Blue Monk is coming along (lead photo). A few months ago, BR
reported that a new beer garden/gastropub eatery will take
over the former Merlin's bar on Elmwood. These days it is showing signs of serious
change to passers-by. New garage door-style windows have been installed,
and we hear the interior renovations are moving right along as well. We are very excited for this new business, as Chef Dino DeBell is at
the stove and, once the kinks are worked out, the food should be
wonderful. Knowing Mike Shatzel, Blue Monk's mastermind and owner of
Cole's, the beer should be pretty darn good, too.
For any of you who might have missed the post last week, Mark Goldman has agreed to lease a renovated space from Grant-Amherst's one-woman rehab queen, Susan "Frenchy" Cholewa. We're really looking forward to seeing what type of restaurant Goldman and his team will bring to the nightlife in this growing neighborhood. If music plays into the plan at all (which we guess it may based on Goldman's other enterprises), it coupled with Sportsmen's Tavern could potentially lead to this neighborhood becoming one of the hottest music hangouts in the city.
Guercio's Pizza is slated to open in early May at 1043 West Avenue, the former home of Carmen's Kitchen. "Our goal is to offer a good, inexpensive pizza to the neighborhood," said owner Jason Smiraglia, who is also the owner of Special Occasions Catering. He and business partner David Guercio promise customers that at Guercio's Pizza, a large cheese with one topping will cost only $10, tax included. Hot and cold subs will also be on the menu, along with various other items Smiraglia is accustomed to offering through his catering business. "I think that the West Side can be a home to Italian-owned businesses again," Smiraglia told BR. He has also promised Buffalo Rising readers a special discount once the west side pizzeria opens. We'll keep you posted.
Meanwhile, there is much ado along the waterfront. Erin and Tucker Curtin's "fun in the sun" waterside eatery, Dug's Dive, will re-open for the season on May 1st. The Curtin family's other establishments, The Steer and Lake Effect Diner, keep them busy in the colder months, but summertime is almost here and Dug's will be up and running, ready for you and your family to enjoy the view, good eats and super ice cream treats.
Shanghai Red's also shuttered for the winter season, with a notation on their website that they would re-open on April 15th after undergoing a renovation. According to the Buffalo-area's most reliable and comprehensive restaurant review site, an email sent after the scheduled re-opening date had come and gone was met with a response stating that the restaurant would open shortly and with a new name--Templeton Landing. I'll be interested to read in the comments what all of you think of the new name, and what you hope will be different about Templeton Landing from its previous incarnation.
Have news, updates, tips or opinions about a Buffalo restaurant? Email them to Buffalo Rising.
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For any of you who might have missed the post last week, Mark Goldman has agreed to lease a renovated space from Grant-Amherst's one-woman rehab queen, Susan "Frenchy" Cholewa. We're really looking forward to seeing what type of restaurant Goldman and his team will bring to the nightlife in this growing neighborhood. If music plays into the plan at all (which we guess it may based on Goldman's other enterprises), it coupled with Sportsmen's Tavern could potentially lead to this neighborhood becoming one of the hottest music hangouts in the city.
Guercio's Pizza is slated to open in early May at 1043 West Avenue, the former home of Carmen's Kitchen. "Our goal is to offer a good, inexpensive pizza to the neighborhood," said owner Jason Smiraglia, who is also the owner of Special Occasions Catering. He and business partner David Guercio promise customers that at Guercio's Pizza, a large cheese with one topping will cost only $10, tax included. Hot and cold subs will also be on the menu, along with various other items Smiraglia is accustomed to offering through his catering business. "I think that the West Side can be a home to Italian-owned businesses again," Smiraglia told BR. He has also promised Buffalo Rising readers a special discount once the west side pizzeria opens. We'll keep you posted.
Meanwhile, there is much ado along the waterfront. Erin and Tucker Curtin's "fun in the sun" waterside eatery, Dug's Dive, will re-open for the season on May 1st. The Curtin family's other establishments, The Steer and Lake Effect Diner, keep them busy in the colder months, but summertime is almost here and Dug's will be up and running, ready for you and your family to enjoy the view, good eats and super ice cream treats.
Shanghai Red's also shuttered for the winter season, with a notation on their website that they would re-open on April 15th after undergoing a renovation. According to the Buffalo-area's most reliable and comprehensive restaurant review site, an email sent after the scheduled re-opening date had come and gone was met with a response stating that the restaurant would open shortly and with a new name--Templeton Landing. I'll be interested to read in the comments what all of you think of the new name, and what you hope will be different about Templeton Landing from its previous incarnation.
Have news, updates, tips or opinions about a Buffalo restaurant? Email them to Buffalo Rising.
Shanghai Reds needed more then a name change. I hope they listened.
A successful restaurant starts with good service, good food and a friendly staff.