Quenelle — Restaurant in Buffalo

My wife and I recently dined at Quenelle, the new French restaurant in Buffalo, and unfortunately found the experience deeply disappointing on nearly every level. From the moment we arrived, it was clear that both service and attention to detail were severely lacking.

The evening began with a cold welcome - or rather, no welcome at all. We were greeted not with a "good evening" but with a curt "do you have reservations?" This set the tone for what would become a evening marked by indifferent service and operational mishaps.

Our table, which should have provided a stable foundation for our dining experience, quite literally rocked back and forth like a seesaw throughout our meal. Despite bringing this to our server's attention, no attempt was made to correct this basic issue. This physical instability proved to be symbolic of the restaurant's overall shakiness in execution.

The service continued to deteriorate throughout our two-hour stay. Empty cocktail glasses accumulated on our table like artifacts in a museum of neglect, never cleared even as new wine was served. Our water glasses sat empty the entire evening, without a single refill. Most concerning was the pacing - we waited over an hour for our first appetizer, during which time our server paradoxically asked us seven times if we were ready to order our entrees, insisting "the chef likes to get the entire order in at once."

When the food finally arrived, it failed to justify the wait. The steak tartare, a dish that should showcase the quality of the beef, was overwhelmed by capers and mustard, essentially masking what should be the star ingredient. The presentation was equally uninspired - the tartare was simply smeared across the plate. The escargot appeared to have been hastily reheated, possibly microwaved, and was frankly inedible.

The interior of Quenelle presents a study in contrasts that perfectly encapsulates the restaurant's broader issues. While attention was paid to installing attractive tilework in the entryway, basic maintenance was neglected - missing outlet covers stood out as just one example of the restaurant's unfinished feel.

Perhaps most telling was that throughout our entire meal, not once did anyone inquire about our satisfaction with the food or service. This fundamental aspect of hospitality was completely absent, suggesting a troubling lack of interest in the dining experience.

The evening concluded leaving us feeling not just disappointed, but genuinely taken advantage of. While French restaurants sometimes play into the stereotype of aloof service, Quenelle manages to combine this unwelcoming attitude with genuinely poor execution of both food and service. For a new establishment in Buffalo's dining scene, this is a particularly unfortunate combination that makes it difficult to recommend giving them a...

Dining at Quenelle is like watching Notre Dame run out of the tunnel on a crisp fall Saturday — gold helmets blazing, the crowd roaring, destiny in the air. From the first sip to the last bite, it felt like history and greatness colliding, the same way the Four Horsemen thundered into legend and Rudy finally got carried off the field. I ordered the mussels, salmon rillettes, and lamb, with margaritas and wine flowing like a championship parade. Every bite felt like Jerome Bettis lowering his shoulder, like Rocket Ismail streaking down the sideline, like Joe Montana calmly delivering in the clutch. These dishes don’t just satisfy — they dominate, the way Notre Dame football dominated the 1920s, 40s, and 80s. Quenelle knows tradition, execution, and flair, the same way the Irish have for over a century. The mussels? Pure offensive line dominance — steady, powerful, relentless. The salmon rillettes? Trick-play genius — finesse, creativity, impossible to stop. And the lamb? That’s your Heisman moment — bold, triumphant, the exclamation point that seals the win. The margaritas and wine were like the golden helmets under the lights — sparkling, iconic, eternal. This wasn’t just a meal, it was a pilgrimage. And let’s not forget: just like Quenelle’s kitchen is in its prime, Notre Dame football is on the cusp of destiny. 2025 is the year the Irish reclaim the crown. Dining here is believing in excellence, in legacy, in greatness renewed. Quenelle is more than a restaurant — it’s a championship program. The kind of greatness you taste, feel, and remember forever. If Knute Rockne were alive, he’d eat here, deliver the “Win one for the Gipper” speech, and then order another...

So awesome to see people bet on WNY, and Quenelle did not disappoint! First thing you notice is the ambiance, the overall atmosphere feels inviting, comfortable, and perfectly matches the dining experience. The service was absolutely first class from start to finish! We felt welcome when we first arrived and were shown to our table. Lola was our server and she was a total pro making fantastic recommendations while being incredibly pleasant and attentive. Attention to detail was impressive, and all of those working actually seemed to be happy to be there and to be part of this incredible new restaurant. The food was equally as impressive! From the frogs legs, escargots and salads to the entrees of Duck and Steak Frites were absolutely fantastic! Crème Brûlée and a chocolate pudding with a hint of coffee and whipped cream were the perfect ending to an incredible meal! I was also Impressed with the quality and especially the value on the wine list. Lola recommended an incredible 2015 Medoc by the glass which was absolutely outstanding. The wine was served at the perfect temperature and not lukewarm as most restaurants do with "by the glass" offerings. It's rare to find wine quality like this by the glass at a great price. We had a great experience and cannot wait to go back! Well done Quenelle, thank you for a great evening! We wish you all the best...