Rochester Restaurants (New York, Syracuse, Greece: work, health, community)

[I'minformed2]

Nick Tahous is the only "real" grabage plate though. The others are all knock-offs. They all will make you have more digestive problems then you ever thought possible.

[nymom]

eeeeewwww! That's all I have to say.

[kitty71]

ohhh... I don't think the garbage plate is a meal for me... I tend more towards vegetarian than meat... I see why they call it a "garbage plate", though!

HOWEVER, I did have a smaller BBQ dinner at Dinosaur's and enjoyed it immensely!! I was impressed that even their vegetable side dishes were very good (sweet potato, corn, I think there were even some green beans).

[kitty71]

There is a Wikipedia entry and several websites out there devoted to Nick tahou's garbage plate! There is actually a "vegetarian" version of it - I'm guessing that would be with eggs or beans as the topping. Quite the phenomenon, isn't it?

[NYTom]

I was hoping to be impressed with Rochester restaurants; is the garbage plate the typical type of meal being served up there?
My God it looks like something I would spoon into my dog's bowl.

[Lax]

It is only typical if you are looking for something to eat after a long night of drinking. There are many respectable restaurants as people have described earlier in the thread. 2 Vine for example is a bit more classier if you are looking for something a bit more upscale.

[I'minformed2]

lol....no, Nick Tahou's and the garbage plate is NOT the epitomy of Rochester fine dining. It's not like Utica!!!

[terryellen]

As a former long island who has lived and eaten all over the globe, I thought I would chime in with my thoughts

2Vine.....very nice fine dining....the bamba bistro

Bagels....ok, not great...one little dive in Brighton has boiled ones (cant think of the name off hand)....but Malek's bakery has all the kosher bakery items you could want and better than long islands

Chinese....we resort to PF Changs.....haven't found a local that we enjoy

loads of cafes.....Pittford village has JoJos bistro and Simply Crepes which we really like

Peter Geyer for steak....mixed bag....has been very good but had it mediocre
better at Max's downtown
Enoyed girls night at Mondo Grill in Pittsford...nice atmosphere, food very good and good presentation....great martinis

hope this helps

Theresa

[kitty71]

Originally Posted by NYTom

I was hoping to be impressed with Rochester restaurants; is the garbage plate the typical type of meal being served up there?
My God it looks like something I would spoon into my dog's bowl.

NY Tom, ROTFLOL I told my husband what you said - too funny...

[igadget]

I'm with NYTom on the 'plate.' I've been here 6 years and never had one and Im happy about it. For late night munchies I tend to stop by a Tim Hortons, mainly because they have soup/stew and sandwiches on at most locations all night, in addition to donuts. The bagel place mentioned above by TerryEllen is probably the "Bagel Bin" I can't think of any other boiled bagels in that area. We lost a great donut shop when "Brighton Donuts" closed, and then reopened as a kosher "Dunkin Donuts".

As for other types of food:

Thai - King and I - in Henrietta is so popular that to really enjoy it you should go not at lunch when they get mobbed.
Greek - Wonderful strombolis from a place on South Clinton that I can't remember the name of.
Vietnamese - I've only been to one of these and it was downtown near Main and State. I was taken there by a Vietnamese friend though.
The "Dinosaur" has been mentioned, they get national recognition for their support of the Jazz and Blues scenes in addition to their Outstanding BBQ. Patrons are also encouraged to grafitti in the bathrooms, at least of the Syracuse location. The only place you are likely to see bikers and yupies at adjacent tables.
In Gates there are a couple of Italian Bakerys that serve Stuffed Bread (imagine a pizza without sauce rolled into a tube and baked like a loaf.) and mini-pizza's (4" pizza with various toppings). The one I goto is "Savastano's" who scratch bake everything.
There is a local Sub shop that bakes their own bread, "DiBella's." Dibella's has grown to 5 or 6 locations. They are generous with toppings too. A slightly different take on the Sub is at the "Pita Pit" in Henrietta where they are more vegi-friendly.
Abbots Frozen Custard is to die for. I don't mean that as a figure of speech. The best part is that it is made freash daily. As mentioned they are only open in the summer at the original store on the lake, though some of the other locations open earlier in the year and stay open longer depending on traffic. I'm fairly certain the location across the parking lot from the Bagel Bin is one of those.

For dining in a nice atmosphere I like Lola's Bar & Bistro on Monro Ave. Also another excellent Italian eatery is Ricci's on Merchant St. They make some darn good calamari too!

I think thats enough, and now I'm really hungry - go figure.