I'll be visiting Rochester next weekend and a family member is taking me to Cure, a new bar and restaurant at the Public Market. I'll let you know how it goes!

Hello,

We'll be celebrating a special event, but family logistics will prevent us from going out to a restaurant. Any suggestions for nice restaurants or prepared food places where we could get a special meal to eat at home?

City, and north or west suburbs would be the best location.

Thanks.

Please try to work in a stop at the Rochester Public Market if you are going to be in town on a Saturday morning (they are also open on Tuesdays and Thursdays, but there are fewer vendors on those days). It might be a little bit early for local produce, but there is plenty to eat! You can get tacos at the Market, and empanadas. There is also sometimes a vendor who sells Indian influenced breakfast sandwiches.

Another Rochester treasure is Swann's Market for German food, a small off the beaten path place with limited hours, but with a lot of friendliness and character. If you like sausages and schnitzel, you would like this place!

Voula's Greek Sweets for breakfast, lunch and baked goods! Monroe Avenue / Park Avenue is a great part of the city to wander around.

Ristorante Lucano is a place for a special meal (Italian).

I know there are several Indian restaurants in Henrietta, but I haven't been in a long time.

Link to Michael Klein column:

http://www.philly.com/philly/blogs/th...

He doesn't mention this in the blurb, but La Morena Taqueria is a great little Mexican restaurant in Hatboro.

Michael Klein gave a shout out to the Hatboro dining scene a few weeks ago in his column, calling the town a "mini-United Nations."

One place he mentioned was Kasbah Cafe, highlighting the short rib entree at this new restaurant as well as the Moroccan chef's background at Frog Commissary catering. That short rib was calling my name, so we stopped by for dinner. The short rib did not disappoint, and neither did a very moist chicken entree with Moroccan flavors. The French vinaigrette for our salad was also a stand out. It was a friendly atmosphere, and we felt there was special and quality cooking going on in the kitchen here.

We'd like to return for another visit, maybe also to check out Indian, Portuguese restaurants mentioned in Michael Klein's blurb and explore Hatboro a bit more. Any recommendations?

I don't really have an answer to your question, but I would suggest checking out the Public Market on a Saturday. I know I've seen a stand that has produce typically used in Caribbean cooking, and they have some spice / grocery vendors too which sometimes have unexpected selections. On the web, I found websites for Livie's Import Market on Chili Avenue and D&L Tropical Groceries on Genesee St. (both in Rochester), but I've never been to these places.

Here is a listing I found: http://rocwiki.org/Caribbean_Food

Go Philly! Go Rochester! I am also in Philly but grew up in Rochester. While I love the Philadelphia dining scene, I have to say I am always excited to explore Rochester restaurants when I return for hometown visits!

Here are a few ideas for you to think about. I haven't been to all of these places, but I've heard about them from my family members.

If your conference schedule allows, definitely try to stop by the Rochester Public Market on a Thursday morning (fewer vendors and thus quieter) or a Saturday morning (crowded with challenging parking). The market is on the outskirts of downtown Rochester and they open early. It is an outdoor market on a scale way beyond what we have in Philly, also there is a lovely cheese shop and bread bakery. Lots of local flavor. Even if you aren't doing your weekly shopping there, you can get breakfast sandwiches, pastries, coffee, hotdogs, empanadas, etc.

Cure is a new restaurant and bar on the site of the Public Market, open in the evenings and incorporating market offerings.

The Genesee Brew House is also new. It is at High Falls, just on the edge of downtown Rochester along the river. It is a good place to learn about Rochester and its brewing history and also have a Genny beer and a Zweigle's white hot (dog). They also serve burgers, sandwiches, salads, etc.

The Owl House is another place you might want to consider, also a quick drive from downtown. They have a creative menu that is vegetarian / vegan friendly but they do serve meat. I went to this location during a previous incarnation and I don't think they have a parking lot. But it is a residential neighborhood and the on street parking is a lot easier than in Philly. It is also across from the Abundance Food Coop which might be a fun place to stop in. I only was in there once, and I think it is quite small but active.

Lento is the fancier restaurant in Rochester that has a local spin. I haven't been there myself or heard any reports, but it would probably fit what you are looking for.

All of these restaurants are in buildings or neighborhoods that would give you a bit of a feel for Rochester. Have a good visit!

I've got a few more ideas for you to explore in Rochester: Phillips European is not too far from the RIT campus. They are best known for their desserts. Sticky Lips BBQ has branched out with a second location on Jefferson Road, which would be an easy drive. Palmer's Direct to You Market is also on Jefferson Road. They close early evening, but would be a good casual spot for an afternoon bite, like a burger or a crab cake. It is a place to buy meat and fish, or to eat fresh and quality prepared food in their cafe. There are also a lot of popular Indian restaurants on Jefferson or Henrietta Roads, and some well regarded Korean restaurants too. Scotch and Sirloin is an old school steakhouse on that side of the city. Keep in mind that Rochester is a very easy city to navigate...just about everything is 20 minutes away. If you do go into the city to a museum, you might enjoy a place like 2 Vine, which is an upscale bistro. Enjoy exploring Rochester...it is not a big city, but it has a lot to offer!

For fun atmosphere, Manayunk is also just a few minutes away. You can walk up and down Main Street where there are a lot of restaurants. There are also a lot of shops, and plenty of people of people watching. Chabaa Thai, Han Dynasty, Agiato are some places to consider. On-street parking might be tight, but you can pay to park in a lot.

There is a very new Indian restaurant called Jazmin, very close to the St. Joe's campus. It is at 2013 N. 63rd Street. It is low key, and there may not be any other customers when you go, but the food is really tasty. It is BYOB, and there is a beer store deli just up the block. For a fancier dining experience, La Collina is classic Italian tucked away in Belmont Hills (up a hill, but very close to City Avenue). I also like Al Dar (Mediterranean) on Montgomery Avenue.

Where do you go for quality baba ghanouch in Rochester? Seems like a lot of the baba sold in stores has mayonaise in it. This topic is to help find an above average non-mayo version.

Thanks!

A few more ideas to throw into the mix, after checking in with my relatives in Rochester. Their favorite place for special occasion Italian is Lucano's. Rooney's and Black and Blue are other favorites. Amaya is a new place serving Indian food in French style, which they found interesting and enjoyable. Flight Wine Bar is recommended for wine and appetizers. And Dinosaur BBQ is an experience of its own! For a terrific but really casual Rochester evening, I like to go down to the lake at Charlotte to get a frozen custard at Abbott's and walk on the pier. There are some char broil burger places by the lake too that have loyal followings if you are interested in that sort of thing!

I just had dinner tonight at Green Soul on Ogontz Avenue. It is a casual place (lots of take out business) with an appealing and tasty menu! We didn't go vegan, or even vegetarian, but the menu has lots of options including salads, smoothies, and various dishes with greens, beans, and sweet potatoes. Bright and fresh and friendly atmosphere. Each meal comes with a Granny Smith apple, which is a nice touch! You might also want to consider Tiffin for Indian, and Cafette, both easy places to find vegan options.

We went to Styer's Garden Cafe last spring and really enjoyed ourselves. The setting is delightful...the restaurant is in a greenhouse and makes for a very pleasant atmosphere. It sort of feels like being in a Martha Stewart photo shoot and since that is pretty far from my normal reality, it was a special treat! For the meal, I remember they served bread baked in flower pots with a sage / honey butter that we liked so much that we took home the leftovers. We enjoyed our entrees...the entire menu was appealing, but I think we were sold on some of the sides. Very attentive service. We made early reservations and allowed time to browse the store before dinner...the store is again very Martha Stewart-ish but it is fun to look! We actually combined the trip to Styers with a visit to Yellow Springs Farm to visit with the baby goats and buy some goat cheese. It is not very close to Styers, but the 2 destinations in Chester County made for a nice day trip from Philly. We called ahead to Yellow Springs to let them know we wanted to stop by. I would certainly say that the Styer's Cafe would be worth the trip!

Golden Port for dim sum (especially fond of the scallion pancake)
Sodam Korean Restaurant (tucked away in an industrial park)

We sometimes like to stop in Binghamton for a speedie, a regional specialty. Lupo's S&S Char-Pit is just a few minutes off of I-81. It is not so special that we stop there all the time, but it is a local favorite and better than fast food. On their website, they list their gluten free products:

http://www.spiedies.com/lupos-char-pm...

Favorite Fish Fry: Captain Jim's Fish Market on E. Main near Winton. Nothing fancy, but very fresh and family run.

Samba Cafe, a new Brazilian restaurant on State Street, got a nice write up in last week's City Paper, with special notes for friendliness and authenticity. It is open until 6 but the review mentioned extended hours starting in October. It is bare bones, but The Pizza Stop on State Street is one of my favorite places for a slice in Rochester. I'm not sure if they stay open for dinner. And, Dinosaur BBQ is not far away either, and is a fun and popular place for a lively meal.

This is a tough question...as far as I can remember, not too many choices for breakfast in that area...

I could certainly steer you towards Spot Cafe, a coffee house in a cool building (former Hallman Chevrolet dealership). I like the atmosphere...can't remember ever having breakfast there but I believe it is available.

Hi. I agree that Under the Oak is lovely, but make sure to call before you go. Over the weekend, we saw a sign on the door saying they are "Closed for Renovations." Don't forget about Tiffin in Elkins Park, and Marco Polo in the same plaza. Also, not too far off route is a brand new place in West Oak Lane that I'd like to try, Green Soul (from the owners of Warmdaddy's).

The September issue of Everyday Food has a reader submitted recipe for "Lentil Salad with Grapes and Feta" which I enjoyed. Essentially: cook French or brown lentils. Mix together a vinegarette with red wine vinegar, lemon juice, honey, and olive oil. Combine with toasted walnuts, halved seedless red grapes, chopped celery, fresh thyme, and feta. Season with salt and pepper. Nice flavor combination!

I would also keep in mind Phillips European especially if you are looking for a place for dessert / coffee. And, if you are ever in Rochester on a Saturday morning, the Public Market is a great scene for anyone who enjoys food!

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Phillips European Restaurant
26 Corporate Woods Ste 8, Rochester, NY 14623

The market opens up at 5 AM on Saturdays. I was there once in the 5 o'clock hour, and it took a little while for the market to come to life. No crowds, though! I would say that the breakfast vendors are ready to go by 7 AM.

Budgetrick, I am also a fan of the olive oil from Giordano's. Not only does it have a particularly nice flavor, but I like looking at the scrapbook of photos from the owner's olive grove in Italy! I might want to try the Bologna Supreme next time...I'll add it to the list! If I get to the market closer to lunchtime, I also like the pho at the Vietnamese place just outside of the market.

The Public Market is the place to be on a Saturday morning! What are your favorite stands / stores?

Last weekend our family arrived hungry for breakfast. We split up and agreed to meet at Java's in 15 minutes. Here is what we returned with: Aalu Tikki (this is my favorite!), 2 potato patties covered in a spicy chickpea and vegetable stew. This from a tidy food truck with no official name parked in the big shed, serving some Indian dishes, breakfast sandwiches, hotdogs, and some creative hybrids involving Indian flavors. I love this stand! Also, a breakfast sandwich with Polish sausage and bacon on a soft bulky roll from Cherry's European (Polish Ukranian American). Sausage egg and cheese with Rochester style hot sauce (meat with warm spices) from Zimmermans. An omelet sandwich with onion and artichoke from one of the hot dog vendors who also does omelets. Lemon / raspberry and almond danishes from Flour City Bread Company. We usually get at least one empanada from Juan and Maria's Empanada Stop, but we skipped it this time. And I've heard good reviews of the paninis from the cheese shop. Next time!

I checked with my Rochester restaurant sources (my parents) and they have a few ideas that you might want to check out along the Monroe Avenue corridor in Pittsford: Mario's Via Abruzzi, Next Door Bar and Grill, Black and Blue (Pittsford Plaza). Is there anything at the old Spring House? Also, The Brighton (in Brighton, on East Ave).

Hello,

First thought would be Wegmans, the dominant grocery store chain in Rochester, and regarded as the gold standard for grocery stores. They can do trays or catering, and they also have plentiful prepared foods at their stores. Not sure whether they would deliver. There are 2 locations in Webster (Empire Blvd and Holt Road). Other thoughts include Rubino's or DiBella's for subs / meat and cheese trays.

I also grew up in the Rochester area, now in Philadelphia. Still look forward to going back to Rochester for the food...and not just for my mom's cooking! I checked with my folks...they like Max at Eastman Place for a special meal, although they've been wanting to try Warfield's. Their current favorite is Ristorante Lucano (Northern Italian, with good seafood, is what they say). A place I thought I would mention is Next Door Bar & Grill, the new-ish Wegman's venture in Pittsford. A number of people, including my dad, thought the french fries were exceptional, and the food overall interesting. For me, the Rochester Public Market on Saturday morning is a must! I like the cheese shop (the owner has an olive grove in Italy and there is a house brand of olive oil that I think is excellent), the spicy chickpea / breakfast sandwich stand, pho at Lemongrass Vietnamese restaurant right outside the market, and all the seasonal fruits and vegetables.

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Ristorante Lucano
1815 East Ave, Rochester, NY 14610

Under the Oak is on Facebook, so I just got an alert that they now have a website: www.undertheoakcafe.com. It looks like they are adding cooking classes, weekly dinners, and catering. I live close by and have been to the restaurant several times for brunch or lunch. Cozy, friendly atmosphere...especially nice in the warmer months when you can sit outside. Very close to the Melrose Park train station and a pretty part of the city. They make an amazing quiche! The small menu hasn't changed much in the last few years, and I'm happy to see some new activity.

Will you be in Rochester for Saturday morning? If so, I would recommend the Rochester Public Market...a real local treasure! It is not in Henrietta, but navigating around the Rochester area is not too difficult. It is not a diner or greasy spoon, either, but there are many choices that might work for you. Breakfast grazing at the public market could involve: an empanada, a hot dog from one of the stands or carts, a breakfast taco, coffee, pierogies, egg sandwich, spicy chickpea sandwich, a sandwich from the cheese shop (plus cheese samples). On a Saturday morning it is always bustling with people shopping for fresh produce at great prices. The market is not open on Sundays, though.

Hi,

I've got a couple of ideas for you....after consulting with a couple of Rochester Chowhounds and thinking about my own recent visits:

French Quarter Cafe - celebrate Valentine's Day AND Mardi Gras AND maybe even a Super Bowl Championship at their new location across from the Parkleigh

Shanghai Restaurant on W. Henrietta Road - for Chinese New Year's! Good food, pleasant atmosphere. Right next to Tokyo Restaurant, also very nice, with traditional Japanese seating as an option as well as Western style.

Simply Crepes in Schoen Place, Pittsford

If you are open to the idea of picking up some high end prepared foods and setting up a candlelight dinner at home, try Max Market, Mise En Place Market, or the Ravioli Shop.

Enjoy your special dinner!