Allendale Theater

Allendale Theater

The Allendale Theater was built in 1913. The unique neighborhood theater featured silent films and later live theater. The neo-classical revival styled theater had all the gilded attributes of the great theaters of the early 1900's. The 900 seat cinema was filled with leaded glass, carved ornamentation illuminated by modern incandescent lighting.

   Unfortunately, the Allendale went the way of a great many theaters of the last century, slipping into obscurity and facing demolition by the 1980s. Fortunately, through the efforts of private and public entities, the building was saved and revived as the treasure it is. Following an extensive restoration, the Allen Street building, that had laid dorment for so long, reopened in 2000 as the Theater of Youth.

http://www.theatreofyouth.org/

La Gourmet Empanadas

La Gourmet

The best empanadas we've had this side of Brooklyn reside on Herkimer Street. In a basement restaurant, formerly a church, La Gourmet delivers the goods. Think deliciousness wrapped in dough and fried. Empanadas, savory or sweet, are central to their menu, but there are other tasty treats as well. There is also a banquet hall available.

Surprise...if you take a quick left before you get to the exit, there's a subterranean barber shop.

http://www.lagourmetempanadas.com/

Weather Vain

Hoyt Lake

Just your average day in America's favorite city...
riding bikes and skateboarding in February. Sorry to perseverate on the weather,
but this time of winter can be tough to take...usually.

Walk On The Warm Side

Park path near Marcy Casino

Climate crisis or winter respite, you decide.
70 degrees.

No Skating

Hoyt Lake in Delaware Park

Definitely no ice skating.

50s February

The Ever Photogenic Electric Tower

Walking around Downtown on a 55 degree evening in February.

Main Street

                     Main Street Train

February?

Buffalo Afternoon Downtown
 Photo by Anu M. Connolly

Temple Beth El

155 Richmond

Anybody in the market for a temple? The building that housed Buffalo's first Jewish congregation is up for sale. The congregation was formed in 1847. By 1911, Temple Beth El was dedicated on Richmond Avenue. The synagogue was of great historical importance, not only for its architectural beauty but the fact that it was home to the earliest Jewish  congregation outside of New York City and this side of Chicago. The congregation moved to the burbs in the 60s, and in 1966 left Richmond Avenue for good. The Greater Emmanuel Temple Church is in the process of selling the building. In our opinion, a Buffalo Jewish museum might be in order for this location, rather than apartments.

Hutch's

Bottle Chandelier @ Hutch's

Hutch's, the classic American restaurant in the heart of Buffalo, has out survived many an upstart. Consistently good food has given the place a following that has sustained it for the last 22 years. The restaurant, in a subtle older building on an active stretch of Delaware Avenue, seems tucked away between Gates Circle and Forest Lawn Cemetery. Hutch's takes on a speakeasy quality as you enter through the alleyway door and into a warm, popular spot for foodies in the know.

http://www.hutchsrestaurant.com/

Mansion On Delaware

The Mansion On Delaware

Buffalo's original boutique hotel, The Mansion on Delaware, has been "bringing it", many years before our renaissance began. The Second Empire style building was lovingly restored to an elegant inn for travelers, providing 24 hour butler service in 28 hip rooms that have garnered it several prestigious industry awards over the last fifteen years. The 20,000 square foot building dates back to 1869, when it was the home of grain elevator magnate Charles Sternberg. After the house was sold, it became a hotel for the first time in the 1880s. Later, it followed the path of other great homes, becoming a restaurant and then going through a dark period of decline until it rose again as 

The Mansion On Delaware.

http://www.mansionondelaware.com/

Valentine's Day

Sunset Delaware Park

Sending a little love from Delaware Park.

Bridge

Walking bridge over Commercial Slip

RHCP

Fleas on the Big Screen

Flea and the rest of the Red Hot Chili Peppers were singing Buffalo's praises tonight, as well as a few of their hits from the last 35 years. As usual, the Peppers played to a standing,
sold out Key Bank Arena.

Voelker's

Behind The Scenes @Voelker's

Looking behind the curtain, at this legendary Buffalo bowling alley, reveals how the magic happens. If you thought it was a bunch of elves setting up your pins, guess again. This intricate and ancient machinery is the original workings of Voelker's Lanes. Although, according to Jim, the man who makes the place work, the whole apparatus has been replaced one piece at a time throughout the years. The lanes have been open since 1892, and before carriages were horseless, when the streets were dirt, the building was home to Hotel Elmwood.

http://www.voelkersbowling.net/

Second Reader

Second Reader Window

Second Reader Bookshop specializes in quality used books, which refers to both physical condition and content. February being Black History month, the shop entices readers with one of its well designed window displays. This one features well kept copies of biographies on James Baldwin and Frederick Douglass, the works of Toni Morrison, W.E.B. Du Bois, Zora Neale Hurston, as well as Ellison and Solomon Northup. I bet if you dig around inside you might come up with a John Edgar Wideman. The store also carries some fun gifts for your favorite bookworm. Put away the smartphone and get lost in a literary exploration made of PAPER.

AFM 100 Years

Colored Musician's Club

Today marks the 100th anniversary of the formation of Local 533 of the American Federation of Musicians. The union brought about the creation of the Colored Musicians Club. Miles Davis, Ella Fitzgerald, Dizzy Gillespie and scores of notable jazz greats have graced the Club, as well as those that still carry the torch, passing it to the next generation of jazz devotees. Preservation of our city's jazz history is also part of the club's mission, through their museum and archives.

www.facebook.com/The-Historic-Colored-Musicians-Club-254021683266/

72 Jewet

Mural by Daniel Glass

Another mural in the Albright-Knox's public art series can be found on several walls of Koch Metal Spinning. The family owned business has been in operation since 1939. Taken for granted, the #AKPublicArt project brings to life walls that, unadorned, might never get a second look.

#AKPublicArt 

https://www.albrightknox.org/community/ak-public-art

Pasión

Pasión Restaurant

From Cuban to Spanish, South American to Mexican, the influences are made manifest ultimately, deliciously in authentic food. Pasión is what they have for their cuisine, as well as having enjoyable brunches, taco Tuesdays, Salsa lessons and trivia. Pasión, literally and culinarily, fills a space on Elmwood that needed filling...Latin food lovers wanted in this warm spot.

www.pasion-restaurant.com