Buffalo Rising Online

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.

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…

Wednesday November 8th we will continue our monthly wine tasting event- every second Wed. of the month we run our "Ten wines for Ten Bucks" This month Colony Wine & Spirits Fine Wine manager, Mark Strassel and myself, Marla Baykan will host "Old World vs. New World wines- who will win?" It's from 7-9pm, No reservations necessary.

Then, Monday November 13th we will be hosting Shango's 2nd Annual Fall Dinner- A five course dinner featuring fine Italian wines from Vias Imports. The cost will be $55 per person and will start at 6:00pm. Reservations are necessary. Last year's dinner was a resounding success, and this year's menu and wine selections are even better!!! Call for detail 837.2326 -Marla

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…

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…

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…

When Sen. Hillary Clinton spoke at last weekis dedication of the Darwin Martin House she ranked development of the medical corridor and the waterfront and architectural tourism as the cityis most compelling assets. Canit argue with that, I guess, but anyone with a true knowledge of Buffalo would have added Texas Hots to that list.

The slimy, sloppy, spicy, scrump…

Tuesday, October 10th at Shango! The next Happy To Be (Back) Here Hour is at hand! These gatherings are a great way to meet others who share your passion for our fair city. And this time around, a mystery Guest Speaker will share 15 minutes of Good News and propose ways that you can be an ever more integral part of this cityis renaissance.

Join us at Shango (3260 Main Street, near Talking Leaves) on Tuesday, October 10th, from 6:00-9:00 p.m. to find out who the speaker is and what they have to say about the future of Buffalo. There will be plenty of (not Old Buffalo, not New Buffalo, but) Our Buffalo energy. Enjoy the high spirits and rich stories of …

Kirstie and James Strusienski have owned and operated Fiddleheads for the last four and a half years. The two met as students of the NCCC culinary program in the early 90is. After graduating, they both went on to finish their training. Kirstie studied at CIA and James went to the Hospitality Administrat…

Western New Yorkers will have an opportunity to help in the battle against breast cancer simply by dining at their favorite restaurants on Tuesday, September 26, 2006, when the Western New York Affiliate of the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation presents the Second Annual Dine Out for the Cure!

Participating restaurants will dona…

View Slideshow

Do yourself a favor and get o…

Lobster dinners have always been a special occasion for me n so much so that I canit actually remember the last time I had one, but last night I got the feast of a lifetime at the Viking Lobster Company. See, this kind of meal isn't an ordinary celebration where you get all shined up and worry about spilling anything, or trying not to eat so much…

Before I begin this post, I must come clean. Whatever degree of objectivity you may expect of me will not be present in this article. The reason for this is that the best meal of my life took place at The Coda. I am not skilled enough to describe how utterly sumptuous it was. Let me say simply, that it consisted of a wel…