With the Buffalo Sabres undefeated after nine games, the arts season in full swing and city-wide recovery from an unseasonably-early blast of classic Queen City weather all part of the talk of the town, The Spectrum runs down the best the region has to offer.
This is not a particularly in-depth or scientific study, but rather the first-response answers of members of The Spectrum staff and guest panelists. Enjoy!
Arts, Entertainment and Leisure
Art gallery
Albright-Knox Art Gallery - Western New York's premiere gallery, free on Fridays
Runners-up: Hallwalls Contemporary Arts Center, UB's Early Childhood Research Center (if you like handprints and other adorable works)
Music venue
Mohawk Place - Dark, dingy, and everything else a great up-and-coming music scene should be
Runners-up: Dome Theatre, Riviera Theatre, Kleinhans Music Hall
Bookstore
Talking Leaves - Everything from textbooks to book talks, locations on Main Street and Elmwood Avenue
Movie theater
Regal Cinemas on Elmwood and Transit, Dipson Theatre Amherst
It's not so much where you go as what you see
Festival or event
Allentown Art Festival and Taste of Buffalo - a citywide sampling of local favorites, a myriad of art and food respectively
Runner-up: Italian Heritage Festival (Hertel Avenue) - similar theme, sponsored by Sorrento cheese
Place to relax
Delaware Park - take a stroll in one of the legendary parks designed by Frederick Law Olmsted
Runner-up: The Commuter Lounge in the Student Union
City district
The Elmwood Strip - window-shop and check out Buffalo's alternative scene
Runner-up: The Chippewa Strip, Buffalo's not-so-alternative scene
Bars and Restaurants
College bar
Third Base - a favorite of The Spectrum's sports desk, who also mourn the loss of Molly's Pub
Non-college bars
Brinks, Alternative Brews, Bogarts, Allen St. Hardware Caf?(c), Bobby McGees - As far as bars, almost everyone wins
Club
Level - More or less the biggest game in town
Wittiest write-in: Club Capen (As in, Capen Library). How sad.
Fast food
Mighty Taco - It's like Taco Bell, only tastier and (hopefully) healthier
Mighty won in a landslide, but don't forget Ted's Jumbo Red Hots and breakfast favorite Tim Hortons (Buffalo being the American gateway for the Canadian company)
Delivery
University Hots - A Rochester cuisine transplanted to Buffalo, grease and all
A popular write-in: NOT Domino's
Diner
Amy's Place - close and cheap
Runner-up: Pano's - Not so close or cheap, but still very good
Open 24/7
Tom's Restaurant - not only is it good, it's not a chain
Although they close at 5 a.m., Jim's Steak Out is still almost always a good late-night choice
Chicken wings
Duff's - many people concur, they beat the original
The original: Anchor Bar
Ice cream
Anderson's - local, easy to find, some right near Ted's (a full Buffalo dinner when eaten together)
Pizza
Try one of any of the local places, go by word of mouth. Don't get your hopes up too high, this isn't NYC.
Chinese food
Wok 22 - particularly fast, particularly nice, haven't messed up an order to the office yet
A little more upscale: Red Pepper
Coffeehouse
SpoT Coffee - great brew and atmosphere, plus it's where all the cool kids go
Runner-up: Tim Hortons, again
Specialty restaurant
Italian: Frank's Sunny Italy
Mexican:Gramma Mora's
Japanese:O Restaurant and Lounge
Uniquely Buffalo foods
Duff's, Ted's, Jim's Steak Out and Charlie the Butcher (Beef on Weck)
Sports
Buffalo pro sports team
Buffalo Sabres
Note: Records at the time of the survey, Sabres 9-0, Bills 2-5
UB sports team
Men's Basketball
Buffalo fans
Tie: Sabres and Bills fans - Sabres fans are big right now, but Bills fans are about as devoted as any
Sports venue
HSBC Arena - It's a lot closer than Orchard Park
Final thoughts
On architecture: "Buildings may be run down, but take away the spray paint and boards over windows and the buildings are beautiful. Plus City Hall, Niagara Square, Lafayette Square and Buffalo Electric." - Colin Size, Student Union Manager and guest panelist
On weather: "The 30-day span where there's no rain or snow." - Alex Rubin, sports editor
On entertainment: "I would not move for the world... I haven't been bored yet!" - Debbie Smith, business manager
Overall: "Awesome place to be." - Matt R. Manera, arts & life editor
Photo: Courtesy of Laron Fomby
