Back in February, we posted that Crush Hospitality Concepts (Newbury Salads) and Sun Cuisines (Sun Restaurants) would be opening a new micro food hall concept called PK Eats in the former Family Video location at 1488 Hertel Avenue. The partnership stemmed from a pre-existing relationship at EXPO Market in Downtown Buffalo. Newbury Salads owner Paul Tsouflidis and Sun owner Kevin Lin decided to spin off the concept, which proved to work quite well at EXPO. PK Eats is derived from “Paul and Kevin Eats”.
The only missing ingredient was the bar concept, which was solved when Tsouflidis ran into the owner of Vera on Lexington, Cameron Rector. Tsouflidis told Rector that he and Kevin were still in need of the bar concept (modern bar/craft cocktail focused). Before long, Rector decided that it was time to change things up – he made the tough decision to close Vera and jump onboard with PK Eats. “It was just time to focus on the future,” says Rector. “This project also comes with 3+ other concepts to open in the next 2 years. This was easier to start off as a launching point, without being tied down to the original location.”
Yesterday, I got a chance to pop on over for their very soft opening. I got there pretty early, to get the lay of the land. For the most part, the 3500 sq.’ space is wide open, with a giant kitchen in the back that is shared between Newbury Salads (to the left) and Sun (to the right). There is a common dining area throughout, with a corner bar in one corner (operated by Vera). A mural has been painted on one of the walls, which adds a vibrant splash of color. For the most part, the wall along the parking lot side of the building is glass garage doors that will open to a patio in the summer. At that time, Vera will incorporate another bar surface, that will be accessible to patrons sitting outside.
To get an idea of the culinary offerings, you can check out this Sun menu, as well as this Newbury Salads menu. PK Eats is open 7 days a week. This is the first cooperative culinary adventure of this nature on Hertel Avenue, and should prove to be popular due to the vast amount of food that is being prepared, along with some crafty cocktails. It’s nice to see this vacant building occupied once again. With Hertel Avenue Poutine & Cream occupying the front bay of the building, and PK Eats occupying the remaining space in the back, North Buffalo has a nice little food destination on its hands.