Francesca Bond
@chessabond.bsky.social
food reporter @ The Buffalo News
Reposted by Francesca Bond
Famous Doughnuts is closing after 87 years. The 99-year-old D&L Bakery and 68-year-old German Wolter’s Bakery also closed this year. What does the community lose when its oldest bakeries close?
buffalonews.com/life-enterta...
buffalonews.com/life-enterta...
Buffalo's oldest bakeries are closing. What have we lost?
Famous Doughnuts is closing after 87 years. The 99-year-old D&L Bakery and 68-year-old German Wolter’s Bakery also closed this year. What does the community lose when its oldest bakeries close?
buffalonews.com
November 14, 2025 at 4:12 PM
Famous Doughnuts is closing after 87 years. The 99-year-old D&L Bakery and 68-year-old German Wolter’s Bakery also closed this year. What does the community lose when its oldest bakeries close?
buffalonews.com/life-enterta...
buffalonews.com/life-enterta...
Reposted by Francesca Bond
Buffalo’s diner scene, despite the fact that diners are often mobbed for breakfast, is shrinking. The reasons are numerous and predictable, mostly boiling down to the diner’s late stage in a trend’s life expectancy.
buffalonews.com/life-enterta...
buffalonews.com/life-enterta...
‘A dying art’: What happened to Buffalo’s diner scene?
Buffalo’s diner scene, despite the fact that diners are often mobbed for breakfast, is shrinking. The reasons are numerous and predictable, mostly boiling down to the diner’s late stage in a trend’s l...
buffalonews.com
November 29, 2025 at 12:59 PM
Buffalo’s diner scene, despite the fact that diners are often mobbed for breakfast, is shrinking. The reasons are numerous and predictable, mostly boiling down to the diner’s late stage in a trend’s life expectancy.
buffalonews.com/life-enterta...
buffalonews.com/life-enterta...
Reposted by Francesca Bond
ICYMI: Down a gravel road on a farm in Jordan Station, Ontario, just 45 minutes from Buffalo, you can find Pearl Morissette, a two-Michelin star rated restaurant. Read about reporter Francesca Bond's experience at the restaurant here.
A two-Michelin star meal is 45 minutes from Buffalo. What it's like to dine at Canada's Pearl Morissette
Restaurant Pearl Morissette has two Michelin stars and was recently ranked the best restaurant in Canada. It's also just 45 minutes from Buffalo. Read about our experience.
buffalonews.com
December 11, 2025 at 5:00 PM
ICYMI: Down a gravel road on a farm in Jordan Station, Ontario, just 45 minutes from Buffalo, you can find Pearl Morissette, a two-Michelin star rated restaurant. Read about reporter Francesca Bond's experience at the restaurant here.
Reposted by Francesca Bond
The path to a Michelin star does not begin in the kitchen. It begins with a tourism board paying for Michelin to visit its region.
The 450,000 reasons Buffalo doesn't have a Michelin-star restaurant
The path to a Michelin star does not begin in the kitchen. It begins with a tourism board paying for Michelin to visit its region.
buffalonews.com
December 15, 2025 at 1:05 PM
The path to a Michelin star does not begin in the kitchen. It begins with a tourism board paying for Michelin to visit its region.
Reposted by Francesca Bond
While many restaurant owners avoid expressing political views, some in Western New York are stepping out in that limb.
by @chessabond.bsky.social
buffalonews.com/life-enterta...
by @chessabond.bsky.social
buffalonews.com/life-enterta...
Would you like to hear about our specials? How about our politics? Restaurateurs take risk that comes from the heart
Elm Street Bakery broke the unspoken restaurant rule – no politics – this year to organize political, nonpartisan events. “It’s brave to get involved in this conversation."
buffalonews.com
November 13, 2025 at 4:20 PM
While many restaurant owners avoid expressing political views, some in Western New York are stepping out in that limb.
by @chessabond.bsky.social
buffalonews.com/life-enterta...
by @chessabond.bsky.social
buffalonews.com/life-enterta...
Reposted by Francesca Bond
Love this story by @chessabond.bsky.social about my friend Mike. buffalonews.com/life-enterta...
'Polyester Bakes' insists he's not a baker. His role on Gordon Ramsay's 'Next Level Baker' says otherwise
Michael Mararian, aka Polyester Bakes, is competing on Gordon Ramsay's holiday-themed TV show "Next Level Baker." He’s a natural fit for TV, even if he doesn’t consider himself a baker.
buffalonews.com
November 14, 2025 at 2:00 PM
Love this story by @chessabond.bsky.social about my friend Mike. buffalonews.com/life-enterta...
Reposted by Francesca Bond
A fantastic review of Ontario's two-Michelin star restaurant Pearl Morissette, less than an hour's drive from Buffalo.
by @chessabond.bsky.social with wonderful photos from @libbymarch.bsky.social
buffalonews.com/life-enterta...
by @chessabond.bsky.social with wonderful photos from @libbymarch.bsky.social
buffalonews.com/life-enterta...
A two-Michelin star meal is 45 minutes from Buffalo. What it's like to dine at Canada's Pearl Morissette
Restaurant Pearl Morissette has two Michelin stars and was recently ranked the best restaurant in Canada. It's also just 45 minutes from Buffalo. Read about our experience.
buffalonews.com
December 11, 2025 at 9:05 PM
A fantastic review of Ontario's two-Michelin star restaurant Pearl Morissette, less than an hour's drive from Buffalo.
by @chessabond.bsky.social with wonderful photos from @libbymarch.bsky.social
buffalonews.com/life-enterta...
by @chessabond.bsky.social with wonderful photos from @libbymarch.bsky.social
buffalonews.com/life-enterta...
One could follow the beef on weck rabbit hole for a very long time. I followed it for a bit. Here’s my story on the (ancient, beloved, controversial) beef on weck’s current status in and out of Buffalo. buffalonews.com/life-enterta...
The beef on weck isn't the most popular food, but hey, it's ours. And it's growing. What makes it special?
Instead of joining the graveyard of extinct regional fare, the beef on weck became relevant again in a changing world. With nostalgia as its gimmick, it reminds Buffalonians of their past and reminds ...
buffalonews.com
October 13, 2025 at 4:05 PM
One could follow the beef on weck rabbit hole for a very long time. I followed it for a bit. Here’s my story on the (ancient, beloved, controversial) beef on weck’s current status in and out of Buffalo. buffalonews.com/life-enterta...
Reposted by Francesca Bond
I interviewed Ani DiFranco for @buffalonews.com ahead of her concert tonight at Terminal B. We talked about her Broadway debut, her new album and what she’s expecting from her first trip to Buffalo since the pandemic. Check it out while there’s no paywall!
buffalonews.com/life-enterta...
buffalonews.com/life-enterta...
Ani DiFranco: Buffalo will 'always be my home'
The folk singer said she “can’t wait” to see what a revitalized downtown and new immigrant populations have done for the city.
buffalonews.com
August 31, 2025 at 5:41 PM
I interviewed Ani DiFranco for @buffalonews.com ahead of her concert tonight at Terminal B. We talked about her Broadway debut, her new album and what she’s expecting from her first trip to Buffalo since the pandemic. Check it out while there’s no paywall!
buffalonews.com/life-enterta...
buffalonews.com/life-enterta...
Since the paywall is down on The Buffalo News website this weekend, here are some of the stories I’ve written over the last few months.
And if you want to read more after the weekend is over, support local journalism (woo!) and become a subscriber. buffalonews.com/life-enterta...
And if you want to read more after the weekend is over, support local journalism (woo!) and become a subscriber. buffalonews.com/life-enterta...
In the land of #NeverRanch, how Buffalo acquired a taste for blue cheese
Buffalonians have acquired a taste for blue cheese that the rest of the country doesn't understand. We explored blue cheese's local history, appeal, variations and why some still choose ranch.
buffalonews.com
August 31, 2025 at 4:09 PM
Since the paywall is down on The Buffalo News website this weekend, here are some of the stories I’ve written over the last few months.
And if you want to read more after the weekend is over, support local journalism (woo!) and become a subscriber. buffalonews.com/life-enterta...
And if you want to read more after the weekend is over, support local journalism (woo!) and become a subscriber. buffalonews.com/life-enterta...
The Anchor Bar’s chicken wing origin story — Teressa Bellissimo invented the Buffalo wing on a Friday night during lent in 1964 — is a famous tale in culinary history. It also can’t be true, based on ads for Anchor Bar’s wings printed in 1963. Full story: buffalonews.com/life-enterta...
The Anchor Bar's chicken wing origin story is well known. It also can't be true
In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. In 1964, Teressa Bellissimo created the chicken wing. But the story that has become part of local folklore and told all around the world can't ...
buffalonews.com
August 15, 2025 at 5:26 PM
The Anchor Bar’s chicken wing origin story — Teressa Bellissimo invented the Buffalo wing on a Friday night during lent in 1964 — is a famous tale in culinary history. It also can’t be true, based on ads for Anchor Bar’s wings printed in 1963. Full story: buffalonews.com/life-enterta...
Check out our new series and Instagram account highlighting timely stories from @TheBuffaloNews archives. Today we dive into Bills training camp: buffalonews.com/sports/bills...
From the Buffalo News archives: Bills training camp over the years
The Buffalo News has been covering Buffalo Bills training camp since the team's inception. As a new season kicks off, click on the link below to read a few highlights plucked from 65 years of coverage...
buffalonews.com
July 23, 2025 at 9:26 PM
Check out our new series and Instagram account highlighting timely stories from @TheBuffaloNews archives. Today we dive into Bills training camp: buffalonews.com/sports/bills...
There’s fire. There’s juggling. There’s a person juggling fire while padding around on a circus ball. A look at Flow Jam, a free party-meets-circus every Monday evening at Delaware Park: buffalonews.com/life-enterta...
How Mondays at Hoyt Lake became a free circus
Things you might see at Flow Jam: a man juggling flaming torches on top of a circus ball, a fire breather and people dancing with the gusto of “Seinfeld’s” Elaine.
buffalonews.com
July 23, 2025 at 9:22 PM
There’s fire. There’s juggling. There’s a person juggling fire while padding around on a circus ball. A look at Flow Jam, a free party-meets-circus every Monday evening at Delaware Park: buffalonews.com/life-enterta...
A new “pop and pop” shop in the Elmwood Village takes a creative approach to movie theater snacks (and adds a sprinkle of nostalgia). Read more: buffalonews.com/life-enterta...
This week in Buffalo food: Loaded popcorn and 'dirty' soda come to Elmwood at nostalgic shop
Buttered popcorn and fountain soda are a mere canvas. From there, POPularity! adds sauces, spices, cookies and chips to its "loaded" popcorns, and syrups and purees to its "dirty" sodas.
buffalonews.com
July 23, 2025 at 9:16 PM
A new “pop and pop” shop in the Elmwood Village takes a creative approach to movie theater snacks (and adds a sprinkle of nostalgia). Read more: buffalonews.com/life-enterta...
Robabeh Ghorbanzadeh and Arman Naeemi, immigrants from Afghanistan, recently opened Saffron Kitchen, where they serve a tight menu of Afghan and Persian food for lunch and dinner. More here: buffalonews.com/life-enterta...
This week in Buffalo food: Saffron Kitchen brings Persian-Afghan food to unrecognizable Record Theatre
Robabeh Ghorbanzadeh and Arman Naeemi, immigrants from Afghanistan, recently opened Saffron Kitchen (1786 Main St.), which serves a tight menu of Afghan and Persian food for lunch and dinner.
buffalonews.com
July 23, 2025 at 9:13 PM
Robabeh Ghorbanzadeh and Arman Naeemi, immigrants from Afghanistan, recently opened Saffron Kitchen, where they serve a tight menu of Afghan and Persian food for lunch and dinner. More here: buffalonews.com/life-enterta...
A Lao-Thai restaurant and soul food restaurant join the lineup of immigrant-run food kiosks serving up a culinary trip around the world at the West Side Bazaar: buffalonews.com/life-enterta...
This week in Buffalo food: West Side Bazaar fills out with new Lao-Thai, soul food restaurants
A Lao-Thai restaurant and soul food restaurant join the lineup of immigrant-run food kiosks serving up a culinary trip around the world at the West Side Bazaar.
buffalonews.com
July 23, 2025 at 8:56 PM
A Lao-Thai restaurant and soul food restaurant join the lineup of immigrant-run food kiosks serving up a culinary trip around the world at the West Side Bazaar: buffalonews.com/life-enterta...
Two historic Niagara County buildings come back to life with food and drink at Fairbanks and Big Ditch. Story here: buffalonews.com/life-enterta...
Burgers and beer bring historic buildings back to life at Fairbanks, Big Ditch
It was the humble hamburger amid the sea of fancy food at the new Fairbanks restaurant inside Lewiston’s Frontier House that brought the most delight. It felt like a wink.
buffalonews.com
July 23, 2025 at 8:46 PM
Two historic Niagara County buildings come back to life with food and drink at Fairbanks and Big Ditch. Story here: buffalonews.com/life-enterta...
Rattlesnake, buffalo on weck and chicken wing cupcakes with bleu cheese frosting: how the Taste of Buffalo has changed, and remained the same, over the years buffalonews.com/life-enterta...
Taste of Buffalo reflects how things have changed ... and remained the same
“The effort to bring patrons downtown to reignite that enthusiasm for their hometown is still kind of our core mission,” said Matthew Reis, chair of this year’s Taste of Buffalo.
buffalonews.com
July 12, 2025 at 10:36 AM
Rattlesnake, buffalo on weck and chicken wing cupcakes with bleu cheese frosting: how the Taste of Buffalo has changed, and remained the same, over the years buffalonews.com/life-enterta...
Unlike downtown Buffalo, which saw its food and drink renaissance of the 2010s freeze during Covid, the midsection of Niagara Street – roughly between the Peace Bridge and Scajaquada Expressway – has experienced a recent wave of new businesses. Read more: buffalonews.com/life-enterta...
'It takes some pioneers': New wave of food and drink openings build on Niagara Street’s momentum
Unlike downtown Buffalo, which saw its food and drink renaissance of the 2010s freeze during Covid, the midsection of Niagara Street has experienced a new wave of bars and restaurants. The momentum ha...
buffalonews.com
July 7, 2025 at 8:03 PM
Unlike downtown Buffalo, which saw its food and drink renaissance of the 2010s freeze during Covid, the midsection of Niagara Street – roughly between the Peace Bridge and Scajaquada Expressway – has experienced a recent wave of new businesses. Read more: buffalonews.com/life-enterta...
🧵of my recent @TheBuffaloNews food stories… starting with today’s newsletter about Italian sandwiches with a sense of humor: buffalonews.com/life-enterta...
This week in Buffalo food: da Nando brings loaded Italian sandwiches to Transit Road
A culetto is a type of Italian sandwich that Nando Silenzi's family has been making for at least 150 years. Silenzi has built a new fast-casual restaurant around the sandwich.
buffalonews.com
July 1, 2025 at 3:40 PM
🧵of my recent @TheBuffaloNews food stories… starting with today’s newsletter about Italian sandwiches with a sense of humor: buffalonews.com/life-enterta...
Reposted by Francesca Bond
From @chessabond.bsky.social and myself:
‘There’s more of a hunker-down mentality’: WNY farms worry about ICE raids buffalonews.com/news/local/a...
‘There’s more of a hunker-down mentality’: WNY farms worry about ICE raids buffalonews.com/news/local/a...
‘There’s more of a hunker-down mentality’: WNY farms worry about ICE raids
The Trump administration’s intensified immigration raids and arrests have shaken the local agricultural community, which is dependent on migrant labor. “No farm would survive without them," said a Wes...
buffalonews.com
June 27, 2025 at 2:22 PM
From @chessabond.bsky.social and myself:
‘There’s more of a hunker-down mentality’: WNY farms worry about ICE raids buffalonews.com/news/local/a...
‘There’s more of a hunker-down mentality’: WNY farms worry about ICE raids buffalonews.com/news/local/a...
Reposted by Francesca Bond
ICYMI: Amid President Donald Trump's immigration crackdown many Western New York farmers fear for their workers. Excellent reporting from @chessabond.bsky.social and @robertgavinbn.bsky.social .
buffalonews.com/news/local/a...
buffalonews.com/news/local/a...
‘There’s more of a hunker-down mentality’: WNY farms worry about ICE raids
The Trump administration’s intensified immigration raids and arrests have shaken the local agricultural community, which is dependent on migrant labor. “No farm would survive without them," said a Wes...
buffalonews.com
June 30, 2025 at 7:40 PM
ICYMI: Amid President Donald Trump's immigration crackdown many Western New York farmers fear for their workers. Excellent reporting from @chessabond.bsky.social and @robertgavinbn.bsky.social .
buffalonews.com/news/local/a...
buffalonews.com/news/local/a...
Reposted by Francesca Bond
ICYMI: Buffalo News reporter @chessabond.bsky.social donned a Bleu Cheese mascot uniform to go behind the scenes of a Bisons game and learn about the team's most delicious between-inning entertainment.
'CHICKEN WING!': Behind the scenes of the maybe somewhat rigged Bisons food mascot race. (Spoiler alert: I won)
A Buffalo News reporter donned a Bleu Cheese mascot uniform to go behind the scenes of a Bisons game and learn about the team's most delicious between-inning entertainment.
buffalonews.com
June 2, 2025 at 12:30 AM
ICYMI: Buffalo News reporter @chessabond.bsky.social donned a Bleu Cheese mascot uniform to go behind the scenes of a Bisons game and learn about the team's most delicious between-inning entertainment.
Blue cheese and I meet again 😏 buffalonews.com/life-enterta...
'CHICKEN WING!': Behind the scenes of the maybe somewhat rigged Bisons food mascot race. (Spoiler alert: I won)
A Buffalo News reporter donned a Bleu Cheese mascot uniform to go behind the scenes of a Bisons game and learn about the team's most delicious between-inning entertainment.
buffalonews.com
May 30, 2025 at 5:10 PM
Blue cheese and I meet again 😏 buffalonews.com/life-enterta...
Reposted by Francesca Bond
With this follow up story: buffalonews.com/news/local/a...
What’s needed for fashion to take off in Buffalo?
The local fashion scene is being built by people who want to bridge cultural gaps and fight fast fashion. But designers need three things: fabric, manufacturing and retail.
buffalonews.com
May 27, 2025 at 2:07 PM
With this follow up story: buffalonews.com/news/local/a...