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The following are restaurants we've visited, usually many times.  We're pretty easy to please, so our reviews try to find the positives about each place.  Comments are based on the entire experience, weighting the service as much as the quality of the food.  We get ideas for new restaurants from the articles in the Democrat and Chronicle as well as City Newspaper.  To see the full text of all reviews, read the entries in my blog Living in Rochester

Current Favorites Updated for 2009 [Finally]
For "nice but pricier evenings" out
Rooneys - reliably good food and service
Park Avenue Pub - always a nice night,
Label 7 - Nice atmosphere and great food
For "nice but more moderately priced"
Michael's Valley Grill - interesting selections, casual
Bacco's Ristorante - great Italian on Park Ave -- with parking
Eros - nice downtown spot for a meal or drink and appetizer
For "can't miss Italian" at reasonable prices
Perlos - first visit in a long time, and very pleased
Rizzi's - family run, casual favorite
Proiettis - family run Webster favorite
And a Goodbye to some Closings in 2008 ...
Blue Marlin Seafood - Grappa's - Jack Lavere's


Alexandria's Mediterranean Cuisine
232-6180
 
A wide selection of Mediterranean food at very reasonable prices.  We enjoy eating here before or after events at the Eastman theater.  Service can be erratic though
Bacco's Ristorante
442-5290
 
A favorite fine Italian restaurant tucked away on Park Ave, with its own parking!  Great food and service.  Interesting deserts.
Bamba Bistro
244-8680
 
We really enjoyed our first visit to this restaurant. Nice bar, great entrees. Upscale food and atmosphere
Bistro 135
662-5555
 
Varied menu has delicious choices from steak to seafood to cajun.  Nice setting, good service.  Live music on occasion, which can be good, but be careful of seating if you want to talk
Black and Blue Steak and Crab
421-8111
Contemporary Steak and Seafood restaurant. Nice interior, good service, wide wine selection, choose back or upstairs to avoid noise
Bonefish Grill  
Great seafood and good wine selection, conveniently located for a meal or drink after shopping at Eastview Mall.
Brio's
586-7000
 
One of the best bars in Rochester for wine lovers.  Appetizers and pizzas are great, we're not as fond of the full meals, but ownership has changed since we last tried a full meal.
Cappuccino's Italiano Cafe
458-1380
 
Now located in Fairport, in the place of the former Grappa's Restuarant.  Good variety of Italian specialties.
Charley Brown's (scanned menu)
385-9202
« Read Review »
Great food hidden away on Old Penfield Rd.
Eros Restaurant
546-2230
 
Greek and Italian food tucked away on Charlotte St downtown. Also good wine and appetizer selection for a later snack. Convenient to the Eastman, and has its own parking.
Good Luck Restaurant
340-6161
« Read Reviews »
In the former Fabrics and Findings in the Village Gate area.  Nice interior, menu designed for sharing.  Was a little noisy when we were there, but we hear this has since been fixed.
Hick's and McCarthy
586-0938
 
Wide variety of good food, friendly service, pleasant casual environment. Note: wine and beer only.  No reservations, which makes it great for unplanned evenings
Jasmine Asian Fusion
216-1290
« Read Review »
Interesting mix of Asian selections in a new restaurant in Webster
Joey B's Restaurant
377-9030
One of our favorites for upscale food in a casual and friendly environment with reasonable prices. Steak with blue cheese is great, as are their specials and veggies.  Nice canal view.
LaSalle's Steak and Seafood « Read Reviews »
Small, casual, but upscale steak and seafood restaurant located at the bottom of Irondequoit bay on Empire Blvd. See blog for review (additional review May 2008)
Label 7
267-7500
« Read Reviews »
Very nice restaurant in the former Rick's Prime Rib in Pittsford. Interesting menu, good service.
Legends Grill  
This Penfield restaurant has re-opened as an Italian restaurant by the original owner of Pane Vino.  New menu and interior.
Lento's « Read Reviews »
We've only had one visit so far, but were impressed with the interesting menu choices.  Upscale, finer dining, nice layout and quiet enough for conversations.  Would be good for a business dinner too.  Menu changes daily and has organic specialties
Max's Chophouse  
Good steak, efficient service, but I wanted to like this place more than I actually did.  A little cramped.
Michael's Valley Grill
383-8260
 
Good food, nice wine choices, reasonable prices.  Another good find hidden away on Old Penfield Rd.
Pane Vino  
Fine Italian cuisine, interesting menu choices, and elegant interior.  Ownership has changed since our last visit.
Park Avenue Pub « Read Review »
Got to get a full review written for this one.  Multiple visits, and loved the food and service every time.  Strongly recommended for a nice night out. 
Perlo's  
Large selection of moderately priced Italian Food. Friendly service, casual environment, with lots of seating spread across several rooms
Peter Geyer Steakhouse  
This is another restaurant like Max's Chophouse that I wanted to like more than I did.  In fairness, we've only gone once, but I'd rather go back to Park Ave Pub or Tournedos for the same price.
Phillip's European  
Varied menu of pastas and meats, with a great steak, but what's really fantastic are the deserts!.
Pomodoro Grill and Wine Bar
Wide variety of menu choices, good wine selection, and especially nice to sit outside on a warm summer night
Proietti's Italian Restaurant  
Family-run restaurant in Webster serving traditional and upscale Italian food in a casual environment.
Remington's  
Fine dining, but comfortable with professional service.  I love the carpetbagger (crab stuffed tenderloin) and my wife likes their cajun pasta.  Reliably good and reasonable.
Risorante Lucano  
A hidden gem with fine authentic Italian cuisine and friendly service
 

Rooney's « Read Review »
Fine dining, nice atmosphere.  We'd forgotten how good this restaurant is until a recent visit.
Richardson's Canal House
Highly recommended for an excellent meal in a historic setting.  Outside seating along the canal is great in the summer weather.
Rizzi's Restaurant
Dependable and interesting Italian cuisine served in a casual friendly environment. Love their garlic and oil.  Get on their mailing list for specials and coupons.
Sienna Bar and Grill  
A very nice meal and service during a recent visit.  Nice atmosphere - good business dinner location too.
Tasting's
381-1881
« Read Review »
The restaurant run by Wegmans.  Upscale and changing menus, good wine list, some seats allow you to look into the kitchen as meals are prepared.  Try the zucchini fries!
Tavern 58
546-5800
 
On Gibbs within walking distance of the Eastman. Mix of entrees with interesting specials. Nice bar area. Former chef of Blue Marlin Seafood.
The Brighton  
Casual atmosphere with friendly service and good food - under new ownership, so we need to revisit to see if anything has changed.
Tournedos
Absolute favorite for a special night out.  Great steak and impressive service.  Large wine selection.  Impressive for business guests.
Virtu  
Fine dining with a great view of downtown Rochester from expansive outside seating.  Great food, service a little spotty.
2 Vine  
Good food, upscale, convenient to downtown, but can be a little noisy if seated in the bar area.  Draws a big after work crowd