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 struggling to stay in their homes.

In 2018, the agency found a place for Aaron in its transitional housing, so she could get off the streets. Two years later it helped her find an independent senior apartment, where she lives today, and a job in Matt Urban’s clothing bureau, which provides clothes to people in need.

That’s the kind of work Cookies for a Cause supports. The 11th annual Matt Urban fundraiser organizes kindhearted home bakers to make Christmas cookies, sold by the dozen to raise money for programs like the ones that helped Aaron climb out of a tough spot.

Order cookies here, $15 for an assortment of home-baked treats, with 100 percent of the proceeds going to Matt Urban programs. Pick them up 1 p.m.-5 p.m. Dec. 6 at Resurgence Brewing, 55 Chicago St.

There’s always more room for bakers to help, said organizer Rebecca Decker. Email her at cookiesforacausebuf@gmail.com if you would like to join the baker battalion, and fight the bitter truth of homelessness with a dose of sweetness. Last year’s cookies meant more than $3,000 for Matt Urban, and the need had never been greater.

“It’s kind of hard when you don’t know anybody,” Aaron said. “Since they’ve helped me, I have grown to transition and get back on my feet and all.

“There’s a lot of programs in different facilities there that if you need the help, they’re willing to help you and get you into the right place you need to be. I’m really glad they got me found.”

REVIEW: There’s no shortage of Italian-American restaurants in Buffalo, where you can enjoy plates covered in acres of melted mozzarella and seas of tomato sauce. DiTondo is the exception, a truly Italian restaurant whose Lombardy-born chef Fabio Consonni offers minor epiphanies with every dish. After a career including Michelin-level restaurants, Consonni and wife-partner Rita Ditondo returned to transform the restaurant founded by her great-grandfather Sebastino DiTondo. Authentic Italian finesse grafted onto hardy Buffalo rootstock makes DiTondo the place where Buffalo Romes. (On Thursday, for patrons.)

PARM BAGUETTE: At Anastasia’s Artisan Bread, the new hotness is parm baguettes.

Amongst her other sweet and savory work, Russian baker Anastasia Nikolaeva offers a cornucopia of Eastern European bread, including three kinds of rye (Borodinsky, Russian, dark seeded). She and her family-based crew also turn out baguettes in multiple flavors.

The hardest one to keep in stock is the parm baguette, which will set you back all of $4.75.

236 Zimmerman St., North Tonawanda, anastasiasbread.com, 716-906-4135

Hours: 8 a.m.-1 p.m. Wednesday-Monday. Closed Tuesday.

PRIX FIXE ALERT: Since Bistro Avera opened in Lewiston last year, Stephen Pusateri’s crafty cooking has won his little 30-seat spot a hardcore cadre of fans. Now a prix fixe menu offered Wednesday and Thursday gives price-conscious diners a fresh reason to get acquainted. Three courses, $45, before tax and tip.

Like housemade tuna prosciutto with persimmon, citrus, and gruyere. Then cod cheeks in champagne sauce with spinach. Then dessert.

Would you like the caramel sea salt profiteroles? Sticky toffee pudding with candied pecans and whipped cream? Chocolate souffle cake with cinnamon ice cream and oat crumble? Or apple and almond tart with vanilla ice cream?

Make reservations here or by calling 716-246-2035.

ASK THE CRITIC

Q: My son likes duck. Not Chinese roast duck. Where’s a good place to get duck?

A: He should go to Beacon Grille, 185 Allen St. The restaurant is built around a wood-fired grill with the power to transform ingredients. As in the smoked duck breast with cherries and freekeh, $42.

More reading from Michael Chelus:

• Andrew told us the story behind Hānai Hawaiian BBQ and its founder, Dave Delaney  [Four Bites]
• Francesca wrote about two restaurants that have tried the “pre-closure closure post” to help generate business to avoid a closure – Mint Mojito Bar and Hombre y Lobo [Buffalo News]
• Andrew also gave us some ways to make our Thanksgiving more memorable [Four Bites]
• Iron Cedar Brewing and Meadery has closed its taproom as it prepares to move to a new location [Buffalo Beer League]
• The sixth annual CollaBeeration Festival has released the list of participating breweries, cideries and meaderies [Buffalo Beer League]
• Fairbanks has launched a new Chef’s Counter tasting menu [Buffalo Eats]
• Brian’s Buffalo Beer Buzz told us about the Advent Calendar Beer Boxes on sale locally, the return of the annual Cask Fest to Mr. Goodbar on 12/4 and more [Buffalo Beer League]
• Francesca told us how Labryinth in Allentown aims to be more than just a cocktail bar [Buffalo News]
• Golden Waffles is taking over the space that formerly housed The Cereal Spot on Elmwood [Buffalo Rising]
• Brian also gave a more detailed look at five Advent Calendar Beer Boxes being offered locally from places like Fattey Beer Co., Bottle Rocket Beer Reserve and more [Buffalo News]
• Newell tried the Ethiopian cusine at Horn of Africa Habesha Restaurant on Hertel Avenue [Buffalo Rising]
• Mr. Galarneau told us about the Chinese barbecue to be found at Fu’s BBQ House inside Asia Food Market [Four Bites]
• Andrew has also released Four Bites: Where to Eat In Buffalo, 2026 Edition [Buffalo Spree]
• Tony Rials of Waxlight Bar à Vin gave us the recipe for Pousse-Café, a nineteenth-century French after-dinner drink [Buffalo Spree]
• Christa gave us some other recipes for the Pousse-Café as well as recipes for five winter cocktails [Buffalo Spree]
• Christa also interviewed Tony Rials [Buffalo Spree]
• India told us how to shop for vintage holiday mangic in WNY at places like Vidler’s, Kelly’s County Store and more [Buffalo Spree]
• Jeff wrote about Beacon Grille and its owners, Amanda and Bruce Wieszala [Buffalo Spree]

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