Buffalo, N.Y. (WBEN) - It's safe to say this new establishment in Downtown Buffalo will turn some heads.
Vault @ 237, a unique Roaring '20s bar and restaurant at 237 Main Street, is set to open its doors to the public on Friday starting with lunch service at 11:30 a.m. ET and followed by dinner at 5 p.m. ET.
"It has not been a sprint, it has been definitely a marathon," said managing partner Andy Shaevel ahead of Friday's official launch. "We first purchased these properties about seven years ago, and we started working on the restaurant about four years ago. But with COVID, everything came to a grinding halt. We're excited that it's finally coming into fruition. This is really the capstone project of our re-development at the foot of Main Street."
Located in The Marin at 237 Main Street - one level below its sister property, The Admiral Room at the Marin - Vault @ 237 will offer elevated American fare focused on fresh ingredients, well-mixed cocktails, and a unique private dining experience in the former Marine National Bank.
Shaevel says the inspiration for the new bar and restaurant, adjacent to both Seneca One Tower and Sahlen Field, goes back to the architecture of the building.
"This is an Italian Renaissance building that was constructed in 1912, E.B. Green design, these are all the architects of Buffalo," Shaevel explained. "This was the Marine National Bank building, which was really the center of the financial hub of Western New York. So when you think about Buffalo in the yesteryear of great days versus today's great days, this was what it was all about. So honoring the '20s and the energy of the '20s just seemed like a logical way of honoring the building, and all of our re-development here on Main Street."
According to Shaevel, the overall re-development of the building he was part of purchasing - along with developers and fellow managing partners of Vault @ 237, Paul Kolkmeyer and Don Brown, Jr. - was an extensive project estimated around $55 million. Vault @ 237 is seen as the final capstone with the massive project that also includes The Admiral Room upstairs.
A couple of tasting sessions were held at Vault @ 237 before Friday's official launch, as Shaevel feels it was a hit with both the contractors that helped build the space, as well as the tenants that live in the apartment spaces in the building.
"Everybody when they walk in, you come in and you'll see the bronze [ceiling], the colors and the tones, the decorations. There's a lot of energy here, so a strong vibe," Shaevel said. A"nd the food, everybody thinks is just exceptional. So we're just getting started. We have a great chef, James Brown, who previously was at the Curtiss and Frankie Primos, and everybody thinks he's doing a great job."
Brayton J. Wilson - WBEN
Brayton J. Wilson - WBEN
As Vault @ 237 gets set to open its doors to the public, Shaevel hopes the environment of the bar and restaurant will be a combination of energy and warmth in the early goings.
"We think that the bar, when you walk in, you'll see can seat 45-to-50 people. There's a lot of room for people to socially gather as a community here at the foot of Main Street. So we hope they'll feel the warmth of that community," he said. "What we also hope is that they'll experience the beauty of the space, the exquisite nature of the food - which is an elevated American fare - and just amazing service. At the end of the day, if you're treated like family and served a good meal, and served with people that you love and enjoy being with, it'll be a great experience. We hope people will come back again and again."
Shaevel admits, at first, the environment will confuse many customers coming out for a night of enjoyment. He thinks the ambiance will feel like fine dining to many, but in reality, Vault @ 237 is meant to be a place where you can come as you are.
"Let's be honest, we're adjacent to Sahlen Field, we're just a short walk to KeyBank Center. If you're going to a concert, a ballgame, a hockey game or you're just hiking around Canalside in the afternoon and you want a nice meal, this is the place to come. It really is going to be a mix," Shaevel said. "There'll be people here wearing game jerseys and in jeans, or people dressed in business attire that are coming because they want to have business meetings. We're right across the street from Seneca One. We think this will be the hub of energy in Downtown Buffalo."
While Vault @ 237 has the capacity to handle dinner for two, it also has the potential to host much more with the availability of venues to choose from.
"We have a number of different venues from the restaurant itself to the private dining rooms, the actual vault that everybody wants to take a peek at, the trust department dining room downstairs, to the Admiral Room space upstairs. I think we can hit it a number of different needs that people have," Shaevel said.
The former Marine Bank's iconic vault is being promoted for private dining gatherings, perfect for celebrations with family and friends, business meetings, small cocktail parties, or a rehearsal dinner or after party as part of larger celebrations at The Admiral Room.
Brayton J. Wilson - WBEN
Brayton J. Wilson - WBEN
Shaevel is hoping that Vault @ 237 will become a place really well-known for it's great food, great cocktails, and just an environment people flock to Downtown Buffalo to take part in.
"I'm really hopeful that our kitchen staff - we have a top notch crew - will execute on elevating American fare in a way that will make you want to come back, and the service team will deliver great service," Shaevel said. "I think good drinks are good drinks, great food and great service. It's the differentiation."
When it comes to the menus, Shaevel explains the vast difference between the lunch menu and dinner menu they are offering for customers.
"The lunch menu is much more casual, all handhelds and salads, appetizers, and we'll be changing that menu every quarter or so," he said. "This current period, we're featuring five different types of tacos, so there are mahi mahi, pork, steak, chicken and shrimp. The chef has done an outstanding job, and those can be done either with flour or corn, depending on whether you're gluten free."
Vault @ 237 - Lunch MenuVault @ 237
"The dinner menu, we limit down the number of appetizers, and they're classic Buffalo favorites. Although I think the Lump Crab Cake is outstanding, the Meatballs are outstanding. Although it's Buffalo and everybody's got their favorite sauce, I think our chef has done a great job. The Mac and Cheese is a classic, the Onion soup is to die for. And then on the entrée side, we have 12 different entrees, plus a number of specials every night. You can go from the high end of Prime Steak Frites all the way to something as simple was a piece of salmon. So there's lots of choices. And then we have the Vault Burger, which is just outstanding. I'd put it up against any burger place in town."
Vault @ 237 - Dinner MenuVault @ 237
As for what Vault @ 237 has to offer at the bar, Shaevel says they will have a range of local draft beers to the nationals that people feel comfortable with. In addition, a number of period cocktails that will include Marin martinis, Sidecars, Old Fashioned drinks and much more.
The team at Vault @ 237 has been quietly promoting themselves on social media over the last two weeks, and say the best way to follow the latest updates on restaurant information is to follow them on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook.
When it comes to reservations, Shaevel says they are for booking through OpenTable.
"You can just go to OpenTable.com and search for Vault @ 237. Or you can look at any of our social media handles, @Vault237Buffalo," he said. "We're on all the social media platforms, you'll be able to connect right to our reservation system. If you're looking to book 10 or more, you need to give us a call or shoot us a note, and a member of our planning team will get back to you. OpenTable only supports 10 or less."
Brayton J. Wilson - WBEN
Brayton J. Wilson - WBEN
Brayton J. Wilson - WBEN
Brayton J. Wilson - WBEN
