Burchfield Penney Arts Center/Burchfield Penney Café (1300 Elmwood Ave.)
Atmosphere: The café is tucked away to the left when you enter the Burchfield Penney art gallery and hidden behind a line of barren, potted trees, which also decorate the window ledge. They’re a homage to Charles Burchfield, the painter whose works are the museum’s shining gems.
Julian Gremla-Roberts, the only worker on a recent Sunday morning, casually told his Amazon smart device: “Alexa, play Bob Marley.” Indeed, Marley music fits the calm café.
This casual café is a favorite among its staff and students from the adjacent SUNY Buffalo State. Pam Logue and her business partner Don Warfe, took over the café last June, after working at various lunchtime cafés, including The Lunch Spot and Solar Café in Collegiate Village. Logue isn’t alone in this venture; it’s a family affair. Her son, daughter and their friends work there, too. “They’re all in the business,” Logue said.
Food: Serving breakfast and lunch, the menu includes omelets, sandwiches, salads, soups, protein plates and pasta, with rotating specials chalked onto the daily board. There are spins on classics like a grilled cheese with bacon and tomato and an ALT (avocado, lettuce and tomato). All food is made from scratch. Beverages include coffee and espresso drinks, tea and smoothies.
Prices: Most of the menu is in the $6 to $9 range. Sandwiches and wraps such as hummus bruschetta or Greek souvlaki cost $6 to $8. Protein plates (choice of meat, vegetables, greens, grains, nuts) are $10 and daily soups are $4.
Hours: Breakfast and lunch are served from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Dinner is available until 8 p.m. on Thursdays and during M&T Second Fridays.
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