Former Daffodil's chef to reopen banquet hall
by JESSICA L. FINCH Associate Editor

Executive chef Scott Donhauser and general manager Sheryl Porto display the new look of Verbena, located in the old Daffodil's building on Maple Road. The restaurant/banquet hall is scheduled to open in January. Photo by Joe Eberle Purchase color photos at www.BeeNews.com

Though it's been closed for more than a year, Daffodil's is about ready for more nightly celebrations.

The building, which operated as Daffodil's for nearly 30 years, is scheduled to reopen in January as Verbena Restaurant. The name means nightly celebration.

Co-owner and executive chef Scott Donhauser purchased the building with Bill Goodhue. Currently under renovation, the restaurant will have a new look when the doors open.

"A lot of people thought Daffodil's was dark, with dark wood and dim lights," Donhauser said. "My vision was to bring in more natural light by removing some walls and opening up the bookcases."

Donhauser was Daffodil's executive chef for seven years. When the restaurant closed in September 2006, just one day after he put in his resignation, he partnered with Goodhue to open Stillwater on Delaware Avenue in downtown Buffalo.

A year later, they are preparing to open their second business adventure.

"It's an opportunity to take a risk on something. I always wanted to own my own restaurant," he said.

Donhauser said he is happy to see that the Daffodil's space will be restored and brought back to life as a banquet hall and restaurant. And the buzz has already started, he added.

People passing by the Maple Road establishment have asked what's going on. He said thousands of people and employees came through Daffodil's, celebrating anniversaries, birthdays and other occasions throughout the years.

With more than 25 years' experience in restaurants and cuisine, Donhauser is ready to bring something different to the space.

General manager Sheryl Porto said Verbena will be open for dinners and have a late night, light menu in the Grille Room.

The bar area, with the fireplace and three flat-screen TVs, will offer a casual atmosphere, welcoming people to stop by after a night at the game or theater.

Another room being constructed is the Merlo Room, which will have a waterfall accent and fireplace to create a warm, romantic setting.

"We are bringing life back into the building. It's so exciting," she said. "It was time for a change."

In the dining room, a wide variety of Mediterranean cuisine, from Italy to France and Spain to Portugal, will be served, Donhauser said. Also, Verbena will have three banquet halls, the largest able to accommodate 125-130 people.

The banquet halls will be open during the day for business meetings and other events.

Porto said she is excited about the reopening.

"It is too beautiful, there is too much history, too much character, for it to just sit," she said, adding that the former owner refused to allow the structure or the land to be used as anything but a restaurant and banquet hall.

In the past year, proposals for putting a medical office and a drugstore on the property had fallen through.

Porto has many years of experience in the restaurant and hospitality business and said she demands very high standards for her employees.

"Its all about the 'wow' factor," she said. "We want Verbena to be a wonderful experience for our guests. Without passion there is no sense being in the industry."

The restaurant is located at 930 Maple Road, east of North Forest Road. For information on booking, call Donhauser at 984-2405.