Buffalo Joe's Breakfast & Lunch Cafe

 





Buffalo Joe's is still rather new. It's been less than one year since it's opening, but its flavors have caught the attention of more than just local residents in Clarence. AM Buffalo did a piece on the restaurant,  during which Joe, the owner and chef, was able to show off his simple but outstanding and boldly flavored fare.






What is most surprising here is the complexity of flavor compared to the typical 'greasy spoon' blandness. You can choose to have your potatoes plain, but why would you ever want to do that when you can instead have an exceptional example of Southern Asian styled seasonings, house blended in secret?

The clam chowder, an expected soup with an unexpected subtle earthiness from a delicate blending of herbs. The large number of well diced and soft, not rubbery nor fishy scented clams too were a surprise. But what really brought me here was the promise of well seasoned hash browns with bold well cooked bacon. No limp undercooked slimy American bacon here.

My husband, the one who couldn't stop talking about the hash brown, bacon, and eggs and urged me to visit, had the beer battered fish fry. It had the slight warm woody scent of stale beer, the perfect liquid for battered fish. It was flash fried and the steamed fish had the appearance of freshness you don't see at most restaurants. Usually the edges of the fish are hard from being battered and then frozen then re-dipped and then fried. But this filet was perfect all the way through. The German potato salad was amazing!

The place was full the whole time we were there, but no one had to wait to be served. The waitstaff were fast, efficient, tidy and so polite. I really look forward to going back to visit!

To Every Season Turn Turn Turn - B. Ferrante's in the Fall

Who could resist a Nutella Baci di Giulietta (Juliet's Kisses) with their brilliantly colored sugar crystals? Not I. Not even when begged to, as I was for the photo shoot by KC Kratt for Buffalo Spree's November 2012 'Cheap Eats' issue.

Sarah and Lucy epitomize the spirit of seasonal foods. Their cases full of unique sweet and delicate, savory and bold baked goods rotate as the seasons turn, and this fall the selection is excellent!

November promises to be full of the sweet and the savory, with choices like the vegan pumpkin pecan cookies and maple agave cornbread muffins.



The knobby witch fingers with almond fingernails, were both morbid and delightful.

Gluten free options include double chocolate ganache brownies, snickerdoodles, and chocolate gateau with ganache and chestnut puree.





Bourbon Pecan and pumpkin pies, carrot tea cakes with cream cheese frosting, pumpkin bread with cranberries and apple cider glaze, currant shortbread, apple fritters, ginger bacon cookies (made with Spar's bacon), and molasses cookies overflow the cases.

Vegetarian and bacon lover versions of the savory winter vegetable pies with cabbage, potato, onion, bacon and cheddar will be available. You can special order your Thanksgiving pies now. There will also be old favorites year round, like the Biscotti and oatmeal raison cookies. Keep an eye out for more offerings as the year turns. Check out my Urbanspoons review on B. Ferrante's - Specialty Italian Cookies and Pastry.