Post by Deleted on Feb 9, 2020 12:43:52 GMT -5
New Buffalo Head chef, owner hoping for a little bit of luck
FORESTPORT – The Buffalo Head Steakhouse at 10626 N. Lake Road officially opened its doors this past December — on Friday the 13th.
“It was also the full moon,” head chef Kellie Fletcher remembered during an interview Saturday afternoon at the bar of the new restaurant.
When asked if she was superstitious, Fletcher said she, in fact, is.
“He wasn’t,” she said, pointing to owner Kevin Asaro, who bought the building back in February 2019.
The Buffalo Head has become an iconic spot for visitors traveling up to and from the Adirondacks, as it’s located just off of state routes 12 and 28 near the Forestport Reservoir, as well as those residing in the area.
Over the past several years, however, the restaurant has gone through a series of ownerships, along with various openings and closings.
The last time the restaurant was open was three years ago, when Debra Timmerman decided to sell the property.
But Fletcher and Asaro are hoping for a little bit of luck this time around.
“We want to bring it back to its glory,” Fletcher said. “That’s the goal for everybody in the back.”
To bring the Buffalo Head back to life, the building needed to undergo several months of renovations, including a new roof, ceiling, insulation, piping and windows. Knotty pine panels were added to the walls, along with a new coat of paint.
The same atmosphere can be felt inside the Buffalo Head from years past, along with much of the same décor. A circular fireplace, with etchings of buffalo on it, is still located in one of the dining areas.
Fletcher’s culinary experience includes other spots throughout the Adirondack region, including Kamp Kiwanis and the Adirondack League Club. She then heard about the opportunity at the Buffalo Head.
“I said ‘no way, I’m not passing this up,’” she said.
Fletcher said they have 12 employees in the kitchen and 10 employees in the dining area.
When asked why they wanted to rename it the Buffalo Head Steakhouse, Fletcher said it’s because of the menu.
“We added a lot of steak,” she said.
Fletcher said there is a balance between the classics that visitors may remember from years ago at the restaurant – such as its chicken and biscuits – along with twists on classics, such as the Dutch apple pork – which is now served as a bone and chop instead of as a pork tenderloin.
Fletcher said missing from the menu, but now added, were some Utica specialties: chicken riggies and greens.
“I’m a connoisseur,” she said of chicken riggies, noting that it can be hard to find riggies and greens outside of the Utica area.
The revamped menu is part of what Fletcher and Asaro are trying to do at the restaurant.
“We want to make it our own branding,” she said.
Fletcher said there have been a few bumps with getting started over the past two months, but also said that was expected. Plus, business throughout the Old Forge region has been sluggish with the lack of snow this winter.
Despite those factors, Fletcher is optimistic.
“We still have a steady base of customers who come in,” she said.
Those interested in contacting the Buffalo Head can do so by calling 315-392-7077. It also has its own Facebook page under Buffalo Head Steakhouse.
www.uticaod.com/news/20200209/new-buffalo-head-chef-owner-hoping-for-little-bit-of-luck?utm_source=SFMC&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=GHM_Daily_Newsletter&utm_content=GTDT_OD&utm_term=020920
I haven't been there in years. My Grandparents frequently were patrons.
FORESTPORT – The Buffalo Head Steakhouse at 10626 N. Lake Road officially opened its doors this past December — on Friday the 13th.
“It was also the full moon,” head chef Kellie Fletcher remembered during an interview Saturday afternoon at the bar of the new restaurant.
When asked if she was superstitious, Fletcher said she, in fact, is.
“He wasn’t,” she said, pointing to owner Kevin Asaro, who bought the building back in February 2019.
The Buffalo Head has become an iconic spot for visitors traveling up to and from the Adirondacks, as it’s located just off of state routes 12 and 28 near the Forestport Reservoir, as well as those residing in the area.
Over the past several years, however, the restaurant has gone through a series of ownerships, along with various openings and closings.
The last time the restaurant was open was three years ago, when Debra Timmerman decided to sell the property.
But Fletcher and Asaro are hoping for a little bit of luck this time around.
“We want to bring it back to its glory,” Fletcher said. “That’s the goal for everybody in the back.”
To bring the Buffalo Head back to life, the building needed to undergo several months of renovations, including a new roof, ceiling, insulation, piping and windows. Knotty pine panels were added to the walls, along with a new coat of paint.
The same atmosphere can be felt inside the Buffalo Head from years past, along with much of the same décor. A circular fireplace, with etchings of buffalo on it, is still located in one of the dining areas.
Fletcher’s culinary experience includes other spots throughout the Adirondack region, including Kamp Kiwanis and the Adirondack League Club. She then heard about the opportunity at the Buffalo Head.
“I said ‘no way, I’m not passing this up,’” she said.
Fletcher said they have 12 employees in the kitchen and 10 employees in the dining area.
When asked why they wanted to rename it the Buffalo Head Steakhouse, Fletcher said it’s because of the menu.
“We added a lot of steak,” she said.
Fletcher said there is a balance between the classics that visitors may remember from years ago at the restaurant – such as its chicken and biscuits – along with twists on classics, such as the Dutch apple pork – which is now served as a bone and chop instead of as a pork tenderloin.
Fletcher said missing from the menu, but now added, were some Utica specialties: chicken riggies and greens.
“I’m a connoisseur,” she said of chicken riggies, noting that it can be hard to find riggies and greens outside of the Utica area.
The revamped menu is part of what Fletcher and Asaro are trying to do at the restaurant.
“We want to make it our own branding,” she said.
Fletcher said there have been a few bumps with getting started over the past two months, but also said that was expected. Plus, business throughout the Old Forge region has been sluggish with the lack of snow this winter.
Despite those factors, Fletcher is optimistic.
“We still have a steady base of customers who come in,” she said.
Those interested in contacting the Buffalo Head can do so by calling 315-392-7077. It also has its own Facebook page under Buffalo Head Steakhouse.
www.uticaod.com/news/20200209/new-buffalo-head-chef-owner-hoping-for-little-bit-of-luck?utm_source=SFMC&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=GHM_Daily_Newsletter&utm_content=GTDT_OD&utm_term=020920
I haven't been there in years. My Grandparents frequently were patrons.
