The Greater Rochester metropolitan area is one of the biggest in New York State. It is a rather scenic part of the state, filled with hills, the Genesee River, waterfalls, gorges and Irondequoit Bay. The city, home to the University of Rochester and Roberts Weslyan College, has a large student population and attracts even more people each year with the Rochester Philharmonic, International Jazz Festival and International Film Festival. Rochester's culinary scene reflects its diverse population, with many kinds of restaurants serving almost any kind of food you can imagine.
Rooney's Restaurant serves American and international favorites with a creative twist. The menu features appetizers like vegetarian butternut squash soup, plantain-encrusted jumbo shrimp, salmon spring rolls, escargot, and walnut and spinach ravioli. Rooney's chefs also serve house specialties like diver scallops in cream sauce, wood-grilled strip steak, rack of lamb, crispy duck, venison, game hen and beef short ribs Osso Bucco style. Rooney's also has a lengthy wine list and includes champagnes, sparkling wines, dessert wines and international whites and reds.
Rooney's Restaurant
90 Henrietta St.
Rochester, NY 14620
585-442-0444
rooneysrestaurant.com
Lento specializes in local and seasonal cuisine. The restaurant buys its produce and ingredients from local farms, and the menu changes often according to the items in season. Lento features its own seafood bar, with daily selections of oysters, little neck clams, lobster and crab. Lento serves sirloin steak platters, grilled lamb chops, duck breast, and spicy Italian sausage. But there is also a vegetarian and vegan menu with vegan mac and cheese, vegetarian Shepherd's pie and homemade pierogies. Lento also has daily specials like dollar oysters all night Tuesdays and select wines for two dollars per glass on Wednesdays.
Lento Restaurant
274 N. Goodman St.
Rochester, NY 14607
585-271-3470
lentorestaurant.com
Jines serves breakfast, lunch and dinner seven days per week in a casual cafe atmosphere. Many of the menu items reflect a Greek influence. Breakfast items include four egg omelets with your choice of bacon, sausage, cheese, spinach, mushrooms, tomato or broccoli; vegetarian chili; eggs Benedict; pancakes; Belgian waffles; and an assortment of pastries, bagels, cereals and juices. Lunches and dinners feature appetizers like spanakopita (spinach and feta cheese pastries), potato skins, eggplant and garlic dip, chicken tenders, and fried zucchini. Main entrees include chicken, ham, turkey or cheese club sandwiches; falafel and pita sandwiches; reubens; and entrees such as a Souvlaki plate (pita, grape leaves and pork tenderloin or chicken breast), gyro plate or shish kabob. Jines also has desserts like baklava, rice pudding and hot fudge sundaes.
Jines Restaurant
658 Park Ave.
Rochester, NY 14607
585-461-1280
jinesrestaurant.com
