Category Archives: Eats & Drinks

“Stay inside, grab a six-pack and watch a good football game.”

Posted on by
2

So the holidays are over, should that stop us from being merry? Surely not. It’s NFL Wild Card weekend and there’s a local merchant on Hertel that sells quality beer to help fight the lurking winter blues.

I decided to take Jimmy Griffin‘s advice this weekend, but I didn’t want to go at winter beer sampling alone so I gave my beer connoisseur brother-in-law an offer he couldn’t refuse – free beer. When it comes to beer he means business, just look at his twitter avatar (@BobStrusa) – it’s a beer drinking a beer!

We picked up a mix six from Village Beer Merchant. Bob and I enjoyed each of the six beers this afternoon (don’t judge), and here’s our amateur review:

Winter WhiteWinter White Ale (Bell’s Brewery, Comstock, MI)

Started light. This one is an alternative to the heavier “winter warmers”. In my opinion, this is a glorious beer. Cloves. Bananas. Bright color. Easy finish. ABV 5%

Winter SolsticeWinter Solstice Seasonal Ale (Anderson Valley, Boonville, CA)

A spicy, copper colored beer. Bob said he tasted raisins in this one. I said he was crazy. Then Bob’s beer app mentioned that there were currants in this brew. We proceeded to google “currants” to learn that they tasted like a cross between cranberries and raisins. Bob wins. ABV 6.9%

Hibernator Ale

Hibernation Ale (Great Divide Brewing Co, Denver, CO)

This is a darker, roasted beer, not your typical ale. It could have almost a stout flavor, which could come from the lengthy aging process for this brew.

The flavors hide the power behind this beer, leaving the 8.7% ABV feeling a bit more subtle.

CelebrationCelebration – Fresh Hop Ale (Sierra Nevada Brewing Co, Chico, CA)

Hoppy but not the bitterness you’d find in some of the strong IPA’s out there. Instead you get citrus and pine taste and aromas.

Celebrate we will! ABV 6.8%

Mad ElfMad Elf Ale (Troegs Brewing Co, Hershey, PA)

The label says it’s brewed with honey and cherries which is definitely a statement of the obvious as you seemingly can smell and taste both in this reddish tinted ale. Very sweet finish.

And by the time you’re done smelling and tasting, you may forget your name because this one packs an 11% ABV. This one may have been my favorite!

StoutBlackout Stout (Great Lakes Brewing Co, Cleveland, OH)

We wanted to throw in something other than an ale for good measure, but this is average at best. I’ll admit I’m not a stout fan so this just tastes like burnt crayons to me, but even Bob said this left much to be desired. It’s probably because it’s brewed in Cleveland. ABV 9%

Well that’s it folks. Good beer, good football, family. That’s what winter Sunday’s are about…

Salumeria Belsito is now open

Posted on by
Reply

Don’t be fooled by the bare façade over the door of the former Gino’s Bakery building. The lights are on, the staff is hired, and the wine is stocked.

Salumeria Belsito announced their soft opening the other day so we took a walk down to check it out.  Here’s a few snaps from our evening:

Wine

Wine served in old-school juice glasses.  My Grandpa D’Agostino would be proud! And with $4 Happy Hour prices, he’d be giddy too.

Wine3

Meat, cheese, bread and wine are the foundation of a solid first course Italian meal.

Wine2We didn’t have time to stay for a panini but the bill came with a nice touch. Tax included. Who doesn’t love a nice rounded number?

According to the owners, the official grand opening will take place during the Hertel Holiday Walk – December 6th & 7th. I’d recommend you hold off on your visit until then to give the owners a chance to get the sign out front, artwork on the walls and put the rest of the finishing touches on the place. Or go there today if you just can’t wait.

Salute!

A Splash of Color for A Taste of Thai

Posted on by
2

Here’s the Taste of Thai façade earlier this year:

Taste of Thai Before

Nothing to complain about, but here’s a shot of it today:

taste of thai after 2

A bold new look quickly gave some pop to the streetscape. I nearly rear-ended the car in front of me while staring it down on my way to work one morning. As a marketing person, I appreciate what a fresh and colorful look can do to anything. In my opinion, this new look works well.

It also reminded me that I’m long overdue for some “Pud Thai.”

A friend of mine, Kevin Arnold, was just as impressed. “I also love the Taste of Thai make-over that happened last week” he said as we were chatting about all things Buffalo. “It’s a great example of simple, small-scale improvements that can have a big impact on the neighborhood.”

Couldn’t agree more. Which business is next?

A Sweet Addition Coming to Hertel

Posted on by
Reply

I’d like to pre-order a pumpkin, lemon meringue, chocolate cream, oh and coconut cream please.

‘To Pie For’ coming soon to Hertel Avenue (in the old DiGiulio’s location).

First pie-only business in the city?  (Well there’s the English Pork Pie Company but they don’t specialize in dessert pies) Oh how sweet it is!

**OK scratch that, now that I’ve read the sign a bit closer it’s PIZZA pie, not DESSERT pie.  Haha false alarm for all you fellow sweet tooths!**

Image

A Taste of Italy with a Touch of Buffalo to Boot

Posted on by
8

So I really love where I live (but I bet you knew that already).

But for me, it just keeps getting better. On the heels of the announcement from St. Margaret’s about the proposal to convert the former elementary school into high end apartments, I had the opportunity to step inside the corner building across the street to learn of its future as well.

GinosRight now it’s just a clean, empty space, but come October the once home to Gino’s Bakery at Hertel and Saranac will become Salumeria Belsito, an Italian eatery and bar.

I’m sorry, did someone say capicola? On the corner of my street? That’s a match made in Italian meat heaven if I do say so myself.

A gentleman by the name of Michael Petrillo is joining the movement taking place in Buffalo. Enamored by Buffalo’s latest unique restaurant gems such as Mes Que and Butterwoods in the Hotel Lafayette, and driven by a lifelong desire to be a positive part of the Buffalo community, Michael is setting out to provide as-fresh-as-it-gets Italian food in an atmosphere that’s authentic and approachable.

The idea for this salumeria came from a restaurant in Baltimore that Michael visited during his time living there. Similarly, Michael’s restaurant will feature a precision hand-crank slicer, but will also boast an old school deli case, a fine cappuccino maker and very traditional décor (sorry, there won’t be any pictures of Tony Soprano or John Gotti on the walls).

At its base, the menu will offer an impressive selection of Italian charcuterie, fresh bread, cheeses, paninis, Italian wine and Buffalo beer – and it will continually evolve to cater to its patrons. But most importantly, Michael hopes to deliver an experience, not just of eating and drinking, but tasting, learning, talking and enjoying.

He anticipates the restaurant being referred to simply as Belsito, named after the small town of Montemaggiore Belsito in Italy where his paternal grandmother’s family is from. He hopes it will bring some of the same charm as that small town as well. In talking with Michael, I get the sense that he wants nothing more than for the people of Buffalo to enjoy his restaurant, to share great times with each other, and to hopefully tell a few people to stop in as well. With this being at the corner of my street, he’s got one customer already.

Stay tuned, more details and pictures coming soon.