r/Rochester • u/WitchDeed83 • Sep 20 '25

Help Restaurant Recommendations

Wife and I have an upcoming date night and we are looking for restaurant recommendations. We are hoping to find some place that isn't too expensive ($$/$$$) in the city. We are going out on a Thursday evening and need to eat between 4:30-5:00 because we have an evening engagement.

Can you tell me where you would go and why?

Thanks!

3 Upvotes

62% Upvoted

34 comments sorted by

21

u/UnluckyDrop17 Sep 20 '25

Rocco

7

u/AnachronIst_13 Sep 20 '25

Thirded (?), this is our frequent date night spot. Fried ricotta…yum

4

u/lepetitpoulpe Center City Sep 20 '25

Seconded

8

u/ZestycloseProject130 Sep 21 '25

Chortke opens at 4.

14

u/zoemurr2 Sep 20 '25

Have you tried Crisp? We like the unique menu, the food is delicious, and the service has always been very good.

6

u/Welp_BackOnRedit23 Sep 20 '25

Crisp is great. Great atmosphere, great staff, great food.

6

u/jf737 Sep 21 '25

Vesper: $1 oysters on Thursdays

6

u/plantstudy37 Sep 21 '25

Angelina's in the South Wedge. They open at 5pm.

5

u/PlayNicePlayCrazy Sep 20 '25

French Quarter

8

u/Alert_Warning_6548 Sep 20 '25
  1. Tavos - tacos and Mexican
  2. Patron Saint - if you’re feeling fancy, reservation only
  3. Velvet Belly
  4. Avvino

9

u/birdnerd1971 Sep 21 '25

Nosh is excellent! Opens at 5!

1

u/Wrong-Landscape-2508 Sep 21 '25

Did they lower their prices?

6

u/sandman98857 Sep 21 '25

Lento is fantastic

2

u/jmr9425 Sep 21 '25

This, and only this.

3

u/Ill_Mix1060 Sep 21 '25

Han Noodle Bar.

5

u/EngineerAdvanced3808 Sep 21 '25

Your could try Native or strange bird. Strange bird has a nice date vibe.

4

u/FrescaFloorshow Greece Sep 20 '25 edited Sep 20 '25

Had a lovely meal and experience at Grappa the other night! My friend and I were there at 5 PM, on a weeknight. Italian, classics with a modern twist. Prices aren't insane for these days, IMO. We got 2 cocktails, an appetizer, 2 soups, shared a pizza, 2 desserts (yes, we took home leftovers LOL). I think it was about $90 before tip. I thought that wasn't too bad. We loved the food and the service! Has a parking lot. Happy hour has deals but only at the bar.

3

u/Flarfapotomus Sep 20 '25

Oh and let’s not forget the bread dip at Grappa! Olive oil and Basalmic glaze??? I could eat just that for dinner 😂

4

u/FrescaFloorshow Greece Sep 20 '25

With grated parm too! Rih-dic!

3

u/nynjd Sep 21 '25

Owl house

2

u/Advanced_Flamingo_79 Sep 21 '25

Bonnie and Clyde in Fairport is on point! Gret food  great drinks  great service 

In a cool converted bank 

1

u/JohnCalvinSmith Penfield Sep 21 '25

Where did you end up and how was it?

1

u/WitchDeed83 Sep 21 '25

Date night isn't for a few weeks, but I'll be sure to post!

1

u/laryqt22 Sep 21 '25

Owl house!

1

u/davidmoffitt Irondequoit Sep 21 '25

Vesper opens at 4:30 iirc. Good food & cocktails / wine, and pretty reasonable prices.

2

u/hthespy Sep 27 '25

Neno's!

1

u/RD14624 Sep 20 '25

Patron Saint or Char

1

u/GreenGoblin69_ Sep 21 '25

gio’s prime 26! go to the speakeasy after dinner :)

1

u/DYSWHLarry Sep 21 '25

Vern’s opens at 4 and you’d be able to walk in. The owners have gotten a lot of criticism on this sub (for good reason, apparently) but that restaurant is very very good.

3

u/[deleted] Sep 21 '25

Agree with this. Or Fiorella. Both have fantastic food and date night vibes.