Clarence (New York)

Brennan's is an authentic Irish pub and restaurant that is a Transit Road institution. Though the business traces its roots to New York City, where it was founded in 1888—hence the "Bowery" portion of the restaurant's name—Brennan's relocated to Western New York in 1970 and has since adapted its menu to local tastes, integrating (quite successfully, according to local consensus) typical Western New York dishes such as chicken wings and beef on weck into the framework of more traditional old-world pub grub. Authentic Celtic musicians and bands take the stage at Brennan's frequently. Understandably, this is a popular place on St. Patrick's Day.

Opened in 2006, the Gate House Grill is, in the words of Buffalo News food critic Janice Okun, "a comfortable neighborhood restaurant with a sophisticated bar and good food". The food here is often quite innovative and high-quality: starters such as the Lollipop Lamb Chops (marinated in red wine with garlic and rosemary) and a chili con queso dip made with corn and chèvre, entrees such as their Chicken Paillard in lemon caper sauce, and lighter fare such as the Gouda Chicken Sandwich seem meant to stand out in what may seem to be a casual, even unassuming, environment. Gate House Grill's specialty, however, is its Chicken Rockefeller, which has won numerous awards at the Taste of Williamsville, as well as its delicious homemade desserts.

The Hayes Fish Company has been a well-known purveyor of fresh fish and seafood in the Buffalo area since 1877. Though tough economic times caused the company to close their seafood markets in Kenmore and Snyder, the Hayes tradition continues at their restaurant in Clarence (which now also features a much smaller-scale fresh-fish counter on site). Sandwiches and soups (including both New England and Manhattan clam chowder) are available at Hayes Seafood House, in addition to a selection of fried or broiled dinners of tilapia, haddock, sole, salmon, catfish, shrimp, scallops, oysters and more. Non-seafood items, such as grilled chicken and steak sandwiches and a delicious half-pound Black Angus Burger, are also on sale. Not surprisingly, Friday fish fries pack the house at Hayes.

An excellent, authentic Indian restaurant that serves top quality North Indian and Pakistani cuisine with attentive customer service. Curries of lamb, beef and chicken—many of which are cooked in a deep circular pot, or karahi, typical of Pakistani cooking—are accompanied on the menu by rice-based biryanis and roasted meats and breads cooked in their own tandoor. Vegetarians are well cared-for at Kabab & Curry, particularly via their small selection of dosas, a sort of lentil-based crêpe typical of South Indian cuisine, and vegetarian curries.

At Orazio's Restaurant, the Ippolito family serves up enormous portions of delightful upscale Italian cuisine made from scratch, to legions of adoring patrons. Starters range from familiar but well-executed standards such as parmesan garlic bread and fried calamari to more creative options such as mussels Augustina, babalucci, and orangini. A similar mix of well-known and more exotic items characterizes Orazio's extensive slate of main courses, comprising seafood, pasta, chicken, and meat dishes; their award-winning pasta con vodka is an especial favorite. Cap your meal off with your choice of delicious homemade Italian desserts and coffees. A kids' menu is available for guests 12 and under. Again, guests should be prepared for enormous portions (the leftovers of which Orazio's staff will be more than happy to box up for you.)

One of the most elegant restaurants in the area, the refined ambience of Samuel's Grande Manor begins with the building itself, a stately Italian Renaissance-style edifice in the middle of a large parcel of verdant, impeccably manicured grounds that include gardens, fountains and a charming gazebo. The elegance continues inside, with upscale Continental cuisine served cheerfully by attentive professional waitstaff, in an expansive, airy and exquisitely-decorated dining room. Samuel's specialties are deliciously prepared steak and chicken dishes, the latter especially betraying the definite French and Italian influences on the cuisine. A small selection of seafood dishes is available, and dinner buffets and Sunday brunches are especially popular. Samuel's banquet room is a popular choice for weddings and other formal events.

At first glance, Pautler's may seem to be nothing more than a run-of-the-mill drive-in that any town might have. But visitors will soon learn what it is—aside from plain old tradition; this place has been here forever—that makes Clarence residents flock to Pautler's every summer. It's the combination of the always delicious dessert treats this place serves up year after year, including Mexican sundaes and a unique specialty called the Mint Explosion, with consistent service and at prices that can't be beat. The other items that Pautler's serves—the usual range of hamburgers, hot dogs, and sandwiches—are perfectly passable if not nearly as distinguished as the ice cream. The "Happy Days" feel that the whole package evokes is strengthened by the classic car shows that occur in Pautler's parking lot every Tuesday. Open in summer only.

Founded in Kenmore, Falletta's Restaurant has operated since 1999 in an Arts and Crafts-style farmhouse built in 1902 on Clarence Center Road, half a mile (800 m) east of Transit Road on the banks of Gott Creek. Upscale Italian cuisine at surprisingly affordable prices is served in what is still a verdant and idyllic setting, with an ample selection of appetizers and salads (the latter served with a selection of homemade salad dressings brought to the table in carafes) accompanying a delectable range of main courses, among which the seafood entrees, including shrimp scampi and a filleted breaded haddock, have earned particularly rave reviews from patrons. Try one of the daily dessert specials to top everything off.

Peanut butter and Jelly Chicken Wings (we're not making this up -- it's on their menu). $5 bottomless mimosas and bloody Caesars at Sunday brunch. Specials on nights the Sabres are playing.

Located on Goodrich Road about a quarter of a mile (300 m) north of the Four Corners, Bocce's specialty—not surprisingly—is a wide gamut of specialty pizzas offered in a variety of serving sizes, from single slices to full sheet pizzas. The creativity of the menu in this regard is epitomized by such selections as the Greek Pizza, Lasagna Pizza, the Italian Stallion Pizza (which includes pepperoni, salami, capicolla and Romano cheese), and not one but two varieties of Hawaiian pizza. Subs, tacos, appetizers, an impressive offering of salads, a modest range of pasta dishes and dinners, and well-regarded wings are also served, the latter available tossed in mild, medium or hot Buffalo sauce as well as Cajun, garlic parmesan, and two different varieties of barbeque sauce.

Specializes in quality country-style and Victorian furniture, military relics (especially Civil War-era items), folk art, and Americana. Services include appraisals, estate sales, and liquidations.

The mission of this weekly farmers' market held right in the heart of Clarence Hollow is to provide patrons with healthy, fresh and locally produced foods and other specialty products, to raise awareness of local food production and distribution, to support local farmers, and to bring the Clarence community together in an enjoyable atmosphere. To that end, a dizzying array of locally grown seasonal produce is offered each week at the Clarence Hollow Farmers' Market by as many as 30 different vendors. In addition, "Vivian's Wine Haus" features an ever-changing selection of local vintages, the "Kornerstone Coffee Hut" sells coffee by the cup and coffee beans by the pound to take home, and the Clarence Center Coffee Company's "Snack Shack" offers an assortment of light breakfasts and lunches. Community programs, local businesses of all types, and even live music are frequently showcased at the Clarence Hollow Farmers' Market.

Delicious items such as berries, pumpkins, squash, corn, apples, potatoes and more are available for purchase in season at the store, but the real draw at Greg's U-Pick Farm Market is the chance to venture into the fields yourself and pick your own farm-fresh produce to take home with you. Autumn weekends see Greg's open their "Corn Maze for Roswell", where a donation of $5 purchases a hayride and a fun-filled romp through a cornstalk labyrinth, with proceeds to benefit Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center in Buffalo. Fun for the whole family. Cash only.

Don't be fooled by the name—Niagara County Produce is adjacent to the county line, on Transit Road near Millersport Highway, but on the Clarence side of the border. Opened in 1961, Niagara County Produce is open daily year-round and proudly offers not only a wide selection of local produce such as fruit, corn, pumpkins, and other vegetables, but also deli meats and cheeses, local specialty items, and other groceries. The three greenhouses on the property ensure that fresh vegetables are available to patrons of Niagara County Produce even in winter!

Beginning in 1951 when "Red" Spoth set up a small fruit and vegetable stand in front of his Transit Road home, three generations of the Spoth family have been selling fresh, delicious produce grown on their ample property, including corn, tomatoes, peppers, and squash as well as items from their greenhouse. In November and December, as autumn turns to winter, Spoth's also does a brisk business selling Christmas trees and decorations.

A Frame in Time offers custom framing for your photos and artwork, as well as canvas transfers. The adjacent Ashton Gallery features original art and prints for sale.

A store that sells the works of local artisans, specializing in hand-crafted gifts, jewelry, home decor, and—above all—pottery. Classes in pottery are also offered.

At Clear Light Studio, William Jobling and Donna Ioviero produce and sell unique decorative items such as fountains, birdbaths, ceramic flowers, and other "garden jewels". As well, other sculptures, pen-and-ink drawings, and works of graphic art are available at this "Garden of Earthly Delights".

This charming gallery, situated in a leafy, almost bucolic setting at the west end of Clarence Hollow, displays and sells the work of Jamestown native Christopher McGee, a former punk rock drummer turned painter who creates both abstract and representational works that are studies in visually stunning, surrealist grotesquery.

Adventures in Heat is a specialty shop that has served locals' outdoor grilling needs since 1999. Specializing in gas and charcoal grills, smokers and other appliances, Adventures in Heat also carries a dizzying array of gourmet food products, spices and marinades, barbecue sauces, and hot sauces.

Operated by the Tassy family since 1967, whose matriarch, Aléthea, was known for her homemade candies, Aléthea's Chocolates manufactures and sells a wide variety of high-quality chocolates, including unique local specialties such as sponge candy and orange chocolate minikins. Additionally, a wide variety of other sweet treats are available such as licorice, marzipan, peanut brittle, as well as gifts and sugar-free confections.

Located at the west end of Clarence Hollow, The Podge sells an array of gourmet foods such as baked goods, honey, jams, jellies and local specialties, as well as a wide variety of high-quality cookware and accessories.

One of two charming specialty shops operated by Deb Tangelder in the historic Eshelman Building, at the central intersection of Clarence Center known as the "Four Corners", The Perfect Gift specializes in home decor and unique gifts including locally produced jewelry and artisanal goods, lotions and spa items, gifts for children and baby, as well as Vera Bradley living room sets, stationery and seasonal gifts.

The Asa Ransom House offers a variety of unique and charming gifts at their gift shop, Sunshine Square, including handmade soaps, herbal teas, crafts, and specialty items.

A comprehensive selection of scale-model die-cast cars, trucks and construction equipment, from toys to museum-quality replicas, with all major brands represented. Also carries model kits and custom decals.

Cycles Plus is a local institution for cycling enthusiasts from all over Western New York and Southern Ontario. It is an authorized retailer for Bianchi, Masi, Haro, Marin, and Rans Recumbent bicycles, and also offers expert service and repairs, clothing, helmets and other accessories.

Rooted in Karen Dentinger's creative interest in crafting ornamental beads, Dkd. Studio was conceived in 2005 after her medium of choice shifted from glass to silver. Today, a wide array of handcrafted, personalized silver jewelry for men and women are offered in this restored former carriage house at the west end of Clarence Hollow, along with decorative items, fine paper goods, accessories, and other gifts.

Since 2006, Deb Tangelder has owned and operated Get Heeled, the "sister store" to the Perfect Gift which is in the Eshelman Building in Clarence Center. Get Heeled offers a wide variety of shoes of all descriptions—sandals, heels, boots, and comfortable leathers—as well as jewelry, apparel, scarves, and handbags and other accessories.

A brand-new business opened in 2009 in a restored brick storefront in Clarence Center, Yours Truly is Erie County's first paperie, offering an array of fine stationery, pens and other writing implements, stamps and embossers, and custom-designed greeting cards and invitations. A modest but eclectic range of fine glassware, jewelry, and other "useful, indulgent things" are on offer as well.