Western New York flavors, broader menus and increased points of sale
are focus of enhancements
are focus of enhancements
BUFFALO, N.Y. (Sept. 29, 2011) – The Buffalo Sabres and food and beverage partner Delaware North Companies Sportservice today unveiled a sampling of new menu items that will be available in general concessions, suites and clubs this season at First Niagara Center.
Sportservice Executive Chef Scott Green previewed a selection of new items, including many celebrating the tastes of Western New York, at a tasting held for members of the news and online media at the Harbour Club.
Featured new items from general concessions include a Steak Sandwich, Chicken Parmigiana Sandwich, Home-Style Pizza and the Anchor Bar Chicken Finger Sub. The steak sandwich is topped with white cheddar cheese sauce and sautéed peppers and onions and served on an Italian-style roll. The chicken finger sub sandwich uses original Anchor Bar sauce.
New this season, Sportservice is making pizza from scratch in its kitchens at First Niagara Center, using locally sourced cheese and pepperoni. In addition to the standard cheese- or cheese-and-pepperoni slices that have been available in the past, five specialty options will rotate throughout the season, including the Buffalo Chicken Pizza. Last year, Sportservice sold more than 77,000 slices of pizza at First Niagara Center.
New selections have also been added to the 300-level concessions, including the Main & Fillmore Hot Dog, topped with chili, cheese, mustard and onions, and the Downtown Hot Dog, topped with chili, sauerkraut and mustard. A stand on the 300 level has also been rebranded and dedicated to serving Perry’s Ice Cream, a popular 100-level offering.
“We are very excited with the upgrades and improvements that Sportservice has implemented for the upcoming hockey season,” said Buffalo Sabres President Ted Black. “We have upgraded many areas at the First Niagara Center to enhance the fan experience this season and we believe the concessions and food offerings are a big part of the changes.”
Other highlights include:
· Several rebranded concession stands in portions of the lower concourse and the entire 300-level concourse
· The addition of more than 40 points of sale, raising the total to 160, to speed up service for hungry fans
· Increased signage throughout the arena to enhance the fan experience by improving product visibility.
“This was an important investment by the Sabres and Sportservice to significantly speed up service before the game and during intermissions,” said Larry Wittenberg, Sportservice’s chief operating officer. “It involved studying traffic flow and sales data and adding portable concessions carts throughout the concourses to supplement the concession stands.”
Among new items created for the suites and featured at the tasting are: Hop and Honey-Roasted Cashews, Warm Bavarian Pretzel Twists, an Artisan Cheese and Sausage Board, Hat Trick Quesadillas, a Wedge Salad, Buffalo BBLT and Shrimp Scampi.
The Buffalo BBLT consists of bacon, pancetta, Canadian bacon, mozzarella, tomato aioli and romaine hearts on a hearty toasted French loaf, served with gherkin pickles.
The Harbour Club boasts additions to its 100- and 200-level menus. Among the featured new items available in the 100-level are: Tapas, Beef on Weck Sushi Roll, Lobster Mac and Homemade Jumbo Ravioli. From the 200-level: Beef Bomber, Grilled Steak Flat Bread, Margarita Shrimp Cocktail and Greek Salad.
The Beef on Weck Sushi Roll is rounded out by a sesame beef and cucumber tempura-fried sushi roll with caraway rice and horseradish fish roe. It is served with homemade pickled ginger and wasabi.
“I worked with our culinary team throughout the summer to develop and test these new menu items, and we’ve had a great initial response,” said Green, certified as an executive chef by the American Culinary Federation and one of Delaware North’s medal-winning chefs in the 2008 Culinary Olympics in Germany.
Sportservice also added to its regional craft beer selection at First Niagara Center. Flying Bison Brewery and Sportservice will now offer the hometown brewery’s seasonal beers throughout the season and at additional locations in the arena. Saranac pale ale is also now available.