oliver's

although I love to dine out and experience different meals as much as anyone else, it's the camaraderie of the dinner club that I enjoy most. last night was no exception as five (all veterans) enjoyed buffalo's fine dining standard at Oliver's last night. a number of the group had to cancel because of mother nature although, not to rub it in, there was not a trace of snow on delaware avenue last night nor in my driveway this morning (see attached photos).
the group started with some appetizers and small plates: their beef carpaccio (excellent), scallops with baked potato and caviar (good), not too greasy fois gras (very good), beet salad (good), their bolognese (average), mozzarella with melon and prosciutto, and their lobster roll which was basically lobster salad served in a buttery bread envelope with potato chips on the side (very good).
for entrees the group tasted the calabrese pizza (sans broccoli) which was dominated by the flavor of the goat cheese and spicy sausage (good). we also ordered their fresh (so we were told) ahi tuna (good).

for dessert the group shared buche noel - light vanilla cake with chocolate frosting swirls wrapped on a chocolate ganache (excellent).
perhaps it was my high expectations for what I've always regarded as one of buffalo's 'a-one' restaurants or perhaps it was really just the quality of the food but the Oliver's experience let me down a bit so it gets a 'B'.