Author: teeniebeanie789

Blue Monk is coming along (lead photo). A few months ago, BR reported that a new beer garden/gastropub eatery will take over the former Merlin’s bar on Elmwood. These days it is showing signs of serious change to passers-by. New garage door-style windows have been installed, and we hear the interior renovations are moving right along as well. We are very excited for this new business, as Chef Dino DeBell is at the stove and, once the kinks are worked out, the food should be wonderful. Knowing Mike Shatzel, Blue Monk’s mastermind and owner of Cole’s, the beer should be…

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If the answer is “yes”, then you should probably watch Food, Inc. Lucky for us, it’s on WNED tonight, airing on a program called POV at 9pm. This award-winning, Oscar-nominated film explores our vast, industrialized food system. Even if you’re not a huge foodie, if you eat (or feed people you care about), it would behoove you to take the time to watch this film. We’ve included a trailer below for those of you that might have missed it. The film, guided by investigative journalist Eric Scholsser and author/food-guru Michael Pollan, takes the time to look at how our food…

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We told readers about Taste of Culinary last week. Here’s a quick re-cap of it, an event that I consider to be Buffalo’s best food festival for foodies. I may take some heat for that opinion, but with ticket sales capped at 500, high-end eats, an admission arrangement that allows you to return to tables for favorite bites multiple times, and no long lines, the American Culinary Federation of Buffalo’s annual fundraiser is hard to beat. Guests pay only $25 per ticket to nosh from over 35 food stations tended by some of the area’s best private clubs, restaurants, wineries…

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APRIL 23 – 146 Diefendorf Hall – University of Buffalo South Campus 1:00 pmAdolfo Carrión,Director of Urban Affairs at the White House,is an urban planner and a teacher who worked at the Department of Planning and the New York City Public Schools prior to his appointment by the President. He also served as Bronx Borough President and as the President of the National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials (NALEO). As Bronx Borough President, Carrión oversaw the creation of 40,000 new units of housing in seven years, 50 new schools, $7 billion in capital and infrastructure expenditures, and over…

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Lagniappes, Allentown’s own “little something extra”, is about to grow up. After three years of hustling in his tiny kitchen, owner and chef Chris Silverstein is ready to re-locate to a larger space. His largely “to-go” business, with a reputation for excellent value and big flavors, has found a new home which will better accommodate his growing clientele. “In the wintertime we have to turn so many people away because there is just no place for anyone to sit. That won’t be the case anymore.”Lagniappes won’t need to hire a moving truck since the new locale is just a few…

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Linda Steffan is the fifth-generation operator of M. Steffan’s Sons Inc., one of the oldest leather goods stores in the nation. This business, rooted in the art of leathercraft and founded in 1851, just happens to be located here in Buffalo. M. Steffan’s claims that there “probably hasn’t been a shoemaker, shoe store or shiner who hasn’t at one time or another bought from M. Steffan’s Sons.” In addition to carrying a plethora of supplies for leather work, M. Steffan offers shoe repair.As part of Demo Days–an ongoing series of arts instruction workshops offered by WNY Book Arts Center–Linda Steffan…

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It’s that time again for Buffalo Rising’s Roundtable on WBFO. You can listen to it below using our media player, or tune in to WBFO and catch it on air. We brought our host, Mark Scott, some of the English muffins made by local bakery, Le Metro. We talked about them in BR’s Dining section last week. It’s safe to say he’s been converted, you might even have to fight him off should it come down to you and he and a single package of these beauties at the Hertel Avenue Dash’s.We also touched on Carl Paladino, and Golombek’s bid…

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I am ecstatic that Buffalo has so many lowbrow, mom and pop-style restaurants. I visit many of them quite often. I feel that the food is generally a good value, and that sometimes, the service is homey and adds great pleasure to the trip. But often, I take my food to go. Why? Because even though you will occasionally see staff wiping down tables or sweeping the floor, many of these places don’t feel clean. The dining room may even look neat when you walk in, but as soon as you sit down, you notice. The salt & pepper shakers…

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Today’s post is simple. I’ll try to keep it that way, at least. I want to share with readers one of the most incredibly delicious items I’ve eaten outside of a restaurant all year. Made right here in WNY and sold in shops scattered about the area, this food item is a thing of beauty.Glance, if you will, upon the stunning object pictured below. Crusted in cornmeal, it is chewy on the inside, yet when toasted (as it is in the photo), it is crispy in all the right places. It is a simple (albeit, perfect) English muffin. Enjoying one…

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Delish, the cooking school, bakery, gourmet goods shop and ice cream parlor, is in its fifth year on Elmwood. Owner Debbie Clark has re-focused her efforts, and shoppers and would-be chefs should expect to find a variety of changes at the colorful storefront. Most recently, Sprinkles, the portion of the business designated for pleasing palates on warm sunny days with cool and sweet ice cream, has morphed into the only place in town where cones and cups of the very popular Lake Effect Ice Cream can be had. Known for its richness and the adaptation of local ingredients into unique…

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