Changing up the Game: Marble + Rye Review

The summer of 2015 saw a gamut of new punters to the Buffalo restaurant game, with almost every week one or two big names opening or reinventing food gigs across Western New York.

One of the most highly-anticipated was the entry of the BMFT boys to a brick-and-mortar space on Genesee St. Rumor was the gang was going for dishes completely unlike their Bahn-Mi heavy menu from the truck. Color me interested.

I decided to wait a few weeks to give these guys a try as places often fall majorly flat for me close to opening. I find it's much better for the restaurant, my wallet and most importantly my taste buds if the place can work out it's kinks to give it a proper go.

But I digress.

So the other week I met up with my girl AW for some wine and food at the aforementioned Marble+Rye.

The aesthetic is pretty chic but relaxed at the same time. The bar is definitely the focal point of the room, which hold approx 10-20 tables as I recall. Understated but slick if that makes sense.

Cheeseboard ON POINT

We settled into a cheeseboard with a nice bottle of Malbec before moving on to a few small plates the share.

The cheeseboard was by Nickle City and therefore fantastic. Those 'mongers have got a tight cheese game and restaurateurs are noticing their slam-dunk appeal. Marble+Rye did put their own touch with some killer sweet-potato chips that slide home really nice.

Pasta of the day (can't win 'em all)

Egg burger: no need for cheese here! JUICY

For our sharing plates, we got the pasta of the day: ravioli with seabreem, the egg burger and finished off with a giant sour banana & PB macaron.

Sour Banana & PB Macaron I shall dream of you

The verdict: While the pasta was deliciously fresh, the seabreem filling tasted slightly too smoked or too fishy. The burger nailed it 10/10 proving I can never have enough protein. Similarly, the macaron was scrumptuous with the tasty coffee "dust" ridiculously morish.

Overall, Marble+Rye has really upped the Buffalo food scene. You can tell they are really thinking outside of the box and pushing food boundaries. They may not always hit the mark, but then again you're not really living if you stay in your comfort zone!

Check M+R out, I promise that change is good.

Artsy Buffalo Skyline #sofetch

Marble+Rye

112 Genesee St

Buffalo, NY 14203

Vera Pizzeria: It's Been A Long Time Coming

How how HOW have I not blogged about Vera yet?

Hip tenders of bar in action at Vera

Is it the ambiance? No that can't be it.  Vera strikes the perfect balance of old-world class in the new Buffalo. 

Great decor preludes great people-watching

Is it the drinks? Nugatory - any place that has me ordering more than one cocktail must be doing something right by this oenophile. 

The French 75: Gin, lemon, bubbles. Perfection

The food? Nope,  Vera's simple small plates, pizza and salad combos tee to the green every time.

Cheese plate: half eaten before I could even grab a snap!

I think the reason must be that every visit to Vera is one that I am fully present at.  The crowd,  the bartenders,  the libations and nourishment all strike a ten for this Foodie. My last visit I actually remembered to pause and take some snaps to share with you all.  So here you are: this is Vera and she is not your ordinary Pizzeria.  Go now and live in the moment!

Vera Pizzeria
220 Lexington Ave
Buffalo, NY 14222
716.551.6262

Three Little Drunken Monkeys

Greetings from New York! I'm back in the big apple this week with my grown-up job and delving into new and old spots. Being away from the city, I forget just how cool and exciting the food scene is here. I guess I've just been distracted with my own hometown heros as of late!

Drunken Munkey's infamous punch

First up on the list to report back is Drunken Munkey a favorite I've frequented with SP, my partner in crime and former roomie. DM serves up delicous, authentic Indian food alongside a killer cocktail list. The place has great lighting, hilarious monkey-themed decor, wonderfully warm staff and is always packed!

I must admit that prior to last night, I had only sampled their cocktails so I was definitely excited to sample their bombay bites. SP and I ordered chili cheese toast points to start along side our bubbles. I really love how the Munkey serves their drinks in vintage glasses, it's a nice touch of class. The toast was perfectly crispy with a nice kick of heat off the chili.

Nothing like some good cheesy toast!

For mains, I went with the Drunken Munkey Lamb Biryani and SP chose the Butter Paneer Tikka Masala. A word to the wise - bring your appetite! The portions are huge, and the flavors just as big! My Biryani was both rich and nicely spicy with big chunks of tender lamb, all baked in a thin dough. The side yoghurt sauce blended really well to soften some of the heat off those delicious Indian spices. SP was just as happy with her cheese-fest of Paneer.

Beautiful Lamb Biryani

LOOK AT THAT

SP's cheese fest continued

We washed our meals down with DM's seasonal punch with the warm glow of good food and good times on our faces.

Pretty glasses for pretty people

I know I'll be dreaming of that biryani when I'm back in Buffalo in the best way possible. If you're up on the Upper East Side, or heck anywhere in the vicinity of the five boroughs, Drunken Munkey is a must-do!

Drunken Munkey
East 92nd St
New York, NY 10128
646.998.4600