I’m grateful a friend who worked in the Fairport area introduced me to Durf’s several years ago; I’m not sure I would’ve discovered it on my own. Durf’s is set back from Fairport’s Main Street, amid a small mix of businesses, and not readily visible when passing by. But the restaurant is well worth seeking […]
Dining Review
Posted inCulture
As Evi Turkish leaves an impressive mark
I like to highlight the fact that although Rochester isn’t a city the size of New York or Chicago, the dining scene has a fantastic selection of cultures to explore. A Evi Turkish Cuisine is part of a limited group of Turkish options, but it makes its mark with a family atmosphere and some standout […]
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Roux turns to the French classics
Although the foundations of modern restaurant cooking — especially in the fine dining world — rely on French techniques, restaurants that focus heavily on that style are a rarity in Rochester. And I tend to lack interest in a lot of typical French bistro-like fare; the idea of encroaching on new territory and exploring less […]
Posted inCulture
The Cub Room goes for old-school NYC charm
The growth that the South Wedge has seen in the last few years hasn’t slowed down; in fact that momentum has carried over to the bordering Swillburg neighborhood. The new interest has brought the opening of three businesses each trying to establish their identity in this transitioning area: The Playhouse/Swillburger, and the parking-lot-sharing duo of […]
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Fresh bread and care put Shmeg’s up a level
Shmeg’s hits just about every note that would make it a perfect stop if Guy Fieri’s signature show “Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives” came to Rochester. For better or worse, that list would start with the portions. From what I had heard about the Gates restaurant before eating there, the sheer quantity of food was one […]
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Guacamole holds up with authentic Mexican food
Even though there are local institutions serving respectable Mexican food that have stood the test of time, authentic Mexican cuisine has long been an inconsistent commodity around Rochester, and you would need to travel east to Canandaigua (Rio Tomatlán) or Sodus (El Rincón Mexicano), or west to Medina (Mariachi De Oro), to find the real […]
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Empanada Shop adds Colombian food to Rochester’s ethnic restaurant mix
With Thanksgiving upon us, I have something a bit outside the norm to be thankful for. South American food is woefully underrepresented in Rochester right now, but along with the more established Espada (Brazilian) in Village Gate and Juan and Maria’s Empanada Stop (Chilean), the Colombian-based Empanada Shop is one of a small selection of […]
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Saha Med Grill finds a fast, healthy balance
When Sami Mina opened Aladdin’s Natural Eatery in 1979, he was one of the first to introduce Mediterranean cuisine to Rochester. Now, Mina is marrying the taste and health benefits of the Mediterranean diet with fast-casual dining in his latest venture, Saha Med Grill. The first location opened on University Avenue in September 2014, the […]
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Tapping into good beer
Regardless of what you think about the style of the College Town development, it has become the immediate dining and social hub for the University of Rochester crowd. Most of the bases are covered within the College Town confines, including a selection of chain establishments, a stylish Italian restaurant, and the only grocery store in […]
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Slow down, you move too fast
Growing up in New Hampshire, Chef David Buchanan’s mom would slice bacon she got from a neighbor down the road, and fry it up in a cast iron skillet. After the bacon was crisp, she’d swap it out for eggs, cooking them in the rendered bacon fat. Then, she’d toast slices of bread in the […]
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Park Ave nostalgia
The Frog Pond
652 Park Avenue
Monday, 7 a.m. to 3 p.m.; Tuesday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Saturday, 8 a.m. to 9 p.m.; and Sunday, 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.
271-1970; eatatthefrogpond.com
Posted inCulture
At the chef’s table
Since December, Pittsford restaurant The Kitchen has offered a unique culinary experience: intimate, chef’s table dining. Overseen by Executive Chef Joseph Cipolla, The Kitchen turns out modern American cuisine through a seven-course tasting menu. This alone would make The Kitchen a stand out in Rochester. That Cipolla and his team are able to do so […]
