to New York City to work as a pastry chef at Bagatelle Bistro in the Meat Packing District. He met his wife, a Lockport native, in their shared apartment building in Brooklyn, and the couple relocated to Western New York in 2016 when they were expecting their first child.

It was time to start all over again, but that didn’t faze Le Caer, who had already reinvented himself in two of the world’s largest cities. He began by starting a pop-up stand that sold macarons at spots like the Horsefeathers Winter Market on the city’s West Side, then working as a pastry chef at the venerable Ristorante Lombardo, which still serves the crème brulee he contributed to the menu.

By last year, Le Caer was ready to open his own café, and a former deli at Hertel and North Park Avenues with hardwood floors and tin ceilings proved to be the perfect spot. Le Caer has since expanded to a second location in the Market Arcade Building downtown and is preparing to open a warehouse this fall where he will wholesale to local restaurants.

His Hertel patisserie has a rotation of 150 different crepes and baked goods. On this particular morning, several different macarons, an éclair topped with ganache syrup and whipped cream, and a mousse cake sponge candy filled Le Caer’s cooler. Some of Le Caer’s favorite items include raspberry tart, French onion soup and croquet madame (ham, egg and cheese sandwich).

I tried a crepe filled with raspberry jam and topped with whipped cream and powdered sugar that was bursting with flavor. French music plays in the background, and a shelf filled with board games encourages customers to sit and stay awhile.

The journey from Brittany to Buffalo could not have been scripted, but Le Caer, who fills his nearly 18-hour workdays with seemingly boundless energy and enthusiasm, is proud to make his mark on a city not traditionally known for French pastries.

“We’re changing the mentality and the palate of Buffalo,” Le Caer explains. “It’s good to be in this position, especially on the sweet side of things.”

Pastry by Camille is located at 1416 Hertel Ave. in North Buffalo. It is open 10 a.m. – 10 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday, 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sunday.

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9 FANtastic Places to Watch the Game

March Madness has arrived! With the UB Bulls in the Big Dance this year, this tried and true sports town is in a state of fandemonium.

Couldn’t travel to see the games this year? No worries – we’ve got you covered. When you can’t get to the game, pony up to any of these establishments, where the sports are always on for you to watch your team snatch the W:

(716) Food & Sport, 7 Scott St, Buffalo: Let’s start with the place where bigger is better! Located within HARBORCENTER, in close proximity to Key Bank Center, and built by Bills & Sabres owner, Terry Pegula, this place knows sports. Boasting nine TVs behind the bar, including a two-story, 38-foot projection screen, your worries of watching multiple games at once are a thing of the past.

(716) Food & Sport

Buffalo Iron Works, 49 Illinois St, Buffalo: Located in the Cobblestone District right next to KeyBank Center, Iron Works is known for its daily concerts, but during gametime this place will be a haven for those looking get loud when their team scores big. Check this place out if you’re into lots of local beers on tap and a menu full of tasty tacos from Left Coast Taco.

Bada Bing, 42 W. Chippewa St, Buffalo: Grab your closest friends and gather around Bada Bing’s Jumbotron – a ginormous TV filled box that resembles the video board hanging over the ice at KeyBank Center. With all of the sports packages, Sunday Ticket, Center Ice, UFC and boxing, there’s always a reason to pop in to this Chippewa bar.

Big Ditch Brewery, 55 E. Huron St, Buffalo: The new downtown hangout, you’ll find plenty of jersey-clad patrons here when the game is on. Ranked one of New York State’s best breweries, the tasty beers are always flowing at Big Ditch. You’ll be hoping for overtime just so you can stay a little longer!

Big Ditch Brewing Company

Soho Burger Bar, 64 W. Chippewa St, Buffalo: This “burger bar” is a reliable go-to for happy hour, an excellent meal and, yep, gametime celebrations. Located on the Chippewa Strip, this corner bar and restaurant has been supplying downtown Buffalo with good times for years!

Buffalo RiverWorks, 359 Ganson St, Buffalo: An absolutely massive space situated along the Buffalo River and in the heart of Buffalo’s historic grain elevator district, you’ll be enthralled during the game with plenty of entertainment, food and beers from their on-site brewery to keep you busy during intermissions. PS – adventure-seekers can even take a wild walk on their covered ropes course between games.

Colter Bay, 561 Delware Ave, Buffalo: Re-opened by local beer connoisseur, Mike Shatzel, Colter Bay has all of the craft beer selection you’ve come to expect from a Shatzel joint AND a revamped food menu. The warm, lodgy atmosphere is perfect for a comfortable gametime experience.

Colter Bay

D’Arcy McGee’s Irish Pub, 257 Franklin St, Buffalo: Every day feels like St. Patrick’s Day in D’Arcy McGee’s! Step inside this traditional Irish Pub for a pint of Guinness, comfort foods like corned beef and shepard’s pie and Buffalo favorites including wings and beef on weck.

Sports City Pizza Pub, 1407 Niagara St, Buffalo: Sports City Pizza Pub on Niagara Street is the classic sports bar; 24 beers on tap, thirteen flat screen TVs and, of course, pizza. With a large space able to accommodate huge parties, this is the go-to family friendly sports outing location.

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Discover Hidden Gems on Forgotten Buffalo Tours

The premise behind Forgotten Buffalo Tours is a simple one: The best way to understand the history of a city is through the context of its authentic neighborhood bars and taverns.  And the best way to understand a city’s neighborhood bars and taverns?  Go drinking in them, of course!

There’s no better way to do that than on a bus with 40 other people and two tour guides with an encyclopedic knowledge of the best joints in town.  It’s like a wine tour except the wine is replaced by Genesee beer, you’ll learn a little about Buffalo’s history and no one will end up drunk and crying by the end of it (most likely).  

The spots you’ll visit on Forgotten Buffalo’s tours aren’t just any old dive bars.  No, these are off-the-radar places that have been ingrained in the fabric of their communities for years.  They’re celebrations of the various ethnic groups that built and worked in Buffalo’s once booming shipping and manufacturing industry.  They’re social clubs that preserve and protect the character of Buffalo’s old neighborhoods, from the east side’s Historic Polonia District to The Old First Ward.  And, most importantly, they’re a lot of fun to drink at!

Hear a tale of the neighborhood’s past from Geno at the east side’s G&T Inn.

Each stop on your tour features a quick history lesson on the neighborhood the bar is located in and how taverns in the neighborhood served the groups that lived there, including a tale or two about the bar itself.  And there are some dynamite fun facts sprinkled throughout the tour.  Like that former Mayor of Buffalo and my new hero, Francis X. Schwab, got busted for brewing beer during Prohibition.  Or the indicators of a good Buffalo dive bar: a Genny neon sign, aloe plants in the front window (for factory workers who may have suffered a minor burn or two during their shift,) and a Men’s room in the front and a Ladies room in the back (from pre-prohibition when it was considered unseemly for the sexes to drink together).

Now, if you really want the low-down on Buffalo’s historic bars and taverns saddle up to one of your tour guides: Certified city of Buffalo docent Marty Biniasz and your tour’s color commentator, Airborne Eddy.  They’ll give you a little extra history about each stop on your tour and the neighborhood that surrounds it.  Ask nicely and they might even share their own personal favorite spots that aren’t on the tour.

A lively crowd gathers at Buffalo Bar & Grille.

On my recent tour with this dynamic duo, we swapped bar stories, favorite dive spots, and best wing joints while they schooled me on corners of the city whose history I never knew.  They even took us to a bar that still had carpeting on the floor.  I haven’t seen one of those in 15 years!

 My favorite spot was the Buffalo Bar and Grille.  Owner John Hoffman bought the First Ward bar so he had a place to hang out with his friends.  It’s only open from 3 – 9pm on Fridays and for special events.

You’re guaranteed to leave your Forgotten Buffalo Tour with a few new friends, and a list of bars to meet them at. Book your spot on an upcoming tour by clicking here.

Jay Josker is an unabashed Buffalover and patron of classy joints and sketchy spots all over the city.  Follow him on Instagram and twitter @TheBigElevator.

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14 Things You Might Not Have Known About the Martin House

Frank Lloyd Wright’s Martin House Complex is as stunning as the day it was completed. Leaving no detail overlooked, Wright’s attention to detail was unparalleled. Paired with Wright’s mantra that ‘everything has it’s place’, there are a seemingly infinite number of painstaking details hidden in plain sight and secret features that the everyday visitor doesn’t get to see. Allow us to pull back the curtain and reveal some of the secret facts and details of Frank Lloyd Wright’s Martin House Complex:

1 – In 1986, the Martin House was named a National Historic Landmark.

2 – Over the last two decades that the Martin House has been open for tours, famous visitors have included Mick Jagger and Charlie Watts, Sigourney Weaver, Ali MacGraw, and Chloe Sevigny.

3 – Frank Lloyd Wright designed everything in the Martin House – referred to as a “tout ensemble” or a “Gesamtkunstwerk.”  This total design includes the buildings, landscape, interior furnishings, light fixtures, art glass, and selections of artwork and artifacts for interior decoration.

Photo by Patrick Mahoney

4 – There is more than 8.5 miles of wood trim throughout the entire estate, consisting of more than 90 different profiles.  The wood species include white oak, mahogany, and cypress, native to the US and cut rift or quarter sawn.

5 – Wright included an underground tunnel in the house’s design that is accessed through the basement of the main house, runs under the Pergola, and reenters the main level through the carriage house where the Museum Store is currently located.

6 – The interior brickwork of the Martin House is accented by reflective gold mortar between each brick, including the two brick sunburst fireplaces.

7 – The first house built on site, the Barton House, was a test project to see if Martin and Wright would have a good working relationship, despite the first house ending nearly three times over budget, they not only continued working together but became lifelong friends.

Infographic for 2017’s FLW150 celebration designed by Chris Giorgio

8 – The hundreds of art glass windows are adorned with intricate design work, such as in the Tree of Life design – which has as many as 750 individual colored glass pieces.

9 – The Martin’s had two horses, named after Civil War generals, Sherman and Sheridan.  The horses’ stables are used for Museum Store displays.

10 – The Nike of Samothrace statue that watches over the conservatory stands tall at 12 feet and can be easily seen from the front door, some 180 feet away.

11 – Isabelle Martin taught kindergarten in the lower level of the Martin House, where education programs such as summer camp and scouts take place today.

12 – Mr. Martin used a table top thermometer (see it on tour in the library) to read and record the temperatures in each room of the Martin House to ensure he was not over-spending in heating costs.

13 – Frank Lloyd Wright, inspired in his work by Japanese design, decorated the house with 24 Japanese prints. “I remember when I first met the Japanese prints. That art had a great influence on my feeling and thinking… I began to see nature in a totally different way,” Wright stated.

14 – When the landscape is complete, visitors will be able to see the direct reflection of colors, shapes, and natural elements that were taken from the gardens and applied to the interior of the house, informing the design decisions throughout the complex.

For more info on tours and details of Frank Lloyd Wright’s Martin House Complex visit www.martinhouse.org.

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