Exploring Asian flavors in Rochester today

Exploring Asian flavors in Rochester today, I checked out Seasoning Thai Bistro 🍛, a spot that’s gained some attention among local international students. With two locations in Rochester, is it worth a visit? Here’s my review and rating— 🐾 Overall Puppy Rating: 3.8/5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️ Service ⭐️⭐️ Food ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Cleanliness ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 📍 Location & Ambiance I visited the Elmwood location at 2602 Elmwood Ave. The interior is indeed very “Instagrammable”—modern and minimalist with Thai-inspired accents, perfect for photos 📸. It gets quite busy on weekends, so reservations are recommended. 🤵🏻 Service Experience (Major letdown ⚠️) The biggest issue was the service! We clearly ordered spring rolls with shrimp, but were served chicken instead, and were told they “couldn’t swap it.” Even more frustrating—empty plates piled up on our table during the meal, and it took at least two or three requests before someone cleared them. At checkout, the staff seemed unfamiliar with the POS machine, swiping my card twice before it went through, which took way too long. Overall, the service felt passive and perfunctory. 👎 🍽️ Food: Strong fusion vibes, a mixed bag Spring Rolls: Crispy wrapper, but the filling was ordinary—lacked the freshness you’d get at a dedicated seafood spot, and the shrimp-to-chicken swap was disappointing. Fried Calamari: Likely pre-made—texture was tough, not tender or springy. 🦑 Roast Duck Rice: The star of the meal! The duck was flavorful and not dry, and the accompanying chili sauce added a nice kick, though the overall flavor leaned sweet (might suit those with a sweet tooth). 🦆 Curry Roast Duck Rice (Chef’s recommendation): Truly explosive—rich, savory-sweet curry with cooked lychee inside! The combination is unique but quite intense on the palate, more of an adventurous try. Mango Sticky Rice: The ango was fresh and sweet 🥭, but the sticky rice was overly sweetened with coconut milk, becoming cloying after a few bites. 💸 Value Summary Portions are generous, good for sharing, but prices are on the higher side (mains around $18-$25). Coupled with the subpar service, the overall value is just average. If you’re a Thai food purist, the fusion style might not feel authentic enough; if you’re just curious about creative Asian dishes, you could give it a try—but keep your service expectations low. 📌 Tips Stick to roast duck dishes; avoid fried appetizers. Definitely reserve on weekends to avoid waiting. If you value good service, proceed with caution. #ThaiFood#RochesterFood#RochesterEats#RochesterNY#FoodReview#RIT#UniversityOfRochester#StudentEats#FoodRevie#FusionCuisine