The second weekend of July.

In spite of having to endure work on both days, I was dead set on going to the Taste of Buffalo. Here's my rating system and what I partook of:

**** - I need to go to the restaurant and order 10 of these...now!
*** - A damn fine meal.
** - It's okay.
* - Yeah...what's in the fridge?

Bruschetta (Bings) - The bread was okay, but the topping could've seriously benefitted from some spices. **

Bleu Burger Slider (Cecelia's Ristorante) - Blue cheese on a burger. Not too original, but I savored it. ***

Italian Style Burritos (Cup of Joe's Restaurant) - A bit messy, but enjoyable and different. ***

Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cream Pie (Dannys Restaurant) - Just a great dessert. ***

Crabcake Slider (Encore Restaurant) - Spicy and terrific. ***

Blue Crab Sushi (Encore Restaurant) - I've long been wary of sushi and this was good. If only I hadn't smothered it in soy sauce; it was all I could taste. **1/2

Crab and Shrimp Bisque (Giacobbi's Pasta and Pizza) - I was expecting something a little creamier and less...soup-like, but it was good. ***

Junkyard Dog (Ms. Goodies) - One of the musts of any ToB. ***1/2

Banana Surprise (Ms. Goodies) - Still not digging the pineapple, but it's banana pudding. **1/2

Crab Spring Roll (Papaya Restaurant) - A fine appetizer with a delicious dipping sauce. ***

Cheese Pierogi (Polish Villa) - Good, but bordered on pastry. **1/2

French Maid Fries (Torches) - Like a cooked version of Andy Capp fries. ***

Corned Beef Sliders (WJ Morrissey Irish Pub) - Tasty, but there was, how do I put this...a little too much Corned Beef. **1/2

Double Chocolate Brownie (Zebb's Deluxe Grill and Bar) - Two this year and still delicious. ****

Between this and Comic-Con (which I'll be attending this year!), July's shaping up pretty well.