GordonCooks

Is there a link (TheStar.com)?

Good Idea, but I'd have to check with rental companies in London. There are a few really small wedding rental places in these towns, but they just have linens, dishes, etc. I'm going to ask friends if I can borrow their electric skillets. I also need some crock pots for the pulled pork. ← Just an idea but I've done gargantuan amounts of scrambled eggs in full Hotel pans on the stove top - low heat.

Just for the record, l I've had Miso caramels and similar that were fantastic with seafood so a savory butterscotch is not so off the mark.

In my experience, trying to manage insubordinate, combative people is a no-win situation within a 5 hour window of time.

I like Dale and understand his passion and drive. I hate to lose anything and always go 110% in whatever the endeavor. From what I saw last night, it was more about popularity than food.

I tip my apron to you. You're truly a culinary athlete.

I've done the dry ice trick before. Sanded the surface flat with my orbital sander and used 2 sheets of aluminum foil over the top. We did it to form little discs of Stilton ice cream. They came out like little wafers - worked very well.

Don & Bob's is known as Don's Original currently. Don & Bob's - that's it! Guess Bob bit the dust. Are the burgers still good? ← The name change arose out of dis-associating itself from it's franchise location that went under. The burgers, fries, rings, and chocolate almond custards haven't changed one bit. Still using those pressed cardboard french trays with the little wooden forks.

Don & Bob's is known as Don's Original currently.

I saw something about Garden @ Eleven. Same place??

What's that little vegetarian place on Queen West? I'm had few nice lunches there.

Short answer: No.Also, the word you're looking for is "Torontonians". I'm guessing not, since they seem to grow pretty much everything in California, but Ontario's whites are generally quite good. I strongly recommend most things, but especially the Rieslings, from Cave Spring and Vineland Estates wineries. And the associated restaurants are also not to be missed. (If you can only do one, do Vineland.)For reds, Ontario seems to have a reputation for Cab Franc, but I've found it to be pretty hit-and-miss. You should definitely consider visiting the St. Lawrence Market! ← I second the St.Lawrence Market suggestion. Have a Pea Meal Bacon sandwich and pick up some Raw Milk cheeses to much on.

I'm really baffled how store bought sausage didn't send her home. At least Ryan put forth an effort. Even I can make a simple sausage patty in 15 minutes

That was delicious!

Do they sell lamb in your neck of the woods?

I make no claims to knowing the Rochester food scene. As mom of 2 boys and wife of a guy with a limited palate, my dining experiences are mostly confined to burgers at Don's Original in Penfield -- they make a mean patty melt (aka Penfielder) but I don't love the steak fries. A few recent restaurant experiences... Mykonos in Pittsford -- my first time there since it moved from Village Gate (so obviously it's been awhile). I could have wept. As you probably know, it's now a diner that happens to serve Greek food. My son and I split a sampler platter of Greek stuff -- gyros, spanokopita and bistekia -- and I think the platter hung out under a warming lamp too long because everything was dry. When we ordered extra pita, it was warm and soft and chewy, unlike the cardboard on our original platter. I still love their dilly tzatziki and the pita (when it's good) but the place was a bummer otherwise. But can you blame them? Everyone around me was ordering burgers, fries, etc. Tasteology in Pittsford -- Its concept is healthy food, which I think is a worthy one, but the implementation was a bit schizo (you couldn't get a Diet Coke, but you could get pink packets for your coffee ... desserts were somehow exempt from the healthy concept). They have a tv studio/demo area in the back -- I don't get that aspect of the concept at all. Food was decent but not as described in the menu (a spicy shrimp had no heat and roasted cauliflower wasn't roasted). I would like to see them succeed, though. The owner was friendly as we came in and came around to the table, which I appreciated. It is nice to have an option for when you're trying to eat healthy but I think they are going to have to do some tweaking. Beale Street in Webster -- The first time I went I ordered crab cakes, which I know verges on idiotic in Rochester, but why have them on the menu if they are going to be lousy? They were beyond awful. I wouldn't have gone back but a friend had a coupon . This time I had pulled pork, which was better but didn't blow me away. The sides were forgettable (literally ... I have no recollection). JC's Backyard Barbecue in Penfield (I think that's the name) -- Pulled pork again. Not bad but not great either. The side was chipotle potato salad. The texture of the potato salad was great, and it tasted like a good homemade salad, but no chipotle that I could discern. Nothing too exciting for an epicurean such as yourself... ← Mykonos was excellent at the Village gate but lost all focus at it's new location. Beale st had excellent brisket but have found better pork at Dino and better Chicken at Stickly Lips. You win some and you lose some.

Where?

Thanks for the compliment my dear Still hoping to work in a visit to the Windy City soon to raise a glass with my extended online family.

This was close, I'm just nitpicking . The beans were definitely underdone, but the swordfish was probably the best I've ever had, I just thought it would have been a bit more succulent if cooked for 30 seconds less. Thanks again for the recommendations: I'd like to return to Rochester in the summer sometime and have at these places (and more!) again. ← Drop me a line in advance. I'd welcome the opportunity to break bread with you.

Thanks for this recommendation as well, you're batting 1.000. I should have paid closer attention to your directions, though---it took me a while to find it since they list their address as being on Main St. Doh! I made it in the end and had a very nice lunch there. They were pretty deserted, and I gather that is partly due to it being spring break week here, and partly due to their nature as a mostly-dinner kind of place. I had the swordfish special which was pretty good, especially for the price ($15, the most expensive lunch entree on the menu), though the fish was a touch overdone and the beans too al dente. The service was competent and unobtrusive, and they serve quite good coffee. I would recommend this as a nice place to have a quiet lunch. ← Not typical of the kitchen - the fish prep is usually perfect. Glad you enjoyed what some of Rochester has to offer. The better plan would have been Max for dinner and 2Vine for lunch if schedules had coincided. Buon Apetito!

Max of Eastman Place (Gibbs St) does lunch

I missed this somehow - Jeff's selection of Sienna is fine as well as Tapas177 just down the street on St Paul. Max Chophouse on Monroe Ave TwoVine on Winthrop St Social on East Ave Rooney's on Henrietta St All do a fine job on a tuesday night. I left out Max of Eastman as their bar does Wed-Sat but solo in the dining room would be fine. What are you looking for specifically? I'll check this topic tomorrow ← I don't really have any specific requests, just looking for the first places that come to mind for a solo diner. I generally prefer to eat at the bar when I'm eating alone, but it's not a firm requirement, mostly just serves to narrow the option list. I like basically all food, so anything particularly interesting or tasty, at pretty much any price point, is fair game. I'm sure that was very helpful at narrowing the list... ETA: Looks like it's going to be Monday for dinner, and Tuesday for breakfast and lunch, if that matters. Are places in Roch closed Mondays? ← PM sent

I missed this somehow - Jeff's selection of Sienna is fine as well as Tapas177 just down the street on St Paul. Max Chophouse on Monroe Ave TwoVine on Winthrop St Social on East Ave Rooney's on Henrietta St All do a fine job on a tuesday night. I left out Max of Eastman as their bar does Wed-Sat but solo in the dining room would be fine. What are you looking for specifically? I'll check this topic tomorrow

Went last wed - BBQ ribs were good but the slaw wasn't that fresh, had a Wagyu burger with excellent bacon, wings were good (nice amount of heat in the sauce) Pizzas were both quite good - nice crust, excellent quality tomatoes in the sauce, correct amount of cheese, etc. Chef is formerly of Brio/Pomodoro - many of the servers are Rochester veterans. No liquor license yet - but no corkage either Not a Veneto fan since their move - find their pies rather bland and inconsistent although when they are good - they are good. ← Good to hear about the pizza there- will have to give it a try. Too bad about Veneto- I haven't been there in a while. We should think about bringing back voting for pizza in the Rochester environs. One of my favorites for a NY style crust was Brandani's on West Henrietta Road, but that was when Papa Brandani was making the pies, no longer ← Once a year, we have a pizza tasting - usually any pizzeria worth it's salt makes our lto try list (15-16 people each responsible for 2 cheese ad pepperoni pies.) The last Brandini pie i had was a thick, chewy crust more Sicilian than Neopolitan in style. Still delicious though.