What’s Hot, What’s New

With recent recognition from the likes of the National Trust for Historic Preservation, The New York Times and the American Planning Association, Buffalo is quietly establishing a reputation as an international center for architecture, design, and the arts. It is also being recognized for its delectable regional dishes and burgeoning food culture, as well as a nightlife scene that rocks until 4 a.m. Here’s an insider’s cheat sheet on what’s new, hot and hip in Buffalo.

The Lunch Box

Picnics just became a walk in the park! Grab a blanket and your Frisbee and stop by at The Lunch Box, located on the perimeter of Buffalo’s gorgeous Frederick Law Olmsted-designed Delaware Park. With a range of affordable gourmet sandwiches with locally-sourced ingredients (like their zesty Chipotle Turkey Wrap), you can leave your basket at home.

The Parkside House

Buffalo now has the perfect bed and breakfast for architecture buffs. Just around the corner from Frank Lloyd Wright’s Darwin D. Martin House, you’ll find the new Parkside House.

National Buffalo Garden Festival

Get out your spades, hoses and gloves, because the National Buffalo Garden Festival is coming this summer, from June 18 to July 25. With 18 garden walks, speakers, workshops and more, there’s something for anyone with a green thumb!

Buffalo Tours

Learn about Buffalo’s crime kingpins, self-made millionaires and fiery dock workers, as part of the 2010 Buffalo Tours schedule.

BURCHFIELD AMONG THE BEST

The New Yorker magazine has named “Heat Waves in a Swamp: the Paintings of Charles Burchfield” as one of the best art exhibitions of 2009. The exhibit, organized by artist Robert Gober, is coming to Buffalo’s Burchfield Penney Art Center through May May 23rd after a much acclaimed run at the Hammer Museum in Los Angeles. This is the first major retrospective of Burchfield’s work to be mounted in twenty years. After its appearance in Buffalo, the exhibition travels to the Whitney Museum in New York City in the summer of 2010.

Gallery Scene

Several new off-beat art galleries have recently opened around Buffalo, showcasing local talent in all types of media and performance.  Buffalo Artscape, The Vault and Sugar City serve as local gathering points highlighting art of all kinds. 

Juniper

Juniper brings locally grown ingredients and global influences together in exciting new ways, pairing familiar tastes with new flavors. Prepare to taste something new, whether it's a frosty raspberry beer, a bowl of savory fried-egg soup, a unique sea scallop BLT, or a rich crème brulee with juniper berries. Just as chef Kate brings diverse cuisines together in Juniper's kitchen, the restaurant's two-level dining room, beautiful bar and comfortable lounge serve to bring hungry neighbors together. Visit www.juniperelmwood.com

Spirit Of Buffalo

Enjoy an adventure on the Buffalo waterfront with a ride aboard the schooner Spirit of Buffalo. Rediscover old world sailing on a classic 73-foot coastal sailing vessel, the same kind used to carry grain, coal and lumber across the Great Lakes to the Buffalo Harbor. Located at the Erie Canal Harbor in downtown, the Spirit of Buffalo is perfect for sailing adventures including private charters, birthday parties, wedding receptions, company outings, day sails, sunset cruises, pirate trips, corporate functions and tour groups. For more information, visit www.spiritofbuffalo.com/adventures.

Buffalo Harbor Kayaking

Fun in the summer can be found at the Erie Canal Harbor with kayaking adventures. Buffalo Harbor Kayaking provides kayak, canoe and bike rentals for those who are looking to get out in the sun and have some fun. Located at the Commercial Slip of the Erie Canal Harbor, Buffalo Harbor Kayaking is open weekends from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., including holidays. Tours and season passes are also available for those looking to explore Buffalo. For more information, visit www.bfloharborkayak.com.

Laughlin’s

This funky but chic Buffalo bistro is a great place to try one of Buffalo's signature regional specialties, beef-on-weck: thinly sliced roast beef on a salty kummelweck roll served along with tangy horseradish and more often than not a nice cold beer. Heaven.
333 Franklin Street, 716-842-6700, www.laughlinsrestaurant.com

Theodore Roosevelt Inaugural National Historic Site

Stand where Teddy stood when he took the oath of office on Sept. 14, 1901. Recently renovated and expanded, this historic house museum offers visitors a 21st century museum experience.
641 Delaware Avenue, 716-884-0095, www.trsite.org

Founding Fathers Pub

Stop by this classic Buffalo watering hole, grab a cold one and try and stump trivia king Mike the Bartender.
75 Edward Street, 716-855-8944

Thirsty Buffalo

Located in the heart of the Elmwood Village, Thirsty Buffalo is one of the places to be seen in Buffalo. This bar, lounge and restaurant offers one of Buffalo’s longest and best happy hours weekdays from noon til 7pm. Be sure to check out their outdoor dining patio in the summer months.
555 Elmwood Avenue, 716-878-0344, www.thirstybuffalo.com

Sample

Sample Restaurant is the spot where you can literally “sample” a variety of gourmet cuisines. Imagine soup — served in a shot glass or steak frite — served atop a house made french fry! Sample also serves a variety of small plates and desserts to complement the main courses. This is cutting edge gastronomy at its finest.
242 Allen Street, 716-883-1675, www.sampleourrestaurant.com

31 Club

This stylish new restaurant is generating lots of buzz in downtown Buffalo. 31 Club serves cutting edge cuisine amid chic ambience. Open seven days a week from 5 p.m.
31 North Johnson Park at Elmwood Avenue, 332-3131

Gusto at the Gallery

The world-renowned Albright-Knox Art Gallery opens its doors free of charge every Friday from 3-10 p.m. Films, concerts, and performances make this a Friday place to be.
1285 Elmwood Avenue, 716-882-8700, www.albrightknox.org

Chocolate Bar

Chocolate raspberry brioche, anyone? You can dip your own berries in chocolate, order a chocolate fondue or simply sip a martini at this Chippewa Street hot spot.
114 W. Chippewa Street, 716-332-0484, www.buffalochocolatebar.com

Merge

Eat, drink, draw and show off your creative side at Buffalo's trendy new Merge restaurant.  Offering a twist on traditional dining, this vegetarian and vegan friendly restaurant serves up creative cuisine while indulging your visual senses.
439 Delaware Avenue, 716-381-8502, www.mergebuffalo.com 

Everything Elmwood

The city’s Elmwood Village is a great place to stroll and shop. Start at Everything Elmwood, an eclectic gift shop featuring cards, collectibles, clothes, and more.
740 Elmwood Avenue, 716-883-0607, www.everythingelmwood.org

Pure Nightclub

The newest nightclub in the Chippewa Entertainment District features a fusion of lights, color and sound that puts it in the same league as the best clubs of New York City and Toronto.
75 W. Chippewa Street, 716-853-5555, www.purebuffalo.net

Frank Lloyd Wright’s Darwin Martin House

This national historic landmark house museum designed by America’s greatest architect is ready for prime time with the opening of its new visitors center. Tours are offered each day of the week, with the exception of Tuesday. An American treasure by an American master.
125 Jewett Parkway, 716-856-3858, www.darwinmartinhouse.org

Seabar City

Downtown’s newest sushi bar is the work of chef Mike Andrzejewski, long a relentlessly creative force in Buffalo’s culinary scene. Everything on the menu is exquisitely prepared -- light, delicate and tasty. But go ahead and try the Beef on Weck roll, you’ll look the world over and never find another like it!
475 Ellicott Street, 716-332-2928, www.seabarsushi.com

Snooty Fox

You’ll find sleek décor and a hip clientele unwinding on plush couches at this new downtown nightspot.
445 Delaware Avenue, 716-843-3699, www.snootyfoxloungebuffalo.com

Chow Chocolat

Buffalo’s newest and most upscale chocolatier features handmade, hand dipped and beautifully decorated chocolates made from the finest natural ingredients. Organic free trade coffee and espresso nicely complement the freshly baked pastries. A gourmand’s delight.
731 Main Street, 716-843-4388, www.chowchocolat.com

Burchfield Penney Art Center

The first new museum built in Buffalo in more than 100 years is renowned for its hot opening night receptions, way cool programming and the very best of Buffalo’s vibrant visual arts scene.
1300 Elmwood Avenue, 716-878-6011, www.yournewburchfieldpenney.com

Mother’s

Tucked away on historic Virginia Place, Mother's boasts some of the city’s best food with an upscale yet relaxed atmosphere that is the perfect place to get a cocktail.
33 Virginia Place, 716-882-2989

Heavenly Wings at Gabriel’s Gate

Tourists flock to the legendary Anchor Bar for a taste of the wings, but this delectable local delicacy can be found all around town, including the much loved Gabriel’s Gate.
145 Allen Street, 716-886-0602, www.allenstreet.com/gabriel

Erie Canal Harbor

The historic terminus of the Erie Canal has been re-born as a waterside community gathering spot complete with a lengthy boardwalk and interpretive exhibits. A great spot to bask in the sunshine and cool lake breezes.
Corner of Scott and Lloyd Streets, www.eriecanalharbor.com

Rainforest Falls

The newest addition to the venerable Buffalo Zoo features dozens of free-flighted birds, monkeys, piranha and even a giant anaconda as well as a replica of Venezuela’s Angel Falls in the center of it all that plunges 25 feet. A one-of-a-kind climate controlled trip to South America in the middle of Western New York.
300 Parkside Avenue, 716-837-3900, www.buffalozoo.org

Allen Street Hardware Company

Located on funky and fun Allen Street, Hardware is a charming spot for a glass of wine or a light supper. This sophisticated nightspot also features jazz, blues and roots musicians and provocative local art on the walls.
245 Allen Street, 716-882-8843, www.allenstreethardware.com