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Sponsored Post: Celebrate Easter at Alex's Place

By Lisa Ace


Celebrate Easter at Alex's Place! We will be offering our full dinner menu along with great Easter specials. Reservations are being taken for parties of all sizes by calling 585-344-2999. Open noon to 8 p.m. Click here for Easter Specials.

Genesee Tourism: Ten Dining Experiences for a Romantic Evening Out

By Genesee County Chamber of Commerce & Visitor Center

Ladies, slip into that fancy dress you’ve been looking for an excuse to wear. Gents, put on a nice button-down and tie. Take a night to enjoy each other and linger over a delectable meal. We have ten dining suggestions to help you make the most of your romantic evening out. 

Alex’s Place | Park Road, Batavia
Step into the refined and intimate dining room at Alex’s and your romantic dinner awaits. Elegant meets barbecue goodness with starters like Clams Casino and Bacon Wrapped Scallops. The theme continues with dinner entrees like Rosemary Ribeye, Surf and Turf options, Teriyaki Salmon and more. Alex’s Place is known for their award-winning barbecue but you’ll find there is much more than their delicious ‘cue. Vegan, vegetarian and gluten-free options are available.

Capish! Pizza Ristorante | Main Street (Rt. 5), Le Roy
Walk into welcoming aromas of Italian goodness. Share an appetizer and order a bottle of wine to get your romantic evening started. Choose your main course from any number of traditional Italian dishes from pizza to pasta and everything in between. Stay a little longer and linger over a delectable dessert, perfectly paired with a wine or beverage of choice. Vegetarian and gluten-free options are available.

D & R Depot Restaurant | Lake Street (Rt. 19), Le Roy
Dine in this adorable and cozy former B & O train depot for a date night out. Indulge in conversation and enjoy friendly service to accompany your home-cooked meal. Start off with their Shortline Sampler including Stuffed Mushrooms, Artichokes French, Clams Casino and Bruschetta. For the main course, you can’t go wrong with the Grilled Norwegian Salmon or Twin Filet Mignon. Vegan, vegetarian and gluten-free options are available.

D & R Depot Restaurant ©Popmenu
 

Farmer’s Creekside Tavern & Inn | Main Street (Rt. 5), Le Roy
Nothing says romance like a table overlooking the scenic Oatka Creek from the warmth of a historic building in downtown Le Roy. Delight yourselves in beautifully created cuisine, carefully chosen wines and hand-crafted tavern cocktails. Farmer’s Tavern Fare and Dinner menus are unlike anything else you’ll find in Genesee County. Each dish is as aesthetically pleasing as it is delicious. Want to extend your romantic night out? Book an overnight in one of their beautiful suites for the perfect end to a perfect evening. Vegan, vegetarian and gluten-free options are available.

Fortune’s Restaurant at Batavia Downs Gaming & Hotel | Park Road, Batavia
Beyond the shining lights and exciting noises of the gaming floor is a cozy and quiet restaurant to retreat to and enjoy the evening. The menu hosts an abundance of local and international wines, choices of appetizers to share and upscale pasta, steak and seafood dishes to complete your meal. Cozy up in a booth, enjoy your company and before you go hit the gaming floor to try your luck. Vegetarian and gluten-free options are available.

LB Grand Steak & Spaghetti House | Main Street (Rt. 5), Le Roy
Tried and true but now better than ever, LB Grand Steak and Spaghetti House is ready to welcome you and your sweetie to a wonderful dinner in their newly renovated space! Care is taken when creating every dish at LB and if you haven’t visited in a while, you’re in for a treat. Their menu hosts a variety of beloved Italian classics, any of which will add to the magic of your romantic night. Some unique and tasty dishes to consider (other than their steak and spaghetti) are the Steamed Mussels, Grilled Salmon and Braised Pork Shank. Vegetarian and gluten-free options are available.

LB Grand Steak & Spaghetti House ©Popmenu
 

Main Street Pizza Company | Main Street (Rt.5), Batavia
There’s more to Main Street than pizza. Dine in their upscale Italian dining room, the perfect setting for a night out all dressed up. Classic Italian cuisine paired with playful presentation, and a good glass of red, will delight all of your senses. The meatballs are the size of softballs and their Pasta Puttanesca is an award winning dish. Some additional Main Street favorites include their Arancini, Cape Cod Salad, Main St. Butchers Block and Seafood Fra Daivlo. Vegetarian and gluten-free options are available.

River Spring Lodge | Church Road, Darien Center
Feel a world away at River Spring Lodge for one of the most romantic nights out. From arrival to departure, your experience will feel nothing short of magical. Grab an overnight room and sit down to a five course dinner that will blow you away. Chef Dave and Carolyn welcome you to sit back and relax while they serve you only their best. Enjoy generous portions of beautifully crafted cuisine at each course with no rush because the table is yours for the night. Be impressed and delight in your company; these memories will last a lifetime. Vegan, vegetarian and gluten-free options are available.

The Original Red Osier Landmark Restaurant | East Main Road (Rt. 5), Stafford
Famous for their Prime Rib carved tableside, Red Osier is destination dining at its finest. With newly renovated dining rooms and an inviting farmhouse feel, your romantic night out may reach a new level at The Original Red Osier. Indulge in the classic and beloved Prime Rib dressed how you like with toppings à la carte. For an extra special occasion, add some surf to your turf. Besides Prime Rib, Red Osier offers other delectable Steak, Lamb, Chicken, Pork and Seafood options. Try to save room for dessert; a night out at Red Osier isn’t complete without a Bananas Foster Flambé for two. Gluten-free options are available.

Yume Asian Bistro | Veterans Memorial Drive, Batavia
Sushi is the specialty at Yume Asian Bistro and their presentation is what sets them apart; whatever you order looks like a masterpiece when it arrives at your table. Yume treats each ingredient with utmost respect as to deliver you a delicate sushi plate more beautiful than anything you’ve ever seen before- besides your date sitting across from you, of course. Find truly unique and interesting fish on the menu and be adventurous together - try something new! Enjoy the evening, each other and the food. Vegan, vegetarian and gluten-free options available.

Sushi © Yume Asian Bistro
 

Brought to you by the Genesee County Chamber of Commerce & Visitor Center. To view a full list of our restaurants in Genesee County, click here! Bon Appétit!

Sponsored Post: ​Breaking News - Alex's Place is announcing two weekday specials that are sure to beat the winter blues

By Lisa Ace


Breaking News -- Alex's Place is announcing two weekday specials that are sure to beat the winter blues. From now 'til May 1st, join Alex's Place for Prime Rib and Steak Night every Monday and Tuesday.

Enjoy a Prime Rib or Strip Steak dinner for two for just $29.99, includes 2 steak dinners, 2 sides, and 2 salads. And Wednesdays are now Rib Night, featuring $10 half racks and $15 full rack of everyone's favorite Baby Back Ribs. Click for more info.

Bill Farmer sees decade-long vision for Creekside Inn finally coming into focus

By Howard B. Owens

A group of writers and photographers, mostly food and wine critics from Monroe County, were in Le Roy last night to be the first to experience Farmer's Creekside Inn.

Ten years have passed since Bill Farmer, chairman of Catenary Construction in Rochester and a specialist in historical preservation of concrete and masonry buildings, saw the Creekside Inn for the first time.

It wasn't a pretty sight. Three years earlier the Creekside had been destroyed by a fire people in Le Roy still talk about.

"Part of it is the environment," Farmer said about what attracted him to buying and restoring the 200-year-old building. "It was a vision when I first looked at the building, and it was in dire shape.

"It was collapsing. It was ravaged by fire. But I took a look at the environment, the setting, the historic structures that are across the creek, the composite of the village itself, the post office across the street, and I thought this was just an unbelievable setting that was unrecognized."

He decided to set out and create a dining and hospitality destination that was second to none in Western New York.

The preview dinner last night was the first time Farmer could see that vision start to come into focus in a meaningful way. There's still a lot of work to do on the interior of the building before Farmer's Creekside Tavern & Inn opens to the public on June 5, but Farmer said he has the right people in place to make it happen.

"It’s really overwhelming-- this event, this private little dinner we hosted tonight was a culmination of a fast track of putting the kitchen together, hanging the final fixtures," Farmer said. "The floors are only three days old. It’s really a tad overwhelming to see it come so beautifully, full of life, and so many people here enjoying the experience and seeing the staff perform. I just feel so flattered and honored to have the staff we have."

It's been eight years since The Batavian first paid a visit to the Creekside and met Farmer. We've dropped in several times over the years since and been impressed each time with the attention to detail; the quality Farmer is investing in the building. The new floors are real hardwood; the interior railings are oak, the fixtures are the highest quality and the amenities -- exterior patio and bar with a gas fireplace, a tavern, a fine dining room, guest rooms on the top floor -- are well thought out and designed.

As the opening day approaches, it's clear Farmer has given the same attention to detail in hiring his staff, with Chris Grocki as general manager and Sean Wolf as executive chef.

"I’ve always felt blessed by the people that I employ," Farmer said. "I've had people working for me now for well into a 30-year span. I value my employees. I recognize their efforts. It’s just so rewarding when you put together a good team, and they go out and execute the plan. That holds true with everything we do whether it’s real estate development or masonry and concrete services, masonry restoration services, and now it's going into our food and hospitality services."

Farmer said he decided on Grocki and Wolf as his top leadership in the restaurant several months ago and said throughout the process he's convinced he made the right choices.

During his opening remarks before the dinner, Grocki was equally effusive about his new boss.

"Opening a restaurant is a labor of love, and we’ve got a family here that has no shortage of it," Grocki said, adding, "I’ve never had the pleasure of working for somebody who has gone for it in quite this way. You always say, 'You don’t do anything like anybody else does.' and clearly that’s true."

One of the key people in helping the restaurant, tavern and inn come together so beautifully, Farmer said, was interior designer Jason Longo. Longo said Farmer was a special client.

"Chris and I had worked on a project before, and I called Chris one night," Longo said, "and I was nearly in tears, and I said, 'I can't believe that in my career' -- which has been going on for some time now -- 'that I've ever worked on a project where people gave everything, from the carpenters to the electricians. Every single person who has worked on this project is so invested and so involved.' "

Farmer said he just had a passion for the project since the day he saw the building and has made sure he's had the right people in place to make sure the vision became a reality.

"It seemed pretty clear to me when I came to the building, looked at the site, saw the surroundings, stone building, 200 years old almost, I hate to say it, but for me, it was a no-brainer to get involved in," Farmer said.

"You’ve got to have a passion for it," he added. "I think that’s the driving force. I fell in love with this place. I fell in love with the building. The site. Part of the experience of rehabbing and building it and meeting all the challenges and solving all the issues are a great part of it."

The dinner consisted of multiple courses loosely paired with wines, mostly from the Finger Lakes. It started with a ceviche of Alaskan halibut, bitter spring greens, truffle chicken, followed by a surf and turf and a dessert of foie gras. Wines included a Hermann J. Wiemer Blanc de Noir 2011, Ravines Dry Riesling Argetsinger Vineyard 2012, Palo Cortado 'Peninsula' Sherry' and a Benanti Etna Bianco 2015, among others.

The idea, Grocki said, was to give guests a sample of what will be served in the tavern and in the fine dining room, known as the Cleveland Room, which will serve fine dining, destination, and special occasion meals four days a week. The fine dining room, the tavern, the patios, all told, will seat 400 people.  

Farmer thinks the Creekside Inn will become a destination location, drawing people from throughout the region, especially Buffalo and Rochester.

"I had no idea initially how important of a project this would be, but over the years it’s become apparent," Farmer said. "I’ve realized this is a significant, significant project for Western New York, the Town of Le Roy, the county. It’s a very meaningful project, and I’m flattered and privileged to be that guy doing it."

Truffle chicken

Surf and turf

The tavern, still under construction

One of the inn's guest rooms.

Bill Farmer, Sean Wolf, Chris Grocki

Bill's son, Bill, daughter Hailey, who will run fine dining, her son Ryder, and Bill Farmer.

When the weather warms up, Bill Cultrara will be cooking again, with Duke's Smokin' Bone

By Howard B. Owens

Bill Cultrara and Larry Reisdorf are eager for the snow to clear from the smoker so they can get busy again with some serious BBQ.

Reisdorf has owned and operated Duke's Smokin' Bone, a catering service, for about a decade, and with business growing, he thought Cultrara's experience and expertise could help kick things up a notch.

Cultrara is a chef and former owner of Delavan's.

"With his experience, I thought it would be great if we could team up and work together," Reisdorf said.

Fans of Delavan's will be glad to see Cultrara cooking again, and happy to know Duke's will start offering his secret-recipe Italian sausage.

"I saw this as a different opportunity, nothing I've ever done before, and I like to learn," Cultrura said.

The new menu will include spatchcocked chicken and beer can chicken along with beef brisket and ziti and sausage (smoked or grilled). Duke's longtime favorites, quarter chicken, pulled pork and ribs, along with a several other meats, will also be available.

Duke's is available for private parties, corporate events and graduations.

For more information, visit Duke's Web site.

Monthlong 'Shop, Dine, and Win' begins in Le Roy

By lucie griffis
Shop, Dine, & Win in Le Roy

Nov. 6th-Dec. 6th (Winterfest)

 

For every $10 spent in purchases, gift certificates, and memberships at participating businesses you'll receive 1 entry into a drawing for prizes.

Bring receipts to the Community Holiday Bazaar, 21 Bank St. LeRoy between 10am-3pm on Saturday, December 3rd to receive entries.

 

SHOP & SUPPORT LOCAL BUSINESSES.

START YOUR SHOPPING ON NOVEMBER 7TH AT FALL FOR LEROY 6-8:30

Event Date and Time
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Scenes from an Italian Restaurant

By Tiffany Barber

A few weeks ago my I had the pleasure of having dinner at Delavan's. I had heard good things about the restaurant but had never been so we decided to check it out. First off don't let the location stop you from going. True it isn't the best place for a restaurant; parking isn't optimal but trust me it will be worth it.

The first thing I noticed was the inviting atmosphere. The building Delavan's is in was once a home - and it still feels that way. Great local artwork is displayed that makes you want to get up and look around. The lighting is soft and even the music was great, a nice variety of acoustic versions of popular songs from years past and even today. The tables were covered with red checked tablecloths, perfect for an Italian place.

The menu although small did have a nice selection. I chose the eggplant parmesan while my dining partner selected the seafood fra diavlo. Our dinners were accompanied by a choice of soup or salad and excellent Italian bread which was served warm (a requirement for me to believe a restaurant knows what they are doing). My only complaint was that my eggplant could have used a touch more seasoning. The fra diavlo was fantastic, the seafood was fresh the sauce having just the right amount of kick. Another pleasant surprise was the wine selection - quite good for a small local restaurant. Unfortunately we were too full from dinner to enjoy any dessert so I'll have to judge that the next time we go.

CASA for Children Pizza Hut "FUN"draiser

By Tara Pariso

Tomorrow, Tuesday January 12, 2010, Genesee COunty CASA for Children will be having a Pizza Hut "FUN"draiser.  To show your support for CASA, all you have to do is pick up a coupon and eat in or take out from Pizza Hut tomorrow and 20% of the total sales will be donated to CASA for Children.

CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) is a non profit organization that provides abused and neglected children in Genesee County with a trained volunteer advocate that monitors court orders, advocates for safe and permanent placement, and is a consistent positive person in the child's life.

If you or anyone you know is interested in becoming a volunteer advocate, or donating to CASA for Children, please contact Tara Pariso at (585) 344-2550 x 2331 or tpariso@co.genesee.ny.us.  There are always more children in our community that are in need of a CASA.

Street tacos found in Batavia

By Howard B. Owens

During our years as residents in San Diego, my wife and I developed a strong preference for "street tacos".

You might say, street tacos are a Tijuana delicacy. If you visit any town immediately south of the San Diego border, you can buy street tacos.

Where you do you get street tacos?  On the street, of course. In New York, you find hot dog stands on many corners.  In Tijuana, there are taco stands.  What they serve mainly are grilled steak (spiced and called carne asada), tomato, white onion and cilantro piled on two small corn tortillas -- adding anything else to a street taco is like making a martini with vodka instead of gin ... it's just not as good, not as pure (and absolutely forget chocolate or apple).

A lime on the side is nice, but not required.

Of course, throughout most of California you can find many restaurants and taco stands that serve street tacos.  In New York, not so much.

The closest thing we've found so far (after much searching in the Rochester area) is at Margarita's on Jackson.  Printed on Margarita's menu is an item called tacos de asada.  When ordered, you receive two or three (I've been there twice -- got two once, three the first time) tacos -- double corn tortillas piled with carne asada.  The tomatoes and onions are served on the side with green sauce.  To get a true street taco, you must carefully fork out the onion and tomato, leaving the green sauce behind.  There is no cilantro. :-(

That said, I'm very happy I found Margarita's.

Here's one of the great things about Batavia (among many we've found so far) -- lots of family owned, non-chain restaurants. We've been to three of them so far (Margarita's, Jackson Street Grill and Central BBQ) and they've all been a treat.

There's nothing particularly wrong with chains, of course. They have their place and serve their purpose, but nothing beats a good meal at an independent restaurant.  Here's to hoping the city leaders act responsibly to protect Batavia's family restaurants.  They are important to a community's identity and help give it it's own flavor.

Leave your restaurant recommendations in the comments. I want to try them all.

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