Who can take a sunrise, sprinkle it in dew? Cover it in chocolate and a miracle or two?
Well, Willy Wonka may make everything he bakes satisfying and delicious, but now even he is getting a run for his money.
It looks as if it could be a salon, a spa, or a women's boutique, but Butterwood is none of those things. A dessert restaurant located on Main Street in Williamsville, the small restaurant is a hot spot for exotic desserts and exquisite dishes, with elements of a coffee house and the atmosphere of a nightclub.
With their unique serving environment, distinctive dishes and European flair, Butterwood is setting out to prove any stereotypes people have about food in Buffalo dead wrong.
"People who live in Buffalo have a low self-esteem when it comes to the food," said Anne Gillick, manager of Butterwood restaurant. "They think that Buffalo is only good for chicken wings and beef on weck."
There is no doubt that Butterwood has succeeded in its goal. Dessert dishes like the lemon gateau au crepe citron, which features crispy apple strudel, saut?(c)ed crepes with fresh herbs, champagne sorbet and fresh citrus salad, make it impossible for anyone to deny the delicious cuisine. The platter nearly consumes the table, and each element of the dessert is carefully arranged.
"It's such a unique place," said Lindsey Schmidt, Butterwood regular. "And, I love chocolate so it's a great place for me to satisfy my cravings. They have the best stuff for chocolate lovers."
Schmidt may be picking up on some of the many things the Butterwood staff takes into consideration and try hard to relate to their guests.
"There is a proper way to do everything here, and we strive for perfection," said Gillick. "One of the owners, Bill, has the most discriminating palate. In a single bite, he can pinpoint exactly what needs to be corrected."
Carolyn and Bill Panzica founded Butterwood Desserts in their West Falls home in 1996.
The West Falls location, which has since taken a short move to a more accommodating 17,000 square foot facility, is responsible for the wholesale aspect of the company, which supplies its confections to most major hotel chains and other fine-dining establishments.
When seated in the 1870s mansion on Main Street in Williamsville, look forward to beaded seat cushions and treasure chest sugar holders. The mansion was renovated by Panzica and his nephew.
"The mansion decor resembles a French patisserie and the desserts are far more European," said Gillick.
Butterwood's offerings include a plated dessert menu, wine pairings, a course de fromage, coffee and individual pastries. The plated menu items are the most popular, and the most intricate.
Not only is Butterwood a dessert restaurant, it's also a bakery during the day. On The Spectrum's visit, we saw one of the most delicious sights: sitting on the counter is Butterwood's famous caramel apple pie, weighing in at around four pounds. The smells that permeate Butterwood's interior during the day are full of exquisite flavors.
As Gillick answered questions for in her second floor office, the scent of fresh baked cookies seeped up through the aged wood of the mansion floor.
Butterwood is opening a second "dessert nightclub" on Chippewa Street in Buffalo, which will have a full bar and a lunch menu. Expect tables with fountains in the middle.
The new location will be located in The Hampton Inn Hotel, but will have a street entrance. It is scheduled to open during the first week of this coming February.
"The Chocolate Bar will have more of a nightclub feel, and it will be a lot bigger. There are going to be chocolate tastings, private rooms, and live music," said Gillick. "It's going to be incredible."
