The Chocolate Bar

Originally uploaded by Asteria Hanover.

There is almost nothing better in this world than chocolate, dessert, or socializing in midtown. If you combine all three of these, you’ll find yourself at The Chocolate Bar inside The Hampton Inn on Chippewa Street. As of today, this new “dessert nightclub” by the owners of Butterwood Desserts is open for business.

The menu is delightful and begins with specialty desserts including the Cherry Teardrop: chocolate cake with cherry cordial mousse and ganache wrapped in white chocolate; and the Peanut Butter Comet: ingredients are self explanatory. They are also serving cake, creps, chocolate bar specialties, artisan homemade ice cream, sorbet, pie tart slices, cheese courses, need I go on?

Of course I have to mention the bar, which should prove to be the most attractive feature of this eatery, especially for its martinis. You can choose from 17 varieties including creme brulee, Swedish fish, wedding cake or Georgia peach. They certainly do have a chocolate martini, which I hear may be the best in the city yet. Just try to guess what’s in it…

Alp’accinos, chocolate bar shooters, champagne, coffee and the like, as well as a list of reds and whites by the bottle or glass will keep you enjoying for hours. How to pick just one? Don’t worry, go back for another taste, as the Chocolate Bar is located right off Delaware, easily accessible, hard to miss, and hard to resist.

The Chocolate Bar
114 Chippewa St
Buffalo, New York 14202
(Located inside The Hampton Inn)
716.332.0484
www.buffalochocolatebar.com

Buffalo Central Terminal

Originally uploaded by dmealiffe.

There are tons of things happening this summer at the Central Terminal. If you are bored, it must be because you haven’t been looking hard enough. Check out this list of events at the terminal this summer and fall.

Tango Turns

Originally uploaded by Gail Delderfield.

Little do many know that you can find free ballroom dance lessons in the city. Namely the Tango at the Park Lane on Tuesday nights at 7pm. Local professional dancers and teachers instruct an hour class each week which is followed by open practice and dancing until your Tango shoes need a rest.

This event becomes more crowded each week as singles and couples of all ages gather to learn, practice and dance some more. No partner is needed, you can find one (or two or three) there.

Some of the instructors teach at various locations including The Latin Institute, buffalotango.org and DancEncounters. Not only can you learn the Argentine Tango, but if the Lindy Jam or West Coast Swing are more your dance style, the schools listed offer classes in all of the above and more.

sushi heaven

Originally uploaded by adlaw.

I finally went to Kibarishi (located in the Elmwood Village) tonight with a couple of BR friends. We were greeted by the owner Wes who was walking around checking things, as well as chefs Chris & Mike.

We were privy to some sake (they do not have their liquor license yet, but it is byo)…and then our sushi was plated and served. We had yellowfin tuna rolls, tuna rolls, rainbow rolls, and angry tuna roll. After many months of waiting for sushi to return to Buffalo - it’s back and it’s better than ever!!!

Kudos to Wes, Chris & Mike…thanks guy!!!

Oh and thanks for the makeshift chopsticks…I’ll learn how to use them yet!!!

Flipped!
The Market Arcade
Wednesday June 28th 2006
7:00pm & 8:15pm
Some of the reviews:
A must-see for every Buffalo booster and citizen who’s concerned with the city
’s future.
It is an exceptionally powerful documentary
The Flipped documentary produced by Michele Johnson and directed by Marc
Odien is extremely well done and powerful. Many in the audience were almost moved
to tears watching the devastation and blight that flipping has wrought.
Don't just take their word for it... We invite you all to see it for yourself:
Tickets are $5.00 and available at the Market Arcade Box office...

An interesting thing happened yesterday.  I was up visiting a friend’s cottage at Sherkston in Canada.  We were on the beach and packing up our things for the afternoon.

Two Canadian police (not Sherkston security) on ATVs slowed as they drove by us.  One of them was looking at me and I turned to my friend to ask “what is he looking at?”  Then he got off of his ATV and walked over to a couple of people that were in our party.

Next to his cooler, Bob, had an empty beer can and a full, unopened beer can in a holder (completely covered).  The cop said that it’s a public beach and there is no alcohol consumption on the beach.  He proceeded to write Bob a ticket for having the beer…for $120 (Canadian).

When asked why the public has to pay $100 to come to a ‘public beach’, the cop snarked that we’d have to ask Sherkston why that is…I’m assuming that it’s because you have to go through Sherkston’s property to get to the beach.  The cops were rather prickly, as they can be, but eventually rode off after writing the ticket.

Bob and the rest of our group had been sitting there, doing absolutely nothing…just relaxing and enjoying the weather.  The cops seemed to be out to get someone and they did.  One Canadian guy walked over after the cops left and apologized to Bob…

I understand that they were ‘just doing their jobs’, but the very least they could have done was be courteous…

the folks at the Central Terminal for showing the movie on Friday night.  We went to the 7:30 show and there were 200+ people in the audience.  More people showed for the later showing.

It was great to see such a show of support!

My next door neighbor died on Monday afternoon. In some neighborhoods, this would go completely unnoticed. However, in my block in North Buffalo, we are fairly close. We watch each other’s houses when we’re on vacation and rake each other’s leaves in the fall or shovel each other’s driveways in the winter. I know it sounds a bit Mayberryish, but I love the fact that if I need anything, I can go to any of my neighbors and ask.

Todd, my neighbor who died, was only 50. To some of you 50 might seem ancient. Todd was full of life and a genuinely kind man. Immediately I went over to the house yesterday to talk to Todd’s son. He is an extraordinarily strong young man (about 12 years old), who was amazed by the support of not only family members, but the neighbors as well. While we were talking, some other neighbors brought over food and we all stood and talked, remarking how young Todd was to be gone so soon. (Aneurysms are quick.)

Todd’s family is finding strength in not only family, but in the neighbors as well. I feel very lucky to live in a community where my support system comes not only from my close friends, but to those that live close to me as well.  That’s the kind of community that Buffalo is and the kind of community that makes me proud to live here.  We pull together, in good times, but more importantly in bad times to support one another.  I’m grateful to live here.

Buffalo City Hall

Originally uploaded by Asteria Hanover.

We’re populating the schedule of events for Buffalo Old Home Week and I thought I’d put out a call to see what would be fun for out-of-towners and locals to do in Buffalo that weekend.

We have lots of great things already planned, including a job fair, tours of downtown housing, a tailgate party, a waterfront reception and brunch in Delaware Park. If you were to showcase the best of Buffalo, what are the definite must-see events and places?

We’re looking for anything happening on August 24-27th in and around Buffalo. Indoor, outdoor, recreation, tours, small town events, anything we’d want locals and visitors to know about Buffalo. Any information with date, time, location, price, contact info is welcome via email. Thanks!

Just a reminder that this Friday night, June 23, the Central Terminal Restoration Corporation is hosting a world premiere screening of the horror film “Prison of the Psychotic Damned” at the Buffalo Central Terminal - where the film was shot.

Doors open at 6pm. Admission is $5 and all proceeds go to the CTRC and their efforts to save this wonderful old building.

POTPD was produced by local film production company Red Scream Films LLC. The producer-writer, director and star of the film will be at the screening. Screenings are at 730 and 930. Sponsors include Flying Bison, Sound Video Solutions, and Chateau Buffalo.