james writes
at 01:07:38 03/09/08 - Comment #32499
It was the Buffalo mafia. If you don't pay them protection money they clean your car for you. In winter they scrape off snow and in summer they wash it. You know you are really in trouble when they wax it too.
The mafia in Buffalo is about as competent as city government.
The past few weeks I have been working up the courage to ask this woman out. So finally this weekend I made the decision to do it and she sort of beat me to the punch. We seem to have enough in common to be good together and enough different to keep it interesting. She is really into food and wine and I have to admit that is a bit of a turn on for me. There is something really sexy about women that eat bunny without apology. I'm hoping this will turn out to be more than just a few dates, but I guess I will have to wait and see. This is about the best I have felt since moving here. Maybe if I cook for her that will seal the deal to keep her around.
Last night I went to this place for the second time and I have found it worthy of a good review. This is probably my favorite restaurant I have been to in Buffalo as of yet. It is a tiny little place on Elmwood, they have about 5 or 6 tables and a small bar that can seat about 9. Although it is a small place they have a pretty large beer and wine selection. They probably have more Polish beers than I have ever seen at a restaurant before. Excluding anywhere in Poland of course.
Their menu is nothing short of spectacular. They have traditional dishes from all over Europe but quite a bit of it from the Eastern part. Last night I had Cassoulet which is a French Stew made of pork sausages, duck confit, duck fat and the impossible to find Tarbais Beans. This is a labor intensive dish to make, especially if they are making their own confit. It was so delicious, but it was so large I couldn't even come close to finishing it.
Last week for lunch I had the Pork Rillets, which is another French dish which is usually made with pork belly and is spreadable on baguette. Theirs was a little different, they made it with pork shoulder and it was more like a very upscale pulled pork sandwich, but delicious nonetheless. They have some dishes that I love there. I can't wait to try all of them out. They also have daily dinner specials and soups. The only thing that doesn't sound good to me is the Lambic float for dessert. There is something kinda sketchy to me about mixing Gelato into my beer. Service there is very pleasant, quick and not even remotely stuffy. Prices are actually lower than I would have expected. Although the only other time I have ever seen Cassoulet on a menu was in NYC, the price was steep at $23. It is a bargain at Europa Bistro for only $13. Here is their website for further information although the menu is slightly larger and different than the one they have posted.
zobar writes
at 05:05:02 02/24/08 - Comment #32048
But what about the pork rolls?!
- Z
jenks writes
at 04:41:44 02/24/08 - Comment #32046
I agree. I love that place. Kind of a hidden gem. The wine list is good too. And the owner is a really cool guy.
ladycroft writes
at 02:41:03 02/24/08 - Comment #32024
Beer!
Now that is some sampling I'm really looking forward to :)
james writes
at 12:18:04 02/23/08 - Comment #32004
That is one of my favorite places in Buffalo. When people come to visit I usually take them there. The beer list is amazing, and the wine is pretty nice for such a small place.
The menu though is odd. Cassoulet (which is absolutely delicious) has been on their menu since I first went there two years ago. They have been telling me that they are working on a summer menu ever since that first bitter winter. If they never get to it I would be fine with their winter menu, as they keep changing their specials.
Glad you liked it.
metalpeter writes
at 10:51:34 02/23/08 - Comment #32002
I'm glad you enjoyed yourself, when i first saw they where open I did look at the menu but have never gone there. I'm sure as you said the food is great. The problem is (maybe it is just part of my Irishness) but I'm a very picky eater and there are a lot of things I don't like. In fact I remember going to the BiJou downtown and seeing only one thing on the menu I would eat. The point I'm trying to make is that people like you who can eat a lot of different things should be happy about that and try all those great places to eat and when you eat there remember how lucky (maybe not the right word) you are.
I have had what I assume to be the flu for the past 3 days. This theraflu crappola I bought doesn't make me feel any better and it tastes like piping hot bile. Being busy at school and work while being sick is so not fun. I have one more exam tomorrow and I will be thankful when it is all over. Today I had a quiz in my computer science class. This lady that sits next to me who I talk to sometimes actually asked me for an answer as I was on my way to turn my paper in. I mean c'mon, are you fucking kidding me??? There is no way in hell I am going to risk being booted out of school in order for you to know the correct answer to a true/false quiz question. You already have a 50:50 chance of being correct. I should have given her the wrong answer to teach her a lesson but I just told her I didn't know.
So my landlord called me last night saying he wanted to set up a meeting. I thought that is usually never good. Kinda like being sent to the bosses office. But I went in this morning and they wanted to talk to me about what happened Monday. Then he offered to knock some money off of my rent this month to say thanks! Whoa! I have never had a landlord that I remotely even liked much before. Sounds good to me though. I had to keep stressing to him that I wasn't really the one who discovered it so hopefully he takes care of my neighbor too.
So this morning I was awakened by my neighbor ringing my doorbell. I missed her but I quickly noticed why she came over. There was a trash can on fire across the parking lot. I put some flip flops on and moved the can away from the building to the middle of the parking lot. It's not often I leave the house in only my underwear but I really figured my landlords didn't want their art store on fire this morning. It seems strange that a trash can filled with newspapers would just spontaneously combust. I have to wonder if somebody did it on purpose or if a lit cigarette was to blame. Oh well the fire department didn't really seem all that interested in investigating. In fact when they finally showed up one of them decided to warm himself by the fire.
It looks sort of unimpressive after the melted bin collapsed upon itself. I tried to put it out with my fire extinguisher but it kept starting back on fire.
Yesterday was somewhat interesting. I stopped into work to get my schedule and one of the waitresses was telling me Sidney Crosby was eating there. naturally I didn't believe her so I went to look for myself. crazy enough Sidney Crosby was eating in my restaurant. I didn't bother him but one of the girls asked for his autograph and he was really cool about it.
ladycroft writes
at 02:09:23 02/20/08 - Comment #31863
now that's an exciting start to the day!
jbeatty writes
at 09:14:09 02/20/08 - Comment #31845
Jason: I work at Laughlins. I'm no penguins fan but I thought it was pretty cool to see a probable future hall of famer in person.
Paul: In my defense I was wearing long johns that don't exactly look like long johns. But I was outside chatting with my neighbor when I realized what I was wearing. I was definitely dressed by the time they showed up.
metalpeter writes
at 06:51:47 02/19/08 - Comment #31832
It would have been cool to see him in person. I don't know as I could break up someone from eating to get something signed. Maybe when he was done or maybe If I was working give him a free desert in exchange for signing something. Assuming he stays healthy I think he is going to be who the NHL builds it league around along with a rival like they did with #99 and Lemiux.
jason writes
at 02:52:13 02/19/08 - Comment #31820
Which restaurant is it that you work? I've got some friends that are Pens fans in Buffalo and they would have died and gone to heaven to be so close to their hero. Hahaha
fellyconnelly writes
at 09:17:27 02/19/08 - Comment #31799
most firefighters put extra layers on, but you are so cool that all that extra crap just gets in your way!
paul writes
at 10:17:11 02/18/08 - Comment #31792
Wow, that is totally crazy. Maybe it really was an arsonist. Did you have close on once the firemen arrived, lol?!
Ugh, I'm going to have to start budgeting for monthly parking tickets. I have never had more than one parking ticket in the last 10 years. Since moving to Buffalo I am working on my third. It really irritates me that both times they have gotten me its within 15 minutes of the alternate side of the street going into effect. It's not like my car was really hurting anything. On the flip side the last storm we had there was a car completely blocking my neighbors driveway for a day and a half before they actually ticketed it. I guess they are more concerned with the Elmwood strip area than Allentown.
fellyconnelly writes
at 09:22:06 02/12/08 - Comment #31582
isn't there a new show on tv called 'parking wars'? thank goodness the writers strike may be over...
james writes
at 08:54:24 02/11/08 - Comment #31573
They did that at my two last apartments. This street though I have at least an hour to move my car. It is odd how selective they are... they frackin nazis
terry writes
at 08:43:00 02/11/08 - Comment #31572
yeah, since we live on the beginning of Linwood, I can attest that the parking nazis idle at the corner at 5:50 waiting for 6:00 PM when the sides change...tickets are issued starting no later than 6:05.
I have tried to give you guys my business on so many occasions. You certainly make it next to impossible with your crappy hours and broken espresso machine. When I went in for a delicious mocha in November and was directed to the "espresso machine broken" sign I was disappointed. But I figured today I would give you another shot at being my local cafe. When I walked in to see the exact same "espresso machine broken" sign I have walked out of your establishment never to walk in again. I can't fathom how you can run a cafe without an espresso machine for 3 months. Amazingly most people drink coffee in the morning. Opening at 9am is probably a tad too late to catch any of the people walking to the train station on their way to work. Seriously how do you stay in business? I love to support local businesses, but I guess I will stick to going to Starbucks on campus for when I want a mocha in the morning. Such a shame I thought you had potential.
megan writes
at 07:31:35 02/12/08 - Comment #31579
I agree... goodish food but their drinks weren't that good anyway. The machine costs quite a bit to fix though (I used to run the spot on Delaware) but what's the cost of NOT fixing it?
The whole place is a little hapdash. How about some fresh paint and maybe some new furniture? But I guess those are frills when you don't fix the thing that defines you...
vincent writes
at 12:47:32 02/09/08 - Comment #31498
Java Temple @ that address had some good times, but now the most part I would go in there just for the internet access where I didn't have any other options.
lilho writes
at 12:24:30 02/09/08 - Comment #31497
again with the sandwich thing. ill prob have one next weekend. plus i don't drink coffee much, so i don't really care. but i am wondering as well, how much could it really cost to fix?
zobar writes
at 12:23:26 02/09/08 - Comment #31496
I think the lunch crowd is what keeps them going. Their soups are really good, and I like the penne-feta salad they have. The sandwiches are ok too; the one with hummus, feta, and roasted red peppers is quite flavorful. The salmon caesar salad is depressing, and the lack of espresso machine is pretty inexcusable. They won't even make hot cocoa, man!
Long time ago that place was the Java Temple. It was pretty scummy inside, but very comfortable and they had a fairly awesome kitten. Their Karamel Sutra rocked the party that rocked the party.
- Z
jim writes
at 12:10:55 02/09/08 - Comment #31495
Yeah - it's my fav lunch spot lately, but I do think it's really weird they don't fix their espresso machine.
paul writes
at 12:07:18 02/09/08 - Comment #31494
(e:enknot), (e:jim) and I have gone there for lunch on many occasions. Their sandwiches are pretty good.
Not that I talk about politics much. I am really curious to see who is going to end up running with who. With the top two democrats being so cordial last night and Giuliani kissing Mccains's ass are we going to see a Clinton/Obama vs McCain/Giuliani election?
james writes
at 02:57:22 02/01/08 - Comment #31179
Speaking of relics from the 60's, I was slightly saddened to find out that Obama was born on the last year of the baby boomers.
jason writes
at 01:34:38 02/01/08 - Comment #31173
I'm done with the old blood. I just am. These sixties relics need to be put out to pasture. I don't want to hear anything about the 60's anymore. We have to define our own times on our own terms. Obama to me seems like the only one these days who isn't fundamentally full of shit about who he is or what he believes. If the Democratics are first in this respect, to turn the page, then so be it.
james writes
at 01:30:34 02/01/08 - Comment #31172
While on the campaign trail Obama has been brokering a peace deal in Kenya. The man is not the most experienced member of our government in foreign relations, certainly, and will have a ton of people advising him on this and other issues. I am just saying this trope of 'he has no experience' is malarkey. But if experience were the sole qualifier for a president Biden or Dodd should have won the nominee. I am just tired of camp Hillary painted herself as having a ton more experience than he has. And sure, working for Barry Goldwater and Walmart must have been fantastic experience but man am I sick of her acting like her shit doesn't stink when clearly it is one of the stinkiest bits around.
Have I mentioned Joe Biden looks like a werewolf?
joshua writes
at 01:04:14 02/01/08 - Comment #31167
James, suggesting that Obama has great foreign relations experience because he's spent part of his life overseas and now sits on the foreign relations committee as a freshman senator... I know you are an Obama fanboi but that is severely stretching it. Obama has many, many questions to answer if he expects to calm the people down who feel that he is underqualified - which I have to say is the case. If he gets elected he will likely have been the least qualified President to win the office since Grover Cleveland, and even Grover Cleveland was more qualified than Obama is, having served as NYS governor.
I love Joe Biden - he is by far my favorite Democrat. He is a bit arrogant at times but the past few years he has mellowed out. I think he would be a very, very shrewd pick as VP. I still can't help but imagine him as the Demo's answer to puppeteer Dick Cheney though. God bless Joe Biden but everybody knows that he thinks he knows best.
drew writes
at 11:19:32 02/01/08 - Comment #31153
I think Obama/Clark would be good. or Obama/Biden.
james writes
at 10:27:16 02/01/08 - Comment #31146
I think Obama has great foreign relations experience. I mean, the man has lived abroad in a developing nation and he sits on the foreign relations committee. Though if he were to pick someone in that field RIchardson would be a good choice as Obama is weaker on the Latino vote, though his support there is growing. Defense experience would be ideal. Obama has been running on love and togetherness and junk. He needs someone a little more hawkish to not seem like Mike Gravel-lite. I would like to see Joe Biden or RIchardson as the pick.
Clinton needs someone who is not a Clinton. Republicans and Independents don't like her for being a Clinton and with center loving (despite a conservative record) McCain in the mix she needs someone with centrist appeal. But I don't like her so I haven't given any one a thought.
McCain needs to energize the GOP base. Huckabeee would get the Evangelical base but not the fiscal conservative base. Romney should serve that function but he has pissed off everyone else in his campaign by flopping on issues like a fish. McCain is damaged goods and ne needs someone to fix that, but I am not sure who is looking for work.
If Romeny gets the nomination... well, he can pick Jesus Christ as his running mate and he would still lose.
jim writes
at 10:15:38 02/01/08 - Comment #31144
I am not sure if there is room for two Clintons and an Obama in the Whitehouse. Obama is more charismatic the Hillary - and she already has to contend with Bill Clinton's looming figure. And if it's Obama doing the picking, he really needs someone with foreign policy or military experience (Richardson again, Wes Clark maybe?), but maybe for unity's sake he'd pick Hillary. Tough call!
McCain and Guiliani both have sever problems with their party's base - McCain on campaign finance reform and immigration and Guiliani on social issues, and neither one is particularly religious, so the VP slot on the Republican side is almost definitely going to someone who loves Jesus and guns and who hates the gays and Mexicans. McCain & Guiliani together would keep too many voters at home.
The mafia in Buffalo is about as competent as city government.