what's the target date for opening?
Nice to see something happening here. It was kinda creepy for a while... closed and padlocked, but even the glasses and salt and pepper shakers in place on the tables, like they were just about to open.
and just down the street.......Hey PANO, how's the new parking lot coming along?
If the Mode people are reopening this place it'll be good, I'm sure. Really miss Vite, hoping the new joint has some healthy grab & go lunch items.
"It's had been ..." Nice editing.... Hey Newell - haven't you hired a monkey yet to edit your paper and BRO?
I've lived in Buffalo for years and the Soda Bar was before my time, so I haven't heard the location referred to as Soda Bar. But I have heard it as "that old soda bar-looking place on Elmwood".
On topic - Glad someone is trying something again in this "seemingly perfect" location. I think Elmwood needs a classy place to get a drink. Only other closer place on Elmwood is.. well.. Mode.
I hire mokeys to edit my posts. When they fling feces at me, I know it's time to run spell check.
Is this the place thats right next to the current elmwood taco location? if so glad to see it filled, its a good location i wonder why its taken so long to get filled?
i need to borrow some primates, if you could spare some. its just hard for me to pick off all those mites and louses, and i seem to have a surplus of bananas. so i think it will work out pretty well.
please send them as soon and send them hungry, 'cause im itchy as all get out.
correct me if i'm wrong, but there really are a lack of good italian places in the downtown area. when family was here a couple of years ago we thought we'd try frank's sunny italy? on delaware based on a review i had read. we walked in and immediately left. sounds like this place will be opting not to decorate like a family diner :) i'm really excited for this one.
(btw, off topic but restaurant related, i felt bad for North restaurant being bashed on the thread accompanying a very complementary christie saychew article, so we went there for a happy hour drink the other day. i have to say, the description in the article (and some of the posts) was far too generous.)
My bad. The post was typed... and um... edited... outside while sitting on a street curb near Pearl Street Brew Pub (WiFi hotspot). I was tapping into their wireless and my editor was not to be found. Even Word was apparently not liking the situation.
I want the Stuffed Mushroom back - That place was fun... and had good food - What good times at that place!
I will echo the comment about the landlord. I think BR could stand to investigate this guy, but I know this is a "positive" publication. He owns most of the empty space on Elmwood & Hertel. Ask around & you will get an earful.
The best thing about these guys is that they already operate Mode, which in another building owned by the same landlord. Therefore, they should have a better idea of what it is they are getting themselves into.
Landlord was and still likely is Don Leone, owner of Bullfeather's and much more. From what I heard, the place and others that he owns like it (empty former plato's on forest and elmwood) have sat vacant for so long because the rents he asks are very high. But he does own the property and a whole lot more all around WNY so he can afford to wait for what he wants I guess. But it sure doesn't help to have vacant properties sitting on elmwood.
Hey JAS, Panos new lot is coming along gloriously!!! Should have another 35cars in there in no time now that that shithole Atwater House is gone! Thanks for checking!
Actually, Roger owns tha building. Townline is right. The relationship should be a good one since the two entities are already familiar with one another.
I doth protest! An Italian restaurant was not the original use of the building! Any building built before World War II is sacrosanct, and another "red sauce" Italian restaurant would not respect the historical context of the building and site. The building should only be used for the same types of businesses that occupied it before 1940: a fedora dealer, corset fitter or telegraph office.
UrbanMatt... are you nuts?!? If by "downtown" you specifically mean the downtown business district, then yes... there are no good Italian joints. There are no good joints period, that's the nature of the beast.
Expand your search a little. Italian joints in the City of Buffalo off the top of my head: Santasiero's, Chef's, Vino's, Sinatra's, Cecelia's, Left Bank (close enough), North End Trattoria, DiGulio & Co, Trattoria Aroma, Lombardo's, a few half dozen or so other places on Hertel... the list goes on...
WilliamZabkaAllStars: thanks for the tips. although cecelia's?, CHEFS??? i'm not a huge fan of either. (sorry BRO food team). and i'd left bank is great but not italian. I have yet to try north end trattoria, trattoria aroma, and lombardo's, but my only point is that i think there's room for thisnew place--especially on elmwood. anyway i'll add it and Will's recommendations my list. (this poor med student is so endebted that he hopes he can set aside enough loan money to get to some more great places in bflo before he leaves in may.)
My, my, but Dan is being especially humor-free today.
Every old building finding a new use instead of going to the landfill is a preservation victory, makes the city more interesting and cool, and you all know it, or you wouldn't obsessively read BRO for the latest loft conversion news.
If you're looking for Italian, the way to go is La Tee Da on Allen Street. It's a touch pricy for Italian but believe me it's worth every penny.
i gotta tell you, UrbanMatt2000, i couldnt agree more. chef's is vastly overratted. cecilia's is ok.
for my money, North End is some of the best food in the city, italian or not. lombardos is good. fillipos[sic?] on hertel is pretty good as well. Romeo & Juliet's, you say? outside of the pizza, its just eh.
Santasiero's is good cheap unpretentious blue collar italian american grub. its my go to, when i dont want to spend a lot.
but this makes me think about all the potential for ethnic foods here in buffalo that are not explored. Fine italian, some. Polish, i dont know if i can name one. German? Ulrich's Tavern, thats it as far as i know. Fine greek? doesnt exist. Or even great lakes fish? NOWHERE! a nice soul food place? please tell me where!
alas alas!
For German, go to Scharf's Schiller Park restaurant.
On my wish list is a good, linen tablecloth, sit-down Chinese. Same for Vietnamese. And a 24-hour diner on Elmwood that doesn't sharply limit the menu after a certain hour the way the Towne does.
God willing, the vacancy curse of the Elmwood Soda Bar will come to an end. For far too long that site has sit vacant on such a premier block of the Elmwood Village. Although this city is in no need of new Italian restaurants, a nice well run establishment at this location will do all very well. However, it would be nice to see a more diverse array of ethnic restaurants (like some mentioned above) in the Elmwood Village. We will just have to be patient with that one.
Hey William Zabba - I would give only 3 out of those 10 restaurants you listed. The other 7 are bigtime underachievers when it comes to quality food and service.
I think the Burger King closing is the best thing that could have happened for this block. people don't want to spend much money eating next to BK or hoagy joints
Ahhhh, the Soda Bar brings back such fond memories! I'm so glad to hear that the speace will be in use again. Someone asked about good soul food? Gigi's on Ferry near Jefferson is fantastic and they're open late.
Hello everyone. We have to get this story straight. From my understanding a very stronge sorce have reported that Jon Dibernardo is no part of this project. Martin Palame is in everyway part of this along with Buck and Louise. And they will make this place better then anything that was here in this space and then some. Lets all suport them in everyway possible. They are hard workers and will make it happen.
Not to worry, Markk. If they have good food and good service, they'll do fine. If they have only one without the other, they'll tank.
I would love to see a quality soul food resturant on Elmwood. I would buy a whole sweet potatoe pie every week if there was one and some collard greens ( I love well made collard greens).
I think Grant street will someday be the spot to go to for international type foods as there are so many diversified groups moving there. It will take a long time but I think it will be a wonderful eating adventure location someday.
Those of you discussing Italian food that are not regular visitors on the YUM! channel should really check this out:
http://www.buffalorising.com/story/lets_play_name_that_restaurant#sca
And, in my humble opinion WilliamZabkaAllStars, there are a few restaurants on your list that I think are terrible. There are a few that are good, but a short list of the best: Lombardo's, DiGiulio's, Trattoria Aroma and La Tee Da. I haven't eaten at Sinatra's (it's on the list, trust me), but I've never heard anything but rave reviews about the food.
UrbanMatt2000- I think it's important for our readers to know that we offer many kinds of articles on restaurants. Two of the most prominent are "features" on specific restaurants, their owners and a snapshot of their menu. Others are more akin to a "review" where we include all of those things but also discuss the execution and quality of the food (though readers know that it is our mission to focus on the positive). The piece on North was a "feature".
I hear/read you Christa. I guess I am a naysayer when it comes to bad restaurants :)
my father in law is a biz lawyer in the city, and has had a number of restaurant owner/operator associates...after soda shop closed, followed by bistro vite closing, he explained to my husband and i that there is something wrong with this building according to the department of public health, and whatever this problem is, it's apparently such a nightmare that no one really wants to deal with the building...or, if they do come in and try to operate, they only end up getting cited or fined...so i guess i'm curious to know why this landlord has not been forced to deal with this issue, if it is in fact genuine...
could the rent really be that high that no one wants to operate out of this building? it's in a great location and has great appeal...it's about time the strip gets another casual sit down place with good atmosphere and good food -- i'm tried of the cobwebs and bad service at coles, i will never again set foot in pano's and wish to god someone would burn the place down, brodo is cramped and the food sucks, and cecelias is great but the menu is too static and a bit pricey for a spur of the moment dinner date...
and does anyone know what will happen to the old ETS building once they move into the old BK? i suppose we'll get yet another fastfood/takeout/hoagy and wing place...fantatstic
UrbanMatt2000-
Please feel free to make comments that you feel are truthful- negative or not. That is part of how people use our site- hearing the opinions of their fellow Buffalonians. Quite often I agree with them, but my job is to highlight what's happening in and around Buffalo's culinary scene in addition to what local chefs, restaurants and markets are doing well. I very, very often agree with readers' comments regarding restaurants and their consistency, cleanliness and execution of their menu. Keep 'em comin'!
kjthomas-
My understanding is that the major repairs were made during the restaurant's last incarnation. however, I could be wrong as I have no solid evidence. I do know that the rent was VERY high- especially considering that its previous businesses have turned over so quickly and that it has been empty so long. Considering the existing relationship between the landlord and the new owners, I have confidence that good service and a great menu are likely to keep this new restaurant afloat. Just my opinion. Regarding the former ETS, we know that the owners do not want another restaurant. It is my belief that they're looking for retail, which I think will be a nice addition to that portion of Elmwood.
The soon-to-be former ETS space already has a tenant in line, however, they won't say anything about it other than they are not a food tenant, the business is local, and there aren't any other locations for this tenant currently in the city.
Christa wrote:
I think it's important for our readers to know that we offer many kinds of articles on restaurants. Two of the most prominent are "features" on specific restaurants, their owners and a snapshot of their menu. Others are more akin to a "review" where we include all of those things but also discuss the execution and quality of the food (though readers know that it is our mission to focus on the positive). The piece on North was a "feature".
This is a very interesting and worthy admission. So "features" are paid-for advertising, while "reviews" are, in principle, honest assesments with any negativity redacted? Is there a clear way for a reader to differentiate the two- are the 'features' proceeded by some kind of indication thereof? I think you should elevate this to a post of it's own, if it really is "important for readers to know."
Also, you mentioned that these are but two of the kinds asticles written for the Yum! channel- what are the others?
I'm so happy someone is finally moving into this space, because it's pretty nice and should be used for SOMETHING. I agree, I'd love a nice sit down chinese or vietnamese restaurant on Elmwood. I was sad when Rice Paddy closed, they had some great PHO.
eac, Other articles on restaurants written for the Yum! channel include the Chef's Challenge, news on restaurant openings (such as the name-that-restaurant contest), and highlighting a specific menu item (such as Papaya's Pad Thai). As far as your assumption about "feature" vs. "review," that is incorrect. The difference between the two is that a "review" includes a description of a few of the restaurant's signature dishes, while a "feature" is more like saying "hey, take a look at some of the things on this menu." In other words, a "review" is our first-hand account of the food, and a "feature" is just information about the offerings.
eac. what's wrong with you? relax and live a little. Are you becoming obsessed with being a negative person? You hate just about everything these days.
eac, your anger seems seriously misguided. I have been a reader of YUM for a while and it's perfectly clear from the content whether something is a review or a feature. Why in the world would I need some sort of indicator of that, when I can just read the piece and figure out if the author ate there or not? I think Golden Lark has some monkeys you might want to use next time you post.
An honorable person admits when they're wrong: I admit mistaking one thread for another and thus concluding I was censored. Censorship is not uncommon here, after all- but the RSS feed doesn't lie. They'll have to find a way to fix that if they want to keep deleting comments about, oh, pitbulls, amputees and druggy daycares.
Beyond that, however, an honorable person doesn't shy away from the truth. And the truth is, some--but not all--of Yum's features or reviews (relates to the price point) are advertorial: they are paid for by the business, yet read as personal, off-the-street opinion. When you consider that Yum writers are precluded from writing very negatively, it's likely that Adam and Christa (et al.) really have plausible deniability on this point. Consider- all Geo has to do is send a Yum writer to a place- the post will *always* be glowing, so there's no real need to take them aside to say "you know, this is for $$, so make it sounds good" No, that's built-in.
So, whatever, right? Who cares if what your reading here is honest criticism or sugar-coated advertorial? I mean, we can all go read Janis for 'real' reviews, right? Right. But it is dishonest- to the readers, of course, but to the writers, too.
That is all.
Oh, Ethan. You are so bitter- and it is so sad that you are so wiling to show it off.
I generally avoid the boards when it comes to the mudslinging, which you are free to do in your own house, but not in mine when it insinuates that any of my writers are ethically compromised.
Think whatever you'd like, but you are quite mistaken. In the year I have been working as food editor for BR, I have been "sent" to do a post on a restaurant- once. 90% of the posts you see online and in the magazine are my ideas, followed through by myself or one of the other writers. The other 10% are ideas that come from our contributors, who are simply Buffalonians with a passion for food.
And, anyone that reads YUM will point out that not every review is "glowing", we highlight what people do well. I can count on my fingers, and so can our regulars, how many reviews could be classified as "glowing". Most are informative, snapshots of what's happening at a specific venue. In this forum, we've decided that what makes steak au poivre good to you does not necessarily make it good to me and that many restaurants in Buffalo struggle with consistency. All of those things considered, we've decided that the readers are the ones that should really be the judge, and they are. They weigh in on virtually every restaurant we write about.
It is unfortunate that it has come to this. I find it interesting that you choose to spend so much time on our site, and to link it to your own, when you have so many ethical issues with us. As you continue to attack me, I have to wonder if this has to do with the fact that, once you hightailed it, you were replaced by a better writer who has a better understanding of what the viewer/reader wants and the tone with which it's conveyed.
I'm all done with you. Harass me all you like, but leave my writers alone- they don’t even know who you are. But please keep in mind that your personality defects and personal vendetta are blatantly obvious and tainting your credibility.
Oh, Ethan. You are so bitter- and it is so sad that you are so wiling to show it off.
I generally avoid the boards when it comes to the mudslinging, which you are free to do in your own house, but not in mine when it insinuates that any of my writers are ethically compromised.
Think whatever you'd like, but you are quite mistaken. In the year I have been working as food editor for BR, I have been "sent" to do a post on a restaurant- once. 90% of the posts you see online and in the magazine are my ideas, followed through by myself or one of the other writers. The other 10% are ideas that come from our contributors, who are simply Buffalonians with a passion for food.
And, anyone that reads YUM will point out that not every review is "glowing", we highlight what people do well. I can count on my fingers, and so can our regulars, how many reviews could be classified as "glowing". Most are informative, snapshots of what's happening at a specific venue. In this forum, we've decided that what makes steak au poivre good to you does not necessarily make it good to me and that many restaurants in Buffalo struggle with consistency. All of those things considered, we've decided that the readers are the ones that should really be the judge, and they are. They weigh in on virtually every restaurant we write about.
It is unfortunate that it has come to this. I find it interesting that you choose to spend so much time on our site, and to link it to your own, when you have so many ethical issues with us. As you continue to attack me, I have to wonder if this has to do with the fact that, once you hightailed it, you were replaced by a better writer who has a better understanding of what the viewer/reader wants and the tone with which it's conveyed.
I'm all done with you. Harass me all you like, but leave my writers alone- they don’t even know who you are. However, you may want to keep in mind that your personality defects and personal vendetta are thinly veiled and therefore tainting your credibility.
eac: YUM, and BRO more generally, is a useful resource to me. You may have problems with it-- without knowing the situation, I'd guess that they're disgruntled-former-insider problems-- but why insist that your problems are my problems? I like YUM, I'll continue to read YUM, I'll try out new restaurants on the basis of YUM articles and come to my own conclusions, and I may even occasionally contribute to YUM (gratis, just to be perfectly clear that I have no financial interest in this venture at all) if Christa, Adam and the other dedicated YUM writers find my insights relevant.
I think the Janis [sic] that you're referring to is Janice Okun. She fills a different niche than YUM does. I don't see them as competing at all; any city that wants to be taken seriously when it comes to food ought to have a number of different venues for discussing restaurants, food trends, grocery options, etc. To suggest otherwise is parochial.
The bottom line for me is that food, and restaurant dining, is always a subjective experience. Your experience of a Brazilian restaurant may be very different from mine if you're a vegetarian, for example. I read YUM to find out about the existence of restaurants, and maybe to learn a little about whether or not the menu sounds like something I'm interested in. My decision to patronize that restaurant is not based solely on what the feature or review says; it has everything to do with location, cuisine, price, ambiance, and a host of other factors that may change depending on the day.
I think you're attempting to stir up unnecessary controversy. BRO is a great resource. I grew up in Buffalo and have hope and optimism about what's happening in our city now. BRO is part of that. This is a tough city to start a new business, and they've done a bang-up job. Have there been problems along the way? Sure. Will there be more? Probably. To hold BRO up to a standard of perfection is to set YOURSELF up for failure.
I guess when a salesman from BRO walked into my neighbor's restaurant and offered to write a feature and review of the place in exchange for advertising money, he must have been dreaming? He doesn't have a website and he was informed by the salesman that the review would serve as an unofficial website for the restaurant and it would be positive about the decor and food. He turned it down. About a month later, someone wrote a positive piece about his place and came in a week later to see if it had an effect in business and if so, would he care to buy an advertisement. Of course, this was about two years ago, which predates Christa's involvement with the BR and she shouldn't be put in a position to defend it.
In the end, all beer articles are pretty similar to me. I prefer Ethan's to Adam's because Ethan is a bit more involved in describing the technical aspects of beer, which interests me. Adam is a good writer, but his posts are a little more high level, which probably suits the more intellectually transient audience of BR.
As for the quality of reviews here, they are not "reviews" as they are simply marketing pieces for restaurants in the city. I think we're all pretty clear that there is no "journalism" here, nor is there any on other local online outlets. If you want an honest restaurant review, pick up the Spree and read Alan's column or read Janice Okun's middling efforts in the Snooze.
lol @ rdominguez, the only thing BRO has done a bangup job of is convincing you rubes that they're on the up and up.
JohnMartin- You are clearly a regular reader of the YUM! channel, yet you advocate going to the News or Spree for "honest restaurant review." Your own "intellectually transient" nature seems to be in effect even within one comment. Also, calling someone a rube is not nice!!
That's okay, judging by JohnMartin's comment history he needs a little laughter in his life anyway. Glad I could be of service.
the best place for a good compilation of reviews is bill rapaport's site, which i believe was profiled here a while ago. http://www.cse.buffalo.edu/restaurant.guide/
(with the way the posts sound up there i thought i had accidentally clicked onto a story about a new condo or a landmark teardown. i can live with a difference of opinion over the execution of the restaurant pieces. still plan on reading them too.)
I'm hopeful that we're going to see something truly orignal here...something authentic...and not a 'copy-cat' joint that simply mirrors other places and ends up being marginal at best.
Case in point-- the new Trattoria Aroma on Bryant--which delivers outstanding, authentic, rustic italian cuisine. It's the best new restaurnat to hit the city in some time. BTW--a fab italian wine list to match! Thye did it right here.
As far as italian restaurants Downtown?
TEMPO...upscale, very pricey, but generally very good. La Tee Da--moderately priced--borderline 'Italian-American'...weak wine list. Chef's...boilerplate Italian-American...a Buffalo 'institution'...it is what it is. Panaro's...a cute little Sicilian-style joint...very inexpensive...vino?
How 'bout North Buffalo?
DiGiulio's...Fiamma...Lombardo's (VERY good northern Italian)...Sinatra's on Kenmore (Great Souther Italian cuisine)...and others...all generally good.
I believe that this new restaurant will be good Italian done right. It's not always about being completely original. It's about many things combined: fresh ingredients, classic theory, new twists and keeping it simple (yes, even simple). I have it on good authority that the chef is Italian-Sicilian and is classicly trained. I've even heard he makes all of his own macaroni in the current restaurant (NICE). I've eaten at Mode many times, and I don't believe that I've ever been bored or dissappointed with the menu or the environment. Although, the ownership has changed hands, Marty and Buck seem to really be on top of the needs of the customers. So... for the new place: they have front of the house covered, back of the house covered, and it's a desirable location with parking. I will certainly give it a try!!! :-)
There are several good Italian options in the area, but Elmwood will not suffer from another great option, especially in that area. Doesn't it seem appealing to have another successful business in Buffalo.
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