Buffalo Rising Online

Christa Glennie Seychew

Looks can be deceiving. The unassuming building at 1410 Main Street blends into the streetscape. It may look like every other slightly shabby Main Street location, but once you step inside you’ll find a whole different story.

Floyd’s Steel Drums Restaurant has been open since 2003 and its regulars love it. The interior, divided into two main rooms, boasts high ceilings and a colorful palate. The first room is dedicated to the bar which is overlooked by a towering etched mirror. The bar itself is a happening night spot on the weekend, specializing in Red Stripe and Carib (both favorite beers from the islands), an assortment of Caribbean style sodas and the standard offerings of American beer and liquor.

The second room is an expansive dining room. A stage and dance floor stand in the far corner where jazz and reggae bands entertain the clientele on select evenings. Th…

Christa Glennie Seychew

Fairy cakes. That is the name Deb, owner of Delish, has chosen for these voluptuous cupcakes. Each one boasts dense, moist cake topped with a lavish amount of rich buttercream frosting. A version with seasonal flair always resides alongside classic chocolate and vanilla interpretations. Easily large enough for two people, these trendy treats are only $5 each.

A note to potential buyers of all things buttercream: Though cakes topped with authentic buttercream icing (not the fake stuff from the supermarket) require refrigeration, they must be brought to room temperature before eating. A mouthful of cold buttercream frosting is never as good as one that has been warmed. Intense flavor (and satisfaction) will be lost to the impatient consumer!

Delish 802 Elmwood 881.2022 www.delishelmwood.com

Christa Glennie Seychew

Most know that ECC offers students a culinary arts program at both its North and City locations. But did you know that its partnership with Workforce Development enables it to offer professional cooking classes to the public?

Wednesday the 14th marks the first class of Chef Anthony Songin’s comprehensive series of classes for the Spring ‘07 session. The program is open to everyone, and tailored to those individuals with skills that range from novice to intermediate level. Those that don't have knife skills, or are inexperienced with certain techniques need not fear that they will be overwhelmed or left behind. Some classes last only one session, while a series that moves course by course through a meal requires five. Many of the classes are offered on a Wednesday evening and then again on a Saturday morning.

Most open to the public culinary classes in our region are co…

Christa Glennie Seychew

It seems that Saturday (the 10th) is a big day for Buffalo foodies. Three area shops are hosting tastings. Chocolate, cheese and wine are on the menu, a classic combination indeed. Visit all three, or pick and choose- either way, you're bound to try something new and exciting!

From 11 a.m. - 2 p.m., the Lexington Co-op will offer another of their great "sampling parties". Fondues in both classic cheese and chocolate are sure to delight. The Co-op's fabulous fromage selection and yummy organic chocolates will be featured. Fondue can be a romantic experience, bring someone you love.

Hodge Wine & Liquor will offer tastings from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. A lovely selection of wines from Colony Distributors will be poured. Luna de luna red, Monkey Bay Sauvignon Blanc, Kendall Jackson Cabernet, Camelot Chardonnay, Santa Alicia Muscatel (a dessert wine) and Phillipe Prie, a French Cham…

Christa Glennie Seychew

At this time of year, Gary and Sandy Whitt of Ko-Ed Candies are making some of Buffalo’s favorite chocolates virtually around the clock. They've pretty much got it down to a science after 21 years. They're readying the store for Valentines Day, a day that will ring in as their 4th busiest day of the year. Their website (www.spongecandy.com) adds to the mix.

Ko-Ed offers little chocolate hearts and big ones, too. Red valentine-shaped boxes loaded with chocolate goodness come sized to suit- will you need a 4 oz. token or a 5 lb. offering? Maybe you’d prefer a pound of Charlie Chaplins, wrapped prettily in red, white and pink?

But what Ko-Ed does best is sponge candy. Buffalonians love the stuff. A sheath of thick, rich chocolate (milk or dark) encases a crisp, airy, molasses-flavored center. Describing this confection to the …

Christa Glennie Seychew

Great tunes, good brews on tap, a lengthy “by-the-glass” vino selection, and a venue that somehow maintains its intimacy even when people are spilling out onto the street. These are just a few of the reasons why Allen Street Hardware has become a destination location for many.

Though a popular dinner spot, Hardware’s clientele especially enjoys the “communal” portions of the menu, (sandwiches, appetizers, and cheese selection) ideal for snacking regardless of the hour. In early January, owners Mark and Charlie Goldman and Chef Billy Ott launched a new menu more conducive to that experience.

Linguini with clams was on the menu, the night I visited, providing and option for guests with a desire for an entrée. But the rest of the menu highlighted small, light bites, or food that was designed to share.

Lovely salads top the menu. Simpler salads are available for onl…

Emilie Riester

With its iconic angel standing on the roof and clutching two flaming torches, Gabriel's Gate exudes a brooding, mysterious vibe from the onset. But enter through its wrought iron gates and you'll find this distinctly Allentown bar is every bit warm and friendly.

Gabe’s Gate has become a fixture on Allen St. for its great bar setting and reasonably priced food - the perfect marriage of liquor and chicken wings. The dark wood interior has detailed carved booths and several working fireplaces to keep warm beside in the winter. Above the bar itself, you can look up to its peaked ceiling, dimly lit by a chandelier and stained glass windows. The building was built as a row house in 1864 and still blends into the traditional neighborhood architecture.

The bar is centered in the midst of a long dining room area where two large TVs make it a great place to watch a Sabres' game. …

hippiegrrl

Everyone knows if you are looking for great deli and/or italian cuisine in Buffalo, Hertel Avenue is the place to be. Romeo & Juliets, La Dolce Vita, Joe's Deli and North End Trattoria are just a few of the many great eating joints this street has to offer. Hertel is the home of the Italian Festival each summer, so how can you go wrong?

Working near Hertel gives us a myriad of choices for great lunch fare and today was no exception! I think I have, quite possibly, found the best panini thus far at Marco's Italian Deli. They are, after all, home of the original "Sangwich" so how could you not love the food? The Hertel Avenue location is one of three (Elmwood in Tonawanda & Maple in Amherst) delis where Marco's serves their fantastic panini, burgers and gourmet sangwiches. Marco's also serves authentic Italian cuisine at their Italian Restaurant on Niagara Street in Buffalo.…

Christa Glennie Seychew

It seems that every chef in the city knows about Spar’s European Sausage on Amherst Street. Located in the Grant-Amherst neighborhood, its fortunate customers have an array of lunchmeat and sausages (both smoked and fresh) to choose from. It turns out that many of those customers are chefs from some of Buffalo’s most esteemed restaurants. As a testament to their products, Spar’s is not a wholesaler and doesn’t have the ability to make deliveries, which means that chefs interested in incorporating Spar’s premium meats into their menu have to make a special trip.

Just over a year ago, Joe and Beth Kennedy purchased the operation after Joe spent three years apprenticing under the original owner, Eric Spar. Throughout Kennedy’s training, Spar imparted to him his lifetime of experience, some of which took place during his childhood in Germany. After 18 years, Spar dec…