DGM Digest: February

With just 28 days, you’d assume rent could be prorated or something. That would make a much nicer gift than wilted flowers or unmarked assorted chocolates from a feeble lover who nearly forgot to make dinner reservations. You shouldn’t have to wait for the holiday decor in stores to change before you can purchase flowers for someone you love. I don’t prefer to buy into the commercialization of Valentine’s Day, call me what you will, but the celebration of love and its good fortunes should not be reserved for one day of the year.

If Valentine’s Day should be about anything, it should be about indulgence with the one(s) you love. Watching a good movie, sharing a good meal, cracking open a good bottle of wine, and spending time with the people you love- not proving that love to your pitiful peers online- and I did plenty of indulging this month. Now, allow me to directly contradict myself and prove it to all of you in this month’s DGM Digest, highlighting local grub, great movies, and somewhat good books!

Based on my previous description and movie recommendation list for February 14th, imagine my surprise when I realized that the Friday my friend and I were planning to go out was in fact Valentine’s Day and almost every single establishment was booked solid, not to mention the shitty parking situations, made shittier by heaping amounts of snow. After over an hour of driving aimlessly in circles around the city of Buffalo, trying to find a place to eat, we serendipitously stumble upon the perfect moody, rustic, well-lit restaurant, perfect for a Valentine’s dinner, or two girls who just want to have a martini and split a steak. That very restaurant was Beacon Grille in Allentown.

Without being too inflammatory, this is one of the best steaks I have ever had. The best was in Spain, practically still moo-ing, made on an Argentinian grill; I know because I asked the waiter, and after various compliments he gave our table a free round of shots.

The bartender at Beacon Grille was fabulous, and our cocktails were equally so. Thanks to him and the chef Seth, we got to enjoy the steak cooked to our liking; he cooked half medium for Ari and half rare for me. A cosmo is a fairly simple drink to make, yet you’d be surprised how many people make it too sweet- this was divine, as was Ari’s toasted marshmallow espresso martini made with tequila. Dinner and two drinks is my perfect scenario, and Beacon Grille provided sensational service and scenery, perfect for any situation, really.

I’ve been on the hunt for spots to dance in Buffalo, even going so far as to ask the public on my social media. The short answer is 26 on Allen. But I did find myself at two of the hot spots mentioned in my comment section and figured I’d share my honest thoughts.

Hartman’s is great for cocktails and mingling, but not so much for dancing. Maybe it was the particular event we attended, but this is what actually prompted my video in the first place: we were promised dancing, and while we did, the crowd was far more stationary than we’d anticipated. The DJ booth was also extremely close to the bathroom line, which caused minor fits of chaos and reduced the overall feng shui.

I’ve said this before, and I will say it again, Streetlight is a great place to stand in place while staring at everyone you went to high school with. While that’s fun for some, for me, I can do that at least four bars, so I’ll pass for the time being. Great brunch, even better French fries. But if I wanna be forced to watch people pee with the door open, I’ll stick to 26.

If you’re looking for something to curb your hangover after a night out on the town, or just something a bit more casual, might I suggest the Clarence Center Cafe? Buffalo is blessed with fantastic local cafes, my favorite being Spoke & Dagger, but venture into the suburbs, and you’re met with a wasteland of drive-thru chains serving burnt beans and bad bagels. That’s why discovering this gem was such a relief—now it’s a non-negotiable stop in my cafe rotation.

Whether you’re in the mood for salads, sandwiches, or soups, they have it all, and it’s all made with love to perfection; I’ve never left dissatisfied. My favorite thing to do is order a lavender latte and a panini, sit on their sunroom-style patio and stare into the village, eventually I dissociate and pretend I’m in Stars Hollow, but that’s just me.

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Much like my daydreams of Stars Hollow, I have a terrible habit of inserting myself into whatever movie or TV show I’m watching—an uninvited guest star in someone else’s plot. If I could pick any film universe to crash, I’d choose The Moment, purely for the chance to hang out with Charli XCX. Dracula is tempting, but the more I consider the whole 'immortal vampire' gig, the less appealing the prospect of eternal suffering becomes.

Allow me to give you the briefest of reviews from the new movies I got see this February:

The Moment: absolutely genius, incredibly sharp, and meta. Charli XCX is so far ahead of the rest, I don’t care if that’s hyperbolic. Her performance is dynamic, and the supporting roles are brilliant. I loved the mockumentary and commentary of the state of the industry; I’d highly recommend it.

Dracula: Romance is not dead, it’s undead. Watching Caleb Landry Jones portray such devastation and admiration in two hours was heartbreaking. The chemistry between him and Zoe Blue was so convincing that I found myself  on AO3 after watching. The cinematography, costume design, and humor were impeccable.

Wuthering Heights: While the film was not what was promoted, in my opinion, I can admire its elaborate, creative craftsmanship and beauty. I wish it were sexier and more erotic, especially considering the changes to perspective and overall plot. The soundtrack by Charli XCX felt more passionate than the romance between Heathcliff and Cathy; that said, the scene where he covered her eyes and mouth did give me fanny flutters, but they died shortly after.

By the way, I managed to squeeze in 18 movies this month—yes, 18. If you want the full rundown (and a little more of my unsolicited opinions), check out my reviews on social media and YouTube.

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But February is not just about romance and restaurants. With the arrival of the Lunar New Year—often called the Chinese New Year—February brings a sense of intentional renewal. We leave behind the year of the snake, shedding what no longer serves us and making room for new growth. Letting go of people, places, and things that do not support our growth as individuals, slowing down, and taking time to look inward before we transition into the strength and power of the year of the horse. I encourage anyone interested in the year of the horse to learn about the history and culture of the Lunar New Year because it truly is such a beautiful tradition and celebration, and there’s so much more to it than what’s currently trending on social media.

Starting off the Lunar New Year strong, I have finally crawled out of my reading slump thanks to the highly recommended The Four Agreements. I thoroughly enjoyed this easy-to-read self-help book that offers a perspective on life's principles, courtesy of my friend Sam, who gave it to me back in November. I am a firm believer that you’re meant to watch and read things at a certain time, and let’s just say I’m so glad I waited because I don’t think I would have been as receptive to it had I read it at the end of 2025.

In attempts to keep the momentum going, I picked up what I’d consider an easy read. I have a love-hate relationship with The Love Hypothesis, mainly because it was predictable. Moreover, I had a difficult time with a plot that relied so heavily on miscommunication. While I enjoyed the fake-dating trope, it was painfully obvious how to resolve all the central conflicts. That said, I can’t wait to see the film adaptation because it did serve its purpose as a romance- I certainly found myself blushing and beaming at the banter and chemistry between Olive and Adam.

Shifting gears to another highly recommended read, I’m now tackling Perfume. When romance isn’t enough, enjoy erotica. This is a sensual story of murder, and I’m thoroughly enjoying it thus far. The language and imagery are so specific, you can feel it through the page;  smell it even.

Now that my life isn’t dictated by school bells and exam schedules, I’m stunned by how quickly time slips by. When you’re a student, every hour feels like it’s crawling—but adulthood has a way of making months disappear in a blink. With that in mind, I’m holding on to the small, sweet moments and letting this February remind me to savor time before it rushes past. We spend so much time looking at what’s ahead and dwelling on what has passed that it leaves very little time to be present; in presence, we find peace.

As March rapidly approaches, remember that February isn’t over. You still have time. Ready isn’t a feeling; it’s a decision. Actively deciding every day to indulge in life and yourself is a choice that only benefits you. I choose to indulge by watching an insane amount of movies, both at home and in theaters, expanding my palate with delectable dishes, and immersing myself in new worlds through new books. I encourage you to do the same, in whatever way you see fit; that is the DGM way, after all.

Till next time, stay flirty, stay thrsty. Watch more movies together. Make more movies together.

Cin Cin,

Paige B.