On the eve of battle….

Tomorrow downtown Buffalo (more specifically Delaware Avenue) will be taken over by tents, massive crowds of people, live music and lots delicious food.  Alli and I are going to break down the menu that was posted a couple weeks ago (check it out here).  Basically, here are two lists; one of food we’ve had and can recommend, and another of items we haven’t tried and really want to.  Feel free to look at our journal from last year (Day 1, Day 2) and get an idea for how seriously we take this festival.

Been there, done that:

• Caribbean Experience “Beef Pattie” – 3 tickets.  This and The Niagara Cafe’s offerings are must try items.  Fried seasoned crus; with ground beef inside, it’s like a delicous hot pocket.
• Cecelia’s “Fried Cheese Ravioli” – 5 tickets.  MUST TASTE - Every year Alli looks forward to the Taste of Buffalo just for these Ravioli’s.  Why they took them off the regular menu at Cecilia’s I will never know.
• Eddie Ryans “Beer Cheese Soup” – 3/5 tickets.  This isn’t on par with Pearl Street’s version, but it’s still worth a taste.
• Garris BBQ “Fried Chicken” – 7 tickets.  MUST TASTE – Hands down my favorite menu item in 2009, so much so that I ventured over to the east side to order this a couple months ago.  Getting it hot and fresh out of the frier is amazing.
• JP Bullfeathers “Jack Daniel’s Glazed Chicken Fingers” – 8 tickets.  Yes, I know Chicken Fingers are boring but the glaze is actually fantastic.
• The Niagara Cafe “Pastelillo (aka Beef Pattie)” – 6 tickets.  See above.
• Orazio’s “Oreo Peanut Butter Delight” – 4 tickets.  I normally don’t get excited for the desserts but this was memorable last year.
• P&R Bakeery “Humming Bird Cupcake” – 5 tickets.  It’s become a tradition to stop by on our way out of the festival and pick up a Cupcake to go.

On our wishlist:

• Bing’s “Crab cake / Sicilian Cigar Combo” – 8 tickets.  What I’ve gathered from my internet research is that a Sicilian Cigar is Swordfish wrapped around nuts, raisins and cheese.  I’m not exactly sure what that is but I’m willing to try it.
• BW’s “Pork Spare Ribs” – 7 tickets.  Growing up in Orchard Park it is a shame we have yet to really try BW’s at their restaurant location.  We had something similar at the Taste of Orchard Park but their reputation is great for BBQ.
• Cecelia’s “Maytag Blue Burger Slider” – 8 tickets.  Blue cheese and Burgers are great, and Sliders are probably the best way to eat a hamburger during the Taste of Buffalo.
• Chester’s Cajun Grill “Grilled Bourbon Tenderloin Tips” – 8 tickets.  Never been to Chester’s but the name of this menu item sold us both.
• Encore Restaurant “Blue Crab Sushi” – 3/6 tickets.  We bailed on Encore at the last minute during this past restaurant week and I was sad I didn’t get to try out their sushi selection.  I am still sketpical, but this is the time to try it.
• Joe’s Deli “Muffaletta Sandwich” – 8 tickets.  My friend Dino swears by this sandwich and it’s time I see what all the fuss is about.
• Mazzariello’s “Fagottini Pasta Purses stuffed with Walnuts & Gorgonzola” – 8 tickets & “Banana Pepper Dip with Dipping Bread” – 6 tickets.  I’ve had a family member talk up this Banana Pepper dip lately and it’s now on my radar.  The Fagottini just sounds delicious and Alli has a serious love of Gorgonzola going on right now.
• Papaya “Crab Spring Roll” – 6 tickets, “Korean BBQ Ribs” – 6 tickets.  Papaya served a really good meal during restaurant week and since I don’t have a lot of cash laying around this is a cheap way to try out more of their menu.
• Torches “French Made Fries” – 8 tickets.  I’m completely sold on Torches and unless this is just a fancy name for a boring ole’ French Fry (I doubt it) then I will put faith into JJ Richert and try whatever they are serving.

Sure there are literally hundreds of other items that you may fall in love with, but we recommend for the average festival attendee to try something new.  Many love Applebees (we actually don’t) and I’m sure that slice of pizza or something from Jim’s Steakout is tempting.  But you will have every day for the rest of your Buffalo life to eat a chicken finger or a slice of pizza.  Step outside the box and try some Indian food from Kabob and Curry or some English/Irish cuisine from WJ Morrissey’s.  Take this festival as a chance to inexpensively take 1-4 dollars and try out a restaurant or menu item you normally wouldn’t.

We will be tweeting on the go, letting people know how it’s going down, where the crowds are and if we find anything amazing.  So incase you don’t already, please follow us on twitter and if you see a guy with a Hartford Whalers cap, come over and say hi!