Back in May, Molly’s World Inc, the proprietors of The Hatch, announced that they would be moving forward with the construction of a new restaurant at the Erie Basin Marina (see story). Yesterday, I headed down to the marina (it’s off season, so I brought my dog) to check out the progress and was psyched to see that the building was pretty much complete. Even the interior looked to be set up.
Once this restaurant opens in the spring, the waterfront will have yet another draw that will add to the resurgence of the harbor. What I love most about these new restaurant digs is the glass frontage that extends along the boardwalk – there’s no bad seat in the house.
I spoke to operator Molly Koessler after first learning about the restaurant. She told me that the place would have a culinary concentration on pastas, seafood, appetizers, salads, steaks and chops. She also said that she would be incorporating a wood burning pizza oven, serving up thin crust pizzas (with a pick-up option). The bar seating looks out over the ample patio space, with fire pit, surrounded by flower gardens.
The restaurant will certainly be a big hit for people who want to eat while viewing the boating activity at the mouth of the harbor. The bottleneck by the lighthouse draws a ton of aquatic activity together, which presents a beautiful display of sailing and motorboat activity.
Come summer, there will be something for everyone at this general location – from The Hatch serving up burgers, to clams at the clam stand, ice cream and beers on the patio, and now some higher end food options.
I’m hoping that some day we will see a food operation set up out at the observation tower – that would add a splendid element that would draw people even further out along the peninsula.
I would also hope that the Erie Basin Marina would reconsider its self imposed “dog law” that forbids our four legged friends to tag along during the warmer months. Dogs are now legally allowed on patios in New York State, as long as the restaurant owners are OK with it (see more). Opening up the Erie Basin Marina to dogs would bring increased business to the proprietors that operate there. In 2014, Buffalo was ranked in the top 20 for pet-friendly cities. There are few places where you can’t bring your dog… The Erie Basin Marina happens to be one of them. It’s unfortunate because people who walk their dogs add a lot to the vibrancy and good nature of a city.