Author: Carolyn Batt

Two of Buffalo’s homegrown heroes are about to become national television stars. Recently, Chef Marco Sciortino, of Marco’s Restaurant and the Marco’s Deli franchise, was selected by Sorrento Lactalis of Buffalo to represent the company and its fine cheeses on Kitchen Spaces, a cable program that focuses on every aspect of the kitchen, from design elements and appliances to recipes and cooking tips. Kitchen Spaces airs on The Food Network, the WE channel and other cable affiliates. Sorrento has been firmly rooted in Buffalo since 1947 when cheesemaker, Louis Russo, an immigrant from Sorrento, Italy, began producing ricotta cheese from…

I love lemon curd; it’s pretty hard not to. Despite its potentially unsettling name, lemon curd is a delicious alternative to jam, a great tool for the home baker, and in its off-the-shelf store bought version, a really handy tool to have in your pantry for last minute guests. Lemon curd comes to us from Great Britain where the homemade version was initially used as a spread on scones enjoyed during afternoon tea. And for those of us who love old-fashioned, made-from-scratch lemon meringue pie, lemon curd is the base underneath all of that fluffy meringue goodness. You can hop…

If Sabres beer and wine products weren’t enough to quell your passion for products inspired by our favorite hockey team, Perry’s Ice Cream has just announced a second Sabres-themed ice cream flavor, this one to benefit Ryan Miller’s not-for-profit organization, The Steadfast Foundation. Perry’s Limited Edition Sabres Top Shelf Sundae (see inset) has been a hit since its release in the fall of ’06, but here to scoop up some of its fans is the new Breakaway Berrier. The all-too rare dark chocolate ice cream is highlighted with raspberry swirls and fudge chunks! YUM!

I remember the first time, a few years ago, when I caught a cheesemaking demonstration on a cooking program. It was about 3AM, and for whatever reason, I was up watching cooking shows. I’d like to say that that was a one time deal, but it actually happens pretty often. The women on the program, dressed in hairnets and pristine white food industry-style jackets, swirled their hands around in a big briny tub, gracefully plucking out glistening mozzarella balls with ease. The voice over told me that I could do this at home. Certainly they must be talking to someone…

My God, I nearly lost my mind as I worked my way through Bill Buford’s “Heat”, BR’s most recent Food Book Club selection. The relentless temptation provided by the book’s tantalizing tales of delicious Italian delicacies (lardo, anyone?) taunted me from beginning to end. What about you? For those of you that haven’t been following along, “Heat” chronicles a middle-aged writer’s bumpy ride through the sweaty NYC kitchen of the bold and boisterous Chef Mario Batali. So the time has come to party, Batali-style! We’d love to have you join us on Tuesday, March 4th at the remarkable Digiulio &…

Nationally renowned metalsmith and jewelry maker Tom Muir will offer a free lecture on the art and science of vessels and jewelry at Buffalo State College on Friday, February 22 from 7-8PM. The lecture will take place in the Bulger Communications Building East, with a meet-and-greet to follow and is open to the public. Muir, one of the country’s leading masters of metalsmithing and jewelry making, will discuss the ancient art and science of metal vessels, as well as the creative process for his work. He will also have several of his award-winning art pieces on hand which have been…

The HI-Buffalo Niagara Youth Hostel has won one of the most prestigious lodging awards in the world. Winning the honor of “Third Best Hostel in North America,” the hostel was presented with the recognition at the 6th annual Hoscar awards in Dublin, Ireland last week. Held at The Button Factory in the legendary Temple Bar, more than 300 hostel owners and managers from around the world were present. This was the second time in three years that the HI-Buffalo Niagara Youth Hostel has received top honors. In 2005, the hostel was awarded the #1 Best Hostel in North America, beating…

For those who prefer to take in the poetry of a painting with less crowds, Studio Hart in Allentown offers the opportunity to absorb the arts scene in a more private setting. Although it is a smaller-scale studio, Studio Hart constantly alternates new and established artists, showing both national and regional exhibits at a local level. The newest exhibit, Quiet Life: Madagascar Paintings by Joseph Radoccia will open Tuesday, February 12th with a reception from 6 to 8 PM, and run through Saturday, March 22nd. Currently based in Brooklyn but raised in Buffalo, Radoccia’s work has been featured in galleries…

The latest club on Chippewa will open its doors in time for one of the biggest party nights of the year. Suitably named for Mardi Gras, Bayou will break onto the scene on Fat Tuesday, February 5th. Patrons may remember this site as the former McMonkeez and even more recently, Club Vodka, but after gutting the interior and changing its décor, Bayou will be showing a fresh face to the Chip Strip. With two levels, multiple bars, raised benches and a cage for dancing, Bayou promises to become an immediate innovative nightlife staple for the city. Adding to this, Manager…