If there is an underlying theme with all of the Buffalo Foodies it would be their love of Buffalo. In our newest Buffalo Foodie article we are proud to be featuring another such proud Buffaloian, Tony the owner/founder of CityLove Clothing. Since July of 2007 when Tony founded the company, they have created over 25 original designs by 15 local artists and 90 different styles and colors. On top of what has been sold at his store and online, they have created special custom projects for small businesses and non-profit groups to aid in marketing and help fund-raising efforts.
Tony is a native Buffaloian, he grew up in Northern Buffalo and graduated from St Joe’s and Canisius College. He is currently completing a master’s degree in Urban Planning from the University of Buffalo. He expects to do various things in his career, but they will all follow the mission: Promote Buffalo.
Recently Tony has joined the staff of the Buffalo State Small Business Development Center in order to increase the assistance he can give to small businesses throughout Western New York. CityLove will continue its business online, but this means that Tony will be closing its retail boutique on Elmwood in May 2010. Keep checking their website for more information and to keep updated with the latest news.
Thanks to the magic of emailing and tweeting, we were able to send some questions to Tony about his favorite Buffalo food joints, here is what he had to say:
What are your favorite restaurants in Buffalo?
Tony: Let me make one thing very clear: I hate onions.
I think that Gabriel’s Gate is the best place to take a date for lunch. I can still remember very fondly the day I went to lunch there with the first girl I ever thought I loved over ten years ago. We sat in the back patio enjoying an ambiance that would have befit a scene in “The Secret Garden.” There was a little fountain in the back and the distractions were minimal. I’m sure I probably had a turkey club, but I know I was wise enough to stay away from the popcorn. The brick buildings in Allentown look beautiful during sunny days.
I think The Left Bank has to be one of Buffalo’s best kept secrets. My father grew up on Richmond right around the corner and the house actually shares the driveway. My grandparents, now deceased, lived in that house for over fifty years. Things like that really mean something in a place like Buffalo. I love the stuffed ravioli and it was there that I first had fried calamari as an appetizer. I think the atmosphere is great for groups of 2-4, both romantic and social.
Over the last few years, Trattoria Aroma on Bryant and Café Aroma on Main Street have moved to the top of the list for great meals. I love Italian food.
Lastly, there should be an “E-T-S” day in Buffalo. Their food is excellent and they are a tremendous example of how to run a highly-respectable family business. Their evolution on Elmwood is a testament to their quality, and a tremendous asset to the neighborhood.
Where are your favorite bars to go and grab a drink?
Tony: I am not a big drinker; I go for the company, atmosphere, and music.
My favorite bar is Soho. Not only have they been very supportive to CityLove since we had our official launch party there in July 2007, but there is no other place on Chippewa that can draw a crowd of various ages, etc. That is a testament to their longevity and their awesome upstairs patio. Much of the SoHo family I can now call friends. For the sake of being thorough, it is the best place to see beautiful women…..even if some might have attitude problems!
If you want to stand close to your date, go to Hardware and perfect the in-close whisper.
If you value being “friends” with the bartending staff, Coles is a good place to earn extra benefits. They have been open for over 75 years!
Lastly, it is great to see young entrepreneurs starting their own bars and restaurants…..so I must give a “shout-out” for continued success to Omega Lounge and Encore.
Being raised in Buffalo, What food did you grow up on?
Tony: I feel tremendously loyal to certain places and certain recipes, and I must honor them appropriately. I grew up in a working family in North Buffalo and I began working the day I turned eleven in order to have basic spending money. Rather than saving, much of the money I made umpiring baseball at Shoshone Park or delivering The Buffalo News went to restaurants on Hertel Avenue.
I may have my wedding reception at Bob & John’s. I’m kidding, but I have eaten there more than any other place in Buffalo…..by far!! My parents got divorced when I was 12, so my younger sister and I would go there at least once a week with my father.
I used to go to Kostas’s when you could smoke anywhere and the walls were all white, wavy stucco. They used to hate it when us teenagers would all order water with lemon and add sugar….lol….or split a chicken fingers’ meal three-ways.
The Lone Star Grill is the least attractive place ever called a restaurant, but nobody makes Tex-Mex better. Their nachos are authentic and the smell brings me back every time. Also, they had free refills on pop. That’s like gold to middle school kids. Lastly, my friends and I used to be able to go to Parkers’ Pharmacy and get great “penny candy” after the meal.
Also, “shout-out” to the meat sauce at Frank’s Sunny Italy……love you boo!
Where do you take friends from out of town for a good Buffalo meal?
Tony: I mean no disrespect to the “traditional” champions of chicken wings in Buffalo, but local Buffaloonians will tell you that the real way to eat chicken wings is with pizza. What this means is that an Italian pizzeria, like Just Pizza or LaNova, is the best place for wings, especially the “sweet” BBQ.
For fancier dining, I would recommend Fiamma, or the ChopHouse for steak.
Most times, my ex-pat friends usually just want either Mighty Taco or Jim’s before they head back out of town.
Is there any food you wish there was more of in Buffalo?
Tony: There should be a Ted’s …. in the city.
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We’d like to thank Tony for taking some time out of his busy schedule for getting back to us and talking about some of his favorite restaurants. We highly recommend you check out his website and look at some of his designs or follow Tony on twitter to keep up to date.
