The Food Bench: Buffalo Wild Wings Soars

Buffalo Wild Wings in Sherman Oaks, California

There’s no better way to celebrate your birthday than going to a fancy restaurant and being with family and friends. Now, I know what you’re thinking: “Buffalo Wild Wings is NOT a fancy restaurant.” While it may not be as fancy as Geoffrey's in Malibu, it's still a damn fine eating establishment.

Founded on the principle of "no bathroom shall go unused," Buffalo Wild Wings offers a plethora of choices for any "wing" aficionado. It does, however, offer a variety of burgers and salads, if you don't feel like donating to a bathroom.

But, let's face it, we all go there for one thing: wings. The mozzarella sticks are pretty cheese-tastic, as well.

If you manage to make it between a certain time, "B-Dub's" will certainly make it worth your while with their "Happy Hour" prices; $3 drafts, anyone? You really can't beat that. That is unless, of course, you're stealing beer. But let's face it, at $3 a pop, it's practically a steal!

WARNING: The Eclectic Locker does not condone the theft of any kind. Buffalo Wild Wings reserves the right to steal your heart & stomach with their deliciously flavored wings, but does not support the reciprocation of theft regarding company property.

When we first arrived at the Buffalo Wild Wings in Sherman Oaks, California, we were greeted with nothing but service with a smile.

We were then asked, by the hostess, if we would like to be seated. I had informed her that we would, but were part of a larger party. Although we were curious if we could be seated while Happy Hour was still in effect, the hostess informed us, with a mournful expression, that since we were, in fact, part of a larger party, at least half of our party would need to be present in order to be seated.

I obliged, as they did not know I was the guest of honor in their prestigious establishment.

Not more than five minutes had elapsed as we were greeted by a waiter who understood we were party of a large party, but gladly took an order for an appetizer for us, before we were seated, as he recognized our desire to enjoy Happy Hour, unconditionally.

As he hurried off, order in hand, the very same hostess that had once informed us of our prolonged torture for enjoying the deliciousness that is Buffalo Wild Wings, had come to us in glad tidings; since they were not at capacity, they would bend the rules in our favor, seating us at their finest table.

From that moment on, the stars aligned, cats and dogs lived in harmony, Rose let Jack climb aboard her make-shift life boat, and the rest of my party had started to show up; the universe was at peace.

So began the feast of feasts, as our waitresses brought our orders, one by one, and we lived, laughed and loved our savory wings.

My order, the 15-wing "medium" set, was cooked to perfection, as they were submerged in both Medium and Parmesan Garlic sauce, to which I had ordered, "extra wet."

Yes, Buffalo Wild Wings gave me a truly wonderful present. One that I had emphatically enjoyed, until nature called. But I do not live my life in regret, where as the great James Hetfield has once said, "I'd rather regret doing something than not doing something." Would I do it all over again? You bet your sweet ass I would, and I'm planning to very, very soon.

So, if you're looking to enjoy great food, watching a million televisions all the while witnessing a fellow carnosaur sweating profusely as he/she tries to devour a serving of their famous Blazin' Sauce, then Buffalo Wild Wings is the spot for you.

It deserves a solid 5/5 stars:

Inside The Cage: The Dodgers Weekly Review

Clayton Kershaw pitches against the Rockies Photo by David Zalubowski/AP

Losing a series to open up a new month is not what any team wants. But that's exactly what happened to the Los Angeles Dodgers. By losing today, the Boys in Blue are now in the red, with having lost three of their first five games to open up July.

Clayton Kershaw was on the mound, July 4th, in Colorado, and was his usual dominant self. He lost another no-hitter in the third, when DJ LeMahieu singled; which just happened to be the Rockies' first base hit off of Kershaw in 13 innings.

But, it wouldn't matter as the Dodgers brought a little bit of fireworks(oh, c'mon, you knew a pun was coming) of their own to sunny Coors Field.

There wouldn't be much run-support needed, as Clayton extended his scoreless-innings streak to 36. While he was busy shutting down the Rockies offense, striking out eight while only allowing one walk, the bats were brought back to life.

Yasiel Puig homered in the first inning to dead center, giving the Dodgers an immediate 2-0 lead, as Dee Gordon lead off with a beautiful swinging bunt. After Hanley Ramirez had doubled, Andre Ethier tripled with two out, and the offense had closed out the inning with a 3-0 lead for Clayton Kershaw.

After kind-of cruising for four innings, Rockies' starting pitcher, Jair Jurrjens got himself into a little bit of a pickle in the fifth, with a lead off single to Gordon and hitting Ramirez on the hand. No x-rays were taken as he was removed from the game for precautionary reasons only, assured Dodgers skipper, Don Mattingly.

Stache Van Slick was able to bring upon furious vengeance with a homerun to left field. After that, the flood gates pretty much opened and the Dodgers were able to route the Rockies, in a nail-biter, 9-0.

After the game, Rockies center fielder, Drew Stubbs was interviewed and had this to say about the dominant left-hander: "I think his slider right now, to me, is the best pitch in the game for anybody. He's throwing it harder this year than I've ever seen before," he continued. "It's 87 to 90 mph and the arm slot it comes out of, it looks like a fastball then just disappears. It's just a really tough pitch to lay off of when it's down and in to a right-hander."

The general consensus? He really had his ju-ju going on Independence Day.

Dan Haren, who was on the hill Saturday afternoon, lost his very own no-hitter and shutout in the bottom of the first inning. After the Dodgers were able to give him a 2-0 lead, just as they did Kershaw, Haren was greeted with a single by Rockies' second baseman, Josh Rutledge. He was able to score on a fielder's choice by Nolan Arenado followed by Wilin Rosario cashing in Cory Dickerson.

Since the end of the first inning, Rockies' Jorge De La Rosa was on cruise control(not my twitter account), through his six inning s of work.

Dan Haren had himself a pretty horrible game, allowing eight earned runs to cross the plate. The bright side? He struck out eight while walking none.

With the long ball Haren served up to Dickerson in the 5th, he has now given up 17 homeruns on the season.

It wasn't until the top of the 7th where the Dodgers were finally able to make things happen; a ground-rule double by AJ Ellis, a walk to Miguel Rojas and a sharp single by newcomer, Clint Robinson and -- WHAM -- the Dodgers found themselves back in the game.

Failing to get anyone out, Nick Masset took himself out of the game with an apparent foot injury, leaving fellow reliever Boone Logan to try and mop up mid-batter. But to no avail, as Logan was relieved himself after walking the bases loaded.

At this point, Rockies relievers have yet to record a single out.

Adam Ottavino was brought in and immediately gave the Rockies a sigh of relief as he forced Juan Uribe to ground into a run-scoring double play. He, then, was able to strike out AJ Ellis, ending the threat.

Before it was all said in done, the Dodgers almost managed to tie it up, but the Rockies bullpen was able to stop the bleeding and end whatever rally they were trying to mount, with a final score of 7-8.

Perhaps the Dodgers should've saved a couple of runs and hits for today, from yesterday's blowout.

Dan Haren earned his 5th loss of the season while De La Rose notched his 9th win. July 8th's probables are: Josh Beckett for the Dodgers, as he tries for his 6th win and Rockies' Yohan Flande will be trying for his first.

First pitch is at 1:10pm PT.