The Old Toad — Restaurant in City of Rochester

I attend pretty much every Tuesday evening for trivia night. I was told by a "regular" to get there around 7:20pm to around 7:40pm to get a table. I usually go with someone who is wheelchair bound and it is easy, for the most part to come in an entrance that is ADA compliant. There is a blue button and the walkway is level with the sidewalk. The door swings open and in you roll! So nice when that happens and believe me many entrances are labeled ADA and they are NOT compliant! There are two entrances, one ADA compliant and the other has a step up and is the actual entrance to the Old Toad. The place is a little bit smaller, but has that cozy quality in places. The place has atmosphere of a homey, but of an English Pub. The wait staff are very kind and caring when serving, even when there is a crowd, the staff are still calm and collected. One guest had an emotional support dog, the staff were willing to go into the kitchen to get a water bowl for the dog! So everyone feels welcomed. One guest is a regular and is blind and they are very kind to make sure he knows where his drink is placed and they take time to explain his bill. Usually at this time I have not seen or heard the pitter patter of children. I haven't been to the Old Toad before 7 pm, so I don't know about bringing children. The food is pretty well liked at our table, from the loaded fries to the Poutine fries are well liked! For Americans to have gravy on fries is a bit unheard of, I haven't heard a dislike with them yet. The size of that dish feed 3 people! I had a Taco-on-Taco Tuesday. The taco had Canandian Bacon, with a sauce and I have forgotten what other ingredient happened to be, It was great! Grand taste of ingredients I don't usually see together. There is a selection on the menu called minted mashed peas and they were out of this world. I love my peas, and someone said try these! Oh they were good, these peas weren't from a can and had a slight taste of mint, no, the mint was not overpowering . Now, parking in the city is a little bit tricky. There is a parking lot in the back, but after a certain hour, the parking lot is primarily for the renters in the building. But if you get to the restaurant early in the evening, there should be a close enough spot on the street. I haven't yet seen spots for the disabled, but will update when I find out. There is parking right in front of the building for three cars and a street on the side has parking available. The atmosphere, the service, and decore are well...

If you have refined taste in craft beer and scotch, if you are captivated by bartenders with British accents, if you call yourself an Anglophile, if you prefer a charmingly intimate atmosphere, reminiscent of an authentic English pub, to the deafening madhouse of sloppy drunks packed into a dim, insipid flea trap....then The Old Toad is your new home.

I spent a lot of time hanging out with last summer's crew of British exchange students, so I have quite a fondness for the place, but even before I knew anyone by name, it enchanted me as soon as I walked in the door. The walls are covered with every imaginable homage to British culture, all authentic of course, as the co-owner is actually a native of England. There are nooks and crannies everywhere to nestle in with your companions and enjoy good conversation over an aged scotch or a cask ale. The single dartboard is made of real fibers, is encased in wood with a chalkboard for keeping score, and uses steel-tipped darts. The enclosed sitting room complete with a decorative fireplace is aptly named the "Victorian Snug". The weekly trivia nights are so popular that they require a reservation. And I'm proud to say that for my first alcoholic beverage on my 21st birthday, I braved the Toad's legendary "Gas Chamber"--inquire about it if you dare--followed by a soothing, yet deceivingly strong OT20 IPA, which is exclusively made for the pub by Custom Brewcrafters.

The delightful intricacies of the place are infinite. It's unquestionably a must-see attraction in Rochester, and the unique character of the establishment is what clearly draws people in. But the people who really fall in love with the Old Toad are the ones who become a part of it themselves. Those who don't sometimes feel disillusioned by inconsistent service, apathetic attitudes, or mediocre food and drink presentations. The young bartenders change yearly, so to feel truly welcomed as a patron you must spend enough time there to befriend the long-term staff and customers, who at times may seem disinterested in the ebbing and flowing crowds. But those on the inner circle (to which even I cannot claim membership) will be treated like...

The food is spectacular here! Went there on a Sunday while some good were holding a trivia game. Pretty interesting and funny, I will be definitely coming back just to play.

The food I had the soup of the day which was vegetables and brie with curried chickpeas. The combination was different but delicious. I ordered the Yorkshire dinner which was amazing! The meat was so tender and juicy. The mash and vedgetables were a hit as well. My only recommendation is that if you don't like gravy splattered all over your platter then you should order it on the side.

My wife had the fish and chips which had to be one of the best fish fries I have had. I tried a piece and the fish was fresh, tender and juicy. The tarter sauce was great and the chips were spectacular.

Their beer selection offer a huge variety and I drank the Rorhbach cream ale with lemon from their cask selection. The beer was smooth with just the right hint if lemon 10/10 I would recommend.

The dessert is were this place takes the food to another level. The sticky toffee pudding is out of this world. I had to hold my self back from ordering another two with my wife!

If you are looking for a great place that has awesome food, cool decor, great beer selection, and amazing toffee pudding then...