Author: Amelia Nussbaumer

Amelia began her initial professional career in LA, when she opened up a successful clothing boutique. But she found her true calling with cooking when she returned back to her chosen hometown of Buffalo (she's originally from NYC). Amelia has cooked at some of the top restaurants in Buffalo, and continues to exercise her culinary know-how by writing for Buffalo Rising - the magazine that prompted her to move back home.

This past October, Buffalo’s first vegan donut shop, Fry Baby Donuts, sadly and unexpectedly, closed their doors.  Well, fast forward just a few short months later, and it looks like there has been a massive change of heart.  Fry Baby Donuts has reopened their doors, and fryers, as of this morning, and in the same location that many customers  have come to know and love. This is such good news for the community, as they have created a ravenous, devoted, and very loyal fan base over their relatively short time in business, that is for sure. For now, Fry Baby’s…

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The holiday season is a time of goodwill, appreciation, community… and if one is lucky, pure magic.  This sentiment serves to describe the initial experience I had at a newly opened restaurant, tucked away in a sleepy part of Lovejoy. La Verdad Café & Deli is a true delight in so many aspects of the word.  This freshly renovated, former barber shop, is instantly so warm and welcoming as one enters – a space that customers can get excited about spending a bit of leisurely time in.  From the bright streams of natural light beaming through the front windows, to…

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If you’re looking for something to do today, that doesn’t involve the stress of fighting the shopping throngs, then we have the perfect way to spend your day.  A much more relaxing and enjoyable alternative comes in the form of Thin Man Brewery’s Christmas Street Party.  Once again, Thin Man Brewery is closing off their stretch of Elmwood Avenue, located between West Utica and Hodge Avenue.  Popping up on Elmwood throughout the day, is what has come to be known as the brewery’s signature street festival, held inside a massive HEATED tent, to hold all of the raucous revelry, rocking…

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Our community has suffered a great setback.  Stew and Deb Ritchie, known to most as the tireless and dedicated family that make up Native Offerings Farm, have experienced a tragic fire that decimated most of their farm, crops, and machinery, one week ago today.  “Their beautiful 1900’s barn, 1980’s wash house, storage cooler and storage room, germination room, 6 out of 7 tractors, most of the tools and equipment, and 80% of their winter storage crop were destroyed. Twenty-five years of farming, equipment, and tools, and fifteen years of improvements were lost in under two hours. They are tasked with…

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There are many advantages to calling whatever city you are currently living in, home.  And for Buffalonians, one of the great pleasures we have grown accustomed to is having great access to simple bar food, but done exceptionally well.  However, it does seem that through the years, many of the old standby favorites/taverns have been replaced, and they are increasingly harder to find throughout our different neighborhoods.  Yes, new restaurants are opening seemingly every other day, however there is something to be said for, and so comforting about, that corner pub serving up the same menu for generations.  Now, I…

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BUFFALO, N.Y. (Buffalo Rising) | Sometimes there is a universal pull to take you where you need to be.  Life has its own way of speaking to us, though much of the time we can’t yet see the underlying framework that is being laid before us.  But when it is time to lay down your foundation, to rise up to the challenge, and take a risk, it is so magnificent when everything is so aligned, so meant to be. These were my first few thoughts as I sat down to talk with Jordan Pursel, about the opening of Hertel Avenue’s newest salon,…

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Hertel Avenue seems to have a never ending string of exciting openings these days.  And this latest one will definitely not disappoint.  Welcome hair stylist James Hickey, a true Buffalo personality that has been doing some industry soul searching for the last six years.  In a surprise move, James has returned to his urban roots, with a renewed fire and passion – the hair stylist has finally found his dream home on, you guessed it, Hertel Avenue. As James put it, “The prodigal son has returned”, taking over the existing Vanity Salon, located at 1413 Hertel Avenue, on the corner…

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As many of us are starting to set our Thanksgiving tables, planning menus, arranging guest lists, or simply filing through recipe ideas, there is one very important matter that should be added to your list. The Buffalo City Mission is currently in need of donations, having only one week left to collect 2,000 turkeys for Thanksgiving.  The Mission’s Turkey Drive is driven solely by individual donations, therefore they really do need your help.  Last year they fed more than 250 people at their Thanksgiving Community Meal and delivery upwards up 5,500 meals to the elderly, poverty-stricken, and homeless on the…

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There is a new fast, casual burger operation soon to launch up at 1460 Hertel Avenue.  Burgerim is an Israeli burger franchise with an interesting concept, one not readily seen around here.  The crux of their business model is based on the three ounce burger patty, with options of beef, turkey, chicken, salmon, veggie, or chorizo.  The customer is prompted to construct burger(s) with an array of toppings, not unlike other chains that we all know. In this case, the toppings are certainly appealing, ranging from avocado to jalapeño to a sunny side up egg, bacon, sautéed mushrooms… the list…

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Allen Burger Venture has become a staple for many. ABV is always a reliable spot to either grab a humanely sourced burger, interesting and inventive alternative, or simply a cold and refreshing beer selection off of their ever changing/constantly rotating craft brew catalog.  Recently however, ABV has decided to switch things up, adding a selection of smash burgers and a”danger dog” program to their tried and true list of food offerings. Always a creature of habit when it comes to wanting, craving actually, a reliable favorite from a familiar menu, it can be a push to get me to acquiesce…

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