By now, most know the story of how, in 1964, a stray shipment of chicken wings ended up at the Anchor Bar in downtown Buffalo--and thus was born the Buffalo wing craze that has overtaken every single sports bar in the universe: hot, medium, or mild!

But dining out in Buffalo is more than just chicken wings. In fact, there are more than 1,400 restaurants, bistros, cafes, pubs and grills in the Greater Buffalo Area--and that doesn't include the annual food festivals where thousands come out to taste local specialties such as Beef on Weck, thick juicy slices of roast beef piled six inches high on a salt and caraway Kimmelweck roll. And you can tell a native Buffalonian by the amount of horseradish she uses! All washed down with an ice-cold locally-brewed ale.

Visitors to Buffalo don't have to hang around long to discover the third member of the citys local specialties: the Friday night fish fry. This is the traditional way to bid farewell to another work week with fish in beer batter, fresh-cut fries, lots of that ice-cold locally-brewed ale, and plenty of friends.

Beef on Weck and Atmosphere

You can get beef on weck and a Friday fish fry in just about any place in the city but, for authentic atmosphere, try the Buffalo Brew Pub in Williamsville, with its dart tournaments and English-style beer brewed on the premises. Or the Shannon Pub in Amherst, a genuine Irish pub located next to the Lord Amherst Motor Hotel. The pub claims to pour the best pint of Guinness in North America and it also attracts some of the finest Celtic performers this side of the Atlantic for all the "craig" (thats fun) you can handle.

Aside from these down-to-earth treats and eateries that pay homage to Buffalos working-class roots, there are also numerous upscale dining establishments for that special evening out, or for that very important client.

The area around the Buffalo Niagara International Airport is home to several of these special occasion restaurants, each with its own cachet. Christinos: A Tuscan Bistro, located within the Buffalo Marriott Niagara hotel, offers classic Northern Italian cuisine under the watchful eye of world-renowned chef Walter Staib.

Tropical Courtyard Ambience

Waldens, in the Four Points Hotel Buffalo Airport, next to the Walden Galleria Mall, features Certified Angus Beef in a dining room that overlooks a tropical courtyard. Some people come here just for the signature dessert: Triple Chocolate Raspberry Mousse Bomb!

Other area restaurants include Flying Tigers, right next to the airports main runway; the Old Red Mill, with wild game choices in an 1800s farmhouse; McMahons Steak, Seafood & Whisky Bar, "Home of The Tender Steak & The Tuff Martini," and the elegant Pranzo Ristorante within the Radisson Hotel & Suites, featuring fresh seafood, lamb and veal.

One of the top restaurants not only in the city but in all of Western New York can be found on the northern edge of Buffalo in Kenmore. Truffles Restaurant offers classic continental cuisine, elegance, and the kind of pampering that will melt away all your worries.

Downtown for Eclectic Mix

Buffalos downtown offers an eclectic mix of dining styles and cuisines, ranging from The Towne Restaurant, open 23 hours a day (one hour for cleaning) and popular for the crowd as much as the food, to EB Greens Steakhouse in the Hyatt Regency, rated Western New Yorks only four-star steakhouse with choices such as a 24oz porterhouse and a 3lb Maine lobster. Or you can try Harrys Harbour Place Grille for harborfront ambience and a celebrated outdoor patio.

If you're looking for some pre- or after-theater dining, you can't go wrong with The Bijou Grille, run by the same folks who've brought Buffalo The Tralfamadore Cafe. At Desiderios, located where Theater District overlaps The Chippewa Club Zone, you can actually get to mingle with crew and cast members from the Alleyway or Irish Classical. But you'd better get there early.

Gallery 101 Bistro combines art on the walls and fine dining, featuring local artists and Pacific Rim cuisine, mostly Thai and Vietnamese with a little Italian. Speaking of Italian, Romanellos Roseland is not to be missed--as much for its historical landmark location as for the American-Italian cuisine and table-side cooking.

Other Italian restaurants in the Greater Buffalo Area include:Trattoria Aroma, a true breath of Tuscany; La Riviera Ristorante, an award winner at two A Taste of Buffalo events; Neros Restaurant & Club, known for Northern Italian delicacies such as stuffed artichokes and Tuscan-style filet; Ristorante Lombardo, featuring a landscaped private courtyard; and Andy DiVicenzos Billy Ogdens tavern-cum-restaurant, with to-die-for stuffed hot peppers.

From Cajun to Indian

While Italian may dominate the ethnic cuisine landscape, Buffalo is also home to many fine restaurants from other parts of the world--from the Cajun of The "A" Train and Caribbean specialties of Curlys Bar & Grill to the Indian delights of Tandooris, rated among the top 20 restaurants of Western New York, and Taste of India, with a $5.95 lunch-time buffet special.

Good Polish fare is available at the Polish Villa II, where the Jesse TV series was taped, while Ichi Shogun provides both sushi delights and teppan bar where the chef will chop and cook the meal at your table. For a bit of upscale Greek in a friendly and cheerful ambience, try Ambrosia, recently picked as a top choice by the Buffalo News food critic.

Saigon Cafe, one of the newest bright spots of Elmwood Avenue dining, features fine Thai and Vietnamese fare, and a carmelized catfish which is not to be missed.

Often maligned as stodgy, Buffalo has managed to build up a fair number of "cool" spots where the "in" crowd can be found. Start at the Caffe Aroma for an afternoon cappuccino and jazz. Then move on to the Lafayette Tap Room for baby back ribs and blues. Finally, end the evening at the hip and urban Calumet Arts Club for contemporary American cuisine rated as among the best in the city--and more cool jazz.

Award-Winning Pizza Parlor

If you've still got the munchies after all that, the place to go is La Nova, recently ranked #1 among independently owned pizza restaurants by Pizza & Pasta Magazine.

When hunger strikes while in the southern suburbs, try the fancy fare at The Roycroft Inn Restaurant on the Roycroft Campus in East Aurora. Or maybe you'd prefer the down-to-earth ambience of Ilio DiPaolos in Blasdell, featuring old world Italian recipes and photos from Ilios wrestling days on the walls. For a fine view of Lake Erie and the best after-dinner single malt scotch, theres Root Five Waterfront Restaurant in Hamburg.

For a chance to try out all of Buffalos culinary delights at one time, you've got to attend A Taste of Buffalo festival in Mid-July. You can sample more then 150 dishes from Western New Yorks top restaurants--all priced between 50 cents and $3.

Michael Mirolla