Pho Dollar

Pho Dollar

Step in off West Ferry into Pho Dollar and you could be in New York or Vietnam. The fresh authentic interior does not match its standard take-out joint facade. A well lit spot with friendly people, interesting vibe and great food awaits. Pho dollar is the real deal in a vibrant Westside neighborhood that is experiencing a rebirth once again due to its eclectic immigrant population. Many small businesses have sprung up in the vicinity of West Ferry and all along Grant Street answering the needs of Buffalo's newest arrivals and in turn drawing in long time residents. The Grant Street area has meant a lot to many groups of people over the years but has not been home to such a diverse mix of peoples in a long time.

http://www.phodollar.com/

Market Arcade

Market Arcade

Completed in 1892,  the building known as the Palace Arcade became Buffalo's only shopping arcade. This historic treasure was designed by E.B. Green and William Wicks. Taking the popular elements of its European counterparts, the covered market tied busy Main Street to the outdoor markets of Washington Street. The building, consisting of three floors of space for shops and offices covered by a frosted glass ceiling, was the predecessor to the modern mall. With the decline of the city in the 1970's the building closed and remained unseen for 20 years. In 1995, following a lot of renovation, this beautiful building was reborn. The building is now home to the likes of Squeaky Wheel, Buffalo Adore, and CEPA Gallery. The beauty of its interior is only equaled by its incredible facade. This Buffalo Landmark is also on the National Register of Historic Places. The arcade is accessible by Washington and our thankfully restored Main Street, now open to horseless carriages again.

Hamlin House, Post # 665

The Historic Hamlin House

The historic Hamlin House was built in 1865 on what was then know as Tuscarora Street. American Legion Post #665, a/k/a Hamlin House, was named for the house's first owner, Cicero Hamlin, sugar magnate and glucose manufacturer, which was big business in 1800s Buffalo. The Italianate Villa style mansion also became a Post for the American Legion, which it still is, as well as a restaurant and banquet facility. Located on Franklin Street in Allentown, the Post is a big gathering spot during St. Patrick's Day, The Arts Festival, and Halloween to name a few events. Hamlin House is open to the public as a full service restaurant.

www.hamlinhouse.com

Young Lincoln

Young Lincoln, Delaware Park

Young Lincoln, cast in bronze in 1935 by Bryant Baker, sits book in hand in Delaware Park. Just off the street of Lincoln Parkway, this wonderful sculpture, capturing the spirit of the young man who would be president, compels passers by to stop and regard. This impressive piece is one of three presidential works by Baker to call Buffalo home. The two others, created in the 1930's, pay tribute to Buffalo native sons and Presidents Grover Cleveland and Millard Fillmore, and flank the entrance to Buffalo City Hall.

Vino's Ristorante

Vino's -Elmwood Avenue

We remember when this place was Tiny's. A great space  that had something wonderful happen to it. That happening was the creation of Vino's Italian Ristorante.  For years now they have been providing a cozy friendly environment to enjoy consistently excellent food. Without pretense and with genuine warmth Vino's pulls in a devoted fan base and some lucky passers by Wednesday through Saturday. When they refer to their patrons as family they mean it. There are few places that can create the feeling you are coming home for a great meal. It's no accident.  Kathleen and Tony are great people and that character extends to their staff who are stellar and seem genuinely enthused to be part of this charming place. Dinner starts at five and if you don't have reservations don't dawdle, because just like your dad, when Tony's done cooking, he's done.

http://www.vinosbuffalo.com/

Metric at The Town Ballroom

Metric

Our friends from Canada, shopping around their new album, decided to forego Artpark for our beloved Town Ballroom. We believe when all was said and done the  decision made both fans and band happy. Metric last past through Buffalo as opener for Imagine Dragons. This time, in support of their latest album, fate and ticket sales have landed them at the Town Ballroom. The intimate and packed venue with its rounded amphitheater style reminds many bands of the reason they first loved playing. The club vibe which enthuses patrons in turn feeds bands the energy that larger venues lack. The historic Town never fails to touch even the most jaded artists that pass through. Some other notable performers from the clubs glory days include Sinatra, Nat King Cole, Coltrane to name a few.

https://www.ilovemetric.com
/www.townballroom.com/

The Providence Social Club

The Providence 

Providence Social on Rhode Island describes itself as the "Gem of the Westside". Never been, but it is rumored to have a dog friendly patio, chill lighting, and happy hours amidst elegant ambience. The eclectic menu is worth a peak. You had me at Duck Nachos. Beware Friday's, the crowd gets a little rough, they have a teacher happy hour with food. And as long as the weather holds like this, we are there.

http://www.theprovidencesocial.com/

Gypsy Parlor

Non-PC Zoltar Fortune Telling machine@ Gypsy Parlor

The Gypsy Parlor on Grant Street celebrates its 3 year anniversary today. Funky decor, food and drink with interesting nightly themes and events. Poetry, belly dancing, jazz, trivia, karaoke and various musical stylings can be found throughout the week. A sensual, fun bar on a block of Grant that hasn't seen much fun in a while, makes Gypsy a good neighbor that we hope celebrates many more anniversaries. 

http://www.thegypsyparlor.com/event-calendar/

Last Rose of Summer

Rose Gardens Delaware Park

We saw the proverbial Last Rose of Summer at the Rose Gardens in Delaware Park. Actually, many fading roses graced the last light of summer near the Marcy Casino. The gardens have seen ups and downs since their creation in  the 1930s. The latest restoration would have been worthy of the musings of Thomas Moore himself. Once again Buffalonians and visitors were basking in the beginnings of another fine evening that just happens to be the last moments of summer. In the morning comes the equinox.

Olmsted Parks Conservancy

Allen and Elmwood

Allen and Elmwood

The sun sets on Allen Street and on the final days of summer. Sunday night and nobody shows signs of letting go.
The sidewalk patios are full with voices and laughter filling the warm night air. We've had a pretty good run and this week promises more of the same. Have a great week in the City of Good Neighbors.

North Park

Ceiling Mural North Park Theater

Toaday was a good day to catch a film. Everyday is a good film day at Buffalo's cinema treasure, the North Park Theater. Look up from your seat and you'll see five of the six murals created by Raphael Beck. Prophetically named for the famed painter Raphael, Beck definitely left his mark on Buffalo history. Beck became well known for the official logo of The Pan-American Exposition in Buffalo. He also immortalized President William McKinley in the assasinated President's final portrait based on sketches the artist made from his visit to the Exposition. The portrait was exhibited in The U.S. Senate and then became property of the Buffalo History Museum. The Beck story is just one of the many artistic journeys the North Park evokes. The theater is not only a place of entertainment but is also part museum, architectural tresure and historical site.

https://www.northparktheatre.org

Lexington Coop - Hertel Happening

Fall selections 

This beautiful display is a harbinger of fall, as are the temps today. The Coop always does fall up right. We here in North Buffalo, can't wait until we have our very own satellite version on Hertel, scheduled to open this coming Spring. If you drive by the new location, things are rolling. It wil be very cool and convenient to pop up to Hertel next fall for all our Autumn needs and wants and beauty.

http://lexington.coop/about/expansion/

RIP President McKinley- 115 Years Ago today

Theodore Roosevelt Inaugural Site 

After succumbing to an infection from wounds suffered at the hand of an assassin, President William McKinley died on this date in 1901. His Vice President would become the 26th President of the United States. Theodore Roosevelt was inaugurated  at the Ansley Wilcox House on Delaware Avenue. The home had originally been part of the Buffalo Barracks compound. Years later under private ownership of the Rumsey family the property was given to Mary Grace Rumsey's husband. It was in the Wilcox home  that Theodore Roosevelt was sworn in as President. The hasty and politically expedient ceremony sought to stabilize any perceived turmoil in the country following McKinley's tragic murder. President Teddy would go on to become one of the nation's most popular and influential statesmen and the inauguration site would become a restaurant for thirty years. Many features of the original home were lost ,changed, and disturbingly destroyed. In 1966 the house became a National Historic Site where you could no longer get a nice ribeye. Today elements of the home have been restored and it also encompasses a museum of sorts. The renovation plans, originally drawn up by the Wilcox family, still exist somewhere in the house at 641 Delaware Avenue.  Perhaps someday they will come to fruition.

Buffalo/Rome

Riverworks Ruins 

Oh...Remember the original Buffalo Rome? We loooved that place. Closest thing to a bistro way back when, when we were starving to have the elements of a large city. But look at us now. Someone made this wonderful ruin into a gathering place. It feels like you are among the Roman ruins, where modern day life just surrounds what's left and goes on. Keep all of this coming. Keep using, reusing and innovating. It truly is a renaissance. We are getting back to where we should have been. Where the Erie Canal, the Pan Am Exposition, Lake Erie positioned us. Let's not drop the ball again.

Vera Pizzeria

Vera Pizza 

 Vera's 5th anniversary is this week and we are glad. Philip our waiter was more than welcoming and as it turns out, adept at making things happen when they need to, with aplumb and humor to the max. Mushroom technology, fresh dough, gorgeous basil and PBR? Come on. You want to go to there.

#Neverforget

9/11 Memorial at the Red Cross of Buffalo 

A blue sky at morning. A woman crossing the park with confused news of an accident. A plane off course, a building struck, and then the truth. Watching the second tower hit and the word accident evaporating in the September air. The horror, the disgust, replaced by worry for friends, family, fellow New Yorkers and countrymen. For those who witnessed, a murder never to be forgotten. For those too young, a history difficult to understand. For all, a moment to be silent, to respect, to think upon the souls stolen away,  and to guard the Liberty that remains. #Neverforget 

Pedal Tour Buffalo

Here are a few ideas that might at first glance seem to be a bad combo. Beer, 15 strangers, sightseeing and a pedal powered trolley, relying on said strangers, who have imbibed said beer. You might say to yourself," I'm not getting on that thing, They're not even pedaling in the same direction!"  But then you hear the laughter. You get the feeling that only these strangers are in on the joke. It's then that you go from laughing at this absurd sight to saying "I'll have what they're having."  What they're having is unembarrassed fun, packed with some very interesting tidbits about our fair city. You  know what Sophie Dahl's grandfather use to say, " A little nonsense now and then is relished by the wisest men."

http://www.buffalopedaltours.com/

The Buffalo Historical Society

The Buffalo Historical Society

The incredible depth of history in Buffalo, New York is really astounding when you visit the history museum and look at old photographs of the city, such as the ones seen at  https://www.facebook.com/damien.failla  on his newly renamed site now called Buffalore. 115 years ago this week, as we posted yesterday, the Pan Am Exposition was in full swing, despite President McKinley's state after the assasination attempt. The Historical Society building which still stands, was one of the actual facades, not the plaster ones that were destroyed after the Expo to make way for affordable housing. Not only can we see artifacts from the Expo if you wander through during the last Food Truck Rodeo, you get to walk where others did 115 years ago, during probably the most important time in Buffalo's history, except for right now. 

https://www.facebook.com/damien.failla

President William McKinley, Shot on this Day

Memorial plaque on the site where McKinley was shot 

President McKinley was shot in Buffalo in this day in 1901, 115 years ago.  Through a series of missteps in his care, the popular president succumbed to  infection from his wounds . Attending the Pan-American Exposition, the president, who had been stalked by anarchist Leon Czolgosz, was approached and assassinated. The location of the attack was the Exposition's Temple of Music, now marked by a simple stone in the middle Fordham Street. This former Pan-Am location is lined with lovely bungalow -style homes dating back to the neighborhood's development in the years after the fair.

Salumeria Belsito

Belsito

We lost a little Italian in Little Italy when Gino's Bakery closed on Hertel Avenue a few years ago. Recently we got it back with the welcome addition of Belsito at the same location. We've been rooting for the dynamic duo of Michael and Christine Petrillo since they opened. This summer they have definitely come into there own. Their unpretentious, authenticity delivers with quality on this reborn corner. Belsito has completed this block with whatever you need it to be; a neighborhood bar, a cafe, a wine bar or Italian panini shop with excellent specialty meats and cheeses. Look for the triskelion of the Sicilian flag waving at the corner of Hertel and Saranac. Muffuletta, bravo!

http://belsitobuffalo.com/

Silos Again

Silos @ Silo City

Silos Again

Today, silo tours, craft beers and music in any order you choose.  You had me at silos.

https://www.buffalorising.com/2015/09/silo-city-tapped

Room With A View

Window 28th Floor City Hall

The 28th floor of Buffalo City Hall has a window onto our world. Always a peaceful, above-it-all meditation, the Art Deco roost provides a spectacular vantage point to view our city. Never seems to be a crowd up here. Word to the romantic, this is a great rendezvous spot.

     "My father says that there is only one perfect view—the view of the sky straight over our heads" - E.M. Forster

CDP Theme - Library

Buffalo Public Library Today

Buffalo Public Library circa 1900

City Daily Photo's theme for the first day of September is Library. Here's our contribution: It is said, "Those that forget the past are doomed to repeat it" and we would add "doomed to destroy it". The original Buffalo Public Library building designed by Cyrus Eidlitz stood where the existing library now is. The 1887 Romanesque masterpiece survived until the 1960s when it was demolished for replacement by the modern nightmare that haunts us to this day. A castle replaced by a bus terminal. Way to go... no kick backs involved in that deal.

https://www.buffalolib.org/