Make It A Special Mother’s Day for Mom at the Mother’s Day Tea
Invite your mom to the Mother’s Day Tea at the Alternative Grounds Caffe, 17 Main Street in Middleport on Sunday, May 13 at 1 PM.
This is a special tea just for moms and it features a delightful menu that includes soup, petite sandwiches, scones, dessert and assorted teas,of course! It will be a relaxing time for mom as she enjoys your company, a wonderful meal and the special atmosphere of the Alternative Grounds Caffe. It has all the makings for your mom’s best Mother’s Day yet.
Call us for reservations at (716) 735-7608.
Alternative Grounds Caffe
17 Main Street
Middleport, New York 14105
Phone: (716) 735-7608
Now you can have your savory soups, delicious sandwiches and luscious quiches – and have happy kids too! The Sweet Sixteen Cafe, 16 W. Main Street in Lockport has a kids menu along with their meal selections for the big people.
You all know what it’s like when you have kids. They want some of their favorites and turn their noses up when they see the menu selections on your favorite cafe’s menu, but not at Sweet Sixteen. Bring them in for some of what makes them happy too.
Top it all off with a cupcake, brownie or maybe a very satisfying cookie that will taste just like its homemade.
Sweet Sixteen Café
SweetSixteenCafe.com
16 West Main Street
Lockport, NY 14094
Phone: (716) 439-1616
In fact, the reviewer said the baked goods and gourmet delights were “do die for”, and we agree!
If you have never had a Sweet Sixteen cupcake, you are missing something important in life. You need to stop in and pick one out, and we suggest the Red Velvet to start with. They are made with real ingredients like real butter, real sugar, flour, etc. and that makes all the difference in the world to your taste buds.
Back to the article by Mike Kurilovitch that appeared on February 5 in the Buffalo News. Below is the complete article but we am here to tell you that at Niagara Buzz, we agree with his review and we knew all this way before Mike!
LOCKPORT — Sweet Sixteen Cafe is a bakery and a cafe. Chic, homey and delicious.
At least that’s what its web-site says. But what about real people, with real appetites? What would they say?
Well, we’re here to tell you that Sweet Sixteen is, as advertised.
We were first put on the trail of Sweet Sixteen during the Charles Rand Penney expedition at the Kenan Center last fall. While vicariously traversing the deep, dark backwaters of some tribal outpost, we detoured slightly and ended up in the snack bar, where we sampled the world’s biggest, wildest cake pops.
Like velvety towers they were, stages of soft, spongy goodness anchored by mortar-like layers of creamy sweet frosting. Sure, they leaned a little, but what good tower doesn’t?
And that stick going halfway up the middle probably didn’t provide sufficient reinforcement . . . but then, it really didn’t have to. The “pop” was short-lived.
The good news is that you won’t have any trouble finding your way to Sweet Sixteen. It’s right on West Main Street, between Chet’s and Grimble’s on the Erie Canal.
You might say Sweet Sixteen is more bakery than cafe, offering a virtual carload of cupcakes and cookies and cakes. They do weddings and parties, even catering and cooking classes. They also do lunch.
Don’t expect page upon page of gourmet offerings on the menu. They prefer sticking to that old business adage of doing only a few things, but doing them well. Hence, you can get sandwiches, soups and specialty salads — or combinations — but that’s about it.
Oh, and quiches. You can also get special dinners for special occasions via special arrangement, but that’s best left between you and the management.
We stopped in the Cafe shortly before the holidays and enjoyed its Christmas-y storefront. Inside, artglass lamp-shades set off the subdued lighting, creating a coffeehouse feel.
We tried to sample as many offerings as possible. We ordered the beautifully presented Berkeley salad ($7), the roast beef wrap ($8, $6 for a half), the turkey sandwich and cup of soup combo ($8.99) and a cup of the gourmet soup ($4.99).
My daughters were pleased to learn that the entrees were served with a minicupcake and wasted little time texting pictures of the cute little creations to jealous friends.
The broccoli and cheddar soup was thick and unusual, more broccoli than cheddar, but nevertheless quite tasty. The tomato-basil that came with Steffany’s combo was delicious, she said, and the toasty, homemade croutons that accompanied it were excellent.
The candied walnuts that were to top the Berkeley salad had apparently skipped town, so the waitress kindly offered to replace them with pecans, which my wife gladly accepted. The salad was a visual, as well as gastronomic delight, with assorted greens topped with roast beef, banana chips and a garlic-Caesar dressing. She couldn’t stop gushing about how tasty and “different” it was.
The first thing we all noticed were the extremely fresh ingredients, from the salad greens to the cold cuts to those croutons. Everything seemed to have that “just-cut” quality to it.
I said Sweet Sixteen didn’t offer pages and pages of gourmet offerings, but that is definitely not to say that what they do offer isn’t 100 percent gourmet.
Like the roast beef sandwich slathered with basil-pesto mustard, French fried onions and sprouts.
Other sandwich selections include roast beef with red pepper cream cheese, fried onions, lettuce and tomato; chicken salad with cranberries and walnuts; tuna salad with capers and almonds; a veggie wrap with hummus, roasted red peppers and seasonal veggies; glazed ham with white cheddar and honey dijon; and a BLT with fried green tomatoes.
There’s also a Tuscan salad with artichokes and sun-dried tomatoes and a balsamic fig dressing, and a Windsor salad with mixed greens, Gorgonzola, crisp apple, dried cranberries and topped with a balsamic reduction.
Sweet Sixteen tops your dining experience with signature drinks like cherry cocoa with whipped cream, or Italian sodas or gourmet coffees. And, of course, there are the baked goods, each seemingly better than the last.
Given that the cooking area is at least as large—and probably larger — than the intimate dining area, it’s little wonder that the folks at Sweet Sixteen keep coming up with such tasty treats with all that room to experiment.
16 West Main Street, Lockport (439-1616) 3 1/2 stars
(Out of four)
Favorite dish: Berkeley salad
Needs work: The variety
Healthy choice: Quiche
Price range: Moderate
Service: Good, friendly
Noise level: Low
Wheelchair access: Yes
Parking: On-street
Kid appeal: Cupcakes!
Sweet Sixteen Café
SweetSixteenCafe.com
16 West Main Street
Lockport, NY 14094
Phone: (716) 439-1616
Sam Adams Black Lager is now available at Darrell’s Place. It’s a dark beer that is brewed with several different roasts of malt to create a smooth body and a depth of malt character that has to be tasted to be believed. Come on in and try it and become a believer yourself. But just what is Black Lager and what is this thing you call “schwarbier”? Let Darrell help with this finer point about dark beer! (Actually, we took this off the Sam Adams website but Darrell knows this too.)
When one sees a beer with a darker complexion these days, more often than not it’s a porter or a stout. But looks can be deceiving. There exists a style older than both and generally less well known; the schwarzbier, which literally translates to “Black Beer.” Unlike its dark cousins which are ales hailing from Britain, schwarzbier comes from Germany and uses a bottom fermenting lager yeast. Samuel Adams Black Lager is brewed in the tradition of the latter. A medium bodied beer brewed using several different roasts of malt to create a smooth body and depth of malt character that has to be tasted to be believed.
Darrell’s Place Restaurant
DarrellsPlaceInc.com
90 Telegraph Road
Middleport, New York 14105
Phone: (716) 735-7252
Meals at Darrell’s are as close to home cooking as it gets. We offer a selection of daily dinner specials and a full menu of dinner entrees that are sure to please.
We are well known for our Fish Fry which is offered every Wednesday and Friday. It’s a generous piece of fresh mild fish with a crispy coating that will flake apart when you eat it with your choice of two sides and roll and butter.
Sometimes the line is out the door on Fridays for our fish fry and that should tell you something. We have a lot of fish fry fans because it’s delicious.
Call us for a takeout order too at 735-7252.
Darrell’s Place RestaurantDarrellsPlaceInc.com
90 Telegraph Road
Middleport, NY 14105
Phone: (716) 735-7252
Great news if you work in downtown Lockport (or if you are looking for a great lunch spot)! The Sweet Sixteen Cafe, 16 W. Main Street is now open on Mondays.
Come and see us for our delicious soups, sandwiches, quiche, specialty salads and of course, our cupcakes, cookies, brownies and many more dessert items that we bake here with REAL ingredients fresh each day.
NOW OPEN MONDAY – SATURDAY 11 AM to 5 PM
And don’t forget that we custom bake cakes for any occasion. Tell us what you have in mind and we can bake something amazing for your event that will be not only something eye-catching, but it will be mouthwatering as well. Call us at (716) 439-1616 to ask about our delicious and custom baked cakes.
Sweet Sixteen Café
SweetSixteenCafe.com
16 West Main Street
Lockport, NY 14094
Phone: (716) 439-1616
Cold Weather Means Comfort Foods on the Specials Board
Chicken and Biscuits, Hearty Beef Stew – Mmmmm…
Hot soups, chicken and biscuits and beef stew are just a sample of the comfort coming. Darrell knows that when the weather gets a little harder to take, that you need your comfort foods. That’s why he is adding them to the Specials Board selections each and ever day.
The fall and winter weather means that our comfort food special entrees will be posted daily and will be sure to be warm and delicious. And they are all homemade by Darrell. Come and see why people rave about Darrell’s soups, and get some comfort!
Darrell’s Place Restaurant
DarrellsPlaceInc.com
90 Telegraph Road
Middleport, New York 14105
Phone: (716) 735-7252
October means that soups are back on the menu at the Alternative Grounds Caffe, 17 Main Street in Middleport. People in this wonderfully relaxing place to enjoy a cup of your favorite beverage surrounding by friends, great music and the ambiance of the Alternative Grounds, can now have their wish – soup!
Yes, the regulars have been asking for soups to return to the menu and now they can enjoy their favorites. Whether it’s Roasted Red Pepper (my favorite), homemade Chicken Noodle, Tortilla Chicken, Mushroom Brie or the other warm and satisfying soups, there is a bowl of comfort waiting for you.
While you are enjoying your soup, ask if you can see the upstairs banquet room. It’s the perfect place for your Christmas or Holiday Party.
One thing we always hear when people visit the Alternative Grounds Caffe for the first time, are compliments (and surprise) at how beautiful the interior of our café is. The woodworking, the glass encased countertops, the fireplace, leather furniture, or the great look out the front window perched from your stool as you watch life and boats go under Middleport’s liftbridge on the historic Erie Canal all amaze people. Yes, it is beautiful inside and we also have free Wi-Fi for you to use while you wait for your soup.
Stop in, taste and see for yourself!
Alternative Grounds Caffe
17 Main Street
Middleport, New York 14105
Phone: (716) 735-7608
Darrell’s Place, 90 Telegraph Road in Middleport is known for great food and excellent service and now you can visit him online at Darrell’s new website.
Look at the menus, sign up for his newsletter that includes his monthly special offers and coupons or now, you can simply download the coupon offer from his site.
Darrell also has a place for his customers to leave feedback, which he loves to get from his customers, that will then be displayed on the right sidebar of his website as well as an easy way to contact him and map out or find driving directions to Darrell’s Place’s location.
If you haven’t visited Darrell’s Place in a while, you will notice some changes that you can see online as well – Darrell redecorated and updated his dining room areas, seating, decor. Another new item is on the beverage menu – Darrell’s now serves beer and wine.
The site was created by MPFweb.com and features photos of Darrell’s delicious food taken at the restaurant.
Darrell’s Place Restaurant, 90 Telegraph Road, Middleport NY 14105
Phone: (716) 735-7252
Announcing Always a Coupon!
Now Darrell always has a monthly coupon online for his customers. You can download and use it the first FULL week of each month on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday and get 10% OFF of your total bill. Darrell appreciates his customers and this is his way of giving you a special thank you.
Visit Darrell’s website each month. Get your special coupon from Darrell and enjoy 10% off of your bill Monday-Thursday the first week of each month. See our complete menu online at www.darrellsplaceinc.com!
Darrell’s Place Restaurant
DarrellsPlaceInc.com
90 Telegraph Road
Middleport, NY 14105
Phone: (716) 735-7252
Summer hours mean there is more time to stop in for a smoothie, ice cream, iced coffee drink and more!
Summer hours at the Alternative Grounds Caffe, 17 Main Street in Middleport are:
- Tuesday through Friday 7 AM to 7 PM
- Saturday from 10 AM to 3 PM
Stop in for breakfast, lunch or dinner or even for a little treat in between meals. We serve delicious wraps, paninis, mini pizzas and NY deli and some great dessert items along with specialty coffees and teas.
Our upstairs banquet room has been quite busy lately now that people have discovered how beautiful it is and that is makes a great place for parties, celebrations and more. Ask us to take a peek the next time you stop in at the Alternative Grounds Caffe in Middleport.
This is Women’s History month and what a nice way to celebrate the great women of WNY with a feature article about the women of the Sweet Sixteen Cafe in Lockport.
Read all about it in this quarter’s issue and learn a bit more about the cafe, the owners and the role of the woman in their life – their mom. The article has a very nice photo of her too, and gets into her inspiration in this family affair that is one of the areas unique coffee shops.
You will get a better understanding of why the Sweet Sixteen Cafe is the place to stop for outstanding baked good like their unforgettable cupcakes, cookies and brownies as well as some delicious crepes, soups, quiches, and salads.
And don’t forget the special events at the Sweet Sixteen Cafe that are featured on their website (see the link below) and that are highlighted on Niagara Buzz each month.
Congrats to the Sweet Sixteen Cafe for their great story in WNY Woman magazine!
Sweet Sixteen Café
SweetSixteenCafe.com
16 West Main Street
Lockport, NY 14094
Phone: (716) 439-1616
In fact, you will want to get “Cran-Key” a lot.
That’s because this new taste sensation at the Alternative Grounds Caffe, 17 Main Street in Middleport, is a sandwich – a new one!
Meet the Cran-Key, a sandwich made with turkey piled on freshly made cranberry walnut bread with Muenster cheese, mixed greens and a cranberry mayo spread. Delicious and a bit reminiscent of Thanksgiving. One bite and you will giving thanks that you decided to try it. It comes with chips and a pickle, all for a mere $7.79 and it’s waiting for you ONLY at the Alternative Grounds Caffe.
And don’t forget that we sever gourmet coffee, specialty teas, smoothies and more at the Alternative Grounds Caffe and we have a different soup selection daily. Stop by for breakfast (yes, we have breakfast sandwiches too!), lunch, dinner or a snack.
And don’t worry – we aren’t cranky when you come in to visit and enjoy our warm and welcoming atmosphere.
Alternative Grounds Caffe
17 Main Street
Middleport, NY 14105
Phone: (716) 735-7608
