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Where is Rochester located?
- Nestled along the shoreline of Lake Ontario, Rochester offers a perfect weekend escape in Upstate New York.
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What kind of dining experiences does Rochester offer?
- The thriving culinary scene includes a wide range of cuisines, offering something for every taste and preference.
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Are there romantic dining options in Rochester?
- Many restaurants in Rochester provide a romantic setting where couples can relax together after a day of exploring.
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1. Avvino
Savor seasonal dishes, enjoy a romantic fine dining experience with elegant ambiance.
In 2013, the doors to Avvino opened in Rochester, serving delicious Italian cuisine that features a dinner menu that changes seasonally. The décor of this restaurant consists of dark woods that offset light wall coloring, ornate ceiling tile, and wide crown molding. Avvino also boasts three distinct dining areas, The Patio (seasonally), Meyer’s Den, and Main Dining Room. All offer dining options for a romantic date night. The chef relies on seasonal ingredients to prepare innovative and flavorful dishes. Entrées include items such as organic chicken breast, or Faroe Island salmon prepared with za’atar potatoes, Swiss chard, caramelized cauliflower, and sweet potato and avocado salad.
2541 Monroe Avenue, Rochester, NY, Phone: 585-270-5229
2. Cure
Enjoy farm-to-table dishes, savor bold flavors in a cozy setting.
Located inside Rochester’s Public Market, Cure offers French cuisine with a tantalizing interpretation. An interior setting of hardwood floors, banquette seating, large pane windows, wood chairs, unique light fixtures, and an ornately designed bar makes Cure an ideal place for a romantic date night. The menu at this restaurant features ingredients that are locally grown and sourced. Their eclectic menu includes entrées like Korean-style fried chicken with steamed rice, fried egg, kimchi and gochujang sauce, and Moules Frites with tomatoes, garlic, chiles and saffron Guests should try the Beef Bourguignon – braised short ribs, vin rouge, mushrooms, root vegetables, and puff pastry.
50 Rochester Public Market, Rochester, NY, Phone: 585-563-7941
3. Edibles Restaurant
Savor eclectic dishes, enjoy a lively atmosphere with locally inspired flavors.
In a building dating back to the mid-1850s, the Flatiron is home to Edibles Restaurant in Rochester. This restaurant’s eclectic interior features exposed brick and wood walls, pressed tin ceiling, and large pane windows. Original hardwood floors, suspended lighting, and ceiling fans, make this stylishly designed restaurant an ideal spot for a date night. Edibles focuses on local organic ingredients to prepare their American bistro cuisine. Entrées include selections like Ossobucco – mushroom risotto, tomato pan gravy, and braised pork shank or Chicken de Medici – lemon dressed arugula, aged parmesan, tomatoes, and breaded chicken cutlet.
704 University Avenue, Rochester, NY, Phone: 585-271-4910
4. La Luna Restaurant
Enjoy authentic Italian cuisine, savor hearty pasta dishes in a rustic space.
In the High Falls historic district of downtown Rochester, La Luna Restaurant has established itself as a fine Italian restaurant and event center. This restaurant’s immaculate interior design with an exposed high ceiling, floor to ceiling windows, and a large banquet room in a historic building is bright and spacious. Their spacious outdoor terrace overlooking spectacular waterfalls create a romantic ambience that is perfect for a night out for two. The Italian cuisine is lovingly prepared with only the freshest local ingredients. Entrées include selections like shrimp and scallop Fettuccini Alfredo, Aglio e Olio, and Penne Vodka.
60 Browns Race, Rochester, NY, Phone: 585-232-5862
5. Max Chophouse
Savor premium steaks, enjoy an upscale, intimate dining experience.
Max Chophouse offers diners a neighborhood restaurant with the feel of a New York City restaurant. This elegantly decorated restaurant is set in soft colors which gives the space a calming presence. It also features hardwood floors, pendant lighting, a banquette along one wall, and large arched mirrors behind the bar, making this an ideal restaurant for a romantic date. Max Chophouse is known as a premier steak house, but also serves fresh seafoods. Menu items include options like Atlantic Salmon, 8-ounce Canadian Lobster Tail, New York strip, Filet Mignon, Ribeye, and Red Wine Braised Lamb Shank.
1456 Monroe Avenue, Rochester, NY, Phone: 585-271-3510
6. Park Avenue Pub and Restaurant
Enjoy classic American dishes, savor handcrafted cocktails in a relaxed atmosphere.
Park Avenue Pub and Restaurant in Rochester offers upscale dining in a casual atmosphere. The interior décor of this restaurant sets a homey mood with soft lighting, cushioned, highbacked booths, and wood barrel ceiling. These interior features and outside sidewalk dining area, provide couples with a romantic ambience. New American cuisine is focused on steak, seafood, and pasta. Some popular selections include Sautè of Veal, grilled center cut Filet Mignon, Bone-in Kansas City style strip steak, Sautè of chicken breast and Italian sausage, and Australian Lamb Loin Chops, artichoke, and bleu cheese crusted with demi-glace.
650 Park Avenue, Rochester, NY, Phone: 585-461-4140
7. Tony D's
Savor wood-fired pizzas, enjoy Italian favorites with waterfront views.
In the area of Rochester known as Corn Hill, Tony D's is the hot new trendy place to dine. This recently opened restaurant ticks all the boxes when it comes to interior decorating and fine dining. Pressed tin ceiling fixtures, exposed brick archways, hardwood floors, recessed lighting, two-dining floors, delicately painted wall murals, and river views create a warm and welcoming vibe. Thin crust pizzas made in coal-fired ovens are in-demand menu items at Tony D’s. But there are plenty of other delicious Italian entrées as well, like Steak Pizzaiolo, Pan Fried Chicken Cutlet Parmesan, and Spaghetti with Roasted Cauliflower with garlic, pine nuts, olive oil, and pecorino cheese and chili flakes.
1290 University Ave, Rochester, NY 14607, Phone: 585-413-3640
8. Char Steak & Lounge
Enjoy perfectly grilled steaks, savor cocktails in a stylish lounge setting.
Char Steak & Lounge is located inside Strathallan, A DoubleTree by Hilton, in the Neighborhood of The Arts section of Rochester. The interior design features a romantic fireplace in a stone feature wall, hard-wood floors, and a wall of windows. This restaurant also has comfortable lounge seating area, stone columns, and an abundance of bar seating. Char Steak & Lounge’s executive chef begins each culinary creation with fresh, local ingredients. Entrées include items like 12-ounce ground brisket chuck burger, Australian rack of lamb, and local Finger Lakes duck – black rice, anis-orange jus, turnips, rhubarb, pistachios, white asparagus, Five-spice, roasted lacquered breast, and crispy thigh confit.
550 East Avenue, Rochester NY, Phone: 585-241-7100
9. Tournedos Steakhouse
Savor prime steaks, enjoy a romantic fine dining experience with timeless elegance.
Tournedos Steakhouse is located inside Rochester’s only luxury boutique hotel, The Inn on Broadway. Its regal elegance can be seen in its fine chandeliers, arched entryway, and a glassed-in temperature-controlled wine cellar. This restaurant also features suspended lights, hardwood floors, and comfortable leather booths. With a penchant for fresh ingredients, Tournedos has its fish flown in daily from Hawaii. Menu items include options like Ora King Salmon (premium sushi grade 1), and Hawaiian Ahi tuna (sushi grade 1). Other menu favorites include 8-ounce center cut beef tenderloin filet, 16-ounce bone-in beef tenderloin, and dry-aged porterhouse steaks.
26 Broadway, Rochester, NY, Phone: 585-269-3888
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