Finger Lakes Region
The Best Moderately Priced Restaurants…
Some Great Fooderies that won’t break the bank.
Ports Cafe - Geneva
From the outside you would think that Ports is just a smidge above a diner in the food and ambience categories. But when you step inside you a surprised by the cool vibe and incredible food that awaits you. We have been there numerous times and it never disappoints. Great food, drinks, and a view of Seneca Lake right across the street - it is like the old reliable friend that never lets you down.
Atlas Eats - Rochester
In a world where many restaurants take the easy way out and cook the same tried and true meals each night, Atlas Eats stares them down and says, “that’s not how WE roll!” Every week the chefs here create food from a different country, so that you get a different culinary experience every time you visit. Book in advance though, because the restaurant only seats a couple of dozen people at any one time. But to have a 5 course French meal one week, German the next, or a themed dinner from anywhere in the world, it is worth coming back many times because it is never the same menu twice!
Avvino - Rochester
Avvino is one of those understated places that has what we all want the most from a great restaurant - unequivocally awesome food at a good price. Although it is not as expensive as the “fine dining” places on our list, the quality of the food is definitely right up there. The ambience is nice as well, making it a great Saturday night out kind of place that never disappoints.
Bad Apples Bistro - Spencerport
This unassuming strip mall location in Spencerport may not look like a culinary treat from the outside, but once you step inside you feel an upscale hominess that sets the mood for some fantastic victuals. It is so good that we have gone back multiple times to sample different menu offerings, but each time we come to the same conclusion - for the price, quality of food, and atmosphere this is the Best Mid-Priced restaurant in the Finger Lakes Region. Everything is good, but try the Fried Aranchini balls for your appetizer, the Chicken Carbonara as a Main Course, and the Chocolate Lava Cake for dessert. The menu changes seasonally, so it keeps giving us and excuse to keep going back to try new things.
The Revelry, Rochester
Owner Josh Miles is a part of 4 or 5 restaurants in the Rochester area, and this is our 2nd favorite (after Velvet Belly). Signature cocktails served by a 1940esque bartender sporting a vest and a handlebar moustache, food that runs the gamut from Nashville Fried Chicken to Oysters on the Half Shell, and a glass floor that gives you a view into the wine cellar that can be rented out for special occasions. If you are tired of the same old, same old, then The Revelry is a place you definitely have to check out.
Rooney’s - Rochester
It is Valentine’s Day and you want to take your special someone to quiet, intimate place with great culinary creations. Rooney’s is your place! It usually books up a couple of weeks in advance for Cupid Day, so book early. The menu changes daily and the specials are creative and very tasty. For an appetizer I recently had Portuguese Clams with Chorizo - mind blown. The combination of the clams, tomato broth, garlic, and the chorizo was heavenly.
The Park Inn - Hammondsport
The quaint looking building on the Main drag in Hammondsport hides a fine gem of a restaurant that any gourmand in the area has to check out - The Park Inn. Both the chef and Sommelier have extensive experience in fine dining restaurants and it shows with the quality and creativity of the dishes. Peking Duck Confit and Beef Bourguignon are things you might find on the menu of a chic restaurant in NYC, but you will also find them here!
Fiamma Centro
You know when you see Primi and Secondi as categories on the menu that you will be getting authentic Italian Food! That is because fine dining establishments in Italy have a small pasta based dish as the first main dish and typically a meat or seafood option as the second main course. For primi, we had Paccheri allo Scoglio which is lobster meat, clams, mussels and cherry tomatoes with sauce over pasta. Secondi was a very tasty breaded Veal Chop that was baked with mozzarella. There are a lot of great Italian Restaurants in the Rochester/FLX region, but this is probably the best!
Warfield’s - Clifton Springs
Since the mid-90’s this unassuming restaurant in the small town of Clifton Springs has been making amazing food. On my fifth or sixth time there, we went for lunch and had a lobster roll that had an entire lobster tail in it and the soup of the day that was phenomenal. Dinners are crazy good here as well. Escargot, oysters, Filet Mignon, Crab Cakes, and Lobster Mac and Cheese are just a few of the many uber good choices on this delish menu. It is definitely worth the trip from Rochester or any of the Finger Lakes.