If you long for a change of scenery during the dead of winter, check out the Roycroft Winter Tapas series on selected Tuesday evenings (The Roycroft Inn, 40 South Grove Street, E. Aurora, N.Y. 716.652.5552). 

On Tuesday, January 26th @ 6pm, Chef Michael Andrzejewski will join Chef Andrew at The Roycroft Inn and create a multi-course tasting menu comprised of seafood with Global influences. The cost per person will be $25.00 (excluding tax & gratuity).

If you’re searching for an alternative way to celebrate Valentine’s Day, inquire about “Chocolate to the Nth Degree” which will be held on Tuesday, February 9th @ 6pm! Chocolate creations of all sorts will be served that evening followed by a special screening of the major motion picture “Chocolat” ($25 per person exc. tax & gratuity).

And if you’re all about shopping local these days, “Local Yokels” will be held on Tuesday, February 23rd @ 6pm. The foodie seminar will focus on everything local from wine & beer to edible goodies & provisions. Sandy Starks from Slow Food Buffalo will also make a debut that evening ($25 per person exc. tax & gratuity).

For more info on The Roycroft Winter Tapas Series, visit http://www.roycroftinn.com/

    Tired of poultry, beef, or the other white meat? Perhaps you’re ready to explore the flavorful world of Go Veggies, Inc. (1290 Sheridan Drive, Buffalo, NY  14217, 716.908.2778, Open Saturday from 10 am-2 pm).

Go Veggies, Inc. is a catering company that provides healthful vegetarian & vegan meals that can be purchased “on the go,” reheated, and served in the comfort of one’s home. Owner Genga Ponnampalam decided to create the flavorful veggie-oriented product line using Sri Lankan spices, herbs, & curries that are indigenous to the Island’s cuisine. 

Some of Genga’s specialties include veggie burgers, veggie rolls, and curry dishes that are made with 60-70% vegetables, brown rice, and wholesome ingredients like chick peas & lentils. They can be purchased at his store, catered, or found in markets throughout WNY including Guercio & Son’s on Grant St., Lexington Co-op, Feel Rite, Spice Bazaar, Farmers & Artisans, and DASH’s Market on W. Klein Road in Wmsvl.

If you’re hesitant about trying pure vegetarian cuisine or worried about spice content, head to The Broadway Market this weekend for free samples of Go Veggies Inc.’s product line!

    JoJo Bistro & Wine Bar  is now open for lunch & dinner (JoJo Bistro, 5493 Sheridan Drive, Wmsvl, NY  14221, 716.204.8663).

 JoJo’s bill of fare can be approached “tapas-style” as it’s filled with flavorful small plates that are perfect for sharing ($5-$12). Entrees range from $12-$18 and vary from Braised Short Ribs to Crispy Grilled (half) Chicken, Pastas with house-made sauces, and Wood Fired Pizzas.

Almost every item on the menu pairs well with JoJo’s selection of wine, beer, and spirits. Wine connoiseurs may want to begin with the Artisan cheese flight ($18) and Charcuterie board ($14), which come with gourmet sides like crisp flat bread, Mediterranean olives, caper berries, cornichons, and sweet & spicy mustard. Cheeses & Cured Meats can also be ordered individually ($4/item) and a mixed olive tray is also available for olive lovers ($5). If you want to add greens to your meat & cheese starters, try the BLT salad.

Almost every bistro has a signature burger including JoJo although their version is somewhat unique as it constitutes a trio of mini cheeseburgers (Bison, Beef, & Lamb) served on warm brioche buns. If you’re looking for light bistro fare, the Beet salad is a lovely starter, thanks to the chef’s use of seasonal (red & gold) beets accompanied by arugula and Goat cheese creme fraiche. 

A few recipes still need tweaking like the BLT salad (hint: riper beefsteak tomatoes & more Bibb lettuce) and the cornmeal-dusted Calamari (perhaps a tangy tomato dipping sauce or sweet chili sauce will do the trick). However, the wood-oven roasted Pablano Pepper is surprisingly pleasing to the palate, complements of the sweet sausage & aged cheddar stuffing and warm tomato coulis. 

The Baked “Open Faced Sandwich” of Asparagus, Goat cheese, & Proscuitto is also well prepared as are the Duck spring rolls accompanied by a sweet ginger demi glace. And if you’re a fan of flat bread pizzas, JoJo’s Wood-Fired pizzas are surprisingly filling. Sauce lovers will appreciate the house-made marinara on the Margherita and may want to request an extra side to dip their crusts in.

JoJo Bistro is now open for lunch (Mon-Fri) & Dinner (Mon-Sun). Seating options range from a lengthy bar with built in handbag hooks to high table tops, spacious booths, and formal dining room tables. Walk-ins are welcome.

   Searching for gourmet gift ideas? Check out “Sample Day” at Premier Gourmet (3465 Delaware Avenue, Buffalo, NY  14217, 716.877.3574).

On Saturday, December 12th, Premier Gourmet will host a special group of vendors during store hours and allow patrons to sample complimentary goods while they shop for provisions.

A variety of samples will be available throughout the day including Carolina’s Peanuts, Pacific Chai (tea), and a special assortment of French cheeses. Patrons will also be able to mingle with visiting vendors like Evangeline Conley of Greek Goddess Salad Dressing and Jay Gans of Fischer & Wieser Grilling Products.

For more info on Premier Gourmet’s sample days, visit http://premiergourmet.com/store/.

    If you’re searching for a cozy environment to socialize in this winter, check out Parings Wine Bar (5893 Main Street, Williamsville, N.Y. (716) 630-5951).

Some of Parings perks include a separate sitting room complete with leather sofas, chairs, and a fireplace, full bar service, free wi-fi, flat screen TV’s, and a relaxing dining room area where you can sample small plates, cheese flights, & wines.

Parings is open Sun-Thur (3-11 pm) and Fri & Sat (3-1 am). For more info visit paringswinebar.com or ArtvoiceTV.com (Channel Food).

     Searching for an alternative to your morning bagel or afternoon sandwich? Chow Chocolat is now serving breakfast and lunch in addition to artisan chocolates & pastries (Chow Chocolat, 731 Main Street, Buffalo, 716.843.4388).

Chow’s breakfast menu features Omelettes prepared w/ imported cheeses & fresh vegetables, free-range eggs made ‘any style,‘ and Buttermilk wheat flour Pancakes. Sides include fresh fruit, whole grain toast, sourdough bread, and homemade veggie hash. Prices range from $5.29 for Chow’s Croissant sandwich served with eggs ‘any style’  to $8.95 for a Southwest-influenced Breakfast Burrito adorned with spicy salsa, cilantro, grated cheddar, and black cacao beans. Breakfast is served Mon-Fri from 9:30am-11:30 a.m. 

Lunch at Chow is available Mon-Fri from 11:30-1:30 p.m. The menu has a rustic feel, complements of wholesome entrees like a roast Chicken Salad ($8.95), grilled Mediterranean Vegetable Baguette ($7.95), Smoked Salmon & dill creme fraiche wrap ($7.95), and a Turkey Sandwich adorned w/ mixed field greens, tomato, cheddar cheese, and cranberry chutney ($5.29). Both Dine-in & Take-out are available.

   Both Steve’s Clam Bar & Captain Jack’s have shut down their seafood destinations on the Elmwood strip for winter. Stay posted for opening date info in Spring 2010…

    If you’re looking for a way to give back to the community and need a tempting incentive aside from pure benevolence, purchase a $15.00 ticket to “Choco-Logo’s Halloween Chocolate & Wine Tasting Party,” which is raising funds for Heart of the City Neighborhoods (Thursday, October 29th, 5:30 p.m.-7:30 p.m., 141 Broadway Street, Buffalo, NY). For ticket info, visit www.chocologo.com or call 882-7661 x.200.

If wine and chocolate are not your vices, CEPA Gallery is holding a lunchtime fundraiser at the Market Arcade Building (Wednesday, October 28th, Noon to 2 p.m., 617 Main Street, Buffalo, NY). A variety of soups prepared by Sample and Betty’s will be sold for $5/bowl inside the Repair Shop, located in CEPA’s Flux Gallery on the first floor. Proceeds will go to The Soup Granting Program, a unique initiative presented in conjunction with the current exhibition Conversation Pieces. For more info, contact Elizabeth Lyman @ (716) 856-2717 or email lyman@cepagallery.org. 

It’s never fair to review a restaurant in its early stages but sometimes the truth needs to be stated. Although Tokyo Shanghai Bistro (494 Elmwood Ave, Buffalo, 716.886.3839) recently opened, the general consensus of those who have dined there is as conflicting as the restaurant’s Chinese/Japanese menu.

Keep in mind that Tokyo Shanghai Bistro is not your below average Chinese Buffet (although a lunchtime buffet is offered). The newly renovated interior is serene, the service is equally pleasant, and menu items are modestly priced to a tad overpriced depending on what you order and what you consider to be authentic Asian cuisine.

If you’re a traditional Chinese food eater, the Wonton soup constitutes a nice starter. If you prefer Miso soup, be aware that TSB’s broth has a fishy aftertaste and cloudy appearance, which is probably due to too much miso seasoning. Salad eaters should also be aware that the Vegetable salad is simply iceberg lettuce, cucumbers, tomato slices, and carrots coated in what’s supposed to be ginger dressing but looks and tastes like Thousand Island.

Moving onto appetizers, there were no complaints about the shrimp & vegetable tempura. The pan-fried shrimp shumai were far superior to the steamed shrimp dumplings, which arrived lukewarm and had a gummy consistency. The Yakitori (grilled chicken skewers marinated in teriyaki sauce) also came out of the kitchen a tad undercooked and tasted bland despite being cooked in a gelatinous sweet sauce. Overall, the chicken dishes were extremely disappointing, which could be attributed to poor quality poultry and much needed tweaking of seasonings & spices.

Red meat eaters had fewer complaints about the Beef Negimaki appetizer, Bento Box, and Mongolian Beef entree, which was a a little too spicy but tasted just fine with rice. Addressing the sushi bar, the sushi-grade rice adhered well to the nori paper but the rolls paled in comparison to Maki one can dine on at well known Japanese restaurants in the neighborhood.

The happiest diners were vegetarians, specifically tofu eaters, who ordered the General Tso’s Tofu (i.e. crispy tofu, broccoli, and hot chili peppers served in a sweet & spicy sauce). The veggie dishes were fresh although everyone agreed that the sauce recipes needed refining.

Hopefully Tokyo Shanghai Bistro will continue to improve and become best known for Chinese cuisine rather than Japanese as Buffalo is in dire need of a decent Chinese restaurant. Until then, choose wisely and remember to ask for an extra side of vegetables.

    Fall may be in the air but there’s still time for one last summer hurrah… The Boys of Summer are giving a free live performance this Wednesday on the scenic outdoor patio behind Creekside Banquet Hall (2669 Union Rd @ the corner of William St, Cheektowaga, NY  14227, September 23rd, 6-10 pm).

The concert will coincide with an old-school Car Cruise from 5-10 p.m. so be prepared to see a lot of social activity throughout the evening. Don’t forget to bring your appetite as you’ll be able to purchase plenty of favorites from the grill like burgers, sausages, & hot dogs and enjoy wine, beer, & cocktails from a full (cash) bar.