Ming the Merciful
One of the best restaurants in the city is back in business. Each year, the owners of Ming Cafe, Helen and Sam, close up for the summer in order to travel. Each year they come back in the fall, but no one ever knows when until the gates are reopened. While driving down Main Street yesterday we noticed that the gates were no longer closed, so we pulled over to see if the restaurant was open. Much to our surprise, Helen and Sam had returned and the city's only gourmet Chinese restaurant was open. The University District is so lucky to have Ming in its midst. I was fortunate enough to cover their story when the magazine first started, and ever since I have been a devoted fan of this delicious eatery.
Many people tell me that they drive by and think that Ming is just a cafe. That couldn't be further for the truth. Of course Helen brews some fantastic teas, but the magic is in the food. Sam prepares each and every meal from scratch. I still remember the first time that I stopped in for a meal... I was amazed when I heard the sound of a knife against a cutting board. The ingredients are so fresh, and Sam tastes every dish before it leaves the kitchen. Yesterday we tried a mango chicken dish that had kernels of corn, and a hint of olive, with succulent slices of mango. The moist fried rice was the best ever... I can't believe that this restaurant closes for half the year.
The interior looks better than ever since Helen has added some beautiful golden yellow drapes to the front windows. Of course the woodwork, much of which Sam hand-carved, is still intact and awaiting your arrival.
Ming Cafe |3268 Main Street | Buffalo, NY 14214 | (716) 833-6988
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Denizen
yay!
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ChristaSeychew
Thank God!
It's a shame that more people in Buffalo don't know about this place. Those of you that think you've been eating Chinese food every time you bite into a Day-Glo piece of sweet and sour chicken need to stop in and grab a little take out.
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carlmalone
I can't wait to light this place up an eat an inordinate amount of take out. Gourmet chinese=binge eating to me. I'm salivating and just drooled on my keyboard.
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MikeLibra
The long wait is over. A return to remarkable food!
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Hoss
The food is fantastic. Still a tad on the greasy side, but definitely not your typical fried whatever take out joint. The sign is deceiving to their disadvantage, but in reality, they don't have room for many more customers. Keeping the pace slower allows for more attention to who they are serving.
I'm really glad they are back, and look forward to many a meal over the winter months.
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johnb820
I know not even a week ago they were closed. Are we talking reasonably priced food here for your average college student?
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carlmalone
John:
I forgot how much it sucks to be a college student and not have cash, but, I guess in a sense it's the only real downside. I think the prices are somewhat higher than your normal Chinese joint, but they use fresh quality ingredients and it’s definitely fairly priced and worth a splurge, than back to ramen and Budweiser’s for three weeks with the occasional robbery thrown in of consumables from a relatives’ fridge and pantry.
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