Oui Oui, Chez Ami, not exactly a French Restaurant but its fun to Say, but what it is though is one of Buffalo's most Upscale Restaurants in an Old School Building. Just on the intersection of Franklin & West Huron is Buffalo's most luxurious 5-Star Hotel where out of Town visitors and locals can be pampered like royalty and partake in a unique one of a kind Fine Dining Experience.
Who better to run that Kitchen than the Dynamic Duo of Bruce Wieszala & Jess Kubiak, who compose Plates so Beautifully that it looks like Elegant Artwork being put in front of you. Just like any usual Saturday, Downtown Buffalo is always busy and there's always some Construction going on.
Instead of coming through the front Entrance, we mistakenly got in through the Back way and what a Coincidence that Kathy, Jim, Mike & Abby were right at the Table by the Back Door.
It always so good to catch up with one another, but then we got on with it. First up was the Drinks, Nathan getting the Classic Blue Moon with a light Foamy Head, Grandma getting the Butterfly Effect mixed with Lemon infused Vodka & Lavender Simple Syrup, Kathy & Abby enjoying a Refreshing Goose in the Garden, in really Tall Can filled with Watermelon Basil Vodka & Strawberry Puree, Mike sipping a Blueberry Lavender with Blueberry Vodka & Sour Mix, Jimmy just went simple with a Gin & Tonic, as for me in order for me to figure out what I wanted for Dinner I had to have a Clear Mind. Which was also the name of my Drink, this tall chalice loaded with Ice and Loganberry Gin, Mediterranean Tonic, Pink Peppercorn, Hibiscus and a Slice of Grapefruit.
Next up was a bunch of Appetizers, First up was Beet Cured Salmon with Pickled Beets, Cucumbers, Creme Fraiche, Salmon Roe, Everything Bagel Crisps & Dill (The most elegant way of Lox), Charred Octopus with Chickpeas, Marcona Almonds & Romesco (should've had more than one Tentacle), Roasted Carrots with Orange Blossom Honey, Herb Ricotta & Smoked Pistachios. One of my Favorite Bites was the Brussel Sprouts with Togarashi, Fried Shallots & Soft Boiled Egg, Leaves were Crispy, Balance of Sweet & Salty from the Honey & Fish Sauce and you break that Yolk and let it ooze Out,
We also had their Caesar Salad with little Anchovies scattered around.
Abby & Kathy had a Couple of Vegan Appetizers of their Own, Roasted Cauliflower with Golden Raisins, Capers & Pinenuts and Chilled Apple & Fennel Soup with Pickled Apples & Tunisian Olive Oil.
The Main Event was right around the corner and just before our Entrees came out I got myself another Drink. That's my Jam, a sweet & sour drink consisting of Luxardo Cherry Liqueur, Lemon Juice & Vodka.
Then the Main Courses came, Abby & Kathy got Vegan Plates of Cauliflower, Tomatoes, Brussel Sprouts, Carrots, Corn & Mushrooms. Nathan got one of their Specials, Fresh Ravioli filled with a Farmer's Cheese with Apples, Guanciale, Spiced Walnuts, Brown Butter & Applewood Smoked Ricotta Salata.
Mike & Rick got the Shellfish Bucatini with Lobster, Prawns, Tomato Confit & Pecorino Romano, while Mike enjoyed it, Rick thought the Pasta was a bit overcooked. Jimmy got the Smoked Pork Tenderloin with Cannellini Beans, Swiss Chard & Plums. Sometimes in life there's nothing better than a beautiful Roasted Chicken with a Corn Puree, Charred Corn, Smoked Fingerling Potatoes, Cipollini Onions, Black Trumpet Mushrooms & Confit Tomatoes. Perfectly cooked Bird with Potatoes that have a subtle hint of smoke with each Bite you took and Sweet Corn in 2 different Variations.
To finish off the Meal both me and Nathan got Desserts, no better way to finish off a Meal. Nathan got the Vanilla Panna Cotta with Roasted Peaches, Peach Compote & Lemon Gel. I would not have enjoyed that Dessert as I am not a fan of Peaches, Nathan thought the Panna Cotta part of it was part of the Plate because it was white and blended in the plating.
I got the Almond & Cherry Mousse Cake with Chocolate Ganache, Cherry Sorbet & Cocoa Crumble. Bruce even told me that Almond & Cherries are a Classic Combination, the Sorbet was refreshing, Chocolate was rich but not overly sweet and it was a nice way to Finish off the Meal.
Bruce came over to our Table and talked with us for 5 Minutes, we thanked him for the Food and he went back into the Kitchen. We asked our Waiter if we could go up on the Rooftop Patio but it was closed for the night. Either way the experience from the Food to the Service was spot on. If you think you'll never find High Quality Fine Dining in Buffalo, then look no further than Chez Ami. !!! read more