Rochester

"Jim's On Main, Nota by Truth Collective. This delightfully cozy, family-run diner will make you wish you visited sooner — or more often. The staff treats you like an old friend. The food is downright good and doesn’t cut any corners. Plus, the joint pours good brew and serves real maple syrup — the true measures of any quality diner. The prices will make you do a double-take … think under six bucks for eggs, bacon, potatoes and toast. Jim’s is a great place to start your day … or stop in midday for lunch. Who knows — it could be your Monk’s Café. Or Luke’s if that’s what you’re into"

"Makers Gallery & Studio, Nota by Truth Collective. Makers is a charming getaway nestled on the third floor of an old factory building in the heart of NOTA. This art gallery and studio (the owners hold private art classes on premises) doubles as a weekend café, serving espresso drinks, artisanal teas and homemade donuts. The Sunday morning donuts often sell out, so set your alarm to arrive early. Keep an eye on the Makers calendar for the live music and art events when you can watch an artist cover a large canvas over the course of the evening."

"George Eastman Museum, Nota by Truth Collective. The world-renowned photography museum and period-accurate Georgian Revival home of Kodak's founder, George Eastman, is Rochester’s cultural anchor. A little-known highlight: the largest privately-owned pipe organ in the world is housed here. George Eastman would enjoy a live performance in his home each morning and now, on Sunday afternoons, patrons can do the same with local musicians performing movie theme songs or seasonal music. Get on the mailing list for the Dryden Theatre, a 500-seat venue that shows a mix of modern and classic films. How often do you get a chance to watch Deliverance or Flash Gordon on the big screen? Experiences not soon forgotten."

"The Hungerford, Nota by Truth Collective. A&W root beer was made here. Literally. The Hungerford building used to be the manufacturing facility of the flavor syrup for everyone’s favorite root beer along with “True Fruit” flavored soda fountain syrups. Now, it’s where Rochester creatives go to create. The hallways are lined with small businesses and artists’ studios. Pop your head in any doorway and you’re bound to find pottery, textiles, paintings, letterpress, comics, antiques, woodworking, jewelry, photography, or ice cream. Call ahead if you’re interested in visiting a specific studio, or come in on First Fridays and Second Saturdays when the majority open their doors. Finding your way can feel like a maze so make sure to check out the map on the website if you want to make a plan. But if you’re anything like us, you’ll enjoy wandering aimlessly, getting a little lost, and exploring all the wonder this building holds."

"Starry Nites, Nota by Truth Collective. Situated in the historical flatiron building in between Atlantic Avenue and University Avenue is Starry Nites Café. Said to be one of the most photographed buildings in New York State (or is that the flatiron building in New York City?), this is the place you go when you want to escape the world. Sip and reflect. Work in a quiet corner. Or catch up with friends. No matter the reason for coming—not that you need one—you’ll undoubtedly find inspiration in the iconic wall from which the name came. Enjoy delicious homemade provisions, wonderful brew, and a friendly staff—all sourced locally with diligence. If you’re not feeling coffee or tea, check out the beer and wine menu. Jam out to live music on the weekends. Sit on the patio during the summer and cozy up inside during the winter. Starry Nites Café is just what the day calls for."

"Salena's, Nota by Truth Collective. You know the Mexican food that you realize deep down is so Americanized but you love it anyway? That’s Salena’s. With oversized portions, liberally applied cheese and endless amounts of chips and salsa that fill you up before your entrees even arrive, Salena’s is a great spot to celebrate an insignificant birthday or to cure a hangover when you finally get out of bed at three. Need a hair of the dog? Their margaritas are on point. Wonderfully cheesy décor makes the faux Mexican experience complete. This place is anything but uptight"

"Three Heads Brewing, Nota by Truth Collective. Three Heads Brewing specializes in really, really good beer. The atmosphere of this beer hall meets concert hall makes it ideal for date night, to hang with a group of friends or to grab a drink before dinner. The oversized window looking into the brewing and bottling facilities is a nice reminder that it doesn’t get more local than this. If you luck out and are there on a beautiful day, grab a seat on the giant patio. Keep in mind, if you get hungry, a bag of pretzels might be your only option. But they have ample parking for food trucks so check their website if you want to imbibe and dine. From special brews like Ghost Pepper Porter and Captain Banana Unfiltered Wheat Beer to staples like The Kind IPA and Rochestafarian Wee Heavy Ale, Three Heads Brewing certainly brings the west coast beer vibe to Rochester."

"Good Luck, Nota by Truth Collective. Good Luck helped revitalize the Rochester cocktail and dining scene since opening its doors in 2008. It also showed the developer market in town that the old warehouse and manufacturing buildings that pepper NOTA could be utilized for businesses beyond the printmakers, craft studios, and bohemian shops that Village Gate and the Anderson Arts Building had become known for. Rochesterians have been enjoying its upscale, family style American cuisine in the lively, well-designed industrial space, and even Esquire Magazine took notice of their mixology expertise by naming Good Luck one of the [nation’s top 18 bars for 2016](http://www.esquire.com/food-drink/bars/a44780/best-bars-in-america/). There’s simply no weak link in their menu, but you can’t go wrong with a Sazerac, followed by the Good Luck Burger (an experience) and the Rye Rigatoni (hello, rabbit ragú) to share."

"Stacy K Floral, Nota by Truth Collective. Walking into Stacy K Floral is like walking into the perfect escape. Flooded with natural light, it’s easy to lose track of time, or anything on your mind, as you wander around looking at the masterfully curated selection of home décor, gifts and jewelry. Oh yeah, and plants. Speaking of, their Design Lab is their teaching studio where anyone can take classes to learn about all things floral. We say treat yo’self."

"Edibles, Nota by Truth Collective. While new restauranteurs have come to town to reinvent Rochester’s dining scene in NOTA and other neighborhoods around the city, Edibles has stayed on course serving delicious food and cocktails for over two decades. Patrons of the cozy University Ave establishment feast on classic, American and Mediterranean style cuisine with their own spin. On the night we visited, we found the simple steak frites cooked to tender perfection, a sausage and broccolini ravioli dish with a complex and creamy finish, and a quinoa black been burger with Vermont cheddar that even the most ravenous carnivore would have found both flavorful and fulfilling. Catch up with old friends or bring a first date here for quiet conversation paired with great food and drink."

"Nosh, Nota by Truth Collective. Never has existed a more suitable name for a restaurant. Although in this instance, the definition should be, “to eat all the tastiest foods.” Because that’s exactly what you’ll want to do here where sociable is the name of the game. Between shareable plates and suppers that feed up to four—looking at you 34 oz Tomahawk Cut ribeye—there is something to satisfy all taste buds. And the cocktails? Killer. Our only suggestion—come really, really hungry."

"Glen Edith Coffee Roasters, Nota by Truth Collective. Need a quiet, caffeinated destination to recharge in peace or have room to spread out your books and laptop to plow through studying or work? Look no further than Glen Edith Coffee Roasters. The well-appointed Elton Street location is bathed in natural light and seemingly always offers a mellow vibe for the patrons there to connect or meet a deadline. The baristas produce well-balanced espresso drinks from their exquisite Slayer. Lately we’ve been enjoying the Mocha Kick! — a chile-infused mocha latte. Not your thang? No worries… Glen Edith roasts all their coffee to exacting standards to promote socially responsible, flavor-full cups of coffee."

"F. Olivers, Park Avenue by Leah Garlock. Stop into F. Olivers to sample flavor-infused specialty oils and vinegars, like Fresh Pressed Blood Orange and Autumn Cinnamon Pear. Believing that everyone should have access to nutritious food, F. Olivers supports community-based hunger relief and nutrition education programs. All this getting you into a cooking mood? They’ll send you home with recipes specially designed for their unique ingredients."

"Cafe Sasso, Park Avenue by Leah Garlock. There’s an old school vibe to Cafe Sasso’s charming Art Deco interior. Enjoy a cup of java from their cozy seating area, feel the warmth from the fireplace, and take in the work of local artists. Check the chalkboard on the wall, and you‘ll discover your new favorite drinks: Old Fashioned Love Song, Sweet Tooth, and a few they call “Future Classics”."

"Furoshiki, Park Avenue by Leah Garlock. Perfectly crafted Ramen + Furoshiki Farmhouse sake + Chocolate-covered fortune cookies = "Asian-Inspired Comfort Food”"

"Jembetat Gallery & Cafe, Park Avenue by Leah Garlock. Wander through this softly lit and quiet gallery, and you’ll see traditional tribal statues and fetishes in wood, bronze, and terra cotta. Go through a small hallway to the café and enjoy some expresso, gelato, or pastries. But, please – no cell phone, device, or internet usage in the café! Jambetat wants you to just enjoy its ambiance."

"Stever's Candies, Park Avenue by Leah Garlock. “My grandmother used to bring me here!” Enter the charming brick building with its Swiss-style interior, and experience the fresh chocolate aroma from colorful displays of all kinds of confections. Want a chocolate hammer for your favorite DIYer? A chocolate keyboard for your IT person? Stever’s has them and more!"

"The Frog Pond, Park Avenue by Leah Garlock. Don’t let the pint-sized interior of the Frog Pond fool you! Its menu features a whopping twenty kinds of omelets and seven variations on Eggs Benedict. Extra hungry – and a little brave? Try the Pond Plate, with three kinds of meat, mac salad, onions, fries, house-made hot sauce – all topped with a pair of frog legs. Mmm. Yummy."

"Sinbad's Mediterranean Cuisine, Park Avenue by Leah Garlock. Authentic Middle Eastern favorites tucked away in a cozy historic brick apartment. I’ve eaten the same meal here for over 10 years. It never gets old. It only gets better."

"Tap & Mallet, South Wedge by Transit Apparel. Pull up a seat and have a pint! Sporting one of the best reputations for beer choices in the city, Tap & Mallet offers an English Pub look and feel in a casual neighborhood bar setting. The menu offers many pub staples including burgers, charcuterie, shepherds pie, and Canadian favorite poutine."

"Swiftwater Brewing Company, South Wedge by Transit Apparel. A Farm Brewery right on the edge of the neighborhood, Swiftwater's ample seating and serious selection of brews (VERY well known for their IPA series) makes it a must for brewery hopping Rochester. Add in an appetizing food menu and comfortable outdoor seating and you have a casual respite for happy hour or a lazy afternoon spot for the weekend. Cheers!"

"NeedleDrop Records, South Wedge by Transit Apparel. Hole-in-the-wall record shop with an awesome mix of new and used vinyl, cassette, and vhs. Huge supporters of vinyl and super helpful in your quest for the perfect 33 or 45."

"McCann's Local Meats, South Wedge by Transit Apparel. Providing regional, responsibly prepared meat and animal parts for discerning tastes, McCann's offers many artisanal cuts of meat and varieties of protein. They serve brunch and lunch as well as have an impressive craft beer selection."

"Little Button Craft, South Wedge by Transit Apparel. Whether you're seeking that perfect yarn hue, local artist creations, or learn a new technique through their weekly classes, craft lives here."

"Boulder Coffee Co., South Wedge by Transit Apparel. Coffee, Tea, Beer, Wine, and Cocktails. Add in a casual atmosphere with an entertainment stage and you have Boulder Coffee. Spacious seating and a familiar coffee shop vibe provide the perfect setting for meeting, working, or playing."

"Historic Houseparts, South Wedge by Transit Apparel. A preservationist's candy land, Historic Houseparts provides rehabbers and restoration geeks four buildings worth of architectural salvage for that perfect item you just can't find at a home improvement big box. Exhaustively organized and sorted, this is the place you go when you think you can't possibly find that Mission door knob or Art Deco bathroom tile anywhere."

"Harry G's NY Deli & Cafe, South Wedge by Transit Apparel. Breakfast, lunch, dinner, and a full service bar in a casual laid back eatery makes its hard to leave. Dine-in or take out, everything on the menu is made to order and delicious."

"Cheesy Eddie's, South Wedge by Transit Apparel. A confectionary gem to Rochester since 1976, Cheesy Eddie's serves up the best cheesecakes in Rochester. Rounding out the menu with many more dessert staples, there is also a pop-up coffee bar on select days to balance all that sweetness!"

"Abode, South Wedge by Transit Apparel. A humble Abode in the wedge, this "mid-century meets bohemian" interior decor shop features many vintage pieces for discerning tastes. Patrons to local artists as well, you'll find a variety of thoughtful creative gifts in many disciplines. This is what people think a Wes Anderson movie looks like who have never seen a Wes Anderson movie."

"Hedonist Artisan Chocolates, South Wedge by Transit Apparel. Small-batch chocolatier with an eye for the delicious, Hedonist Artisan Chocolates is a staple for thoughtfully crafted sweet treats featuring a variety of combinations. Did I mention it's chocolate? Also, the shop features local artists adorning their walls on occasion for special events and in connection with First Friday."

"John's Tex Mex, South Wedge by Transit Apparel. Good, fulfilling, and cheap; simple as that. John's Tex Mex is a quaint and cozy eatery with an extensive menu serving up hearty burritos, tacos, (my personal favorite) Mexican plates, and many veggie/vegan friendly options. Take out is a popular option and ample outdoor patio seating in the warmer months make this micro eatery a neighborhood gem."