Marble & Rye — Restaurant in Buffalo

I was excited to try Marble and Rye for the first time. I have heard great things about it over the years, and wanted to take my two friends there for a nice dinner in honor of their birthdays. When I made the reservation the week prior, I had a nice booking experience over the phone and was asked whether this was for a special occasion. I was said it was, and she said she would make a note of it. They placed us at the front table in the big window (best table in the house!) The reservation was for 7pm.

This restaurant choice was a splurge for me, but I was ready to pay for top-notch food and cocktails in a chic, downtown setting. I dressed up for this special occasion and was sure to get to my reservation on time. (Figuring out parking put me in there at 2 minutes past 7).

The place was not busy when I arrived, just a few people at the bar. I realized that morning that there was a Bills game the same night. I don’t follow football so I didn’t know ahead of time. Sweet, we had the place to ourselves! Or maybe, shame on me for not being a football fan. I realize that I am in the minority, but I love the Bills for everyone else in Buffalo, because they love it. I fully support people’s fandom and the camaraderie it brings to Buffalo. I didn’t expect it to negate the importance of being a paying customer at a nice restaurant.

We all ordered a cocktail to start, and three small plates. Everything was delicious. We were there for about 40 minutes, the whole of which it took for these items to come out. Then our server, Jake asks for our entree orders, and we weren’t decided right away. We had been talking, enjoying our evening, and taking our time in this beautiful lounge-like setting, and didn’t mind that the staff was watching the game on a tv at the other end of the restaurant. But then Jake tells us the kitchen is going to be closing in 15 minutes because the restaurant is slow. At 8 pm. I checked online and the restaurant closes at 11pm. Is it standard for the restaurant to do this? Or was it because everyone wanted to watch the game and we were being annoying just by being there? So we hurried up and decided on a pizza to share. (Also delicious)! After that, we decided not to stay for another few drinks, or dessert. There is a nice selection of amaros and after dinner drinks on the menu. We would have stayed, as we were making a special night of this, but we suddenly felt like we were a hinderance—unwanted customers in the restaurant. It was subtle, but we all agreed. Instead of afterwards thinking about the wonderful food and lovely drinks we enjoyed, feeling this way about the service left a bad taste in my mouth. I still tipped 18%. Sadly, I may never return to this establishment.

My friends and I all have backgrounds in service, specifically the restaurant industry. It’s how we met years ago, and something we have bonded over. I realize customers can be annoying, but we did our utmost to be great, low-maintenance guests. I didn’t think it was too much to ask for great service and a welcoming atmosphere in return. I had high hopes, but was ultimately disappointed.

TLDR: the food and drinks were delicious, even if expensive, but we felt pushed out of the restaurant before we were finished enjoying our evening. It put a damper on a special birthday dinner...

Walking in to this place in the middle of January I was impressed with the curtain they put in front of the door to keep the warm air inside the restaurant. The restaurant looks very contemporary with dimly lit lights which set the dinner mood. The menu is a bit different than your three course menu. That was one of my questions from the get go. Our waiter took the time to explain EVERYTHING on the menu and answer any questions we had. He was very attentive and the service was excellent, hands down. The food we ordered; kale caesar, really spicy cucumbers, chips & dip for our apps, and shared the falafel and lamb poutine. The kale ceasar was phenomenal, perfect amount of dressing, cheese, and croutons. Didn't know what to expect since I've never had a kale salad prior to this. The really spicy cucumbers were sprinkled with herbs and I swear it was drizzled with some rye whisky. They were good but every now and again I would taste the whisky which wasn't my favorite. The chips & dip were kettle chips with dip. The kettle chips were saltier than the dead sea. I couldn't even finish them and I usually finish everything. The dip tasted like your standard dip ( the menu does state 'bison' dip which may be the brand they use?) The dip was good, but they need to take it easy on the chip seasoning. The falafel came in 4 balls over hummus and two pieces of toast. The falafel was good, the hummus was a bit bland and flavorless. The lamb poutine was covered in shredded lamb with your standard fries and cheese curds. The lamb was phenomal along with the cheese curds. The fries were another item that was heavy with salt. At this point in the meal my tongue is burning from all the salt that I've ingested up to this point. The highlight of my first visit was definitely the kale salad. Come to find out this place is known for their burgers. Something I will try next time. Overall I do recommend anyone to try this place. They are a bit pricey. But one thing I do love about this restaurant is they are farm to table, so you are supporting not only the restaurant but local...

Friendly staff that goes the extra mile to enhance the dreamy experience of dining and drinking at Marble & Rye.

April 21, 2018

I go out. With very few exceptions, notable exceptions, I have gone out every Saturday night since I learned to drive. I think going out might in time kill me. Like the time I was pinned to the snowy ground because an auxiliary policeman thought he had caught me urinating publically in a snowy park in downtown Duluth. Sincerely, I was reading a monument and he was drunk. A cab driver stopped and pulled him off of me, shooing of his friend and me. And then I went home to where I was staying the night.

I think I exaggerate. Tonight, I am a half mile from where I am staying and the whole way has good lighting and plenty of foot traffic. Safety in number has always held true and maybe will never prove false.

Going out passes for exercise. I walked a half mile to Marble and Rye. I might walk a half mile to a second destination. I'm sure I'll clock two miles before the evening has wound down.

Conversation becomes a goal, and I have held many conversations while going out. A man asked, "Is this your first time here"? Actually, this marked my third time at Marble and Rye. He lived above the restaurant and now had purchased a home with his girlfriend. In the suburbs near here. "Are you sure you are ready to leave the heart of Buffalo", I asked him. "I'm ready", he assured me. He showed me a picture of escargot. His girlfriend ordered escargot just a few minutes before at a French restaurant where I had dinner last night. When people start illustrating their conversations with exhibits on their iPhones, you know they've taken a liking to you. At least, it's a better sign than ending up wrestling on the...