Supporting Our New Historic District
Now that there are plans being formulated to open the Erie Basin Marina 365 days a year, it might be a good time for Buffalonians to explore the surrounding area. This past Saturday a few of us decided to grab a bite to eat at WJ Morrissey's (30 Mississippi Street) to see how the restaurant was faring during midday Sabres' game coverage with a Labatt hockey tournament being held just down the road. We figured that the pub would be the perfect setting for hockey fans... and hopefully food fans. It was on that day that I discovered that Morrissey's had added bangers and mash to the menu. Early on in the pub's infancy I had hoped that the meal would be available. Rather, the menu listed a number of American bar food selections. I figured that it would only be a matter of time before some of the Irish specialty menu options would be added. I'm happy to say that the menu is looking far better these days.
Not only are there some appealing Irish selections on the list... the food is really good. Everyone who ordered was very satisfied with his or her lunch. The bangers and mash was cooked perfectly, as was the accompanying broccoli (slightly blanched and very tasty). Unfortunately the Sabres were getting smoked on TV (5-1) while we enjoyed our meals. Otherwise we wouldn't have rushed to get out of there to get to the Labatt tournament. While the restaurant was not packed, there were enough people there to make it enjoyable. The question that was on our collective mind was, "Why weren't more people coming downtown to enjoy this recreated old Irish pub in the city's historic Cobblestone District?" For all of the times that we have wished that our city had an area remotely similar to Toronto's Distillery District... with exciting events, good food, atmosphere, and beer? Well, we're getting it and now we should be supporting it.
Soon we'll also have Benchwarmers as another bar/restaurant option. If you have not made a trip down to the Cobblestone District (outside of going to a hockey game and then driving away), why not plan a Saturday visit to see what it's like? It's certainly another alternative to going to the mall. And as Canal Side and the Erie Basin Marina start to offer more things to do, we should show our support by showing our faces.
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STEEL
What about your doctor's instructions?
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Buffalo11
I actually went there before the game on Sunday. I must say I really enjoyed it. Nice place to go before a game, but I would agree with the idea of going down there for lunch some day. Nice to see the progress next door in the Benlin building. It will be nice when that building is complete. More activity, more people.
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mepolo
I hope they are using a local source for their bangers....Spars sells them....they're very good! Can't wait to try them at Morrisey's!
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allthingsbuffalo
i would suggest to readers who are being misled into believing this is just like toronto's distillery district to at least hold back on visiting the cobblestone district until the summer when the whole project is finished and there is more that just an irish pub to see.
so thankful savarino took on this entire block and i really hope that the holes and underused structures can come to life soon as a result of this redevelopment.
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cobblestone
The bangers are very authentic and fresh made at Spars. Most of the Irish selections use products from Ireland which are shipped monthly. Saturdays are a great time to visit the District and WJM...regional college basketball games are featured along with hockey. After a visit to the marina, a Jameson tastes pretty good in the Snug!
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sbrof
Well with the addition of Benchwarmer's I think a lot more people will venture down there. The problem I have experienced during game days (Bandits or Sabres) was that there were too many people and no chance of getting food before the game started. This skepticism of seat availability has leaked into non-game days with my friends. We also don't typically drive downtown and if we are going to commit ourselves to that area, it is good to know there is a second option for food in case one place is packed. Otherwise you are not left with a lot of options for at least 4 blocks any direction.
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Hoss
I HIGHLY recommend the Irish breakfast at Morrissey's. Two fried eggs, two bangers, a few rashers (the real Irish kind), one each black and white puddings, baked beans, a fried tomato slice, and toast. It's the real deal, and nicely priced to boot. I will definitely be back.
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simcoe
Please don't tell me that's Irish butter sitting on top of.... overboard. Looks great inside but come on, Buff has one (kind of) French rest., no where decent for sushi (shut up Kuni freaks, go to TO & try some real sushi) so we really need a Irish joint, the UK isn't really known as a culinary goldmine ya know. Can't wait to try the blood pudding.
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icecreamsub
I would love to spend a saturday afternoon down there but I really can't think of anything else to do after stopping in for lunch.......I'm not being sarcastic but is there really anything else opened down there in the "cobblestone district"?.......
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al-alo
icecreamsub,
id recommend old editions books for a saturday afternoon. plan on ALL afternoon.
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benfranklin
al-alo.... agree 100%. A lot more than just books (prints, documents, art work, etc). There are a couple rooms upstairs that aren't always open (collectibles) and another small room with really old, interesting stuff.
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sayvanderlay
As Tyrone Green would say:
C-I-L-L my landlord's butt.
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sayvanderlay
...or rather C-I-S-S
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wizardofza
Newell, you're a shameless hack.
So let's see here.....WJ Morrissey's adds an item to their menu, therefore "the Cobblestone District" is now Buffalo's answer to Toronto's Distillery District? Man, I love your convoluted logic.
The sad part is you know damn well as much as anyone else that there is not a goddamn thing to do down there besides attending an HSBC Arena event and/or drinking at one of the few bars on that one mostly-intact block. Quit trying to weave a block of gold out of a tiny pebble. Or perhaps, "the Cobblestone District" is just a figment of your feeble imagination, or maybe a desperate attempt to lure a few folks with deep pockets into investing in your little wasteland so you don't feel all alone down there.
I don't know, why don't you tell me?
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pgf1948
Wizard
Very Good! "Our collective mind." Preposterous, isn't it?
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icecreamsub
Al - alo- thanks for the tip about old editions....I will check that out. I have just taken up recreational reading so this could work out nicely.....
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MiesvanderDoh
wizard;
if you build it up, they will come.
if you don't, they wont.
as an avid roadbiker i like hearing about spots like this, as I can do some riding and stop somewhere new to me
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Morrison
icecreamsub 0 ratings12345 Yesterday, 20:28I would love to spend a saturday afternoon down there but I really can't think of anything else to do Well..................It's not downtown, but the Sportsmen's Tavern has a soul/jazz matinee every Sat. @ 3pm. NO COVER!
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chris_h_23
WJ Morrissey's is great. My wife and I go down there a couple time a month for dinner and drinks. The food is really good and the atmosphere is really good as well. I hope that the business continues to grow and the place prospers along with the new Sports Bar Benchwarmers.
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al-alo
the colored musicians clubs is a good bet as well:
http://www.coloredmusiciansclub.org/
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cobblestone
It is not just the Cobblestone District that is the attraction. Newell was using Cobblestone as springboard to other area attractions. Point was you can have lunch and pint while in area checking out interesting things...old grain elevators, marina(even in winter), and some of the unique buildings which dot downtown...it is something to do for an afternoon.. Soon there will be more options in the area thus creating nice destination.
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nonono
The bangers and mash 'was' cooked perfectly? Really? Was they now? Are they part of the authentic "Irish" cuisine that the British enjoy with such 'casual gusto'?
It seems and 'incomplete menu' to me, what with no authentic 'American French Fries'.
Don't be such an Oxymoron! Lets 'agree to disagree' that this "'NEW' historic district'" is no 'fine mess' at all. It seems indeed to have been planned by our 'political leadership' with 'military intelligence'! I look forward to enjoying some 'giant shrimp' at one of these 'awfully nice' eateries.
In an 'altogether separate' note, I hope that I am not 'alone in the crowd' in my plans to nominate risingdamp666 as 'favorite blogger' in this years ARTvoice best of Buffalo survey.....who ever posts your favorite 'pure speculation', vote early and 'vote often!'
Only a 'small majority' of 'compassionate conservative' readers could argue the 'casual intimacy' with which this 'loquacious librarian' expresses his 'luke-warm enthusiasm' for our future's history!
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NewBuffalo
This is good to see for the city. I hope this district continues to grow, it has great potential.
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NewBuffalo
What we need now if for Flying Bison to open a brew pub here.......Tim Herzog are you listening?
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wizardofza
I wasn't aware anything new was being built...
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chris_h_23
NewBuffaloToday, 11:26 "What we need now if for Flying Bison to open a brew pub here.......Tim Herzog are you listening?"
Awesome idea! Forward thinking!
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MiesvanderDoh
wizard; build it up, as in talk about it, give it appeal. its a commonly used term.
besides, i thought there was development happening down there?
Morrison; Sportsmens will have a new blues gig going on Sundays starting pretty soon
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Morrison
Blues gig on Sunday afternoon hmm...................... Are you talking about this sort of Buffalo allstar thingy? Steve Sadoff, Billy McEwen, Bobbie Falk, Mike Phelps & JJ Moscato. 3/2,16 4/13 & 20. Not to mention a Argyle St. Band reunion on Sat. 3/15.
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MiesvanderDoh
yessir, steve sadoff is my dad
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Morrison
Cool...............I remember you as a little tyke @ "No Names" holding your little guitar @ Rocket 88 gigs.
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MiesvanderDoh
haha that's embarrassing. I started playing a real one when I was 6 or so. Play the bass now, still a little guitar. who am I speaking with?
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Morrison
You Drew, are speaking to Ken Biringer. Long time fan of your dad. My brother in law is Willie Schoellkopf.
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nonono
Enough with the disgraceful immoral outing of posters and thier families! 'Honor they father and mother' is the biblical edict that protects your families good name from sullied associations on this board.
I thought this was a new editorial day, with iron clad standards and practices?
viva Pequito Castro, Cuba Libre!
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nonono
"haha that's embarrassing. I started playing a real one when I was 6 or so."
i should think, sir or madam, that you would be ashamed to admit it.
CENSOR!: Edit, Delete, Filth!!!
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MiesvanderDoh
I post nothing I would not say in someone's presence, I try to be an internet nice-guy, or at least an internet realist.
you gon' toss a couple back with raoul?
haha anyway, Willie is a great musician and all around nice guy, he and collette (sic?) are close family friends as I'm sure you know. I'll tell my dad about our correspondence.
take it easy
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