“Eat” listings
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iTastea
This airy noodle shop is vegetarian-friendly, glutenfriendly and just plain friendly. Entrees such as the currystyle hot pot and spicy dan dan chicken come with a potsticker appetizer. Warning for night owls: Dinner hours only run to 8.30pm. $ (09/2011)
Corn Hill Landing, 290 Exchange Blvd
585-360-2722
itastea.com -
Towpath Café
Lights twinkling off the water, breezes fluttering the canopy, perhaps the strains of live music. These are some of the pleasures of dining on the Towpath’s side deck that overlooks the Erie Canal. Specialties on the fairly traditional menu include brandy-glazed pork chops and stuffed burgers, filled with the likes of gorgonzola and bacon or Portobello and onion. $$ (09/2011)
6 N Main St, Fairport
585-377-0410
towpathcafe.com -
Tony D’s Coal-Fired Pizza
This upscale pie slinger doesn’t have a monopoly on huge servings of Italian classics (you'll need a shovel for the meatballs); it’s also not the only place with a fancy pizza oven (though the coal-fired chicken wings offer a welcome change of pace). The real deal maker here is the fantastic terrace that overlooks the river. $$ (08/2011)
At Corn Hill Landing 288 Exchange Blvd
585-340-6200
facebook.co...lfiredpizza -
Dogtown
Devoted to an icon of summer noshing, this modest joint starts with fundamentals from two Rochester institutions: Zweigle’s hots on Martusciello Bakery rolls. Toppings range from chili to sauerkraut, salsa to tzatziki. Un-wiener options include hamburgers, shaved steak and a few meatfree entrées. $ (07/2011)
691 Monroe Ave
585-271-6620
dogtownhots.com -
Gusto
Gluten-free diners have more options than you'd imagine at this relaxed Italian eatery: personal pizzas, brown rice penne, stuffed peppers and beers. But wheaty pasta still reigns supreme, with dishes like pesto capellini and the cheese-tacular ravioli lasagna, a house specialty. $$ (04/2011)
277 Alexander St
585-232-7810
eatwithgusto.com -
Good Luck
Character oozes from the brick walls of this former factory building. Sophisticated American cuisine (yellow beet salad with blue cheese, duck breast with leek pancakes) is served as plates to share. Everything looks so good that it's easy to over-order. $$$ (04/2011)
50 Anderson Ave
585-340-6161
restaurantgoodluck.com -
SAKURA HOME
Knife-tossing hibachi chefs hog the glory, but afi cionados often opt for the serene side of the restaurant and à la carte choices like sunomono (slices of shrimp, crab, octopus and cucumber circling a seaweed salad), beef grilled over volcanic rocks and innumerable sushi and sashimi options. That said, the chefs do put on a great show. $$ (01/2011)
2775 Monroe Ave
585-288-8130
sakurahomerestaurant.com -
SHEA’S FOOD, WINE & TAP
It’s comfort food season, and Shea’s serves it up: five kinds of homemade mac ’n cheese, chicken soup with handmade noodles, gooey eggplant parmesan and a giant meatball appetizer. The place feels cozy, too, with eclectic dinner tables each set on a unique rug. $$ (12/2010)
330 East Ave
585-325-6595
sheasfoodwinetap.com -
EROS RESTAURANT & BAR
Owner Stergios Kotorlis always makes the rounds to greet guests at this ochrewalled Mediterranean restaurant. Alongside traditional Greek souvlaki and spanakopita, find Italian favorites like penne primavera and veal osso bucco. $$$ (11/2010)
37 Charlotte St
585-546-2230
erosrestaurant.com -
CIBON
This is a bistro in the best sense of the word, with an extensive menu of creative panini and personal pizzas (plus some fancier entrées like fish stew and chicken marsala). Getting a sidewalk table requires patience, but it’s worth the wait. $$ (09/2010)
688 Park Ave
585-461-2960
cafecibon.com -
CASTAWAYS ON THE LAKE
Sitting in a patio chair beneath a umbrella with the sun sinking slowly into the water sounds like what you might experience at a tropical beach resort. Actually, it’s the deck at Castaways, a popular restaurant with a solid menu. Try the chicken breast sautéed in sherry, lemon and butter. $$$ (08/2010)
244 Lake Rd, Webster
585-323-2943
castawaysonthelake.com -
LENTO
The restaurant’s name means “slow” in Spanish— and the slow food philosophy rules here. The menu includes details like where the strip steak was pasture-raised before it was paired with grilled shiitake mushrooms. $$$ (06/2010)
274 N Goodman St
585-271-3470
lentorestaurant.com
