For today, here is Joe's list. Tomorrow, I'll post mine.
Top 5 Rochester Restaurants – Joe
5. Grandpa Sam’s Italian Kitchen (Italian - Spencerport)
This Spencerport staple serves some of the greatest Italian in the area. The rustic Italian dishes go from classic staples (bottomless spaghetti and meatballs on Wednesdays) to borderline gourmet (Jen’s favorite, the butternut squash and candied pecan ravioli in an olive oil reduction). They have a wine and special of the day, and their seafood comes out skillfully prepared. The reason why this is not number one is because the small venue tends to overwhelm the staff during busy nights, parties especially. This restaurant is amazing on a Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday.
This Spencerport staple serves some of the greatest Italian in the area. The rustic Italian dishes go from classic staples (bottomless spaghetti and meatballs on Wednesdays) to borderline gourmet (Jen’s favorite, the butternut squash and candied pecan ravioli in an olive oil reduction). They have a wine and special of the day, and their seafood comes out skillfully prepared. The reason why this is not number one is because the small venue tends to overwhelm the staff during busy nights, parties especially. This restaurant is amazing on a Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday.
4. Bazil (Italian - Penfield)
The younger child of Mario's Via Abruzzi used to have two locations (Penfield and Henrietta). Since the Henrietta location has closed, it is now down to one. The food quality is comparable to Grandpa Sam’s but the service is better when busy. The restaurant is just bigger and can handle the capacity. Looking at the menu, you can see a wide selection of Italian favorites without a real focus on the gourmet. The relaxed but not too relaxed atmosphere and the proper lighting make Bazil a pleasant place to go and dine.
3. Hogan’s Hideaway (American – Park Ave.)
This snappy modern American bistro is in the heart of the Park Ave. district and boasts simple homemade-based ingredients in their varied menu. The versatile staff can produce high quality and creative dishes that fit many different palates. Couple that with top-notch service and a great beer and wine list, it provides a superb dining experience without breaking the bank.
2. Rohrbach Brewing Company (American - Gates)
To say that Rohrbach’s is just a bar would be a gross understatement. The feature of Rohrbach’s is the microbrewery’s seasonal beers, but the taut and creative dishes offer many choices to go with the beer spectrum available. The specialties are crisp, light, and always show creative pizazz. It also features an extensive menu of German beer hall specialties such as sausages, schnitzel, and Bavarian style pretzels. Along with the helpful staff and great beer, the restaurant itself has a the cozy feel of a German beer house but with the elegance and charm of a fine dining establishment.
After much deliberation about great meals past, there have been few places that could stand out. Granted I have yet to try some of the truly unique restaurants in Rochester's Rolodex, but after careful deliberation I have decided on a number one.
1. Shiki (Japanese – S. Clinton Ave.)
Rochester’s authentic Japanese restaurant serves the various courses of a traditional Japanese dinner with perfect execution and grace. South Clinton’s “Little Asia” as I call it holds this small building where magic comes alive. As I dined, I had a soup course, a sushi course, and a dinner course. The saki was excellent and the dynamic flavors and traditional attention to detail made the food stand out brilliantly. In terms of quality, it is just light years ahead of most restaurants in Rochester.
Honorable Mention
3. Hogan’s Hideaway (American – Park Ave.)
This snappy modern American bistro is in the heart of the Park Ave. district and boasts simple homemade-based ingredients in their varied menu. The versatile staff can produce high quality and creative dishes that fit many different palates. Couple that with top-notch service and a great beer and wine list, it provides a superb dining experience without breaking the bank.
2. Rohrbach Brewing Company (American - Gates)
To say that Rohrbach’s is just a bar would be a gross understatement. The feature of Rohrbach’s is the microbrewery’s seasonal beers, but the taut and creative dishes offer many choices to go with the beer spectrum available. The specialties are crisp, light, and always show creative pizazz. It also features an extensive menu of German beer hall specialties such as sausages, schnitzel, and Bavarian style pretzels. Along with the helpful staff and great beer, the restaurant itself has a the cozy feel of a German beer house but with the elegance and charm of a fine dining establishment.
After much deliberation about great meals past, there have been few places that could stand out. Granted I have yet to try some of the truly unique restaurants in Rochester's Rolodex, but after careful deliberation I have decided on a number one.
1. Shiki (Japanese – S. Clinton Ave.)
Rochester’s authentic Japanese restaurant serves the various courses of a traditional Japanese dinner with perfect execution and grace. South Clinton’s “Little Asia” as I call it holds this small building where magic comes alive. As I dined, I had a soup course, a sushi course, and a dinner course. The saki was excellent and the dynamic flavors and traditional attention to detail made the food stand out brilliantly. In terms of quality, it is just light years ahead of most restaurants in Rochester.
Honorable Mention
American:
McArdle’s (Fairport)
Jine’s (Park Ave.)
McArdle’s (Fairport)
Jine’s (Park Ave.)
Ethiopian:
Abyssinia (University Ave.)
Abyssinia (University Ave.)
Indian:
India House (S. Clinton Ave.; Victor)
India House (S. Clinton Ave.; Victor)
Thali of India (Henrietta)
Mediterranean:
Aladdin’s Natural Eatery (Pittsford; Monroe Ave.)
Aladdin’s Natural Eatery (Pittsford; Monroe Ave.)
Mexican:
Los Gallos (Greece)
Thai/Vietnamese:
Mamasan’s (Brighton/Pittsford)
Mamasan’s (Brighton/Pittsford)
Sak’s Thai (Fairport)
Miscellaneous:
Amiel’s Subs (Henrietta)
Miscellaneous:
Amiel’s Subs (Henrietta)
Simply Crêpes (Pittsford; Canandaigua)
I understand they are building a new location for Bazil near Red Lobster in Henrietta! Here's hoping: They have several options for specialty diets, including gluten-free, vegetarian, and Weight Watchers. Also their Penfield/Webster location is accommodating of requests: Loverman and I went on Mother's Day (coincidentally, not planned), and I saw that chicken parm was available gluten-free, but veal parm was not. Forgetting that Mother's Day is a very busy restaurant day, I requested they make veal parm gluten free if possible (and if not I'd get something else). They not only accommodated, but were super nice - AND it was delicious!
ReplyDeleteAwesome! I had forgotten about their gluten-free and diet menus. Unfortunately, my list will have something to say about their (somewhat limited) options for vegetarians.
ReplyDeleteIt's always nice when restaurants are accommodating. After all, if it weren't for their customers (even the picky ones), they wouldn't really be able to stay in business, would they?