Category: Best of List

Let’s face it, there is nothing better than being on a roof deck when the weather is cooperating. The combination of being outside with a heightened view and quality food help form the perfect dining experience. Here we present the six best roof decks in Rochester – take advantage of them while the good weather is still in full swing. What is your favorite roof deck in Rochester? Let us know in the comments or tweet us at @SeizeTheWeekday.

 

Aladdin’s
646 Monroe Ave Rochester
Restaurants have come and gone on Monroe Avenue, but Aladdin’s has stuck around, dishing out their delicious take on Mediterranean cuisine. The roof deck has a covered awning and nice view looking down the bustling Monroe Ave neighborhood. If you know the area, it is a perfect spot for people watching. For food, go with the classic gyro or souvlaki platter that comes loaded with grilled tenderloin and healthy portion of onions and peppers.

 

Sticky Lips
625 Culver Road Rochester
The constant debate in Rochester over BBQ starts and ends with Sticky Lips vs Dinosaur. One leg up that the original Sticky lips location has, is its roof deck that overlooks East High School. Although, at the time of this story posting it was under construction, it will come back soon. For your meal, get one of the combo BBQ platters like the Rita Hayworth that has ribs and pulled pork. Or if you are feeling like a true test, try the infamous atomic bomb challenge that pits you against piles of meat.

 

Richmond’s
21 Richmond St Rochester
One of Rochester’s main stay bars, Richmond’s is well known for their award winning chicken wings. The unique touch to these wings is the large selection of sauces they offer like country sweet, BBQ, maple bacon, fireball whiskey, wasabi ginger and dry rubs. It is also a safe bet to go with their classic cheeseburger that loads on a 1/2 pound of meat, dressed with lettuce, tomato and red onion. Their roof deck has an excellent view of the city, lots of tables to dine on and a newly painted mural that completes the setting.

Weekday Deals

• Monday – 50 cent wing night (Open: 4:00 pm – 2:00 am)
• Wednesday – Quesadilla and a Corona for $6 (Open: 4:00 pm – 2:00 am)
• Thursday – 10 wings and domestic pitcher for $15 (Open: 4:00 pm – 2:00 am)

 

TRATA
145 Culver Rd Rochester
TRATA plays host to the best set up for a roof top deck in all of Rochester. The spacious deck has a full bar area with several high top tables for dining. At night, the roped lighting overhead sets a nice atmosphere. Suggested eats include the fish tacos or the Kobe burger that comes topped with beer battered onions, applewood smoked bacon and cheddar cheese on a pretzel roll.

 

Hattie’s
550 East Avenue Rochester
On the 9th floor of the Stathallan Hotel sits a newly constructed restaurant and roof top experience called Hattie’s. The Japanese inspired menu is full of an excellent selection sashimi, nigiri, and rolls. For drinks they have an extensive scotch menu and several creative cocktail options at the bar. The amazing deck allows for a 360-degree view of the city and also has a private space with a fire pit.

 

Genny Brew House
25 Cataract Street Rochester
The Brew House plays host to the best roof deck view in all of Rochester. The combination of the High Falls and the city skyline, result in spectacular scenery. For food, you have to get the Bavarian pretzel sticks, served with your choice of our beer mustard or beer cheese sauce. Then, of course, they have a huge selection of all the best Genesee Beers on tap for your thirst entertainment.

Weekday Deals

• Tuesday – $2 off growler fills
• Wednesday – Keep the glass on a featured beer from 3pm – 6pm

Whether you call them appetizers, starters, or antipasto, the first bites of a meal set the tone for your whole restaurant experience. To ensure your dinner starts off on the right foot, we recommend trying these eight unbelievable appetizers. Each has unique flavors and are from restaurants that have several other dishes your taste buds will thank you for. What are your favorite appetizers in Rochester? Let us know in the comments or tweet us at @SeizeTheWeekday.

 

Edibles | Truffle Tots
704 University Ave Rochester
These aren’t the tator tots from your high school cafeteria. These potato delights come perfectly cooked and topped with a truffle oil drizzle and a light sea salt. The bonus is the chipotle aioli dipping sauce, which has just the right amount of flavor kick. For your next course, go with the beef short rib that is braised for six hours.

 

 

Tony D’s | Arrancini
288 Exchange Blvd Rochester
This is quite possibly the best risotto fritter you will ever have in your life. Tony D’s fills these round delights with prosciutto, pine nuts and mozzarella. Then they are topped with an unbelievable pesto sauce that brings the taste to another level. For your entre, go with their wood fired bianca pizza that comes layered with mozzarella, asiago, provolone, ricotta, garlic and olive oil.

 

Rocco | Ricotta Fatta in Casa
165 Monroe Ave Rochester
If you’ve never had extremely fresh ricotta cheese, then you must try this appetizer. The Fatta in Casa comes with a healthy portion of house made ricotta next to a set of perfectly charred bread to lather it on. It is also placed in a delicious olive oil that makes it even more delicious. After that, get the lasagna for you entree and their butterscotch dessert.

 

Label 7 | Grilled Wings
50 State St Pittsford
Chicken wings seem like a simple appetizer, but Label 7 makes them much more interesting. These tasty finger foods are dry rubbed and coated with a pepper sauce. Then they are matched with a ‘buttermilk bleu’ dipping sauce that perfectly balances the flavors. After these wings, go with their burger, which some consider the best in Rochester.

Weekday Deals:

• Monday – No corkage fee on wine
• Tuesday – No corkage fee on wine

 

Revelry | Beet Deviled Eggs
1290 University Ave Rochester
The presentation of the deviled eggs alone is enough to make these a must-have appetizer. They come dressed with a mustard caviar, bacon and a sumptuous brown butter cornbread crumb. You will never look at deviled eggs the same at your next backyard BBQ. For your next course, go with the burger and fried green tomatoes.

 

Grappa | Baked Gnocchi
30, Celebration Dr Rochester
New to the Rochester restaurant scene, Grappa has already garnered rave reviews – and this dish is part of the reason. The gnocchi comes out in a piping hot bowl with the fresh mozzarella still bubbling. Inside is their delicious ricotta gnocchi with cherry tomatoes and Parmesan gratin. Other dishes of interest here include the chicken cutlet and linguini & clams.

Weekday Deals:

• Everyday – Happy hour from 4 – 6 pm

 

Tapas 177 | Fried Calamari Salad
177 St Paul St Rochester
One of the most famous dishes in all of Rochester, the Tapas fried calamari salad is on a whole different level for starters. The squid are flash fried and loaded on to a bed of greens with asiago cheese and a lemon balsamic vinagrette. The unbelievable vinagrette dressing is really what brings the flavor into a different statosphere. For your entre, go with the flattened potato gnocchi which is topped with roasted butternut squash, mushrooms, and spinach.

Weekday Deals:

• Monday – No corkage fee on wine
• Wednesday – $5 glasses of wine for Women
• Friday – Free appetizers put out during happy hour 4:30 pm – 7:00 pm

Cure | Foie Gras-Bone Marrow Toast
50 Rochester Public Market Rochester
Don’t let the bone marrow part scare you – these tasty toasts are out of this world. The foie gras has an unbelievable flavor and then a concord gastrique is drizzled on top that adds the perfect amount of sweet. Afterwards, get the banh mi sandwich or the boudin blanc sausage – they will change your life.

Weekday Deals:

• Wednesday – No corkage fee on wine

 

What are your favorite appetizers in Rochester? Let us know in the comments or tweet us at @SeizeTheWeekday.