Niagara Falls – Not Just for Honeymooners

Niagara Falls is certainly a romantic place, but it’s been a long time since it was known as “the” spot just for honeymoons.  Activities and accommodations now exist for everyone and I found it to be an especially good place for a getaway with my friend Lynn.

We arrived early afternoon from Buffalo, only a short half hour away. Our check-in at The Giacomo was quick and we soon learned that this restored U.S. Post Office building had a location was perfectly centered in the middle of everything.

Michelle Blackley of Niagara USA met us in front of the building and we took a short walk the Culinary Institute of Niagara, where we were eating at their Savor restaurant. I had the homemade gnocchi and it was quite good, slow cooked in Bolognese sauce with fresh burrata cheese. For dessert, I enjoyed the Apple Caramel Pie. Lynn decided to go for a dessert sampler of small bites so she didn’t have to make up her mind.

Before we left the Culinary Institute we stopped in their wine shop. It was filled with wines from New York, many from the Finger Lakes and Niagara. We had a few samples and I was really impressed with the McGregor Seyval Blanc, citrusy and refreshing on what turned out to be an especially hot day.

We then drove to Niagara Falls State Park to meet Angela Berti for our private golf cart tour of the oldest state park in the United States. I had no idea how big the park was and didn’t remember (it had been many years since I visited) that there are actually three different falls – American, Bridal Veil and Horseshoe.

If you have never been to Niagara Falls, it’s hard to describe the beauty and uniqueness of each of the falls. The park offers a number of ways for guided tours if you don’t want to explore on your own. There’s the Cave of the Winds Tour, Maid of the Mist boat ride and the Niagara Scenic Trolley. You can also visit the Discovery Center to learn about the park and the falls, or hike Niagara Gorge.

Before we left we were actually able to see a rainbow over the falls by the Canadian bridge (yes, the park is that close to the border) that was quite spectacular.

After the park, I had the ultimate relaxation at Seneca Niagara Casino & Hotel, where I spent an hour enjoying the spa facilities. I was able to indulge in their Mango-Passion Fruit Yogurt wrap, which made my skin soft and bright. Lynn, in the meantime, managed to win a few dollars at the casino.

We were hungry after a long day and headed straight to Wine on Third. The food and drink menus were both quite unique and I was glad it was small plates so we could try a few different things.

I couldn’t possibly say no to a Cheesecake Martini and it really did taste like my favorite cake, though it was made with vanilla vodka, cranberry and pineapple juices. The Havarti Macaroni and Cheese was also quite good, but the hit of the night was the Saganaki.

It was made right at the table where kasseri cheese is melted over hot lava rocks and flamed with cognac!  We ate the Saganaki with rosemary olive oil, basil pesto and tomato pesto sauces and it was excellent.

Michelle dropped us back at The Giacomo hotel. Since it wasn’t too late, we relaxed a bit in the bar and talked about what was still too come -- which included checking out the wines of Niagara -- over a chilled glass of sauvignon blanc.

Art, Architecture and Food Finds in Buffalo

I was looking forward to exploring more of Buffalo, New York, a town I had only briefly stopped through before. I had my friend Lynn along with me and our day was filled with quite a mixture of activities – and restaurants.

We were up fairly early and headed to breakfast at Betty’s, a popular place recommended by Peter Burakowski of the Buffalo-Niagara Tourism Board. The menu did indeed look quite appetizing and we had a tough time narrowing it down.

We finally decided to share an Asparagus and Artichoke Quiche along with the Peach French Toast, which was filled with cream cheese and topped with streusel and blueberries. They were both good, but the French Toast was my favorite.

We had gotten passes to the Albright-Knox Art Gallery and enjoyed walking around seeing works of old new artists, all leaning toward modern and contemporary art.  

The exhibits here change often so you can always plan on catching something unique whenever you go.

After the museum, we met Margie Stehlik for a tour of Frank Lloyd Wright’s Darwin Martin House. The house was closed since it was a Tuesday, but we got a private tour of this former home designed by the famed architect. From the unusual greenhouse to the detail in every window, it’s quite a spectacular place that’s well worth a stop.

From downtown Buffalo we headed to East Aurora. This quaint village was highlighted by the Roycroft Inn, a National Historic Landmark in a town known for its background in the arts. I loved the old world charm and it was a picturesque setting for lunch.

We started with the delectable Inn Made Truffle Chips with smoked gorgonzola cheese and white truffle oil. I also enjoyed the Asian Chicken Vegetable Soup and an excellent Turkey Apple Panini, which had caramelized onions, cranberry mayonnaise and provolone cheese melted on sourdough bread.

After lunch we went to downtown Roycroft and walked a bit. I was fascinated with Vidler’s 5 & 10, the biggest store of its kind I had ever seen. I don’t think there was anything you couldn’t find in there, from souvenirs and old fashioned candy, to handmade soaps and natural cosmetics.

We had some time to rest a bit before we went to VeraPizzeria for dinner. It was just Lynn and I so we decided to go for a little of this and that (I think the phrase “small plates” was invented for me.

The cocktails were pretty classic and there were a lot of whiskey drinks, rather surprising for a pizza place. We ended up sticking to wine and I really enjoyed the Caleo Fiano, light and lemony.

The Goat Cheese Arancini was crispy, but not greasy. The Wheat Berry Salad, with figs walnuts and gorgonzola in a honey balsamic dressing was sweet and fruity.

We ordered a Caprese Pizza which was a perfect mixture of tomato, fresh mozzarella, basil and balsamic. The Spring Pork was excellent. It had a honey and lavender brined and came with roasted asparagus in blackberry butter and a smoked gouda gratin which were also fantastic.

For dessert we had a delicious Nutella Cannoli and then headed back to Hotel Lafayette.  In the morning it was off to Niagara Falls to continue our trip.

Buffalo Bound

The flights to Buffalo were quick and easy and I had no trouble finding my friend Lynn in Buffalo airport. I hadn’t been to this part of upstate New York since I picked my brother up at college (SUNY-Fredonia) many years ago so I wasn’t sure exactly what to expect.

It was a quick trip to the downtown area. I was immediately struck by the interesting architecture, even comparing the different neighborhoods and buildings to Chicago. It turned out I wasn’t too far off, as Buffalo did share some of the architectural geniuses, such as Frank Lloyd Wright and Frederick Law Olmsted.

We quickly dropped our things at the Hotel Lafayette and were met by Peter Burakowski of Visit Buffalo. Our first stop was at Pearl Street Grill & Brewery, known as much for its brews as its food.  We were starving since we’d been traveling for hours and enjoyed a serving of their potato pancakes with homemade applesauce while we waited for the main dishes.

Lynn had the Bowtie Pasta and I went for the Reuben sandwich while we sampled some beer. Everyone who knows me knows that beer is my last drink choice, but the fruity smells coming from the sampler really spiked my interest and I have to say the Blue-eyed Blonde (blueberry) was quite good, as was the Don Cherry.

We spent the afternoon driving around the area. Peter told us about the $295 million development being done by the waterfront that will include canals, shops, restaurants and even an ice rink. We also saw the Erie Basin Marina which is shaped like a buffalo when viewed from the air.

We finished the driving tour in the neighborhood of Elmwood, filled with quaint shops and restaurants. I saw quite a few interesting things and even picked up some spices at Penzy’s and found the perfect gift for my mom, a beautiful locket at Shoe Fly.

While we weren’t hungry to stop at any of the restaurants, Peter did insist we try a Buffalo favorite, sponge candy. The only thing I could compare it to would be a chocolate covered graham cracker, though the center is much thicker and a bit sweeter.

We headed back to the Hotel Lafayette and relaxed a bit in our two bedroom suite. The hotel was quite large and a cross between antique and contemporary that I really liked. It had been renovated just a year ago.

Dinner was downstairs in one of the hotel’s restaurants, ButterwoodSweet & Savory. I wasn’t sure what to expect from the name and I felt the same when I saw the menu. It was quite eclectic, but I like a challenge and suggested we order a bunch of small plates to do some sampling of food and cocktails.

There was no doubt that For Ginger Sake (Domaine De Canton, House Ginger Syrup, Zipang Sparkling Sake and candied ginger) was my favorite cocktail, but it was harder to narrow down the food.

The Sweet & Savory Salad was just fantastic, with candied beets, goat cheese, avocado and tomato relish and finished with a passion fruit vinaigrette. I was also a big fan of the Short Rib Mole with Drunken Onion Rings and the Pappardelle Pasta, with a chorizo sausage broth, wild mushrooms, sweet peas, roasted red peppers and saffron in a goat cheese fondue (not nearly as rich as it sounds).

We were ready to leave until the waiter led us to the dessert case, where I picked a delectable chocolate-peanut butter cone that I didn’t eat nearly enough of.

A few minutes later we were upstairs and fell asleep early after the long day. I was anticipating more interesting things to come in Buffalo, followed by a few days in Niagara Falls.