Oliver's Restaurant

Doesn't Recommend

jlajko

Joined 6 years ago

Don't be fooled. If you are looking for a modern, cosmopolitan or "poshy" place to eat with fine cuisine, please...DO NOT visit Oliver's. As a couple who has recently moved from NYC to Buffalo, we were longing for a NYC inspired dining experience and food. We had searched for places in the area and were saddly fooled by the reviews that this was a 4-5 star restaraunt, the Manhattan of Buffalo...Please...The complimentary Valet and the snobbish, make you feel inferior attitude of the host and wait staff had our hopes up, that in fact, Oliver's would deliver a fine dining experience (despite the 1980's black, white and red decor and the unattractive, poorly fashioned, un-knowledgable wait staff)...However...the food was...and we are not exaggerating...disgusting...Let us describe...We began with drinks...Our first two requests needed to be checked with the bar first, as our server was useless, only to return with a "no" we can't make that...Then the escargot...a chewy, rubbery, bland, nearly foul tasting escuse for a "delacacy." Then a mushroom cream soup, that was so oily with a garlic butter flavor that was going to plague us for the rest of the night...every dish thereafter had the same garlic butter flavor harshly resonating through each bite...the dressing on the salad, the seasoning of the duck and the cheese and sauce of the pasta, all drenched in the hideous "flavor." The spiniach loaf, an "upgrade" available from the regular bread served, was a stale toasted hoagie roll with frozen spiniach shreds with that underlying famous garliciky muck. We had creme brule for dessert...excessively sweet and ice cold. In summary, despite the seeminly Euro-French inspired menu, the experience is like a cheap 1980's wedding reception with sorry attempts to seem "poshy." (When we say cheap, we mean in experience, the bill was $150 for us-2 people, typically a fair amount for good food/dining...not worth it at Oliver's ). Good luck dining in Buffalo!

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Contributor

Joined 10 years ago

Sparkling international dishes and top-shelf drinks make this classy eatery one of Buffalo's brightest jewels.. In Short
Oliver's is Buffalo's version of an upscale New York City restaurant. The surrounding area's sleek elite wait for a table at the circular bar, clad in sophisticated black and poised like famous actors on a film set. The menu is updated regularly, but features items like crispy smoked pheasant spring rolls over baby greens with mustard vinaigrette. The maple-hickory grilled salmon with spaghetti squash and fruit chutney is another favorite. Desserts include the Belgian chocolate Napoleon with a sweet orange glaze, and Oliver's has an extensive list of after-dinner liqueurs and wines.

Doesn't Recommend

katzmanknows

Joined 8 years ago

Very Dissapointed..... The meal began with the worst tasting water I ever had. I cannot stand the arrogance of any restaurant that will not provide free good water. Selling the bottled crap may improve your bottom line but does nothing to impress me. Lousy choices on the menu also. Sorry, but overated!!

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cj_tarantelli

Joined 8 years ago

Nearly the Best. Yes, Olivers is one of the most expensive places to DINE in Buffalo

but it is also one of the best! I agree service is on occasion lacking...

Servers do sometimes get 'lost' in the kitchen or become distracted tending to the regulars. Thankfully, The busboys, hostess, and manager are consistently attentive.

Of course, Olivers maintains an everchanging selection of choice steaks & chops,

poultry, and fish... However, this approach is comparable to casual restaurants:

-Check out their lounge menu [very fair prices]

-Order wine by the glass [a reasonable selection]

-Try several appetizers [Tapas instead of an entree? Yes!!]

I can only afford to DINE at Olivers annually BUT I can comfortably enjoy their reasonably priced lounge menu, inventive appetizers, and rich desserts regularly!!

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TimPorter

Joined 10 years ago

World Class in Buffalo. Buffalo take pride and note, Olivers is a world class restaurant. I am a Buffalo native who moved away due to military service. My lady friend and I recently came to visit. We have dined in Europe and across the US and we were impressed with overall execellance of Oliver's. The soft shell crab appetizer was perfect; the sirloin of lamb and the tuna entrees were truly to die for. We had a great experience and most memorable evening.

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AEDonovan

Joined 11 years ago

Elegant Sophistication. A true jewel in the Buffal Dining Scene. Pure sophistication - excellent and innovative cooking. A bit on the pricey side but you get what you pay for. If you are looking for a treat try Oliver's Restaurant

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seebogs

Joined 11 years ago

moody. While the fare and the price you pay for it are a miss-match at present (come on fellas) the place is still loaded w/ atmosphere, and has a great wine list! If you want to impress her/him, go to Oli's.

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alabasteraphrodite

Joined 11 years ago

Perfection at O'iver's. Oliver's is my favorite restaurant in Buffalo. The ambience is incredibly intimate and relaxing. I've never had better service anywhere. The food is impeccable. If my pocketbook could afford it, I'd dine there weekly! This is DEFINITELY the place to take a date to make a good impression.

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pigletpooh

Joined 11 years ago

A yes to a Proposal!!!. What a beautiful place...the ambience was the perfect setting for me to say yes to my husband!!! The food was excellent, the staff was great.