Looking for a sensuously sultry way to spend your Sunday evening…

This Sunday, May 24^th, the O Restaurant and Lounge will present Love, Lust ,& Wine: a food, wine, and entertainment experience featuring award-winning wines from five different wineries, expertly paired hors d’oeuvres, live jazz music, and erotic art.

Local sculptor and amateur wine maker, David Derner, will be one of four artists whose work will be on exhibit during Sunday’s tasting. When he talks about his passion for wine, Derner explains that art, music, and wine are complimentary, stimulating products of craftsmanship. “They go together.” Hit him up for more deep artistic insights on Sunday.

Also present at the event will be modernist bronze casting and welding artisan, Joseph Nizio; oil painter, Melinda Wright; and Karissa Bordin, whose mysterious medium of choice will be revealed at the tasting.

The O Restaurant’s own Chef Martin will be preparing an array of sumptuous hors d’oeuvres to compliment the seven distinct wines of the evening. You can expect the highly acclaimed Canadian jazz band, The Ron Davis Trio, and vocalist Sue Kincaid to offer up some smoky, easy listening, musical ambiance.

The evening’s wine selection includes traditional as well as inventive red blends, a mountain road pinot noir, an arrowhead semi-dry Riesling, a Cayuga white, a blueberry fruit wine, and a Glace noir dessert wine. Reps from each winery will be there to answer your queries and help you sound wine-savvy for your Monday morning water cooler convos. All you budding sommeliers out there can check out their sites beforehand… Vizcarra Vineyards, Arrowhead Spring Vineyards, Leonard Oakes Estate Winery, Schulze Winery, Warm Lake Estate Winery.

The event starts at 6pm. Pop into the O Restaurant and Lounge for advance tickets ($40) or get a ticket Sunday night at the door ($45).

O Restaurant and Lounge, 3047 Sheridan Drive, Amherst NY 14226. (716) 332-4656.

Could it be safe to say outdoor patios are officially open?  

If your ideal summer evening consists of sitting under the stars with a chilled bottle of Sancerre, Tabree  (423 Elmwood Ave, Buffalo, 716.844.8477) has officially opened its clandestine veranda to Francophiles. The French bistro’s kitchen is also featuring a new spring/summer menu. Adhering to themes of Parisien authenticity & summer romance, Rue Franklin (341 Franklin St, Buffalo, 716.852.4416) is hosting cocktails in their charming courtyard until further notice that dinner will be served… 

La Tee Dah (206 Allen, Buffalo, 716.881.4500) is now accepting reservations for tables in their European beer garden (weather permitting, of course). Trattoria Aroma (311 Bryant St., Buffalo, 716.881.7592) has also opened its porch although seating is available on a ‘first come, first serve basis.’ If you’re looking for an artistic nature-oriented environment, Muse (Albright Knox Art Gallery, 1285 Elmwood Ave, Buffalo, 716.270.8223) is serving cocktails & light fare in the Knox Gallery’s outdoor courtyard.

The outdoor patio at Coles (1104 Elmwood Ave., Buffalo, 716.886.1449) is now serving lunch & dinner as is the Martini-clad patio at Cecelia’s (716 Elmwood Ave, 716.883.8066). Both Brodo (765 Elmwood Ave., Buffalo, 716.881.1117) and Globe Market (762 Elmwood Ave., Buffalo, 716.886.5242) have officially established outdoor seating for the warm weather months. 

If you’re in the mood for southern comfort food, check out the casual patio scene at Fat Bob’s Smokehouse (41 Virginia Place, Buffalo, 716.887.2971). Mother’s (33 Virginia Place, Buffalo, 716.882.2989) spacious patio is now open for happy hour and late-night dining as is the outdoor back patio at Encore (492 Pearl Street, Buffalo, 716.931.5001).  Shanghai Red’s (2 Templeton Ter, Buffalo, 716.852.7337) expansive terrace is having their grand  opening Memorial Day weekend.  31 Club (31 N. Johnson Parkway, Buffalo, 716.331.3232) also plans on serving supper on the private porch of the brownstone sometime in mid-June…

Matriculating to the suburbs, the secluded side-patio at Siena (4516 Main Street, Snyder, 716.839.3108), the porch at Sole (5110 Main St., Wmsvl, 716.362.0356), and the sidewalk tables at Le Metro (5110 Main St., Wmsvl, 716.631.2725) are all open for lunch & dinner.  

Stay tuned this spring/summer for further updates on Outdoor Patio Dining…

 If you’re interested in trying traditional Mideast breakfast fare, head to Falafel Bar  (3689  Sheridan Drive, Amherst, 716.831.3980). Beginning Sunday, May 10th, Falafel Bar’s Amherst location will debut a Middle Eastern Breakfast Menu.

 The menu will continue to be available weekends only from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. and incorporate a variety of dishes indigenous to Israel, Turkey, Lebanon, Iran, N. Africa, & The Mediterranean. American classics like Omelets & Pancakes (both blueberry & chocolate chip) will still be available but expect to see unique twists on traditional recipes like Challah Bread French Toast and Lamb Steak & Eggs served w/ mint aoili!  

If you want to sample something truly Middle Eastern, order Shakshouka; a stew of tomatoes, peppers, & onions served with two poached eggs & pita bread. Shakshouka (meaning blended or mixed) is also popular in N. Africa although the eggs are scrambled instead of poached! 

There’s also an Iranian ‘herb’ Omelet infused with caramelized onions, cumin, & tumeric spice mix, Greek-style Omelet prepared w/ feta, roasted red peppers, & tomato, and Turkish-style featuring stewed tomatoes & eggplant. All Omelettes will come with a side of home-style potatoes, mixed greens, & pita. European classics like Muesli served w/ Greek yogurt, homemade granola, & fruit will also be available.

Stay tuned for breakfast updates at Falafel Bar’s Allentown location…