🍽️ Rochester Dining Surprise

🍽️ Rochester Dining Surprise | A Foodie‘s Log: Three ‘Aesthetic Meal‘ Restaurants in One Go! Last week, I accompanied my partner back to their alma mater in Rochester and decided to explore the local "aesthetic dining" scene. I‘d heard it was a "food desert," but I was happily proven wrong—it‘s full of hidden gems! 😲 I tried three distinct restaurants in one trip: a Michelin-recommended spot, a trendy New American fusion joint, and a cozy neighborhood Italian. Here‘s my honest take. 1️⃣ REDD | The Understated Michelin-Recommended Stunner Surprise Level: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Must-Try: Any Pizza, Lobster Risotto (highly recommended for dinner) This was our first meal after landing, and we didn‘t even notice its "Michelin Recommended" badge at first. It turned out to be the most satisfying and also most regrettable experience of the trip. Satisfying because everything, from service to details, was on point 💯. I‘m not a huge pizza person, but their crust was perfectly crisp and flavorful with clever toppings—it completely changed my mind! 🍕 Other small plates were also excellent. The biggest regret? Missing their dinner service! I heard the lobster risotto is legendary. I‘ve officially noted it for next time. If you only choose one fine-dining spot in Rochester, I‘d recommend REDD without hesitation! 2️⃣ Nosh | New American Fusion, Slightly Underwhelming Surprise Level: ⭐⭐✨ Must-Try: Roasted Bone Marrow This spot serves New American fusion in a trendy, industrial-chic setting. The standout dish was undoubtedly the Roasted Bone Marrow—rich, unctuous, and delicious spread on toast, a sinful pleasure that rivaled versions I‘ve had in LA! 🦴 Beyond that, other dishes fell flat. The recommended "Beef Noodle" was essentially Korean Japchae (stir-fried glass noodles), which was just okay. 🍜 Cocktail options were plentiful, and portions were large, but overall, it lacked memorable highlights. It‘s a decent try but not a place I‘d rush back to. 3️⃣ Vern‘s | The Cozy Neighborhood Italian Spot That Made Me Stuffed! Surprise Level: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Must-Try: Daily Specials, Burrata Salad, Lamb Ragu Pasta Rochester has no shortage of Italian restaurants! Torn between Vern‘s and Roux, we chose Vern‘s for my handmade pasta craving. 🇮🇹 Their charm lies in the daily chef‘s specials, which the server will describe in detail. We ordered 2 specials + 2 regular menu items and the result was… a very happy food coma! 🤰 Burrata lovers must order a salad here. The fresh buffalo milk cheese paired with tomatoes or melon was, in my opinion, better than some main courses! The Lamb Ragu Pasta is highly recommended. It tasted like Chinese red-braised lamb, with generous meat portions—every strand of pasta was coated with shreds of lamb. So satisfying! 🐑 The charcoal-grilled chicken leg main course was full of smoky flavor. 🍗 Points deducted for cold bread, but it was well-aerated and soft, perfect for soaking up the lobster salad dressing. Cocktails were delightful too; we had a refreshing grapefruit-based one, perfect for ladies. 🍹 Overall, Vern‘s is the kind of warm, sincere neighborhood trattoria that leaves you feeling full and happy. 📝 Final Thoughts: Rochester is NOT a food desert! It‘s more like a treasure trove waiting to be explored. REDD is for a refined treat, Vern‘s for hearty comfort, and Nosh might satisfy a specific craving. This food adventure ended with delightful surprise, and I‘m already looking forward to uncovering more gems next time! 🔓 #AestheticMeal#RestaurantRecommendations#RochesterFood#UniversityOfRochester#HiddenGemRestaurants#FoodieDiaries#FoodReview#MichelinRecommended