The closing of Solid Grounds at the corner of Elmwood and Bryant meant that a longtime social-gathering breakfast spot was lost. The café/eatery was an excellent place to meet up with friends over a cup of coffee, or for breakfast or lunch. It was an early morning and daytime draw that is still missed by the community. Times change, and so do many of the longstanding haunts. You may have noticed that the token brown paper has gone up on the storefront window... a telltale sign that there is a new occupant. It's true. Two restaurateurs are currently inside working on a new wine and beer lounge for that hi-profile corner.
Solid Grounds turned out to be the ideal location for the two, with just the right layout for carrying out their plan. The plan? It's going to be a 2000 sq' wine and beer lounge with fireplace, central crescent bar, high ceilings, wine lockers, tricked-out bathrooms, and a temperature controlled glass 500-bottle wine room. The owners are planning on knocking out the existing wall that separates the neighboring storefront. Even with the expansion, the plan is to keep it a cozy wine and beer-lover's paradise. Guests will be able to order off the wine list or store their own bottles on site. The streamlined menu will consist of small plate foods ranging from cheese pairings to cured meats. "Everything will be fresh and seasonal. We want to support the local community when it comes to the food and desserts. We're going to have a very eclectic beer list... we love beer and wine and feel that this location is the perfect place to share this idea with the community. We've been looking for a location for a year and half and believe that this is a friendly, welcoming neighborhood. We're excited to be a part of the community. We're going to have an outdoor patio that will be open much later in the season... and it will open in early spring. Buffalo should appreciate the cold weather... we've seen ski towns where cold weather brings people together. If people get too cold they can come in and warm up by the fireplace. We're also excited to be on the sunny side of the street (in the evening). We're going to be opening at 4pm, so we'll capture all that evening sun."
*Wine Thief: A sampling tube made of either glass or plastic with a narrow opening at each end. The tube is used to get a sample of wine from a barrel.