Top 5 Rochester Restaurants: Jen

As mentioned yesterday, here are my Top 5 restaurants plus honorable mentions. Coming soon: two reviews and a feature on restaurant nightmare experiences! 

Top 5 Rochester Restaurants – Jen

5. Mamasan’s (Thai/Vietnamese – Brighton/Pittsford)

I’m so happy my friend Lex suggested this place to me and Joe once (actually, we went there with her and her husband, Ben, for our first time). They have amazing Thai food, with plenty of vegetarian and gluten-free options, which made me and Lex happy, respectively. They also have pink chopsticks! Pink! I was elated when I saw this since it’s my favorite color and I’m easily amused. I have the Pad Thai when I go because that’s one of my favorite dishes anywhere it’s offered. The service is good and the atmosphere is modern and laid back, making this one of Joe’s and my favorite spots.

4. Bazil (Italian – Penfield)

At one time, this place would have been numero uno, but with the closing of their Henrietta location (to open a seafood restaurant—huh?), they’ve been bumped down to number four. The other thing that keeps them from taking the number one spot is their use of chicken stock in their red sauces, which keeps me from enjoying the vodka sauce. If you’re vegetarian, be sure to mention this when you go there! From what I’ve heard, they’re just like their older affiliate restaurant, Mario’s, only less dressy and a few bucks cheaper. Their pastas, despite any issues with the sauce, are amazing; I tend to order the alfredo or the pomodoro when I go. They offer a Pasta Per Te (Create-Your-Own Pasta) that allows for plenty of options for even the most finicky eater. Even going in once on a late night, Joe and I still received excellent service (although I wouldn’t recommend doing this since you’ll want time to really savor your meal). Their Penfield location, the only one left, is near Lake Ontario, so here you get the benefit of a nice view in addition to their savory dishes.

3. Aladdin’s Natural Eatery (Mediterranean – Pittsford; Monroe Ave.)

I prefer the Pittsford location, simply because you get to sit near the canal, but if you get stuck inside, it tends to be a bit cramped. Joe and I also have the bad luck of going on rainy days, and although the balcony has a canopy to protect you from the rain, it just isn’t the same. The Monroe Ave. location in the city is a bit larger, and they also have a balcony where you can look out onto the street. Both locations serve the same excellent Mediterranean-inspired foods. One of my favorite things to get there is actually a starter—a sample of their staples such as hummus, baba ganoush, and dolmades. With plenty of vegetarian options, Aladdin’s has rightfully earned its place in my Top 5.

2. Hogan’s Hideaway (American – Park Ave.)

Hogan’s is over on Park Ave. right next to Parkleigh (one of my favorite stores in that area), so a trip to one place usually, but not always, guarantees a trip to the other. They serve standard American fare (sandwiches, burgers, salads) but they also offer some unique dishes and specials (veggie burritos and stir fries, for instance, and pastas as well). I think I’ve tried a little bit of everything when I’ve gone there, simply because they have so many great options for vegetarians. The food is always fresh, and they even have their own beers provided by Custom Brew Crafters from Honeyoye Falls (another great reason to love this area of upstate New York). The interior is a little bit kitschy without being too weird, and they also feature some work from local artists and photographers at each table that’s next to a wall. Their portions won’t leave you feeling hungry when you leave either, which is a definite plus.

1. Thali of India (Indian – Brighton-Henrietta)

Yum! Thali (meaning “plate” in Hindi) is my favorite Indian restaurant in the area, and it rightfully earns the top spot on my list! In fact, Joe just took me there for my birthday this past week. Again, they have a wide selection of vegetarian options, as many Indian restaurants do, and they’re even accommodating enough to prepare things vegan if you request it as such. If you’re not like me and you dislike spicy food, they will prepare things mild for you (our servers have never failed to ask us how spicy we would like our meals). Their paneers are my favorite dishes, especially the ones that come with tomato curry sauces such as Mattar Paneer and Paneer Akbari. Joe and I are pretty sure they sweeten their sauces with maple syrup, which may sound strange to some, but it offers a tanginess that compliments the spices well. I don’t think I have ever been disappointed with a meal from Thali, and on the rare occasion that I’ve had to wait a while for the food, it’s been 100% worth it!

Honorable Mention

American:

Fox’s (Brighton)

Jine’s (Park Ave.)

Rohrbach Brewing Company (Gates)

Indian:

India House (S. Clinton Ave.; Victor)

Italian:

Grandpa Sam’s Italian Kitchen (Spencerport)

Mexican:

Los Gallos (Greece)

Thai:

Sak’s Thai (Fairport)

Miscellaneous:

La-Tea-Da (Park Ave.)

Leaf & Bean (Chili)

Simply Crêpes (Pittsford; Canandaigua)

Top 5 Rochester Restaurants: Joe

Here at Date Night with Jen and Joe, we realize we've had a couple of reviews of date days but nothing so far of those nice dinners out. The bad news is that we have two more lunch reviews in our "queue," so to speak. The good news, though, is that we've created our individual Top 5 lists of Rochester restaurants (plus honorable mentions), and we're sharing them with you. We still have a few places that we'd like to try that we've heard good things about (Lento and Osteria Rocco have many excellent reviews on Yelp, for instance, but we just haven't gotten over there yet). If you think we're crazy for missing your favorite restaurant, or we should give another one a second chance, let us know! We hope you'll find our lists to be a fine representation of the best Rochester's local eateries have to offer (no Applebee's or Outback on these bad boys!).

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. 

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

American:
McArdle’s (Fairport)
Jine’s (Park Ave.)

Ethiopian:
Abyssinia (University Ave.)

Indian:
India House (S. Clinton Ave.; Victor)

Thali of India (Henrietta)

Mediterranean:
Aladdin’s Natural Eatery (Pittsford; Monroe Ave.)

Mexican:

Los Gallos (Greece)

Thai/Vietnamese:
Mamasan’s (Brighton/Pittsford)

Sak’s Thai (Fairport)

Miscellaneous:
Amiel’s Subs (Henrietta)

Simply Crêpes (Pittsford; Canandaigua)