It was the annual New Year's party for our running club. It is a large open space, so plenty of…read moreroom for the tables and chairs, buffet line, dessert table, dance floor and the DJ and his equipment. The appetizer table was a huge display of a variety of cubed cheeses, toast and crackers, olives, and some grapes and blueberries. The dinner buffet had a nice tossed salad, focaccia and butter, pasta in a cheesy red sauce, haricots vert, chicken in an artichoke and onion sauce with melted mozzarella cheese on top, and roast beef au jus with great horseradish!

I very often attend the Pist n Broke car show on the Wirlitzer grounds in the summer, but as I'd…read morenever really attended anything inside, I felt I was unequipped to give a review. This all changed on the 22nd of December because they hosted an incredible market there that day. The name of it escapes me, but it was a creepy Christmas extravaganza! Right up my alley. I had so much fun talking to and buying from the vendors and spent way too much on presents for loved ones. It was two floors, but the elevator was easily accessible, which is a nice touch for us disabled folks. The upstairs was just as lovely. The staff was incredibly helpful and didn't appear to hate their jobs, which counts for something. The smiled as I got my drink at the bar, they smiled when I was on the first floor and needed to throw something out, and they even smiled as I walked in. They all do a great job there, especially with the place so clean and decorated for the holidays. I had so much fun here. I shopped. I drank. Heck, I even sat with Krampus. Merry Creepmas. 5 stars

Save the clock tower! Oh wait this is Amherst, not Hill Valley…read more Barbi is very liberal with the Come-ons when she wants something... I'm the same. We're alphas I guess. This beautiful Clock Tower haunts the grounds of the University of Buffalo North Campus, and is part of the heartbeat of a campus that has grown and adapted quite tremendously over the recent years. If you are coming here for food or bubble tea (which is why I usually come here) then it provides a lovely backdrop to hanging out around here. It's located at the UB Commons. UB Commas is actually a 300-level English class, whereas UB Comatose is any given student after a hard Friday & Saturday night of typical collegiate binge drinking. UB Commodores is a college singing group which covers old Motown hits, and UB Commo Commo Commo Commo Commo Chameleons is a Boy George Fan Group that meets inside Capen Hall every night when the big hand touches the little hand. But this is the UB Commons. I've now spent so much time here I feel like I went to UB. I wish I did because then those two arrests wouldn't have counted. I love hanging out here and I have a lot of friends here, for example at the bubble tea shop (best in WNY by far) and the Korean place and the Persian owned Mexican but actually halal cart place and the Japanese place and the list is endless. Just don't go to the Subway or we can't be friends anymore Yes, the UB Commons are pretty awesome. I've been to more colleges than I can count (I'm a musician, duhh), and there are so many things this food-and-social-area has going for it. Let's see. (1) It's mostly indoor, but has a nice outdoor space in between. In the freezing temps around here, the shelter is much welcome. (2) You can park for free here whether you go to the Uni or not. Great for businesses and students alike. But you only get 60 mins. Officially. Not always enforced. (3) Their food places are way, way, way, way, way, way better than what you will find on most college campuses. Highlights include: Korean Express: some of the best and cheapest Korean food in town. Their banana shake drink (in a carton) is awesome as is their spicy-a.f. Yuk Gae Jang. Eat here. Thank me later. Berry berry bizzy for a reason. Dancing Chopsticks: the Congee is cheap and delicious and filling. Wide range of Japanese dishes plus cheap Bubble Teas. Excellent food. Kung Fu Tea: excellent Bubble Tea chain with some of the best Bubble Teas in WNY, and really lovely service, depending on who you get. Try Honey Oolong Tea with tapioca. Try Lemon Black Tea, Pineapple Black Tea, and so on. Rachel's: good Lebanese food, Kofte Kebab is a highlight, prices are way cheaper than the other Rachel's locations, but the food is better at the Williamsville location. Marco's: great sandwiches, but the Maple location has much better quality and options than all of the other Marco's. Bollywood Bistro: Indian buffet. Not bad at all. La Rosa: huge pizza slices. So in summary... UB is absolutely blessed for food and extremely lucky to have some of these options on campus. And for those willing to drive, there are so many other magnificent gems within 5 miles of this campus too, but within UB Commons alone, you could easily eat every day for a month, on a budget, never eat the same thing, and never have a bad meal. And UB Come-ons is what I get every time I sit and eat in the general seating area. Usually from men. Older men. Professors. With grey hair. And large bank balances. Exactly my type. Now please, Save The Clock Tower.

Ibiza's where Mike took a pill And the rents around here…read moremake me ill But if they make you wince Just marry a Prince If the Harrys won't, Williamsville! Since the last time I reviewed this (18 months ago), this has basically been where I have spent the vast majority of my time. My gym is here, and I'm literally there from 3-5 hours every day of the week (can you tell). My tanning salon is close by (once a week, hi boys). I frequent several grocery stores in this area. I eat at Woo Chon Korea House at least once a week for their Yuk Gae Jang lunch special ($10) which is now by far the best Korean dish in the region since Seoul Garden closed down. I also hit up the amazing homestyle Chinese stuff at China King (Maple & N Forest) on a weekly basis. I ate a zillion times at Pita Gourmet, too, before I started grilling my own Chicken after finding out they don't give their tips to their employees (and I know other places around here that don't, either). Also I played soccer here once a week for years before I realized it was only causing me pain from exacerbated injuries, and making workouts harder. Barbie wants my body to be like the Atlas Mountains, and when my hamstrings and ankles and knees and groins are throbbing with pain, it's hard to work on that for her - and I'll do anything for her. She's been to W-Ville too... she waited at Starbucks while I was seeing my original WNY romantic partner (that I moved here for) at her work. The DiBella's here is pretty good. The Paneras are both iffy. There are some pretty nasty attitudes around here. Sweet Jenny's has great ice cream at both locations. There's a stunning waterfall here (and I don't mean Barbie). Anyway William just died so I need to go and see what he left me at the official reading of William's Will. My original review: If this were named Ricky Williamsville, everyone would be high on cannabis (rather than painkillers and anti-depressants). Thankfully it's not, it's merely Williamsville, which is more affiliated with the Patriots than Williams' Dolphins or indeed the Bills. You'll find out why later. I really love little Williamsville, it's adorable. It's like a smaller, friendlier, more manageable version of Amherst. Technically it IS Amherst, but whatever. Yes, it's a bit expensive and yes it's a bit fancy, but if you want to live in a suburban, fancy, friendly, safe, decent-smelling area, and not be too far from the city, W-Ville is where it's at. Plus Rob Gronkowski is from here. Don't tell me that you don't secretly get off on the fact that he is from here every time he scores yet another touchdown to destroy the dreams of Buffalonians just a little bit more. OK maybe not, but anyway. If I wanted to live closer to Buffalo (I live in the countryside now), this is where I'd probably live. It has everything a little cute American town should have... a lovely main street... lots of nice food options... good shopping options... friendly people... sometimes... plenty of greenery... and lots of people on painkillers and anti-depressants. There's plenty of nice noms here too, like Spices Of India (best Indian lunch buffet and amazing Garlic Naan), and Sweet Jenny's amazing Ice Cream, and of course Rachel's Lebanese is excellent too. Some excellent Buffalo-style pizza (Mattina's), and some nice back-road routes to avoid traffic (because Main Street through W-Ville is a nightmare). Nearby Marco's (Maple location only) has the best sandwich in WNY (the Sinatra... trust me, try it. One of the best in the country), and China King & Wok n Roll both have some excellent authentic Chinese dishes as well as the usual americanized stuff. The former is cheaper. The latter has bubble tea on weekends. Anderson's has its best location right in Wville, try the Beef On Weck, the Chicken Tender sandwich, and the custard. There's a Ted's on Transit (get the Polish) and La Divina has a location there now too (amazing tacos). Pita Gourmet, also, is nearby, as is The Pita Place for more Lebanese stuff. So lots of delicious options for you. And if the Bills won't satisfy you, maybe the Williamswill.

I spent a little bit a time in the village of Williamsville last week. I was there for a specific…read morepurpose, but my car was parked and I took a moment to just walk Main street. All the little shops are trying to be open, they all have hours clearly posted on the doors; they all have masks signs posted and are doing their best. Williamsville has created a few public parking places which is a really smart idea because it gets people into the area and it makes it easy for them to stay. The streets and the lights are all nicely managed and maintained, making for easy driving and walking experience both. Update 105 2021

Road trip side step…read more On my way to my final destination I made a stop in the Buffalo area to see some things before I could check into my hotel. I have been in search of some Presidential sites recently and came across this while browsing for things to do before I left for my vacation. If you happen to stop by the Theodore Roosevelt Inaugural Site they kind of point you in this direction. If not done on purpose, it's in a passing manner. There you will understand my Teddy had his swearing in ceremony because of what happened near this site. In this beautiful, planned out community you will stumble upon a median in the road that holds mostly trees and a variety of plants. Every so often it is dotted with rocks. This rock was purposefully put here. This community once held the Pan-American Expo, an expansive exposition of the countries from the Americas. With the expo there were many makeshift buildings built that could easily be torn down once the expo reached completion. The building that this stones represents, in a manner, was the Temple of Music. Just outside the temple, President McKinley would be shot by a man and ultimately pass away due to the gunshot. This stone is meant to be a monument or maybe a placard to remind you of what once happened in this area. It is well maintained and as other reviews have stated, usually flanked by small American flags. Some housekeeping here. Be mindful of the area, this is a neighborhood and you are visiting. Do not block a driveway. It is a road, be aware of your surroundings and traffic. Do not trample the area. Lastly, make it quick, there isn't much else to see here.

It may seem morbid, but it is history. The Pan American Exposition was build to be leveled…read moreafterwards, so nothing (save one building, I believe) remains. So, this rock is the only thing to remind the USA of McKinley's assassination and the only president to be inaugurated outside of DC. If you're looking for the full tour, add a stop to Delaware and W. Ferry, which is where McKinley died (there's just a sign there). And then go to the Roosevelt Museum/National Park. It's work the small price of admission and is a small, yet well done museum (perhaps a bit too patriotic, but that's to be expected I suppose).

The touring of such a magnificent building with an interesting past. The beauty of the construction…read moreand design is a must see

Really great time at Hotel Henry Market! While I was there I walked around the hotel a bit and the…read moreoutside grounds. I wouldn't stay there - I'm too much of an Intuitive for that but I can see the appeal. The history of the place can be taken in via a self guided audio tour. I plan on doing that. It would be great if it was Docent led.

Fantastic village multi-use village trail!…read more The trail is about the width of a car and well-paved. It is surrounded by trees, shrubs, and many homes back up to the trail - creating a safe walking/biking/visiting with friends spot. There is a bike rack, so you may bike to the trail and then walk. There is a water bottle filling station, with a water fountain. There are plenty of well-maintained benches to stop and rest. The grass is kept short - so no worries of ticks in long grass along the trail. Although the trail itself is rather short, it is ideal for strollers, wheelchairs, it's pretty, and shaded. It's a lovely place and the Village of Williamsville can be commended for providing this little spot of heaven - so perfect for so many purposes! Ample parking by the Lehigh Museum on S. Long St.

Such a beautiful hidden path in Williamsville to take an evening stroll, walk your dog, or check…read moreout the tree blossoms that line the trail.

Wow! This German-American History museum focuses on a group of immigrants who fled religious…read morepersecution in Prussia to 3 neighborhoods in Niagara County. The museum has a room dedicated to the migration and their early beginnings, then a few rooms and a barn containing lots of artifacts from the 19th and early 20th century. The museum house itself is a 175 year old log cabin, that they've added walls to. There were several volunteers there, two who showed us around the house and the barn. They did a great job explaining what was in each room and answering our questions. If you have German relatives, come prepared with last names and they may be able to help you find genealogical information. The museum is free but consider making a small donation. They also have a few items for sale by the door. Accessibility- there are 2 steps to get into both the museum, and into the barn. We spent an hour here and got to see everything. Would highly recommend making the trip to see this unique museum. They're open on Sundays from 2-4pm.

The Martin House was a really cool visit during my day trip to Buffalo and the Niagara Region with…read morefamily. The building (interiors and architecture) was gorgeous and impressive, especially its history and restoration. There is a small quiet cafe between info center and the gift shop (the stables). We did the shorter guided tour. The tour is about the main home. It starts in the info center and ends in the stables (where the gift shop is). There is a longer tour that includes the other buildings on the property. During the tour, you aren't able to take photos of the interior spaces. You are able to explore the grounds and take photos without being in a tour. The tour was really informative. The volunteer guides knew what they were talking about. It was more information than what I have learnt in college.

What an absolute treat to visit the Martin House!…read more The Martin House, formally known as the Darwin D. Martin House, is one of Frank Lloyd Wright's greatest architectural works and a defining example of his Prairie School style. Located in Buffalo, it was designed for businessman Darwin D. Martin and his family, and built between 1903 and 1905. This is a massive residential estate, which Wright considered it one of his finest creations. Some of its most distinctive features include the following. The house emphasizes long horizontal lines, broad overhanging eaves and low-pitched roofs mirroring the Midwestern landscape. And rather than dividing the home into many enclosed rooms, Wright created interior spaces connected by wide openings and carefully arranged sightlines. This was a radical departure from the Victorian homes of the time and that are notable popular in the neighborhood surrounding the property. Quick note: You are required to have a tour to visit the home interiors, but you don't need a tour to enjoy the welcome center and the grounds, including the long walkway connecting buildings. The pergola is one of my favorite features. And it is such a joy that it has a replica of the Winged Nike (The Nike of Samothrace, located in Paris at the Louvre, which is a beautiful sight!). It is placed on a 3-foot-high concrete plinth, prominently visible from a 180-foot view starting at the front door of the main house. A dreamscape, really. I was enthralled. But it is not the original, unfortunately. A fiberglass resin replica was installed in 2007. The estate includes the main house, the Barton House (for Martin's sister and brother-in-law), a conservatory, a pergola, the carriage house and the gardener's cottage. These structures were connected both physically and visually, so the entire estate looks and feels very cohesive. A favorite -- the art glass windows. Apparently, there are something like 400 or so art glass windows. Wright referred to them as "light screens" because they filtered light while preserving views and privacy. Wright embraced the idea of "total design." He designed not only the buildings but also much of its furniture, lighting, decorative glass, fireplaces and other interior details. This means that pretty much every element worked together as a unified whole -- striking! In addition to the daily public tours, the events calendar is usually full. There are summer evening events, lectures, nights dedicated to kids, plant decorating events, musical performances and more. Although the property fell into severe disrepair during the mid-20th century, a decades-long restoration completed in 2019 reconstructed missing buildings and restored many original architectural details. Today, the Martin House is a National Historic Landmark and is widely regarded as one of the best-preserved and most important examples of Frank Lloyd Wright's Prairie architecture. I highly, highly recommend a visit -- plan for at least an hour, two if you can swing it.

Had no plans for for New Years Eve. Decided to stop by with the family to watch the ball drop. The…read morelast time I visited for the holiday I was a young girl. It was crowded as I expected, but we had penlty of room to socially distance ourselves. The kids enjoyed it; was there 1st time watching the ball drop in person. The fireworks were awesome. Happy New Years!!!

We're gonna rock down to Electric tower. And then we'll take it higher…read more Actually they won't take it higher, I think it would be ridiculous to try and expand or raise the roof (literally, not party-wise) in this amazing Buffalo landmark. I've been in here many times. I had my car stolen from right in front of this tower, years ago. And one of my good friends (Candy) works inside here. I think she reads my reviews sometimes. Hi Candy! Have a great work day! How's the baby!? I come to this building fairly regularly for business and pleasure ... such as to see the baby! Anyway. It's absolutely gorgeous. One of the most instantly recognizable buildings in the city. It's also one of my favourites. Not just in this city but in any city. Inside and out it's excellent. Just don't get too close, because sparks are often flying off the roof of this building which glows red, green, blue, and such, alternately at night. They call these sparks the "Electric Shower." And if you give a buzzing toy to a girl and she uses it to educate herself, is that an "Electric Deflowering"? Probably.