Cornelia — Restaurant in Buffalo

Most museums have tasteful and fairly tasty restaurants. But having tried museum dining on four continents, this one is my favorite museum restaurant bar none. Why do we eat here so often (once a month or so)? First, the setting is spectacular. Many museum restaurants are tucked in a corner. This is not: it is in the most spectacular setting in the place. Second, it is a perfect atmosphere for good conversation. Finally, the food is exquisite: every bit up to the glorious setting. I usually have soup or a salad for lunch (sometimes supplemented with pastries from arguably Buffalo‘s best bakery). But the sandwiches and hot dishes are well prepared too. Beef on ‘Weck (Kimmelweck roll) is Buffalo’s second most iconic dish (after chicken wings). And while the quintessential way to experience Beef on ‘Weck is a dive bar, Cornelia’s serves one of the best Beef on ‘Wecks in Western New York. There is table service inside (which is very lively and, to be honest, I find too loud for conversation) and counter service for dining in the atrium: I find sitting in the atrium Is tonic...

Love the AKG, love the chance to eat in the gorgeous "town hall" space -- but what a disappointment! I ordered the shrimp and sausage gumbo with toasted side of baguette; it arrived with a lump of cold rice, the baguette IN the gumbo, and three shivering slivers of sausage. The shrimp had clearly escaped their sad fate for there was none to be found. A pretentious rip-off at an otherwise delightful institution. Yikes.

Update (March 2025): Last month after contacting the AKG I received a lovely email from the manager of Cornelia apologizing and offering a refund and to comp me a meal. At the time, I thought this was most gracious and said so. I asked for a refund and said since I lived out of town a comped meal wouldn't be necessary. But...I never received a reply and I've since been ghosted by the manager despite reaching back out to check in about the refund. So...fine talk, but no follow through. Thus endeth my sad saga. Love the AKG but the restaurant is subpar to the many other museum and gallery restaurants I've been to...

Really interesting menu with interesting flavour combos, good drinks menu and coffees and nice deserts. The roast beef on a Weck roll was outstanding not to mention generous with beef. The side ceasar salads were really good too. The "pork belly" on a bun was a fail. The roll, pickles and sauce were good. The too thin pork belly had been deep fried to nearly burnt and was inedible. Clearly the chef doesn't appreciate the possibilities with pork belly. Americano coffees were really good. Decent, quick ordering process, and dishes are delivered to your table. Very nice space for your meal.

I would eat here again, the roast beef sandwich was excellent. And the breaded chicken abreast sandwich at adjacent tables also looked top notch. Skip the...