Jen P.
Yelp
Roux has been a regular in our rotation since they opened. We love the space, the vibe, the menu, the outside seating when the weather is good, the inventive drinks and of course, the delicious food! So, when covid 19 hit and the Swan family decided, as a whole, to close all their restaurants temporarily, we were totally heartbroken. In my opinion, the best place on Park Ave - off limits!
But then, possibly due to fan pressure(?), not sure...they decided to 'reopen' Swan Dive over on Alexander and Roux on Park. I put 'reopen' in quotes because their strategy is to have folks order online the day before you want to eat, so they can ensure the highest quality order (that they have all the ingredients, etc), and then you pick up at the designated location. So you are not entering the restaurant, which allows them to keep it clean and virus free!
For the Swan family Park Ave restaurants, you can order online from a (limited) selection of items off the menus for Roux, Vern's AND Dorado, with pick up at Roux. Just call when you get there, give them the deets on your car, and a masked and gloved person brings your order out.
The first week they were back in business we put in our order for Roux burgers, an extra side of Roux's house aioli (OMG so good), and we also got a single order of Vern's tomato pie. We arranged pick up for 6 pm, and were psyched! So psyched that we drove over a few minutes early and parked in front so we would be exactly on time. I called to let them know we were there, but our pick up time wasn't for a few more minutes - just in case the order was ready, so they could already bring it out. Precisely at 6 pm someone came out with our order and put it in the backseat for us.
We got home, and I think our expectations were a little high....when ordering gourmet burgers with frites for take out, no matter the container (paper bag, paper box, plastic container...), there will be some impact to the food between the time it is boxed and when you get home. For us, though the food all tasted delicious, the fries were a little soft, though still warm, the burgers were perfect but the buns were a little soggy, and the tomato pie was stone cold, like it had been sitting a while. BUT, despite all that, it was the kind of comfort-food happy meal we were looking for, and we had enough aioli to dip our fries AND have left overs for the next days. Plus, the tomato pie was easily warmed up....
We will definitely be ordering from Roux again, and are sure that as things change with the virus and the ability of Rochester-area businesses to function, we'll see more menu options!
Highly recommended that you check them out online. And don't forget to add a tip!