NYC Tastes

When I started this blog so many many years ago my very first post was about this tiny restaurant in East Aurora, NY the  Bar Bill .  My photos were absolutely terrible; the camera on my then flip phone had about one pixel, but my love for the incredible food at this spot was real.  So here's an update on this classic Western New York Spot on the 10th anniversary of NYC Tastes. People always argue over the best wings in Buffalo.  The contenders range from the birthplace of the wing The Anchor Bar, to Obama favorite  Duff's  but most people I know (at least those that I care to hang out with :) all agree the best place for wings is the Bar Bill.    They make all kinds of flavors from Honey Dijon and Tereyaki to Zesty Honey Pepper and Cajun but the best are always the Medium Style Buffalo Wing and the delicious Honey Butter BBQ. These wings are plump and juicy with crisp outer edges and a sweet buttery sauce that leans heavy on the spice f...

Buffalo continues to explode onto the craft brewing scene with places like Resurgence  and  Big Ditch  dotting the downtown area. Now the Southtowns have started to become their own little beer mecca specifically in East Aurora with arguably the best bottle shop/beer store in WNY Aurora Brew Works and now the brand new brewery 42 North.  This sprawling space features a huge outdoor patio in the back with a roaring fire pit, a game room with shuffleboard and life sized Jenga for both kids and adults plus a gorgeous bar made from reclaimed wood in the main area with tables overlooking the brewing tanks below.   42 North has a nice mix of both house brews and guest taps on the menu at all times along with cider, wine and soda for just about any palate to be happy.  We enjoyed the Borderland IPA when we visited and their collaboration with Elm Street Bakery down the block the Elm Street Coffee Porter. For now they just offer a limited food menu.  The...

I was so excited to hear my favorite breakfast stop back home just started serving dinner.  Elm Street is well known for rolling out some incredible baked goods but food straight from their wood burning oven was on a whole new level. Burrata sprinkled with salt and pepper then drizzled with a bit of olive oil. It was creamy and delicious as burrata should be but almost a bit upstaged by the bread.  This was some of the best I've ever had...thick and nutty with the perfect chew.  It must have come fresh from the oven just moments before.   Preserved Swordfish Belly Tartine used that same incredible bread as a base this time layered with delicate slices of watermelon radish, capers and anchovy aioli. Even more delicious bread arrived for our next course...a fatty Bone Marrow and bacon marmalade.  Everything just tasted so flavorful and clean.  Their commitment to fresh, local ingredients shined through in each dish including the finale...dessert!...