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The Next Door is a culinary adventure from Wegman’s that further exemplifies their greatness in the culture of fine foods. The menu is considered New American with several seasonal items and a focus on sustainable ingredients from their elaborate network of farms. The main attractions are the tasting menu and sushi which is made-to-order with a stunning presentation. The Next Door is also well known for an exquisite wine selection and inventive atmosphere that includes numerous private dining spaces. Here are five reasons that The next Door is a must visit eatery in Rochester.

 

1) Sushi
The Next Door has the best sushi in Rochester. It is all made-to-order at their impressive sushi bar with a presentation that will blow your mind. You have to get the red dragon roll. It comes with shrimp tempura, cream cheese, avocado, spicy tuna outside and is drizzled with a sweet miso sauce.

 

2) Tasting Menu
The multi-course tasting menu is a game changer if you want a true culinary experience. The menu items change depending on what is in season that day. You get to choose from three course or five course plans with the option to add on a wine pairing. The bonus is that the chefs like to come out and give a full debriefing on the dishes.

 

3) Private Dining & Atmosphere
The Next Door has a unique ambiance full of eye catching artwork and numerous options for private dining. But the gold standard for private dining here is the Test Kitchen. You begin in the kitchen library for drinks and appetizers. Then, you head over to watch an entire dinner be created before your eyes. The room can fit 45 people for a sit down dinner with menu options that include custom made, family style, or a tasting of four courses.

 

4) Daily Pastas
Every time you come to The Next Door there is a new and creative pasta on the menu. It all depends on what the chef gets fresh at their partnering farms. The above picture is a beet and chèvre tortelli that has beet green pistachio pesto with ingredients from Wegman’s organic farm.

 

5) Happy Hour
Creative cocktails and an extensive wine selection are another area that The Next Door excels at. And everyday at their bar they host a happy hour from 4 – 7pm with 2 for 1 signature cocktails, $3 select beer drafts and $6 select wine. Then on Monday though Friday they offer $6 select sushi rolls at the bar.

Next Door is the featured restaurant for Nite Out in the month of September. Nite Out is a local service where subscribers have amazing restaurant experiences each month at Rochester’s best spots. Find out more.

Tucked away in Pittsford’s Schoen Place, Olives is an authentic Greek taverna that has been family owned for close to two decades. Nick and Gayle Mourgides created the eatery to share their heritage and allow patrons to taste the true flavors of Greece. Fresh ingredients overflow their delicious assortment of salads, gyros, pizzas and dinner platters. Here are five reasons you need to visit this Greek cuisine mecca.

 

1) Gyro Platter
This massive dish is a paradise for fans of Greek cuisine. It comes with perfectly grilled chicken, gyro meat, rice, feta, marinated tomatoes, onions and dolmades. The gyro meat at Olives is nothing short of superb.

 

2) Moussaka
If you are unfamiliar with this Greek entre – get acquainted with it. Moussaka is a baked dish filled with cinnamon seasoned beef, eggplant and bechamel. The bechamel is a tasty white cream sauce made with whole milk, butter, flour, nutmeg and egg yolks.

 

3) Patio
The Olives patio is one of the best outdoor settings for dining in Rochester. The stone patio is surrounded by lush plant life and a beautiful row of grape vines. Plus you get the added bonus of ‘people watching’ the popular Schoen Place scene.

 

4) Cuban Gyro
This hybrid sandwich is a work of art. The gyro meat combined with pickles and remoulade sauce make for a wonderful flavor. Make sure you add on a side of their delicious sweet potato fries.

 

5) Schoen Place
There is no better spot in the summer than Schoen Place where Olives is headquartered. This canal-side scene comes equipped with fantastic eateries, a top notch brewery and numerous shops. Not to mention you can take a tour down the canal on the Sam Patch boat.

Olives is the featured restaurant for Nite Out in the month of August. Nite Out is a local service where subscribers have amazing restaurant experiences each month at Rochester’s best spots. Find out more.

 

Founded by first generation Italians, Lemoncello is truly an authentic Italian bistro in the heart of East Rochester. The talented kitchen staff is known for extraordinary sauté skills and dishes that bring deep tastes and lively aromas. Their vibrant atmosphere, coupled with a premier selection of wine and music, foster a true Italian dining experience. Here are five reasons you must visit this east side bistro.

 

1) Lemoncello Chicken
This is flat out one of the best Italian dishes in Rochester. It comes piled with artichokes, olives, sun-dried tomatoes, spinach, lemon and a cream sauce over hand-made linguine. The cream sauce is really what makes this dish a masterpiece.

 

2) Atmosphere and Patio
The overall set up at Lemoncello is Italian perfection. Inside, the décor is reminiscent of a countryside villa with high ceilings and exposed wooden beams. Outside they have a magnificent patio that provides the perfect dining setting.

 

3) Chicken Parmesan
If you are a fan of chicken parmesan, Lemoncello’s take on this Italian classic will not disappoint. The chicken comes perfectly breaded, pan-fried and topped with their homemade sauce over penne pasta.

 

4) Starter Dishes
We highly recommend going with the arancini and drunken shellfish for starters. The shellfish comes with clams, mussels, shallots, garlic and herbs sautéed in a white wine. Meanwhile the arancini are rice balls that are stuffed with a delicious beef and pea filling.

 

5) Live Music
Lemoncello keeps their calendar filled with live music acts with a heavy focus on jazz. If you are lucky enough to get an outdoor table during a show, you have hit the jack pot. Check their Facebook page for updates.

Lemoncello is the featured restaurant for Nite Out in the month of July. Nite Out is a local service where subscribers have amazing restaurant experiences each month at Rochester’s best spots. Find out more.

 

On a semi-annual basis we like to reach out to local restaurants to see if they are offering any new promotions. This time around, we came across some good ones. Below are five new deals that you should check out this summer to save some cash.

 

5) OX AND STONE
282 Alexander St, Rochester, NY 14607
oxandstone.com – (585) 287-6933

The Deal: Wednesday for 2 for 1 tapas featuring tequila flights and bottled wine specials. Get the sizzling shrimp pictured above.
Menu Highlights: Paella, tacos and chips/salsa. Excellent place for a cocktail like the Lil Pip or Local Celebrity.

 

4) JOHN’S TEX MEX
489 South Ave, Rochester, NY 14620
facebook.com – (585) 232-5830

The Deals: Tuesday for $2 Mexican beer -OR- Wednesday for $3 American craft beer bottles and cans.
Menu Highlights: Best burritos in Rochester. Tacos are good as well with a decent bottled beer selection.

 

3) AMORE
1750 East Ave, Rochester, NY 14610
wegmansamore.com – (585) 452-8780

The Deals: Tuesday for $12 mussels and beer -OR- Thursday for $6 calamari and half-price bottles of wine.
Menu Highlights: Margherita pizza, gnocchi alla melanzana and calamari fritti. Excellent wine selection.

 

2) AVVINO
2541 Monroe Ave, Rochester, NY 14618
avvinorochester.com – (585) 270-5229

The Deal: Tuesday through Friday from 5pm – 6:30pm for $5 select wines, $5 hibiscus & rose sangria, $4 Cubans, $5 hummus with cauliflower & pita and $3 beer special. The Cuban is unbelievable.
Menu Highlights: Octopus, Cuban sliders and homemade pastas.

 

1) CURE
50 Rochester Public Market, Rochester, NY 14609
curebar.net – (585) 563-7941

The Deal: Wednesday through Sunday from 4:30pm – 7pm they offer $6 cocktails and bar snacks. This is #1 because their mini banh mi is part of the bar snacks and they are absolute perfection.
Menu Highlights: Banh mi, boudin blanc and bone marrow toast. Excellent cocktail selection.

Nestled in the historic German House, ButaPub draws on Asian influences to fill out their creative menu. Fresh ingredients such as kimchi, pickled vegetables and various seasonings are found throughout their uniquely flavored dishes. The beverages are also carefully selected, with tasty cocktails available and an excellent line up of craft beers with a local focus. Below are five reasons that you need to frequent this South Wedge eatery.

 

1) Ramen
Best. Ramen. Around. It comes in a delicious broth that is layered with miso-chile tare, light ramen noodles, pickled cucumber, poached egg and sprinkled with a furikake seasoning. This is all topped with two pieces of perfectly cooked pork belly.

 

2) Live Music
ButaPub is constantly bringing in live acts to dawn the stage in their spacious dining area. Check their Facebook feed for updates – they host everything from hip hop to alternative music.

 

3) Korean Chicken Wings
In a city known for wings, these are some of the best around. They are served crispy with a sumptuous sauce of your choice: gochujang, soy-garlic or sweet-sambal. Sesame seeds and scallions are then added to bring out even more flavor.

 

4) Unique Atmosphere
ButaPub is set in the basement of the German House which provides a trendy and vintage atmosphere. There is a lounge space, pool table room, stage for bands, outdoor seating and a magnificent bar area that plays host to a tasty selection of craft brews.

 

5) Pork Belly Steam Buns
These pillowy delights come with hearty pieces of pork belly that are topped with pickled vegetables. What gives this dish extra flavor though is the togarashi mayo that is layered over the pork. Togarashi is a Japanese chile-based spice blend that gives the mayo some kick.

 

ButaPub is the featured restaurant for Nite Out in the month of June. Nite Out is a local service where subscribers have amazing restaurant experiences each month at Rochester’s best spots. Find out more.

 

 

Roncone’s is the longest running Italian restaurant in Rochester with its roots dating back to 1938. Executive Chef Jimmy Carmen Paulino brings a menu full of Italian favorites that offer a unique flavor reminiscent of the old country. His style trends from generations of great Italian cooks and Las Vegas, where he was the youngest executive Chef in the city’s history. Here are five reasons you need to visit this local gem.

 

1) Old School Italian
The Roncone’s menu includes all the classic Italian dishes you would ever want. What is even better, the recipes are from generations of fine Italian cooking.

 

2) Chicken French
This is easily one of the best Chicken French dishes in Rochester. It comes sautéed in sherry wine, lemon, and butter, served over thin spaghetti. Make sure to add the escarole!

 

3) Homemade Gnocchi
Their gnocchi has just the right amount of softness and flavor. They are made with ricotta cheese and potatoes, and then layered in their delicious homemade tomato sauce.

 

4) Italian Brunch
Every Sunday is Roncone’s creative take on the weekend brunch. They feature tasty frittatas that have fried potatoes, eggs and usually some type of meat like Italian sausage.

 

5) Greens and Beans
You have to get this classic Italian favorite. The greens and beans are served with ditalini pasta and with the option of adding sautéed Italian sausage

 

The Owl House specializes in New American food with a menu that caters to all types of dietary preferences. They are known for their vegetarian and vegan dishes, but have several quality meat entres that will satisfy the carnivores. The Owl House also puts a large focus on their beverage program that includes an excellent cocktail menu, 12 draught lines and over 20 bottles of specialty beers. Here we rundown the exact reasons you need to dine at this Rochester favorite that is sure to satisfy all pallets.

 

Vegan and Vegetarian Friendly
The Owl House has built a reputation on producing creative and delicious vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free dishes. One of the most popular menu items is the vegan mac-n-cheese. It is made with Flour City pasta radiatore, kabocha squash cheese sauce, broccoli, green beans, and seasoned panko bread crumbs.

 

They Have The Meats
Despite their vegetarian reputation, The Owl House offers some quality meat dishes such as the B.V.E. hamburger and sirloin steak. The 8 oz. sirloin from Seven Bridges Farm comes with cheesy sweet potato mash, Swiss chard and crispy leeks.

 

A Beautiful Brunch
The Owl House hosts one of the best brunches in town every Saturday and Sunday from 11am – 3pm. The chicken and waffles is a house favorite that comes piled with Sriracha-strawberry jam, arugula and fresh fruit.

 

Buffalo Cauli Wings
Devoted chicken wing fans may be turned off by this concept – but you need to try them. These crispy pieces of cauliflower come with layers of Frank’s Red Hot, maple Sriracha aioli and broccoli slaw for a taste combination that is truly unique.

 

Cozy Back Patio
The Owl House is an actual house that comes equipped with a back yard patio that surrounded by lush plant life. When the weather is nice, this is one of the best spots around for outdoor drinking and dining.

Set in an unassuming plaza on Monroe Ave, Avvino has been serving contemporary American and worldly cuisine since 2013. The menu is constantly evolving due to their use of local and seasonal ingredients. Every time you go, you can have a completely different experience. Below are 6 reasons that you will love Avvino.

 

1) Fiercely Seasonal Menu
Saying the menu is seasonal would be an understatement. Avvino works closely with local farmers and purveyors to incorporate fresh ingredients. The result is a menu that is constantly evolving with innovative and fresh dishes. The best thing about Avvino is that you never know what will be on the menu – but you know it will be great.

 

2) Top Notch Beverage Program
While cuisine is the focus, the staff pays close attention to wine, with around 200 carefully selected bottles on hand. This, coupled with a delicious selection of cocktails, makes for a highly coveted beverage program.

 

3) Octopus – Its What’s for Dinner
The menu rotates frequently, but one item has staked its claim – the charred octopus. On one occasion, Avvino took the octopus off the menu and were greeted with customers demanding its return. This seafood wonder comes with Greek yogurt polenta, artichoke and squid ink crumble.

 

4) Sushi Happy Hour
Tuesday through Friday from 5pm – 6:30pm, Avvino hosts one of the best happy hours in town. The reason is they have delicious sushi and it is only $5 during this time at the bar. The deal also has $5 select wines, $5 house punch, and $3 beer specials.

 

5) Cuban Slider
We can safely tell you this is quite possibly the best Cuban sandwich in town. It comes layered with house-smoked ham, gruyere, pickles and mustard. Then it is pressed on to a tasty bread roll.

 

6) Dine Like a Boss
Avvino has a private dining space called the Meyer’s Den that holds up to 20 guests. The room evokes an old time atmosphere due to its dark wood paneling and vintage frames that line the walls. You can choose off their regular menu or kick things up a notch with a specialized tasting of two or three courses.

Set in historic Schoen Place on the Erie Canal, Label 7 has been serving an upscale New American menu since 2008. Their cuisine is influenced by the foods of California’s Napa and Sonoma Valleys – and everything is good. To get down to specifics though, here is a blue print on why you need to frequent this Pittsford gem.

 

Brilliant Starter Dishes
Label 7 is known for their fantastic entres like the burger, chicken & waffle and escondido enchiladas – but make sure to start with a small or green plates. The delicious grilled wings come dry rubbed with buttermilk bleu  and a house Scotch bonnet pepper sauce. The Angry Caesar has crisp romaine, manchego, croutons, ancho roasted almonds and a chipotle-lime dressing that gives this innovative salad the perfect kick.

 

Chicken and Waffles to Die For
These aren’t the waffles you make at the free Holiday Inn breakfast bar. These are high-end waffles that are topped with tasty herb encrusted boneless chicken breasts. The herb crust is so good that it should be a dish all by itself. Smother the chicken and waffles with their warm maple syrup and you have a meal fit for a king.

 

Napa Hour + Bar/Porch
Everyday from 4 – 7pm is their happy hour (Napa Hour) which offers half priced drinks and wine on select items. This deal, combined with their island bar space and outdoor porch, make for the perfect setting to drink. Two other important notes about drinking at Label 7. One, they always seem to have Arrogant Bastard on tap which is an unbelievable American strong ale.  Two, they make a pretty special Cosmo with grapefruit vodka cointreau, pink lemonade, cranberry juice and sparkling brut.

 

Calistoga Cheddar Burger
Widely considered the best burger in Rochester, the Calistoga starts with house-ground and hand-pressed beef. It is then dressed with cured bacon, aged cheddar, spicy pickle, greens, tomato, onion and bourbon-molasses ketchup. On the side you are blessed with a healthy portion of frites that are glittered with a light amount of herbs.

 

Great Location
Schoen place is flat out one of the best areas in Rochester. The neighborhood is lined with shops, eateries and a scenic path next to the Erie Canal that navigates you through it all. You can feed the ducks, go on a boat tour, rent a bike and grab a craft beer at Lock 32 – one of the best breweries around. Get their Mule Fuel Double IPA! Furthermore, there other quality dining options besides Label 7, such as Olives, Simply Crepes, Coal Tower and Aladdin’s.