Buffalo Rising Online

When Ming Cafe re-opened its doors several weeks ago, a great cry of relief sprang from the mouths of the many Buffalonians that have become fervent fans of this little restaurant's fresh, authentic Chinese food.

Every year, owners Sam and Helen gate the doors and windows of their University Heights restaurant while they spend the summer touring the world. This year they found themselves in Europe; Ming's walls are a tribute to the trip, hung with Sam's gorgeous photographs.

You can never be sure when they will return from their summers abroad, and in late September, we began to hear from readers anxious to know when they may return. It was late this year, in late October, but we're glad to have them back. The heartbreaking reminder of arriving to find them closed is enough to turn them into a weekly visit for those of us who know it will be all too soon before our bellies, …

Some may find it surprising that with a menu offering only a dozen or so items, Europa Bistro has gathered a large and very devoted following in the short year it’s been open. After one visit you'll quickly understand their dedicated customers’ motivation; the menu is well-executed, thoughtful and packed with the savory, hearty food of Europe's working class.

Chef and owner Mike Pijanowski has transformed this former Subway restau­rant into a gorgeous bistro that is both modern and old world at once, lush with warmth and character. The layout of the modest space is conducive to romantic rendezvous and gatherings with good friends. Small tables sit in front of the upholstered banquette that lines the walls of the dining room. The bar seats ten, but a few tall tables with stools stand along one wall to compensate for any overflow. Europa is lovely by day, the afternoon sun st…

Sample is known for their bite-size portions, offering entire meals comprised of mini masterpieces. Though it took a little while for Buffalo to fully appreciate this restaurant that is both high concept and high style, it has developed a great reputation and a devoted following.

Sample assures me that they will never alter their "concept", but they have begun offering a monthly Sunday Supper Club where a prix fixe meal is served in the larger portions we're all more accustomed to.

This month the Supper Club happens to fall on December 30th, coincidentally the day before the second biggest restaurant night of the year (Valentine's Day is usually the first). Most restaurateurs would skip the 30th, and instead rest up for the mayhem known in the biz as "amateur night".

That's right, New Year's Eve (and Valentine's Day) are known as amateur night, because those looking for a fi…

Recently we asked YUM readers to join us at Nektar for a few cocktails. It was fun to meet the people we hear from on the site so often. We talked about food and Buffalo, architecture and the nature of blogging. Reader MikeLibra and I must have chatted for close to an hour. We both love Chef Mike Symon, cooking and Buffalo's restaurant scene, so we immediately felt a sense of kinship.

We determined that lunch was in order, and the decision to make the trip to O'Connell's American Bistro on Kenmore Avenue, usually a bit of a lunchtime hike for me from my Cobblestone District office, sealed the deal.

As I'm sure you're aware, Chef O'Connell recently remode…

Richie’s opened last week. If you remember, we talked about it a few weeks ago when construction was still underway. Occupying a very small building on the corner of Amherst Street and Elmwood Avenue, Richie’s Place offers American and Caribbean cuisine for breakfast, lunch and dinner six days a week.

When Rich called to tell me of the opening, I zipped an email over to reader Willie1 to see if he was interested in meeting for lunch. He’s pretty invested in the neighborhood as a home owner and member of the Grant-Amherst Association. He and his neighbors were happy to see new life in the tiny space; a sign that a new restaurant was on its way. He agreed to meet Queenseyes and me for lunch today.

The interior of the space hasn’t changed a lot, but it’s neat and well taken care of.…

Last Friday, contributor Courtney Bajdas and I decided to head over to City Grill for lunch. It was one of the first really cold days of the season, and once safe inside, we entered the warm bar area for a casual meal. Those in search of a more formal environment will find themselves at home in the dining room of this fine establishment. Both rooms are attractive, well-lit and thoughtfully furnished.

If you head west down Hertel, past Elmwood and away from the hustle and bustle of the street's eastward retail, you'll find Papi's Family Restaurant, a humble establishment serving up authentic Puerto Rican cuisine.

As we entered Papi's on a recent visit we overheard a patron sitting at the counter remark to the manager, "You have the best pastelillos in the city." Now, I haven't personally tested this theory by visiting all of the establishments who serve pastelillos in Buffalo, but I can verify that Papi's serves an incredibly tasty version of this handheld snack.

We dined as a group and thought it best to share dishes. We ordered nearly every kind of pastelillo on the menu. Partially because we thought they'd be smaller, but mostly because they all sounded so good we couldn't make up our minds. Pastelillos are

I am fond of Au Bon Pain. Granted it's a chain, but it has served me well during my visits to Boston, which happens to be its birthplace. As much as I like eating at new restaurants in new cities, sometimes the agenda doesn't leave a lot of room for experimentation and you need something quick while you're on the go. Au Bon Pain fits the bill.

Buffalo happens to have its own Au Bon Pain, a revelation perhaps to those that don't spend time in the Medical Corridor. It is the only location between here and Pittsburgh to the south, Syracuse to the east. Located in the Doubletree Hotel on High Street, it is abuzz at lunchtime and in the off hours it maintains a steady volume of business with the hotel's clientèle by providing meals through its nice dining area and room service.

I stopped in on my way home from work last Friday. It being a holiday of sorts, there were few lunc…

The Grant Amherst neighborhood will be happy to hear that they’re getting a new restaurant—BR reader Willie1 especially so.

A few months ago we told you about El Flamboyan, a new restaurant that had opened up in the tiny building that was formerly occupied by The Signature Café. Located on the corner of Elmwood and Amherst, it offered an atmosphere and cuisine to the neighborhood unlike any of the other restaurants within walking distance of the busy intersection. Though the food was good, El Flamboyan struggled to maintain steady business hours. We heard about it quite often here on YUM; people were excited about the new Puerto Rican eatery and were very disheartened to find its lights off and its doors locked at the dinner hour. We can’t say why they closed, but we were all sad for the m…

In late September I told you about South Buffalo’s Caz Coffee Café, in my efforts to spend more time showcasing eateries to the south, east and west of our city center. During our interview I asked Caz’s owner Debbie Clotfelter where she dined in her neighborhood. “The Blackthorn,” was her first and most eager response.

The Blackthorn Restaurant & Pub has been a well-loved neighborhood destination since the 70s. In addition, it is a favorite of national newsman Tim Russert, and even hosts “The Blackthorns", an organization that has been gathering monthly in South Buffalo since 1917. The pub's friendly atmosphere makes it one of the most accommodating restaurants I’ve ever been to. Having never stopped in before, I wouldn’t have expected to feel like one of the gang, especially with a husband …

A few weeks ago, there was a public outcry when Buffalo Rising and The Buffalo News announced to the city that Elmwood's X-cel Produce, home of the largest (if not the best) traditional deli sandwich in Buffalo, was closing its doors. After 25 years, John Darowz, known by some as the "Sandwich Nazi", decided to move on to bigger and better things. It was hard for his customers to believe that this restaurant and market, full of character and good food, would no longer be there for them.

But the food business has been changing, and after sticking it out through thick and thin in this struggling block of Elmwood, Darowz decided to get himself a new gig.

As a long time customer of James Desiderio Wholesale Produce (known to…

Last Friday, Elmwood Avenue's latest restaurant, Bel Cibo, quietly opened its doors. Located in the 900 block of the bustling village in the location most often recognized as the former Soda Bar & Pastry Shop, it is offering area residents something old in a new fashion.

Owned by Marty Palame and Buck Kaber of Mode and run by CIA graduate and Executive Chef Louis Zanghi, Bel Cibo will be serving up classic "red sauce" Italian with an eye on using fresh, whole ingredients, at an affordable price, in a nice environment.

The space is casual, and much of the woodwork has been preserved and is nicely complemented by the soft mocha tones and burgundy accents. The bar is attractive, and the flat screen television that hangs behind it is a sign to passers-by that this restaurant, though very nice, is a great place to just hang out and wat…

The votes are in for our game of Fantasy Foodball, and the winner is…banh mi! Banh mi is a delicious Vietnamese sandwich traditionally made on a baguette and comprised of meat or tofu, cilantro and slightly sweet, thinly sliced pickled carrots, daikon and onions.

In honor of Fantasy Foodball, Nektar restaurant has agreed to host a special Buffalo Rising night, offering a small plate special of banh mi to eager eaters. The delectable sandwiches will be available in combinations that include shrimp, deep fried tofu, chicken and pork.

Monday, November 19th is the date (6pm – 9pm) and we hope to see you there. This will be a great opportunity to meet other Yumsters, BR staffers and fellow readers! We'll have name tags available for those interested,…

One of the best restaurants in the city is back in business. Each year, the owners of Ming Cafe, Helen and Sam, close up for the summer in order to travel. Each year they come back in the fall, but no one ever knows when until the gates are reopened. While driving down Main Street yesterday we noticed that the gates were no longer closed, so we pulled over to see if the restaurant was open. Much to our surprise, Helen and Sam had returned and the city's only gourmet Chinese restaurant was open. The University District is so lucky to have Ming in its midst. I was fortunate enough to cover their story when the magazine first started, and ever since I have been a devoted fan of this delicious eatery.

Many people tell me that they drive by and think that Ming is just a cafe. That couldn't be further for the truth. Of course Helen brews some fantastic teas, but the magic is in the f…