Opened by a bootlegger in 1929, The Stork Club in Manhattan was a nightclub that you or I could probably never get into. The club’s clientele included the rich, the famous, and the fabulous and they all hung out together in the “Cub Room” — the club’s lounge for the VIPs of the VIPs. Rochester’s […]
Rochester Restaurants
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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 […]
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Inspiring comfort food
When I pulled into the parking lot of El Pilon Criollo, I knew that it was a special place. Even if the food was bad (and it isn’t), I was excited to write about the background of owner Zury Brown and the restaurant she and her family created. The free standing building that houses El […]
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Drifting through downtown
For those that might only go downtown at night for concerts or other events, it can be easy to forget that there is life in the area during the day, before it empties out after all the nine-to-fivers go home. Drifters L.B. is a new restaurant located inside the recently opened Hilton Garden Inn (155 […]
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Veramente bello
Even on a Wednesday night, the parking lot at Branca is packed. Waiting for my friend to arrive, I watch the lot’s traffic from my car — for every car that pulls out, another zips in. By the time my friend and I go inside, it’s 7:45 p.m. The hostess apologetically says there are no […]
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Eats with the Hatter
Quaint is probably the first word that comes to mind when trying to describe The Mad Hatter Tea Room. A relatively small house converted into a restaurant, there is plenty of charm, with old hardwood floors and friendly service that does well even in the cramped quarters. And that doesn’t just mean the dining area; […]
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Cooking what you love
Ashley Swan-Abramson, chef at Roux (688 Park Avenue), loves the versatility of French cooking. “French food is influenced by so many different regions and you can do so much with it,” she says. “I love doing new twists on classic interpretations.” Swan-Abramson’s mother, Robin Banister, owns Roux, and her sister, Paulina Swan, is the bar […]
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The late night nosh
When it comes to late-night food options in Rochester, your choices are typically limited to whether you want cheeseburgers or hot dogs on your garbage plate. Monroe Kabob (201 Monroe Avenue) is offering something different for those looking for the late-night nosh. Monroe Kabob is also open for lunch and dinner Monday through Saturday, however, […]
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DINING REVIEW: Ox and Stone
Ox and Stone is a great example of a restaurant that works well within the space that it occupies. The beautiful brick mansion features a neutral colored main dining room with dramatic, rolling arched ceilings and a feel that strikes that balance between relaxed and refined. Ambiance isn’t the main driver for why I decide […]
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A taste of France in the East End
Vive Bistro and Bakery wants to make vegan food more inviting for the uninitiated. “We find if we refer to our menu as plant-based, it’s a lot less scary for people,” Nick Lemesis says with a laugh. Lemesis is co-owner of Vive Bistro and Bakery (130 East Avenue), a new French-inspired vegan restaurant in the […]
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DINING REVIEW: On a Roll
Let’s get something out of the way: Part of the appeal of Orbs Restaurant & Bar is that you can make a lot of testicle jokes. “Mmmm! I cannot wait to grab some balls!” Orbs is in on the fun. Meatball sandwiches are called “Balls and Buns,” a meatball sampler is “Bits and Pieces,” and […]
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CHOW HOUND: Old-school in a new space
Cinelli’s Pizza Ristorante (840 Long Pond Road) moved into its space in the new plaza next to Bryant & Stratton College on January 20. “We literally built this place from the ground up; there was a dirt floor,” says co-owner Franca Cinelli. Franca, along with her husband, John, and her son, Tom, are all owners […]
