Buffalo — Summer 2013: The Cheesecake Factory

Dear Cheesecake Factory,
Chicken Marsala and Mushrooms
Mango Key Lime Cheesecake
I love that your menu is infinite and that I can close my eyes, pick any random item, and know that it will be tasty and enjoyable and come in an insanely huge portion that can probably feed one large and incredibly hungry man, two average adults, or three or more children (probably six if said children are from a third world country). I love that your strawberry lemonade is equal parts sweet and tart and incredibly addictive, encompassing all that is glorious about summer, and comes in a delightfully sugar-rimmed glass that is bigger than my head and will likely cause diabetes if it is consumed in its entirety. I love that the chicken Marsala and mushrooms has not one but two chicken breasts that are so soft that they must've been tenderized for days, mushroom slices that are so big that they must've been altered with hormones, and bow-tie pasta that is perfectly coated with not-too-thick-but-just-rich-enough Marsala wine sauce that makes me think that what I'm eating isn't two million calories even though the portion size indicates otherwise. I love that the mango key lime cheesecake, with its light fluffy mango mousse and tart key lime cheesecake and sweet coconut macaroon crust, makes me feel like even leaving a single bite despite feeling full-to-bursting would be blasphemous. My only question is, why have you not expanded into Canada yet? I promise we can be just as fat and gluttonous as our American counterparts.

The Cheesecake Factory Walden Galleria 1 Walden Galleria Buffalo, NY 14225 (716) 685-2600

Buffalo — Summer 2013: Sephora Haul

So, despite the fact that I only came back from New York about a month ago, Edward and I decided to make a trip to Buffalo to do some shopping. We decided to stop by Fashion Outlets to scout out some good deals, and whereas Edward managed to get a bunch of great finds (shoes, pants, etc.), I only left with a pair of black Blowfish faux-suede flats (for $10!). We decided to drive down to Walden Galleria where, naturally, I did the rest of my shopping at Sephora:
Urban Decay Naked2 Palette and mini Lip Junkie Lip Gloss in Naked
Urban Decay Naked2 Palette (inside) with Good Karma Shadow/Crease Brush
Urban Decay Naked Flushed
Urban Decay Eyeshadows (clockwise from left): Mildew, Evidence, Roach, and Cobra
Urban Decay Rebound Build Your Own Palette
This post might as well have been called "Urban Decay Haul," because every single thing I bought from Sephora was from Urban Decay. I finally broke down and bought the damn Naked2 Palette again (which I had originally bought in New York last fall and got a bad case of buyer's remorse and ended up returning it) because I still love all the shades in that palette and it's $10 cheaper in the States, and then I also snatched up the Naked Flushed blush compact (so silky and pigmented, and universally flattering, too!), plus four more single eyeshadows and another empty palette to put them in (I seriously wish UD would make larger palettes so I wouldn't have to spend $10 on every quad). I didn't want to buy much more because my budget was $200 for the trip (including dinner) and I didn't want any trouble going back over the border... But, yeah, can you tell I have a bit of an Urban Decay obsession right now?
I did have my heart set on buying the Yves Saint Laurent Rouge Volupté Shine in 19 Fuchsia in Rage — the only shade from the range that I must have — but they were sold out of it, and even though the beauty advisor tried to find a good substitute shade (she recommended Too Faced's La Crème Lipstick in Berry Sexy) and I had put it in my basket, I ended up putting it back because there were a ton of other things I would've rather bought (plus, as someone with nearly 500 lipsticks, I do not want a substitute shade; I want the shade that I originally picked). I was also considering grabbing the NARS Pierre Hardy Blush Palette in Boys Don't Cry (again), but for $42 USD, it would've taken up a huge chunk of my budget and I think I would've had buyer's remorse. Although, after seeing Latoya's review and photos, I think I am now having non-buyer's remorse. Serious first world/make-up artist problems.

Sephora Walden Galleria 1 Walden Galleria Drive Buffalo, NY 14225 (716) 651-1923

Birthday Hauls

I got a lot of stuff over the past week, including my purchases from my trip to Buffalo (which basically means Sephora and Target) and IMATS (my friend went to get stuff for me because I was in the States), and birthday gifts received:

Disney Cinderella by Sephora Storylook Eyeshadow Palette

Disney Cinderella by Sephora Storylook Eyeshadow Palette (inside)

Urban Decay The Vice Palette

Urban Decay The Vice Palette (inside)

Tarte Fantastic Foursome Set

Tarte Fantastic Foursome Set (clockwise from left): Amazonian Clay 12-Hour Blush in Angelic, Stellar, Magic, and Fantastic

NARS Pro-Prime Smudge Proof Eyeshadow Base and Fresh Sugar Kisses Mini Lip Duo Birthday Bonus (Fresh Mini Sugar and Sugar Rosé Tinted Lip Treatment SPF 15)

Philosophy Purity Made Simple Facial Cleansing Gel and Eye Makeup Remover

Lancôme Pure Focus Anti-Ageing Matifying Cream-Gel and Hydra Zen Extreme Soothing Moisturising Cream-Gel from Duty Free

Butter London Holiday 2012 Nail Lacquer in Fairy Cake, Shambolic, Fiddlesticks, Scuppered, and Jack the Lad

Essie Winter 2012 Nail Polish in Snap Happy and Where's My Chauffeur?, and China Glaze Bohemian Luster Chrome Nail Lacquer in Deviantly Daring and Unpredictable

Crown Brushes (IB120, IB103, IB101, IB102, C400, and C108) from IMATS

OCC Lip Tars in Yaoi, Psycho, Lydia, and Demure from IMATS

Lush Karma Kream Body Lotion, Calacas Shower Jelly, Whoosh Shower Jelly, Slammer Shower Gel, Twilight Shower Gel, Twilight Bath Bomb, and Fizzbanger Bath Bomb from my Lush friend, Fran

2 Broke Girls: The Complete First Season, The Big Bang Theory: The Complete Fifth Season, Grey's Anatomy: The Complete Eighth Season, and Pretty Little Liars: The Complete Second Season from Ben

The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern and Brave on Blu-ray and DVD on sale from Target

Method Hand Wash in Pear Ginger (bottle designed by Orla Kiely), Fresh Currant, and Waterfall from Target

Many delicious Oreos (Peanut Butter Fudge Cremes, Double Stuf Heads or Tails, and Triple Double Neapolitan) from Target

Suffice it to say, I had a very, very good birthday, and I am also now very, very broke.

Anchor Bar

We couldn't stay in Buffalo and not eat at the "Home of the Orignal Buffalo Chicken Wing," am I right?

Mild Buffalo wings

The original medium Buffalo wings

Are they worth the hype? A resounding 'yes.' Each wing, which I thought was larger than the average chicken wing, is deep-fried to crispy perfection, with tender, moist meaty goodness on the inside. The mild wings have an almost buttery flavour to them with a hint of spice. The medium wings (which is the original recipe) are tangy, equal parts sweet and spicy, and just as addictive. Neither of them are too dry or too saucy; they are just perfectly coated, and absolutely divine whether or not you dip them in the blue cheese dressing. And no need to get sides — a single order (ten wings) will be enough to make you (really) full. The service is polite, attentive, and efficient, and the decor is equal parts rustic and motorcycle gang. Basically, it's a must-visit for chicken wing fans.


Anchor Bar
1047 Main Street
Buffalo, NY 14209
(716) 886-8920

Pano's

So, I made a little overnight trip to Buffalo yesterday with Ronsee and Ben as a sort of birthday trip (Ben's and my birthdays are only two weeks apart, so we tend to do a little celebration out of town). After fighting rush hour traffic and waiting half an hour to get over the border, we got to our hotel a little after 6:00pm, did some shopping at Target, and unwinded with a drink (Freshly Limeade is pretty much the best thing, ever) in the hotel room. By 11:30pm, we were starving. Last week, I mentioned to one of my regular clients that I was going to make a trip to Buffalo, and she told me that I should check out Pano's. Luckily for us, it just so happens that, in a city with so few late-night dine-in restaurants, Pano's is open until 1:00am. When I asked our server what they were known for and what he recommended, and he said they were known for their souvlaki and recommended the gyro. So, that's what I got.

Gyro souvlaki

Greek potatoes

The portion is huge, the meat is flavourful and tender, and the salad is crisp and fresh. Was it good? Yes. Was it anything special? No. Not sure how good their other dishes are, but they've gotten pretty good ratings and reviews, so I'm wondering if maybe I should've ordered a non-souvlaki dish. Then again, I might've been way more impressed if there was tzatziki sauce. I'm not going to say I didn't like it, 'cause I did, but I think I was just expecting better. I would try it again next time I'm in Buffalo, but I wouldn't go out of my way for it.


Pano's
1081 Elmwood Avenue
Buffalo, NY 14222
(716) 886-9081

Buffalo — Spring 2012: Target

I think it's physically impossible for me to go to Buffalo without making a trip to Target. With my parents waiting in the car and ten minutes for me to shop, I picked up some last-minute goodies:

Pop Beauty Nail Glam in Raw, Aquatic Glitz, and Violet Glitz

Method Foaming Hand Wash in Coconut Grove, Daffodil Bouquet, Juicy Pear, and Waterfall

100% Acetone Nail Polish Remover

EOS Everyday Hand Lotion in Original, Cucumber, and Berry Blossom

Nothing too exciting, just picked up some things that either I can't find in Toronto or are much cheaper in the States (the EOS hand lotion is something like $9 here, and it's $4 over there!). I would've bought like, a case of that nail polish remover if I could, though. Apparently, 100% acetone nail polish remover isn't available in Canada (you can get 100% acetone for non-cosmetic purposes, but not with Bitrex in nail polish remover form), and it's seriously the most effective product in taking off the most ridiculous glitter nail polishes (soak cotton pad, wrap around nail, comes off in a minute). It's really bad for your nails, but I don't have half an hour to take off nail polish (actually, it has taken me up to 45 minutes to take off glitter nail polish before, which is just... unacceptable). And, of course, I had to pick up some of my favourite Method hand wash, in some scents that don't seem to be available here. Had I had more than ten minutes, I reckon I would've left with a lot more stuff. I just hope that when Target finally opens in Canada next year, they carry the same stuff as in the States.

Target

1750 Walden Avenue

Cheektowaga, NY 14225

(716) 896-0493

Buffalo — Spring 2012: The Cheesecake Factory

Shortly after our brunch, we went back to the hotel to pick up our luggage and headed to the airport. We drove over the border and flew out from Buffalo, so we had left our car in long-term parking at the Buffalo airport. Since we were there, anyway, we figured we'd have dinner in Buffalo before heading back over the border so, obviously, I dragged my parents to The Cheesecake Factory. We decided to get two entrées and a dessert to share:

Salisbury Chopped Steak

A classic — I've ordered this a few times at The Cheesecake Factory, because I know it's tasty. (When sharing, I like to have a good standby dish in case any other dishes we order suck.) As the name implies, it's Certified Angus Beef chopped steak (kind of like a hybrid between a regular steak and a hamburger patty) combined with onions, mushrooms, and garlic in the most addictive mushroom gravy, and served with mashed potatoes and green beans. Good, solid, classic American dish. You can't really go wrong with this one.

Factory Burrito Grande

Factory Burrito Grande (innards)

Introducing the biggest burrito I have ever seen in my life. Seriously, I don't know how anyone could possibly eat this on their own. They describe this as a "monster burrito," but it's like Godzilla. Stuffed with chicken, cheese, cilantro rice, onions, corn, and peppers, topped with cheese and tomatoes. It also comes with sides of black beans, guacamole, salsa, and sour cream. Every time I'm at The Cheesecake Factory, I see at least every other table order this, so I had to try it for myself. It's really good, of course (what obese American dreams are made of, really), but the ratio of rice to everything else was a little too high for me. I wouldn't order this for myself because it's basically the size of a child, but if, say, a dining companion wanted to share this, I wouldn't refuse.

Fresh Banana Cream Cheesecake

You cannot leave The Cheesecake Factory without getting cheesecake — it's pretty much against the law. (Well... my law.) We ended the night with one of my favourite desserts from The Cheesecake Factory: the banana cream cheesecake topped with Bavarian whipped cream and fresh banana slices. I like that this cheesecake is lighter and more airy than the typical rich, heavy, dense cheesecake. It's on the sweeter side because bananas are sweet on their own, but let it be noted that this cheesecake is all real banana, none of that artificial banana flavour. You like bananas and cheesecake, you'll love this.

The Cheesecake Factory

One Walden Galleria

Cheektowaga, New York 14225

(716) 685-2600