Sunday News: Amira's Kitchen lands near airport, blessing Cheektowaga with chicken
Macy's Pizzeria opens in Clarence, Moriarty beer dinner, and where to find Sichuan ma-la dishes
Flame-bronzed rotisserie chicken with garlic mayonnaise and falafel platters with pickles are Cheektowaga chow now.
Palestinian restaurateur Amira Khalil completed her move from Riverside to Cleveland Drive, celebrating the opening of Amira’s Kitchen in the former Mr. Bill’s, 1500 Cleveland Drive.
This reporter showed up to capture the moment, and found himself cutting the ribbon, at Khalil’s request.
Khalil and her family’s investment in Cheektowaga tripled the capacity of her restaurant. Fortunately, there’s a 60-car parking lot behind the restaurant, so if the customers materialize, there’s plenty of room for them to park.
The draws remain the same, starting with that rotisserie chicken, marinated then spin-roasted, basting in their own fat, till tender. It’s $30 for a whole bird and two sides. Hummus, babaganoush, and french fries you might expect, and chopped tomato-cucumber-scallion-green pepper salad in tahini dressing. But Amira’s sides include West Side favorites like fried plantains, and black beans.
There’s also pastellilos (3/$12), deep-fried ground beef turnovers, on the appetizer menu. Along with kibbe (3/$12), Syrian-style beef croquettes with bulgur wheat shells holding a payload of ground beef and onions that ought to be dunked in the proffered lemony tahini sauce.
Sandwiches rolled in pita bread can satisfy vegans (falafel and hummus, $12) or carnivores (beef kofta, $14, lamb kabob, $16) and come with za’atar-dusted fries.
The bar remains, but there’s no alcohol, as befitting a halal restaurant. Smoothies ($8), mint lemonade ($6), and sahlab ($7), a traditional Levantine winter sipper of warm milk with coconut, perfumed with orange blossom water.
Check out the complete menu, and order online, at amiraskitchenny.com.
Hours: 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Wednesday-Monday. Closed Tuesday. Phone: 716-428-3000.
REVIEW: Opened three months ago, Beacon Grille has already shouldered its way into must-see territory for Buffalo diners looking for a first-class experience. The fire-driven Allen Street restaurant presents fine dining skills without white-linen fussiness, drawing from local sources and ancient inspirations, served by a hustling crew of trained professionals. Make reservations, then see what can happen when topnotch culinary talents who could work anywhere make their stand in Buffalo. (For patrons, later today.)
CHANGING HANDS
Dave Janicki, owner of Clarence steak favorite Kennedy’s Cove, has traded in “his crocs and socks for golf shoes” after 23 years. He sold the restaurant to longtime chef Jamison Reagan.
From the announcement: “1. Yes, gift certificates previously purchased will continue to be accepted under the new owner. 2. Gift certificates do not expire. 3. Kennedys Cove is NOT closing!”
CLOSINGS
The Grapevine, a family destination and vicarious aquarium stop for 40 years, has served its last fish fry.
The 2545 Niagara Falls Blvd. location is closed with the retirement of owners Tom and Liza Pane.
“Our family business has had so many awesome experiences in the community, and it brings us great satisfaction,” the Pane family said in a statement. “We want to say thank you to everyone who dined with us, whether you have been dining with us for years or just now found us. We are grateful for your continued support and loyalty that you have brought us.”
Gift certificates can be used at Grapevine Banquets, 333 Dick Road, Depew.
EVENTS
Moriarty Oktoberfest: On Sept. 25, meet certified cicerone Craig Altobello of Magic Bear Beer Cellar, pairing brews with chef Jennifer Boye’s Oktoberfest-inspired menu.
It’s dinnertime at Cafe Bar Moriarty, 1650 Elmwood Ave.
Four courses, family style, with a beer pairing per course. “You will be seated with the number of tickets you purchase. Please note at the time of booking if you have any allergies or if you have any restrictions preventing you from sitting at a high top table or at the bar,” the invitation notes.
Cash bar 5:30 p.m. First course 6 p.m. sharp.
Tickets, $80, do not include sales tax or gratuity. Get your tickets here. (A $10 deposit per ticket is required.)
(Above: A1 chicken with fresh spicy pepper at Golden Hill)
ASK THE CRITIC
Q: What’s the word on pepper chicken that makes your lips tingle?
Chris McKean, Buffalo
A: Since Chinese Chinese restaurants started opening near the University at Buffalo’s North Campus, ma-la has joined Frank’s Hot among the greatest spice sensations in town.
Dried chiles in Chinese food is nothing new to fans of General Tso’s chicken and other paragons of Chinese-American cuisine. What’s new is Sichuan peppercorn, actually a bud from a member of the ash family, whose tongue-numbing effects are used by skilled tools to balance chile flames. Ma-la is the fire-and-ice interplay between the two elements.
Peking Quick One, 359 Somerville Ave., Tonawanda, 716-381-8730. (Review)
Home Taste, 3106 Delaware Ave., Kenmore, 716-322-0088
China Taste, 1280 Sweet Home Road, Suite 102, Amherst, 716- 568-0080 (Review)
Miss Hot Cafe, 3311 Sheridan Drive, Amherst, 716-832-3188
Golden Hill, 4001 Sheridan Drive, Amherst, 716-631-7198
More reading from Michael Chelus:
Mr. Galarneau told us about the delicious barbecue, fried seafood and more to be found at Nephew's BBQ [Four Bites]
Andrew also told us how McCollum Orchards, a 6th generation family farm, is surviving and thriving [Four Bites]
Christa told us where to find our favorite Buffalo-style pizza at places like Picasso's Pizza, Nino's Pizza and more [Buffalo Spree]
Newell wrote about District 37 Kitchen & Taphouse in North Tonawanda [Buffalo Rising]
Macy's Place Pizzeria opened its third location in Clarence [Step Out Buffalo]
Brian's Buffalo Beer Briefs told us of the extension of Big Ditch's Inflation Buster Menu, the one year anniversary for Mystic Hills Brewing and more [Step Out Buffalo]
Rosie’s Handcrafted Ice Cream is close to opening its Buffalo location [Buffalo Rising]
#30#
All the very best wishes to Amira ! What a blessing to have her incredible menu and expertise in this popular lovely neighborhood. How fortunate for me to have had a tour of her kitchen prior to opening, it is impressively organized and chiseled spotlessly down to the original tiles. Indeed a comfortable place to dine and explore this delightful cuisine. Wonderful.