Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: FRIDAY, August 19, 1994 TAG: 9408190110
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-3 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: By JOANNE ANDERSON CORRESPONDENT
DATELINE: FLOYD LENGTH: Medium
Well, the cow toes are part of the limited menu offered in the upstairs Buffalo Room Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings until midnight. They're really fried mozzarella sticks, and cow patty pie is really chocolate cheesecake.
The whimsically named entertainment and dining spot opened March 19, the work and inspiration of three Savannah, Ga., natives. Wynne Hodges, 23, discovered Floyd as a Radford University student. Her sister Charese Cetchovich and brother-in-law Paul Cetchovich were attracted to the area when visiting Hodges.
Dubbed the Buffalo Room for its view of Floyd County's Buffalo Mountain, the second-floor room is decorated with a classic 1950s black and white checkerboard floor and a soda fountain from an F.W. Woolworth five and dime store.
Bright yellow, flashy magenta and cobalt blue walls match colors in the original stained glass windows of the 1904 structure.
If you dine downstairs, you'll have old wooden planks under your feet, a turn of the century tin relief ceiling over your head and some fine antique oak and lace at your table.
Reminiscent of simpler times, the main dining room is neatly organized with old cupboards between tables along one wall and wood shelves for art displays on another.
''We want to exhibit two- and three-dimensional pieces by local artists,'' said Charese, ''and we hope to host some artist receptions.'' All the art in the restaurant is for sale.
The slogan at the Three Legged Cow Cafe is ''We're udderly delicious,'' and the fare can take you to interesting parts of the world, gastronomically speaking.
The Middle Eastern platter is a combination of vegetarian-stuffed grape leaves, falafel, hummus and wedges of pita. A "most honorable Japanese stir fry," which varies daily, stars fresh vegetables over al dente fried rice. Bourbon Street fettucini is topped with blackened shrimp from Cajun country.
Meat lovers will find some steaks on the menu, and vegetarians have plenty to choose from including a guiltless burger, salads and soup and quiche of the day.
The restaurant is a dream come true for 28-year-old Paul, an accomplished cook and former sous chef. In fact, he's responsible for the admittedly silly name. ''I just thought it up when I was about 8 or 9 and traveling on one of those Griswold family-style vacations.'' (If you've seen the movie "Vacation" with Chevy Chase, you understand these trips.)
Three Legged Cow Cafe
North Locust Street, Floyd
Phone: 745-2201
Dinner entrees: $5.95-$10.50
Specialties: Cajun, Indian food
Beverages: Beer, wine, soda
Hours: Lunch, 11 a.m.-3 p.m. every day except Wednesday;
dinner, 5:30-9 p.m. Sunday-Tuesday and Thursday; 5:30-10 p.m. Friday and Saturday; Buffalo Room upstairs Thursday, Friday and Saturday, 5:30-midnight.
Credit cards: None
Reservations: Not necessary
No smoking in dining room; smoking in Buffalo Room
Handicapped accessible
by CNB