Directory/Food & Drink
Mac's Philly Steaks serves up regional cuisine in the heart of Fairport's Main Street. This cozy 20-seat restaurant specializes in Philadelphia-style cheesesteaks and is wheelchair accessible, making it a convenient dining option in the charming canal village.
The Grill at Strathallan Hotel Chef de Cuisine: Ethan Drake Souf Chef: Jeff Yaniak 550 East Avenue Rochester, NY 14607 (585) 454-1880 (800) 678-7284 http://www.strathallan.com/dining.php RocWiki main page Visited on January 26, 2008 at 8:00 pm The restaurant, AAA's Four Diamonds and Wine Spectator Best of Award of Excellence, provides standard American fare in a nice ambiance. Live music, performed in the bar but easily heard in the dining room, is a plus if you don't want to talk too much to table guests. Ambiance The hotel was undergoing some renovations at the time of our visit so we expect some improvements in the future. At the moment, you enter the bar through a temporary, narrow passage behind some wood panels, not really a nice welcome! The bar was full of patrons waiting for the music band performing live music and we had a hard time slaloming through the tables and chairs. The dining room is ample and there is enough space between the tables, so you are not bothered by other clients' conversations. The illumination is provided by some bright spotlights that give a low and suffused light with some excessive glares. We've seen patrons asking to be reseated because of direct light beam in the face. The tables are covered by white table cloths; glassware and silverware are of average quality for the class of the restaurant. Menu The cuisine is standard North American fare. The menu offers a good selection of both seafood and meat dishes. There is also a small selection of vegetarian fares. Flatbreads are also offered, which is not quite in line with the class of the restaurant. Entrees ranges from $21 to $32, while appetizers are in $12-$16 range. Wine List The wine list, sporting over 1,100 wines, is the largest in Rochester. It focuses on Californian, French and Italian wines with both big names and small wine makers. There's a good selection of Champagnes. There are a few wines from the rest of the US (just a couple of entries from NY state though) and from other world regions (Chile, Australia and South Africa). Prices are excellent, even for older vintages. The list is ordered by varietal and divided by broad world regions, which leads to some difficulties if you look for specific regions or wineries. Wines by the glass are also offered, but there is no list for them. Meal We started with a glass of Champagne (unnamed but good) to accompany our appetizers. Calamari Tuscan style calamari in sautéed garlic, shallots, capers, tomatoes and white wine. $12 Having lived in Tuscany for almost 7 years I have to confess I've never eaten this recipe or something similar (and I traveled and ate a lot!), so it's probably an apocrypha, or what the chef thinks they eat in Tuscany. The result what very good anyway, with just too many capers which covered the rest of the flavors. Score: 13/20 Brie Wellington Soft brie, duxelle and spinach wrapped in puff pastry topped with honeycomb and petit baby green salad. $12 Very good but probably too much for an appetizer: I would have been satisfied by a third of it or so. Cheese and honey is nothing really new and so is grilling the cheese. But the idea of putting together the grilled cheese with vegetables and honey in a small cake is a small jewel. Score: 14.5/20 1998 Clos de Vougeot, Chateau de la Tour (Bourgogne, France) We opted for a wonderful 1998 Clos de Vougeot, Chateau de la Tour to continue or meal. Still young but definitely wonderful, with lots of red berries and flowers and no foul scents, typical of red burgundy (even expensive ones). A bargain at $95 Cranberry Tenderloin Tournedos of beef tenderloin finished with port wine, cranberries, crumbled blue cheese and seasonal sautéed vegetables. $32 The meat is provided by Wolfe's Neck Farm, which produces naturally raised choice beef with no antibiotics, growth hormones and no animal by-products, and was excellent indeed and cooked to perfection. The dish is nothing very creative and the crumbled blue cheese was not very well integrated into the rest: I would have preferred a blue cheese sauce or a blue cheese flan, for instance. Score: 12.5/20 Slow Roasted Elk Medallions Potato pudding, chanterelle sauté and hunter sauce. $27 Nothing really innovative but absolutely marvelous, easily the best dish of the night. Score: 15/20 Chocolate Pate Layered chocolate marble with strawberries, whipped cream and fudge. $9 It tasted good but it was a little bit too hard and the result texture not pleasant to eat. Score: 10.5/20 Service Excellent service, although not very formal: some minor flaws, like putting down the bottle on the table while I was tasting the wine and serving the food from the wrong side; although the class of the restaurant doesn't really require such attention to these details. We also asked for some little favors like the permission to take pictures of the dishes and a copy of the menu to keep and we've been always gladly obliged. Just as a small low point, the waitress assigned to clear the tables was chewing a gum: definitely incompatible with the restaurant. Price The bill totaled to $205, before taxes, including $18 for 2 cups of Champagne. Not too much, considering the quality of the products. Pros Very good raw products and solid cooking techniques with some creativity. Ample wine list, especially for California lovers. Live music, if you like it. Cons Bad illumination. Live music can be bothersome if you want to talk to your peers. Credits Many thanks to RichChiavaroli for digitally retouching the pictures. Review by AndreaCogliati
Farmhouse Table Food is a small boutique restaurant, grocery store and caterer located in Irondequoit. The location also offers a dinner tasting menu. Opened in 2023. A second location in Downtown Rochester which is a cafe serving breakfast and lunch opened August 2024.
Le Petite Poutine, serving side, Sept 2011 Le Petite Poutine, defining the product, Sept 2011 Petit Poutinerie was a bistro serving poutine, salads, sandwiches and desserts. They also had vegan options. The brick-and-mortar location opened on February 18, 2022. In addition, they own Le Petit Poutine which were 2 food trucks serving Canadian poutine. The ingredients were fresh and local. They served their first poutine on April 9, 2011. Follow them on Facebook or Twitter for location information. Often found at: Showing up at the Brighton Farmers Market lately. Can be spotted at the Rochester Public Market As of March 2012, Le Petit Poutine will be outside of Lux Lounge on South Ave in the evenings into the night! Awards Voted "Best Food Cart/Food Truck" by City Newspaper's 'Best of Rochester' Awards in 2015.1
Durf's Family Restaurant is a local dining establishment in Rochester that offers wheelchair accessibility. With limited available information, this appears to be a neighborhood restaurant serving the community.
This McDonald's location sits on Monroe Avenue in the Park Avenue area, offering the familiar fast-food menu with drive-through service and free WiFi. Open from 6 AM to midnight daily, it's a convenient spot for quick meals whether you're exploring the nearby shops or just passing through the neighborhood.
Brass Bar & Lounge was a Prohibition-themed bar in the East End. It served whiskey, scotch, and craft beers. They also had live brass music. Grand opening was November, 14 2015. Located in the Hiram Sibley Building, in the former Monty's Korner and The Commonwealth of Rochester location.
About 10 years ago Martusciello Bakery moved from their century old and apparently too small building on Saratoga Ave in a decaying Lyell Ave neighborhood. In addition to getting a new wheelchair-accesible store, their current bakery is just beyond I-390, across from Wegmans, brought them closer to their customers. In addition to operating a retail store, they also bake a large menu of cookies, cakes, and custom orders. Menu Personal pizzas and calzones ($4.50) Hot and cold subs ($4.49 – $8.99) Chicken wings ($4/dozen) Spinach & ricotta pizza (pizzas $2.99 - $15.00) Breads, rolls, italian cookies, tea cookies and cannolis For something different, try a "Bread Boat", sort of a pizza on bread. ''City'' ''Annual Manual recommendation'' Democrat & Chronicle Cheap Eats by Karen Miltner
Szechuan Opera brings authentic Sichuan Chinese cuisine to Park Avenue, specializing in the bold, spicy flavors of southwestern China's culinary tradition. Located in the Park Avenue neighborhood, this restaurant offers daily service and focuses on traditional Sichuan dishes known for their distinctive use of Sichuan peppercorns and complex spice blends.
Havana Moe's Interior ©2006 Christopher Wahl Havana Moe's is a bar and cigar shop located in the East End. Havana Moe's Cigar Lounge qualifies for an exemption under the NYS smoking law and is therefore one of the few bars in Rochester where smoking is permitted. See BeerCraft Blog for list of locations and discussion. The bar has no taps, but features a selection of bottled beers, wines, and liquor. Moe's features live Jazz music performed every Saturday, from 9:30PM to 1:30AM. Members of the band are current and former Jazz musicians from the Eastman School of Music. Guests are encouraged to sit in with the band after 10:30PM. During Monday Night Football, everyone in the bar gets a free shot when either team scores a touchdown.
Johnny's Exterior, 5-2008 Johnny's - 2006" "Image under CC license Booze with Xmas Lights, 12,2011 Originally opened in 1997 as Johnny's Smokefree, this bar in Culver Merchants offered a smoke-free environment prior to the state smoking ban now in place. They changed their name to Johnny's Irish Pub in 2003, when the ban went into effect. This is more in keeping with the ambiance. In addition to the requisite Guinness, you'll find beers from Custom Brewcrafters and plenty of live music (mostly Irish, but not exclusively). They are located on Culver Road near Merchants. If you know where the old Ladd's bowling or Hitchcock's was, it's in that area. There is plenty of parking right behind the building Johnny's is located in. They serve free popcorn, and the bar has two stages for live music. They also serve a Friday Fish Fry from 4:00PM to 10:00PM every Friday. There were news articles regarding a closing in September 2018 but after a few weeks, staff have taken over to continue to run the establishment. Monthly Meetings Johnny's Irish Pub is the regular meeting place of the Bensonhurst Neighborhood Association. Meetings take place on the second Tuesdays of each month at 7:00PM. Awards Johnny's was voted 'Best Neighborhood Bar' in the 2002 'Best of Greater Rochester' poll in City Newspaper.1
Mr Dominic's Sign, 6-2008 Mr. Dominic's (aka Mr. Dominic's at the Lake) is an Italian restaurant in Charlotte. They also offer catering services. Originally established in 1976, the restaurant was renovated and reopened in July 2012. As of 2014 it has a sister location in Fairport called Mr. Dominic's on Main Awards Voted "Best Italian Restaurant" in City Newspaper's 'Best of Rochester' Awards in 2008, 2009 and 2015.1
The Main and Clinton neighborhood was for many years Rochester's premier shopping district. Until the advent of suburban big box stores, Main and Clinton was known for Sibley's, McCurdy's, B. Forman's, and Midtown Plaza. Although its glory days are gone, the neighborhood is still downtown's retail center and boasts many small shops. For the most part, however, Main and Clinton is in a state of transition. The demolition of Midtown Plaza in 2009 was the first stage of the city's Midtown Rochester Rising plan which promises the rehabilitation of the nearly nine-acre site into a mixed-use development designed to attract a "critical mass of residents" and new 24/7 amenities. The complete process is expected to take almost a decade. Until then, Main and Clinton is characterized mostly by extensive construction. Main and Clinton is also Rochester's transportation hub. The city bus lines are arranged on a spoke system, with its central points around the Main and Clinton intersection and Liberty Pole Plaza. Also located here are Greyhound and the New York Trailways. Landmarks here include the Liberty Pole, Chase Tower, and the Sibley Building. Main and Clinton is also the site of Monroe Community College's Damon City Campus at 228 Main Street. Establishments Food and Drink East Main Hots Metro Market Groceries and Deli Panini's Restaurant Sweet Dawn Cafe Retail AA-1 Pawn Big Deal Fashions Creative Plastics Family Dollar Fauna's Gifts and Toys Jewelry Clinic Mike's Discount Jewelry Rainbow Rapid Cellular Suzie's Newsstand VILLA Zip's Food and Beverage Services Catholic Family Center Center City Dental Care Chase Downtown Dental Center Midtown Tailors & Cleaners MOCHA Center (Men of Color Health Awareness) Summit Federal Credit Union Tower Barber & Stylist Whelpley & Paul Opticians Other ABC Action Front Center Decibel Lounge Rochester AmeriCorps
This Mark's Pizzeria location serves the North Winton Village neighborhood on Merchants Road. Part of the popular Rochester-area pizza chain known for their thin crust pies and local presence throughout the region.
Bonnie & Clyde is a restaurant in Rochester, though details about its specific location, cuisine, and hours are currently limited.
Ethiopian Wine (made in Watkins Glenn, NY!) - January 2008 Injera rolled bread - January 2008 Abyssinia is an Ethiopian restaurant in Upper Mount Hope in Mt. Hope Plaza. Abyssinia opened in October 2000 and were originally located at 80 University Avenue. They went on hiatus in March 2012 and reopened August 1, 2013. According to their facebook page, Aster Mengsha—one of the matriarchs and chefs in the family-run business—passed away in June, 2014 from a lengthy illness. The restaurant was closed on-and-off beginning in March, 2014, but reopened on June 20, 2014. Her daughter Herut Tekilu wrote, "Abyssinia will continue on with our family strengthened by my mom's memory. My aunts and I will continue making the same amazing food that mother made (with Enani as our teacher, we an say we learned from the best :))."
Artisan Cafe was a high-end cafe and coffeehouse in the Rochester Pillars building. It was run by chef Jeff Christiano and graduates of the Culinary Arts program at East High School. Seating was in the main ballroom and on the front porch. Artisan Cafe served locally sourced gourmet food and organic Fair Trade coffee from Coffee Connection. The website offered discount pre-ordering before 10:00AM. They opened in December 2012. Closed in 2014.
Established in the late 1970's, Empty Sky Go Club is one of the most active go clubs in the East Coast/Midatlantic region of the United States. Rochester is well-known in the go community as an epicenter of activity around this 3000-year-old game. Club meetings are casual; the members are friendly and always willing to teach newcomers. During the academic year, the club meets on Monday and Thursday nights at Java Wally's, the coffee shop in the library at RIT. Full sets donated by the Ing Foundation are stored near the counter. Over the years, there has been an Empty Sky chapter at the University of Rochester. Although there is not an active chapter there at the present time, resources are available for any interested UR students who would care to step up and reactivate it. In 2004, in cooperation with the American Go Association, Empty Sky hosted the annual National Go Congress at the RIT Inn and Conference Center. Over 400 participants gathered from all over the United States, Japan, China and Europe.
Donuts Delite is a donut shop that is part of a Salvatore's Pizzeria at the corner of Culver Road and Empire in the restored Donuts Delite Building. On March 14, 2022 a second west side location opened but closed on October 14, 2024. History Donuts Delite opened in 1958,closed in 2005, and reopened as part of Salvatore's in 2010. The original Donuts Delite had a crowd of regulars at the counter, and their selection of donuts could not be beat (about 8-9 types of jelly donuts was common). At Halloween they were famous for their pumpkin donuts. They closed in 2005 due to pressures from the chain stores, They reopened Jan 12th, 2010 after Sam Fantauzzo, owner of Salvatore's Pizzeria, bought the building and restored it to as close to what it was when it opened, including tin ceilings and retro tables. Now, the shop is half Salvatore's Pizza and half Donuts Delite. Officially, the new name is "Salvatore's at the historic Donuts Delite building." Michael Malley, whose family ran Donuts Delite from 1958 until its closing, is returning to run the doughnut side of the business. The family agreed to let Fantauzzo use the original recipes for its doughnuts, such as banana cream and the "flying saucer," an oversize glazed donut with cinnamon. Photos See a photo of their old donut rack on RochesterBeat, where the Donut Queen also appears.
This Greece location of Pontillo's serves up the local pizza chain's signature thin-crust pies and other Italian favorites on West Ridge Road. Pontillo's has been a Rochester-area staple for decades, known for their distinctive sauce and loyal following throughout the region.
Webster - BradMandell Friendly's was a national franchise family restaurant with several locations in the Rochester suburbs. They were perhaps best known for their marvelous ice cream. Most (46) of the Friendly's restaurants in upstate and western New York were owned locally by the Kessler family operating as Kessler Restaurants, LLC]. The firm also operates 21 Burger King franchises in western NY. The Kessler's sold their Friendly's back to the corporation in 2013.
Perkins is a national diner chain that used to have several locations in the Rochester area. In the late 1990s, they left the area, and some of the restaurants were converted to Denny's. Several years later, a new franchisee came in and built brand new Perkins restaurants with updated decor in Gates, Henrietta, Penfield, and Greece. The locations in Gates and Henrietta were closed in January 2012. The remaining two locations followed in May. The CEO simply stated that the franchiser had terminated the license agreements for Monroe, Erie, and Niagara. The Henrietta location became the short-lived Opa! Authentic Greek Koozina, followed by the national chain Tilted Kilt (also short-lived); it is now the Henrietta Jeremiah's Tavern. The Penfield location became Cornerstone Restaurant & Cafe but it was torn down and a Chick-fil-A restaurant is to be built on the site.
Logo Naan-Tastic is a Fast Casual Indian restaurant located in Market Commons next door to Core Life Eatery. The restaurant is owned by the sons of the owner of Thali of India. This is an Indian fusion style restaurant with classic dishes as well as Indian Tacos. Food is made in assembly line format similar to Chipotle. The restaurant also has an innovative bar system that fills beer in glasses from the bottom of the glass up. Opened on February 1, 2018. On November 20 2020, they opened their second Rochester area location at Victor Crossing. They also opened a location in Buffalo in 2019.
Welcome to The Pride Connection! Located in Rochester, NY, our GLBT gift shoppe/coffee house offers our customers the highest quality and most unique Pride items, books, artwork, films, and jewelry. Enjoy our menu of delicious fresh roasted coffee drinks and the finest bakery made pastries in Rochester in an open minded atmosphere great for the WHOLE family. Bring your laptop for Complimentary Wireless Connection. Gay Pride is more than just triangles and rainbows, it’s the freedom to be yourself within the community.