So long to Hemmingway's. Hello to Encore
There's good news for steak lovers just around the corner... and there's good news for sushi lovers and pasta lovers and salad lovers too. When I first learned that Hemmingway's Restaurant (492 Pearl Street) had closed, I figured that it would not be long before the establishment re-opened... as Hemmingway's. Well, it was apparent that that was not to be the case when I received a text message last weekend that the restaurant's contents were being auctioned off. What would become of the building? Would it ever be the same without all of those crazy statues and figures filling up the place?
Now those questions are being answered by three young restaurateurs - Joe Gugino (left), John McKissock (right) and Dale Segal. The partners are planning on opening an American Continental restaurant called Encore, where diners will come for some of the best steaks and sushi rolls in the city. "Even though we're going to be serving steaks and sushi (among other cuisines)," John informed me. "The steaks will be served like you would find at a steakhouse, not with an Asian twist. You're going to find A-1 steak sauce on the table if you order a steak, and if you order the sushi it will be served with soy. We feel that there are different people out there with different tastes who want to eat together. We're working on a space that has 3000 sq.' of hardwood floors, both upstairs and down. The first floor will be used primarily for lunch, and we're going to be including some intimate private booths where people can eat away from the primary dining areas. There will also be a bar on the first floor. The second floor will be the main dining area - that's also where the sushi preparing station will be. Guests will be able to sit near the sushi chef, but we don't want people to think that this is a sushi restaurant... rather it's a choice in offerings that customers can make. The sushi will be served Wednesday through Saturday."
Before going on a tour of the space, I never realized the awesome size of the old brick building. A trip to the second floor revealed vaulted ceilings with wood beams and rafters. The floors are stunning to say the least. And the brick walls make for a wonderful, comfortable space. Plus, most former Hemmingway's customers will tell you that one of the best features of the establishment is the expansive back patio. There are also two operational fireplaces that will offer additional atmosphere and warmth during the cooler season. A former chef from Oliver's, Chris Daigler, will be running the kitchen, while John (coming from O), will be helping to run the sushi end of the operation. Even though there will be top of the line meals served at Encore, the lunches and dinners are going to be "priced right".
Don't be surprised if this becomes a big hangout for Bills and Sabres' players. Between the three owners, there a plenty of friendships/customer relationships with professional players who love the occasional steak... and who also crave a good spicy tuna roll. The Encore team is shooting for a November 20th opening date.
Encore will be located at 492 Pearl Street in the Theater District
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ladyflash
Hemmingway's easily had one of the best patios in the city. I am so happy we will be able to enjoy it again as Encore!!
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bhorvath
Versace lives!!
I hope they serve pizza and wings too.
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BuffaloRitz
Did the auction for the stuff in the place already happen?
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NorPark
Hmm interesting. If there will be A-1 at the tables, the steaks will be like what sort of steakhouse, because any actual steakhouse that I know of wouldnt serve a cut of beef that needs to be tainted with A-1, unless you didnt know any better as the consumer and actually asked for it. Regardless, I'll take a nice sashimi plate to start with, and move on to a hopefully 'prime' grade thick cut of beef, which hopefully will not need any of that A-1 type stuff on it.
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chris_h_23
I'd be interested in hearing what vegetarian dishes will be served at Encore. If anyone knows please post. Thanks!
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oldwaiter
Does anyone know who is financing this venture? Could it be another Croce restaurant?
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scooter
I love food.
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georged
I'll give it a year before it is closed.
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georged
I'll give it a year before it is closed.
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Irishprgrl3
I give it a year if that...
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Dakovich
these guys bring back memories of underage drinking at the Stear...tear. On a serious note, isn't it kind of a no-no to try and serve a menu that stretches across so many different styles. So it'll be a Sushi-Italian-Steak-American-Mexican-Falafel-Vegan-Chinese/Venison-Thai restaurant. Sweet. But really, if you want sushi you go to a sushi joint. if you want steak (good steak) you go to a steak joint. if you want Italian you...well, you get the idea. People don't want to go to the same place for dinner every night. They don't want one-stop shopping.
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eating
You're right, Dakovich. It's sad. This place is going to need a total gut job if anyone is going to take it seriously (do they have the capital/time to do that?) and although there is a credible chef in the kitchen, it sounds like every single one of the business partners (and their mothers) added his favorite cuisine to the menu. What a mess. I'll cross my fingers for them, but I don't see how this place will be able to stay open after the initial rush of all of their friends/drinking buddies winds down. Most guys dream of owning a joint where they can hand out free Blues to all of their friends. Trouble is, it won't pay your bank note.
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eastsidechic
Glad Hemingways is finally closed. The last time I was there, I spent the entire night on the toilet after my meal. I thought I was going to die that night. It was sad how dirty it became. I am surprised the Health Department let it stay open for as long as it did. The owner just gave up on his business. Thankfully my martinis still stayed above par.
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roxy28
Well, for all of you critics and cynics, I think the idea of having a diverse menu is a great idea!! Turning a beat up restaurant into a modern new look that appeals to various age groups you can't go wrong. If you are a true business person then you know handing out "Blues" to your friends will not pay the bills, fortunately this group of owners have had a lot of experience in the restaurant industry. So before we all give them the one year death sentence lets give some "props" to these young restauranteurs who have a vision of turning up the heat in the theater district.
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roxy28
Well, for all of you critics and cynics, I think the idea of having a diverse menu is a great idea!! Turning a beat up restaurant into a modern new look that appeals to various age groups you can't go wrong. If you are a true business person then you know handing out "Blues" to your friends will not pay the bills, fortunately this group of owners have had a lot of experience in the restaurant industry. So before we all give them the one year death sentence lets give some "props" to these young restauranteurs who have a vision of turning up the heat in the theater district.
Report this
roxy28
Well, for all of you critics and cynics, I think the idea of having a diverse menu is a great idea!! Turning a beat up restaurant into a modern new look that appeals to various age groups you can't go wrong. If you are a true business person then you know handing out "Blues" to your friends will not pay the bills, fortunately this group of owners have had a lot of experience in the restaurant industry. So before we all give them the one year death sentence lets give some "props" to these young restauranteurs who have a vision of turning up the heat in the theater district.
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cjames197699
Wow tough crowd, some can't even spell. I know of all three guys and it's about time for them. For you doubters here is alittle recap on them- Versace worked at Hutch's for along time and Jimmy Mac's not to metion Soho- Gugino has ran at least 2 million dollar operations- Dale seems to be able to work anywhere at anytime he obvisiously knows what he is doing. The whole menu thing sounds great had eaten at O many times with my wife and i hate sushi but she loves it, so to make her happy we went there.(For all you guys you know what i mean.) If Gugino can do what he did there these guys will be laughing! Good Luck fellas and i will be in, ignore anyone who has nothing good to say jealous people make me laugh!
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Dakovich
Jealous people huh, well fart jokes make me laugh, ah to each his own. But really, got nothing bad to say about these guys. Just commenting on the perception you get about the menu from the article. Obviously that may be wayyy different than what actually makes its way into the restaurant. Steak and sushi joint does sound cool though. Article made it sound like way more than just Steak and sushi.
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probuff
awesome! can't wait!
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buckygoldstein
Is this all Buffaloians can think of? More and more restaurants paying meager wages? Buffalo doesn't need a new restaurant, they need businesses like New Era. Buffalo at some point needs to get out of the economic stone age.
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TownLine
So we should stop opening all new small businesses until Microsoft comes to town, cause they're just not worth it?
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oldwaiter
This old waiter thinks that competition is great---the more choices the better. My fear is that it is going to be hard to compete with Buffalo Chophouse down the street (for steaks) and SeaBar (for sushi). This is an incredibly competative industry and I wish them the best!
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Assaroni
Rumor is New Era is on the sale block...
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oldwaiter
Here is how hard this business is---just look at today's Buffalo News...
http://www.buffalonews.com/258/story/486954.html
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bfloghost
Let me guess, their ad will be "Encore... the steakhouse that thinks it's a sushi bar, the sushi bar that thinks it's a steak house, that thinks it's a sports bar, that thinks.........."
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bfloghost
Let me guess, their ad will be "Encore... the steakhouse that thinks it's a sushi bar, the sushi bar that thinks it's a steak house, that thinks it's a sports bar, that thinks.........."
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cousinjack
good luck and congrats fo-sach-e and dale. i think the sushi-steak thing is a great idea. hot girls love sushi, guys love steak, it works.
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cousinjack
good luck and congrats fo-sach-e and dale. i think the sushi-steak thing is a great idea. hot girls love sushi, guys love steak, it works.
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kelsman
Best of luck, fellas. i cant wait to check the place out. its a tough business atmosphere out there, always has been for restaurants, but with hard work and good food you will not fail.
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oldwaiter
Does anyone know if Encore is open yet? This old waiter wants to go....
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Cathy_M
Now that Encore has been open for a year, I have had a chance to go there several times. I love it! The food is great, the owners are so nice, and the atmophere is wonderful. If you have not been there, be sure to check it out. It may just become your new favorite place to be!
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Cathy_M
Now that Encore has been open for a year, I have had a chance to go there several times. I love it! The food is great, the owners are so nice, and the atmophere is wonderful. If you have not been there, be sure to check it out. It may just become your new favorite place to be!
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