Freddy J's BBQ

Freddy J's BBQ is operating out of a tiny spot on Grant Street near the corner of Grant and Lafayette  in the heart of the Westside of Buffalo.

The building was recently revamped from the inside out by owner and architect, Kathleen Kinan, and now includes extensive landscaping and a wrap-around patio.

The new space now allows for indoor seating as well as to go from the shuttered window. The place is  whimsical and colorful and the smell of jerk floats through the air, drawing you in.

The tight but very well run kitchen, churns out dish after dish in record time. I enjoyed a quick lunch of jerked fish with steamed vegetables over a fluffy layer of Spanish rice and steaming hot cornbread.

I was shocked by the jerk!

Most restaurant created jerk I've had hits you in the face with it's heat, never with it's flavor. This was the best I have ever eaten. The heat still made my upper lip sweat but was not so powerful that I couldn't enjoy all of the subtle layering of flavors. The veggies were firm and earthy and the rice was excellent. I highly recommend taking the time to visit the little spot with a friend. It was a truly wonderful meal.

Otto's Restaurant

Otto's Restaurant is located in Cheektowaga, NY, not far from the Walden Galleria Mall. This decades old restaurant shows it's age, and some reviews have not been kind, but I find that long lasting eateries are still in business because they are doing something right. The decor is dated and the service is a bit pokey but it seemed endearing rather than obnoxious.  Whether it's the traditional Italian dishes or family traditions that keep patrons returning I'm not certain, but our visit was rather pleasant.

We ate at 3pm on a Saturday, and there were only a handful of tables in the whole of this sprawling building that were occupied and quite a large number of servers. We were seated immediately on the patio, and our waiter was quick, efficient, and polite.

We ordered beers and golden fried mushrooms, a guilty pleasure of mine. I was expecting the boxed variety of factory dipped button mushrooms but was surprised by the fresh large caps served with Ranch flavored sour cream. They were super hot and very flavorful.

The bar isn't anything to rave about, not much to choose from, but the large product glasses were a nice touch, rather than the expected small beer glasses you might see at an older restaurant.

Bob ordered the Seafood Platter, which featured a large filet of freshly battered cod, fried strip clams, and crisp shrimp. He remarked the clams casino and the German potatoes were tasty. It certainly smelled fresh and tasty.

I ordered the grilled chicken sandwich, which was very juicy. The fries were a bit bland but were served hot and crisp.

It was a nice visit. Family friendly and clean, I wouldn't mind going again with my children in tow.

Polish Villa II

Polish Villa II has been reinvented once again! Co-owner and Chef, Edward Kutas, re-opened The Polish Villa II alongside his wife and co-owner Rosanna with the assistance of Eddy Dobosiewicz and Nancy McCarthy of Airborne Productions, Dyngus Day Buffalo and Forgotten Buffalo.

Trained under his family, Kutas infuses every dish he creates with his extensive knowledge, passion for perfection and love of family. 

The Villa never uses frozen entrees, side dishes or desserts, everything is made from scratch. Serving only the choicest meats and seafood, vegetables straight from the farm, and breads, pies & pastries that are baked fresh daily.

The whole restaurant received a facelift, making the re-opening even more special.


From the gleaming hand carved wood ceiling panels in the bar to the new menus to the modernized Polish dishes. To the left is their delightful beet salad.

Shvinky Fingers (shown right) are delicately sliced chicken, fried, and served with hot mustard and homemade Plum sauce.

The dish to the left is plated with Beet salad, Turkey Aspic, and slivered Cucumber salad.

Grilled tomatoes and sour cream top the stuffed potato pancake featured here. Stuffed with homemade tomato paste stewed roast, it was quite savory.

To the left are traditional Bigos. A Polish Hunter stew made with homemade smoked and fresh kielbasa  chuck roast, sauerkraut, mushrooms, onions, and carrots served in a homemade rye bread bowl.

This Pierogi is stuffed with wild mushrooms, goat cheese, and a blend of native Polish herbs and served with caramelized onions and cream.

The Barszcz was served warm, a basic Polish borscht (thin beet soup), it's rich robust taste was the rooms favorite after the pierogis.

The place looks fantastic and is so family friendly that I highly recommend you check them out!

Japan Culture Day and Ichiban Japanese Restaurant

On Sunday, November 4th, the Buffalo and Erie County Historical Society hosted a Bunka no Hi, or Japan Culture Day.  The celebration of Japanese culture included dancing, a demonstration on how to put on a traditional kimono, calligraphy,

ikebana (flower arranging), a matcha tea ceremony, origami, sweets, and more.

Members of the Friends of the Japanese Garden of the Buffalo Olmsted Park Conservancy, The Japanese Group of Buffalo, The Buffalo Kanazawa Sister City Committee, Buffalo Bonsai Society, International Ikebana Club Chapter 50, Rotary Club of Buffalo Sunrise, Serene Gardens Garden Center & Cafe, the Asian Studies Department of UB, and the Buffalo office of the Consulate General of Japan were present to create a fully immersive event.

After the event we visited the Ichiban Japanese Restaurant in Bladell, NY. The unassuming store front hides a beautiful izakaya. My youngest daughter was enamored with the dolls in the alcoves, my eldest with the flowers drawn onto her plate, and my step-son actually savored his selections!

 

The chefs created artistic pieces that disappeared all too quickly.


I loved the freshly sliced pale yellow ginger and the house made panko crunch.

Everything was so fresh. Sweet and delicate with none of that tank flavor you find at some places. All of the sashimi and nigiri sushi were well proportioned and a great deal of attention went into each plate's preparation.

We will certainly be returning to this location and I highly recommend trying out the Holiday roll.

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!

Globe Market

On a cool, damp, breezy early afternoon I went to the Globe Market for their 1/2 & 1/2 lunch special. The market is so inviting, with it's warm colors and cozy corners, that I found myself wanting to tuck into more than just a quick lunch. A meal here could quickly turn into a leisurely multi-course visit.

The choices for meals and the platters and bowls loaded with food in the deli case are plentiful and enticing.




Prepping pork in the kitchen. Marinating in spices and freshly squeezed oranges.

The prep kitchen efficiently makes use of every surface.

So many beautifully constructed cold salads to choose from!

Winners of Buffalo Spree's The Best of WNY 2012 Best Small Caterer, Artvoice's Best Soup and Best Salad, and they are proud to serve Elm Street Bakery's freshly roasted coffee.

 
I picked the Beef Minestrone which came with a slab of light molasses multigrain bread, and a grilled cheddar and tomato panini. Both were full of flavor and beautifully done.

I highly recommend visiting with family and friends. They have large round tables that can comfortably seat everyone without fear of knocked elbows. I'll be back for certain!