Verbena - Buffalo

While the menu offers interesting and promising sounding items, the end results fall flat. The charcuterie plate app $14 , described as house cured potted meats... read more While the menu offers interesting and promising sounding items, the end results fall flat. The charcuterie plate app $14 , described as house cured potted meats and relishes turned out to be a few thick slices of cheap domestic prosciutto, bland capicola, pepperoni !? , and some bland diced duck meat mixed with minced mushrooms trying to be duck rillettes. The prime 45 day dry aged ribeye arrived medium well, not medium rare as ordered, was tough and so covered in a brown mushroom sauce that any taste the steak might have had was undiscernable. The accompanying mashed potatoes were coldish and almost chunky. The duck entrée was no less disappointing. Described as roasted duck breast, duck confit, basted tenderloin with mustard spaetzle, it arrived looking good, but served in a bowl. The sliced breast looked great, with golden browner crispy skin, but the taste and texture left much to be desired. Salt seems to be in short supply in the kitchen, as the duck was as bland as the rilletes on the charcuterie plate. The tenderloin and 3 or 4 small pieces of confit, all just as tasteless lay underneath the breast swimming along with the spaetzle in a broth which made the entire thing seem like bad soup. We passed on dessert. On the service side, my water glass was empty for most of the meal, as was my companions wine glass. Bread arrived about 15 minutes after it was promised, and about 1 minute before the appetizers. To sum up, it must be noted that by the time our entered arrived, we were the only customers in the dining room. A kitchen that can 't turn out a medium rare steak when it 's the only thing in the whole place that needs to be attended to has some problems. The lack of seasoning in all the dishes confirms that. The appearance of some cheap chunks of pepperoni as a featured item on a $14 Charcouterie Plate was not only insulting, but bordering on criminal fraud. This is just another overpriced place that was given 3 1/2 stars by that aging hack at the Buffalo News, Janice Okun. If that woman were just put out to pasture, and ratings of 3-4 stars were stopped being tossed out like Mardi Gras beads, the food in this area might improve. The chef at Verbena should think about what he 's doing, and bring the ideas he appears to have to life.

We often dine at Verbena and apparently, it's about time to offer some realistic feedback. The food is excellent and there's a new chef in town! The menu has ch... read more We often dine at Verbena and apparently, it's about time to offer some realistic feedback. The food is excellent and there's a new chef in town! The menu has changed and it's fabulous. We have had a difficult time choosing which means many more visits as everything has been wonderful, including the service. My advice is don't go to Verbena if you aren't willing to pay for creative, quality food from a chef who clearly knows his way around many different cuisines. As for the person with the three year old sorry, but this is not an appropriate venue for a small child. Accidents happen but please spare us all and get a babysitter!

Verbena is one of the more inventive restaurants in Buffalo with excellent dishes and better service than most comparable restaurants in the area. If people are... read more Verbena is one of the more inventive restaurants in Buffalo with excellent dishes and better service than most comparable restaurants in the area. If people are balking at the price, they don’t know what good food costs.

Amazingly enough the menu only offers one seafood dish and furthermore it only has two steak entrées. Other than the selections being limited, the food was okay... read more Amazingly enough the menu only offers one seafood dish and furthermore it only has two steak entrées. Other than the selections being limited, the food was okay but over priced. The location is excellent and the ambiance is nice. Unfortunately, with a menu like this and the various up charges for minor changes, I would not recommend this restaurant.

A new chef was hired at Verbena in December and the meal I had last night was superb. Anyone who might have had a bad experience here before should give it anot... read more A new chef was hired at Verbena in December and the meal I had last night was superb. Anyone who might have had a bad experience here before should give it another try. It's a beautiful restaurant, the service we had was excellent and very attentive. My only comment would be the portions could have been just a tad bigger, for the price you are paying. It's not an inexpensive place to go, but if you are looking for a good overall eating experience, I would highly recommend Verbena.