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Buffalo bucket list (post-pandemic move edition)

Eats: 

- Waxlight Bar A Vin` 

- Lake Effect Ice Cream 

- Roost* 

- The Grange*

- Betty’s 

- Alibaba Kebab 

- La Divina 

- Public Espresso donut 

- Five Points Bakery* 

- Elm Street Bakery 

Hikes:

- Niagara Gorge*

- Reinstein Nature Preserve* 

- Tifft Nature Preserve* 

- 18 Mile Creek*

- Griffis Sculpture Park 

- Zoar Valley 

- Knox Farm (to find the waterfall*) 

- Hunter’s Creek (to find the creek*)

Other: 

- Slow Roll 

- Shakespeare in Delaware Park 

- Selfies with statues (Buffalo edition) 

* never been

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Winter 2019 Buffalist:

- Learn how to cross country ski (7:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. on Dec. 11 in the Wick Center of Daemen College, 4380 Main St., Amherst; Cost, $15)

- Downhill skiing (Earliest ski resort opens Nov. 29)

- Ice skating @ Rotary Rink at Fountain Plaza’ (This is free; Opens Nov 30) 

- Ice skating @ Canalside (Opens Nov. 20) 

DOGGIE DAY TRIPS:

- East Aurora (Elm Street Bakery, Pet Project & hiking/exploring Knox Farm) 

- Ellicott Creek (Bark Park) 

HIKING: 

- Tifft Nature Preserve (1200 Fuhrmann Boulevard; Buffalo, New York 14203) 

- Akron Falls (44 Parkview Drive; Akron, NY 14001)

- Eternal Flame; Chestnut Ridge Park (6121 Chestnut Ridge Road; Orchard Park, NY 14127) 

- Devil’s Hole State Park (Robert Moses Parkway; Niagara Falls, NY 14305) 

- Watkins Glen State Park (1009 N Franklin St; Watkins Glen, NY 14891)

- Taughannock Falls State Park (1740 Taughannock Blvd.; Trumansburg, NY 14886) 

CHRISTMAS SHOPPING: 

- East Aurora (Beulah’s General Store, Vidler’s, Pet Project, Elm Street Bakery, etc.)

- Hertel (Daisy’s Doghouse) 

- Elmwood Village 

- Niagara-On-The-Lake (Outlet Collection at Niagara; Niagara Heritage District, Niagara Heritage District, Shaw Festival, Butterfly Conservatory, )  

FOOD/RESTAURANTS (Requires reservation*; Never been`):

- Order macaroons from Fig Tree Patisserie (3062 Delaware Ave., Kenmore) 

- Roost` (1502 Niagara Street; Buffalo, NY 14213)

- Waxlight Bar A Vin*` (27 Chandler St; Buffalo, NY 14207) 

- Hurd Orchards*` (17260 Ridge Road, Holley, NY 14470) 

- Elm Street Bakery (72 Elm Street; East Aurora, NY 14052) 

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Doggie heaven might look something like Ellicott Creek Bark Park in Tonawanda, which is literally an island made for dogs. Here, dogs can swim and run off leash, meet other doggies and chase birds to their heart’s content. (Humans are welcome too, to picnic or swing or sit on the benches spray painted with words like “Play Nice” or “Sit, good!” Out of all the dog parks we’ve visited in the past week, this might be Jack’s favorite. Why? Because there are plenty of trees to pee on! He seemed the least scared here.

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You know the song “For Forever” from the musical “Dear Evan Hansen”? It goes something like this: 

“All we see is sky for forever/ We let the world pass by for forever/ Feels like we could go on for forever this way/ Two friends on a perfect day.” 

That’s what it’s like to spend a day at Knox Farm State Park in East Aurora with my buddy Jack.

Jack got to meet new friends in a gated and fenced in dog park that seemed to go on for forever. 

We hiked through trails (where horses have the right of way) through fields and woods which house a magical little free library. 

We might have stayed for forever, but the human forgot to pack human food. 

But other major perks: Knox Farm State Park is a six minute drive from Elm Street Bakery, one of my favorite local bakeries. 

And Elm Street Bakery is right next door to the Pet Project, an independent family-owned pet store which sells floating lighthouse-shaped dog toys, blueberry yogurt dog treats and doggie rain ponchos (among other goodies). 

It was a perfect day.   

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Took doggo to the Barkpark for the first time. I think he liked it. He was scared of the other dogs at first and hid behind me, but look, he’s starting to make new friends!

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The star ⭐️ of “Shakespeare in the Park.” Took doggo to see “The Tempest” and the cast loved him. “I kept telling myself to not look at the dog,” said the girl who played Miranda during a chat during intermission. “And that someone else need to do Shakespeare now because I want to hang out with the dog.” Bit stressful trying to stop Jack from eating people food from our picnics, but he was such a good boy!

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You can get this view of Buffalo for free at Buffalo City Hall’s observation deck.

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Buffalist (updated summer 2019)

Restaurants 

Order the potted hummus at Roost (1502 Niagara Street, Buffalo) 

Rhubarb Creme Brûlée at Toutant (437 Ellicott Street, Buffalo)

Vegan Tour of Buffalo at Betty’s (370 Virginia Street, Buffalo)

Yey’s Cambodian Cafe (3225 Main Street, Buffalo)

Lucky Koi Bubble Tea (3216 Main Street, Buffalo)

Lavender ice cream at This Little Pig (4401 Transit Road, Clarence)

Shopping

Antique World (11111 Main Street, Clarence) 

To do

Play board games at Gather and Game (212 Grant Street, Buffalo)

Walk llamas on nature trail (251 Hemstreet Road, East Aurora)

“The Tempest” at Shakespeare in the Park (7:15 p.m. Tuesdays - Sundays, Delaware Park)

“Entertaining Mr. Sloane” at Irish Classical (June 14-30)

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Here’s what it looks like when you spend eight hours making Christmas cookies.

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Syracuse-based salad, grain and broth bowl chain CoreLife Eatery opened a new location on 1595 Niagara Falls Boulevard in Amherst, N.Y., in late November. It’s so new that they have a greeter handing out menus and explaining how it works. 

Essentially, it’s like Chipotle with overwhelming choose-what-you-want grain, salad and soup bowl options ($5 -$11). They also had plenty of filling, healthy and delicious options.  

This is the tuna poke bowl, a grain bowl with kale, cabbage, cucumbers, quinoa, carrots, ginger, edamame, avocado and raw tuna topped with sesame seeds, almonds and a miso sesame ginger dressing. 

Their new spicy thai chicken rice noodle bowl, which contains rice noodle, chicken, cabbage, peppers, bean sprouts and scallions with a spicy thai cashew dressing was also really good.    

Also cool thing about this place: they have taster cups and free refills for their delicious self-served fresh squeezed lemonades ($3), iced teas and cold brews. Try their beet or cranberry lemonade, apple cider tea or fruit punch. 

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This Rochester-to-Buffalo bubble tea import just opened on 2309 Eggert Road in Tonawanda, N.Y., about a month ago, but it feels like it’ll be here a while.

Pictured here: a small original milk tea with bubbles ($3.50). 

Not only does this place have bubble tea, but it’s the sushi Chipotle that you didn’t even know you needed — with your choice of unlimited toppings (including free avocado).

How it works: 

You choose your choice of seaweed burrito or poke rice or salad bowl.

And then you choose what you want in it!  

The cost depends on the number of protein(s) you want in it (1 costs $8.99, 2 costs $9.99, and 3 costs $11.99), but other than that, it looks like you can get get an unlimited number of veggie mix-ins, which range from lettuce, spinach, avocado, and cucumbers to pickled radish, edamame, tamago, and yuza,  If you like sushi, you should seriously check this place out. 

Added bonus: it might be a good place to play board games. They have some on the rack. 

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If you’ve never been to Elm Street Bakery on 72 Elm Street in East Aurora, N.Y., you’ve been seriously missing out on a real treat. This bakery uses locally sourced farm fresh ingredients to make pizzas baked over a wood-fire grill right in front of you. Their menus may change daily as seasonal produce become available. Pictured here: baked mac and cheese ($12), butternut squash soup ($8), and a 6-inch margherita pizza ($8).  

Just be sure to save room for dessert. Their chocolate pecan pie is a chocolate caramel toffee heaven over a cookie crust ($6). And their personal apple pies is equally as heavenly. Dessert specials may change weekly.   

Here was their menu on Nov. 17, 2017: 

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The best way I can describe Vidler’s 5 & 10 Variety Store to a Canadian who’s never been there before is that it’s the Honest Ed’s of Western New York -- the type of store you can get lost in for hours on end. 

(Fun fact: Vidler’s does have a “Lost spouse area” by the cashier area on the second floor.)  

Seriously, Vidler’s is how I picture an “I Spy” book. Located on 676-694 Main Street in East Aurora, N.Y., since 1930 (back then, it was called the “Fair Store”), Vidler’s brags that it’s “virtually 12 shops under one roof,” selling candy (include rock candy and Crystal Beach suckers), kitchen supplies, board games, rock soap ($11.99 each), toys, candles, clothing, craft supplies, Christmas decorations, and so much more.  

The store is two floors and made up of dozens of rooms, where the selection is endless -- and a little overwhelming. This is the place you can find cat shaped cookie cutters, “Home Alone” Christmas sweaters, dinosaur figurines, Zelda jigsaw puzzles, “Star Wars” Pez dispensers and shot glasses.... 

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Buffalo adventure list:

I’m sick of people saying there’s nothing to do in Buffalo because there’s always so much -- even just a 20-minute car ride away. But like any 20-something Buffalo native, I probably find myself watching Netflix during my spare time rather than exploring my own backyard. So here’s a shortlist of things I want to do -- either once or again: 

Allentown: 

Allentown Art Festival

Allentown Beer Venture: Great beer menu and burger selection. 

Allentown Poutine: I’ve actually been here once and this was definitely a solid option -- with or without late night bar hopping and alcohol involved; my Canadian friends said their poutine was pretty legit too   

Black Rock: 

Dapper Goose 

Canalside: 

Ice skate at their outdoor ice rink

Take a selfie with Shark Girl

Go to a Sabres game 

Downtown Buffalo: 

City Hall Observation Deck: Never done this before, even though I’ve lived in Buffalo for almost all my life. Besides the view -- this is free!  

Take a photo with this “Greetings from Buffalo” mural 

Public Espresso in the Lafayette Building: On this list because I love their Nitro Cold Brew -- even though I’ve been here multiple times (I basically compare all Nitro Cold Brews to this).   

Trivia at Founding Fathers

East Aurora: 

Vidler’s 5 & 10 Variety store: I hear the time to go is for Christmas shopping (website)  

Elm Street Bakery: I’ve wanted to visit here ever since a co-worker at work brought in delicious samples of their pies. (website) 

Bica e Vinho: This is a Portuguese wine and coffee bar with a sweet patio. 

Ellicottville: 

Holiday Valley 

Sky High Aerial Park Adventure

Elmwood Village: 

Shopping in Elmwood Village: Especially at Fern + Arrow and Ro because they make my Instaheart happy. 

BikeOrBar: Because you have to try aerial yoga at least once, right? (website) 

Thin Man Brewery: I’m sold on their craft beer menu, but their food looks pretty good too (website) 

Hamburg: 

Carte Blanche (website) 

Hamburg Brewing Co. (website) 

Hertel: 

North Park Theatre 

Lloyd Taco Factory 

Deep South Taco 

Go on an ice cream crawl: Lake Effect Ice Cream, Churn & Hertel Ave. Poutine and Cream, not necessarily in that order 

Shopping on Hertel: Modern Nostalgia, P.S. Accessories

Lockport: 

NY Beer Project

Lockport Cave & Underwater Boat Ride

Lake Effect Ice Cream: On this list because I love their Revolution Coffee ice cream feat. real coffee from Public Expresso (It’s basically ruined all other coffee ice cream for me), but they have other fun locally inspired ice cream flavors like Paula’s Donuts and Butterbeer (not sure how to describe this one, but it tastes like how you’d imagine butterbeer to taste).   

Niagara-on-the-lake:

Shaw Festival 

Wine tour

North Buffalo

La Divina: My favorite taco spot in Buffalo -- and tacos are $2.50 each.

Outer Harbor:

Take a photo of the Flat Man sculpture 

Sanborn: 

Take a selfie walking though these sunflowers 

Tonawanda: 

Tai Chi Bubble Tea: Haven’t been here yet, but they have sushi burritos! 

Buffalo’s West Side: 

West Side Bazaar 

Williamsville: 

Glen Falls (website) 

Lloyd Taco Factory: Their second location opens up on Nov. 17, 2017! 

Fresh Catch Poke Co.: TK Dec. 2017! 

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The first time I’ve heard of izakaya, or informal Japanese gastropubs, was while walking around the streets of Toronto with a friend. 

The first time I got to try one -- was in New York City. 

So when I heard that the owners of Sato Ramen were opening Sato Brewpub on 110 Pearl Street in Buffalo earlier this year, I was thrilled that this style of Japanese tapas-type dining was coming closer to home.   

Their menu includes an assortment of ramens ($11-$14), meats on sticks ($4-$9 for two), rice bowls ($5-$8) and appetizers including the Okonmiyaki fries ($6), miso wings ($7). 

Being a brewpub, Sato Brewpub also had a menu of Japanese Belgian beers, like the Rabbit in the Moon ($6.50), a Belgian style beer with a hint of green tea and acidic citrusy taste.

Another nice feature about this place, they had courtesy lotion, pads and tampons in the women’s restroom. 

Here’s their full menu: 

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Meet Vinnie the Velociraptor, who will be making at an appearance this weekend at the Buffalo Museum of Science’s Dino Daze. He devoured The Buffalo News on Nov. 9, 2017.  

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You can never go wrong with chocolate. Certainly not with these handmade truffles with names like items from a yummy drink menu rather than truffle flavors. These are $1.50 a piece from Choco-Logo Confectionary Design, a local chocolate factory on 141 Broadway Avenue in downtown Buffalo. Choco-logo recently reopened -- and just in time for Christmas. From top to bottom: Cappuccino, Raspberry Habanero, Raspberry, Bittersweet Dark and Strawberry Margarita chocolate truffles. 

The strawberry margarita truffles are especially delicious. Here’s a look at some of their other flavors: