Delaware North debuts cafés at new headquarters complex

The casual Jake’s Café and more upscale sit-down Patina 250 will serve employees, street traffic and guests at the complex’s attached hotel.

The new 12-story, glass-walled headquarters complex of travel/recreation contract services firm Delaware North in downtown Buffalo now includes two foodservice spaces in addition to the company’s and other offices and the attached Westin Buffalo hotel. 

Operated by Delaware North’s Patina Group subsidiary, Jake’s Café and Patina 250 offer those working in the complex as well as hotel guests and walk-ins a choice of casual grab-and-go fare (Jake’s) and more upscale sit-down dining (Patina 250).

The casual Jake’s Café specializes in grab and go with a counter service option. It is open only for breakfast and lunch. Photo: Daniel Krieger

The menus at both sites will be seasonal and will showcase local ingredients as well as selections from Patina 250’s wood-fired grill. 

Patina 250 (the number refers to the headquarters complex’s address, 250 Delaware St.), which opened Sept. 14, is a sit-down restaurant with multiple spaces within the interior that include a bar, lounge, dining room, chef’s table directly in front of the open kitchen, banquettes along the side and a private dining room. This variety of areas is designed to provide guests with different places to enjoy cocktails, small plates or full meals. 

Patina 250’s interior, designed by David Shea of Shea Design, is complemented by works from local artists such as Fotini Galanes charcoal illustrations and Peter Stephens’ “Big Bang” painting and sculptural wall installation. There is also a large millstone in the center of the restaurant, reflecting Buffalo’s industrial history.

Jake’s Café, which opened in mid-August, is a more casual grab-and-go-style eatery with a counter and several tables for guests to enjoy a coffee, snack and hot sandwich. It is only open for breakfast and lunch daily (7 a.m. to 3 p.m.), while Patina 250 operates through three dayparts with distinct menus for each: breakfast is from 7 a.m. to 10:30 a.m., lunch from 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. and dinner from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. There is also a bar/lounge menu available from 3 p.m. to 11:30 p.m. seven days a week.

Delaware North moved into the complex last November and occupies 110,000 square feet on the top four and a half floors. The Westin operates 116 guest rooms on four floors along with the ground floor lobby entrance.