So, I rolled into Buffalo, N.Y., around 6:30 p.m. this evening, checked into my hotel, then looked for some action with fellow attendees of the Congress for the New Urbanism. I ran into fellow Richmonder Andy Boenau during an odd guided tour of the city’s historical canal district, we got hungry and we decided to get something to eat. Not knowing diddly squat about the local culinary scene — other than the fact, according to my taxi driver, that “Buffalo wild wings” originated in the city of Buffalo — we stopped in the first interesting restaurant we saw: the Pearl Street Grill & Brewery. The original structure was built in 1841. Brick walls, wooden floors, lots of rooms, lots of atmosphere — like Richmond’s Tobacco Company, but with a big patio out back. The outdoor scenery left something to be desired — we overlooked a lot of freeways and ugly boxy buildings — but the sun was setting, which bathed the city in a warm glow, so we didn’t care. The beer probably helped.

Speaking of beer… On the way to our table, we encountered the guys in the photo above, who had a giant container of beer — billed as “The Annihilator” — set on their table. The container had little taps so everyone could pour their own beer. Now, that’s something we could use in Richmond! I’m surprised this innovation hasn’t gone universal.

Buffalo is serious about beer. Not only do the inhabitants imbibe vast quantities of brew, they soak their pot roast in it. I ate the pot roast for dinner. Yum. Very tender and tasty.

First impression: Buffalo is a fun city. It could use some work in the downtown revitalization department — more details tomorrow morning — but it’s a fun city.

— JAB