In late January, John R. Koelmel, President of HarborCenter Development LLC in Buffalo in Western New York announced plans for (716) Food & Sport, a 13,000 square foot full service restaurant, “Dedicated to providing the best-in-class fan, food and sports experience,” he added. The two-level themed restaurant will be located on the Scott St. and Washington St. corner. Owned and operated by HarborCenter, the restaurant will have seating for about 360, three bars and a local menu and an extensive collection of craft beers and signature cocktails. More than 40 beer selections will be available, with 20 varieties on tap. “(716) is our code, and we’re creating an experience to epitomize it,” said restaurant general manager Dominic Verni. “These are three digits that identify our area and represent the pride and passion that Western New Yorkers have for our area, as well as the deep love we have for both food and sport. Combining both food and sport at our state of the art destination will create the premier fan experience.”  Verni joined HarborCenter in November 2013 after 17 years with Hard Rock International Restaurants, most recently as General Manager of the Café Restaurants, Retail and Music venue in Niagara Falls, New York. The restaurant will provide patrons with a unique viewing experience for all sporting events, featuring a 38 foot video screen, the largest restaurant screen in the continental United States. An additional 55 big screen televisions will be on display throughout the location, including individual in-booth televisions with dedicated sound. Bathrooms will have television screens embedded in the mirrors. Scheduled for completion in Fall 2014, HarborCenter is a mixed-use hockey and entertainment complex that is being developed by Buffalo Sabres owners Terry and Kim Pegula located next to the team’s First Niagara Center. The 205-room hotel component is scheduled to open in May 2015.

HarborCenter Development LLC – John Koelmel (john.koelmel@harborcenhter.com)

(716) Food & Sport – Dominic Verni (domenic.verni@harborcenter.com)