tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-69130391087182902882024-03-13T23:25:10.766-04:00Fortissimona | Rochester Lifestyle Blog by Simona Benenati | Music Product Food ReviewsFortissimona is a lifestyle blog for personal thoughts and reviews on music, product, food and more! I hope to encourage you to explore new avenues of taste and culture along with me.Simona Benenatihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07238869726573305250noreply@blogger.comBlogger40125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6913039108718290288.post-31188095752882116532021-11-13T12:34:00.007-05:002021-11-13T13:59:57.782-05:00Tragic Loss of Trader Joe's Brandy Beans, the Ultimate Conversation Starter<center>
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My name is Simona and I am passionate about one and only one thing during the holiday season. Liquor filled chocolates.
Now, I understand that I can go and search high and low for these delectable treats. A quick online search renders buying options from $6 to $60 for these morsels at European import shops. However, the best part of the <a href="https://traderjoes.com/">Trader Joe's</a> Brandy Beans? These suckers were $2.99.
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Sure, you hardly got enough booze to even warrent the ID requirement at checkout, but it was a vibe. And the shareability - immaculate. I loved making any friend who came over to my apartment in the dead of winter warm up with a hair of the dog bean. If I had a rough day at work? Nothing a bean couldn't fix. I have a craving only beans can satisfy. It was more than a box of chocolates. It became a culture. I became the girl with the beans.
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">LOOK AT HOW STINKING CUTE THESE THINGS ARE.<br/><a href="http://www.whatsgoodattraderjoes.com/2016/12/trader-joes-brandy-beans.html">PHOTO CREDIT: WHAT'S GOOD AT TRADER JOE'S?</a><br /></span></center><br/>
Every year my roommate would moan, "The beans? Again?" And every year my roommate would eat about half the box. Each year I purchased more and more boxes of beans. I was the Bean King. Savior of the Beans. Not only are the beans extremely adorable, being only about an inch in length. But there were 24 per box, making the cost of pure joy about 12 cents each. And unlike a normal box of assorted chocolates, you knew exactly what you were getting every time. No fruit creams, no creamy beige goop, no sticky mush, only chocolate and booze.
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2020 rolled around with great loss. One of the biggest? Trader Joe's Brandy Beans. I know that many items at TJ's are limited and often go away after one season, but these beans have been a seasonal item at Trader Joe's for <b>over 15 years</b>. That's a core product at that point. They got us hooked on the bean, then they took it away. At first I thought it was a supply chain issue gone the way of many a European product that year. Heck, even the imported Italian pasta maker my roommate ordered in 2020 never arrived. But then by the end of November, I took to Google for answers.
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According to this <a href="https://monicaromano.medium.com/trader-joes-news-no-brandy-beans-in-2020-c61f5779c335">November 27, 2020 article</a> on Medium by Monica Romano (a person who I'm sure shares a similiar passion for #thebeans), "According to an official memo released by Trader Joe’s, 'No Brandy Beans in 2020 due to labeling issues. Brandy Beans will be returning in 2021.'" There wasn't a source for this "official memo", but I did post a response on Twitter after reading the news, but hopeful that the beans would return in 2021. After all, if it was a labeling issue, and many other import shops sell a similar product, it should come back easily, right? Even Trader Joe's introduced a different booze-filled product in 2020, the <a href="http://www.whatsgoodattraderjoes.com/2019/11/trader-joes-assortment-of-boozy-little.html">"Boozy Little Chocolate Truffles"</a>. So what is this unresolved labeling issue?
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Possibly another year of loss for Brandy Beans <a href="https://t.co/wdtYOPVEMm">https://t.co/wdtYOPVEMm</a></p>— 𝔽𝕠𝕣𝕥𝕚𝕤𝕤𝕚𝕞𝕠𝕟𝕒 (@Fortissimona) <a href="https://twitter.com/Fortissimona/status/1459529388014325762?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 13, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></center>
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It is now November 13, 2021, and after last night's trip to Trader Joe's to browse the holiday items, I returned beanless. Now this isn't to say The Great Brandy Bean, Charlie Brown won't show up after Thanksgiving, but I found some incriminating evidence that the bean has been assassinated. According a comment <a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/traderjoes/comments/qb17su/will_the_brandy_beans_come_back/">this October 19, 2021 Reddit post on r/traderjoes</a>, the beans have been tagged as discontinued on the store computers. Via <a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/traderjoes">r/traderjoes</a> moderator <a href="https://www.reddit.com/user/CookieButterLovers">CookieButterLovers</a>, "I hate to be the bearer of bad news but I was told by two different stores that the Brandy Beans have now been labeled as "discontinued" in their computer, it was updated in July 2021."
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<img class="circleblog" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51676725021_d2b38bfc93_c.jpg" />As a lover of business law, can I legally hold Trader Joe's to their "official memo" (the one I can't find lol)? Can I, the Bean King, demand an explanation for the demise of the bean? Did Trader Joe's singlehandedly kill Father Christmas? I think yes. Comment below to petition for the return of our lord and savior Brandy Bean. <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7sgajU9F2T0">One of the many great and powerful Brandy's.</a> I thank you for determination and courage during this uncertain time. Or let me know what other holiday disappointments you'd like my opinion on! Thank you for reading my product review, keep an eye out for more articles like this by following my <a href="http://www.twitter.com/fortissimona">Twitter</a>, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/fortissimona/">Facebook</a>, or <a href="https://www.instagram.com/fortissimona/">Instagram</a> for post updates! <br/><br/><center><i>All opinions are my own - this post was made for fun and satire only. Images and screenshots shown are credited with links. Please contact me if you'd like any changes made.</i></center>
Simona Benenatihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07238869726573305250noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6913039108718290288.post-79788640503620270662019-09-13T17:03:00.000-04:002019-09-13T17:03:47.788-04:00Top 5 Picks for Rochester Fringe Festival 2019 + Cirque Review<center>
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I was almost not going to do a blog preview for this year's <a href="https://rochesterfringe.com/">Rochester, NY Fringe Festival</a> but, let's be honest, it is still my FAVORITE Rochester festival. And, of course, I am volunteering for it again this year. How could I not? For those who are new to the magnificence that is the Fringe: it an arts festival that combines music, art, theater, dance, and/or any combination of those to create something new and different. A true feast for your senses. I guarantee that you will go to the festival and leave having seen something you've never seen before in your life. I also was able to catch the first Cirque du Fringe show, which premiered this past Tuesday night with a new lineup of cirque and comedic acts called <a href="https://rochesterfringe.com/tickets-and-shows/cirque-du-fringe-dillusion">"Cirque du Fringe: D'Illusion"</a>, curated by Fringe veteran artists <a href="https://www.mattlovesheidi.com/">Matt & Heidi Morgan</a>, who are also performers in the show.
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Let's get right into Cirque. I have been lucky enough to see the Cirque du Fringe show each year since it's inception. Every year the show gets bigger, better, funnier, more engaging, and more diverse. This year is no different. Along with the typical balancing acts, death-defying ladder tricks, and aerial silk performances, Cirque du Fringe brought a few new tricks up their sleeve. If you're a fan of street performance, there is a new circus performer who does floating glass orb juggling and crazy yo-yo tricks that were absolutely killer. In addition, there is an underlying Western film theme to the show - which brings on an entirely new layer of interesting acts. For instance, there is an aerial arts performance done on a flying horse saddle - not kidding. Also, there is another circus performer who thrills the crowd with lasso and whip tricks which definitely caused a few gasps and gawks. I was personally terrified for the front row during his whip act, and glad I sat further back... just in case.
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What absolutely rocked the whole show for me, and probably for many in the crowd, was a returning performer from Japan who not only performed in the comedic skits, but was an incredible magician to boot. The main theme of this year's Cirque du Fringe plays on the corny 80's style of Vegas magicians, I loved that tie-in with this performer's show-stealing magic act. The biggest surprise of all was the grand finale but... I won't spoil that for you if you are planning on catching the show. Let's just say I think I busted a gut from sheer laughter. The show has performances every night of the <a href="https://twitter.com/RochesterFringe">Fringe Festival</a> in the <a href="https://rochesterfringe.com/tickets-and-shows/spiegeltent">Spiegeltent</a> through September 21 as well as a matinee performance on Saturdays which are labelled as family-friendly. If you've never been to a Cirque du Fringe performance, this year is definitely one to see!
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Something that I totally missed out on last year that blew up on social media was the <a href="http://www.massaoke.com/">Massaoke</a>. I have a feeling it will draw an even bigger crowd this year. I, for one, will definitely be in attendance. Essentially it is a giant karaoke session smack dab in the middle of Downtown Rochester. There is a giant karaoke screen with lyrics and <a href="https://www.instagram.com/massaoke/">a live band from London</a> performing popular hits from the past four decades including indie, pop, and rock hits. This year, they are dedicating their second night performance just to playing Broadway show tunes. I believe you can still use the <a href="http://www.massaoke.com/app">Massaoke App</a> from the App Store to make song requests before the performance like last year. BRB while I blow it up with <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BQOoTX1Nxx8">"Candy Store" from Heathers</a>... This event is free and the <a href="https://rochesterfringe.com/tickets-and-shows/massaoke-mixtape">MixTape</a> performance is Friday, September 20 at 8:30pm and the <a href="https://rochesterfringe.com/tickets-and-shows/massaoke-night-at-the-musicals">Night at the Musicals</a> performance is Saturday, September 21 at 8:30pm as well. Let me tell you this is the one event not to miss at Fringe this year!
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Have you ever wondered what it would be like to have a duo of comedian close gal pals? Well the <a href="https://www.instagram.com/bushwhackedpresents/">Bushwacked</a> Bunch are back this year with more comedy skits and booze for everyone. These girls will have you peeing your pants, figuratively and maybe literally depending on how much you drink. It's basically a comedy improv show that the audience gets to participate in. There are two shows - one called <a href="https://rochesterfringe.com/tickets-and-shows/bushwhacked-british-bake-off">"Bushwacked British Bakeoff"</a>, themed around The Great British Bake Off, and another they brought back from last year's sold out show <a href="https://rochesterfringe.com/tickets-and-shows/bushwhacked-backyard-bonfire">"Bushwacked Bonfire"</a>. There are plenty of performances but only a handful of spots for each show, so if you want to go make sure you snatch up your tickets quickly. Especially if you want to go to the <a href="https://rochesterfringe.com/tickets-and-shows/bushwhacked-boozy-british-bake-off">"boozy"</a> version of their Bake Off show which includes a couple of "adult bevvys" to enjoy during the escapades. The shows are all outdoors in the <a href="https://rochesterfringe.com/tickets-and-shows/spiegelgarden">Spiegelgarden</a> near the Fringe central hub. Everyone I saw leaving the shows last year couldn't stop raving about them, so I can see why they've made a return!
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I am excited to be attending (as a volunteer) something that is new this year - the Fringe's first <a href="https://rochesterfringe.com/tickets-and-shows/drag-brunch">"Drag Brunch"</a> which will be this Sunday at the <a href="https://rochesterfringe.com/tickets-and-shows/spiegeltent">Spiegeltent</a>. We all know that Rochester NY's drag queen scene is LIT. But lately there have been all of these well-curated and much loved drag brunches that I keep hearing about. And I must find out the tea! Essentially: you eat brunch and a bunch of hilarious and talented queens perform dazzlingly campy acts for your (and the world's TBH) pleasure. This brunch has some yummy and fancy brunch foods like baked french toast(!) and chocolate filled croissants(??) - along with a stocked bar for all of your Bloody Mary/Mimosa needs. There are two performances this Sunday, September 15 - one at 12:15pm and a second showing at 2:45pm. All of the performances are actually all sold out already - but I'm hoping they come back with more shows next year because it will clearly be a hit!
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Finally, I have to express my excitement that Missy Pfohl Smith and W. Michelle Harris are yet again going to be directing <a href="https://www.biodance.org/">BIODANCE</a> in a conceptual dance and music performance called <a href="https://rochesterfringe.com/tickets-and-shows/the-fragile-corridor-biodance-harris-burritt">"The Fragile Corridor"</a> in the newly-renovated <a href="https://rmsc.org/">Rochester Museum & Science Center</a>'s <a href="https://rmsc.org/strasenburghplanetarium/shows">Strasenburgh Planetarium</a>. For those of you who read <a href="https://fortissimona.blogspot.com/2018/09/top-picks-rochester-ny-fringe-festival-2018.html">my Fringe preview last year</a>, you know I am absolutely floored by the epitome of art, theatre, dance, and music this group contains all rolled into one. Last year's performance in the Lyric Theatre combined an element of yoga, opera, and a <a href="https://www.ntmsoundhealing.com/what-are-sound-baths">sound bath</a> element that was a delight to the eyes and ears. This year's performance promises to be cinematic and immersive in nature, and includes a percussive musical experience with musician Michael Burritt. Performances are at 6:30pm from each night from Thursday, September 19th until Saturday, September 21.
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<img class="circleblog" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48728847302_2c28e3d0d7_z.jpg" />Lastly, there are a few venues this year that absolutely kick butt and I think you should check out a performance if you are able at either <a href="https://www.rcsdk12.org/sota">School of the Arts<a/>, <a href="https://avyarium.com/">The Avyarium at Village Gate</a>, or <a href="https://www.uuuartcollective.com/">UUU Art Collective</a>. If you've never been to any shows there, I guarantee you will have a unique and fun experience seeing something <i>fringey</i> in those spaces! That wraps up my <a href="https://www.facebook.com/RochesterFringeFestival">Rochester Fringe Festival</a> Top 5 for this year, if you'd like to follow along in my <a href="https://www.instagram.com/rochester_fringe/">Fringe Fest</a> adventures, be sure to follow me on <a href="https://www.instagram.com/fortissimona/">Instagram</a>, I will be posting Instastories all week long. Thank you for reading my festival preview, keep an eye out for more articles like this by following my <a href="http://www.twitter.com/fortissimona">Twitter</a>, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/fortissimona/">Facebook</a>, or <a href="https://www.instagram.com/fortissimona/">Instagram</a> for post updates!<br />
Simona Benenatihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07238869726573305250noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6913039108718290288.post-51550468004047671292019-08-21T15:26:00.000-04:002019-08-21T16:02:37.457-04:00Guest Post: Album Review of The National's "I Am Easy to Find" 2019<center>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="https://www.spin.com/2019/05/the-national-i-am-easy-to-find-review/">PHOTO CREDIT</a><br />GUEST POST WRITTEN BY <a href="https://www.instagram.com/shark_baitoohaha/"><b>MATTHEW DEAN STEWART</b></a></span>
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There are too many overly written reviews that are weighed down with SAT hot words, euphoric realizations, and sophisticated ways of metaphorically throwing artists’ masterpieces into a burning fire - this review will not be like that. Here’s some light backstory on <a href="https://americanmary.com/">The National</a> before we get into it. They are an American Rock/Indie Rock band formed in 1999. The band is led by a grumbly, heart-in-hand vocalist <a href="https://www.instagram.com/greengloves777">Matt Berninger</a> and backed up by several other wonderful musicians. This album, <a href="https://open.spotify.com/album/240Gfpkjr06NUT3zBYrwVN"><i>I Am Easy to Find</i></a>, is their newest work since <a href="https://open.spotify.com/album/6zG9PHw8dlMLIyRE9TEGGk"><i>Sleep Well Beast</i></a> dropped in 2017.<br />
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Let’s get into it!
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The opening track, “You Had Your Soul with You,” starts off by making you wonder if your speakers are malfunctioning. The clicky/patchy/glitchy electronic blips quickly resolve into Matt Berninger’s melodic drone and it simply draws you in. With a familiar vocal harmonies, the album feels like the National you’ve always known.
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<i>I Am Easy to Find</i> is the National’s 8th album and was released back in May of 2019. Some call it a diversion, others call it alienating. But to my ears, this album is another step down the same path they have been following for a number of albums now. It picks up where <i>Sleep Well Beast</i> left off and pushes their creative envelope a bit further. Matt takes a step back and lets different members step into the vocal spotlight. The lyrics, as always, are a sea of emotions. They draw on under- and overwhelming waves of feeling we all grapple with as we float on through life. There are lots of sappy love moments, lots of questioning, some realizations, and always a focus on life and its grandeur. To be honest, I wouldn’t want The National to be anything but that.
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Track 2, “Quiet Light,” reminds me of the sound of sorrow that the National embodies and, in a way, my emotional connection with the sound. Some of my favorite lines include: “I’m learning to lay here in the quiet light/While I watch the sky go from black to grey/There is nothing I wouldn’t do for a few more minutes.” The National isn’t your typical “play at party” music, it’s the “sit alone in your car after a long at work” kind of music. It both draws you in and pulls you away. The characters in the song are mirroring that feeling. The push and pull of the relationships between characters from both the lyrics and the song is tangible.<br /><br/>
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Tracks 3, 4, and 5 have a similar theme. “Oblivions” with the line “keeps my eye on you,” “The Pull of You” with the line “we’re connected by a thread,” and “Hey Rosey” with the lines “I know just what the feeling is.” If the intro wasn’t enough of a clue of what’s going on, the theme of the album shines through loud and clear in these songs: the pull, the connection, and the feeling of a weighted bond between two people.
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I recently listened to The National during a few radio sessions, and there was <a href="https://pitchfork.com/features/song-by-song/the-national-i-am-easy-to-find-interview/">one session</a> where Matt said that he and his wife, Carin Besser, wrote a lot of the lyrics for this album together. I love that collaboration and the point of view that it brings to the lyrics. It gives the song an untold depth. Along with his wife and band mates, he also recruited numerous female vocalists to the albums which adds a velvety richness to the vocal tracks. It is not unlike him to have other band members sing harmonies or do intro verses, but to step aside completely introduces an entirely new sound for the band. I’m curious how this will translate to the live shows; I’ve never been a fan of backing tracks at live concerts.<br /><br/>
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The title track to the album, “I Am Easy to Find,” is an absolute masterpiece. The female vocal accompaniment, which is heavily layered throughout the album, shine the brightest. The song gives us the perspective from the other side of the coin. We can hear for the first time how this emotional draw feels from the other character’s side of the road. The song starts with birds chirping and simple whole note chords in the piano. The lyrics “I’m not going anywhere/who do I think I’m kidding/I’m still standing in the same place you left me standing...” all lend an ear to the underlying theme of this album. The one you long for is always easy to find. You know where you left them, and you know how to find them.
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In that mix lies the inseparability of that connection between two souls. With acceptance comes reality. The chorus lyric: “There’s a million little battles I’m never gonna win anyway/I’m still waiting for you every night with ticker tape,” is an acceptance of reality. Side note, for those that don’t know, ticker tape is what they used to use for telegrams back in the day. The metaphor when translated to current day references: you could be sitting at home late at night for that text or call that never comes. Always waiting. Always waiting.
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The album continues with the song “Not in Kansas” which has a great lyrical turn-around that is catchy in its own way. The next song “So Far So Fast,” reminds us that when we are lost, there is someone ready to find us. Even when we are running as fast as we can. The track “Hairpin Turns,” with its commanding piano in the chorus, conveys a palpable struggle of the characters in the track being tied so tight it doesn’t matter what happens between them, as they will always return. The track “Rylan” questions whether that feeling is one of love or one of being trapped.
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Closing the album out is “Light Years.” It ends with a soft acceptance of the relationship between the two characters. Like the pull of the sun against the earth. It’s right in front of us in the daylight - fleeting and mysterious in the dark. The pull is obvious, strong, and meaningful but the two will always be light years apart.
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All in all, I’d give this album a 10/10. It holds true to The National we all know and like a fine wine, with two more years in the bottle, the flavors get more complex, the taste becomes a little smoother, and if you pull cork and go on the journey it will be a familiar ride with an old friend. Thank you for reading this album review, keep an eye out for more articles like this by following on <a href="http://www.twitter.com/fortissimona">Twitter</a>, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/fortissimona/">Facebook</a>, or <a href="https://www.instagram.com/fortissimona/">Instagram</a> for post updates!<br />
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<i>All opinions in this post belong to <a href="https://www.instagram.com/shark_baitoohaha/">Matthew Stewart</a>, pictures and videos are from The National's official sources unless stated.</i></center>
Simona Benenatihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07238869726573305250noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6913039108718290288.post-54159002589169240862019-07-11T16:20:00.000-04:002019-07-11T16:21:18.644-04:00Wednesday Sushi at The Hideaway in Rochester, NY<center>
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I am officially returning from my short blogging creative break brimming with new places to talk about. Most recently, I've visited <a href="http://thehideawayroc.com/">The Hideaway</a> in Rochester NY's <a href="http://www.park-avenue.org/">Park Ave</a> area to check out their new sushi special on Wednesdays. You know I couldn't resist <a href="https://fortissimona.blogspot.com/2017/06/tuesday-sushi-at-nosh-in-rochester-ny.html">a good exclusive sushi session</a>. I get so excited when restaurants have weekday specials; it just makes the work week a tad more fun instead of always waiting on the weekend for something new to try. The Hideaway, formerly the <a href="https://rocwiki.org/Hogan%27s_Hideaway">old Hogan’s Hideaway</a>, hosts a special in-house chef made sushi night with an array of traditional and original sushi rolls, sashimi, poke bowls, and sake available every Wednesday night. When my friend and I learned about this, we made plans to check it out on the spot.
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<a href="https://www.facebook.com/TheHideawayRoc/">The Hideaway</a> is centrally located for those who live in the Park Avenue neighborhood. It is right next to the <a href="https://www.parkleigh.com/">Parkleigh</a> gift shop on the corner of Goodman and Park. We decided to walk there as it was a beautiful evening outside, and when we entered there were plenty of places to choose from to sit. We were captivated by the two chefs making sushi right at the bar instead of in the kitchen. Not wanting to miss out on the free sushi performance, my friend and I took the open seats right at the bar.
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I thought about ordering <a href="https://boutiquejapan.com/sake101/">sake</a> for us to drink, but I grabbed a cold brewski in lieu of sake this time around. I ended up going with the <a href="http://www.triphammerbierwerks.com/">Triphammer</a> <a href="http://www.triphammerbierwerks.com/ontap">IPA</a> which was nice – juicy, smooth, citrusy. Good for a hot day. I will say that the draft list was a bit small, but they did have some seasonal beers available including the <a href="https://stoneyardbrewingcompany.com/">Stoneyard</a> <a href="https://stoneyardbrewingcompany.com/beers/">Lilac Wheat</a>. I've had a couple of their cocktails before in the past and they are impressive. I consider their cocktail and wine lists to be where their selection of libations truly thrives.
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The menu had a few different special sake options to choose from: a sparkling sweet sake, a cold filtered sake, and a cold unfiltered sake. I'm glad that they offered some nice, cold sake options, and I'm guessing they'll offer hot sake once the weather cools down. I usually prefer my sake warm so I'd love to come back to try them in the fall. I was incredibly curious about trying one of the poke bowls; I had never had one before. But instead my friend and I opted to start out by ordering three easily shareable sushi rolls.
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We ended up choosing the Johnny Cashew, Hella Yella, and Mango Danko rolls. It was so much fun getting to watch our order being made right in front of us, and we chatted with the sushi chef as he was making the rolls. My friend and I actually enjoy making our own sushi at home, so we were mainly taking this opportunity to get some culinary tips. The chef was super friendly and humorous, and also talked with us about his time at culinary school, which he decided to pursue after getting a business degree from college.
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Our Johnny Cashew was one of the specialty rolls made with smoked salmon, steamed shrimp, cashew butter, and cucumber and topped with avocado, a secret chef's sauce, eel sauce, black sesame, and scallions. This roll was my friend's favorite - the smoked salmon was really complemented by the creamy and nutty cashew butter. For me, the Hella Yella stole the show. It had raw yellowtail, onion crunchies, avocado, and a touch of fresh lemon, and topped with that same chef's sauce. I think I loved it because of the crunchies, I can't resist a good food texture combo. And whatever was in that chef's sauce had a very cheesy <a href="https://www.thespruceeats.com/what-is-umami-1664724">umami</a> flavor that went perfect with the lemon and yellowtail. The summery Mango Danko roll had raw tuna, avocado, Japanese <a href="https://www.thrillist.com/eat/nation/what-is-kewpie-mayo-japanese-mayonnaise">Kewpie</a> mayo, and mango inside while topped with a special poke spicy mayo and eel sauce.
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My friend and I had never eaten sushi quicker. While we savored every bite, the temperature of the rice and fish was perfect - <a href="https://www.thesushigeek.com/the-sushi-geek/2016/02/29/ohitsu-the-importance-of-warm-rice">an ideal component for good sushi</a> - and we couldn't help but reach for more. We also hadn't eaten much previously in the day and came hungry, so we decided to order a fourth roll - the Pokedelphia roll. Usually <a href="https://www.inquirer.com/news/society-hills-queen-sushi-says-she-invented-philadelphia-roll-we-people-20180606.html">Philadelphia</a> sushi rolls are made with cream cheese, a strange sounding combo, albeit delicious, and made with the traditional salmon. However, the Pokedelphia substituted this with herb goat cheese and I <i>needed</i> to try it for myself. And let me tell you, it was a match made in sushi heaven. So. Delicious.
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<img class="circleblog" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48259786847_efafc726c5_k.jpg" />After our sushi feast we left absolutely satisfied and positively inspired. Who knows, maybe my friend and I will try to recreate some of these sushi rolls at home! Now to figure out what's in that secret chef's sauce... <a href="https://www.instagram.com/thehideawayroc/">The Hideaway</a> is located at 199 Park Ave. They are closed Mondays, but are open until midnight on Sushi Wednesdays, until 9pm Sundays, until 10pm on Tuesdays and Thursdays, and until 11pm on Fridays and Saturdays. Thank you for reading my restaurant review, keep an eye out for more articles like this by following my <a href="http://www.twitter.com/fortissimona">Twitter</a>, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/fortissimona/">Facebook</a>, or <a href="https://www.instagram.com/fortissimona/">Instagram</a> for post updates!<br />
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<i>All opinions and most pictures are my own - some of these images were taken by <a href="https://www.instagram.com/shark_baitoohaha/">my friend</a>, used with permission.</i></center>Simona Benenatihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07238869726573305250noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6913039108718290288.post-51783975130672271442019-03-28T18:35:00.000-04:002019-03-28T19:07:46.208-04:00A Tropical Vacation at Peppa Pot in Downtown Rochester, NY<center>
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It's finally spring - which doesn't mean much in Rochester, NY where it could snow well into April and sometimes May, as well. Colleges are back from their spring breaks and many people are planning their summer vacation ideas. Every single year I see dozens of people run away to the Caribbean, especially if they want that island getaway feel. I'm here to tell you that, if you aren't planning a Caribbean vacation this spring, you do not have to fear. <a href="http://eatatpeppapot.com/">The Peppa Pot Restaurant</a> in the city of Rochester, NY is the perfect escape if you want to try some exotic food and feel drifted away to <a href="https://www.margaritaville.com/">Margaritaville</a>.
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I am a huge fan of rum drinks, and I miss the <a href="https://rocwiki.org/Havana_Cabana">Havana Cabana</a> every day that it's been gone - <a href="https://fortissimona.blogspot.com/2017/12/a-taste-of-hawaii-at-lanai-in-rochester.html">although Lanai is still fantastic</a>, as well. So I knew that if I went to the Caribbean I would 100% go straight to Jamaica. I've always been fascinated with Jamaican drinks, food, and <a href="https://jamaicans.com/20-essential-jamaican-patois-phrases-translated-to-english/">the Patois language</a> - but I've only ever explored two of the three. I had yet to try Jamaican food and initially had no clue where to find it authentically here in Rochester - or anywhere, in fact. <a href="https://www.facebook.com/eatatpeppapot">Peppa Pot</a> has actually been in Rochester for a number of years now in the South Wedge on Gregory Street, but just recently at the end of 2018 opened a location in the Center City on East Main Street. After hearing excited talk about its expansion, that I knew I had to check out.
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Compared to the South Wedge's tinier storefront, the East Main Street location has plenty of places to sit and stretch your legs. While the Gregory Street location feels small and cozy, the downtown location feels more like a traditional night-out dining experience. Tropical, Jamaican-themed decor lines the walls and a cool, black-and-brick interior theme makes you feel like you're in a beach-side cabana instantly. As the story goes of Peppa Pot's opening, <a href="http://eatatpeppapot.com/about/">according to their website</a>, the owner, Marlene Henry, began her love of cuisine from cooking for her family. Once her children grew up, she started the restaurant which, to her, never felt like a struggle. Her love of food truly shows in her recipes.
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I was initially nervous about what I would choose as my entree as I had never tried any sort of Caribbean food in the past. I did some light research before coming, even once consulting a Jamaican <a href="https://www.lyft.com/rider">Lyft</a> driver what his favorite dishes were. His response - <a href="http://www.blazingcariboustudios.com/jamaican-goat-curry/">Curry Goat</a>. I thought I would do him a disservice if I didn't give it a shot, so that is what I ordered. The waitress was the absolute sweetest thing and gave the Curry Goat a great recommendation herself, which only solidified my decision. The two friends I went with each ordered the <a href="https://kitchenproject.com/history/JerkChicken/index.htm">Jerk Chicken</a> as well as the <a href="https://cooklikeajamaican.com/amp/pepper-steak/">Pepper Steak</a> dish. I had water to drink this time, as they do not have any alcohol there - but you may bring your own beer or wine if you wish. They do, however, have an array of Jamaican imported soft drinks and fresh juices available such as <a href="https://jamaicans.com/dg-pineapple-vs-dg-kola/">D&G Kola</a>, <a href="http://www.jamaicathings.com/beverages/ting">Ting</a>, and "Irie" Iced Tea. I definitely want to try one next time I come!
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Our food arrived in a very short time and everything looked drool-worthy. Each of our dishes came with sides such as cabbage, rice & beans, and fried plantains. Additionally, all of our dishes came with a Southern-style corn biscuit. I went with the plantains and rice & beans to go with my Curry Goat, which I would highly recommend. The plantains were so sweet they satisfied any need for a dessert, and the texture of them melted in your mouth. The rice and beans were outstanding - I love the way the fresh black bean flavor sinks into any dish you make with it. My friend really loved the fresh cabbage slaw with his sauce-slathered Jerk Chicken dish. However, hands-down the biscuit was the best stinkin' thing on everyone's plate. Absolutely no words - the biscuit stole the show. High remarks from both of my friends about their dishes. I was simply stunned at how much meat they gave each of us for the price, it was definitely worth it. We also really loved the hot sauce they had, <a href="https://gracefoods.ca/hot-sauce/">Grace Foods' Hot Pepper Sauce</a>; so much so that my friend and I actually bought some at the store to use at home!
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And finally - my review of the Curry Goat dish: Outstanding. The hint of curry flavor was just right, not overpowering nor tasting like an <a href="https://www.asian-recipe.com/asian-curries-recipes">Asian</a> or <a href="https://www.littleindiaofdenver.com/six-popular-types-indian-curry/">Indian</a> curry dish. I love the way curry is used in so many cultures' cuisines and that all of them taste so unique. This one was no different. Additionally, the meat was served on the bone in the curry broth. Everything was super tender and juicy. The meat almost fell off the bone. The flavor was a bit similar to lamb, in fact. It had a bit of game taste to it, but in a very fresh way. And because it was eaten off the bone, it gave me a satisfyingly carnal feeling - the same feeling you get when you're eating a giant turkey leg at the Renaissance Fair. They had given us so much food that I ended up taking half of mine home - which I actually love doing. And, unsurprisingly, my dish warmed up beautifully the next day.
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<img class="circleblog" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7900/47435876672_a5058f1911_z.jpg" />Overall, I would definitely suggest this restaurant, especially to those like me who had never tried Jamaican food before. Everyone there was so welcoming and made it easy to pick out something new to try. All three of our dishes were delicious, so I can only assume <a href="http://eatatpeppapot.com/menu/">the entire menu</a> is flawless. There is just something about food that you know had a lot of love put into making it. The Peppa Pot Restaurant is located at both 522 East Main Street in the Center City, and at 133 Gregory Street in the South Wedge. They are closed Mondays, but are open Tuesday through Saturday until 7:30pm and on Sunday until 6pm for lunch and dinner. Thank you for reading my restaurant review, keep an eye out for more articles like this by following my <a href="http://www.twitter.com/fortissimona">Twitter</a>, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/fortissimona/">Facebook</a>, or <a href="https://www.instagram.com/fortissimona/">Instagram</a> for post updates!<br />
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<i>All opinions and pictures are my own.</i></center>Simona Benenatihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07238869726573305250noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6913039108718290288.post-8096780890848584082019-01-06T18:01:00.002-05:002019-01-16T16:20:58.032-05:00Top 3 Things You MUST Try in Rochester, NY - Old Pueblo Grill, Cafe Sasso, and BXCR<center>
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Hello 2019! The new year is already here and I wanted to take the time to discuss three quick and delicious places to stop in Rochester, NY. I also want to make some suggestions of what I think are the tastiest items on each menu that you should try. Some of these establishments have been Rochester staples for quite some time, but many of you may not know the absolute best specials and deals you can snag at each one. Whether you are looking for a date spot to take the person you kissed at midnight, or a meeting spot to make new plans for the new year, these three locations would be the perfect fit. All three have menus with something for everyone, as well as some hidden gems you won't find elsewhere.
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The first stop on my tour of taste is the brand new <a href="https://www.oldpueblogrillroc.com/#1">Old Pueblo Grill</a> Mexican restaurant, located off of University Avenue in Rochester, NY, which has some surprising fusion twists. Now, I've discussed a few places for Taco Tuesday here on my blog, including <a href="https://fortissimona.blogspot.com/2018/07/taco-tuesday-rio-tomatlan-canandaigua.html">Rio Tomatlan and </a><a href="https://fortissimona.blogspot.com/2017/07/taco-tuesday-at-silver-iguana-in.html">Silver Iguana</a>. However, OPG is a fantastic place to grab some interesting Asian, Hawaiian, and even Native American fusion cuisine in addition to the expected Tex-Mex <a href="https://www.oldpueblogrillroc.com/documents/OPG-Takeout-Menu-for-Web.pdf">on their menu</a>. Confused? Curious? So was I. I took it upon myself to try the Seoul Man Burrito, a gigantic $10 burrito stuffed with Korean-influenced ingredients such as <a href="https://www.smithsonianmag.com/arts-culture/brief-history-bulgogi-koreas-most-delicious-export-180968132/">bulgogi</a> beef or chicken, <a href="https://medium.com/@alexjanmaat2/a-short-history-of-a-traditional-korean-food-kimchi-ae80ad9542a3">kimchi</a>, <a href="https://www.thekitchn.com/gochujang-the-miso-of-korean-cooking-ingredient-intelligence-165083">gochujang</a> hot pepper sauce, and scallions. The filling also contained rice, crema, lettuce, and, unexpectedly, pickles. Needless to say, not only did this burrito taste exactly like a <a href="https://www.finedininglovers.com/stories/korean-bibimbap-original-recipe/">bibimbap bowl</a> you could hold, but its fusion with the typical Mexican ingredients was completely on point and not overwhelming in the least.
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If you typically like to sample a few different tacos during your Taco Tuesday nights, you can also get the Korean-themed flavors as a soft-shell taco. All of their à la carte tacos are $4 each or 3 for $11. TDB whether they will have specific Taco Tuesday special prices, but 3 for $11 is a pretty solid deal for any time of the week. In that same category, there is also a Hawaiian soft-shell taco filled with <a href="http://www.hawaiinewsnow.com/story/29736966/hawaiian-word-of-the-day-huli/">huli huli chicken</a>, pineapple salsa, scallions, and a soy glaze. The final intriguing specialty item at <a href="https://www.instagram.com/oldpueblogrill/">Old Pueblo Grill</a> is a Navajo taco made with a big piece of <a href="https://uproxx.com/life/fry-bread-food-origin/">Indian fry bread</a> as the shell and topped with red chili beef or chicken, beans, cabbage, pico de gallo, avocado, and cilantro. I have seen <a href="https://houseofnasheats.com/navajo-tacos-indian-fry-bread/">recipes for Indian fry bread tacos</a> to make at home, but have never seen one as a featured menu item, so I find that a bit unique.
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It also appears that <a href="https://www.democratandchronicle.com/story/lifestyle/rocflavors/2018/11/19/old-pueblo-grill-mexican-taco-restaurant-opens-neighborhood-arts-rochester-ny-chef-joe-zolnierowski/2017611002/">Old Pueblo Grill</a> is working on getting their liquor license, so unfortunately no margaritas are being served yet. However, in the meantime they do have a large selection of themed beverages including Mexican sodas, house-made juice refreshers, and a <a href="https://www.thespruceeats.com/what-is-horchata-2342861">horchata</a> to try. If you're looking to just grab a snack or for something extra to add with your meal, they have many different munchies, sides, and toppings, as well. Overall I find <a href="https://www.facebook.com/OldPuebloGrill">Old Pueblo Grill</a> to be cute, quick, and fairly affordable - definitely a contender to add to my Taco Tuesday rotation! OPG is located at 55 Russell Street and is open Monday through Thursday until 10PM and Friday and Saturday until midnight.
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I wanted to talk about <a href="https://m.facebook.com/cafesassorochester/">Cafe Sasso</a> because I feel it has gone under the radar lately due to newer roasteries such as <a href="https://www.uglyduckcoffee.com/">Ugly Duck</a>, <a href="https://www.glenedithcoffee.com/">Glen Edith</a>, and <a href="https://fuegocoffee.com/">Fuego</a> gaining momentum over the past year. However, Sasso is not to be overlooked, especially during this winter. I'm about to give you a hard pill to swallow. Think about it - January, February, and March it will still be dark after work and we will feel so unproductive and sluggish. Never fear, however, as <a href="https://www.instagram.com/cafesasso/">Cafe Sasso</a> has a special that I personally have been a fan of for this reason. Did you know about their Happy Hour Special? Yup, they sell liquor. In. Their. Coffees. Coffee cocktails. Also fresh-squeezed iced juice cocktails. AND from 5PM until 7PM they are only $5. You heard that right.
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My favorites to get are the "Big Boss Man" - Kahlua, hazelnut liqueur, Irish cream, espresso, and coffee; and the "North Meets South" - bourbon, spiced maple, espresso, coffee, whip, and cinnamon (pictured). In addition to drinks, they also have some yummy quick bites such as panini, salads, and breakfast sandwiches. Cafe Sasso is located right next to <a href="https://www.facebook.com/glenedithcoffeeroasters">Glen Edith</a> at 739 Park Avenue and are open daily until 10PM, except Sunday they are open until 9PM. Have a date and can't decide between drinks, coffee, or food? Now you don't have to choose! This leads me to my final recommendation - <a href="https://eatatboxcar.com/">Boxcar Donuts and Fried Chicken</a>.
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<a href="https://www.instagram.com/bxcr/">Boxcar</a>, or as their entrance displays, BXCR, is a restaurant mainly known in Rochester for their specialty donuts. However, they also fry up chicken and have a strangely good selection of craft beer and cocktails. While many people gather at <a href="https://www.facebook.com/BoxcarDonuts/">Boxcar</a> for breakfast, you can also hit this restaurant at lunch and dinnertime as well. I will quickly talk you through a couple of my favorite things to order. First things first - definitely try their hot beverages. They are able to make them so thick and creamy and really have a zing to wake you back up during an afternoon slump. I've tried both their cortado and their hot chocolate and both were so rich and delicious. Also, definitely scope out their seasonal donuts. I have gotten a <a href="https://www.girlscouts.org/en/cookies/all-about-cookies.html">Girl Scout Cookie</a> inspired <a href="https://www.littlebrowniebakers.com/cookies-info/samoas/">Samoa</a> donut as well as one that was <a href="https://www.hersheysstore.com/HEATH/c/Hersheys@OurBrands@HardToFind@Heath">Heath Bar</a> inspired and both were really innovative.
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In terms of <a href="https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/1661/7329/files/2018.02.21_Boxcar_Menu.png?11892702946833858489">food</a> for lunch and dinner, the best bang for your buck is for sure the Kids Finger Basket. Yes, you can order this and not be a kid (or maybe you are a kid at heart!) as it truly is a small sampler platter. You receive three of their famed breaded and fried chicken fingers along with your choice of a homemade sauce and a small side. I recommend ordering either their beer mac and cheese or their roasted Brussels sprouts. All of their sauces are delicious and you can't go wrong with any of them - but I have a soft spot for their Maple Mustard the most.
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<img class="circleblog" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7868/45723322615_607cd575a4_z.jpg" />Boxcar is located directly by the <a href="http://www.cityofrochester.gov/publicmarket/">Rochester Public Market</a> on 127 Railroad St. They are open Tuesday and Wednesday until 8PM, Thursday through Saturday until 10PM, and Sunday until 3PM. Thank you for reading my restaurant reviews, keep an eye out for more articles like this by following my <a href="http://www.twitter.com/fortissimona">Twitter</a>, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/fortissimona/">Facebook</a>, or <a href="https://www.instagram.com/fortissimona/">Instagram</a> for post updates!<br />
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<i>All opinions and pictures are my own.</i></center>
Simona Benenatihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07238869726573305250noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6913039108718290288.post-16770867854116725642018-11-30T23:03:00.001-05:002019-07-11T13:24:17.863-04:00The Market Cold Press & Eatery at M/Body Fitness in Rochester, NY<center><img height="75%" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4896/46074328932_d9a82c1431_b.jpg" width="75%" /></center>
<br/> From the same restaurant group that created <a href="https://www.nativerochester.com/">Native Eatery</a> in Rochester, NY and <a href="https://www.labelseven.com/">Label 7</a> in Pittsford, NY, <a href="https://www.mrgrochester.com/">Mueller Restaurant Group</a> has introduced a new, sustainable eatery located right next to locally-owned fitness center, <a href="https://mbodyrochester.com/">M/Body Fitness</a>. The restaurant is open to the public, so you don't need to attend a fitness class to stop in. What I liked best about <a href="https://www.mrgrochester.com/themarketatmbody">The Market Cold Press & Eatery</a> was how central it was and easy to get to. For those of us who live in the city center, parking can be an issue. Unlike <a href="https://fortissimona.blogspot.com/2018/08/native-eatery-and-bar-in-rochester-ny.html">Native Eatery</a>'s location which might have more limited parking or Label 7 which is a little more out of the way, The Market is located at the corner of University and Culver where there is plenty of parking for all of the shops there and less city traffic, to boot. As my friend and I made our way out on a cold, rainy night, we were comforted at the door by the cozy atmosphere of the cafe. The design was heavily based on a combination of brick, wood, and black accent pieces, with really cute earthenware dishes.
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I was invited to get a first bite at an all vegan-based menu sampling. My friend who came with me is lactose-intolerant and he was pleasantly delighted at all of the offerings The Market had that were dairy-free. In addition, during the menu sampling, The Market teamed up with new winery <a href="https://www.livingrootswine.com/">Living Roots</a>, located just across the street, to pair some wines for the evening. <a href="https://www.facebook.com/livingrootswine/">Living Roots</a> chose some of the wines they offer that are noted to pair well with a lot of foods. I was most excited about trying the <a href="http://livingrootswine.orderport.net/product-details/0099/2016-MCLAREN-VALE-GRENACHE-GRACIANO-BLEND">Grenache</a> paired with food. I sampled it once in their <a href="https://www.livingrootswine.com/menu">red wine flight</a> when I visited their winery a couple months prior. The flavor of the wine went well with the overall salty, savory food as it had a nice mixture of berry, earthy, and herbal notes.
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<br/> In terms of the spread, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/The-Market-At-Mbody-426570781098293">The Market</a> offered samples of a few different <a href="https://www.themarketroc.com/menu">menu items</a>. There was a bowl of their "Heart Healthy Caesar Salad", a garden-fresh tomato-based bruschetta and delicious artisan crostini, and tortilla chips and a homemade vegan nacho cheese dip. There were a couple of complete stand-out items that blew everything out of the water for me. The first were their breakfast "Energy Balls" made from oats, peanut butter, coconut, chia, maple syrup, vanilla, and flax. Lately, I have been on an insane maple kick this season. Pumpkin spice out, maple IN. <a href="http://longtrail.com/beers/harvest">Maple beer</a>, <a href="https://foxrochester.com/news/good-morning-hannah/pittsford-wegmans-unveils-hot-donut-fryer">maple donuts</a>, and now: maple "Energy Balls". I need to figure out how to make these at home otherwise I'll be stopping in way too often for these. Luckily you can snag one of them for $1.75!
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<br/> Finally, the showstopper of the night was the "Spinach Artichoke 'Dilla" which also was completely vegan, including the crema. The Market used a similar, cheesy nutritional yeast and cashew cream base as the nacho cheese dip. They also used a tomato wrap as the tortilla that gave the whole thing such a rich, <a href="http://www.onegreenplanet.org/vegan-food/how-to-add-umami-flavor-to-vegan-dishes/">umami flavor</a> that made you do a double-take that there, in fact, wasn't any dairy involved whatsoever. It really hit all the right cheesy cravings I had. Out of all of the Living Roots wine pairings, I would say their <a href="http://livingrootswine.orderport.net/product-details/0094/2016-FINGER-LAKES-LINDEN-BLOSSOM-DRY-RIESLING">Dry Riesling</a> really brought out the taste of the fresh spinach and gave it those extra punch of flavors.
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<img class="circleblog" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4851/46074328582_b6450420f7_z.jpg" />Overall, when I return I am 100% ordering a plate of those quesadillas with a dessert of a few "Energy Balls". I was so excited to attend this tasting as I am loving the idea of eating more plant-based foods which are super heart-healthy. <a href="https://www.instagram.com/themarketroc/">The Market Cold Press & Eatery</a> is definitely a good contender within <a href="https://www.happycow.net/north_america/usa/new_york/rochester/">Rochester's growing vegan food scene</a> and I am living for it. Absolutely fantastic quick-service breakfast or lunch spot - especially after a morning workout at <a href="https://www.facebook.com/mbodyrochester/">M/Body</a>! The Market is located at 1048 University Avenue, and is open Monday through Friday until 1pm and Saturdays until noon. Thank you for reading my restaurant review, keep an eye out for more articles like this by following my <a href="http://www.twitter.com/fortissimona">Twitter</a>, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/fortissimona/">Facebook</a>, or <a href="https://www.instagram.com/fortissimona/">Instagram</a> for post updates!<br/><center><i>All opinions and pictures are my own.</i></center>
Simona Benenatihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07238869726573305250noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6913039108718290288.post-76393453214745365632018-10-22T21:22:00.000-04:002019-01-16T16:26:36.384-05:00Kabob Revolution in Rochester, NY at Chortke<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Kabob, <a href="https://www.differencebetween.com/difference-between-kebab-and-vs-kabob/">or sometimes kebab</a>, is a dish that is associated with and found in many countries around the world, and each one seems to taste unique in its own way. I have traveled near and far to find my favorite kebab, some of which include the <a href="https://istanbulonfood.com/a-kebab-discovery-in-istanbul-how-many-types-of-turkish-kebab-will-you-taste/">Turkish version</a> at <a href="https://www.yelp.com/biz/doner-kebab-house-toronto-2">Doner Kebab House</a> in downtown Toronto, Canada as well as <a href="http://www.ilpescara.it/cronaca/dove-mangiare-kebab.html">Kapitol Kebab</a> in Pescara, Italy. However, kebab is also popular in Greece, Lebanon, Israel, and Iran. Here in Rochester we've been lucky enough to have an Iranian kebab restaurant open up at downtown <a href="http://www.visitrochester.com/listings/village-gate-square/77/">Village Gate Square</a>. Chortke House of Kabob is a fast, casual, <a href="https://www.adweek.com/brand-marketing/how-build-your-own-meal-craze-reshaping-restaurants-165206/">build-your-own</a> Iranian kebab restaurant owned and operated by an Iranian native, Yasha Aghdasi, who fell in love with a Rochestarian and opened his own business here. From our brief observance and discussion with him as he himself was turning the kebab meat on the grill, we learned that his wife, Rana Rezaei, also works at and co-runs the establishment, and she was there ringing up the orders right at the front counter. From the cute industrial chic decor to the plentiful, but simple, food options, I also fell in love right away with Chortke Kabob.
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As you enter, you are given the choice of freshly grilled meats, such as ground beef, chicken wings, or kebab chicken or beef. You could also choose grilled veggies, roasted eggplant, or <a href="https://humus101.com/EN/2007/05/31/falafel-fact-sheet/">falafel</a>. They also have special house combinations, as well, if you feel like trying more than one. Your choice for a base is either rice, salad, rice and salad combo, or in a wrap. All of the dishes come included with a creamy cucumber dressing similar to a <a href="http://thegreekchef.us/recipes-menu/traditional-recipes/item/599-greek-tzatziki%E2%80%A6.html">Greek tzatziki</a>. Each dish costs around $9.50 to $14. If you want something extra or are just coming in for a snack, there are sides available in hefty, 14 oz. portions for $4.50. This restaurant will suit almost any diet, as you could definitely customize your kebab dish to be paleo- or even vegan- friendly. All of the food is made gluten-free apart from the wraps. I went with both of my parents and we all had a fairly quick and easy time ordering in the line, and the staff was all very helpful when we had questions.
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Within about ten to fifteen minutes from ordering, our food was ready. My dad and I both chose the house seasoned beef kebab, called the "Chenjeh Beef Kabob" on the menu, over a base of half rice and salad. My mom ordered the "Joojeh Kabob" which was essentially the chicken version. Along with a delightful seasoning of saffron on the rice, the dish also had a nice surprise of delicious feta cheese on the salad portion, as well as juicy grilled tomatoes. If you ordered a vegan version without the cucumber dressing, you would not have to worry as the tomatoes created a bit of their own happy sauce for the dish, keeping it from potentially becoming too dry. Some of my favorite things about kebab is the presentation of vegetables with the protein, and Chortke did not disappoint. The crisp vegetables in the salad were very hearty, and also created a beautiful rainbow of color for the dish.
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From my one and only experience with Iranian kebab, I would say that the flavors seem a bit smokier, in a good, freshly grilled way, but overall everything was very well-balanced. Nothing in the dish overpowered anything else. I am curious to return and try either the chicken wings or the spicy chicken, as I'm sure that would make a unique twist on what I'm used to within the Turkish kebab realm. The only criticism I would give Chortke is maybe giving customers the option to use eco-friendly compostable or ceramic dishes and metal silverware when dining in the restaurant itself. The to-go containers were indeed recyclable, but the heavy plastic silverware seemed like an unnecessary waste after using it only once.
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In terms of overall aesthetics, this place has it. The logo is simply genius - "chortke" is the Persian word for abacus, and the logo is an abacus made out of the skewered shish kebob! The location makes parking easy since there is plenty of it in <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Village-Gate/148161025212327">Village Gate</a>. The large windows allow for plenty of light to enter and there is an abundance of seating, to boot. I find this rare, as typically the grab-and-go style kebab joints are small and <i>maybe</i> have a table or two in the back. There were a few minimal decorations, and I of course enjoyed the natural wood-topped dining tables which seem to be popular in new restaurants lately. I also always love when I can see the food being made while ordering, so it was entertaining to watch Yasha prepare everything on the grill while we dined. I would say this is a great place to take family or a group of friends, as it would be fairly easy to combine tables to account for a larger group. In addition, I felt that the large room design actually made it easy to hear everyone in conversation and nobody was drowned out.
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<img class="circleblog" src="https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1956/43690152560_6010ff4bb9_k.jpg" />Chortke is boasting a 7-day open schedule with hours from 11AM until 9PM Monday through Saturday, and 12PM until 8PM on Sundays. They are located in Rochester, NY at 352 North Goodman Street in Building H at Village Gate Square. Right now, you can follow them on their <a href="https://www.facebook.com/Chortkehouseofkabob/">Facebook page</a> for updates for any news and special dishes they may have. Thank you for reading my restaurant review, keep an eye out for more articles like this by following my <a href="http://www.twitter.com/fortissimona">Twitter</a>, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/fortissimona/">Facebook</a>, or <a href="https://www.instagram.com/fortissimona/">Instagram</a> for post updates!<br />
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<i>All opinions and pictures are my own.</i></center>
Simona Benenatihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07238869726573305250noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6913039108718290288.post-29773434808411397842018-09-12T15:22:00.000-04:002019-07-11T13:28:02.401-04:00Top 5 Picks for Rochester, NY Fringe Festival 2018<center><img height="75%" src="https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1882/44641920901_c9a4c928ce_k.jpg" width="75%" /></center><br/>
If you are anyone who knows me well, you know that I am a crazed fan of <a href="https://rochesterfringe.com/">Rochester's Fringe Festival</a>. Ever since its inaugural year in 2012, I have attended or, more recently, volunteered at the festival every single year. This year I am trying to hit all of what I believe to be the coolest events at the festival, and I invite you all to join me on this journey. I will be attempting to review almost every production I hit, including giving you a preview today on what I think will be some of my favorites. If you aren't sure where to start connecting with <a href="https://twitter.com/RochesterFringe">Fringe Fest</a>, I recommend seeing at least one of the following shows to get a taste of that blended "arts smoothie" goodness!
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As some background, <a href="https://www.edfringe.com/">The Fringe</a> was started in Edinburgh, Scotland in 1947 as a combined arts festival which included theatre, dance, music, art, visual, comedy, or a mix-and-match of each and every one of those. It is now one of the world's largest arts festivals, and has branched out to other cities including <a href="https://atlantafringe.org/">Atlanta</a>, <a href="https://chicagofringe.org/">Chicago</a>, <a href="http://fringenyc.org/">New York</a>, <a href="https://fringearts.com/">Philadelphia</a>, and of course, right here in <a href="http://www.visitrochester.com/">Rochester, NY</a>. We are super lucky to have a festival like this in <a href="https://www.discoverupstateny.com/">Upstate New York</a> that incubates such interesting and creative work. If you haven't been to one yet I encourage you to experience something new and strange this year at <a href="https://www.facebook.com/RochesterFringeFestival">Rochester Fringe</a>.
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After gabbing about how awesome Fringe is, let's talk about shows. The first one I will be seeing is tonight at <a href="https://www.facebook.com/Avyarium/">The Avyarium</a> in <a href="http://www.visitrochester.com/listings/village-gate-square/77/">Village Gate Square</a> called "BardBending: A Same-Sex Shakespeare Sampler". I love when theatre productions change up conventional genders in their shows, and I know that <a href="http://www.wallbyrd.com/bard-bending-2018/">WallByrd Theatre</a> does a great job with it. When I went to see their production of <a href="http://www.wallbyrd.com/macbeth"><i>MacBeth</i></a> not once, but <i>twice</i> last year, I was thrilled by many of the twists they used including portraying both Macduff AND Lady Macduff as female. The character of Macduff had all of the same inner turmoil, but the payoff was so interesting and held a lot more depth and power in the story as she struggled with the loss of her family. I am very confident that <a href="http://www.wallbyrd.com/">WallByrd</a> will do it again with this production and give a deep look into character intricacies through the eyes of different genders. This show costs $10 to attend and will be playing tonight 9/12 at 7pm, Saturday 9/15 and Thursday 9/20 at 9pm.
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The second performance I am excited to see is the "Light Painting Experience" which is considered in <a href="https://rochesterfringe.com/visitor-info/festival-guide">The Fringe "Official Guide"</a> as multidisciplinary and appears to be interactive. This event is free for anyone to join, and you evidently use LED lights of many varieties to make a sort of long-exposure image through a camera lens that you can print to take home with you. This event is part of the Rochester Maker Mini Faire which is just a sampling of what might be at <a href="http://rochester.makerfaire.com/">the larger ticketed event</a> being held on Saturday 11/17 at the <a href="http://www.rrcc.com/">Rochester Riverside Convention Center</a>. I will definitely be sure to try light painting out and get a cool picture of me flailing around with lights for my living room, perhaps to my roommate's dismay. This event only occurs this weekend on Friday 9/14 and Saturday 9/15 from 5pm until 10pm in <a href="http://ourparcel5.com/">Parcel 5</a>.
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Another free event I am curious to attend is called "Complimentary Heckling". The first time I read this, I took the word "complimentary" to simply mean that this would be a free event... But apparently this is like being heckled - but instead a stranger will be complimenting you based on what they see. "Crackerjack" is the name of the person who will be doing the complimenting/heckling, and all you have to do is walk by them in Parcel 5 or the <a href="https://rochesterfringe.com/visitor-info/festival-map">Spiegelgarden</a>, across the street from <a href="http://maxrochesterny.com/">Max of Eastman Place</a>, to receive a few compliments to make you smile or enlarge your head, whichever is more probable for you. I, for one, am always giving compliments out at work, so I think it would be nice to get complimented for a bit! Let's see how big my head will grow afterwards. "Crackerjack" will be complimenting at Parcel 5 on Friday 9/14 and Saturday 9/15 from 6:30pm until 7:45pm, and at the Spiegelgarden on Friday 9/21 and Saturday 9/22 from 5:45pm until 7pm.
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I love doing yoga and have been ramping up my yoga knowledge and practice over the past few years so I am super excited to be seeing this next event. It is called "World Music & Yoga Ballet" and it combines two of my favorite things into one - cultural music and yoga! To live tunes of Indian, Middle Eastern, and Classical music, <a href="http://heather-roffe.squarespace.com/">Heather Roffe</a> choreographed and directed a unique dance performance incorporating <a href="https://www.yogajournal.com/yoga-101/types-of-yoga/yin">Yin Yoga</a> with world music and an addition of <a href="https://www.binauralbeatsmeditation.com/the-science/">binaural beats</a> to create a blend of meditation and intrigue. I am specifically interested in seeing cool, rare instruments being played live such as the listed <a href="https://bandestration.com/tag/alto-flute/">alto flute</a> a <a href="https://www.hobgoblin-usa.com/info/25/celtic-harp/">Celtic 34-string harp</a>. This is a two-day only event on Saturday 9/15 and Sunday 9/16 at 2pm in the <a href="https://lyrictheatrerochester.org/">Lyric Theatre</a> and has a ticket price of $10. If you're a yoga or sound science fan - or both - this would be a great show to see.
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Lastly, I must recommend seeing "Aria", a multidisciplinary performance by a dance group called <a href="http://www.biodance.org/">BIODANCE</a> and a chamber ensemble called <a href="https://www.fivebyfivemusic.com/">fivebyfive</a> led by Missy Pfohl Smith, W. Michelle Harris, and Kearstin Piper Brown. Last year, BIODANCE did a performance <i>inside</i> of the <a href="http://www.rmsc.org/">RMSC</a> <a href="http://www.rmsc.org/strasenburghplanetarium">Strasenburgh Planetarium</a> with light and sound called <a href="http://www.biodance.org/2017/07/25/labyrinth-at-keybank-rochester-fringe-festival-2017/">"Labyrinth"</a> and it was truly stunning. Since the Planetarium is <a href="http://www.rmsc.org/press-news/item/579-rmsc-strasenburgh-planetarium-announces-plan-to-close-for-renovations-beginning-sept-4">being renovated</a> this year, that magical collaboration will not happen this time, but BIODANCE will instead perform at the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/LyricTheatreRochester/">Lyric Theatre</a>. The performance of "Aria" claims to bring eye-popping visuals, and I will say that last year I left their performance of "Labyrinth" feeling pleasantly surprised and incredibly visually stimulated. I can't even begin to explain to you how unique this dance performance is, only to say that it will leave you creatively inspired. I was raving about this event to all of my friends all year long. This is another two-day event that will happen on Sunday 9/16 and Monday 9/17 at 8pm and tickets will cost $12.
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<img class="circleblog" src="https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1847/44641920791_015c3b1cf7_k.jpg" />I hope I have inspired you to try something fun, artsy, and different this year at <a href="https://instagram.com/rochester_fringe">Rochester's Fringe Festival</a>. Please let me know in the comments section if you plan on or if you had attended any of these shows so we can gush about them together! Thank you for reading my festival review, keep your eye out for more Fringe coverage or perhaps another round of my top picks on my <a href="http://www.twitter.com/fortissimona">Twitter</a>, my <a href="http://www.facebook.com/fortissimona">Facebook page</a>, or my <a href="https://www.instagram.com/fortissimona/">Instagram</a> for post updates!<br/><center><i>All opinions and pictures are my own.</i></center>
Simona Benenatihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07238869726573305250noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6913039108718290288.post-54168472642515912002018-08-31T23:47:00.001-04:002019-07-11T13:25:59.692-04:00Shareable Plates at Native Eatery and Bar in Rochester, NY<center><img height="75%" src="https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1870/44396763261_5a61bc1131_b.jpg" width="75%" /></center><br/>
While looking for places to bar hop around in Rochester, NY for my friend's birthday weekend, we decided to check out the fairly new restaurant, <a href="https://www.nativerochester.com/">Native Eatery and Bar</a>, for dinner and a drink to start our evening off right. There has been a lot of buzz about Native and its locally-sourced cuisine since it opened on the corner of Woodbury and Clinton in the Center City area - right across from <a href="https://www.gevatheatre.org/">Geva Theatre</a>. When we arrived on a very warm and pleasant evening, Native had opened up two of it's four giant windowed walls as if to expand its porch area right into the restaurant. While taking our spot to sit at the ginormous rectangular bar, it felt as though we were still outdoors!
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Looking at <a href="https://www.nativerochester.com/menu">the menu</a>, it seemed as though the food options were laid out in a very artsy, gourmet style of varying course categories and creative names. For example, the salads were titled "From the Garden" and the soups were titled "From the Cauldron". My friend and I ordered two drinks "From the Still": I ordered the $6 <a href="https://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/mint-julep-234757">Mint Julep</a> which was the special cocktail of the day sponsored by the city's "Movies with a Downtown View" event happening in the park across the street, and my friend ordered the Seasonal <a href="https://www.allrecipes.com/recipe/157244/orange-sangria/">Sangria</a> which was a bit tangy and tropical but not too sweet. I was worried that my Mint Julep would be a bit <i>too</i> minty - I had a horrible tasting <a href="https://www.gimmesomeoven.com/mojito-recipe/">Mojito</a> a few years ago which has put me off to mint for a while - but it was just a "hint" of mint and had a nice natural sweetness to counteract it! In addition to cocktails, Native also had a huge list of craft beers "From the Hops" and international wines "From the Vine"!
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While browsing the dinner choices, my friend and I conclusively decided to share an appetizer and a pizza. Under the heading "From the Larder" was the intricate charcuterie board which we ultimately ordered to start with. Along with the typical cured meats and hard and soft cheeses, the charcuterie board also included some duck pâté, homemade jerky, pickles and olives, and some fresh, dried, and candied fruits. According to the menu, the variety changes daily and can be made vegan, vegetarian, and gluten free, as well! If you're someone who likes to try all different flavors under the sun, like myself, you would absolutely love to sample this platter.
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In the "From the Hearth" menu category was our glorious pizza that we had ordered. The pizza was made with a naturally leavened dough, tomato and thyme red sauce, roasted select mushrooms and zucchini, and, my favorite, creamy white chèvre goat cheese. The crust, which is usually my least favorite part of a pizza, was the clear "bread"-winner in this dish. It had a perfect slight char to it, was crisp yet soft and doughy inside, and tasted as though it was freshly tossed and floured just moments ago. The thyme tomato sauce was a perfect compliment to the garden fresh toppings, and I loved the combination of the zucchini and mushrooms with that tangy and salty goat cheese. I am glad to have shared it with a friend because there would have been no way that I could have finished that pizza myself - although I would surely try!
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Overall I would absolutely come back to Native Eatery and Bar, especially to try another $6 cocktail if they have one and whatever interesting samplings they have on their charcuterie board. I would say that, in addition to a date night, Native is also a great place to eat for a celebration or a family gathering, or even to grab a cocktail and a bite with a friend or with coworkers for a happy hour after work! You can park in the <a href="http://www.cityofrochester.gov/parking/washingtonsquaregarage/">Washington Square Park parking garage</a> for free, as long as you leave after 7:15pm, or there is often parking around <a href="https://www.rocwashingtonsquare.org/">the park itself</a> which is free on weekends. My friend and I found it to be easily walkable from the <a href="http://www.park-avenue.org/">Park Ave</a> neighborhood area.
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<img class="circleblog" src="https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1867/44347362772_b30150cfc4_b.jpg" />Native is located at 180 South Clinton and is open from 5pm to 9pm Tuesday through Thursday, and until 10pm on Friday and Saturday. They also have <a href="https://www.nativerochester.com/specials">happy hour specials</a> from 3:30pm until 6pm every day they are open! You can follow Native on their <a href="https://www.instagram.com/nativerochester/">Instagram</a> and <a href="https://www.facebook.com/NativeRochester/">Facebook page</a>. Thank you for reading my restaurant review, keep an eye out for more articles like this by following my <a href="http://www.twitter.com/fortissimona">Twitter</a>, my <a href="http://www.facebook.com/fortissimona">Facebook page</a>, or my <a href="https://www.instagram.com/fortissimona/">Instagram</a> for post updates!<br/><center><i>All opinions and pictures are my own.</i></center>Simona Benenatihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07238869726573305250noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6913039108718290288.post-12578559771004598802018-07-30T21:41:00.000-04:002019-07-11T13:23:20.080-04:00Taco Tuesday at Rio Tomatlan in Canandaigua, NY<center><img height="75%" src="https://farm1.staticflickr.com/860/41943265990_f51d5711cc_b.jpg" width="75%" /></center><br/>
During my birthday week this year I wanted to go somewhere special for Taco Tuesday since I absolutely love Mexican food. My friend talked up this restaurant in Canandaigua that he had been to a few times for cheap, yummy Tex-Mex food and I was dying to try it. From what I could tell, <a href="https://riotomatlan.com/">Rio Tomatlan</a> doesn't have any food specials for Taco Tuesday like some of my other favorites, <a href="http://www.bitterhoneyroc.com/">Bitter Honey</a> or <a href="http://fortissimona.blogspot.com/2017/07/taco-tuesday-at-silver-iguana-in.html">Silver Iguana</a>, but they did have some cute drink specials for the day, such as a Pomegranate Negroni made with local <a href="http://honeoyefallsdistillery.com/">Honeoye Falls Distilling</a> <a href="http://honeoyefallsdistillery.com/spirits/devils-bathtub-gin/">Devil's Bathtub Gin</a>, and the food was so inexpensive anyway that it was 100% worth the trip. According to <a href="https://riotomatlan.com/about">their website</a>, they also import many of their ingredients directly from Mexico to make sure they get the right flavor and feel in their menu items. However, they claim that their produce specifically is locally sourced where possible.
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There was a little wait when we arrived which showed just how much Taco Tuesday is a growing weekly outing for families. My friend and I took a seat at the bar and ordered a couple of <a href="http://www.modelousa.com/">Modelo beers</a> while we waited. The atmosphere had a very colorful, Mexicano flare that reminded me of the inside of <a href="https://www.rochesterlacasa.com/">La Casa</a> in the <a href="https://www.southwedge.com/">South Wedge</a>. Speaking of families, compared to the inner city of Rochester, there were a lot more families with children at the restaurant. Once we were seated at a small table and chairs near the bar, we quickly noticed that we were surrounded by children running around. There were other places in the restaurant to sit and eat; I might have preferred to sit in the room next to us which had booths that may have deterred any wandering children from getting up out of their seats as much - a suggestion I would make to any parents with squirmy children to help keep them seated.
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<a href="https://riotomatlan.com/foodmenu/">The menu</a> was definitely a beauty to behold. While not completely focused on the handheld tacos themselves, Rio Tomatlan seemed to have more of a focus on more indulgent Mexican cuisine while still at a fantastic price. For example, most enchiladas and quesadillas plates were under $10, and many of the seafood options were under $15. If you can't decide and want a little of everything, you can even order from the "Variados" menu which pairs a taste of some menu items together as a mixed plate.
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I have been toying with the idea of making <a href="https://pinchofyum.com/simple-enchiladas-verdes">enchiladas verdes</a> at home but had never tried it myself, so I decided to go with Rio's own version for $8 with chicken rolled into three corn tortillas with onions and cilantro, topped with a red guajillo pepper sauce, romaine, pickled cabbage, crema Mexicana, and cotija cheese. If you are a fan of cheese, you would love this dish - the crema was so light and tangy and the chicken and cheese stuffed inside the tortillas were just oozing with flavor. The romaine gave it a somewhat taco salad-type vibe, while the pickled cabbage just added on another layer of sweet and sour to a fantastic palate. I felt very full afterwards which was great for the price. I am definitely making this at home now!
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My friend ordered the Tamales del Dia which was different than his usual order of a plate of tacos. The dish consisted of corn masa dough steamed in a corn husked filled with chef’s choice of chicken or pork served with our chile de arbol sauce and jalapeño tomatillo sauce, and it looked simply breathtaking as well. For a unique dish, the price of $9 seemed right on par with what I would have paid and with the amount of food they gave him, as well. We would have probably stayed for another drink but since the restaurant was quite busy, the waiter was difficult to get a hold of and we sort of just wanted to escape the children dancing about. Again, I think that it was simply the layout of the dining area we were in, and had we sat somewhere else it wouldn't have been an issue.
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All in all, I would definitely recommend to anyone to try the food at Rio Tomatlan. I have noticed lately that they have branched out at different festivals in the inner city, I saw them at the <a href="http://www.rochesterjazz.com/">Xerox Rochester International Jazz Festival</a> partnering with <a href="http://fortissimona.blogspot.com/2017/08/nagles-observance-bar-rochester-ny.html">Nagle's Observance</a> with an adorable taco cart. Whether you are coming back from the lake or the mountain, be sure to hit up Rio Tomatlan for some tacos you won't forget. I still can taste that cheesy enchilada to this day and can't wait to return to try something new and exciting.
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<img class="circleblog" src="https://farm1.staticflickr.com/928/42847391245_35d18477d8_b.jpg" />Rio Tomatlan is located at 106 Bemis Street in Canandaigua, NY and is open Tuesday through Saturday until 10pm and Sunday until 9pm. You can follow them on their <a href="https://twitter.com/RioTomatlan">Twitter</a>, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/riotomatlan/">Instagram</a>, and <a href="https://www.facebook.com/riotomatlan">Facebook</a>! Thank you for reading my restaurant review, keep an eye out for more articles like this by following my <a href="http://www.twitter.com/fortissimona">Twitter</a> or my <a href="https://www.instagram.com/fortissimona/">Instagram</a> for post updates!<br/><center><i>All opinions and pictures are my own.</i></center>
Simona Benenatihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07238869726573305250noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6913039108718290288.post-50349001768617597692018-06-01T12:05:00.000-04:002019-07-11T13:23:34.370-04:00Iron Smoke Distillery in Fairport, NY<center><img height="75%" src="https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1734/41774542504_d67fb62158_z.jpg" width="75%" /></center><br/>
At the <a href="https://www.rochestercitynewspaper.com/">CITY Newspaper</a> <a href="https://www.rochestercitynewspaper.com/rochester/best-of-rochester/Category?oid=2135119">Best of Rochester party</a> this year, my friend and I became instant fans of the whiskey distiller, <a href="http://www.ironsmokewhiskey.com/">Iron Smoke Distillery</a>. Iron Smoke also teased their product at the party by giving out yummy samples to the attendees. The person giving us the samples was super knowledgeable about the craft of distilling and it made us curious to dive deeper into the art of whiskey tasting. And after we heard that <a href="https://www.democratandchronicle.com/story/money/business/2016/02/27/catching-up-iron-smoke-distillerys-tommy-brunett/80878586/">they were opening a brick-and-mortar location in Fairport, NY</a>, my friend and I were on high alert.
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Last Friday, we visited their new location after their opening weekend - in part because we had heard one of our favorite mustachioed Rochester bartenders, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/matthewpawloski">Matthew Pawloski</a>, previously from <a href="https://www.thedailyrefresher.com/">The Daily Refresher</a>, was going to be doing a guest bartending stint during their first few weekends. As we arrived, we were greeted by Matthew who had been cut for the evening from serving but was happy to chat with us about the new establishment and his new ventures. It was really nice to hang out with Matthew on the "other side of the bar" and we really enjoyed our conversation with him.
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We were served by one of Iron Smoke permanent bartenders who was really helpful in explaining the flavors of each house cocktail on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/IronSmokeDistillery/menu/">their menu</a>, each containing an <a href="http://www.ironsmokewhiskey.com/#bodyWhiskey">Iron Smoke spirit</a> mixed in with their own spin on some popular beverages. I decided to go with their take on an "Old Fashioned", made with Iron Smoke's own Bourbon Whiskey, muddled sugar cubes, <a href="http://www.feebrothers.com/products/bitters/old_fashion_aromatic_bitters.php">Fee Brothers' Old Fashioned bitters</a>, and a flamed orange zest. I was enthralled with my choice as it may have been one of the best Old Fashioned cocktails I've ever had. The flavor was drinkable in a way that kept me coming back for more, but the light burn from the whiskey kept me from drinking it too quickly. The smell was the most amazing part - the scent of fresh orange with a cinnamon-y sweet smoky note made me insist on letting everyone at the distillery know that they should make a candle out of it. I really hope they do.
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My friend ordered their version of a Moscow Mule, which they called the "ISD Mule", consisting of your choice of either the Iron Smoke Bourbon or <a href="http://rattlesnakerosies.com/home.html">Rattlesnake Rosie's Apple Pie Whiskey</a>, mixed with lime juice, and topped with ginger beer. My friend chose the bourbon and quite enjoyed it. Of course, after a while he took a sip of my Old Fashioned and decided to make that his second beverage, as he had conclusively agreed with me and my raving about it.
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After we got our beverages we noticed the plethora of places to sit. The ambiance definitely reminded me of <a href="https://www.facebook.com/TheDailyRefresher/">The Daily Refresher</a> with its Victorian, steampunk-style furniture. In the primary room with the bar, there was a noticeably large metal boiler in the corner which, presumably, was part of the original factory building that they kept for the charm aspect. In addition, there was a large antique wooden dining table set with plenty of chairs around it, a raised platform with a few couch chairs and a <a href="http://www.brainjar.com/dhtml/ouija/">wooden Ouija board</a> on the coffee table in the middle, and in the back they had an area with Iron Smoke bottles to take home, as well as quite a bit of <a href="http://www.ironsmokewhiskey.com/#bodyStore">souvenir merchandise</a>.
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My friend and I decided to sit in the secondary room, which had an area of more antique couches, chairs, and even a chaise lounge if you wanted to be <i>extra</i> fancy. The bathrooms were also in this area, as well as a stage and soundboard fit for a decent sized music performance. The atmosphere of the distillery felt very open but still cozy. In my opinion, it gave me the respectability of any <a href="http://www.fingerlakeswinecountry.com">Finger Lakes winery</a> but with the thrill and enchantment of going out on the town with friends on a Friday night. I'm also really loving this <a href="http://fortissimona.blogspot.com/2017/09/the-spirit-room-cocktail-bar-in.html">current trend in cocktail bars</a> that add eclectic collections of antiques to their decor. Not only does it excite me as an antique collector myself, but I feel that it gives the customer a sense of respect for the business they're entering - a bit of a "treat this bar like your grandmother's house" kind of vibe. I'm into it.
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<img class="circleblog" src="https://farm1.staticflickr.com/889/41774542384_4486faf208_b.jpg" />The distillery closed around 11pm which, for a Friday, initially seemed early to me, but around 10:30pm the small crowd started to thin. Personally, I think Iron Smoke is an excellent first stop place for your weekend night, and I would totally do the same. If you'd like to visit Iron Smoke for a taste or a 'tail, they are located at 111 Parce Ave in Fairport, NY, and they are open until 10pm on Thursdays, 11pm on Fridays and Saturdays, and 6pm on Sundays. You can follow them on their <a href="https://www.facebook.com/IronSmokeDistillery/">Facebook</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/IronSmoke">Twitter</a>, and <a href="https://www.instagram.com/ironsmoke/"></a> Thank you for reading my bar review, keep an eye out for more articles like this by following my <a href="http://www.twitter.com/fortissimona">Twitter</a> or my <a href="https://www.instagram.com/fortissimona/">Instagram</a> for post updates!<br/><center><i>All opinions and pictures are my own.</i></center>
Simona Benenatihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07238869726573305250noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6913039108718290288.post-74214155753710426162018-05-01T18:19:00.000-04:002018-05-01T18:19:39.747-04:00Lunch at Steadfast, a Gourmet Sandwich Bar in Rochester, NY<center><img height="75%" src="https://farm1.staticflickr.com/905/40028506690_86aaa8d86d_b.jpg" width="75%" /></center><br/>
There was lots of buzz behind <a href="http://www.rocsteadfast.com/">Steadfast</a> opening up in the old <a href="https://www.democratandchronicle.com/story/news/local/columnists/andreatta/2017/07/27/andreatta-matthews-has-601-k-tax-liens-filed-against-owners/517490001/">Matthew's East End Grill</a> location on East Avenue in Rochester, NY. I was certainly interested because it was directly on my path to and from work everyday so I was able to see the building get gutted and revamped as Steadfast. As I was walking by one day, I saw one of the workers standing by the door and I happened to ask them what the sitch was and when it was planning to open. The person I talked to had happened to be one of the owners, <a href="https://www.democratandchronicle.com/story/news/2018/02/13/sandwich-shop-bar-coming-rochesters-east-end-former-matthews-space/318306002/">Nick Garofoli</a>, and he told me a few of the menu items he and his partner, executive chef <a href="https://www.democratandchronicle.com/story/news/2018/04/25/steadfast-sandwich-shop-bar-opens-rochester-east-end/526323002/">Chuck Previte</a>, had planned for some of their initial menu items which all sounded drool-worthy. Nick told me that their idea was to open in early April, so I made my plan to return as soon as they did!
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They had a soft opening featuring a limited menu during <a href="https://www.eatuproc.com/">Eat Up Rochester Week</a>, but only from 10am until 2pm. They plan to keep their normal hours from 10am until 10pm Monday through Wednesday, until 12am on Thursdays, until 2am on Fridays and Saturdays, and until 5pm on Sundays. My coworker and friend and I headed to Steadfast yesterday on their official first full day. I had, of course, already perused their menu and was between getting the <a href="https://www.thedailymeal.com/what-is-a-muffaletta">Muffaletta</a>, a sandwich created by Sicilian immigrants in New Orleans, which at Steadfast included speck, Genoa salami, mortadella, provolone, mozzarella, and a Calabrian chili & kalamata tapenade, or the <a href="http://www.laweekly.com/restaurants/beware-the-dangerous-cemita-2164789">Cemita Poblana</a>, which was a Latin-style sandwich with a pork cutlet, ham, avocado, queso blanco, onion, lettuce, and a chipotle sauce.
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The interior of Steadfast is noticeably colorful - a drastic difference from the dark bar that it once was. The tables were made of natural wood planks surrounded by butter yellow rustic chairs. The tin Victorian-inspired ceiling was painted a muted shade of navy blue which matched the seat cushions on the booths. With a pop of red from vintage-looking glass ketchup bottles, the entire restaurant was pleasing to the eye as the colors took on a primary theme. There were also some antique items as decor such as <a href="http://www.antiquetobacco.com/articles/page/2/">cans of Prince Albert tobacco</a> for another pop of that red color. We were told they picked up of a stash of the tins and the other antique decor at <a href="http://www.rehouseny.com/">ReHouse Architectural Salvage</a> on West Ridge Road. The windows let a lot of sunlight in and also allowed for some prime people watching looking out, one of my favorite hobbies. There is also a private area in the back for small gatherings like lunch meetings - perfect excuse for a work field trip!
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When at the front counter, you can choose to either make your order there or to take a seat and decide for a bit before ordering. My friend and I found a table and browsed the menu for a bit before going back to the counter to order our food. I decided on getting the Muffaletta and my friend ordered the Cemita Poblana, so I ended up getting to see what my second choice 'wich would have looked like had I ordered it instead, win-win! We also got a choice between housemade potato chips, sweet potato chips, or a green salad. I liked the "healthier" option of the sweet potato chips and went with that as my choice of side. Other interesting menu items included a completely vegan meatball sub with vegan mozzarella and even a traditional <a href="http://www.frenchquarter.com/new-orleans-po-boy-tradition/">Po' Boy</a> sandwich, which I've never tried before.
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When our food came out, I was absolutely floored with how much meat was packed into each of our sandwiches. The flavors of my Muffaletta reminded me of a pepperoni pizza but with a bacon-y flavor coming from the speck. The Calabrian chili & kalamata olive flavored sauce reminded me of a really gourmet pizza sauce. I could definitely see this sandwich being on a menu in an authentic restaurant in Italy, every single one of the flavors was there and it really warmed my Italian soul. The sweet potato chips were sliced in cute elongated ovals which made them curl slightly after being baked, and were topped with an ample amount of salt and pepper that made them just the right amount of savory. My friend enjoyed her sandwich but commented that the chipotle sauce definitely had a warm and spicy kick to it that was unexpected but still tasty.
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I got a chance to chat with Nick as we were finishing our sandwiches, as the lunch crowd hadn't picked up quite yet and we were one of the only ones there, and he told us a little about the concept and design of Steadfast. Nick told us that he worked in business for a while and had talked with a handful of other chefs who were thinking of opening restaurants, but ultimately gelled with chef Chuck Previte and his ideas for the sandwich bar. Nick also appreciated my friend's feedback on the extra spicy chipotle sauce and told us they were thinking of toning it back and making it more of a hint of chipotle mayo-based aioli instead to cut down some of that heat. I ended up not being able to finish the second half of my Muffaletta, but I was very happy to receive an all-paper eco-friendly to-go container - and even happier that it warmed up beautifully the next day for lunch!
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<img class="circleblog" src="https://farm1.staticflickr.com/946/40028507020_6d46b4cfe8_z.jpg" />In addition to serving sandwiches, the restaurant offers craft and local beers, a hand-selected wine list, and a coffee bag or by-the-cup selection which will feature different roasters on a rotation. Right now they are featuring <a href="https://counterculturecoffee.com/">Counter Culture Coffee</a>, a brand from Durham, North Carolina. Steadfast is located at 200 East Avenue in Rochester, NY and you can follow them on their <a href="https://twitter.com/RocSteadfast">Twitter</a>, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/rocsteadfast/">Instagram</a>, and <a href="https://www.facebook.com/rocsteadfast/">Facebook</a>. Right now they have events coming up for a grand opening and a Cinco de Mayo party which you can read all about <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pg/rocsteadfast/events/">on their events page</a>! Thank you for reading my restaurant review, keep an eye out for more articles like this by following my <a href="http://www.twitter.com/fortissimona">Twitter</a> or my <a href="https://www.instagram.com/fortissimona/">Instagram</a> for post updates!<br/><center><i>All opinions and pictures are my own.</i></center>
Simona Benenatihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07238869726573305250noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6913039108718290288.post-76789354779491308332018-04-30T00:10:00.000-04:002019-07-11T13:47:55.253-04:00AGAVA and Julien Baker & Tancred at The Hangar Theatre in Ithaca, NY<center><img height="75%" src="https://farm1.staticflickr.com/867/26925228447_d0c92c896a_k.jpg" width="75%" /></center><br/>
Back in April 2017, my friend and I had missed out on seeing one of our favorite musicians, <a href="https://julienbaker.com/">Julien Baker</a>, play in Ithaca, NY as an opener for The Decemberists, so <a href="http://fortissimona.blogspot.com/2017/04/the-park-house-and-julien-baker-at.html">we had driven all the way</a> to <a href="http://www.stagepittsburgh.com/">Stage AE</a> in Pittsburgh, PA to see her instead. You can imagine how elated we were that she was going to return to Ithaca this year at the <a href="https://hangartheatre.org/">Hangar Theatre</a>, so we bought our tickets right away so we wouldn't miss her headlining the show. Much to my delight, she was being opened by <a href="https://tancredmusic.com/">Tancred</a>, a shoe gaze-style band led by <a href="https://twitter.com/tancredjess">Jess Abbott</a>. Jess used to be part of <a href="http://nownowmusic.com/">Now, Now</a>, a three-piece band with two rockin' lady guitarists, who I first saw five years ago at <a href="https://www.bugjar.com/">The Bug Jar</a> in Rochester, NY. Needless to say, I was looking forward to seeing this female-powered concert earlier this month!
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My friend and I decided to make a day of heading to Ithaca and to throw in a spot to get dinner, so we researched some of the most interesting restaurants in Ithaca to choose from. The three we decided between were: <a href="https://www.agavarestaurant.com/">AGAVA</a>, a farm-to-table Latin food restaurant; <a href="https://moosewoodcooks.com/">Moosewood</a>, a vegan and vegetarian restaurant; or <a href="https://www.ithacabeer.com/">Ithaca Beer Co.</a>, a brewery with highly-recommended pub-style food. We were leaning toward Moosewood, since we were fans of <a href="http://fortissimona.blogspot.com/2017/03/the-red-fern-on-rochesters-park-avenue.html">The Red Fern</a> and <a href="http://fortissimona.blogspot.com/2018/03/warm-homestyle-dinner-owl-house-rochester-ny.html">The Owl House</a> here in Rochester, but at the last minute we decided we were craving the more Spanish feel of AGAVA. Originally craving tacos, we ended up being drawn to other unique dishes on AGAVA's <a href="https://www.agavarestaurant.com/menus">wide variety of menu items</a>.
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My friend ordered a dish called "The Rub", which was Atlantic salmon with with mashed sweet potatoes, grilled pineapple, and a salsa with avocado and tomatillo. I'm partial to trying different types of gourmet cheeseburgers when I get the chance, and AGAVA had one that caught my eye. The AGAVA burger was made with local organic grass-fed beef, an aged cheddar cheese, fried onions, and a "secret sauce". Honestly, whenever I see that a restaurant has a "secret sauce", I am colored intrigued. The burger came with either a side of fries or a salad - and I had forgotten to mention my preference when my order came out. Embarrassingly, I asked the waitress if I could swap the fries for a salad instead and she told me not to worry and brought out the side salad for me to have with my meal, which was a deliciously cute arugula salad with a lemony-tasting dressing that really hit the spot.
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The burger was definitely gorgeous and piled high with the thick patty and mountain of onions. It was cooked perfectly medium to medium-rare as I had requested, and the freshness was definitely something to comment about. Having a locally-sourced burger really makes a difference, I would have gladly paid more for the taste! The "secret sauce" complemented the freshness, as well, which was a kind of dill aioli that really popped - and I am a huge dill fan. Big dill guy. Since it was happy hour - our waitress told us that <a href="https://www.beermenus.com/places/40768-agava">all draft beers</a> were half-priced. My friend and I both selected one of the beers on my bucket-list, <a href="https://www.lawsonsfinest.com/">Lawson's Finest</a> <a href="https://www.lawsonsfinest.com/beers/sip-sunshine/">Sip of Sunshine IPA</a>, and it did not disappoint! It was very citrusy and had that unfiltered freshness to it that I love. It definitely made my list of tastiest beers; I had to stop myself from drinking it too quickly before my food had arrived because I knew it would go perfectly with my burger - and it did!
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After our meal, we made our way to The Hangar Theatre just down the road from AGAVA. The theatre from the outside looked super cool as it was located in an old army park inside of an airplane hangar! Strangely, it was a seated event, but we bought our tickets early so we were able to snag front row seats. As we entered, I looked to my left to see Jess from <a href="https://www.instagram.com/tancredjess/">Tancred</a> right at the merch tables! I was definitely starstruck, as always, and I told my friend that I barely remembered what I said. What I do remember is that I told her I saw her in <a href="https://www.instagram.com/nownowband">Now, Now</a> and how she inspired me to start <a href="https://soundcloud.com/two-birds">my own girl group</a> in college. She also saw my tee shirt which was sporting, of course, Now, Now. I'm glad she noticed because I guess I had been too gobsmacked to remember to show that I was wearing it. Luckily I did remember to ask her for a photo and she was very happy to take one with me!
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After everyone took their seats, the concert started. Tancred was really wonderful, playing some of my current favorite jams including <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y2my_KN2lgw">"Bed Case"</a> and <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-GAeWVKi6CU">"Pens"</a>. Surprisingly, she wasn't playing her traditional <a href="https://www.fender.com/products/electric-guitars/telecaster">Fender Telecasters</a> which I told her I admired. However, she did pack a powerful punch with her usual wide array of guitar pedals which added awesome reverb and drive to her playing in all the right moments. I enjoyed seeing her in the forefront as opposed to when she was sharing the spotlight in <a href="https://twitter.com/nownowband">Now, Now</a>. I feel like her on-stage character has a greater presence - moody, brooding, and in-charge in a great way. Her style of clothes hasn't changed much, which is one of the things I liked best about her. Her style is a classic and cool, hovering between schoolgirl and menswear, including her <i>almost</i> signature-esque <a href="http://mentalfloss.com/article/76207/strange-case-buddy-hollys-final-pair-glasses">Buddy Holly specs</a>.
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After Jess and the rest of <a href="https://www.facebook.com/tancredmusic/">Tancred</a> finished their set, <a href="https://twitter.com/julienrbaker">Julien Baker</a> took the stage. Throughout her set, she was mainly solo with just her vocals, guitar, piano, synth, and a loop pedal. She sang crowd favorites such as <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n0MMGV02m84">"Funeral Pyre"</a> and <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wmGVIvf8Q6s">"Sprained Ankle"</a>. Many of us were too timid to sing along, but instead hummed or quietly mouthed the lyrics as the set was more like a slam poetry reading with such fervor and spite echoing from Julien's artful lyric talent. She had more time to talk in between the songs and talk about what each song meant, which was super nice. I especially appreciated her honesty which definitely gave me more insight into her songwriting. Her piano was really cool, actually, as it was an upright with a paper cutout-type front and lit from behind to give it an eerie glow as she sang in the middle of the hall.
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<img class="circleblog" src="https://farm1.staticflickr.com/964/26925230607_68fc7119ae_b.jpg" />What was really special was when she introduced a violinist, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/camillefaulkner/">Camille Faulkner</a>, to come onstage with her to play out the second half of her set. Camille's pizzicato during the second to last song, <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iFLOZ9KwL4Y">"Hurt Less"</a>, is ultimately the tune that made me tear up. You can hear the two play the tune on their recent <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XZdnq5tN5vI">return visit to NPR's Tiny Desk Concert</a> - <a href="https://www.instagram.com/julienrbaker/">Julien</a>'s <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tADWPTqR_4A">first visit</a> having reached over two million views alone. Not a surprise for anyone, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/julienrbaker">Julien</a> played her final song which was none other than <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ME1gGWsK9rE">"Something"</a>. This time, nobody held back and all of us sang quietly along. It's always such a cool moment when you're surrounded by others who dig the same musical moment in time together - it's as if we all shared a secret memory together that only we'll remember. Thank you for reading my restaurant and concert review, keep an eye out for more articles like this by following my <a href="http://www.twitter.com/fortissimona">Twitter</a> or my <a href="https://www.instagram.com/fortissimona/">Instagram</a> for post updates!<br/><center><i>All opinions and pictures are my own.</i></center>
Simona Benenatihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07238869726573305250noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6913039108718290288.post-80072540336544028392018-03-28T17:20:00.000-04:002019-07-11T13:32:47.424-04:00Warm, Homestyle Dinner at The Owl House in Rochester, NY<center><img height="75%" src="https://farm1.staticflickr.com/900/41037613982_98366b28dd_b.jpg" width="75%" /></center>
<br/> I heard a few great things about <a href="http://www.owlhouserochester.com/">The Owl House</a> in the southwest corner of Park Avenue in Rochester, NY - one being that they serve an array of menu items to agree with any diet such as vegan or gluten-free. I figured that the cuisine would be similar to what I tried <a href="https://fortissimona.blogspot.com/2017/03/the-red-fern-on-rochesters-park-avenue.html">when I went to The Red Fern</a> on Park Avenue. However, when I went the other week with my friend for a fancy night out, they had some <a href="http://www.owlhouserochester.com/s/1-Dinner-Menu.pdf">really spectacular entrees</a> that were more farm-fresh and homestyle cooking than I had expected. The restaurant is on the corner location of Monroe Avenue and Marshall Street by the <a href="http://www.marshallstreetbarandgrill.com/">Marshall Street Bar and Grill</a>, and quite literally looks like a cute and cozy house upon first glance.
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When my friend and I entered, we were greeted by the hostess immediately and, although we came on a Tuesday night and without a reservation, we were still seated immediately in an adorable corner booth. The interior was very eclectic and totally my vibe; it was as if an antique-collecting grandmother clashed with a sleek red-and-black style. We took a while to glance over the <a href="http://www.owlhouserochester.com/s/drink-menu-spring-2019.pdf">extensive drink lists</a>, which had a great variety of wine at all different price points, amongst craft beer and cocktail options. I was in the mood for wine and selected a Rioja that was second-cheapest on the reds list - the <a href="https://www.wine.com/product/bodegas-muriel-reserva-2011/154354">Bodegas Muriel Reserva 2011</a>. Our waitress, Sara, was super sweet and helped me pick it out from the broad selection of reds. This was a great wine to sip on its own before our food came out because it was a bit fruity while not being a fully sweet wine and had a nice vanilla-noted aftertaste. My friend ordered the <a href="http://www.darkhorsebrewery.com/4elf-winter-warmer-ale/">Dark Horse 4 Elf</a> craft beer which was a smooth-tasting dark, wintery brew perfect for a chilly March night.
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<br/> For an appetizer we shared a plate of the crostini which was topped with roasted pumpkin chevre cheese, pickled apples & fennel, and a roasted walnut & apple cider butter sauce. Honestly, if you're looking for a vegetarian version of a prosciutto caponata, this really hit the spot. The picked apples and fennel totally reminded me of thinly cut carcuitterie and honestly was my favorite part of the night. Maybe it was also in part from the excellent pairing of my Rioja, but the layers of flavor and sweetness was a pleasant firework in my mouth when combined with the umami of the chevre cheese.
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<br/> I always tell myself, "Self, never order the Fettuccine Alfredo on the menu otherwise <a href="https://www.livitaly.com/is-fettuccine-alfredo-really-italian/">your poor, Italian soul</a> will be devastated by the bland flavor and sickly-sweet cream sauce." However, when I saw the ingredients list on Owl House's take on a Fettuccine Alfredo, I was simply colored intrigued. The pasta was made from the local brand <a href="https://flourcitypasta.com/">Flour City</a> and was tossed with a cauliflower-based Alfredo Sauce, roasted Smugtown mushrooms, rapini, leeks, and a vegan parmesan cheese. I have a deep love for mushrooms and rapini - <a href="http://www.chatelaine.com/health/diet/rapini-the-amazing-health-benefits-of-the-broccoli-relative/">a type of long, thin broccoli</a> - and truly appreciated a dish made from locally sourced (and vegan to boot!) ingredients.
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My friend ordered the mac and cheese which, to his slightly dairy-intolerant delight, was made with an aged cheddar cheese and not the typical lactose-ridden <a href="http://www.kraftrecipes.com/velveeta.aspx">Velveeta</a>-type variety. The dish was also made from <a href="https://www.facebook.com/Flour-City-Pasta-321780690745/">Flour City pasta</a> and had an inclusion of Swiss chard - seemingly to make you feel at least a little healthy about eating mac and cheese. All in all it seemed like a superb idea to turn this classic dish into more of a "grown-up" version for a cozy night out. Our main dishes took a little while to come out, but it was appreciated because my friend and I got to have a really great conversation in the meantime. I actually dislike when servers rush you through your meal by bringing out the main dish too quickly after an appetizer - balance is key and The Owl House had it!
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Our food came in large bowls which added to the homestyle feel - I felt as though my mom just served me up some pasta to eat by our fireplace on a rainy night. Although the cost of food at <a href="https://www.instagram.com/owlhouseroc/">The Owl House</a> is in the middle to upper-middle range, the amount of food they gave us was immense! I ate as much as I could but still had to take home a complete other half of my meal. Overall, between the great selection of beverages and huge, farm-fresh portions of food, I would definitely recommend <a href="https://twitter.com/theowlhouse">The Owl House</a> as somewhere to take your relatives or friends when they come in to visit Rochester. The atmosphere is conversation-friendly and you'll probably get a second meal out of your night out for lunch the next day! I'd definitely want to bring my mom next time she visits me from <a href="http://www.syracuse.com/">Syracuse, NY</a> - I'm sure she'd approve as well.
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<img class="circleblog" src="https://farm1.staticflickr.com/811/40371315774_77180d4001_b.jpg" /><a href="https://www.facebook.com/TheOwlHouseNY/">The Owl House</a> is located at 75 Marshall Street in Rochester, NY and is open from 11:30am until 9:30pm on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, 11:30am until 10:30pm on Thursdays and Fridays, 11am until 10:30pm on Saturdays, and 11am until 9:30pm on Sundays, while being closed on Mondays and also from 3pm until 5pm on their open days. I would suggest making a reservation, unlike what we did, if you go on weekend days as the restaurant was quite small inside. However, you might be fine on a weekday night, especially if you're just going for drinks and appetizers since they do have a small bar area. Thank you for reading my restaurant review, keep an eye out for more articles like this by following my <a href="http://www.twitter.com/fortissimona">Twitter</a> or my <a href="https://www.instagram.com/fortissimona/">Instagram</a> for post updates!<br/><center><i>All opinions and pictures are my own.</i></center>Simona Benenatihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07238869726573305250noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6913039108718290288.post-5286574311031186412018-02-21T12:23:00.000-05:002019-07-11T13:29:30.484-04:00First Look at Unter Biergarten in Rochester, NY + BeerMenus App<center><img height="75%" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4613/38592936610_4cbc6b9ba9_k.jpg" width="75%" /></center>
<br/> Since I work just down the street, I have been uber curious about the transition from the <a href="https://www.democratandchronicle.com/story/news/2018/01/16/victoire-closes-german-style-beer-hall-nears-open/1038327001/">Victoire Belgian beer bar</a> to the new Unter Biergarten featuring a more German-style beer spectrum. It all happened quite suddenly; Victoire, once touting that "your flight to Belgium is never cancelled," had shut its doors and <a href="https://www.democratandchronicle.com/story/news/2018/02/14/unter-biergarten-belgium-germany-opens-rochesters-east-end-victoire/313163002/">just about a month later reopened</a> into a freshly painted Bavarian delight. <a href="https://unterbiergarten.com/new-page/">Unter Biergarten</a> is located at 120 East Avenue and Rochester boasts free street parking during the week after 6pm - so if you're looking for an after-work sip, you don't have to look far. The bar and restaurant is open Monday through Saturday, 11 a.m. to midnight; and Sunday for brunch, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. They appear to have a different special every day, and are open on a Monday which is a rare feat for a Rochester bar - or very ambitious, rather. You can follow them on their <a href="https://www.instagram.com/unterbiergarten/">Instagram</a> for new details as they come.
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I went to Unter Biergarten this past Friday, the day after they had their grand opening on February 15th. My coworkers and I had planned to grab a beer before heading home to check out how it was doing. Turns out, just about the whole city was also curious - especially students from the <a href="https://www.esm.rochester.edu/">Eastman School of Music</a> as I saw many violinists and flautists walk by with their cases to grab a bite or a brew. The atmosphere of Unter Biergarten seemed a bit lighter in color palette than the old Victoire - which had a more red themed interior. Unter Biergarten went for a more black-and-white, dark-meets-light theme with stencilings of animals and kooky lettering which reminded me a lot of <a href="http://www.alice-in-wonderland.net/">Alice in Wonderland</a>. I was unsure if they had changed the ceiling at all but it was covered with the old-fashioned-looking metallic, rose-gold wallpaper which really added to the German fantasy forest look. If you're wondering, it seems they've kept the original Victoire boar head over the interior fireplace.
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<br/> For my beverage, I went with the <a href="https://troegs.com/beer/nugget-nectar/">Tröegs Nugget Nectar</a>. I've never bought a pack from the grocery store blindly because <a href="https://troegs.com/">Tröegs</a> tends to be on the pricier side, so anytime I see it on the menu I try to sample it so I know if I may want to commit to a whole 4 or 6 of them - I know, I'm odd. My beer was off of the draft list, so it came in a 16oz pour while others came in 13oz pours. It was really tasty and drinkable, reminding me of a hopped orange juice of sorts as it was very citrus-y. My coworker ended up getting a bottle pour, which comes in half or full liters, and thusly will come in either a half or full stein. I tried to get a picture of her "baby" stein as I thought it was super cute, but the image did not come out that great because, apart from the decent lighting coming from behind the bar, the lighting turned into the ill-fated "bar room lighting" - AKA good luck taking any kind of photo in a bar. They also had $3 "Throwback Cans" if you wanted something <i>cheap, quick, and dirty</i> to accompany your craft beverage. Also, if you like the cocktail revival scene in Rochester, there is a great-looking <a href="https://static1.squarespace.com/static/58e6324cbe65941323ecac48/t/5a70e907e4966b295935e3fe/1517349131752/single+cocktail.jpg">cocktail menu</a> as well, including a play on my favorite cocktail - <a href="http://www.seriouseats.com/recipes/2011/06/dark-and-stormy-cocktail-the-spotted-pig-recipe.html">the Dark and Stormy</a> - aptly titled "Rochester's Weather".
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<br/> All of the beers were a great price, especially for the amount you're given. It appeared as though the taps offered a handful of German-specific beers - a <a href="https://www.craftbeer.com/styles/german-style-pilsener">pilsner</a>, <a href="https://www.craftbeer.com/styles/german-style-hefeweizen">hefeweizen</a>, <a href="https://www.craftbeer.com/styles/german-style-dunkel">dunkel</a>, and <a href="https://www.craftbeer.com/styles/german-style-kolsch">kolsch</a> - and a dozen or more local and other craft beers, including the <a href="https://www.ratebeer.com/beer/high-water-campfire-stout/170480/">highly rated</a> <a href="http://www.highwaterbrewing.com/campfire-stout/">High Water Campfire Stout</a>. Speaking of which beers to try, which is always a struggle for someone still learning their all-time favorites such as me, a friend of mine recently suggested a new beer app for me to try called BeerMenus. I was always a little too intimidated to try out the <a href="https://untappd.com/">Untappd</a> app, which is a <a href="https://foursquare.com/">Foursquare</a> or <a href="https://www.yelp.com/">Yelp</a>-type app for beers and bars, and I was looking for something a little simpler which didn't require me to log in or anything to that degree.
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<br/> <a href="https://www.beermenus.com/">BeerMenus</a> is a great, simple app that you can pull up when you're near a bar and can't decide what to try next or what to order. The greatest thing about it so far is that most Rochester bars appear to constantly be updated, which is great if you frequent bars with ever-changing menus. Along with the entire beer menu, the app also shows which beers might be rare or highly rated that are currently being offered at that bar. Even more, you can search for a specific beer if you know there is one you want to try next. For example, I would like to try <a href="https://www.lawsonsfinest.com/beers/sip-sunshine/">Lawson's Finest Sip of Sunshine</a> which is being offered at <a href="http://www.salingersroc.com/">Salinger's</a> and <a href="http://bluwolfbistro.com/">Blu Wolf Bistro</a>, among others.
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<br/> As I looked around, I was super tempted to grab an appetizer off of <a href="https://static1.squarespace.com/static/58e6324cbe65941323ecac48/t/5a78b372ec212d7176c8d1eb/1517859740804/unter+dinner+menu.jpg">the menu</a> to share, as the kitchen kept pulling out pretzels and handing them off, mostly to the curious Eastman students. I was bummed because I was headed off to another restaurant later in the evening (specifically, for the famed <a href="http://www.marshallstreetbarandgrill.com/">Marshall Street</a> 'Dillas - highly recommend the <a href="https://marshallstreetbarandgrill.com/menu/">Taco 'Dilla</a>) - otherwise both the $10 German pretzel with root beer molasses mustard & beer cheese and the $10 Loaded Bavarian Tots with duck pastrami & beer cheese were honestly calling my name to try. I feel like I have failed the blog by not sampling them - if I ever get a taste there will be a Part Two review! Later that day, my friend told me that he was super curious about <a href="https://static1.squarespace.com/static/58e6324cbe65941323ecac48/t/5a70ebcf0d92970a48ccd519/1517349842887/single+Dessert+Menu.jpg">the dessert menu</a>, specifically the intriguing Pretzel Pudding featuring <a href="https://www.facebook.com/PittsfordFarmsDairyBakery/">Pittsford Dairy</a> ice cream. Guess I'm going back for more!
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<img class="circleblog" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4670/26532913698_0f55de3ab6_z.jpg" />Overall, I really liked the atmosphere and new look of Unter Biergarten, and while the food menu was a bit pricey, the smaller bites I think would really appeal to me after having a drink or two with friends - and I think the Eastman students who had crowded the bar would agree with me. Otherwise, the dinner menu was on that slightly-fancier edge which is great if you have family and friends in from out of town that you might want to impress - or, dare I say, a date, even! Thank you for reading my restaurant and bar review, keep an eye out for more articles like this by following my <a href="http://www.twitter.com/fortissimona">Twitter</a> or my <a href="https://www.instagram.com/fortissimona/">Instagram</a> for post updates!<br/><center><i>All opinions and pictures are my own.</i></center>Simona Benenatihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07238869726573305250noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6913039108718290288.post-43736658931453868252017-12-18T16:42:00.000-05:002017-12-19T09:15:24.946-05:00A Taste of Hawaii at Lanai in Rochester, NY<center><img height="75%" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4737/38433285594_29bde50ed9_b.jpg" width="75%" /></center>
<br/> I think my favorite area of Downtown Rochester is Alexander Street. My favorite hotspots have always included <a href="https://www.thedailyrefresher.com/">The Daily Refresher</a>, <a href="http://www.theoldtoad.com/">The Old Toad</a>, <a href="https://www.yelp.com/biz/havana-cabana-rochester-2">Havana Cabana</a>, and <a href="https://www.yelp.com/biz/mex-restaurant-rochester">Mex</a>. Since Havana Cabana and Mex have closed, my friends and I speculated what would move into those buildings, as they are in a great location for weekend business. A couple of months ago, we noticed a sign being put up on the building that said "Lanai", and instantly I thought it would be a Polynesian restaurant. I was partially right; Lanai is actually a Hawaiian, specifically a <a href="https://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/03/18/america-obsessed-hawaii-1960s_n_6837068.html">60's era Hawaiian</a>, themed bar and restaurant.
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After finding out that it had opened a few weeks ago on November 22nd - because my best friend had started seeing people come and go from the building - I couldn't wait to check it out. This past Wednesday, my best friend and I planned on making the trip to see what it was all about. Because it wasn't a weekend night, and Alexander Street wasn't at its prime level of busyness, we were one of the only people there - which is sometimes a great thing because the service is usually more relaxed and colloquial.
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The menu at the bar, our usual area of sitting preference, only had a limited dining menu, so we were seated upstairs. I would love to try the bar menu at some point - there's nothing like eating and watching the bartenders put on a show! The theme, as I said, was a very <a href="https://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2012/10/mad-men-season-six-jon-hamm-jessica-pare-hawaii">Mad Men</a>-era Hawaiian style with 60's type diner booths mixed with color blocked wall art of palms and iconic yet abstract island designs. The music, which may differ from weekday to weekend, ranged from <a href="http://www.elvis.com/">Elvis</a> to <a href="http://www.bobbydarin.net/">Bobby Darin</a>, and completely fit the atmosphere. It seemed as though they adopted some of Mex's decor, including a donkey statue that, I was told, they "planned to put a grass skirt on".
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Our server was excellent and was happy to make informed and opinionated suggestions about the menu, which I loved. Though they had an excellent <a href="https://www.rochesterlanai.com/#drinks-section">tiki-style cocktail menu</a>, I decided to go with a beer because I saw they had a <a href="https://www.beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/579/36594/">Wheat Ale</a> variety of one of my favorite Hawaiian beer brands, <a href="https://konabrewingco.com/">Kona</a>. After we ordered our drinks, we ordered an appetizer of spring rolls and I ordered the <a href="https://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/10/01/loco-moco-hawaii-food_n_5903898.html">Loco Moco</a>, a popular Hawaiian dish which I like to call the "<a href="http://fortissimona.blogspot.com/2017/07/the-best-garbage-plate-in-rochester-ny.html">garbage plate</a> of Hawaii". I had never tried Loco Moco before, but I had watched <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vEzYnik7O64">this video</a> about it and made it my mission to try it one day. I thought I would have to go to Hawaii for it eventually! My best friend ordered the <a href="https://www.koreanbapsang.com/2012/03/dak-bulgogi-korean-bbq-chicken.html">Chicken Bulgogi</a> because he was intrigued by the inclusion of baby bok choy.
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The menu overall seemed to have an Asian fusion feel to it, which was missing from the East End since <a href="https://www.yelp.com/biz/east-west-kitchen-rochester-2">East/West Kitchen</a> had closed in early 2016. Other menu items that intrigued me were the <a href="https://www.jessicagavin.com/ahi-tuna-poke-bowl-recipe/">Ahi Poke</a>, Kimchi Noodle Salad, and the <a href="https://www.huffingtonpost.com/andrew-lam/banh-mi-the-rise-of-the-v_b_7794840.html">Banh Mi</a> Sliders, all described as delectable fusion takes on some Asian favorites I hadn't tried before - except the <a href="https://www.koreanbapsang.com/2012/01/baechu-kimchi-napa-cabbage-kimchi.html">kimchi</a>, because your girl <i>loves</i> her kimchi. Our food came pretty quickly since we were there on such a slow night, and the visual appeal was extraordinary. The plates that the food came on were plain white, but were different geometric shapes and breadth which seemed to highlight the food in a fully gastronomic way.
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The spring rolls were very similar in style to the <a href="https://www.wegmans.com/products/sushi/sides/sushi/avocado-summer-roll-17700.html">Wegmans Summer Rolls</a>, a take on the Vietnamese spring roll, with thin rice paper wrapped around veggies served with a peanut flavored hoisin-based sauce. The vegetables tasted fresher than Wegmans' - probably because they weren't sitting in a display case and were freshly served. The rice paper wrap was very similar and very delicious, but the real show-stopper was the peanut sauce, which we had coveted from the server to use with our entree meals as well. It was creamy instead of the usual watery-type peanut sauce, and it had more of a rustic, nutty flavor than a sickly-sweet taste as some sauces I had tried in the past.
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Very soon after our appetizer, our food was brought out, and the Loco Moco looked stunning. The server also brought three different sauces to try the food with, and highly suggested that I mix mine with the <a href="http://www.huyfong.com/">Sriracha sauce</a>. When I ordered, I had a choice between a pork or a quinoa patty, and while I love quinoa, I wanted to try it authentically first with the pork. It also appeared as though many of their <a href="https://www.rochesterlanai.com/#menu-section">menu items</a> could easily be made vegan or vegetarian in a similar way. The Loco Moco was a medium-cooked pork burger on a bed of home fried potatoes and soft, warm white rice and topped with a fried egg. I put a little of each sauce on different corners of the dish just to try them all, including the cherished peanut sauce. Both dishes we tried were cooked perfectly and were absolutely full of new and tasty flavors!
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<img class="circleblog" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4589/38433285444_e4ae5c9cff_b.jpg" />Currently their hours are Tuesday through Thursday evenings until 10pm and Friday and Saturday evenings until 11pm. They are located at 295 Alexander Street near East Avenue in Rochester, NY. You can follow Lanai on their <a href="https://www.facebook.com/Rochesterlanai/">Facebook page</a>. If you want a little taste of Hawaii or the Pacific Islands in Upstate New York, I give Lanai a great recommendation, and I can't wait to come back to try their frozen cocktails in the warmer weather! Thank you for reading my restaurant review, keep an eye out for more articles like this by following my <a href="http://www.twitter.com/fortissimona">Twitter</a> or my <a href="https://www.instagram.com/fortissimona/">Instagram</a> for post updates!<br/><center><i>All opinions and pictures are my own unless stated.</i></center>Simona Benenatihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07238869726573305250noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6913039108718290288.post-57589242820026220862017-11-15T15:34:00.000-05:002017-11-15T23:13:55.855-05:00Rochester, NY Chef Dinner Series Episode 1: Branca Midtown<center><img height="75%" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4578/37555959835_b4eab527f5_k.jpg" width="75%" /></center>
<br/> Since the craft cocktail scene is currently booming in Rochester, it's only safe to say that the gastronomy scene is picking up as well. Branca Basin and <a href="http://brancamidtown.com/">Branca Midtown</a> chefs Jim Zobel, Cruz Nieves, and Michael Seifert put together a first in a series of gastronomic, tasting-menu style dinners paired with wine hand-chosen by Rochester <a href="https://www.mastersommeliers.org/">Sommelier</a> Gerald "JJ" Cutaia. I was fortunate enough to have a seat at <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BbC48HqgXTS/">this Sicilian food event last Monday</a>, and I was absolutely floored by the presentation. While the price tag to get in is quite daunting, I will say the night out was worth the trouble, especially if you have a special occasion or celebration you'd like to truly make a night to remember.
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My friend and I arrived at about 6:15pm and started with a cocktail. I wanted to see how well Branca Midtown could make one of my favorite cocktails, the <a href="http://www.seriouseats.com/recipes/2011/06/dark-and-stormy-cocktail-the-spotted-pig-recipe.html">Dark & Stormy</a>. Typically, the cocktail is layered with lime juice, ginger beer, and topped with a dark rum float, but I have seen it at some establishments made with the contents mixed together before being served, which ruins half the fun of the alchemic aesthetic. Luckily, Branca did a wonderful job. However, I only managed to snag a less-than-decent photo as the lights above the bar weren't as photo-optimal as the dining area.
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When we sat down to eat, I was humored that the dining area was set up in an almost <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/1991/04/14/nyregion/dining-out-the-italian-style-is-now-family-style.html">Italian family style</a> layout, with a giant square table and seating all around the perimeter. Essentially, I was at one big table with about twenty other guests, and looking quizzical about the whole thing. At the table behind us were all of the bottles of wine that would be paired with each course. We also received a menu so that we would know what was coming next. After a short speech about the vision for the dinner and for the series, the chefs began to send out the first course.
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The first course was Artichokes & Sardine paired with a <a href="https://www.wine-searcher.com/wine-30828-0001-feudo-principi-di-butera-insolia-sicilia-igt-sicily-italy">Feudo Principi di Butera Insolia 2015</a>, a Sicilian white wine with a crisp, nutty taste. Even though I enjoy artichokes and sardines separately, having them paired together was a different experience. Both the artichoke hearts and bite-sized sardine fillets had a similar butter-like consistency to them and the flavor was tangy and salty in all the right ways. From the others at the table, I heard varying remarks of surprise that the sardines were incredibly enjoyable.
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The second course was the Langoustine Crudo paired with a <a href="https://www.wine-searcher.com/wine-263970-0001-pietradolce-archineri-etna-bianco-sicily-italy">Pietradolce Etna Bianco Archineri 2016</a>, a white wine from the <a href="https://www.theatlantic.com/photo/2017/03/mount-etna-europes-most-active-volcano/519681/">Etna region</a> with a citrusy and herbal finish. When I read the word "crudo", the Italian word for "uncooked", I was very excited as I have a huge penchant for raw seafood. Oysters, sashimi, you name it. However, I had never tried langostino lobster in this fashion. It was extremely tender and full of flavor, giving a note to somewhere between a jumbo shrimp and a true lobster. With the citrusy tang of the wine, it paired very well with all the flavors I was tasting. I could tell that each dish pairing would get better and better!
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The third course was a Bone Marrow Garganelli paired with the sister red <a href="https://www.wine-searcher.com/wine-394262-0001-pietradolce-etna-rosso-sicily-italy">Pietradolce Etna Rosso 2015</a>, which garnered a rustic berry and mineral-like flavor. I was the most curious about this course because of the bone marrow, of course, but this turned out to be my favorite course of the evening. The garganelli pasta is almost like a scalloped penne-shape which holds a lot of the creamy and cheesy sauce in the dish, while the bone marrow took on a truffle-like meaty and salty flavor that just sat at the back of the tongue in such a homecooked kind of way.
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The fourth course was Duck, consisting of various forms of duck, confit, and terrine laid in a path decoratively around the plate, paired with one of my favorite types of wine, <a href="https://www.wine-searcher.com/wine-112611-0001-feudo-principi-di-butera-nero-d-avola-sicilia-igt-sicily-italy">Feudo Principi di Butera Nero D'Avola 2015</a>. Nero D'Avola is a really fun wine because, while it is a red, it really takes on this tang that is both extremely drinkable and really pairs well with more gamey meats such as duck, rabbit, or venison. Obviously this wine was a match made in heaven with the duck that we had, and I was simply in heaven by the end.
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Of course, all Sicilian meals end with a dessert and also a dessert cocktail. In true gastronomic fashion, we were given deconstructed cannoli along with a cocktail crafted by <a href="http://www.bitterhoneyroc.com/">Bitter Honey</a> bartender, Abby Quatro, consisting of Cognac, Mascarpone, and Cafe Amaro. The cannoli were simply little tufts of cannoli cream and pieces of sugared crisps which was not overbearing as a typical cannoli would be. The cocktail gave me a total gelato vibe and so it absolutely completed the meal for me.
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<img class="circleblog" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4543/37555959305_52c1198223_z.jpg" />Keep an eye out for more of these Chef Dinners in Rochester - Branca has a <a href="https://twitter.com/brancabasin">Twitter</a>, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/brancamidtown/">Instagram</a>, and a <a href="https://www.facebook.com/brancatower280/">Facebook</a> - I would highly recommend it to anyone looking to have that tasting menu, <a href="https://www.thomaskeller.com/tfl">French Laundry</a>-type dining experience without having to travel far. Thank you for reading my restaurant review, keep an eye out for more articles like this by following my <a href="http://www.twitter.com/fortissimona">Twitter</a> or my <a href="https://www.instagram.com/fortissimona/">Instagram</a> for post updates!<br/><center><i>All opinions and pictures are my own.</i></center>fortissimonahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08562741606456157056noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6913039108718290288.post-46649194803117824892017-10-30T15:33:00.000-04:002017-10-30T16:38:06.603-04:00Esme Patterson at The Haunt in Ithaca, NY<center><img height="75%" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4483/37337330564_1dd9df520c_k.jpg" width="75%" /></center>
<br/> I first saw <a href="http://esmepatterson.com/">Esme Patterson</a> at <a href="http://www.buffalosmohawkplace.com/">Mohawk Place</a> in Buffalo, NY on April 12, 2016. She was the opener for the band we were there to see, <a href="http://www.sanferminband.com/">San Fermin</a>, and she completely blew it out of the water. She was also super sweet, and took photos and chatted with us at the bar after her set while San Fermin was setting up on the stage. Esme Patterson hails from Denver, Colorado, and is currently touring with Charleston, South Carolina band, <a href="https://www.sustoisreal.com/">SUSTO</a>. When my friend and I found out she was playing at Ithaca's local pub and music venue, <a href="http://thehaunt.com/">The Haunt</a>, we quickly snatched up tickets.
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Ithaca, NY is only an hour and a half from Rochester, NY, which makes it a super easy place to get to, and I always like the opportunity to explore some of the cute cities around us that I often don't get a chance to see. Traditionally, my friend and I try to find the closest place for <a href="http://www.dw.com/en/record-for-biggest-kebab-in-the-world-set-in-berlin/a-41059063">a gyro or kebab</a>, but The Haunt offered some yummy domestic and even local Ithaca brews as well as a whole menu of sharable pub food for only $7! We decided to split the chicken tenders and fries basket, and it was so delicious. My friend got a new seasonal <a href="https://www.brewbound.com/news/new-belgium-releases-fat-tire-belgian-white">Fat Tire Belgian White Ale</a>, and I passed on the beer because I had actually had some wine before we left for the show.
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I almost felt bad at the concert because there wasn't a huge crowd of people at all. I was so surprised because Esme is pretty well known amongst the indie scene due to her <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F3jk3pflofk">SXSW performance</a> with <a href="http://www.shakeygraves.com/">Shakey Graves</a> and her cameo vocals in his song "Dearly Departed". Regardless, I was maybe a little more than excited to be able to stand wherever I wanted for the concert. SUSTO came on first, and I also heard that Esme and SUSTO had been alternating the order each night they played together.
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The band was a pretty good size of about five members and their style was a bit indie rock and surf rock and some country or blues influence. The singer had a great, emotional voice, and I especially liked the slide guitar trickled into each song. Every song sounded a bit different, which I enjoyed, and the set was a good mix of fast and slow pieces. Ultimately, SUSTO reminded me a lot of one of my favorite indie groups, <a href="https://nightbedsmusic.bandcamp.com/">Night Beds</a>, so I was very thrilled with the performance and definitely became a fan.
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During SUSTO's performance, Esme was at her merch table and also was seen dancing along to the band's music for a short time. My friend and I of course went over to chat with her again, asking about <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BVU_HmpH6VF/?hl=en&taken-by=esme_patterson">her new short-haired look</a> and telling her that we saw her last April and loved her so much we had to see her again. She sweetly took another selfie with us just like she had done in Buffalo. She reacted super modestly, but she was really attentive and seemed surprised but happy to chat with us!
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Esme sounds a bit like <a href="http://www.reginaspektor.com/">Regina Spektor</a> with that very slight, Shakey Graves-ish bluegrass vibe. A lot of her songs scream blues lyrics but are typically upbeat and bouncy. Her performance was really charming and made everyone in the room feel cozy and close-knit, but still otherworldly and euphoric. She sang <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S_Vz1O0qwsg">"No River"</a> and dedicated it to "all the human beings out there." What I liked about her performance the most was that she talked a little bit about each piece before playing it, almost describing the mindset she had with each one, and it was such a treat. All of her songwriting has such a deep, personal feel to it as they read so much like a diary, and one would probably be flustered to ask her about any of the songs' meanings.
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">OUR SELFIES WITH ESME 4-12-16 & 10-25-17</span></center><br />
She did initially come out on the stage wearing a long, pink wig, which I was absolutely jazzed about as it reminded me so much of one of my all-time favorites, <a href="http://ilovestvincent.com/">St. Vincent</a>. I feel like the wig gave her a fiercer alter-ego that truly punched on stage, so much so that she actually broke a guitar string halfway through <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kqSz-APfrgw">"Wantin' Ain't Gettin'"</a>. Esme also played some great bops from "We Were Wild" including <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cZU1JH9qB6U">"Moth Song"</a> and <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SJUSQgeGDuI">"Francine"</a>, which had everyone dancing and singing also to. I don't recall that she played any songs from her previous album, <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Woman-Esme-Patterson/dp/B00ID96FJK/">"Woman to Woman"</a>, so the majority of her show consisted of songs from <a href="https://www.amazon.com/We-Were-Wild-Esme-Patterson/dp/B01DJD5U90">"We Were Wild"</a>, which definitely has a sassier vibe to it.
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<img class="circleblog" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4444/26270269319_89a037cc98_b.jpg" />She definitely had her sweeter vibe when she took off the wig to show her short, dark curls for the last few pieces, which included a new song called something like "Why Don't You Text Me Next Time" which had her typical bite in the lyrics that I thoroughly enjoyed. I really hope she releases that song soon. When we left the concert, my friend and I snagged a free concert poster from a table by the door, and I totally wished I had a <a href="http://www.sharpie.com/">Sharpie</a> for her to sign it with! Conclusively, it was a great concert and an acoustically pleasant venue. Thank you for reading my concert and venue review, keep an eye out for more articles like this by following my <a href="http://www.twitter.com/fortissimona">Twitter</a> or my <a href="https://www.instagram.com/fortissimona/">Instagram</a> for post updates!<br/><center><i>All opinions and pictures are my own.</i></center>
fortissimonahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08562741606456157056noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6913039108718290288.post-16918139130110383782017-09-27T13:37:00.000-04:002017-09-27T14:35:33.882-04:00The Spirit Room Cocktail Bar in Rochester, NY<center><img height="75%" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4465/37308350286_b5136cc05b_b.jpg" width="75%" /></center>
<br/> I never knew how much I needed a New Orleans voodoo-themed cocktail bar until I went to <a href="http://thespiritroomroc.com">The Spirit Room</a> at 139 State Street in Rochester, NY. Not only was the bar a complete antique-lover's dream, but the cocktails themselves transported you into a romantic era of deep-southern jazz and spooky vibes. The placement of the bar is further away from typical Rochester East End weekend stops, but The Spirit Room is in a great area primed for future development. For an excellent example, also on State Street is the infamous <a href="https://www.pizzastop1.com/">Pizza Stop</a>, regularly nominated in the <a href="https://www.rochestercitynewspaper.com/">City</a> newspaper's <a href="https://www.rochestercitynewspaper.com/rochester/vote-now-best-of-rochester-2017-final-ballot">Best of Rochester</a> awards.
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The Spirit Room is co-owned by former <a href="https://www.thedailyrefresher.com/">Daily Refresher</a> bartender and craft cocktail maker Jacob Rakovan, along with Rachel McKibbens, Bouty Chanthavisinh, Emily Rose Kahn-Sheahan, and Luc Thiers who spent six months renovating the historic State Street location. The venue is covered from floor to ceiling with pristine antiques such as a genuine <a href="http://www.museumofplay.org/online-collections/2/11/76.1715">Jenny Lind doll</a>, who graces the shelf overlooking the bar, and a working <a href="http://www.victor-victrola.com/">Victor Victrola</a> turntable which is played at closing each night. Along with kitschy skeletons and baby doll parts, some of the more authentic building parts include original Victorian <a href="https://www.thisoldhouse.com/ideas/all-about-tin-ceilings">tin ceiling tiles</a> and what appears to be a vintage speaker soundbar surrounding the inside perimeter.
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My friend and I gazed at the cocktail menu to decide what to order, and we decided to sample two cocktails to start with: The Lily Dale, which contained vodka, lemon, honey, creme de violette, and lime bitters, and the Mr. Switchfoot, which contained cognac, New England rum, absinthe rouge, demerara sugar, and lime. I was absolutely delighted to find out that The Spirit Room uses exclusively <a href="http://www.ebay.com/bhp/wexford-glass">Wexford</a> glassware, which Jacob, who we were lucky to have as a bartender, informed us that many people get excited by the glasses and often tell him, "My grandmother has the same stuff!" I think Wexford is a great idea for craft cocktails as, I assume, the thick glass prevents a lot of breakage.
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The drinks were so delicious and nostalgic of another time long, long ago. We were absolutely hooked and ordered a second round: the Bitter Apparition, which consisted of gin, lime, egg white, and pimento dram, and The Planchette, which was gin, lemon, sparkling wine, and botanicals. I was absolutely floored by the gin cocktails. The Bitter Apparition had an eye shape stenciled in black walnut bitters which made it look like something <a href="http://pottermore.wikia.com/wiki/Professor_Trelawney">Professor Trelawney</a> might drink after a long day of teaching Divination at <a href="http://pottermore.wikia.com/wiki/Hogwarts">Hogwarts</a>. The allspice flavored pimento dram made this drink taste magical and almost Christmas-y.
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I loved The Planchette the best out of all four. Because of the addition of the sparkling wine, the drink seemed larger and was enjoyable to sip slowly alongside good conversation. Halfway through our second round, a barback came over and filled a painted ceramic plate with, I kid you not, <a href="http://www.stauffers.com/our-snacks/animal-crackers.html">animal crackers</a> for us to snack on. I really hope they continue the animal cracker bar snack idea because I was living for them. My friend and I moved from the bar to some cute antique armchairs a la Daily Refresher until we decided to head out.
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In all, I would highly recommend The Spirit Room to everyone who enjoys a craft cocktail and spectacular service (but, really, who doesn't?). In addition to various music and poetry events, The Spirit Room also offers a food menu of <a href="http://www.neworleansonline.com/neworleans/cuisine/traditionalfoods/">typical specialty Southern cuisine</a> and an <a href="https://www.thoughtco.com/tarot-cards-how-tarot-readings-work-95948">on-site Tarot card reader</a>. If you're looking for a chilling night out for Halloween, or any night in October, The Spirit Room has a lot going on - I've included their <a href="https://www.facebook.com/TheSpiritRoomRochester/photos/a.546420428855495.1073741830.543905815773623/883889325108602">October event listing</a> below. Their official <a href="https://www.facebook.com/TheSpiritRoomRochester/photos/a.546420428855495.1073741830.543905815773623/882914728539395">grand opening</a> is this Sunday, October 1st, so don't miss it!
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/pg/TheSpiritRoomRochester">PHOTO USED FROM THE SPIRIT ROOM FACEBOOK</a></span></center><br />
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<img class="circleblog" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4346/37099564570_c81a6c8c70_b.jpg" />Their hours are listed as Wednesday through Sunday from 6PM until late. They will also begin having lunch hours on October 4th. Parking is limited to the street and a small parking lot behind the building, but all street parking in Rochester is generally open after 6PM anyway, so there shouldn't be much trouble finding a spot. You can find them on social media via <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pg/TheSpiritRoomRochester">Facebook</a> and <a href="https://www.instagram.com/thespiritroomroc/">Instagram</a> for all the ghostly updates. Thank you for reading my bar review, keep an eye out for more articles like this by following my <a href="http://www.twitter.com/fortissimona">Twitter</a> or my <a href="https://www.instagram.com/fortissimona/">Instagram</a> for post updates!<br/><center><i>All opinions and pictures are my own unless stated.</i></center>
Simona Benenatihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07238869726573305250noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6913039108718290288.post-56479871469246202062017-08-10T07:30:00.000-04:002019-07-11T14:00:09.367-04:00Nagle's Observance, the Hippest New Bar in Rochester, NY<center><img height="75%" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4344/36077648880_492b1a05f5_k.jpg" width="75%" /></center>
<br/> I have a deep, dark love for 1930's speakeasy style bars that are reminiscent of my personal favorite Rochester bar, the <a href="https://www.thedailyrefresher.com/">Daily Refresher</a>. I am always on a wild hunt for another similar cozy and candle-lit cocktail location to sit and catch up with friends while sipping on palate-satisfying alcohol beverages that make me feel like I've gone back in time, listening to <a href="https://www.louisarmstronghouse.org/">Satchmo</a> playing live at a jazz club somewhere in NOLA. All of that jumble is just a long way of telling you that I've quite possibly found my new "digs", a bar off of Chestnut Street in the city called <a href="https://www.facebook.com/Nagles-Observance-236422323815350/">Nagle's Observance</a>.
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As my friend and I made our way down Chestnut off of East Avenue, we peered down Euclid Street to see a very strange, modern art-covered entrance. At first, I had doubts that this was the correct address but, as we approached, we saw a standee with cute typography indicating that this was, in fact, the Nagle's Observance we were looking for. I, personally, loved the wall art on the building and, although looking deceptively like an art gallery, it gave the bar that extra edge I was hoping to see.
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I had long heard rumors of the bar's interesting design and was chomping at the bit to check it out; apparently they had a soft opening before their official grand opening this past Saturday during Park Ave Festival. The interior was decorated quite sparsely, similar to the humble beginnings of the now-beloved and lived-in <a href="https://www.facebook.com/Apogeewinebar/">Apogee Wine Bar</a> on Park Avenue, which is to be expected from a new venue. The physical structure gave a very rustic and industrial vibe while being furnished with comfortable couches and soft, velveteen barstools. My friend and I ordered our drinks at the bar before eventually moving to the tempting sofa nearby.
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The menu was also quite concise, matching the minimalist feel I was getting. However, I am very down for a small menu, as long as it's done well. The menu provided old, comfortable favorites such as the classic <a href="http://www.esquire.com/food-drink/drinks/recipes/a3747/dark-and-stormy-drink-recipe/">Dark and Stormy</a> or a good pint of the <a href="https://www.rohrbachs.com/classic-series">Rohrbach's Scotch Ale</a>. In addition they included a more adventurous <a href="https://www.jamesonwhiskey.com/us/">Jameson</a> or tequila house cocktail, adding a little flair to the selection. The bartender kindly mentioned to us that he was very willing to make whatever we'd like outside of the menu, as well.
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I ended up deciding on the New York-area <a href="https://www.osbciderworks.com/">Original Stump Blower Ciderworks</a>' "Cherry, Cherry, Why Ya Buggin'?" as I am a big advocate for tastefully flavored ciders. I recently tried the <a href="https://www.schillingcider.com/">Shilling</a> "Lumberjack" rhubarb-pear-flavored cider at the Refresher with much delight. I was elated that the cheerful bartender, Storm, let me sample the "Cherry, Cherry", and after having tried a sip I told him that I was happy to commit to a whole glass of the uniquely red beverage. My friend snagged a glass of the Rohrbach's himself. Because it was opening week, the bartender slipped us a promotional wooden chip which we could bring back again for a free beer, cider, or cocktail. I didn't need to be convinced, but now I definitely must make my return soon.
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My friend and I went on a weekday night but, from the looks of it, the place could easily be vivacious during the weekend. There appeared to be a stand for a DJ setup as well as one of <a href="http://touchtunes.com/">those futuristic touch-screen jukeboxes</a> as seen in many modern bars. Overall, I am excited to see how Nagle's Observance will grow being situated in a great spot in the hub of the East End, especially with the <a href="http://rochesterfringe.com/">Fringe Festival</a> drawing near. They boast being open 365 days of the year and will have a "rotating craft tap", which is already quite enticing. I can see them definitely expanding their drink menu and, with my own small, food-loving hope, perhaps adding a small snack selection, too.
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<img class="circleblog" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4364/36077649920_21b8b1124e_z.jpg" />I love the vibe of the place and already want to plan my next visit. Nagle's Observance is currently open Sunday through Wednesday until 12AM and Thursday through Saturday until 2AM. Follow them on their <a href="https://www.instagram.com/nagles_observance/">Instagram</a> or <a href="https://www.facebook.com/Nagles-Observance-236422323815350/">Facebook</a> pages for more info, and let me know below if you're thinking of checking it out, too! Thank you for reading my bar review, keep an eye out for more articles like this by following my <a href="http://www.twitter.com/fortissimona">Twitter</a> or my <a href="https://www.instagram.com/fortissimona/">Instagram</a> for post updates!<br/><center><i>All opinions and pictures are my own.</i></center>
Simona Benenatihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07238869726573305250noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6913039108718290288.post-13797020196456513952017-07-26T08:00:00.000-04:002017-07-26T08:00:04.859-04:00Taco Tuesday at Silver Iguana in Rochester, NY<center><img height="75%" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4308/36004721282_332a1d6887_b.jpg" width="75%" /></center>
<br/> If you know me then you know that I am always looking for the latest and greatest in Tex-Mex food. I am obsessed with tacos; I could probably eat them everyday and be perfectly satisfied. The newest restaurant in <a href="http://www.visitrochester.com/">Rochester, NY</a> for tacos, which opened this past April, is also my newest favorite Taco Tuesday destination. I have visited twice already with plans to visit again soon. The location is fantastic as it is located at the corner of East Main Street and North Winton Road in the city, which means that there are a lot of new <a href="http://www.whec.com/news/ride-sharing-apps-available-rochester-thursday/4528499/">Lyft and Uber</a> drivers around if you happen to consume one too many house margaritas!
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There is plenty of parking at the sides of the <a href="https://www.silveriguanacantina.com">Silver Iguana</a> and, also, plenty of seating options. While my friend and I typically prefer bar seating for a cozy eating atmosphere, there is outdoor and indoor tabletop seating available in addition. The restaurant decor has a very eclectic Tex-Mex vibe which makes you feel instantly transported to <a href="http://visitelpaso.com/">El Paso</a>. Real horned animal skulls and sugar skulls decorate the walls and rough wooden accents give the place a real taco-shack vibe. While I wouldn't call Silver Iguana traditional Mexican food, it makes up for it in its homestyle taste and friendly atmosphere.
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When ordering on a Tuesday, be sure to ask for the special Taco Tuesday menu if it isn't already provided for you. The <a href="https://www.silveriguanacantina.com/menus">menu</a> lists every variety of taco they serve at a special price just for that day. Each traditional taco is $3 with a variety of pork, chicken, bean, or ground beef on either a hard or soft shell. They also provide $6 house margaritas which are on tap (yes, you read that right), $2 cans of beer, a glorious $4 "walking taco" made with <a href="http://www.fritolay.com/snacks/product-page/fritos">Fritos</a> or <a href="http://www.fritolay.com/snacks/product-page/doritos">Doritos</a>, and a combo special for $10 which gives you a can of <a href="https://tecatebeerusa.com/">Tecate</a>, a shot of nice tequila, and any choice of taco.
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A plate of chips and salsa is provided for you as an appetizer while you wait for your meal. Personally, my favorite order is a soft-shell taco with half bean and half beef, a walking taco with pork, and a couple of the house margs. The tacos are filled beautifully and are very soft to bite into and easy to handle in your hands as you eat them. The <a href="http://allrecipes.com/recipe/20852/taco-in-a-bag/">walking taco</a> is simply genius for a restaurant to serve. The corn chips are so crunchy that it gives a new "pop" to what would otherwise be simple burrito bowl ingredients. And the kicker is: they serve it to you in the chip bag itself! Also, if you're a fan of spicy food, fear not. The Silver Iguana provides many choices of hot sauce to make your mouth and eyes water, including specialty sauces from local Rochester brand, <a href="http://www.peppernutz.com/">Pepper Nutz</a>.
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The margaritas are not too sweet and not too sour. The fun of watching bartenders shake the ingredients together is lost due to the margaritas coming from a skull-topped tap. However, each marg I've tried is as perfect and as fresh as the last and makes me feel like I'm on a tropical Latin American island. Every margarita is, of course, served with a cute lime wedge and the addition of a salted rim if you so choose.
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Be sure to ask for your tacos without sour cream if you are allergic or dislike it, as all of the tacos come fully loaded unless otherwise specified. Be sure to reiterate it, as well. The past couple of times I had gone, my friend, who is lactose intolerant, asked for his food without sour cream, but they left it on one of his tacos. Luckily, we rectified this by just scraping his sour cream onto my tacos instead, but it would have been better if they had done the order correctly. Overall, I am overwhelmingly satisfied with the Silver Iguana and it is now on my rotation of favorite Taco Tuesday haunts!
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<img class="circleblog" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4306/36004724102_48cc77b032_z.jpg" />In addition to Tuesday, you can also get these special priced items any day of the week from 4pm until 6pm as well as from 10pm until 11pm. They are open Tuesday through Sunday until 2am. Be sure to follow them on their <a href="https://www.facebook.com/thesilveriguana/">Facebook</a> and <a href="https://www.instagram.com/silver_iguana/">Instagram</a> for special events and new menu items. Thank you for reading my restaurant review, keep an eye out for more articles like this by following my <a href="http://www.twitter.com/fortissimona">Twitter</a> or my <a href="https://www.instagram.com/fortissimona/">Instagram</a> for post updates!<br/><center><i>All opinions and pictures are my own.</i></center>Simona Benenatihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07238869726573305250noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6913039108718290288.post-46691426853406137812017-07-13T18:53:00.000-04:002019-07-11T13:20:43.750-04:00The BEST Garbage Plate in Rochester, NY<center><img height="75%" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4329/35066482804_74a57f9416_b.jpg" width="75%" /></center>
<br/> Nothing can compare to your first love. This phrase rings true when it comes to the signature dish of Rochester, NY, the <a href="https://whatscookingamerica.net/History/GarbagePlate.htm">Garbage Plate</a>. The Garbage Plate can be made a variety of ways, but typically consists of either hamburgers or hot dogs, a choice of french or home fries, and macaroni salad slathered in beefy "hot sauce" and served with a roll. The job of concocting this plate is not yet complete; you need to mix everything together on the plate to create a magical whirlwind that will satisfy your every picnic food craving.
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Personally, I like to call Garbage Plates the <a href="http://labanquise.com/en/poutine-history.php">poutine</a> of Rochester. While a bit unhealthy, they go perfect after drinking a few beers or sitting outside by the <a href="http://www.eriecanal.org/">Erie Canal</a>. I traveled to Pittsford, NY to have what was my first-ever <a href="http://www.naz.edu/">college</a> Garbage Plate at a little grill stop called Hungry's Grill. <a href="https://hungrysgrill.netwaiter.com/pittsford/">Hungry's</a> is located right in town on State St. next to, yes, a bar called Thirsty's, which also happens to be a <a href="http://www.democratandchronicle.com/story/news/local/rocroots/2015/05/27/thirstys-pittsford/28009193/">really cute sports bar</a>. Hungry's is quite a small establishment, and while they do have a counter to eat at and sometimes provide stools, it is more of an order-and-go type of place. I've seen people drinking at Thirsty's call in an order at Hungry's for pick up right next door.
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I put my typical order in at the front counter: cheeseburger, home fries, and mac salad with onions, mustard, and "hot sauce", and then I watched the fry cook for a bit. It amazed me how many people came in to pick up orders they had called in earlier. The place was a well-oiled machine and every order was freshly made and nicely packaged to go. It was a nice day, so I waited outside for a bit. There is a small bench area outdoors which I had my first "plate" at my freshman year of college. Before long, my order was ready and I grabbed my "plate" and headed for the nearby Erie canal to snag a picnic table.
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What I like particularly about Hungry's Garbage Plates over the original <a href="http://www.garbageplate.com/">Nick Tahou's</a> is the fact that Hungry's uses little to no cinnamon in their "hot sauce". Something about the sharp cinnamon flavor reminds me more of baked goods than picnic food and really puts me off to Nick Tahou's version. The simple, homemade flavor and the perfect proportions that Hungry's has in their take on the "plate" is simply something from the gods. And at $6.50 for a giant plate of comfort food, you really can't beat it. I usually end up bringing half home with me as they microwave great.
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Although I am a Syracuse, NY native, the Garbage Plate really brings me back to college and really makes me feel proud to call Rochester my current home. Even if you are just visiting, make sure you grab one (they are <b>everywhere</b>, trust me). I've also tried or have seen "plates" at <a href="http://dogtownhots.com/">Dogtown</a>, <a href="https://www.tomwahls.com/">Tom Wahl's</a>, <a href="https://jeremiahstavern.com/">Jeremiah's Tavern</a>, and, if you're looking for a healthier option, the <a href="http://www.redfernrochester.com/">Red Fern</a> has a vegetarian "Compost Plate"! After you try one, you'll be sure to crave it when you've had a few beers or when you have the midnight-snack hunger pangs.
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<img class="circleblog" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4265/35066483724_6e1b935f3e_b.jpg" />Hungry's is open Sunday until 9PM, Monday through Wednesday until 10PM, Thursday until 12PM, and Friday and Saturday until a staggering 1:30AM (how do they do it?) They serve plenty of different food on their menu aside from Garbage Plates, but if you're looking for something even more unique, I hear they have a Garbage Plate <i>wrap</i>, as well. While Hungry's is not located in the city, it is well worth the 15 minute trip to Pittsford, NY for a late night bite. Thank you for reading my restaurant review, keep an eye out for more articles like this by following my <a href="http://www.twitter.com/fortissimona">Twitter</a> or my <a href="https://www.instagram.com/fortissimona/">Instagram</a> for post updates!<br/><center><i>All opinions and pictures are my own.</i></center>Simona Benenatihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07238869726573305250noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6913039108718290288.post-77076929948616798302017-06-21T13:30:00.000-04:002019-07-11T13:31:01.040-04:00OK Go, Dashboard, and Bob Moses at Kerfuffle 2017 in Buffalo, NY<center>
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When I heard that two of my favorite childhood artists would be coming this past Saturday to Buffalo, NY for the annual <a href="https://www.canalsidebuffalo.com/things-to-do/alternative-buffalo-107-7-presents-kerfuffle-2017/">Kerfuffle music festival</a>, I absolutely couldn't pass up the opportunity. As I had described to my friend, who came to the concert with me, my typical, middle-school self would spend the twenty five minute ride on the bus to school staring out the window listening to the Dashboard Confessional <a href="https://play.spotify.com/album/3T88HPilt9fGEf8rU6Vfiq?play=true&utm_source=open.spotify.com&utm_medium=open">"Dusk and Summer"</a> album on repeat, dreaming about someday finding and losing the loves he sang about. Additionally, I would spent countless hours with the OK Go <a href="https://play.spotify.com/album/1qN6qh1gwgrYTCdSq21gov?play=true&utm_source=open.spotify.com&utm_medium=open">"Oh No"</a> album memorizing every little line to <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M1_CLW-NNwc">"A Million Ways"</a>, <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i00GDT9FuFM">"Do What You Want"</a>, and "Here It Goes Again". Needless to say, I was very pumped to be able to see both of those bands and more for a $35 ticket price.
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It was such a beautiful day out, and after paying a mere $2 for close street parking, we made our way to the concert area at <a href="https://www.canalsidebuffalo.com/">Canalside</a>. My friend and I had gone to <a href="https://www.canalsidebuffalo.com/concerts/">Buffalo's Canalside Concert series</a> before, and this was just as big, if not bigger. The first few bands we didn't really know too well, <a href="http://www.missio-loner.com/">Missio</a> and <a href="http://sir-sly.com/">Sir Sly</a>, so we camped out in the shade for a bit and listened to them from afar. We were equally thrilled there were giant, create-your-own snow cones so we grabbed one for $4 and decorated it with all different flavors. Our unanimously-decided favorite flavor was the Piña Colada syrup; after we got toward the bottom of our frozen treat, my friend went back up to add even more Piña Colada. #noregrets
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After the snow cone, we decided to walk around the Canalside concert grounds to see what was going on. There was a sweet beer tent serving both normal and craft beer varieties as well as wines and wine coolers. There were also vendor booths selling Kerfuffle merchandise and even <a href="https://www.livescience.com/58916-fidget-spinner-faq.html">fidget spinners</a>, much to my dismay. We watched the boats on the canal for a while; there were so many boats, kayaks, and paddleboards out as the weather was absolutely perfect for boating. It was starting to get quite hot out, so I was very jealous I couldn't jump right into <a href="https://lakeeriefoundation.org/about-lake-erie/tourism/facts/">Lake Erie</a> with them. We decided to head up to the stage for the next artist in the lineup, <a href="http://bobmosesmusic.com/">Bob Moses</a>. We knew nothing about this band, but I was also there to explore new artists on the bill. We ended up getting super close to the fence line of the general admission section. There was a closer, VIP section for more money per ticket, but I didn't quite care about getting that close and I could still see perfectly fine where I was.
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When Bob Moses started to play their set, it completely blew me out of the water. In a very <a href="http://www.passionpitmusic.com/">Passion Pit</a>-style, Bob Moses used heavy bass and synth sounds to create what I had called a "nightclub in space" effect. The lead singer, <a href="https://twitter.com/Bobmosesmusic">Tom Howie</a>, had a voice that could simply cut through steel as it was very clear and direct over his perfectly constructed electric guitar riffs and the almost electro-trance synth rhythms from keyboardist, <a href="https://twitter.com/jimmyvallance">Jimmy Vallance</a>. Quite honestly, the hair stole the show as both Jimmy Vallance and the drummer let their manes flow to the music, and I was totally jamming out. Needless to say, I totally became a Bob Moses fan after watching them play live.
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After Bob Moses, we grabbed a couple <a href="https://www.jackdaniels.com/en-us/whiskey/country-cocktails">hard lemonades</a> from the beer tent and made our way back to the stage for <a href="http://okgo.net/">OK Go</a>. I was so thrilled to see them live as I had been listening to their albums for weeks during my runs and workouts. They were just as electric on stage as I had imagined. The lead singer, and my personal favorite band member, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/damiankulash">Damian Kulash</a>, did his signature husky-style singing that just created waves of life and passion around each line he sang. I was expecting a little more character than was displayed from my second favorite band member, bassist <a href="https://twitter.com/timothynordwind">Tim Nordwind</a>, who typically stars in their creative music videos with his kooky glasses and fun dance moves.
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I was also a little disappointed that they didn't play more songs, to be honest. Their set seemed a little short and, while they did play their new single, <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LWGJA9i18Co">"Upside Down & Inside Out"</a> as well as old favorites, <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qybUFnY7Y8w">"This Too Shall Pass"</a>, <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MejbOFk7H6c">"Needing/Getting"</a>, <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3BxfpbyV-uc">"Get Over It"</a>, and, of course, <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dTAAsCNK7RA">"Here It Goes Again"</a>, I was looking forward to hearing their other singles like <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IwoD4pfvuC4">"C-C-C-Cinnamon Lips"</a>, <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nHlJODYBLKs">"White Knuckles"</a>, and <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rb4lgOiHBZo">"Skyscrapers"</a> but I <i>guess</i> they couldn't play <i>everything</i>. I'm just too greedy! They also played a cover of the <a href="http://www.ledzeppelin.com/">Led Zeppelin</a> song, <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2TLo4p0hpXE">"Black Dog"</a>, which really got the crowd involved. Their set was my friend's favorite of the day and, if it wasn't for my strange new love of Bob Moses, it would have been mine, too.
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There were two bands to play before Dashboard Confessional came on, so my friend and I went to grab some food for dinner. We decided on gyros because, as my friend described to me, he can't seem to disassociate Buffalo with gyros for some reason which, as a gyro fanatic myself, I concurred. And, after jamming out to great music so far and getting quite a bit of sun outside, the gyro I had gotten suddenly became the tastiest gyro I've ever had. I was almost mad I had eaten it so quickly, but it certainly hit the spot. We people watched while sitting in the grass listening to <a href="http://www.franzferdinand.com/">Franz Ferdinand</a> and <a href="http://www.grouplovemusic.com/">Grouplove</a> play their sets. My friend really dug Scottish band Franz Ferdinand and I particularly liked the second half of Grouplove's set when they started really dancing around onstage.
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The sun began to set as we made our way back to our final time at the stage for <a href="https://www.dashboardconfessional.com/">Dashboard Confessional</a>. Let me tell you, I'm not entirely sure why they decided to have Dashboard play last because singer-songwriter <a href="https://www.instagram.com/chris_carrabba">Chris Carrabba</a> writes and sings some of the most broken-hearted songs you'll ever hear. In addition, many of the Grouplove fans left after their show but, to my delight and surprise, many Dashboard fans swarmed to fill the empty spots. I actually had no idea that many other people loved Dashboard as much as, if not more than, I did.
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There was definitely a huge chunk of Dashboard albums that I missed growing up, as I only really listened to "Dusk and Summer" and <a href="https://play.spotify.com/album/6Jq4fHaeo7nYXQ4dx8un1J?play=true&utm_source=open.spotify.com&utm_medium=open">"Alter The Ending"</a>. However, Chris definitely played to all the fans as he really mixed up his set list with songs from every single Dashboard musical period. I might have shed a bit of a tear when he sang <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xiqXGEV1Bms">"The Best Deceptions"</a> and ended with <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cgix4qUO22k">"Hands Down"</a>, which was my "OG" favorite Dashboard song that I would listen to on repeat on that morning school bus ride. I honestly wish I could just have Chris Carrabba sing me lullabies to sleep every night, but not in a weird way.
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<img class="circleblog" src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4205/35061659740_ea5d294908_b.jpg" />This was 107.7 and 104.7 FM <a href="http://www.alternativebuffalo.com/">Alternative Buffalo</a>'s fourth Kerfuffle concert and I honestly think it was one of the most organized, well-staffed, and satisfying entertainment I have seen at any festival-style concert setting I've been to. I would highly recommend coming to next year's Kerfuffle, which is only an hour and a half ride from Rochester, NY, even if you don't know the artists. I had such a great time and it was most definitely worth the ticket price and more. Thank you for reading my festival review, keep an eye out for more articles like this by following my <a href="http://www.twitter.com/fortissimona">Twitter</a> or my <a href="https://www.instagram.com/fortissimona/">Instagram</a> for post updates!<br />
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<i>All opinions and pictures are my own.</i></center>
Simona Benenatihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07238869726573305250noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6913039108718290288.post-23063532254875908522017-06-07T13:00:00.000-04:002019-07-11T14:02:29.319-04:00Tuesday Sushi at Nosh in Rochester, NY<center><img height="75%" src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4263/34773823380_62e23ff882_k.jpg" width="75%" /></center>
<br/> Last week on Tuesday I had the rare opportunity of visiting Nosh Restaurant for some drinks and sushi. Typically, Nosh offers <a href="http://noshroc.com/dinner.html">grandiose plates of extravagant price ranges</a>; but on Tuesdays, they offer a simple sushi menu at pretty reasonable prices for the quality of fish we had received. When my friend showed me their <a href="http://noshroc.com/">insanely cool website</a>, which made my inner amateur web designer geek out, I knew that I definitely wanted to hit this place up for some noms, as my friend and I would say.
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Located at 47 Russell Street in Rochester, NY, initially, Nosh was a bit difficult to find the entrance of if you didn't know which side of the building it was on, as we did not. After circumnavigating the building, we spotted the sign outside the door and entered. I enjoyed seeing how open and unstuffy this restaurant was. Tons of natural light escaped into the room. Natural wood tables and marble countertops were a main decorative focus. Instead of being dark and close-cornered that I had expected from a fancier restaurant, Nosh gave me the feeling of being at a <a href="http://www.fingerlakeswinecountry.com/wine-food/wineries/">winery in the country</a> regardless of being located in the city.
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My friend and I decided to eat at the bar, even though there were plenty of tables open. This turned out to be a good decision as the bartender gave us both high fives for sitting there and even ended up giving us a free drink. I think we received the Mia Wallace, which included rum, blackberries, and strawberries, and it tasted like a berry smoothie. My friend ordered the Hari Kari cocktail that combined gin and dry curacao with <a href="http://www.tykusake.com/#junmaisake">Ty-Ku Junmai sake</a>. The special Tuesday sushi menu cards were so adorable, reminiscent of their fun website. My friend and I were planning on splitting an assorted sushi plate for about $40, which we saw on the website and would have included plenty of food for the two of us, but the waitress told us the chef, <a href="http://www.fox.com/hells-kitchen">Hell's Kitchen</a> 16's <a href="https://twitter.com/ktandoi98">Kimberly Roth</a>, had decided not to do that combination any longer as it was a lot of work to make.*
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Instead, my friend and I ordered three rolls of sushi from the menu. The Nosh Roll, which was suggested to us by the waitress as her favorite, included coconut shrimp, mango, habanero, avocado, thai basil, cilantro, gingered masago mayo, cajun ahi tuna, "sexy" soy sauce, fried garlic, and <a href="http://secretsofsushi.com/flying-fish-roe.html">tobiko roe</a>. We also ordered the tamer Ho Machi, with yellowtail tuna, scallions, and avocado, and the Tuna Tetaki, which was a marinated jerk-seared tuna served with sushi rice. The chef had plated the sushi so perfectly on a giant plate for us that it simply looked like a masterpiece. Also included were hefty amounts of ginger, wasabi, and all the soy sauce we could want. The total for all of the sushi came to about $40, the same as we were planning on spending anyway.
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As far as taste, this sushi knocked it out of the park completely. You could tell that each piece of fish was carefully selected. Each one was so flavorful and, although we essentially got three tuna dishes, each plate tasted unique and wildly delicious. The pieces of Nosh Roll were so loaded that they hardly fit into my mouth in one bite. The coconut shrimp reminded me of <a href="http://www.justonecookbook.com/shrimp-tempura/">shrimp tempura</a> as it was pleasantly crunchy which, combined with the soft popping of the tobiko roe, made for the delightful and satisfying eating sensation.
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The Tuna Tetaki also blew me out of the water. This plate was so simple, as it was just lightly seared slices of extremely fresh tuna, but its flavors made me feel like I was at my favorite <a href="http://surf6oceanfront.com/">beach barbeque on the ocean</a>. I wish I had a full-on tuna steak cooked in this way. I liked that it was paired with the rice as a side so that I could taste all the flavors of the buttery tuna before following it with a bit of warm, garlicky rice. The pieces of tuna were definitely big enough that I had to eat them in two bites, which I was not complaining about because I certainly savored every taste.
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<img class="circleblog" src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4204/35120404316_0d961458f4_b.jpg" />In conclusion, I absolutely loved this Tuesday special from Nosh. Having a sushi feast with cocktails was an extremely great Spring treat as everyone is getting excited for the warm, beach weather again. While not usually in my budget, when I can spring for high quality seafood occasionally, I certainly will. If you'd like to try Nosh on a Tuesday for dinner, their kitchen stays open until 10pm. If you'd rather try one of their <a href="http://noshroc.com/libations.html">fancy, unique cocktails</a> on the weekends, their bar stays open until 2am on Fridays and Saturdays! Thank you for reading my restaurant review, keep an eye out for more articles like this by following my <a href="http://www.twitter.com/fortissimona">Twitter</a> or my <a href="https://www.instagram.com/fortissimona/">Instagram</a> for post updates!<br/><center><i>All opinions and pictures are my own.</i></center>
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<i><b>*EDIT:</b> Kimberly Roth graciously shared my post on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/kimberly.roth.505/posts/10154740317598753">her Facebook page</a> where she commented about sushi combination platters taking time to make, stating, "I adjusted my menu to better accommodate the restaurant flow... you know I never shy away from hard work!" Thank you, Kimberly, and might I also add, it was wonderful creating a sushi combination plate of my own choosing, regardless!<br/>
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UPDATE: Nosh is not currently offering Sushi Tuesdays, but their <a href="https://www.noshroc.com/happy-hour.html">Happy Hour</a> specials are some of the best in town!</i>Simona Benenatihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07238869726573305250noreply@blogger.com0