New York Nightlife

Williamsville, NY. The early 20th century. A man guides his family’s horse-drawn carriage through the flurries of snow sweeping across their circular driveway before coming to a halt in front of a striking two-story home. The ride was long and chilly, but inside, homey warmth awaits. Today, teleportation discs may have replaced the horse and buggy, but travelers still traverse the same driveway in search of a warm welcome. Now the home of Parings Wine Bar, the turn-of-the-century house reflects the goal that owner Shelia Paolini shared with the Amherst Bee’s Jessica Finch: “We want it to feel like you are coming into a living room, that you are at home, not at a bar.”

As soon as guests push open the bright-red front door, they enter a space that combines the comfort of a lived-in family room with the gourmet flavors found at traditional wine bars. Lit by flat-screen TVs and a cozy fireplace, guests peruse Chef Scott Martin’s ever-changing menu, which often features mediterranean nachos, lobster mac 'n' cheese, and horseradish beef tenderloin. Resident sommelier Alphonso DiMono’s wine list, which culls vintages from global wineries from Australia to France to California, perfectly complements the chef's creations. The bar’s mixologists also shake up more than 20 martinis infused with treats such has espresso vodka, Godiva white-chocolate liqueur, and pumpkin puree. As they sip and eat, guests can also join in special event nights that include art shows, live music, and happy hours that feature 20 types of wine for just $20 per bottle.

Family-owned and operated for more than 40 years, Mitchell's Tavern draws diners with beer, spirits, and a lengthy menu of freshly cooked pub fare. Its historic brick building, which is more than 70 years old, housed both a deli and the local fire department before transforming into the neighborhood tavern it is today. An outdoor patio shades rows of tabletops with umbrellas; inside, sports memorabilia and photographs crowd the walls as complimentary popcorn erupts from kettles and hearty roast beef sandwiches, hamburgers, and fried fish mingle with mugs of draft beer and mixed drinks. Happy hours and drink specials give wallets a break throughout the week—Mondays, for instance, bring half-priced bottles of Bud, and ladies night every Saturday treats ladies and gorillas in convincing cashmere gowns to $2 drinks and $4 cosmopolitans.: m]]

Before there was The Original Honey’s, there was Pacifico’s Garage, which founder Lorenzo Pacifico opened in a converted garage in 1962. When the space underwent remodeling, Lorenzo decided the name needed a face-lift, too, and reopened his eatery as The Original Honey’s, after the pet name Lorenzo's wife, Theresa, used for just about everyone she met.

Today, in the lively but kid-friendly pub, chefs fill pizza subs with housemade sauce and marinate chicken in Jose Cuervo tequila. For nearly every menu item, options abound: regular, charbroiled, and boneless wings arrive tossed with choice of more than 15 sauces, and build-your-own pizzas and burgers allow for endless customization. Along with special events, satellite television keeps patrons entertained with sports action from across the universe.

Like any good sports bar, 97 Lake glows with the light of high-definition TVs—28, to be exact—and an 108-inch big screen while serving ample portions of pub food and beer. There, diners can see major sporting events throughout the week to complement their drinks and dishes named after sports personalities. However, 97 Lake stands out from the pack in a key way: it couples the fresh, never-frozen regular menu, which is chock-full of half-pound burgers and sauce-slathered wings, with a gluten-free version for both kids and adults. The owner has celiac disease, so he knows how eating out can be a frustrating experience for those with gluten sensitivity. To make his eatery a welcoming and tasty outing for everyone, the kitchen staff is trained to prepare a wide variety of gluten-free food, including pulled-pork sandwiches and lobster mac and cheese.

Chef Miguel was born in Sao Paulo, Brazil, where he lived for six years before moving with his mother to Belize. In both locations, he absorbed knowledge of local spices, agricultural practices, and fishing communities. When he arrived in the United States as a young man, Miguel's early childhood passion for cooking—ignited by the diverse cuisines of Brazil and Belize—prompted him to pursue an education at the Culinary Institute of America. His restaurant endeavors have led him up and down the East Coast, from New York to South Florida and finally back to Karma Lounge in Ossining.

Called "a hidden beauty" by the New York Times and named one of the 31 best bars in the county by Westchester Magazine, Karma Lounge mixes upscale American fare with influences from around the world. Brick columns line the dining room entrance, leading guests through a dimly lit corridor that culminates in a stone fireplace. Evenings bring performances by jazz musicians, live bands, and DJs, who underscore meals and cocktails with their musical stylings, often playing three ominous notes when a diner has forgotten his reading glasses.

Situated at the long wooden bar, visitors to Vino Lounge browse a list of more than 30 wines by the bottle and 15 by the glass, each displayed along tall racks before their eyes. On the quiet patio, they dine and drink al fresco, perhaps pairing house-made sangria with food from sister business Marvin Mozzeroni's, which occupies the building's main level. The Messenger Post wrote that the semi-subterranean room "begs for visitors to sit down, relax and melt the work week away" by tossing their briefcases into the fireplace, while bartenders help even novice wine-drinkers "no longer fear wine."