(WNY News Now) – Newly renovated Wilkeson Pointe to feature tacos, cocktails, and lakeside dining.
Erie Canal Harbor Development Corporation and Buffalo Waterfront are thrilled to announce the spring opening of a new restaurant, Perro & Poni, at Wilkeson Pointe on Buffalo’s Outer Harbor. The restaurant will operate in the new 1,396-square-foot food service building that was constructed as part of the ongoing Wilkeson Pointe Improvement Project, which will expand access to the waterfront site and enhance the visitor experience.
Perro & Poni, from the group behind South Buffalo’s popular Dog & Pony Saloon, will feature bold, Tex-Mex flavors and dishes served fresh at the lakeside counter-service eatery. Perfect for a quick bite for visitors, Perro & Poni will also have a full bar offering, including creative cocktails, frozen drinks, and a rotating selection of local brews.
“Perro & Poni at the newly renovated Wilkeson Pointe will deliver an exceptional summertime experience on Buffalo’s Outer Harbor,” said Erie Canal Harbor Development Corporation Chairperson Joan Kesner. “Governor Hochul pledged to accelerate funds to jumpstart projects on the waterfront and that’s exactly what we’re seeing as projects like these come to fruition. We’re excited to add to the city’s vibrant food and beverage scene, against the backdrop of beautiful sunsets and numerous fun activities.”
Perro & Poni’s menu will feature tacos and light-bites, as well as kid-friendly options. Unique drinks to sip by the waterside will include signature tequila cocktails, “frozen cocktails,” a beer cocktail, a rotating selection of local craft beers, plus refreshing non-alcoholic options.
“We are thrilled to partner with Erie Canal Harbor Development Corporation and Buffalo Waterfront to bring a new and exciting dining opportunity to Wilkeson Pointe, at the heart of Buffalo’s ever-expanding waterscape,” said Dog and Pony Saloon General Manager Suzanne Shatzel. “Perro & Poni looks forward to providing guests with fresh and delicious food and cocktail options, as well as fun, family-friendly events and experiences.”
Buffalo Waterfront talked with close to a dozen local restauranteurs and worked with the Western New York Chapter of the New York State Restaurant Association to promote the opportunity before deciding on the operator for Wilkeson Pointe. The Perro & Poni ownership group was chosen due to its depth of industry knowledge, proposed concept, and partnership approach.
“We are thrilled to welcome guests back to Wilkeson Pointe this summer,” said Buffalo Waterfront General Manager Lauren Ford. “Wilkeson Pointe has always been a popular destination and the addition of Perro & Poni will only enhance that experience, especially in addition to the new programming we have planned for the park this season.”
Announced by Governor Hochul in 2022 as one of several significant Buffalo waterfront projects being accelerated for completion, the Wilkeson Pointe renovations began in September 2023. The site is scheduled to re-open to the public in May. In addition to the new food service building, the improvements made to the 7-acre site between the Wilkeson Pointe water’s edge and the nearby Fuhrmann Boulevard entrance include:
- Visitor safety measures, such as moving parking away from the water and at a distance from the site’s pedestrian trail
- Restrooms and storage for the operations management team.
- A new outdoor seating area
- Relocated and elevated trails near the water’s edge
- Improved landscaping, integrating of natural species and creating meadows, grasslands, and pollinator fields
See renderings here.
This summer, Buffalo Waterfront will coordinate a full activities calendar including volleyball leagues, fitness classes, movie nights, and a live music series in addition to the day-to-day amenities in the park, that will complement Perro & Poni’s arrival.
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