Lindsay Simpson

Definitely worth all 5 stars and more! My husband and I have have eaten several times already to try food from different menus (lunch, dinner, and bar) and everything from the salmon BLT to the pesto pasta to the poutine has been simply amazing! The owners have done a fabulous job with bringing the restaurant back to life, and the staff are eagerly learning all the tips and tricks to making your experience one to remember. Kudos to the new owners for all their incredible hard work and dedication!

Mike F

This restaurant was amazing start to finish. The server Logan was super friendly. The smoked pineapple bourbon drink was amazing. The food was delivered quickly and was out of this world. Just go if you haven't been!!

+6

Samir Popal

A friend and I visited this place for dinner. I must admit, it is almost unfathomable that such a gym of a unique restaurant exists in Olean. Absolutely loved everything about the establishment. Service was excellent and the ambiance is perfect especially if you are planning on hosting event for family and friends The food was "good" but also very reasonably priced. I tried their special for the night which was Blackened Mahi and I was not impressed but my friend was very happy with his filet. Absolutely recommend the place to anyone visiting Olean.

+4

Jimmy P

The Old Library is back and Better Than Ever! Just amazing... everything about The Old Library makes it great. From the time you walk in you’re in awe. It’s beautiful inside. You are greeted with warm friendly smiles and an eager staff ready to make your experience great. Every detail is covered here. Ohhh and the Food; you bet, Incredible! Our server was very polite, helpful and just an over the top gal. Can’t wait to go back!

+1

Alex Studd

When I was young, The Old Library was a restaurant staple in Olean! That's why I was so happy to see it reopened as a full-time restaurant, and not just an events space. Before even commenting on the food, I'll say that it's worth visiting just to see the Carnegie library! It is so beautiful and I'm so happy to see it has continued to be preserved! Regarding the food, I was excited to visit because it's under new ownership. I was initially concerned because the menu seemed a little random (ramen, quesadillas, sandwiches, etc) but I was pleasantly surprised! I was very happy with my meal, and I anticipate coming back next time I'm in Olean!

+6

Robert Rupert

Old Library Restaurant, this place is beautifully painted and decorated . The architecture inside is spectacular. A beautiful bar nestled to the side off the main corridor foyer area. I took my wife to dinner here ( 03-21-2025 ) and we had a fantastic dinner. The salmon was cooked to perfection, side house salads were splendid and the carrot cake with creme cheese frosting was moist to perfection. What a great staff, our waitress was awesome and the food arrived like artwork and hot.

+1

Rachel Peine

The Old Library Restaurant was the venue for our wedding. They were so easy to work with and so helpful. The staff was pleasant and accommodating to our needs! They served each course timely and the food was delicious! Our guest couldn’t stop talking about it. The setting itself is so stunning! The pricing was also very reasonable! We would recommend for any upcoming event!

Taryn Kerper

I can’t say enough amazing things about this place. The food, the service, the decor, the atmosphere and the hospitality was superb. So superb , we went two nights in a row! Highly recommend!

+6

Kritzy

This place was amazing! We were in town visiting my family for Thanksgiving and we wanted to go somewhere new for dinner. My sister called to see if we needed reservations and we did. They initially told us the first opening was 8:00 p.m. which would have been 3 hours from when she called. We decided not to go because of the time. Within 5 minutes of her calling they called back and said if we can come right away they would slip us in and so we did. I have been by this place many times but never knew it was a restaurant. It was the perfect setting for the holidays. Our server Logan paid much attention to our food requests especially since my mom has celiac disease. She was very kind and patient. The food was out of this world and very affordable especially since the atmosphere was kinda upscale. Two of us had the prohibition Burger, one had the smoked mac and cheese, one had the pesto pasta and the other had in her words, "the best gluten free burger and fries she's had" for a long while. I highly recommend this place!

+6

Carl B

I want to thank the wait staff, management, and chefs for an exemplary dining experience. Great care has gone into making the atmosphere of the Old Library welcoming and elegant. My dinner included the bruschetta, tomato soup with grilled cheese croutons, seafood linguini, and carrot cake dessert. Coupled to this was the expertly mixed "Gangster Martini." The pasta was homemade as well as every level of the dessert. I am now torn because I want to try the whole menu but I want to enjoy that dinner again. Add to all of this, the library environment made an excellent romantic setting for an adventure with my wife.

Dylan B

My lady & I celebrated our anniversary at this establishment. From the service to the food items it was perfect. Absolutely 10/10. We will be back. I recommend the house steak *chefs kiss*

Warm, welcoming ambience and atmosphere. Beautifully presented food options that tantalize the taste buds. Library themed drinks that taste as magical as they look.

+6

Great seating with a reservation!

+5

What a gem in Olean. We happened upon it after not wanting to wait in a literal line at a restaurant down the street and boy are we glad we did! Had a well crafted cocktail at the gorgeous bar area while we waited for our table to be prepared. The bar itself is a destination! Fresh herbs for the cocktails and a super bartender! The dinner menu was extensive and interesting and I can't wait to go back to try more items! Had the brushes and clams casino and split a large steak with my date..all were top notch..clams among the best I've tasted and I've tasted a lot! Classy romantic place that is well worth a vist!

Fantastic dinner. You can go full on filet or enjoy apps and drinks at the historic bar. We settled for all three! Probably the best calamari I've had. Filet was great also. Martinis and craft beer selection are phenomenal, including Founders Breakfast Stout as a mainstay!

This restaurant's décor is absolutely breathtaking. Hint: Don't walk into the huge glass into the wine area; it took me a few minutes to realize there was a barrier. This restaurant is a landmark in Olean, NY. It's full of history and I'm ecstatic a new owner had bought it and made it beautiful again while keeping its historical architecture. I went there with a big group for lunch. At first glance of the menu, the prices were very reasonable with a variety of options. There were American staples and a few Asian choices too such as pho and ramen, which I was quite impressed with; especially in a small town like Olean. Their food and the service were excellent. In addition, their signature cocktails were delicious and creative. I suggest choosing a meal before the cocktail. I chose a dessert cocktail because I loved tiramisu, which made my meal option to pair with it very limited. The tiramisu cocktail was easy to drink and I almost downed half of it before remembering to share it with the rest of the table. The bartender offered my friend the same cocktail she had ordered (for free) to find out which was better. FYI: Since the bartender was still mastering the recipe, our opinion was requested. The staff of this restaurant truly cares about their customers and takes the time to improve something as simple as a cocktail. This restaurant had portrayed quality customer service especially during my visit to a large group. I honestly can't wait to go back to visit for another lunch or dinner.

Wow! Beautiful in so many ways. Unbelievable. The food, the service, the architecture, the interior design. Well done. Bravo.

Being originally from New York City and absolutely loving big houses down there, this place makes Peter Luger's steaks taste terrible! But if you want a real surprising treat, seriously, get the mac and cheese. Probably the best Mac and Cheese I've ever had in my life a delicious milk of multiple cheeses however the smoked gouda really sets It Off and there's a bit of Applewood smoked bacon in there which is Nature's meat candy and you can never go wrong

We hosted our wedding reception at The Old Library restaurant and could not have been more pleased. The whole place is beautiful and we had the entire 2nd floor which was perfect for a wedding of I would guess up to 180 people (We had ~140 and had plenty of extra space.) The food was AMAZING and we still have guests telling us how good it all was. I had never heard of "Chicken Saltimbocca" before but I will be going back to get it at some point. We did a buffet package with bar included and the prices were great. Dan was great to work with, especially from a planning perspective. We unfortunately had a situation where our matron of honor could not make the wedding, but Dan went out of his way to enable us to use the tech to set-up a video call on the TV's so she could still give her speech. I can't think of a more perfect place to host a wedding reception or other event. We also had rented out some of the rooms at the Old Library Inn for our family/wedding party and they all said it was fantastic and beautiful. Thanks so much to Dan and the entire Old Library team for making our special day so worry-free and fun!

Totally Excellent food, and staff!!!!!! The French Onion Soup was great as well as the 8 oz. Filet and Red Skinned Mashed Potatoes. Husband had the Pho, he added shaved ribeye, and crispy tofu. We shared the Bruschetta which was to die for!!!! We both had drinks: Thai Lemongrass Coconut Margarita, Dragon Fruit Mojito!!! The drinks were totally different from normal Margaritas, or Mojitos.

The ambiance in this restaurant is a booklover's dream! Surrounded by shelves of old books, my fiance and I enjoyed a quaint meal for lunch. Our server, Kasey, was incredibly kind and accommodating. She even took some photos for us! :) I would highly recommend dining at The Old Library if you are seeking a magical experience that transports you in both time and place.

This evening was our first time at this breathtaking establishment and most certainly will not be our last. Of course, being an avid book lover, I fell in love with the ambience well before I even consumed my 1st morsel of decadent food. We were seated at a corner table in the library, surrounded by beautiful old books and decor. We were promptly greeted by our server (who did a FANTASTIC job) and we were served bread and our drinks within moments. Our appetizer was the crab stuffed button mushrooms broiled with Asiago cheese and champagne cream sauce ... so delicious! I ordered the filet mignon topped with a lump lobster with béarnaise sauce, atop garlic mashed potatoes and perfectly cooked seasonal vegetables. The steak was so tender, it literally melted in my mouth. The lobster was also cooked to perfection. My love ordered the Bourbon Peach Pork Tenderloin topped with a rich bourbon peach glaze. Served with creamy herb risotto and chef's seasonal roasted vegetables. He demolished his meal to put it vaguely. The ambiance, service and food were outstanding. I HIGHLY recommend this restaurant, it’s definitely one of our new favorites!

I did not have the pleasure of the fine dinning experience since I was only there to look at the 2nd floor with my daughter who is part of the OHS Senior prom committee. The person who we talked with was a very polite young man and when he told us that the 2nd floor was beautiful he was absolutely correct! The second floor gave my daughter and I a Labrynth maskerade type of vibe because of the way the room looked with all of the gold chairs and the white satin curtains along with the big mirrors with the gold trim around them. The room was absolutely breathtaking. You have to see it for yourself. As for the rest of the restaurant it's very quiet and classy looking. It definitely has the room for large events.

My daughter and I went to dinner there and had a lovely time. The atmosphere is euphoric for a book liberty like myself. Great good and service. Can't say enough good things.

Have been there twice since it opened. The place is even more beautiful than it was before! The food is excellent, service is pleasant. The bar area is particularly awesome! A family tradition of ours for years before it closed before, so now we are starting new memories!

The food here is exceptionally tasty every time I go. Some menu items are a bit overpriced, but generally a good value. I always try something new when I'm there, and their menu changes to keep things fresh.

Food is delicious!! Staff is wonderful. Restaurant is gorgeous!!

Absolutely amazing, the bone in New York strip steak was cooked to perfection. A book of poetry on the shelf nearby to read to my angel was kismet. Highly recommend this restaurant to anyone seeking a memorable night with loved ones.

We had a wonderful meal to be sure, but best of all was the staff. Our server Nick was very attentive, had a sense of humor and lots of patience . It is a beautiful restaurant and I always feel special when I dine there.

Loved my smoked mac and cheese and carrot cake.

This Old Library has a New Attitude, sing it Patti! What a wonderful answer to the mundane. A beautiful, warm, landmark building that houses the warmest & most well-trained staff in the area, who serve the freshest, most diverse, and well-prepared dishes we have seen in a long time, in this area. The Old Library is a welcome step up from the typical, pedestrian “beef a rama” cattle shoot “we do beef and a few other things” place. It’s a warm, rich, well thought out, casual or dress up (your choice) eatery. Every dish we have had over the last few times has been an artistically unique experience of the classics. From the Braised Lamb Shank, Prime Rib, Duck a l'Orange, Chilean Seabass, to the Handmade Pasta. (I can’t believe they make their own pasta - The Gnocchi are like little puffs of cloud that fell fromt from Heaven, so nice). This week started the new fall craft cocktail menu, which was tried extensively courtesy of my outstanding bartender. She was like watching Matisse create “The Joy of Life” in his studio. . Cocktails utilizing Salted Carmel, S’mores & Godiva. Bond & ’ J.B. Books would be proud. Everyone here pours their heart and soul into the place for our benefit. It has become our new “go to” relaxation place in these crazy times. My tip is – Call and make a reservation, treat yourself, treat your wife and bring the family. If you’re casual like us, they “usually” can squeeze you in at the Bar itself And check out the secret parking in the rear if need be. You’ll never go back to Brother Bob’s Beefsteak & Feed Store Emporium.

Atmosphere is lovely, food was very good including the brie app, chicken wellington and NY strip steak. Visiting the area and would love to come back when visiting again. Casual attire

this review is only about the lemonade (but the food i would also give a 5) 5/5. perfect taste and amount of sugar. might not be our enough for some people. pink lemonade really is superior almost everywhere

“I Walked Forty-Seven Miles of Barbed Wire” Well not quite…..but I did drive 47 minutes for dinner on Thursday night and it was well worth the drive. Here’s my take…..come take a little walk with me baby….the Firecracker Calamari started me off. Perfect breading to highlight not overpower the Calamari . and paired with a complex and not too spicy sauce. Main dish was the Mediterranean Chicken with sun dried tomatoes, artichokes, kalamata olives, spinach over hand cut linguini. The chicken was cooked excellent. Puddin for dessert topped it off, but in reality, it was their Crème Brulee, made as if the Chef invented it. So when someone asks me “Who do you love?” it must be The Old Library in Olean.

Great food and service was spot on meal was seasoned perfectly and the tiramisu was wonderful definitely will be back

Great food ! It's absolutely gorgeous and entertainment was wonderful!

+3

Outstanding dinner and service and entertainment...coconut crusted grouper..prime rib..loaded potato soup and blue crab cakes !! Highly recommend!

The Christmas season brings beauty into this restaurant. Everything is bright and cheerful with trees and lights. Not the extreme just simple. Even without the lights the library is beautiful. Antique books and beautiful decor that takes you back in time. The food is delicious so matter what you have. Prices are reasonable. Our favorite restaurant because they are so friendly .

One word…Superb Appetizer crispy shrimp Entree filet mignon and seafood linguine. Delicious. Creme brulee for dessert. One of the better restaurants I've ever been to. Great job. Will be back when in the area.

My husband and I actually had our wedding here 3 years ago when the new owners had just taken over, and we came back to town and wanted to stop in for dinner and it was truly excellent. It isn’t a basic steak and potatoes restaurant, you get full plates filled with full flavored meals. My husband had the Bourbon Peach Pork and I had the a Filet Mignon and it was really delicious cooked perfectly and bursting with flavor.

Three of us dined here. We had the gluten-free shrimp pasta, the salmon, and the loaded baked potato soup. One of us had an old fashion cocktail. The food, service, and craft cocktails were very good. I did not see a ramp entrance for wheelchairs.

This is a really great place. My wife and I stopped for dinner. I had french onion soup. It was wonderful and they added onion strings to the top. We tried 2 fun cocktails, very tasty. The dinner choices ranged from Angus burgers, shrimps, prime rib and pastas. We had 2 chicken dishes, Marsala and Wellington, both excellent. The desserts looked good, but we were full. The staff were very attentive and helpful. We felt the background music was picked just for us. Following dinner we walked around the building and the work for making the old library to a restaurant was amazing. Next time we are in Olean we will go back.

The is a review for the new owners of the Old Library. The food was awesome! I got the scallops and they were the best scallops I have ever eaten. Our experience was so pleasurable that my wife and I have tried every menu they offer (lunch, dinner, and bar) in the course of 3 days! Each meal I got was delicious and fair priced for what I recieved. I cannot wait to go back again!

My husband and I had a delicious dinner here! Everything from appetizers to dessert was so good! It was hard to decide because the choices on the menu all sounded good. The interior is really well done and respects the history of this wonderful old building. Highly recommend!

Was so excited that The Old Library had reopened. Yay!!Have fond memories of eating there with my family, parents, grandparents and friends. Three of us recently met their for a birthday celebration. We enjoyed the new look, the friendly service and the delicious lunch. Very relaxing atmosphere. And, we had to check out the restrooms and were not disappointed. Cute, unexpected make over, for sure.

I went with my husband for our one year wedding anniversary. Everything was phenomenal. Excellent service, quiet place. Foods and drinks kept surprising us. It was an amazing experience!

Extravagant, over the top architecture and setting. No doubt the most beautiful restaurant in Olean, and one of the most beautiful buildings in WNY. Great ambience with soaring detailed ceilings. Excellent plating. Great service. I thought the food menu could use some improvement though. As a big fan of Pho, I saw it on the menu and came in, but it wasn’t too authentic, although otherwise solid. Tasted more Thai than Vietnamese in spices.

Took my wife there for her birthday dinner. Everything we had was amazing. Their bruschetta needs to be bottled. It was soooo good. I got the Prime Rib and it literally melted in my mouth. A little pricier but you 1000% get what you pay for. The decor of the old Library is amazing. A great place for a celebration or a special night out.

Yesterday our family celebrated the life of a beloved man who had passed away. The attention to detail by the owners Dan and Katie DeCerbo of The Old Library Restaurant in making this gathering memorable was exceptional. The delicious food, attentive service and beautiful private area for us to spend time together was so appreciated. Besides being a highly rated restaurant, this fine establishment is one of the only places in the Olean area which takes reservations and provides excellent services for groups of various sizes to meet and dine in private for whatever the occasion. The DeCerbos have thoughtfully and extensively updated this historic treasure while maintaining the landmark's integrity. Our family was so pleased with everything provided for us and encourage others to enjoy a memorable experience at a truly special place.

Amazing food and service! So beautiful inside. Great experience!!

Love the atmosphere and the preservation of history. The food and cocktails are excellent! This gem is certainly worth it for your next lunch or dinner out! An easy drive from Ellicottville and surrounding ski towns as well!

Be prepared to read a menu of great selections. My wife and I literally didn't know where to begin. From appetizers, to the main meal, desserts, and drinks, you won't be disappointed. I wish there was a sample platter because I would've bought a little of everything. Awesome food, great staff, and great location. Definitely recommend!

I had the best fillet mignon! It was cooked perfectly to my liking and our waiter was fabulous. The building is an elegant step back in time with library books still on the shelves. Truly an unforgettable experience!

Delicious! We had a pretty early dinner reservation so the food came out fairly quickly. It's a really interesting and different atmosphere.

This spot is a favorite for my wife and I. Last night we brought the family since they had never been and I’m so glad that we did. Everything was absolutely amazing from start to finish. Our sever was incredible as well. We try to come a few times a month and I always recommend the old library to everyone I see. Anyone needing an amazing place with history, along with great service and impeccable food. This should be your number 1 stop

Beautifully redecorated, the service is great and the food is excellent at a reasonable price. Highly recommended.

I love The Old Library Restaurant. I always have a great meal and also love their drinks.

+3

It's a beautiful, fun place. Service and food were excellent!

+5

Li D

Amazing venue, super beautiful. Our waitress was super nice and attentive. The appetizers and drinks were amazing. 4 out of 5 because my fish was only slightly warm anymore at the time of serving.

+2

Great food, friendly staff. I will be back again.

After the response from the owner for my previous review, I figured I'd edit this completely. I appreciate the response. The food was excellent, though I still feel a bit weary due to the attitude the hostess gave me that night. I'm happy to know that my concerns aren't much to worry about.

1st time to stop in here. Staff was outstanding 👍. Atmosphere was exquisite. Reservation is suggested, but not NEEDED (especially if you're dinning for early dinner). Priced reasonably, for your experience. Slightly finer dinning.

Our party of 4 had reservations in the lounge booth area and were seated very quickly. All staff was very friendly and professional. The teriyaki salmon dinner was delicious to all 3 of us that had it, cooked perfectly, along with the vegetables and couscous! We just loved the decor and atmosphere in the lounge. The chicken parmesan was also delicious as well as plentiful. As we were leaving, we had questions about the layout and seating and were told that there was a ballroom upstairs and if there wasn't a party in there, we would have been able to go see it, so that will be on the agenda next time. Awesome experience by

Food was good. Atmosphere was nice. Service was a little slow and lacking. We will try it again though

Second time dining at this beautiful, warm wood and deep hued converted library (duh). The food was fantastic, the ambience is perfect and our server Bethany did a great job on a busy Saturday evening. We had the duck and two steaks and everything was prepared just as ordered. Very nicely done and we’ll be back as soon as we can be.

My husband and I were there for a class reunion. The service (refilling of water glasses, salads, etc) was excellent and always with a smile. The atmosphere was lovely, but crowded, and the acoustics were challenging at best. The food was tasty, not quite hot, but understandable for a large number of people. Sadly, either not enough was made or people filled their plates too high as most of the meats prepared disappeared before everyone went through once. Maybe the next reunion will be better.

My wife and I were there for a wedding reception. We loved it. The food was great and the drinks were good. The staff was very friendly and helpful we will definitely be back

Drew V

My wife and I dine here regularly. Contrary to what some people have said, we've never had an issue with the food or the service. Guess you can't please everyone. Love the atmosphere, great to enjoy such a historic building and see it repurposed like this. Staff are excellent, food is great. Would love to see some more vegan options, but we are happy that they can alter dishes if requested. Our usual is salad and tofu after a bruschetta appetizer sans parmesan. Great beer, wine and drink selections. I will say that I think they need to clean their beer lines better, I've had multiple beers there, different styles and brands on tap, and they all seem to have a similar aftertaste. I tend to go for the Sponge Bomb because it's a bitter IPA so it masks that a bit. Other lighter beers suffer. Other than that we love the place.

Had the chicken salad croissant for lunch. It had a lot of large celery and onion pieces, more so than chicken. It should have been called celery onion salad. The service was good and the restaurant was clean and looked very nice. I would definitely try again, just get something different.

This was our first visit since they re-opened. We attended a large function that was held on the 2nd floor. Unfortunately, the food we received at our table was lukewarm or cold. Also, when we left, there,was no one at the coat rack so we had to find our own coats. And I found my hat on the floor under the rack. Not a great first impression.

Edit to my review based on the Owners rebuttal which I might add is 5 months behind schedule** He/she made a point as he/she does to most reviews which hurt their rather touchy feelings to try and present a condescending attack to the reviewer, but we’re using our rights given by the terms you agreed when establishing your restaurant with Google. So I’ll begging by pointing to the fact that I stated “food as expected” not which directly coincides with “mediocre meal”. I think the issue here is that they simply lack the educational basis to understand that stating the food was “as good as expected” can absolutely insinuate “mediocre” given that I provided a substantial amount of information to substantiate my comments. Further, they go on to ignore the fact that their waitress and bar were both asked for a sweet suggestion of wine and provided not once but twice a dry, that seems like a failure on leadership to properly train and motivate staff to provide exceptional service. Thirdly, they felt by my closing statement that I’d prefer Applebees for celebratory dinners rather than understanding that sarcasm was added to spice up my review. And lastly, if I were to eat anywhere else, it would likely be The Century Manor if I went local, seeing they tend to offer a welcoming atmosphere, top notch service and nearly identical menu options. Next, ill add that this was the third or fourth birthday celebration, and likely the 15th time enjoying their establishment and was even included in the soft opening so this was not to be a truly hurtful review but seeing I brought it up to the staff on service that night and was shrugged off I thought I’d take it to Google seeing that’s what you sign up for when promoting your business on their web based search engine. Seeing the owner is obviously incapable of criticism, I’ll make sure to lie next time so not to hurt their feelings. Previous review: Well, third year in a row my fiance and I have celebrated a birthday with the Old Library. This year fell a bit flat, provided the information ahead of time so they were aware but everyone seemed very surprised and no one seemed to care whatsoever, was a little let down but that’s okay. The food itself was as good as expected, the burger had good flavor but was a little dry, the firecracker shrimp was well made (very chewy) as was the coconut shrimp on special, but she really enjoyed her seafood pasta. As far as service goes, we ordered a glass of moscato which was more dry than sweet (was not the impression provided) and so I ordered a second based off the bars suggestion and what she got was awful, dry and very very sour. Did not drink it and made a point to bring it up immediately and two more times following. Wasn’t rectified whatsoever. Left with two nearly full glasses of wine and paid for them despite the fact it was an awful suggestion. If I wanted a mediocre meal with iffy service that cost $100+ I’d go to Applebees, at least they provide a free dessert and sing to you. Haha.

The food was underwhelming to bad, the service was great and the cocktails were good. Cool place with good ambiance, I just wish the food was better. Spinach artichoke dip tasted like onion dip out of a can. The seafood linguini was overpowered by the vegetables shredded into it. The Caesar salad with tofu was boring.

This used to be one of my favorite places, but things have changed a bit. The biggest of which is that they no longer give you bread and dipping oil as an appetizer. My meal was very good, but it cost $20+ for just a pasta dish with no added meat or tofu. It didn't even come with a side salad or anything.

I dont understand the hype. This is an okay place, just like the rest of the area. There isn't anything exceptional except the building itself. We order a Charcuterie plate and poutine for app. They gave me high hopes. The meat and cheeses were tasty, so were the olives and sundried tomatoes. The bread was a throw away. The poutine was decent as well and we enjoyed both. The mains were a completely different story. We order the seafood special with homemade noodles. It was watery and barely warm. Our other dish was the crispy duck. The duck was hot, but not seasoned. The duck came with 'risotto' and roasted vegetables, both again, barely warm. Risotto is in quotations because what I was severed was not risotto. It was more a scoop of gloopy rice. The roasted veg would have been good if they were hot as they were cooked well. I left most of the food on my plate and didn't take it home. I was never asked if I enjoyed my meal. And can I just point out the 1970s style of garnishing the plates? Our waiter was a younger man, polite and mostly attentive so points for that.

Hated the pasta Luca. All other services were wonderful. Great new owner. very happy with the looks of the place. Pasta Luca Needs a revamp. got the cheesecake and it was very nice

H David

Be honest, the food of this restaurant sucks, I can say it is the worst in this area, especially with such high price. But the building, the theme, environment and service is really good. So, if you want to visit this restaurant, don’t have a good expectation about the food. Just thinking as visiting a museum. I don’t want to be rude, but their chef don’t know how to cook: I ordered Chicken Masala, but it tastes not even close to masala. Very disappoint with the food. As I said, maybe have a drink here and enjoy the environment, but don’t have a dinner here. Add: after dinner, we ordered screwdriver cocktail, it’s really awful, because bar tender using pineapple juice instead of orange juice, so you can tell how wired it tastes like.

+4

The atmosphere is lovely, service is nice & drinks are great but man their food is trash.. Especially at those prices. A nice presentation is there but dang they need to learn how to use salt, seasoning & how to compliment flavors and aromas.

I missed the reopening as I saw no media or banner flying. My wife and I have been diners for the last 45 years. I found no tap beer(told tap lines being cleaned) and only domestic Light beers. Ultra—ok. Quick glance at smaller menu(than last meal in May ‘25) showed no favs: classic Caesar salad with artichokes ($7/14 size), wide choices, and few sub $30 entrees, inc Chick Marsala. Clincher was baked onion soup served in small CUP size—and flavor adequate, though not robust brown. Bring back the CROCKS with cheese clinging to sides. And no bay leaf in da soup! I loved the variety, prices and quality of former owners and chef. Landmark restaurant must improve.

Let’s start with the good; Logan our waitress was wonderful and the decor is stunning. The restoration of the library is excellent while making you feel you don’t dine in a library but a lavish living room. Well done! The swordfish special was really fresh and cooked to perfection. Now for the bad; the brown rice was re-heated (hard and cold) the loin tips au poivre was a miss. They were served in a huge amount of tasteless thick sauce more like a stew and way over cooked. Sauce consistency closer to pudding or bechamel. Sauce au poivre should be made with the juice from deglazing the pan with green pepper corn. Sauce was from a can/ in powder or just badly executed. The meat was so tough it could not be chewed. The fries were piled up in a plate so thick that they steamed and were completely soggy by the time we got them. The wine was simply un drinkable. Bringing a dining experience from the one of a dinner to a classy restaurant is all about the details. Offering a dinner experience in a fancy spot for $100 won’t get far. I am happy to consult if you want to bring up your game!

Yes the location is a beautiful old Carnegie library but for us that was the end of the joy. We sat outside where loud Led Zeppelin etc played over the speakers. Yes they would turn it down a bit, but a few minutes later loud again. I don’t get the the loud rock and fine dining mix. Bread never arrived, wine after appetizers and then a burger that was tough and chicken Marsala swimming in a bowl of juice. I would toss this up to a bad night but that many things? Not a cheap place either. A local pizza place is a better choice.

This is the third time we attended a wedding reception and the food was always lukewarm. The food is good, but on the cold side. A number of people there also commented about the food being cool.

This was an interesting experience. Two in our party of Five ordered steaks. One was done to perfection, the other overdone..and was sent back. A few minutes later, a man appeared at our table with a piece of the returned steak to ask exactly what was wrong. Now this steak was obviously overdone to the extent that the char was burned. To say this man (who we think was the owner) embarrassed us was an understatement. The pesto pasta was swimming in oil. After dinner, we wanted a drink..and thought it would be nice to partake at a table on the outside patio. Our waitress assured us that would be fine as there was a table that could accommodate us and no reservations taken for patio tables. After we got our drinks at the outside table, a woman came up to tell us that a party of two had reserved the table and we had 10 minutes to drink up. We were confused..and attempted to clarify our confusion and shared our conversation with our waitress..but were told "I'm the owner" and that was that. All in all the food wasn't anything special. Service was good. Ownership needs some work. Probably with the prices will not go back.

Food is terrible, atmosphere and service are so so. I was severely disappointed about the experience overall, especially given the prices.

Terrible experience. Our server needed some serious training on how to wait tables. We were seated 30 minutes before we got a drink. She didn't know how to open a bottle of wine, water was never refilled in the 2 hours we were there. Had to ask for our entrees, which came out barely lukewarm so you know they had been sitting in the kitchen for a while. I would have cut her some slack on her inexperience if she was making an effort and checking on us frequently, but she didn't. Atrocious service for the money charged. Unfortunately, would not recommend.

Drove down from Buffalo to take my dad here for his birthday and I regret it! The dinner came out with wrong sides and was cold!! Save your time and money and go somewhere else!! Update: The owner just posted “Thanks for the Review” when this review was from years ago. Whether they just now read it or left it to be petty it’s clear their service hasn’t improved!

My birthday dinner. Expected so much and got nothing. One drink 10.00 My dinner was greasy and cold. I sent it back. Hubby's dinner was greasy and much of it. A few shrimp and 1/2 cup of pasta..22.00 So we left and we are at the Beef and Barrel. A place where we know what we are getting. Save your money and time and don't go to the Old Library. Plus the service was not good.

Made an online reservation only to find out they were closed when we got there.

Came here for our 20th anniversary tonight. Made reservations for the bar side but were placed in another area. Both of us ordered the fillet. I order medium rare and my wife ordered medium well. Mine came out almost blue but I am forgiving and will eat a steak at almost blue. My wife’s came out very rare. The waitress had taken my wife’s steak back and said it was placed in the oven. The steak was still rare and she didn’t eat it. Waitress returned and at that point I was finished and she said she could take it back for a third time. I am sorry but the proper course of action is to not take an already cut fillet and throw it in the oven. My wife declined a third try and the waitress asked if we wanted to take it home, we declined. She asked if we wanted desert and we declined. Unfortunately for a $42 dollar meal and over $130 spent, I would have excepted her to offer one of three things being in the hospitality industry, a replacement meal, remove it from the bill, desert or some sort of voucher for a future visit. None were offered and we were very disappointed. Most likely will not return.

That filet was the worst meat I've ever had. Ponderosa makes better meals than you. Since my post, so many people have warned me about your shabby food and service. I suggest customers go to Moonwinks in Cuba for a fine dining experience. The bartender brought my entree when I had only started my salad. She should have waited. The filet was the worst ever. Didn't bother with desert.

Destination dinner, 1 hour drive. Very much looking forward to a fabulous evening out, great food and service. Reservations for 7:30 and outside was all that was available. Cool evening but wore a sweater so no problem. Only table seated outside. Waited 15-20 minutes, nothing what so ever. Finally the bus person came with a basket of bread and oil or so she said. We asked about drinks and she explained she only bused tables. We opened the bread basket to find what looked to be more like croutons, partial pieces, scraps of bread, maybe from another table ?Willing to pay for quality but this was not quality service. Don’t take outdoor reservations if you’re not going to provide service. Got up walked down the street to Beef & Barrel where we had very good service and food. So disappointed.

Beautiful place but TERRIBLE food and service was lacking, as well. Caesar salad was brown and yellow with all bitter ends. Steak dry, color was off Chicken parm had ZERO breading Waitress had zero knowledge of wine. Tried to corkscrew a twist off 😳 Waitress over poured my water, spilled everywhere and never cleaned it up. We were a table of 7 and none of us ate our meals. I could go on and on… Never again.