Waxlight Bar a Vin

The drinks here are incredible and the staff was very helpful and kind. Amazing mocktails + loved the small bites. The ambiance would be great for a nicer date. The seating arrangements and bar are inviting and comfortable, and you can surely stay here a while! Make a reservation and don’t miss it. :) x Elise

LOVE, LOVE, LOVE Food was FANTASTIC, the cocktails were super cool and the atmosphere was amazing. We'll certainly be back and often!

Waxlight Bar à Vin is a unique gem tucked away in Buffalo’s Black Rock neighborhood! With an ever evolving, eclectic menu of food and cocktails, every visit feels like a culinary adventure! The ownership team is made up of seasoned chefs and knowledgeable sommeliers, bringing unmatched expertise to the table. Their commitment to detail and service shines from the moment you walk in. It’s no surprise they’ve received three James Beard nominations! The space itself is just as imaginative as the food. Sleek, modern, velvet textures and sultry lighting, it strikes the perfect balance between elegant and inviting. Once you find Waxlight, you’ll be hooked! A must-visit for anyone who loves trying new flavors with great wine and cocktail pairings.

I cannot say enough about this place! My husband and I went here for a personal celebration and we were blown away! I would give this place 10 stars if i could! The cocktails were some of the best I’ve ever had. The service was top-notch and truly made our night that much more special. Our server, Lauren, from the moment we said hello until the end of our visit was beyond outstanding. She took time to explain different ingredients and flavor profiles of various dishes. She answered all of our questions with a breadth of knowledge, all while being kind and personable. She was just absolutely incredible from start to finish. The food? Omg OUT OF THIS WORLD DELICIOUS!!!!! Honestly I had some expectations but even those were blown away when I tasted the beef ribs, pork belly, pasta (pasta is made in house and you absolutely can tell that it is!) and hangar steak. You can taste the incredible attention that is put into the food at this restaurant and it’s hands down probably the most impressive restaurant I’ve ever been to in Buffalo. I simply cannot recommend this restaurant enough. Just the food alone makes it one of the best (actually it was my favorite place I’ve been to in a very very long time and I’d say it has to be my favorite fine dining spot now) but the gorgeous atmosphere of this place (interior design is exceptional), the service beyond phenomenal, the overall experience struck a chord and has left a lasting impression. This place really is that amazing- I don’t know that my review can even do it justice. We will be back with my in-laws and my sister and her husband as well. I honestly cannot wait to go here again!!!

Our favorite restaurant, by far! Great service and exciting menu items. We love that they are always experimenting with different flavors and ingredients. We have never had a bad experience here.

First time here and definitely not the last! The ambience of the restaurant was awesome and such a cool vibe. Service was absolutely amazing and food was fantastic! Went with a group of 6 and we got a bunch of different apps on top of entrees. Everything was coursed out perfectly and the desserts were perfect! An awesome evening with not a single complaint definitely one of my new favorite spots!! Loved it

I took my Fiancee here for her birthday because she's been wanting to go here for a while. It was a delightful experience. Our server was Jess and she was top notch. We got drinks (the Daisy, Mai Tai, some red wine) followed up by the Anchovy toast which was absolutely delicious. We then had the duck arancini and that was also very good. It was then followed up by our main courses, the beef short ribs and the dry-aged beef steak. It was amazing and tasted so delicious. We ended the night with a surprise burnt cheesecake with a candle to commemorate my fiancee's birthday along with some amazing cold brew coffee! Jess was a pleasure to work with and i would definitely go back to enjoy the beautiful atmosphere and delicious food and drinks! Highly recommend!

Our food was well prepared, service was excellent throughout the experience. Attentive and kind staff. The menu is short, but varied, so there's likely something for anyone to enjoy. Would recommend and will return.

Fantastic double date night here last weekend! very upscale yet cozy and inviting vibes. I started with the house dirty martini - very flavorful. then tried a bacon rillette BLT and oyster for appetizer - it's nice that there are some items that are pay by the piece, so the whole table didn't have to agree on one thing! Had the NY Strip for my meal. And then we all each got a different dessert to finish off the evening - mine being the olive & sinclair chocolate gelato. Everything was delicious, but my favorite items might have been the appetizers! the staff was very attentive to refilling our waters, cocktails, and changing out our silverware for each course. And our waitress had great recommendations!

The only good thing about this place was the ambiance. Every low rating about the staff is 100% true, including the manager! Food wasn't even anything to write home about either. We were visiting from out of state and heard about Waxlight. So, we wanted to experience it for ourselves. We did make a reservation in advance, without making any last-minute changes. And they knew we were just out here visiting because we mentioned it to one of the hostesses. I honestly believed they snubbed their noses at as because we weren't locals. But after reading other reviews it seems this is just how they are. I thought money was green everywhere. But apparently not.

Cocktails, food, service, wine, vibe were all were above and beyond great . We will be going back.

We stopped here for a drink on a Saturday. It wasnt packed, but tables were busy. The aesthetic was great! Kind staff and amazing drinks! The bartender was knowledgeable and shared about drinks as we asked. We got the Wheeler and OG- both were boozy and great! We will be back for dinner soon. Menu was small but looked great

I don't say those words often, but this may have been our best dining experience of 2025.... tucked in an almost unmarked building, the food at this James Beard semi-finalist restaurant was outstanding! We started with sharing some small bites. We had two of the spanish white anchovy over charred daikon and split in half a crab rarebit and a peameal bacon with corn hollandaise on toasted brioche... Wow! We both love these adventures of tastes. My wife had the corn bisque with cheesy tamale tots and I had the calamari pasta (calamari made into a sausage ragu with house-made parsley fusilli). This was topped off with a dessert of bee-pollen infused white chocolate (cooled in ice water to resemble chow mein noodles) served over dark chocolate gelato (more like a pudding) with chunks of salted caramel.... Again, wow. The wine list was impressive, but the wine by the glass was also a great choice. We will certainly be back.

I've been eyeing Waxlight since they opened and was so glad to finally go! Our server was very friendly, personable and incredibly knowledgeable. I loved the attention of the staff and how aware they were of empty plates, waters and switching silverware, just add a little bit of fancy! We got the Spanish red and it was SO FREAKING GOOD and with only $12 a glass it felt nice to be able to get another glass! We got two apps, a small plate, a large plate. 2 wines, and shared two of their smaller desserts and total was $143 - which felt appropriate and perfectly priced! My only complaint, I had no idea what was on the menu. I'd consider myself more adventurous than the average person but it made it hard to know what I'm ordering when I can't understand anything on the menu. That said, the server was great to try and identify and my chef friend I went with also helped fill in the blanks. I would try it again but I think I'd have to be in an adventurous mood! Ultimately, I'm glad we have it as an option to mix up the choices in buffalo.

I will Always recommend Waxlight. They give an experience that is second to none in Buffalo. This is a restaurant for special occasions. I would highly anticipate they get a Michelin star one day. With a sommelier owner, talented artistic chefs, and phenomenal wait staff and bartenders, no one will walk away disappointed. The ambience is a romantic dimly lit luxurious French restaurant. The plates are small and made to share. Don't be afraid to try something new- you won't regret it.

Very much enjoyed a random Wednesday evening at Waxlight with my daughter recently, celebrating absolutely nothing whatsoever. Our cost for dinner for two $282. Excellent food, tapas style apps and great cocktails, interesting layout and environment. A different kind of menu, not your run of the mill type fare. A refreshing change. Great service! Try it, you'll most likely really enjoy it! We will be back!

The service was great! We had many questions and asked for recommendations because everything sounded amazing. The food was so delicious! We ordered many of the appetizers including: -Beef carpaccio (my favorite- it melted in your mouth) -Roast chicken potato chips and French onion dip- so good! -bread and butter pickled mussels- also very good. For dinner we went with the lamb shoulder and duck! They were both very delicious!

Amazing food. Extremely knowledgeable servers. Driving in and parking don't prepare you for the beautiful inside.

It's rare to find a restaurant with a kitchen, drink service, and front of house as excellent as this place. While they were nominated for a James Beard for the beverage service, it could and should be for the culinary side as well. The large and small plates alike hold surprises and promise satisfaction unlike nearly any restaurant in Buffalo. The citrus pop on the anchovy toast... the superlatively beefy broth in the French Onion soup... the crispy but luxuriously moist hot smoked char (though I did not taste smoke), and perfectly executed rare coulotte steak. I will always recommend the basque cheesecake because it's just the best. Dense on the edge and creamy in the middle. And I will always tell a customer to lean on Ed or Jessica to suggest a pairing. I was pleased to have an Armagnac that went well with dessert that I would not have known about otherwise. And if they have the Canales de Bordeaux, get it.

We've been to Waxlight twice, and it's awesome. The art-deco-meets-mid-century-modern space is beautiful inside and out, the food menu is delightful, the dog-friendly patio between brick buildings at Chandler Market is one of the most pleasant atmospheres in the city, and I'll even give them a pass on Honkey Tonk Brunch. Really, guys? Also: the menu is intuitive and makes sense, the cocktails are beautiful, the servers are friendly and knowledgeable, and, given the quality of everything, the prices are entirely reasonable. The bathrooms are even lovely. Check out the pics on this one to get a sense of how delightful the restaurant itself is. It's one of those places where a great deal of thought and attention to detail seems to have gone into every aspect of the design and execution, and it shows. This one's a keeper for us. Parking is mainly on-street. They could do a bit more to accommodate vegans. Reservations are recommended during peak hours.

Had an amazing birthday dinner at Waxlight Bar á Vin and I cannot thank the staff enough for making it truly special! Chef Forster came to the table to wish me a happy birthday and provided the most delicious off menu amuse-bouche, a toast with the most delicious smoky rich pork rillette. Every dish we ordered was packed full of flavor and seasoned perfectly. Highly recommend the grilled asparagus small plate which includes a perfectly jammy soft-boiled poached in wine. The cocktail menu wonderfully complimented the dishes with so many bright refreshing tastes. The service was also superb with staff being so very attentive and welcoming, everyone wished me a happy birthday which was very sweet. A very special thank you to Lauren for hosting us in your section, I appreciate all the thoughtful touches! We will definitely be recommending the restaurant to our family and friends, and greatly look forward to coming back.

Start to finish everything was amazing. The atmosphere and the vibe is like no other restaurant. The staff is very friendly and knowledgeable about the menu and drinks. They came by with drinks then came back for apps or food orders definitely gave enough time between courses and cleaned up the table in-between. They were honest on the portions and gave great recommendations. This is a fancy place for dinner, but you get a whole experience. The food was things we were not farmilar with or had but with the help of the staff the food did not dissapoint. Go in with an open mind and to try new things and you will not be mad.

The ambiance is sooo beautiful. Highly recommend coming here for a drink! I love the decor - decked out with velvet couches, but not stuffy. The drinks are great - I got the Fizz and it was tasty. Now the food...I was excited for the menu, but everything was pretty meh to me. The pork rillette bites are nice, but expensive. I did not like the chicken kiev (too salty) and the chestnut pasta (it was sooo sour, as if the meat was spoiled. We actually couldn't even eat it. The waitress comped this dish, and service was so kind). Just kinda bummed the food was so disappointing. The basque cheesecake is good though!

Warning, my review may be a little critical because it seems like Wax Light is one of the most highly respected restaurants in Buffalo... So it's no wonder I had high expectations! The restaurant itself is cool and swanky. I was taken aback by its open concept - you can see everything around you, including the bar. We were sat at a couch with two (round) tables pushed together...I was not happy with the is seating arrangement - my partner and I aren't that kind of couple who sits next to each other - we like to sit across from each other and this wasn't an option sitting on a couch. It felt weird and uncomfortable sitting at the couch given the openness of the restaurant, and the people at the tables staring at us. For starters, we got the chips and dip (tasty and good portion, but, they were chips), and mussels. The mussels were what you'd expect, chewy and funky, but they were not expensive. For the entrees, I got the lump crab bigoli and my partner got the pork collar. My pasta was super bland and disappointing. It needed salt or something - but a fancy establishment is not going to have salt on the table. My partner's pork collar though was tasty and tender; it was worth the high price in our opinion. For dessert, we got the basque cheesecake which I've heard good things about. This is the type of dessert that you should know what you're getting before you get it...and we didn't. Safe to safe that basque cheesecake is not what we expected flavor/consistency wise... Overall I didn't think Waxlight lived up to the hype I have been hearing of it. There are other fine dining restaurants in Buffalo I have had a much better food experience with.

The food was amazing, we tried all the appetizers and small plates, glad we did that, cause we got to taste a lot of good food. The service was wonderful and our main server had a great personality. What a sleek and chic atmosphere, we loved it!

Nice vibe. Excellent waitstaff! Interesting cocktails. Food was a mixed bag. Plenty of carbs for sides...and overly sweet dessert! Had to send the dessert back... it was far too sweet. No temperature choice for steak and for my taste, it was very undercooked and not a pleasure to eat. Wanted to like this restaurant more, but this experience was a disappointment and not worth the value.

This is the place to go for a culinary adventure. The very few negative reviews here have to do with "this dish wasn't what I expected." But that's exactly the point! It was really interesting and exciting to first see such traditional cooking techniques/terms on the menu- only for each arriving dish's interpretation of that to be an elevated, often unexpected twist on the staid usage. Also, as some others have noted, there are lots of ingredients in each dish that aren't on the menu. I agree that this is not something I see often in Buffalo; professionally in this city, I've encountered a lot of "want to make sure I get my money's worth" re menus, but a certain amount of secrecy makes it more fun! Also, practically, it would just be silly to list literally every ingredient in the menu. Not all of the dishes were to my liking, but people obviously have different palates and tastes, so that doesn't have any reflection on the restaurant. I found many things delicious, but my personal favorites from this menu were their dry-aged beef coulotte and quinoa-- and this amazing plum grenobloise (which I was very sad to discover upon getting online later doesn't exist anywhere except in the head of Chef), and the creme cheese ice cream with earl grey caramel and spiced bread. My partner especially loved the pickled mussels, carrot with venison pasta, and burnt basque cheesecake. I can't believe it took us so long to get here- of course, we will be back!

This place is amazing! The food was outstanding! Pictures look as good as it tasted. I highly recommend the spaghetti squash toast! Probably could have ate another 3 pieces!! Service was just as good! Waiter wasn't overwhelming and very friendly. Soft lighting casts a gentle glow, creating an intimate and cozy atmosphere!

The service was poor and the management was arrogant. We had to wait and we were delayed in being seated and served. The management acted like we should be lucky to be there. I will not return.

A new favorite, actually I'm not even sure I want to dine anywhere else in buffalo after last night. Don't know why it took so long for us to get there, but I'm glad we finally did. Everything from the moment we were met at the door through paying the bill was exceptional. It's been a long time since we've had such impeccable service!! Don't get me started onthe food, beyond amazing. The flavor combinations were so complex and unexpected. You can tell a great deal of time and expertise are put into creating such exquisite dishes. Cannot wait to go back!!!!

The fact this has 4 stars is insane considering I downloaded this terrible app just to post and review this restaurant because it's absolutely phenomenal EVERY TIME! I highly recommend you check it out and see for yourself. The flavor profile and the love they put into this place is top tier.

Quality over quantity really describes this trendy upscale restaurant on Chandler Street in Buffalo! Dan & I went for a happy hour last week and sat at the bar. Waxlight Bar A Vin makes for a special night out with their trendy & classy decor, professional & knowledgeable staff, and outstanding food! We first ordered a hard cider and cocktail with truffle. Then we decided on a few small plates to share. The mini lobster rolls were the best we've ever had! These didn't have the traditional bread rolls but the lobster was on a crunchy crouton like cracker. The lobster salad was delicious and I'd rather have one of these smaller ones done right than a hotdog roll lobster roll. We also shared the mushroom savory pancake and that was flavorful! The pickled mussels were also awesome and the pickled flavor was right on point! The menu can change weekly. We cannot wait time go back to Waxlight Bar A Vin!

After a lot of time staying in, a weekend of solo parenting while my husband traveled for work (single parents - you the REAL MVP), and almost two weeks of doing everything in my power to stick to my new year's resolutions, ya girl needed to let loose and indulge. And that she did. I finally made it to Waxlight with a good friend who always warms my heart and soul when I get to spend time with her. Though we intended to get a table, we ended up sitting at the bar because it was just too beautiful not to. The navy and velvet seats were so easy to sink into, and it gave you a nice view of the whole place. The ambiance was cozy and romantic, with lots of candles and low lighting. The decor was both chic and comfortable, and so gorgeous to look at. We went all out, ordering the popcorn shrimp (delicious!!), and radishes (okay!) to start. We had a couple glasses of wine and then switched to cocktails. My friend got the bourbon cocktail, which we thought tasted like a spicy gingerbread cookie, so yum. I got the aperol whip - if you like aperol spritz you will definitely like this! Lots of delicious orange flavor, with a little bit of spice on top. We couldn't decide between main plates so we got three - first, we got the filet mignon (honestly and truly, I think this was the best steak I've ever had, and I am a filet fiend), which came with a perfectly rectangular potato pancake. So crispy! Second we got the gnocchi, which was PACKED with flavor. I enjoyed that, but not as much as the steak (I mean, can ya blame me?), so if I were to pick between the two, I'd go steak again. Third, we got the seared fluke, which was the most flaky perfectly cooked piece of fish in a crave worthy sauce. I would for sure get this one again, too! We wrapped the experience with the burnt basque cheesecake, not fully knowing what that meant, and Oh. My. Lord. This dessert was like a cross between a cheesecake and a crème brûlée. Wow. I assure you, there will be occasions where I come back exclusively for that dessert and a glass of wine at the bar. Lovely time, looking forward to the next one.

The newest hotspot/bar, Waxlight is the brainchild of four+ culinary influencers of our region. I stopped in to catch up with some old college friends and enjoyed the atmosphere and ambiance. They have cocktails with tea being highlighted as one of their specialties and I thought that was interesting and unique and no wonder with Tony Rials being behind the bar/cocktail menu. I don't personally drink, so I would have enjoyed seeing a mocktail section, but a simple soda water with lime was appreciated. We shared just a few small plates with the pasta and the french onion tartine. The tartine was definitely my favorite and rich in flavor and even shareable. The menu had a lot of little options, but unfortunately they were out of the grilled octopus when we were in there. I'd definitely come back - the ambiance is 5-stars and the couches are comfy. I hope this place continues to hop and do well.

Finally made it here. Very impressed with the decor and design choice's especially the bar. The apps were amazing, especially the venison. My husband got the pork I got the halibut. His was "eh" I think it was over cooked and I don't like cherry sauce so it wasn't for me but my fish was delicious. There was not a minute we didn't have a server asking us if we needed anything. They were great. I'd go back for a night at the bar.

Dined there last evening. The restaurant is lovely, the decor is just pretty and comfortable. Our service was excellent. I speak for only 4 of the 6 in my group-never got an answer from the other two-it was extremely disappointing. Most of the food was from local farms , which is outstanding. However, when the waiter has to translate what each dish means because you haven't a clue, there could be a problem. Three of us picked at our dinners and didn't eat them. The salmon was fishy, dry and overcooked, the chicken schnitzel overcooked. The side with the pork dinner was a pile of mush with pork belly. Including wines, we spent almost $600. That included one appetizer and 6 entrees. Rather pricy considering I went home and had a peanut butter and jelly sandwich.

This is one of my favorite restaurants in Buffalo. A unique and delicious menu, always great service, good drinks, and absolutely love the ambience!

Loved the setting/atmosphere as it's very unique. Nice location on Chandler, parking was fine when we were there, but not sure if it gets hard to park when crowded. The menu was definitely unique. We went for brunch and it was good. We ordered the potato chips that came with a yummy dip. Radishes that were beautiful, but raw. Each of us got a different soup - celery root & I got the French onion type soup, which was good, but more meat than I'm used to. The cocktail was very pretty and tasty. We also got the omelette and crispy potatoes. We thought the servings were going to be small, so ended up ordering too much food, oops. Service was fantastic!

Just went there for brunch today. Everything was absolutely perfect. You can't even imagine a way for anything to be better. I had, what was most likely, the best old fashioned I've ever had in my life (and I have had a lot of them). French onion soup and omelet were amazing. The Brussel sprouts will easily convert a hater of the veg. Everyone in our party of 5 were overwhelmingly pleased with their food and drink. The basque cheesecake was euphoric. To top it off, the service was truly top notch. This was my second time there and I was even more impressed than the first; I say this as a semi PIA when it comes to dining out.

It's absolutely incredible! The atmosphere to start is so comfortable , the low level of typical restaurant noise was great. We were able to talk and not have to lean in to hear every word spoken. The attentiveness of the staff was incredible, and it was absolutely 5 star . One of the owners who greeted us was so educated on all aspects of the restaurant. We enjoyed several snacks to start as well as several deliciously prepared mixed drinks. We ordered large plates, and everyone loved each choice we made , we shared a bit because it was so delicious . The desserts are absolutely insanely delicious, and what a finally! I highly recommend the Waxlight as a place for any event . We'll be back for certain, and thank you again for such a memorable evening

Waxlight Candles provide some Ambiance and Flair to a Romantic Night where you cherish being with your loved ones for Special Occasions. Here at Waxlight Bar a Vin, they don't focus on a Specific type of Cuisine here, they just do their own Thing. They experiment and make Dishes that you think inside your head won't go together or make sense but will Taste really Good. Its about thinking outside the Box and being Creative. My 1st Taste of Waxlight came at the Iron Event back in 2019 at Acqua where Edward Forster, Jessica Railey & Joe Fenush served up a Moroccan style Cassoulet with Harissa marinated Lamb, Chickpeas 2 Ways, Sumac & Greens that boasted Bold Flavors. Fast Forward almost a year later during the COVID Outbreak when I come to dine here with my cousin Mike and his new Girlfriend Aline. Located on Chandler Street in the Black Rock Neighborhood of Buffalo lies a Hidden Treasure, what I consider the Ruby of the 716. This Street doesn't even have an Phone Line and you have to make a Reservation via Email. Jessica sat us out in the Patio area where we took it all in before we started ordering. We started off the Meal with a little bowl of Roast Chicken Potato Chips that are incorporated with Chicken Broth, crispy as Chicken Skin that take the term Tastes like Chicken to another Level. Followed by Oysters on the Half Shell that were pickled with Horseradish & Ramps and topped with a Bay Leaf Oil (Briny Mollusks accented with a hint of Garlick-y Heat as you slug it down). Along with Spanish Anchovy on Crispy Brioche with Charred Eggplant & Roasted Pepper (Oily Fish on Crispy Toast with a hint of Smoky Flavor from the Eggplant). The (compliments of the Chef) Chicken Fried Olives that were stuffed with a Pork Rillette with a Mustard made from Black Garlic & Watercress (you can fry anything and it'll taste good). Me and Mike enjoyed a Summer Smash Cocktail consisting of White Rum, Thyme, Muddled Blueberry & Cinnamon Orgeat (Aline just stuck with Water). Next came out Grilled Hamachi over an Infladita (or Tortilla) with Corn Polenta & Wild Parsnip. Buttery firm fleshed fish over the Tortilla with the Polenta & Sweet Parsnip hidden on the Bottom. Followed by Warm Pickled Beef Tongue with Fingerling Potatoes, Cherry Tomatoes & Hyssop Bearnaise. This dish might freak someone out, think of eating a slightly chewy but Mild well cooked Steak, with your Starch component, Sweet Tomatoes and a Minty Bearnaise (which I thought they could've put bit less of it on). Then we had Pork Trotter Barlotto with Spring Onion & Roasted Corn (Barlotto is made with Pearl Barley instead of Rice) with tender bits of Pig's feet resonating throughout the Dish. For our Entrees Mike got Silk Snapper with Corn & Sunflower Seed Panisse (fritter made with Chickpea Flour), Wild Bay Leaf and a Fermented Tomato Broth, Crispy Fish with Essence of Sweet Tomato. Me & Aline got Halibut that was Roasted with Wild Dandelion & Sumac over Quinoa with Zucchini & Pistachio Butter. Perfectly cooked fish that had a Lemony Kick to it over Mild Quinoa but that Butter was the surprising element of this Dish. I got myself another drink, Fizz made with Aperol, Port Wine, Fermented Apricot & Soda. It was like an adult Soda Pop garnished with some Mint. For Dessert Aline got the Burnt Basque Cheesecake that shows a dark surface and makes you feel like your eating a Creme Brulee outside of its Mold. Mike got a Miso Brownie Ice Cream Cone presented in a Wooden holder, I got the Blueberry Semifreddo with Waxy Granola (it means Half Frozen in Italian) its like a Frozen Mousse and its made with my Favorite Fruit. It was a bit harder than I thought and the Granola on top gave it some Crunch. The whole time we were outside we had some unpleasant company with a Bee floating around us while we were Talking and Eating. I also felt like we put Ed & Joe to work since we ordered 40% of the Menu between 3 People. They also change certain dishes on their Menu every 3 Days, this is one of those Places for a unique out of the Ordinary Meal. Let me tell you something though at Waxlight, every dish is in the Spotlight. !!!

First time here. The restaurant is beautiful to look at, but seating is very strange. Bistro sized tables are two small and awkward for dinner. You have to use two tables pushed together. Some seating is those tables pulled up to couches, like you're eating in your living room and watching tv. Hard pass on that. Bar is really pretty. Patio is pretty, but had those small tables and uncomfortable chairs. Service was excellent and knowledgeable. Best part of the restaurant. Food was hit and miss. Beet gazpacho was delicious, with many layers of flavors besides beet. Barbajuan app was also wonderful, with flaky pastry and chard filling. Entrees were so salty! There were some nice herbs and spices in there, which were overpowered by the salt. Small sized shrimp. Pasta in the lamb ragout was over cooked. The entrees were so unattractive!! You should eat with your eyes first! Paris Brest dessert was disappointing but the cheesecake was amazing! Again, throw some fruit or something colorful on the plate! So unappealing. Overall, the food was not worth the visit. I wish we had liked it better.

This was my favorite restaurant to go to since they opened and in September 2024 I chose to go here to celebrate a birthday and Anniversary. We had reservations for 4 but a surprise guest decided to join us taking it to 5. They then asked for a deposit for the table, which was fine but then said it would be 50.00 PER PERSON. And they really didn't have a solid answer on how I was going to get that back at the end of the night. So 250.00 for a DEPOSIT to eat here with parties of 5+. This is not NYC, this place is good but not THAT good and they lost a very good patron for life. I will NEVER go back here, sadly, based on the interaction with one of the owners surrounding this topic. Too bad Waxlight-you were good but with this policy I will never return. We took our party of 5 to another amazing restaurant and spent 4x that.

I think the best word to describe this restaurant and the food is "different". They have a variety of super interesting snacks and small plates as well as really good cocktails. We were seated outside which was nice for a summer night, but I wish their chairs weren't so uncomfortable. For drinks, I tried the "Daisy" and the " Sour" and I would definitely recommend them, especially if you don't like to taste a lot of alcohol in your cocktail. They were super pretty as well - maybe a bit on the pricey side (around $14). For the food, the four of us shared a variety of small dishes and plates and they were all super interesting and very delicious. It was obvious the chefs really sit down and design a special menu and try to be super creative. The only downside was that all of us left the restaurant as hungry as when we arrived - only we had paid $250 too! I'm not saying it wasn't worth going because it was a unique experience, but I wouldn't go there again to eat. I'd go there maybe for a drink and a snack to catch up with friends before heading somewhere else for dinner! Their portions are ridiculously small, even their "larger" plates. We had their famous chips which was disappointing because they didn't taste like chicken soup to me. Their fried olives were really tasty and had a strange grapefruit mustard on the side. The steak skewer was absolutely amazing; tender and flavorful. The fried quinoa had a new and interesting flavor. The larger plates we got were the grilled lamp chops and the monk fish- both delicious! For the desert, get the burnt cheesecake - it's AMAZING! The staff were really nice and helpful.

I've been wanting to try this restaurant for some time. It has some reputable chefs and bartender. Started out with a smoked oaxacan cocktail it has mescal anejo tequila bitters smoked cacao nibs and spice. Very tasty with a good toasty sweetness. I tried two snacks chicken fried olives stuffed with chicken livers and grapefruit mustard were delicious not overly liver tasting but enough to let you know there's liver in there. They were delicious. The crispy cardoons were crispy to say the least it overpowered the poor little cardoon and the grapefruit mustard was tangy and good as well. I didn't experience any server issues as I have read. As a matter of fact everyone was very amicable. Nice place try it out for yourself. I'll be coming back for dinner soon.

Waxlight is tough for me. Ambiance and aesthetic is amazing and I love the feeling just walking in. Both of my dishes were not what I thought. I should have asked more questions. The speghetti squash toast wasn't really toast in my opinion. The bread was more muffin / banana bread consistency. So the whole thing was mushy to me. I was expecting a more crunchier bread. I also thought the pasta and lump crab would be separated for some reason, and I personally didn't like them both together and the flavor was just okay. Next time I would definitely ask more questions on preparation. My friend I was with really enjoyed her bone marrow! I would go back a second time for the ambiance, but probably just to sit at the bar and get cocktails.

This is definitely the most creative restaurant in buffalo. Their specialty is in small plates and killer cocktails. The outdoors and indoors seating design is very nice too. We tried a few different "snacks" and three of the main dishes. The chicken roasted chips were a bit underwhelming. Good chips, but didn't taste like chicken soup as advertised. The fried stuffed olives were delicious and the flank steak was delicious. The fried quinoa, roasted monkfish and grilled lamb were absolutely amazing. The grilled lamb was cooked to perfection, melt-in-your-mouth situation with flavor explosion . All the dishes had amazing and super creative flavor combinations. You don't usually get braised daikon, lavender mustard or grapefruit mustard in your dishes. For dessert we tried the burnt cheesecake and it was the best burnt cheesecake I have had so far. The cocktails were fabulous too. I tried the wheeler and it was super tasty while being very alcohol forward. It looked gorgeous too. Super happy about it. What's the catch? Portion size and price. If you want to go there and try a couple of dishes and drinks and actually don't feel hungry afterwards, you're looking at more than $100/person. So be aware of that. But it's an awesome place to go hang out with friends and have a snack + drink while you're there.

Updated with an excellent and fun take-out experience review! We did the Spanish tapas dinner for two, with wine, date night special last weekend, and we both really enjoyed it. At a time when we're stuck in the house for the most part, it let us do some exploring with our taste buds and enjoy a gourmet meal. Everything was packaged carefully, and instructions for what to eat with what and/or how to reheat were caringly included. I will be watching for more date night take out experiences!!

For two years I've heard great things about Waxlight, only to find I couldn't get in at the door or make reservations early enough. So popular! This time, I called on Thursday for Saturday night, and made reservations for two. First the good: Ambiance and lighting are lovely, and the service is great. Cool location too with easy parking. But. I absolutely hated the food. Each of the four dishes I had were OVERWHELMED WITH SALT! Omg the salt. The kettle corn potato chips might have been good had they not been ENCRUSTED WITH SALT (ok, the cashew dip was good, and not too salty, but that was it). The French onion arancini were three hard, dry salty balls, with unremarkable fillings, other than that they were Mojave Dessert salty. Shall I go on? Yes I shall. The grilled white asparagus were presented nicely, but any nuances in the grilling were decimated by the SALTY brown butter oyster sauce. The mafalde pasta with green chicken chorizo, green olive, smoked mozzarella cream, tasted like noodles in a very rich, one note SALTY sauce. Could not pick up on any other flavors. Just pasta and a salty cream sauce. I was four for four, and might have thought there was something wrong with my olfactory functions had my dinner companion not thought everything was too salty as well. Between the two of us, we only ate 1/4 of the pasta. It was that bad. And if you're going to salt everything as though they were jalapeño poppers with queso, and you wanted me to order more beverages, at least make it a healthy pour. But no. Stingy cocktails and small wine portions -- and not cheap -- $11 a pop. I will send back a dish if I do not like it, or complain, in the hopes that the situation can be made right, but truthfully, I will never take a chance on this restaurant again. It's like Kohl's. High end appearance and marketing, low rent product. And maybe I'm being harsh, but after being turned away for two years because I didn't have early enough reservations, I expected something really great. This fell woefully short. I still tipped 20% because the service was great, and truthfully, I didn't give the waitress a chance to make it right. But sometimes you just have to cut your losses.

There aren't many place in the area that does dining as well as this place. PRO TIP#1: Be adventurous and go for a ride on this wild menu. PRO TIP#2: Get the chicken skin potato chips! They change the menu quite often and often uses local farm to table ingredients. Everything is so unique and executed flawlessly. Menu has variety of snacks, small plates and large entrees. I would recommend sharing a few snacks and small plates. The service was so impeccable. Came for early V-day dinner. Been waiting to come here after hearing all the great things. Place did not disappoint! Started off with ordering everything off the "snack session" of the menu. Chicken skin potato chips are a must!! Proceeded to get a small pasta fish to split but the star was the french onion soup tartine. Pretty much french onion soup in a sandwich form! AMAZING! Highly recommend cant wait to come back and take another adventure through their changing menus!

My wife and I attended the New Year's Eve 5 Course Dinner event. This was a prix fixe menu that also offered caviar and wine to pair with your food (additional cost) which we didn't get. Again the place is beautiful, and the service was top notch. The food was well presented and actually pretty good. My only complaint though was the portion sizes. As good as the food was, it just wasn't enough on your plate. It literally was just a taste. For the price ($95 per person) it just wasn't worth it and I left hungry. But again, I enjoyed the experience. Hopefully they change up a few things with the food serving sizes.

Atmosphere was great. Server was incredible. Drinks were delicious. The food menu is small, and increased in size as you read downwards. This isn't a normal, bar food type of menu. This is upscale, very "Iron Chef" type of plates! The petit beef tenderloin was magical and cooked perfectly.

TL;DR - take your wine connoisseurs, take your foody friends for shared plates. The menu is fun and ever changing, the restaurant is pretty. It'll be a good time. Waxlight is a very cool addition to the Buffalo food scene. It's the brainchild of a small group of Buffalo foodies who've come together to create a very cool wine bar with an ever rotating complement of Contemporary American dishes, ranging from small bites to entrees. As with many restaurants of this sort, you're unlikely to ever see the same menu lineup twice. If you're the kind of person who always gets the same recognizable thing at their favorite restaurant, take this as an opportunity to experiment! It's best suited to picking several options to share between a group. Staff is very knowledgeable about the menu and able to make recommendations based on your preferences. We were three people and ordered 4 small dishes and 2 bigger ones to split - we definitely each had a dish that we thought was WOW!, a few dishes that were really good, and a few that we could take or leave. I'm gonna be honest, as people who don't care much about cocktails or wine, I'm not sure how often my husband and I would come just the two of us - that cool wine bar vibe is a big piece of the draw, and it's not so much our thing. As with most places similar to this, the plates tend to be a bit pricey, especially for the amount of food that you get - definitely a splurge for us. However, it definitely does make the short list of places that we'd go if we wanted to do shared plates with a small group. Pro tip: the Sweet Whisk chocolate and pastry boutique is located right upstairs in the same building - go upstairs and grab a little chocolate mousse, a cupcake, or a freshly brulee'd creme brulee to take home after your dinner. They make my favorite desserts in Buffalo.

Great place for dinner and cocktails, menu changes often and everything is made fresh and to order. Just won an award for their cocktails and wine portion of the restaurant.

It really upsets me that I feel compelled to write such a negative review but you just don't get away with service that is so awful and amateur, so here's what happened. Our experience since the arrival was very disappointing. I have visited numerous fine dining restaurants and i can assure you that this place is far from being one. Me and my husband walked in around 8:40 on a Friday night. I expected it to be packed based on all the reviews but it wasn't. They had like 4-5 empty tables and they close at 12 am. So we asked if we could grab one of those tables just for drinks and snacks. She says they stop seating people at 9 pm and they do not want to "overwhelm" their staff and that they make decisions based on how busy the kitchen is?? How unprofessional and irrational is this answer? Not being satisfied by her explanation at all, we said okay, can we sit by the bar? She goes let me see how long the wait is (mind you that there's nobody waiting and we could see that it's just not busy). She talks to few people and comes back... "I'm sorry but they cannot give an estimated time for bar seating." At this point she leaves us no options but to leave. My husband asked if we could take that one table by the bar in the corner (people who visited will understand) since it's already late and we just wanted some drinks. The least she could do was to suggest us that we could grab our drinks from the bar and take that table from the beginning, OR simply say that they only take people with reservations instead of amateur answers. So she brings us menus and tells us we can order drinks and small plates. At this point we are the ones that are overwhelmed and don't understand why we can take that table in the corner by the entrance but not one in the seating area. Now let's talk about orders. He ordered a Manhattan, and I ordered a dirty martini. After my husband got his drink I had to wait 10 minutes for mines and asked about it, and her answer was "yes, it's just the bartender is making other drinks too." HUH? Soon after she comes back to the table again to ask if there's anything else she could get for us WITHOUT my drink! And this is why this place is far from a fine dining experience. Very unwelcoming and unfriendly attitude. For food he ordered 4 oysters, and I ordered crispy fried chicken. Oysters had a funky smell and was served with absolutely no garnish and for fried "burned" chicken no need to say a word you can just take a look at the photo. They simply should be embarrassed to serve a dish like that. You could taste that the oil was very old.

How beautiful is this little spot! Has a very modern yet classic vibe inside. Very bright and relaxed atmosphere. Sat at the bar and had great service. Menu offers a lot of small tapas to share. Good was different and innovative! If you're looking for a different spot to go out this should be your choice. Also has a great outdoor sitting area!

Hip high end restaurant on Chandler St. Top notch staff and bartenders here and the food matched the atmosphere. Went for brunch after the market and my wife and I were very pleased - the breakfast sandwich was her favorite and the omelette was mine - would have liked to see a side dish or something additional for the price point of this dish. The Old Fashioned was fantastic and hand delivered by the bartender. Will be back for dinner soon