An introduction to some of Buffalo, NY's best places to catch a light meal or spend the evening eating and drinking.
On the topic of chicken wings, the Anchor Bar at 1047 Main St is THE home of that secret wing sauce the rest of the country covets. Concocted in 1964 by the bar's owner to serve as a snack to his late night patrons, they've lasted through the decades, and have picked up some siblings, namely bleu cheese and celery. If you by chance have a vegetarian friend, the menu has a large selection of Italian-American options. Hit up the bar on a Friday or Saturday to catch local and out-of-town Jazz bands keeping the place lively.
Also Downtown is E. B. Green's (Two Fountain Plaza, next to the Hyatt Regency) a classic American steakhouse serving up large portions for reasonable prices. They are well known throughout the city for their steak cuts, from prime rib to porterhouses. Don't think the vegetarian crowd strays from here though, their pastas and salads are enough for any non-meat eater and the sides available will make anyone salivate. Tuesday through Saturday they feature live music drawn from local and regional acts, so stop in for a drink and stay for dinner.
Curly's Bar and Grill is a Lackawanna suburb favorite (647 Ridge Road) and serves up a delectable mix of classic Caribbean cuisine fused with American favorites. A family owned business since the "˜30s, the décor is kept casual but there's a secret "Jamaican" room in which guests can consume their eclectic entrées. Nearly anyone can find something of interest from the wide array of Curly's options.
If you're looking for culture combinations, Hutch's is a long-time Buffalo favorite. Serving up combinations of Asian, American and Italian dishes, Hutch's creatively blends tastes, seasonings, preparation methods, and serving ideas in order to present its patrons with the utmost unique eating experience. Choose from halibut with a side of spinach almond pesto salad, or basil tomato pasta with saffron risotto. A perfect date restaurant, Hutch's is casually elegant and reservations are strong encouraged.
Le Metro, located on the city's most artful and eclectic street - Elmwood Ave, is one of the hip spots of the city. A small indoor eating area, complemented by an outdoor patio makes Le Metro a cool place to eat. Grab a drink at the bar while you wait (reservations are not taken) and enjoy conversation with some of Buffalo's coolest. Le Metro is known for its vegetarian fare, and packs a strong punch with some innovating sandwich blends - the Portobello sandwich is served open face style with a variety of sides. Any of Le Metro's breads can be purchased on your way out, prepared bakery style, keeping the place smelling delectable - not for the Atkins friendly!
For the light dining experience, stop by Kuni's Sushi Bar. Small but friendly and very popular, Kuni's serves up sushi, sashimi, soups and salads, but get here early or else you may find yourself waiting up to an hour for a table! The environment is casual and sets the tone for either an intimate dinner or an easy night out with friends. If you've never tried sushi, the waitstaff are pleasantly knowledgeable and will be able to recommend an item for your first experience.
If you do find yourself having to wait, get across the street to Spot Coffee and pick yourself up a latte or white hot chocolate and one of their oversized cookies to tide you over. The atmosphere is slightly eccentric and once you sit down in that red velour couch there's no telling how hard it'll be for you to get back up. Bustling with hipster patrons, Spot Coffee is the hot spot for local mingling, and is open "˜till 10 on weekdays and midnight on Fridays and Saturdays. Pick up a local Artvoice for suggestions on evening activities and commentary on local events in and around the Buffalo area.
