Polar Bites

I won tickets to this event through Unilocal but after attending once I will definitely be buying tickets to attend again next year. First off, all proceeds go to the Buffalo Zoo, which is great. There was an abundance of food and alcohol and though there was a lot of people I never felt like I had to wait in line for too long. All the vendors were super friendly and seemed excited to be there. I left ridiculously full.
Looking forward to next year!

What a fun time! We got to taste local eats, local wines, local beers; we met up with the Unilocal crew and got rejuvenated there too! I won the only thing I wanted in the Chinese auction and had lots of fun doing it and supporting animals. I’ll definitely go again!

Fun, fun — see you next year!

Polar Bites is a fantastic fundraiser for the Buffalo Zoo. I wasn’t sure what to expect when I walked into the Buffalo Convention Center but what I found did not disappoint.
The event is held in the upstairs part of the Convention Center and was like a miniature Taste of Buffalo but without cleaning out your wallet.
When you enter, you pick up your wine glass for samples and if you want, you can buy a small tray that will hold your glass and food while you walk around. All along the perimeter there are restaurants, breweries and wineries with samples. I couldn’t believe how many vendors there were. Everything I sampled was delicious. And the best part is that all that sampling is included in the ticket price!
In the center of the room was the silent auction and basket raffle. Ticket prices were reasonable and many interesting baskets. I didn’t win anything this time, but I’ll try again. There was also a live band playing and there were a few tables for eating but they were full.
All in all, this is a great event. I hear the summer one at the Zoo is just as good and after attending this, I look forward to attending the next!

One of the best events attended so far this year has been Polar Bites — a fundraiser held at the Buffalo Convention Center to benefit the Buffalo Zoo. While the weather outside was certainly Arctic, inside it was warm and cheerful and zoo supporters sampled and feasted on food and drink from over 50 local restaurants, dessert shops and vintners.
The energy was palpably positive and upbeat and the event was managed extremely well. The perimeter of the upper convention area was ringed by food and beverage tables giving excellent access and minimal lines. Event staff were there in force and seemed to meet everyone’s needs. Music played, wine flowed and I saw supporters close their eyes in delight as they tasted some really fantastic food and phenomenal desserts from some of Buffalo’s favorite venues.
The list of sponsors was well represented by a host of businesses and organizations (please check them out on the Buffalo Zoo website) who continue to give their time and expertise over and over to our community.
A spokesperson for the Buffalo Zoo informed me that this year — although the final tally wasn’t complete — «the evening netted over $ 50,000 for the Zoo». WTG Buffalo! And a special thanks to all the donors, sponsors and supporters for a truly great fund raising event.
Get your tickets early next year for a wonderful event in support of a worthy cause.