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."

M&T Bank will once again be the grand marquee sponsor for the Aquarium of Niagara's annual "Winds, Waves & Wines," which celebrates the area's grape harvest. "WWW XIV" will be held Thursday, Sept. 19, at the Convention & Event Center Niagara Falls from 6 to 9 p.m.

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.

The story of The Silo, 115 N. Water St., began in the 1930s, back when this area was referred to as the "Hojack Country."

The White Linen Tea House of Wheatfield was the winner of the People's Choice Awards for Best Culinary Samples at the Lewiston Region Tour of Kitchens held June 8 and 9. The home of Bob and Marian Granfield of Youngstown (The French Country Cottage) was the winner of the People's Choice - Best in Show for Décor and Tablescapes.

Mike Shubic, one half of the Rand McNally/USA Today "Best of the Road" "Best for Food" team the "Road Bros," returned to Lewiston this week - but not to judge its culinary offerings.

Dunkin' Donuts today continued its sustained growth and expansion in Western New York with the opening of a new restaurant in Lockport.

Amberleigh Retirement Community in Williamsville recently hosted a "Cutest Cupcake" bake-off among its residents and staff to benefit the Alzheimer's Association of WNY.

Don't miss the fifth annual Lewiston Region Tour of Kitchens and Homes June 8 and 9. Get an up close and personal look inside of six of the area's most fabulous homes and entertaining spaces located in the Lewiston and Youngstown region

Dunkin' Donuts celebrated the opening of its newest restaurant in the greater Buffalo area at Roswell Park Cancer Institute on Tuesday.

Hard Rock Café Niagara Falls, USA, is giving fans a chance to celebrate National Burger Month with a beach getaway to the all-inclusive Hard Rock Hotel and Casino Punta Cana.

Vincenzo's Pizza House opened Tuesday in the Village of Lewiston. ... And within 10 minutes, it was filled with customers munching on old-fashioned and cheese slices.

Plans are shaping up for the fifth annual Lewiston Region Tour of Kitchens, taking place Saturday and Sunday, June 8 and 9, from 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. at select addresses in Lewiston and Youngstown.

Alan Hastings has one simple goal for his Water Street eatery: He wants The Silo to be the best fast food restaurant in the world.

The Grand Island Market is enjoying a honeymoon in the first week of operation since the marriage of the store with Marco's Italian Deli.

The Niagara River Region Chamber of Commerce, the Village of Lewiston and The Silo Restaurant, in cooperation with the Niagara River Anglers, will celebrate one of the region's most famous natural resources as they host the Lewiston Smelt Festival on Friday, May 3, at the foot of Center Street along the Lewiston waterfront.

The Beach House has won Niagara Frontier Publications' second annual "Best Fish Fry" contest. Following a record number of entries, the Grand Island restaurant netted 13.1 percent of the 268 votes - more than double the tally of the second-place winners.

Chef Carmelo Raimondi and sous chef Bruce Wieszala of Carmelo's Restaurant were selected to compete as challengers in the annual "Nickel City Chef" competition at Artisan Kitchens and Baths in Buffalo.

Plans have been revealed for the Historic Lewiston Jazz Festival's annual fundraiser.

Have you ever been to a hibachi restaurant? My first experience was Fuji Grill in LaSalle.

Many people take the easy way out when it comes to eating healthy.

People turn to fast food and junk food to save time in their busy schedule - especially college students.

I recently dined at Lewiston's Brickyard Pub & B.B.Q. There was a three-page menu with a wide range of entrees to select from. Everyone in our party seemed to be pleased with the variety of food options. Not only were there many options, but everything ordered was delicious and worth every penny.

Three pastry chefs will go head-to-head in Verona next month to see who will win the title of American Culinary Federation Northeast Region Pastry Chef of the Year, sponsored by Plugrá European-Style Butter.

Niagara Frontier Publications is proud to announce noted food blogger Jude Russo Caserta is now a contributing writer for its website, www.wnypapers.com. A new version of her column, "Jude the Foodie," appears online each Monday.

"We are thrilled to be working with Jude, a well-liked and well-respected foodie," said Web Co-Editor Joshua Maloni. "Food is always a popular topic, and we're happy to have a tried and tested home cook and world traveler contributing stories, recipes and dining-out pieces for our website."

On Feb. 24 and 25, the Field & Fork Network will host its biennial "Connections Conference" (formerly the Farmer-Chef Conference) at the new, state-of-the art Niagara Falls Culinary Institute.

Assemblyman John D. Ceretto signed the New York State Legislative Wine Pledge Monday in support of the region's expanding wine and grape industry. The pledge requires Ceretto to serve New York state wine and grape products at events sanctioned by his legislative office or campaign organization.

You asked for it.

In response to patron requests, the Village Bake Shoppe is now serving sandwiches. Five different paninis are on the menu, and include "The Meltdown," a Cuban, the "Gucci" grilled cheese, ham and mozzarella, and turkey and bacon club.