Oliver's Restaurant — Restaurant in Buffalo

On Sat evening June 4 my sister, husband and I dined at Olivers. It was an important and special evening for us at a very sad time. See, Oliver's was my Mom's favorite restaurant and she dined there over the years back to the 1960s and even beyond dinners. Oliver's was then open for lunch and Mom and her colleagues had many a work lunch at Oliver's. The weekend prior to dining with you we buried my Mom. We came to toast her, celebrate my sisters birthday and my retirement. Needless to say we started with a Oliver Manhattan as Mom would have ordered. From there it was downhill. First, the very young nervous girl (could it have been her first night?) literally came to our table every time one of us took a sip of water and refilled. And after our main course arrived, and my husband was done she came too many times to ask if she could clear the table, did she not see we still had food/silver not laid across plate? She meant well I appreciate but she was a bother - felt like I should have said why don't you just sit down in the 4th chair. Second, we went to order appetizers - wanted to stage the order - but Rob our waiter advised Oliver's likes to take the order all at once. I said OK. Regretted that. However, before I explain, two salads and oysters arrived. Oysters very nice. Both salads so overdressed - I wondered does Oliver pre make salads? Or was it someone new? The Caesar salad reminded me of a chain restaurant pool of soaked greens. The beet field green salad too much dressing too. We chose not to return. Returning food ruins the experience. Third, our entrees arrived. My husband ordered the scallops - 3 scallops was beyond meager for $49. I would suggest if Oliver's finds that to be an acceptable dinner portion for the price that waiters warn patrons when ordering. My sister had the ribeye and I had the flatiron steak. Both arrived room temperature, not even warm. Mine was quite well on both ends though ok in the middle. Waiter arrived to ask if all ok. We explained he insisted to take them back, I said, don't want it cooked more well. He said not it won't be. Off they went. After a long wait, our steaks came back with super hot mashed potatos and no kidding the steaks were not any warmer, actually exactly the same temp. Both of them. When the waiter set my plate back in front of me, I asked where are the Brussel sprouts, he said they are there. I did find them between the piping hot potatos and steak on top. They were now very sad looking as color washed out and limp. We said nothing further and ate as my husband had finished his 3 scallops sometime earlier - we did not enjoy our entrees together. Which takes me back to staged ordering, I feel our dinners sat waiting to come out thus steak kept cooking and got cool. Finally, Rob asked about dessert. We came with the plan to order creme brulee (mom's favorite) however, the feature that night did not appeal to us, it was blueberry something so we said no thank you. As we sat finishing our bottle of wine, I noticed frequent desserts with sparking candles at other tables. And it reminded me that I rec'd an email from Olivers after making the reservation asking about any special event and I replied birthday. Also, Rob inquired at introductions about special evening and we shared birthday and retirement. It only dawned on me after leaving I wonder why we were asked twice about special events? Is that so if you order a dessert a sparkler arrives on it? Though each special sparkler dessert sure did look the same too me. Only curious why Oliver's wanted to know about any special event. We were all so disappointed by the experience, it was sad. I had never dined at Oliver's (live out of town) and was so excited to go as Mom loved it and I feel badly that this is now my memory. The quality of the food was a major disappointment. The amount spent ($386.06 plus tip or $466.06) is troubling. Not an establishment...

April 12, 2022

Good Day,

Yesterday was our two year engagement anniversary. I was perusing online destinations to cater to my lady for the evening. After browsing I remembered every time being at the intersection of Amherst and Delaware- my lady stating that I've never taken her there. So, rightfully so I made reservations for 8:00 p.m. which was user friendly online and easily confirmed through my email as well as cell phone via text. Moving forward, upon arriving there was valet car service. The valet gentleman was very inviting/ well mannered & even opened the doors for my lady and I to get out the car. Addition taking the initiative to do the same for the door to the establishment and followed suit in the same manner on the exiting portion of the establishment while offering to take a picture of us for our memories hence; earning gratuity when it was all set and done. Once entering the building there is a coat check in the foyer area if you chose to utilize that option. After that there is a podium where a hostess expeditiously checks for your reservations and seats you immediately. The ambiance of this location is completely exceptional. The wait staff are dressed to the impress and the table was set up like they were expecting us. Tablecloth as well as tableware were practically brand new and clean. The wine list is quite extensive and the selection of food was eclectic concurrent to being able to touch anyone's pellets. The waiter which I believe his name was Dave was very attentive and the epitome of helpful in asking questions while embodying a charisma required for the role that he has been employed for. Food portions were great and the way the cuisine was prepared was top tier. I recommend the waygu steak 🥩. The spinach bread was tasty. We were even offered three different types of water (bottled, sparkling or tap). I really appreciate the initiative as far as service and quality at this establishment. Definitely revisiting based on the experience and feeling like my money was earned/well spent.

Thank you Oliver's for making our two year anniversary that much more special.

With your success in mind, Love Tiffany and Luis Downtown...

I went to Oliver’s with a friend of mine last week for the first time after hearing rave reviews and was very disappointed. Our experience started with me asking for a martini and being told in a very demeaning manner how much alcohol was in a martini. I can comprehend and understand as an adult woman how much alcohol goes into what drinks. It proceeded to get worse after paying for a medium steak, I received a very well done steak. Mistakes happen which is very understandable as everyone is human but when the waiter apologized and then returned with a rare steak it was obvious what the issue was - the cook did not understand what temperatures of meat were. I felt very bad for the waiter as it was not his fault but the cook. I ended up not complaining and lied saying it was fine as I did not want to be a constant bother. The waiter was accommodating and felt bad for the original mistake and offered to pay for two of our desserts. Although he did not start well I really feel he tried his best to make our experience at Olivers the best he could. The other issue at hand was the staff member clearly designated to stand directly in front of the tables behind the bars to I assume make sure the food was delivered appropriately and things went accordingly. Again, not the fault of the staff member specifically but overall an uncomfortable environment to eat in when someone is 5 feet away staring. I would say that If someone was going to Oliver’s for the purpose of good steak (as that’s all I can speak on, given that’s all I’ve had from there) there are far better more enjoyable steak houses in Buffalo...