Fueled by a nearly lifelong passion for restaurants, Jeremy developed a side project while working at iLounge – the pioneering regional food blog Buffalo Chow, designed to introduce Buffalo, NY’s then-little known culinary specialties to the world, and the world’s specialties to Buffalo.
Inspired by his interactions with leading Spanish avant garde chefs José Andrés and Albert Adrià, Jeremy took his side project to the next level by opening Aro Bar de Tapas, an award-winning Spanish tapas restaurant in Buffalo’s suburbs. Aro included a gorgeous cocktail bar modeled on the gintonerias of San Sebastián, Spain, a wide variety of authentic Spanish small and large plates, plus seating for over 100 guests – typically all full at 7:00pm.
Jeremy handled Aro’s marketing, public relations, and daily management, guiding menu development and personally touching tables during service. Aro won multiple local awards, including Best New Restaurant, Best Craft Charcuterie, Best Cocktails, and Best Desserts during a particularly exciting period in Buffalo’s “renaissance.” After relocating to Orange County, California, Jeremy created the restaurant- and destination-focused publication OCalpha as a new outlet for his hospitality passions.
