Feasts with Benefits

Interested in mingling within benevolent social circles this fall? Why not purchase tickets to one of these appetizing benefits:

October 7: Men Who Cook, a benefit for Crisis Services.

If you’re passionate about preserving Buffalo’s Olmsted parks, Dinner Afield will be held at Delaware Park’s Marcy Casino on Sunday, October 5 (4:30-8:30pm). A portion of the proceeds will go to Buffalo Olmsted Parks Conservancy, which maintains the renowned landscape architect’s parkways, trees, and gardens. Feed Your Soul hosts the benefit, which celebrates the fall harvest and takes place at a long table dressed in white linen and autumnal accoutrements. The seasonal menu will showcase a multi-course meal made almost entirely of provisions from local farms, artisanal vendors, and winemakers. Expect to sample shaved sirloin with hot Italian farm cheese on flat bread and a salad of bi-colored roasted beets and feta. Tickets are $150 apiece or $250 for a pair. For more information, call 812-1615 or visit FeedYourSoulBuffalo.com.

If you’re interested in learning more about the Crisis Services, Buffalo’s only 24-hour hotline for victims of domestic abuse, rape, violence, and mental illnesses, Men Who Cook will take place on Tuesday, October 7, at the Statler Golden Ballroom (6-9 pm). Local celebrities and community leader chefs are teaming up with some of Buffalo’s finest restaurants to raise funds for the organization. Empire Merchants and Flying Bison Brewing Co. will supply a special selection of wines and beers to accompany signature dishes faring from Buffalo’s signature restaurants. Expect to sample Left Bank’s panko chicken, Ulrich’s potato salad, Prime 490’s stuffed peppers, and Vino’s amazing meatballs. Tickets are $50 per person or $85 per couple. For more information, call 834-2310 ext. 150 or visit crisisservices.org.

Last but not least, the Heritage-Oak Foundation will host its second annual Corks & Forks, a delectable fundraiser that raises money for individuals with disabilities who are affiliated with Buffalo’s Heritage Center. The appetizing affair will be held at the Statler Towers Terrace Room on Thursday, October 23 (6-8:30pm). There will be no shortage of wine, beer, and food. Thirteen local restaurants will tailor appetizers that pair well with wines and beers hailing from local vineyards, breweries, and vendors, including Premier, Bully Hill, Empire Merchants, the Gourmet Store, Amaryllis, Dessert Deli, Duo, Friar’s Table, Kennedy’s Cove, O Restaurant & Lounge, Sample, Shango, Soleil, Torches, Verbena, and Yancey’s Fancy Cheese (from the Finger Lakes region). A raffle and auction will take place during the course of the evening.

Buffalo’s Heritage Center is dedicated to building schools and programs that provide educational and employment opportunities to people with developmental disabilities. Tickets are $40 presale, $45 at the door. For more info, please call Heritage-Oak Foundation at 856-4201.

The Cup’s Half Full

Last week Trudy Stern announced she was “packing up” Tru-Teas, her singular teahouse located in the Neighborhood Collective on Elmwood near Auburn. Last weekend Stern held a one-day-only sale of chipped pots and cups, as well as tea. The news would indeed be grim were it not for this addendum to her email: “We’ll let you know when and where we are relocated.”

Here’s hoping her re-opening comes soon.

­—judy sperry