Did you know that you could travel to Manhattan in just seconds, from the middle of quaint, historical East Aurora? While strolling on Main Street, of this neat little village, I ran across this fun coffee house/bistro called TASTE. A huge three foot steaming coffee cup replaces their sign and enticed me to go inside. As I stepped into the newly renovated grain mill from the early 1900s, I felt like I traveled to Soho in just a few short steps.You've got to see, smell and taste this place! The aroma of great coffee met you at the door. Even if your not a coffee lover, you can't beat the smell. Plus, I discovered later that there were tons of drinks like fruit smoothies, frozen hot chocolate, and icy lemonade for people that aren't interested in the "nectar of the Gods." Me personally, I drink my coffee black and intravenously. TASTE offers over 40 varieties of coffee and teas. I look forward to trying a different one each time I visit.

TASTE's ambiance is truly a piece of Manhattan. The warehouse feel with open tall ceilings, exposed pipes and cement floor are warmed with comfortable colors. There are old school tables and overstuffed leather chairs.Huge chalkboards that replace the old exterior windows and doors tower over the back of a beautiful wooden service counter. The counter is topped with an actual bowling lane from Jackson's Bowling Alley down the road. Yvonne Evilsizor, owner and operator of TASTE, was happy to point out a few customers that admitted to rolling a few gutter balls, on what is now her counter. Speaking of counters, TASTE's front window bar was my perfect place to sit while I sipped on my awesome iced Mocha, and watched the people shop and browse Main Street. Yvonne found this old metal sign from a diner in a salvage yard and brought it to her builder to design into her front bar.

The lighting is not always something you would notice in most restaurants, but this was special. Most are vintage fixtures from the Westinghouse plant that was torn down years ago by the airport. Others are from old factories in downtown Buffalo and there are even some from the exterior of a fifties gas station. Another unique find is a large old bench that separates the ordering area from the eating space. It had been used in an automat for people to eat at, read their paper and take a break from shopping. It has a wide seat to stack your parcels next to you while you enjoy the meatloaf dinner or a piece of pie that you just purchased through a small window with change. Remember those days?

A visit to the restroom is a must for ladies. It was just recognized as one of the top four bathrooms in all of Buffalo and the surrounding areas. Why you may ask? I did, until I saw it. Yvonne has taken a room which is traditionally an unattractive commercial looking space, and bathed it with hot pink walls adorned with vignettes of antique frames, old Life magazine advertisements from the 40's and vintage shoes. There's even an chintz pillow chair and boudoir lamp! The men's room is a work in progress, but a lot of men are seen coming out of the ladies room after their wives drag them in for a look.

The colorful black board menu's are covered with choices of homemade soup, salads and sandwiches named after well known East Aurora individuals or landmarks. For example, Fish-For-A-Price is named after Fisher Price Toys or the Millard-Fill-Me-More, after our president. Or how about Vidler on the Roof...named after Vidler's Five and Dime. I asked Yvonne why Dolly Parton's name was the only one not native to E.A. and she said" that they were sure that with the village being so quaint and special, that Dolly must have at least driven through East Aurora at some point". There's more to the story, but I guess you'd better go find out those details on your own.

Once I ordered my food, the smiling person at the register handed me a name card and said, "You'll be dining with Clark Gable today." Ohhhhhhhh! I kind of got a little tingle. I heard famous peoples names being called out by the Grillmaster, Greta Garbo, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Marilyn Monroe and I decided, that this was much more fun than being just a number! I had ordered something off of their breakfast menu. They serve breakfast all day, and I couldn't wait to try their signature, Tiramisu French Toast. Two thick Italian toast rounds smothered in rich and creamy marscapone cheese and drizzled with a Tiramisu syrup. It was then sprinkled with cinnamon and chocolate coffee beans. Delicious doesn't describe it, and with talking with others at a near by table, their sandwiches, soup and dessert, were very fresh and to die for!

I ended my wonderful visit by walking through their French doors, into an open air alley way, with my final cup of coffee. It was lined with mosaic tables and chairs. While I sat there in the sun, with a small breeze, the sound of a soft jazz guitar and the pleasant laughter of friends enjoying themselves, I decided I had simply discovered heaven on earth, right there in the center of historical East Aurora.