The Hard Rock Café, Niagara Falls USA, officially unveiled its new menu Wednesday. The global restaurant chain is promoting its new fare with the slogan "It Tastes As Good As It Sounds," which emphasizes the eatery's unique connection to the music industry.

Carol Calato, board chairwoman of the Historic Lewiston Jazz Festival, has announced the organization will host its annual fundraiser Sunday, May 4, at Water Street Landing, 115 S. Water St., Lewiston. The "Jazz and Pasta" event will begin at 1 p.m. and continues through 7 p.m. All proceeds support the Jazz Festival.

It was a feast fit for a king at Casa Antica, as the Village of Lewiston restaurant presented its annual St. Joseph's Day table. As shown, a large assortment of Italian dishes and desserts greeted patrons, who filled each table in the Center Street eatery.

During the weekends of April 4-6 and 11-13, the wineries along the Niagara Wine Trail will participate in their annual wine and local food-pairing event, "Taste of the Trail." The popularity of this event has lead to its expansion to two weekends.

The concept of "Taste of the Trail" is to educate how wine can easily pair with each part of a meal. A sample from a local food vendor, or the winery's own favorite pairing, will be given at each location with a taste of three wines.

Home cooks from across the country compete, with the guidance and determination from Food Network chefs, for a $50,000 cash prize in the new culinary competition series "America's Best Cook," premiering Sunday, April 13, at 9 p.m.

It's cliché to say a restaurant has "something for everyone."

Unless that restaurant is Brio Pizzeria.

Tully's Good Times Restaurants in Amherst, Clarence and Cheektowaga have joined forces with the Special Olympics NY Western Region to raise money for the upcoming Special Olympics New York State Summer Games, taking place June 6-8.

The LaSalle Yacht Club has turned its Pasta Sauce Off benefit over to two successful fundraisers who are all of 11 years old.

"Taste Niagara 2014," a celebration of local foods and beverages, will take place at 6:30 p.m. Saturday, March 1, at the state-of-the-art Niagara Falls Culinary Institute, 28 Old Falls St., Niagara Falls. The culinary institute is home to Niagara County Community College's culinary arts, baking and pastry arts program.

Hosted by the Niagara County Farm Bureau, in association with the Cornell University Cooperative Extension of Niagara County, the event is open to the public. It will feature multiple food stations.

The Taste of Buffalo presented by Tops is now accepting applications for its annual scholarship program, which supports local high school seniors in pursuit of higher education in the foodservice and hospitality industries. The scholarship awards up to five winners with $1,000 each to be applied toward college education.

Niagara Falls has long been considered a tourist destination because of its natural wonder of the world. This area also continues to expand in the retail industry and is visited by people from all over the world. But, the best-kept secret in Niagara Falls is the abundance of family-owned restaurants.

HARBORCENTER President John R. Koelmel unveiled plans for (716) Food and Sport, HARBORCENTER's 13,000-square-foot dining establishment.

"(716) will be dedicated to providing the best-in-class fan, food and sports experience," Koelmel said. "Our commitment to hospitality, quality and community will make HARBORCENTER a dining destination for residents of Western New York and Southern Ontario, as well as numerous visitors to the area."

Located on the corner of Scott Street and Washington Street, (716) will feature fare that is highlighted by Western New York culinary favorites, with an emphasis on locally produced ingredients.

Skilled chefs compete for the opportunity to cook against culinary master Bobby Flay in the new eight-episode competition series "Beat Bobby Flay," premiering Thursday, March 6, at 10 p.m. ET/PT.

Wilson has a new coffee shop. The Wilson Brew Co. held its grand opening Saturday, Jan. 18. There were drawings and giveaways for the large crowd that came out on a snowy morning to attend the opening.

What you eat is where you are - and there's no better way to know a destination than through its food. Niagara USA is home to 800 farms, 20 wineries, one brewery and even a cideria, so it's no wonder that our culture has seeped into some of the best eateries around.

The Blue Lantern Lounge, located at 6120 Seneca St., Elma, has announced a new venture that will reach beyond its current brick and mortar location. The new "da Blue" food truck will burst onto the scene in early February, taking a unique "street eats" menu direct to the downtown Buffalo lunch scene.

For the seventh year, Dunkin' Donuts and the American Red Cross are teaming up for the "Give a Pint, Get a Pound" campaign, which provides a coupon for a free pound of Dunkin' Donuts coffee to donors at Red Cross blood drives.

Starting the new year with additional unit growth, Sonic Drive-In has announced expansion plans in the state of New York with a franchise agreement bringing eight new drive-ins to Buffalo within the next six years. The nation's largest chain of drive-in restaurants has reached an agreement with Kevin DiPirro to develop these locations, with the first planned to open in the spring of 2015. The eight drive-in locations will extend throughout Niagara and Erie counties.

It's that time of the year when people look back on years past and identify goals they want to achieve in the year ahead. According to USA.gov, nearly half of the most popular New Year's resolutions each year are health-related.

"Despite good intentions, the majority of Americans give up on their New Year's resolutions within the first few weeks of the new year," said Gail Marchese, wellness coordinator at Tops. "For those making health-related resolutions, there are simple ways to make smarter food and lifestyle choices that can be easily incorporated into your daily lives."

Here are a few wellness, smart eating, and food shopping tips from Tops to ease the transition to a healthier lifestyle in 2014 and beyond.

Water Street Landing is unquestionably one of Lewiston's most popular spots to dine in the warm months. But what do patrons do in the winter?

The restaurant recently debuted an outdoor seating area that is lit by a fire pit, which also provides warmth.

Food Network kicks off the new year with five times the food and fun in the brand-new series "The Kitchen," co-hosted by culinary favorites Sunny Anderson, Katie Lee, Jeff Mauro, Marcela Valladolid and Geoffrey Zakarian.

Aaron Rotella is opening The Spicey Pickle in Lewiston a little later this winter.

If there's one downside to fabulous, food-filled holiday celebrations, it's the gurgles and groans of post-feasting indigestion.

"We assume it's because we overate, but for a lot of people, that pain and sick feeling may not be about how much you ate but what you ate," said Kyra Bussanich, (www.kyrasbakeshop.com), three-time winner of The Food Network's "Cupcake Wars," and author of a just-released recipe book, "Sweet Cravings: 50 Seductive Desserts for a Gluten-Free Lifestyle."

Bakery owner tosses the flour but keeps the flavor.

Bussanich's gluten-free cupcakes twice bested their floury competition on "Cupcake Wars."

Dominique Wilkins provided guests at the Niagara Falls Culinary Center with diabetes education and prevention tips.

Iconic restaurateur Tom George retired this week after 44 years of serving Lewiston's best bagel sandwiches and chili-cheeseburgers. His last day at The Villa Coffee House was Monday.

As Halloween approaches, be very afraid - and also a little hungry - because participating IHOP restaurants in the Buffalo area are bringing back one of their most beloved traditions for kids: the "Scary Face" pancake joins the "Just For Kids" menu this month.

Season nine "Food Network Star" winner Damaris Phillips brings her fresh take on southern cuisine to the Food Network lineup with new series "Southern at Heart," premiering Sunday, Oct. 27, at 10:30 a.m. Her "Southern food is the food of love" philosophy and quirky sense of humor lead the way as she teaches people how to impress through cooking. From preparing a special dish for a date to helping beginners master the perfect meal for their partner, Damaris plays matchmaker and chef to a tee in her six-episode series, providing entertainment and delicious food along the way.

Ah, happy hour. Great food, great drinks, a fun atmosphere - and the chance to enjoy some much-needed downtime. What's not to love? Now, thanks to a fairly recent trend that's gaining momentum across the country, you and your favorite furry friend can love happy hour together. Happy hours called "Yappy Hours" are cropping up in pet-friendly restaurants, bars and hotels in cities everywhere. We've compiled a list of some of the best "Yappy Hours" across the country.

Sisters Sarah Mallare and Christine Carr of Grand Island have opened a new bakery in the City of Tonawanda. Magpie's Bake Shop & Café, named after their mother, Christine "Maggie" Smith, recently celebrated its grand opening with a ribbon-cutting. Located at 38 Niagara St., they offer soups, pizza, cakes, pastries, many other baked goods.

Mary Beth and Louis J. Billittier are proud to announce that longtime family friend and legendary Buffalo broadcaster Dave Thomas will be at Chef's Italian Restaurant to host the "World's Largest Pasta Dinner."

East Aurora will play host to the Greater East Aurora Chamber of Commerce's 2nd annual Taste of East Aurora on Saturday, Sept. 14. From 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., Main Street, between Olean Road and Riley streets, will come alive with wonderful taste tempting samples of the finest cuisine available in the greater East Aurora area.

Carl Russo of WGRF 96.9-FM (97 Rock) was the winner Tuesday in the Chef's Restaurant "Media Meatball Eating Challenge." He consumed 11 meatballs in the first ever meatball-eating contest in Buffalo, which was hosted by "Wing King" and food marketing icon Drew Cerza.

The Big Mac sandwich - with its catchy jingle and elusive sauce recipe - is celebrating its 45th birthday this year. To honor this American icon, McDonald's restaurants across Western New York are planning a special party featuring a tasteful gift for thousands of Big Mac fans.

With all the things that can cause parents gray hairs these days, you would think something as innocent as a birthday cupcake or the childhood staple of peanut butter and jelly sandwiches wouldn't be on the list.

Rachael Ray and Guy Fieri are back to battle it out for ultimate bragging rights, but this time mentoring the most talented kid chefs around, in "Rachael vs. Guy: Kids Cook-Off," premiering Sunday, Sept. 8, at 8 p.m. ET/PT.

Lewiston's Apple Granny is known for its fish fry, a wide assortment of sandwiches and a killer bacon cheeseburger basket.

It's also known for history. That is, its promotion of the village's storied past.

Cornell Cooperative Extension of Niagara County has announced the 2013 Niagara County Fair kickoff event, the Farm-City Breakfast, will be sponsored by Niagara County Community College.

On July 31, more than 600 people will enjoy a homestyle breakfast in the food tent at the Niagara County Fair located on the fair grounds at 4487 Lake Ave., Lockport. The festivities begin at 8 a.m. Tickets for the Farm-City Breakfast are available now in the CCE-Niagara County administrative building or the day of the breakfast for $7. The NCCC mascot will be at the breakfast with a free giveaway.

"The Great Food Truck Race" kicks off season four with a brand-new cast of food truck hopefuls, who hit the road for the longest route in series history (4,181 miles), and exciting culinary challenges that celebrate the country's national landmarks.

I have this theory I call the "Disney World theory." That's when your favorite thing is the last thing you did. When you just get off Space Mountain that's your favorite ride until you get off of the Rock and the Rollercoaster and that becomes your favorite ride.