Chez Ami Restaurant — Restaurant in Buffalo

Repost of a review for this restaurant I accidentally put on the page for the hotel in which it's located which I have deleted. Minor edits made as well. My visit was on 12-18-18: Ok so here's the thing. Company department went for a work dinner. When I found out where we were going, I was a little unsure about it as I had read some bad reviews of the restaurant online. Firstly, this place is expensive. I was surprised that the entrees do not come with sides which are equally expensive. $8 for a bread basket? $13 for a Caesar salad? Ridiculous. Especially considering that entrees are $29+. Now we were a fairly large group of 11, but it was completely dead and service was slow. It was about 5 minutes wait for drink refills after being asked if we wanted one (mostly draft beers and in my case an iced tea). It took about an hour from everyone being seated and ordering until we started being served. As I stated, I ordered iced tea because I don't drink alcohol) I would think that a place as "upscale" and expensive as this would have fresh brewed tea, but it was Lipton Brisk which I don't consider to be tea - it's sugar water with some food coloring (and that's a generous description). Now I'll admit, that's on me for not asking before ordering. Now, for the food review. I ordered the filet mignon (8 oz for $49!) cooked medium because I don't like a lot of pink in my steaks. Because it took so long, the steak didn't come out piping hot as you would expect (I do understand that meat should rest for a bit before being served) but rather what I would describe as a little warmer than warm. It also had A LOT of pink so I think it was done medium rare or rare instead of medium. I bit the bullet because it was a work function and I didn't want to be that guy to make a scene. That being said, I thought the steak was absolutely delicious. It was probably the best steak I've had in my entire life; it was full of flavor and just melted in my mouth like butter. I would have loved to give this a 5 star review but with the amount of time it took to get served when there was almost no one else at the restaurant (maybe two or three different couples but certainly not any other large parties) and the time waiting for refills, and the food not being as hot as I felt it should or could have been, I can't give it more than 4 stars. The staff was great, very friendly, and our main server looked a bit like a redheaded Benedict Cumberbatch. I may consider returning for a special occasion but definitely...

Started with a 5:30pm dinner reservation, due to some issues we had to push back to 6pm. Called up and had no issues switching. Arrived and was greeted with complimentary valet. You walk into the entrance of the ever so beautiful Curtiss Hotel and then continue through the lobby to the Revolving Bar. As you enjoy cocktails and company you spin around the bar while the bartenders remain in the middle. We checked in for our reservation and were immediately sat. We were soon greeted by our waiter David who is a full time culinary instructor and works part time at the restaurant. Not only is he able to describe each dish and how it’s prepared he knows what he is talking about and gives great suggestions. My wife and I started with a bottle of Moscato served in a wine chiller tower. We paired that with the crab cake sliders and Lobster Pizza. I also ordered a crock of French onion soup. The soup was too sweet of a broth for me so I didn’t really touch it. The crab cake sliders came on beds of coleslaw, served on potato rolls. We didn’t want to fill up so we only ate the crab and it was fantastic. Perfectly crisped on the outside and soft inside. The lobster pizza was outstanding and we saved half of it to be boxed up. Can’t wait to eat the rest for lunch tomorrow. For our entree we split the 8 oz. Filet with sweet potato pave and broccolini with an orange glaze. We ordered the steak medium and it was plated and served medium. It was hands down the best filet we’ve ever had. (Yes… we’ve been to Salvatore’s, and Russel’s) and this one was on another level! The pave was the best sweet potato we have ever had as well. I’m not a broccoli fan but the orange glaze put it over the top and I ate the whole thing. We finished our evening with a serving of crème brûlée served with fruit and whipped cream over top. We also had the pumpkin cake with cinnamon whipped cream. My wife and I LOVED the crème brûlée. Overall this was an expensive dinner but it was honestly worth each and every penny. The best meal, the best service we’ve ever had. I highly recommend everyone reserve a table and ask for David.

To Chez Ami, you guys are very lucky to have David. What a server,...

I am in town working, and I decided to go out and treat myself. I read some reviews and this place seemed like a good spot. I decided to dine at the bar because I didn’t want to affect the check average of the server being a party of one. I was a sever for many years and I try very hard to be mindful of servers. So I sat at the bar I was not greeted swiftly although there were only five other people at the bar. But Trish was watching TV so I needed to wait. Then I was given a filthy menu, I asked Trish the bartender for another menu. She replied it’s the same menu, I stated can I just get another menu please. I ordered water because I had drinks the evening prior and didn’t want alcohol. When she returned she asked me for a credit card I asked her why because I was having dinner and wasn’t drinking. She said you must put a card up, I complied. Now during the time I was sitting there another customer entered and sat at the bar and ordered a drink. But Trish didn’t ask him for a credit card. Then two more guest entered and sat at the bar and she didn’t ask them for a credit card. I watched her and she never got cards from these guest or room numbers. But me an African American woman who just wanted to have a nice dinner on her day off was asked to leave a card. Maybe she thought because I was wearing a headscarf I was going to run out on the tab. I spoke with the restaurant manager a blonde woman and she offered no assistance. Only to say she didn’t know why Trish asked for a card, that’s not like her? Nothing oh she said she’d speak with her really? That’s it? So if you are an African American woman who is not dressed to the nines. Or to Trish standards do not dine at this establishment. YOU ARE NOT WELCOMED! Do better I should not have been treated this way and Trish should be suspended. She’ll do better and treat people better when her money is...