The downtown eating and drinking experience has gotten a heck of a lot better, thanks in part to Flint Kitchen + Bar. A recent visit to Flint was a real eye opener. It looks as if things are firing on all cylinders at the café-meets-bistro-meets-market. Not only does the space look nicely ‘put together,’ the offerings are tremendous.
I initially wrote about the arrival of Flint back in June of 2019. Well, we all know what took place at around that time. Like every other business, the pandemic made the concept take a back seat, while the community wondered if Flint would ever even have the wherewithal to open its doors. But open it did, and thankfully so.
Flint is the type of business that downtown needs. It’s an oasis located on the spectacular setting of Fountain Plaza (Rotary Rink in the winter months). The addition of Flint to this downtown landscape is appreciated for so many reasons.
The interior of Flint is bright and spacious, with a number of seating vignettes. Feel like having a glass of wine or a spritzer, or even a coffee? There’s a great-looking bar area that is very European feeling. I believe the European flair comes from the market setting, as well as the proximity to the reflecting pool, where there will soon be an outdoor piazza-style seating area. While Flint is indoors, it feels as if its an indoor-outdoor restaurant thanks to the assemblage of giant-paned windows along the veranda.
Flint’s offerings include breakfast sandwiches, Remedy House coffees, paninis, grab ‘n’ go sandwiches, salads and pastas, baked goods, etc.
I really can’t say enough about Flint. Recently, we have been seeing a number of very welcome culinary destinations open downtown, with more to come. Flint’s distinct recipe for business comes from the owners – Justin Smith and Andrew Trautman of Remedy House – who have been cultivating an elevated coffee experience over in the Five Points neighborhood (and soon Allentown). Now, they have supersized what they do best, in the heart of the city.
Flint is the perfect complement to our common-area programming, which includes public art displays, a fitness center, and the Gronkowski family’s NexGen personal training facility.
Kyle Ciminelli
“Including Flint Kitchen + Bar as part of the 40-50 Fountain Plaza lobby renovation has added vibrancy and excitement to our building and the surrounding area,” said Kyle Ciminelli, Licensed Real Estate Salesperson and Executive Managing Director at Newmark Ciminelli. “The concept was crucial to create an engaging space for tenants and visitors. Flint is the perfect complement to our common-area programming, which includes public art displays, a fitness center, and the Gronkowski family’s NexGen personal training facility.”
I think what I love most about Flint is the market aspect. It’s the perfect place to grab a sandwich, yogurt, hot sauce, a seltzer, a bag of chips, a dessert, a pastry, and a number of other offerings, before taking a seat and relaxing. For nearby office workers, it’s convenient for loading up on some food and drinks before heading back to the office. It’s also ideal for a quick dinner pick-up, before heading back home to the family unit.
Andrew told me that business has been getting noticeably busier and busier each week. And that bodes well, not only for Flint, but also for its customers. The better Flint does, the more offerings they will stock. That’s why we should all consider supporting the establishment, to ensure that it has a long, illustrious future – a future that will help to create a more vibrant downtown, filled with all of the goods and conveniences that will help to draw more people, and additional businesses into the fold.
Fountain Plaza deserves to be as vibrant as possible. Thanks to Flint, it’s on its way to being a more authentic destination, not only in the summertime, but all year round.
Flint Kitchen & Bar
40 Fountain Plaza, 180
Buffalo, New York 14202
(716) 463-6100
Visit website for days and hours, additional information, and to order online
