Terza — Restaurant in Rochester

Terza is a delightfully classy place to spend an evening, without feeling overly formal. I don’t make a habit of eating out, usually preferring to put something together myself instead. Sometimes, however, it’s nice to spend time with my family and not worry about doing all the prep work myself. Finally relenting to the insistence of my sister, I decided to try Terza; her new favorite Italian restaurant. We arrived around 5:45 pm on a Friday evening, which turned out to be perfect, as we were in the door before the rest of the rush of dinnertime walk-ins. We chose seats at the bar, and enjoyed lightning-fast and highly responsive service. I ordered us an appetizer of their fried calamari and an entrée of Tortelloni Rosa with a glass of La Crema Pinot Noir. My mother ordered their Roasted Root Vegetable salad and a pint of Little Thistle Brave Woman. My father chose the Sausage and Peppers Pizza and a Surly Axe Man to drink. We had our drinks scant seconds after ordering and spent the next few short minutes making small talk before the calamari was delivered along with a plate of freshly sliced bread. The calamari was delightful, being lightly battered and fried just long enough to be crispy, without feeling overly greasy. The bread was also a very fine appetizer, being warm fresh from the oven with an airy crumb and good crust. Another few short minutes pass as we sip our drinks, and our entrrée arrive. I barely have time to appreciate the elegant plating of my tortelloni before being lured in by the aroma, and dig in to enjoy the exceedingly creamy and savory flavors. The rich, plummy flavor of the wine made a perfect pair with the pasta. After we had finished our entrees and had a moment to digest, I made the choice to order a dessert. From the feature card, I asked for a Peach Crostata, and it was rather promptly delivered. The crust was light and flaky, the filling richly spiced and not too sweet, and it was served with freshly whipped and chilled vanilla cream that contrasted the peaches perfectly. I would highly recommend Terza to anyone looking for a classy restaurant for dates, time with the family, or otherwise just a fantastic meal. Budget conscious patrons should be aware that it is very easy to end up spending much more than you intended, especially if...

Down for a concert this evening and came across this as near the hotel and civic center. Staff promptly greeted us when arriving at our reservation time at 5:30pm. We were seated in a small space off the main dining room. The wait staff is very attentive and courteous including a couple of supervisors or managers who checked on us throughout our evening. Drinks were chocolate milk and ice teas as didn't want to be sleepy for the concert. My daughter loved the bread with olive oil, they also provide balsamic but she is not a fan. My wife and I started with the avocado bruschetta which was slightly grilled and topped with avocado, burrata, basil, and I believe red pepper. This was a very tasty appetizer and nicely presented. Entrees ordered were: Chicken Fettuccine Alfredo - kids, many restaurants skimp on the kids one but not this place. A good balance of noodles, sauce, and chicken. Braised short rib with roasted cauliflower - only one bite which had too much fat to eat, the rest was well prepared with a tasteful demi glaze. Cauliflower was roasted to perfection. The pappardelle grilled chicken was excellent. With handmade pasta and loaded with vegetables, it was prepared perfectly. The sauce was wonderfully flavorful and all of the components complemented each other in a great, cohesive dish. Highly recommended. Had cafe mocha and macchiato for an after meal drink, both were presented with an almond biscotti, single natural sugar cube and the proper amount of milk on top. Dessert was the chocolate almond tortino which we all had a taste but then separated the top as it had a baileys zabaglione on top. My daughter finished the bottom half and my wife and I polished off the top. We also shared a tiramisu which was very well balanced with no one over powering flavor, it was a delight with the creamy mixed the soft lady fingers for a wonderful ending to the meal. Overall would recommend this place for a great Italian meal out, staff is outstanding and the entire meal was outstanding with attention to all...

Terza is one of my absolute favorite restaurants in Rochester. I’ve been here countless times, and it never disappoints — the food and service are always top-notch.

During my most recent visit with my partner, we had another incredible experience: • Warm bread basket: They started us off with warm, fresh bread — simple and delicious. • Fried cheese balls (appetizer): Absolutely amazing! Perfectly seasoned, crispy on the outside, melty on the inside, and paired with their house-made marinara sauce (or “mother sauce”), which was incredibly fresh and flavorful. • Wild Mushroom Risotto (my entrée): To die for! Creamy, loaded with mushrooms, well-seasoned, and a generous portion. • Terza Classic Lasagna with Meatballs (my partner’s entrée): Rich, hearty, and delicious. The lasagna was perfectly layered and flavorful, and the Terza Meatballs were some of the best we’ve had — fresh, well-seasoned, and melt-in-your-mouth good. A must-try for any lasagna lover! • Drinks: We enjoyed a glass of wine and an Old Fashioned — both well crafted and a great pairing with our meal. • Dessert: We shared the Tiramisu, and it was the perfect sweet ending. Very well served — the portion is generous and can easily be shared between 2 or even 3 people. Light, creamy, and absolutely delicious.

Tip:

If you’re curious to see the kitchen in action, ask to sit at the kitchen counter — it’s a fun and unique experience.

Pro Tip:

They’re usually busy, so I highly recommend making a reservation in advance.

Terza continues to set the bar for dining in Rochester. Whether you’re celebrating something special or just craving great Italian food, this place is...