Canvas@1206

I'm giving three stars because I have only been in for drinks. I stopped in on a Friday night after wanting to try canvas for a while. There was a good crowd but unfortunately the music had ended at 11 and people seemed to start clearing out. After talking to the bartender and owner it seemed to be an early night. It was rainy and yuck outside so that could be to blame... I feel that on a nice summer night it would keep going strong. I have to say both the bartender and owner were most hospitable and friendly. I'm excited to try the food and will update my review when I have eaten here and heard some music.

My first visit here was a Yelp event and everything that the host/owner Bill brought out was fantastic, so I couldn't wait to bring my hungry self back with a friend when there was live jazz playing. Last Saturday night was my night to go back, but wait, where are those delicious apps and dinner items that I sampled at the Yelp event?  They were gone, along with the regular menu. All that was available was 4 entree items and one dessert item because it was restaurant week. Now wait, if its restaurant week, wouldn't you want to show off your menu? Have things available for people to try, enjoy and come back for more? All that was available was house or Caesar salad, Pan Seared Salmon, Rigatoni  Bolognese (which was actually penne pasta), Canvas Chicken Pot Pie or Grilled Pork Chop and one dessert, chocolate lava cake  (what if I don't eat chocolate?). I ordered a caesar salad but was told it wasn't romaine hearts but instead field greens, well, that's not a caesar salad anymore, so I opted for the house salad, that was disappointment number one. I had the salmon which was cooked well but came out with about a half inch of bread crumbs on top and was way overpowered by the horseradish sauce, disappointment number two. My friend had the Rigatoni  Bolognese which, as I mentioned was actually penne pasta but it was ok. I don't know if they are trying to make this place work as a restaurant, a jazz club or a bar but from what I sampled at our party the first time I was there, I think they should focus on the food. I was very disappointed with the very limited menu, especially during restaurant week when its time to flaunt your best.

The new owner is not doing himself any favors. I went out to see my friend play with his awesome jazz trio and enjoy a glass of wine with my boyfriend. I've been in there a few other times when it was under different ownership and it was chill. I had happened to just pick up a pack of city dining cards, the cocktail version, and was happy to see that Canvas was listed as a participating restaurant. When trying to redeem, the owner did not accept and continued by reprimanding us about it. WOW unprofessional. This lasted for about 15 minutes. It's fine and dandy and just a simple miscommunication between owners, but there is no need to get into some personal emotions over something I had no control over. I wouldn't be interested in ever going to a place that didn't want to be part of the Buffalo community. The fact that this guy didn't even know what Block Club is is a tragedy to me. How can you be so dislocated from the local Buffalo community? Word travels quick in this small town, bud.

Also, my friend playing in the trio was later told by the owner that he wanted to change the feel of the restaurant and focus more on the "food." Basically - don't invite your family and friends because they're here to see you, not eat my food.
---There we go. That sealed the deal. You just screwed up big time and with the large network of musician friends that we all have. Just a shame.