White but groovy: Taking the tofu challenge

Roll cubes of extra-firm tofu in corn starch, fry them in a little vegetable oil, and you can swap out the chicken breast in many Chinese stir-fry recipes.
Tofu is much ridiculed in certain kitchens, but it remains worth learning about. In hardly any time, a hunk of no-cholesterol vegetable protein can be soaking up any [...]

Bowl of fail: KFC’s Famous Bowl

KFC’s Famous Bowl,  by Flickr user cbg_rocketfever.

Normally, my relationship with fast-food drive-thru cuisine is pretty healthy.
I don’t eat it.
Mostly. Except for succumbing occasionally to a particularly potent advertising campaign, like that thing Wendy’s has that tops burgers with cheese sauce, bacon and jalapenos. I can’t be the only guy that hears myself talking in Homer [...]

A brand new wing: Pho Saigon, Amherst

These cats have come up with a great new way to sell chicken wings in Buffalo – they’ve got chops. So to speak.
My review of Pho Saigon (1551 Niagara Falls Blvd. Amherst, in the Burlington Coat plaza) made it into the News on Friday.
I’ve been back a few times since I wrote the piece, and [...]

The taste of spring: Saigon Cafe, Buffalo

Charbroiled yet flavorful, the beef satay set the tone for a satisfying spring lunch.
I love Saigon in the springtime.
My apologies to Cole Porter and the French (well, maybe just Porter). But as far as I am concerned, the only place to be seen or eat this spring is Saigon Café, 1098 Elmwood Avenue in Buffalo.
This [...]

Will Bourdain shuffle off to Buffalo?

Anthony Bourdain, originally uploaded by arandanos.
Speaking of Ulrich’s, local rocker Nelson Starr’s video attempt to lure Anthony Bourdain is one of four finalists. In an attempt to bait Bourdain into bringing his “No Reservations” show for the Travel Channel to the Queen City, Starr, under the direction of local filmmaker John Paget, spotlighted Ulrich’s (fish [...]

The beer yet pours: Ulrich’s, Buffalo

You could make a meal of the fresh rye bread and butter, if they let you.
I read in the paper last month that Ulrich’s Tavern, the oldest bar in Buffalo, was facing the possibility of closing its doors.
Having already lost one beloved bar last year, the story bothered me. So when Scott took me out [...]

The best burgers in WNY

The rosy interior and crusted exterior were a must for top marks, as in this burger from Vizzi’s.
The Great Burger Hunt is over, and not a moment too soon. Here’s the article in The Buffalo News.
I have been eating a lot of broccoli for the last week. I have decided I like broccoli.

When my boss [...]