Rochester Forum: Rochester, 3 days in October

Thank you DizzyGee. I am looking forward to this trip. Thanks on golf tips too but, as a golfer I am a danger to society :) - I mean I have no problem with power, I can hit the ball really well and strong but... I have problem with directions :) almost killed few last time I played :)

I've been to Niagara falls on Canadian side about 5-6 weeks ago. We may just need to go there and show the falls to (the only) one guy who's never been there. Hour and a half driving seems to be just right.

Thanks so much!

You're very welcome! Regarding golf - I almost hit MYSELF when I teed off and hit a tree sending the ball whizzing right back past my ear!!!! But you should see me drive a cart! Too bad they don't use chauffeurs instead of caddies! ; )

Have a great time!

Niagara Falls NY is about an hour and 45 minutes. I travel up to Toronto a lot for work and cross in Niagara Falls. During the week the traffic is generally non-existent unless you're hitting the Buffalo area around rush hour. The trip is pretty simple, 90 (Toll Road, EZPass and Sun Pass don't interchange) to 290 to 190...and you're there!

Dinosaur BBQ is really well known in the area and may be within walking distance of your hotel downtown.

You can drive down to Canadaigua and visit the Wine & Culinary Center, there are also a few other wineries down around Canadaigua (about 45 minutes from Rochester.) If you do want to visit a local winery, the closest to Rochester is Casa Larga in Fairport, NY...about 15 minutes from downtown.

For other local food, try to head over to the Gate House or Lento (depends on how good your expense budget is!) in the Village Gate. The Village Gate is a pretty neat artsy area in the city. Oh, and there's Rohrbachs, a local brewery on the West Side of town (Gates I think?) It has some pretty good German food, and a ton of beers to choose from.

Our local "specialty" (besides BBQ) is the Garbage Plate. It's pretty gross unless it's 3am. The original is Nick Tahou's, but it's not in the best area of town.

For nightlife, I'm a fan of the Old Toad. It's an English Pub atmosphere.

Thanks cat228, notes taken. Looking forward to the trip!

This is a great guide to Rochester be you a visitor or a local...

http://rocwiki.org/

A couple of restaurant suggestions:

Pasta Villa on E. Ridge Rd. Expect a wait, but they have a bar. Real nice Italian joint. On the outskirts of the "city", but Rochester is a small city and generally easy to get around (though if you are coming from downtown, I strongly recommend taking I490E to I590N to NY104W, get off at Portland. GPS may try to route you through surface streets from downtown, not advised.)

Beale Street Cafe on South Avenue. I'm not a huge fan, but it's OK. The primary reason for the rec is you may find yourself at the German House that same night. Even so...

Tap & Mallet on Gregory St. is better. High end bar food, good tap selection.

India House on S. Clinton for Indian. The inside is getting a bit rundown, but overall always a good meal.

This next place is one of those places that is easily overlooked from the rather small and shabby interior, but Ming's Noodles on S. Clinton still makes great food. Do not let the inside fool you.

As mentioned, local specialty is the Garbage Plate (t) and its variants. It is an acquired taste. However, white hot dogs (not bratwurst) and hot sauce (not hot sauce like tabasco) are also a local specialty. These can be a bit easier to tolerate, and there are plenty of stands around, everyone has their favorite. Just ask at your hotel if you're feeling adventurous.

Live music - check the schedule at Water Street Music Hall (downtown) and German House (Gregory St), these are the larger small venues. Also, Freetime Magazine, www.freetime.com, will have most of the local listings, as will www.rochestercitynewspaper.com.

Now, the "from left field" recommendation for out of town visitors... Wegman's Supermarket in Pittsford. Seriously. And FTR, this isn't my personal oddity, it's actually won (repeatedly) City Newspaper's readers choice award for best place to take out of town guests. I can't tell you why a supermarket is a great tourist destination, but I can tell you that everyone I convinced to visit one (we used to do a lot of training for out of town visitors in Canandaigua) was happy they went. It will also serve as a restaurant recommendation...

I like Canandaigua, I've worked in Canadiagua, we go to Canandaigua, but for a short visit to Rochester, especially if you're cutting out for a day to Niagara Falls, you could probably skip Canandaigua.

HTH

Thanks. all noted!

There are a bunch of bars in the East End, which is centered on East Ave. and Alexander St., but I think some of them don't open until late in the week like Wed. or Thu. Personally I'm not into that scene - too noisy and crowded. The South Wedge around South and Gregory has a number of bars and is more laid back, a good place for some pub crawling. There's also a string of bars along Monroe Ave. from the Inner Loop to Cobbs Hill. You could start at Jeremiah's at the far end (take a cab or bus) and work your way back downtown.

Get some wings while you're here. Although they're everywhere these days they were born in WNY. In Buffalo, Duff's is most often recommended by locals. In Rochester, Jeremiah's and the Distillery are popular. The closest Distillery to downtown is on Mt. Hope Ave. near Elmwood and the U of R.

For music, lots of places will have cover bands playing. Dinosaur is reliable for good blues and the Bug Jar on Monroe brings in interesting alternative bands. Freetime and City Newspaper have good listings.

Kat said:

<<<Our local "specialty" (besides BBQ) is the Garbage Plate. It's pretty gross unless it's 3am. The original is Nick Tahou's, but it's not in the best area of town.>>>

My dw and I were at Nick Tahou's a couple of years ago to sample the infamous garbage plate. Believe me, it's totally overrated, and an affront to anyone with average food needs.

If you don't believe me, park in the back parking lot, and watch the grease dripping out of the vent fan on the side of the building behind the kitchen, but be certain you're sober when you do!

tptr