Roux — Restaurant in City of Rochester

Went there thinking I knew what I wanted off their regular menu, but they had two specials that caught my eye, a seared Toro-Tuna steak over bok-choy and julienned carrots in a miso soy and ginger glaze, as well as a seared 7oz steak with roasted potatoes and bone marrow. Undecided I got both, and it was a stunning experience to eat there.

The appetizers I ordered were ceasar salad with microgreens and a crab toast (also a special), which had well balanced spices and remoulade/aioli underneath on fresh bagguette which came out with a traditional preperation of kubler suisse absinthe. It was light enough to go with the very sweet delicate yet flavorful lump crab and remoulade but complimented with the herbaceous and a warm almost fruited spicy end note. Perfect combo.

Then with dinner I had the LaRousse absinthe. Much heartier but definitely blended better with the meal that it was paired with. The Toro tuna steak melted in my mouth like A5 waygu, buttery with no sea flavor but the beautifully fattiness that carried the flavors of the miso ginger glaze around it. Crunchy bok choy perfectly cooked so that the cores had that stiff crunch but the leaves were delicate an coating in the mouth and the julienned carrots just added that beautiful earth yet sweet hint to round the dish out The absinthe complimented this by having own own herbaceous and earthy tones, and being more spiced-foreward and wormwood foreward really complimented the bok choy and miso. The steak dinner was just as finessed; A steak and a bone with marrow in it balancing the roasted potatoes over the plate so that the red wine sauce didnt soak away the crunch on all sides but still seeped into the fluffy interiors of the potato. The steak was cooked perfectly and the flavors on it were impeccable, herb blend not overpowering but complimenting the meat. To top it off the marrow spread over the potato wedges was incredible with savory, salty and deep in flavor but still lingering on the tongue long enough to take one for swig of the fine LaRousse absinthe and to give the herbaceous liquorice and woody fresh flavors that complimented the dish. All I wish is that I could've tried one of their regular dishes as well as I know when I go back the only thing I can repeat is the Ceasar salad. But I would trust that kitchen with any ingredients handed to...

Overall my experience at ROUX was OK, even GOOD. But my big issue with this is that the pricing and perceived quality based on the way they present themselves, this should be EXCEPTIONAL.

Everything was either a small portion at upscale, near-Michelin prices I was appalled that the $21 crab bread was one piece of toast with some crab chunks on it. This theme followed us for every item we purchased, phony Negronis which are retail for $4.50 were $12. I am not a frugal person, i understand when "experience" demands a premium, but I cannot say that there was an elevated experience at this establishment.

Our server, I think he meant well but his bedside manner needs work... I think he was trying to add an allure of "sexyness" or "mysteriousness" with the way he was talking, but it came off as tacky and forced, and honestly made us a little uncomfortable. He did not feel personable or make us comfortable. I do think that he was prompt and attentive so +2 for that.

The ambiance, THIS is where most high end restaurants attribute the cost, and thus, the bill. This place is literally just a medium sized room, maybe as big as a living room in large homes. All the tables are packed quite closely together, similar to a small family restaurant where there is a need to maximize utilization of space. There is a lack of intimacy, the candles help, but they cant do everything. Seems like a setup for a place that has a lot of casual lunch traffic, not intimate special occasions.

The food came out very quickly and the seating was comfortable, that being said it was half empty so i would expect nothing less.

The 3% service charge is ridiculous, If i pay with cash it will not go away, this is penny pinching and feels "cheap", like you are trying to nickel and dime the patron, which in this case given all of the other evidence; might be the case...

The food. Looking past the small portions and pricing, there was nothing special. The crab bread was the best part and that was a special appetizer. It did not feel like there was any love or precision to it like other similarly marketed restaurants.

If this place presented itself differently i would look past all of these factors, but at this price-point I feel somewhat robbed. Take your patronage elsewhere if you value your experiences as there is much more to be...

Excellent establishment! This French restaurant is a great place for a special dinner. The menu is pricy but worth it. Their steak frites and moules marinieres are staples of the menu and never disappoint. They serve an excellent bouillabaisse on Fridays. Their rotating specials menu included New Zealand venison with vegetables and fingerling potatos in a cherry port wine sauce tonight and let me tell you - it was amazing! They have a small but excellent dessert menu including a delicious creme brulee and a chocolate torte - dense, mildly sweet, and pairs delightfully with their mulled wine. Roux also has an impressive drinks menu including an extensive absinthe selection and many creative cocktails based on that liquor. If absinthe is not to your liking, they make many other great cocktails as well, serve wine, and have excellent bartenders who will personally advise you. The atmosphere of Roux is very pleasant. The interior has an old feel to it, like you stepped into a French bistro from time past. It is full of dark wood, old mirrors, a simplistic table setting (no white tableclothes or elaborate chandeliers) and feels very classy. It is a small place and you can peek into the kitchen through a window above the bar. I recommend this as one of the finer dining establishments in Rochester. My only complaint is that it can get very noisy if the restaurant is any more...