Buffalo Rising Online

Christa Glennie Seychew

Happy Thanksgiving!

Although Thanksgiving is rooted in our history as a country and is truly about remembering the things that we all collectively and individually are thankful for, let's set that aside for a moment.

I think that most of us would agree that the contemporary Thanksgiving celebration is about football, family relationships (the good, the bad, and the ugly), and food, glorious food.

On many holidays, as I stand in my kitchen, every counter covered with an assortment of ingredients and cooking equipment, the refrigerator so full it is a struggle to close it, and a list of 10,000 things to do, my thoughts are happy to turn to the best meals that I've ever had- prepared by someone else.

Christa Glennie Seychew

Mary Tomaselli, owner of La Tee Da, is kindly furnishing us, dear BRO readers, with her lovely squash flan recipe,AePjust in time for Thanksgiving.

Her restaurant is a family affair. Recipes handed down to her by her mother are prepared in a kitchen staffed by Mary, her daughter Sherry Nugent, her granddaughter Lindsay Nugent, and her devoted employees.

La Tee Da is a warm and friendly place, guests feel like family from the moment they call to make reservations. The glow of the room is a delight in and of itself, and the food is old world Italian, made from scratch and from the heart.

Christa Glennie Seychew

It seems that no matter how often I shop at Guercio's I come away amazed by how little money I,Aeove spent for the giant box of food I leave with.

I think that fresh produce and the deli counter are the place where I notice the price difference the most. It is really remarkable how affordable it all is. Root vegetables are easily only half the price per pound as they are at the big stores right up the street on Grant and Amherst. Additionally, Boar's Head deli meats, perhaps the best brand available, are about the same price as the off-brand meats offered at corporate owned deli counters in the city.

A day or two ago, I decided to spend $20 at Guercio's. Not on anything in particular, and not in an attempt to buy as much as I possibly could for…

Charlie Quill

There's something about settling in at the counter at the Acropolis with a newspaper, a plate of French fries with gravy and a cup of black coffee that always sets things right with the world for me.

Perhaps it's the fact that for 27 years, the family has operated this popular neighborhood diner at 708 Elmwood Ave. without trying to transform it into a fine-dining destination, a fate that has befallen many of Buffalo's Greek diners over the years.

Or maybe it's the fact that the Acropolis hearkens to the golden age of diners, when places like Your Host (showing my age now) and the Acropolis's predecessor, The Captain's Table (again, the age) served dark, strong coffee late into the night and the booths each had their own mini jukebox, bolted to the wall…

Christa Glennie Seychew

Buffalo Rising Magazine is looking for your expertise.

Are you one of those who love to dine out on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day? Does spending hours chained to the stove sound like an unappealing way to spend your holiday? Many traditional folks disdain the idea of dining out on what is seen as a cozy, homey family holiday. I, however, respectfully disagree. After weeks of planning, baking, shopping, wrapping, partying and last but not least, entertaining my housebound children, I find a holiday dinner out with my family to be a little gift to myself (and those that don't have to endure my frazzled pre-six course meal frenzy).

I,Aeod love to hear from you if you have a favorite restaurant that is wi…

buffalorising

Photography exhibit by Harry R. Stainrook - "the husband of Judith Swann, the father of Jennifer and Eric, as well as a retired executive vice-president of M&T Bank and M&T Corporation."

"One of the amazing things you will see in my New York City work is the results of Mayor Giuliani's leadership that led to its transformation. I have recorded this in the sidewalks, paths, streets, and broad vistas, which are clean of trash and its buildings graffiti-less. What started as a commission to do a two year photo study of New York City's Central Park, has broadened into what has become today's exhibit. Since we live one block from Central Park, three blocks from the Hudson River and seven blocks from Columbus Circle, these photographs truly a…

queenseyes

Just got back from Buffalo Barbecue and Brew and am doing all I can to keep my eyelids open. I threw back a couple of beers at the bar while waiting for a take out order (for our design team). There's a bartender named Jim at this place who is super cool and filled me in on all of the recent happenings at the restaurant. "It's only been open for a few weeks, but we already have our regulars," he told me. "The kids from Buff State LOVE it here. They come to watch the Sabres games on the two flat screens while eating traditional barbecue and having a few beers. We also get a great crowd from the neighborhood. It's a relaxed atmosphere and the place looks really nice."

RoBear showed up after a while and the two of us went back to say hey to Ted, the ma…

Charlie Quill

It seems like our work is never done.

While most of Buffalo enjoyed the end of another work week at Friday happy hours throughout the city late Friday afternoon, Queenseyes and I made our way down to the old First Ward, continuing our relentless pursuit of the truth.

We'd been to Gene McCarthy's Pub and Restaurant, many times, but we had never tried the Beef on Weck. That was about to change.

An Old First Ward tradition, the pub, located at 73 Hamburg St., (716) 855-8948, is a favorite stop for locals and a destination worth driving to for folks like us who don't live in the neighborhood. McCarthy's is one of those places where you're likely to run into people you know, no matter who you are or where y…

queenseyes

Where are the best French fries served in Buffalo? Me, I would have to say that the late night fries at Amaryllis are about as good as they get. Not only are the fries great, the English mustard powder (correction) ketchup that they serve them with rocks my world. Amaryllis, typically known for dishes like foie gras, and sashimi tuna, has somehow mastered the perfectly crisped fries. The best part is that you can order them even after the main dinner menu is no longer available. Amaryllis is kinda like that retro (boomerang bar) lounge that never got cheesy.

Any place that brings out a selection of Scotch's on a narrow wood tray so that a customer can point to a selection of their choice is pretty cool. Either that or have Matt (the owner) pick out a fine…