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🕯️ Rochester Food Find

🕯️ Rochester Food Find｜Tapas 177: A Candlelit Culinary Hideaway in the Basement On Rochester‘s food map, certain spots are passed around by word of mouth for their unique vibe and consistent quality. Tapas 177 is one such place, perfectly embodying that half-joking saying: “The darker the restaurant, the better the food!” 🏴☠️ Recently, a visiting friend craved lamb chops, so we decided to unlock this long-bookmarked downtown gem. After the experience, all I can say is: It has mastered both ambiance and flavor! ✨ 🌃 Ambiance: The Romantic Candlelight Magic of the Basement The restaurant facade is modest, even understated, but stepping inside reveals another world. The dining area is cleverly set in the basement level. Descending the stairs feels like entering a secluded, private space. Lighting relies almost entirely on table candles. The flickering flames make shadows dance on the walls, instantly maxing out the atmospheric vibe. Sitting there, even the air feels warm and tinged with a sweet, lingering richness. 💑 This is absolutely an ideal spot for a romantic date, anniversary, or small birthday celebration—when we visited, a group at the next table was joyfully celebrating a birthday, their laughter mingling perfectly with the candlelight! 🍽️ The Food Experience: Every Dish Shines with Sincerity Embodying the “since we‘re here” spirit, we ordered a table full of dishes, and not a single one disappointed: 🐑 Lamb Chops: The goal of this trip for my friend. The cooking respects the ingredient‘s natural flavor without over-seasoning, and you can choose your doneness (we went for Medium Rare—pink and juicy inside). We omitted the usual feta cheese due to preference, but it didn‘t diminish the lamb‘s deliciousness. The meat was tender, with a pure, savory taste; simple salt and pepper were enough to make it shine. 🍝 Chicken & Mushroom Pasta: Portions are astonishing! The sauce is rich, with a perfect blend of creamy and umami mushroom flavors. The best part is the crispy toasted breadcrumbs on top, adding a delightful crunch to the creamy sauce. The chicken pieces were a bit bland, but it‘s a minor flaw. A must-order for carb lovers, but best shared by at least two people, or you might genuinely be “stuffed until the next day”! (Speaking from experience 😂) 🦑 Fried Calamari: Nearly perfect as an appetizer. The squid was fresh, the coating light and crispy. The accompanying dipping sauce and the few slices of pickled hot peppers on top were the soul of the dish—tangy and cutting through the richness, making it impossible to stop. We immediately entered “devouring mode.” 🍟 Asparagus & Mussels with Fries: Highly recommended! The mussels were fresh and plump, steeped in a creamy, flavorful broth. The most impressive part? Even sitting in the broth, the fries remained upright and crispy. Dipped in the broth, they were savory and delicious. The asparagus added a crisp, fresh balance to the dish‘s richness. The combination and cooking precision here showcased the kitchen‘s skill. 🍰 Dessert: The hidden champion! My friend‘s chocolate cake was decadent. I followed the server‘s recommendation for an off-menu item: the signature banana cheesecake (possibly called Zenga?). This dessert was stunning: warm banana cheesecake filling, wrapped in a crispy shell and lightly fried, topped with cinnamon sugar, and served with a scoop of cold vanilla ice cream. The contrast of temperatures and textures was exquisite—sweet but not cloying. One of the most satisfying desserts I‘ve had recently! 💰 Cost & Final Thoughts: Paying for the Experience, and It‘s Worth It! Because we wanted to try more, we ordered quite a bit, bringing the per-person cost to around $70. While the Engel‘s coefficient (food expenditure ratio) skyrocketed momentarily, and our scales might protest, considering the food quality, creative combinations, and unparalleled dining atmosphere, the money was well spent. It offers not just a meal, but a moment filled with romance and gustatory pleasure. If you‘re looking for a special occasion, a thoughtful date spot, or simply want to treat yourself to a fantastic meal in Rochester, then walk down those dimly lit stairs and let the candlelight and aromas of Tapas 177 envelop you. Just remember, save room for that mysterious banana cheesecake dessert! 🍌❤️ 📍 Address: 177 Genesee Riverway Trail, Rochester, NY 14604 #FoodAndFun#FoodReview#Rochester#UniversityOfRochester#FoodieLife#RIT#EngelsCoefficient#StudyInUSA#StudyAbroad#DevouringMode

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Laurel Rain
Laurel Rain
8 days ago
Laurel Rain
Laurel Rain
8 days ago
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🕯️ Rochester Food Find

🕯️ Rochester Food Find｜Tapas 177: A Candlelit Culinary Hideaway in the Basement On Rochester‘s food map, certain spots are passed around by word of mouth for their unique vibe and consistent quality. Tapas 177 is one such place, perfectly embodying that half-joking saying: “The darker the restaurant, the better the food!” 🏴☠️ Recently, a visiting friend craved lamb chops, so we decided to unlock this long-bookmarked downtown gem. After the experience, all I can say is: It has mastered both ambiance and flavor! ✨ 🌃 Ambiance: The Romantic Candlelight Magic of the Basement The restaurant facade is modest, even understated, but stepping inside reveals another world. The dining area is cleverly set in the basement level. Descending the stairs feels like entering a secluded, private space. Lighting relies almost entirely on table candles. The flickering flames make shadows dance on the walls, instantly maxing out the atmospheric vibe. Sitting there, even the air feels warm and tinged with a sweet, lingering richness. 💑 This is absolutely an ideal spot for a romantic date, anniversary, or small birthday celebration—when we visited, a group at the next table was joyfully celebrating a birthday, their laughter mingling perfectly with the candlelight! 🍽️ The Food Experience: Every Dish Shines with Sincerity Embodying the “since we‘re here” spirit, we ordered a table full of dishes, and not a single one disappointed: 🐑 Lamb Chops: The goal of this trip for my friend. The cooking respects the ingredient‘s natural flavor without over-seasoning, and you can choose your doneness (we went for Medium Rare—pink and juicy inside). We omitted the usual feta cheese due to preference, but it didn‘t diminish the lamb‘s deliciousness. The meat was tender, with a pure, savory taste; simple salt and pepper were enough to make it shine. 🍝 Chicken & Mushroom Pasta: Portions are astonishing! The sauce is rich, with a perfect blend of creamy and umami mushroom flavors. The best part is the crispy toasted breadcrumbs on top, adding a delightful crunch to the creamy sauce. The chicken pieces were a bit bland, but it‘s a minor flaw. A must-order for carb lovers, but best shared by at least two people, or you might genuinely be “stuffed until the next day”! (Speaking from experience 😂) 🦑 Fried Calamari: Nearly perfect as an appetizer. The squid was fresh, the coating light and crispy. The accompanying dipping sauce and the few slices of pickled hot peppers on top were the soul of the dish—tangy and cutting through the richness, making it impossible to stop. We immediately entered “devouring mode.” 🍟 Asparagus & Mussels with Fries: Highly recommended! The mussels were fresh and plump, steeped in a creamy, flavorful broth. The most impressive part? Even sitting in the broth, the fries remained upright and crispy. Dipped in the broth, they were savory and delicious. The asparagus added a crisp, fresh balance to the dish‘s richness. The combination and cooking precision here showcased the kitchen‘s skill. 🍰 Dessert: The hidden champion! My friend‘s chocolate cake was decadent. I followed the server‘s recommendation for an off-menu item: the signature banana cheesecake (possibly called Zenga?). This dessert was stunning: warm banana cheesecake filling, wrapped in a crispy shell and lightly fried, topped with cinnamon sugar, and served with a scoop of cold vanilla ice cream. The contrast of temperatures and textures was exquisite—sweet but not cloying. One of the most satisfying desserts I‘ve had recently! 💰 Cost & Final Thoughts: Paying for the Experience, and It‘s Worth It! Because we wanted to try more, we ordered quite a bit, bringing the per-person cost to around $70. While the Engel‘s coefficient (food expenditure ratio) skyrocketed momentarily, and our scales might protest, considering the food quality, creative combinations, and unparalleled dining atmosphere, the money was well spent. It offers not just a meal, but a moment filled with romance and gustatory pleasure. If you‘re looking for a special occasion, a thoughtful date spot, or simply want to treat yourself to a fantastic meal in Rochester, then walk down those dimly lit stairs and let the candlelight and aromas of Tapas 177 envelop you. Just remember, save room for that mysterious banana cheesecake dessert! 🍌❤️ 📍 Address: 177 Genesee Riverway Trail, Rochester, NY 14604 #FoodAndFun#FoodReview#Rochester#UniversityOfRochester#FoodieLife#RIT#EngelsCoefficient#StudyInUSA#StudyAbroad#DevouringMode

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