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Lovers of New York style bagels in Clarence and greater Amherst have long felt under-served. That helped explain why before 8 a.m. people were waiting patiently in the parking lot outside the former Paula’s Donuts on Main Street by Harris Hill.  When the door opened, they lined up for their new Saturday morning ritual: fresh […]

Bandeja paisa, Colombian “farmer’s platter,” at Dulce Hogar Bakery in Amherst When reviewing newly opened restaurants, I take a moment to imagine what previous occupants of my seat witnessed during its prior incarnations. As the server led me to my table at Dulce Hogar Bakery, the new Colombian restaurant at 951 Niagara Falls Blvd., my […]

Shannon Wilson was a Wegman’s chef for a decade before teaching herself to bake. Now her skills are drawing morning crowds at Artigiana, 935 Seneca St., on the eastern side of Larkinville. Savory danishes, croissants, rustic loaves of bread, and sandwiches of Italian meats and cheeses on fresh focaccia are some of the main draws. […]

Taco platter at Taqueria Los Mayas Taqueria Los Mayas has been my favorite Mexican restaurant in the Buffalo area since it opened eight years ago. Then I got the chance to explore Mexican cuisine at the source, eating from Mexico City to Oaxaca. Now Taqueria Los Mayas stands even taller in my eyes. The busy […]

I have 10 tickets to offer Four Bites fans to a dinner I’m cooking Jan. 15 at This Little Pig, in Clarence. Here’s how This Little Pig chef-owner Jeff Cooke described what to expect: A once-in-a-lifetime chance enjoy the food and story telling of guest chef, food writer, critic and local cuisine advocate, Andrew Galarneau […]

Editor’s note: This story is the first in a series of Four Bites travel stories exploring Mexico. Coming next week: exploring Aztec aquaculture on the brilliantly decorated poleboats of Xochimilco, serenaded by mariachi, and the brilliant tacos you can eat afterwards at Trinidad Ritual de Sabores, inside the bustling Coyoácan Market. OAXACA, Mexico – People […]

Due to operator error, the Sunday News note on my book Four Bites Where to Eat in Buffalo 2026 failed to include the link to the Four Bites shop. Here it is. There you can order the book, my new T-shirts ($20), and subscriptions. I appreciate your support. #30#

Grocery checkouts are lined with impulse buys strategically arrayed to snag your attention. They tend towards sweet indulgences, invitations to spend a little money on yourself. At Lexington Co-op on Hertel Avenue, shoppers can extend that spirit to others via The Love Machine, a vending machine that dispenses compassion in bite-sized pieces. Feel like providing […]

Root Down Farm Walla Walla onion in Butter Block puff pastry, at DiTondo. Ever since Sebastiano DiTondo’s great-granddaughter returned to Buffalo to transform the family’s tavern into a fine dining restaurant, my answer to the question “Where should I go for Italian?” has gotten more complicated. Now I have to ask my own question before […]

Pork (dwaejibulgogi) Korean barbecue topped with Napa kimchi. Korean barbecue is a world-class grilled meat feast. The bad news is that Buffalo New York has only one Korean barbecue restaurant. The good news is that you can make your own Korean BBQ at home. If you can open a jar, you too can do Korean […]

It was just before Christmas that Diane Aaron found herself homeless. She’d just moved from Texas, and at 68 years old was alone on the streets of Buffalo. Then, in a Code Blue warming center, she met a caseworker from Matt Urban Human Services. Since 1977, the nonprofit has helped people who are homeless or […]

Roast chicken and char siu pork over rice, Fu’s BBQ House. In September 2017, when Rockey Ren opened Asia Food Market, he said the huge Asian supermarket would eventually offer a Chinese BBQ counter and bakery, like his original Rochester store. It took eight years, but Fu’s BBQ House and MooMoo Tea are serving customers […]

Thinking of how you can make your Thanksgiving table special? The bakers and cooks and ice cream makers of Buffalo have been thinking of you, too. Here’s some of the best ways I know to make this Thanksgiving memorable for all the right reasons. Order now, because this isn’t factory food, and the good stuff […]

Two years ago, Dave Delaney, born and raised in Southern California and Hawaii, decided to move to Buffalo. “Friends and family thought I was crazy,” he said. “I’d never worn snow boots in my life.” His first job in Buffalo was delivering the U.S. Mail house to house, so he had to learn fast. As […]

Shah’s Mixed Platter, at Shah’s Food. Sahar Bakery had been dark for so long I feared the days of buying barbari bread on Sheridan Drive were over. But Afghani baker Mehdi Atta was just visiting his son in California, much to my relief. Sahar Bakery barbari bread, in white and whole wheat. I got his […]