I’ve learned many life lessons from watching the TV show “30
Rock,” like to never follow a hippie to a second location and the theory that
all anyone wants in life is to sit in peace and eat a sandwich. If the latter
is true, then Steadfast (200 East Avenue) will be a welcome addition to the
East End. Executive Chef Chuck Previte has put his
own spin on classic sandwiches, says owner Nick Garofoli.
“He’s taken the core of the sandwich concept and turned it on its head.”
Steadfast
officially opened on April 30, but previewed its menu and was open for business
during Rochester Restaurant week. Formerly occupied by Matthew’s East End
Grill, the space has been renovated to be much lighter and more welcoming,
“modern rustic — kind of like an Ikea store meets a barn wedding,” Garofoli says with a laugh. This includes a new private
event room that is available to rent.
Previte’s menu includes sandwiches, soups, salads, and
appetizers, but will expand in the next few months to include what Garofoli calls a choose-your-own-adventure dining
experience. The focus is on what is fresh and in season and diners will be able
to choose from seven to eight main courses that include a protein (fish,
shellfish, pork, or beef) and then choose from 10-12 different sides. Plenty of
vegan and vegetarian items will be available as well.
Evidence of Previte’s own spin on the classics include the Braaibroodjie Style Grilled Cheese ($10), his version of a
style of sandwich that originated in South Africa, which adds pulled pork to
cheddar, provolone, and fontina cheeses, and is topped with an apple chutney.
The Southern Fried Chicken sandwich ($10) adds pimento cheese to the classic
combination of buttermilk-fried chicken, coleslaw, and pickles. After receiving
feedback from a customer from the South (known to be the authority on pimento
cheese) they are also looking to add a spicy version of pimento cheese to the
menu.
The bar
program was created with a walk-before-you-run mentality. “Across the board
Steadfast is about quality” Garofoli says. “And one
way of making sure that things are quality is being conservative with what you
take on.”
The bar will
have sixteen taps that will rotate both local and national craft beers. What’s
unique about the Steadfast bar experience is their partnership with Fiz soda. A new spin on a gin and tonic includes using
Southern Tier Distilling’s Citrus Gin with Fiz’s
Blueberry Tonic. The wine program is focused on quality, but affordable wines,
and the current selection includes reds and whites from Portugal, Spain, and
New Zealand.
Steadfast (200 East Avenue) is open Monday through
Wednesday from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., Thursday from 10 a.m. to 12 a.m., Friday and
Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 a.m., and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. 270-5914.
Find them at rocsteadfast.com.
Quick bites
The Seneca Park Zoo (2222 St. Paul Street) will host Cinco de Rhino on Saturday, May 5, from 5:30 to 9 p.m. The
craft beer and cider tasting event will feature more than a dozen craft
breweries and cideries including Stoneyard
Brewing Company, Cider Creek Hard Cider, and Lagunitas
Brewing Company. Tickets are $35 in advance or $40 the day of and a portion of
each ticket sold will go to the International Rhino Foundation. The event is 21
and over and there will be no entry after 7 p.m. To purchase tickets and for
more information visit senecaparkzoo.org.
Tapas 177
Lounge, Lake Beverage, and Apogee Wine Bar have teamed up to present a pop-up dinner with esteemed wine maker, LuÃs Duarte, at Apogee Wine Bar (151 Park Avenue) on
Wednesday, May 9, from 6 to 8:30 p.m. The four course meal will be paired with LuÃs Duarte wines and Duarte will talk about his experience
in winemaking. Reservations are required and are $60. Call 755-0457 to make a
reservation.
Rohrbach Buffalo Road Brewpub (3859 Buffalo Road) will host
Food & Beer Pairing: American Craft Beer Week Edition on Tuesday, May 15, from 6 to 8 p.m., dinner will be
served at 6:30 p.m. Tickets are $45 per person and must be purchased in
advance. Five southern-style courses will be served along with an ale or lager
pairing. Purchase tickets and see the menu at rohrbachs.com/events/.
Chow Hound is a food and restaurant news column. Do
you have a tip? Send it to food@rochester-citynews.com.
This article appears in May 2-8, 2018.
