Vern’s

Service wasn't great. I've been to Verne's a few times and it was pretty good. Tonight, we came here for my birthday dinner. After waiting 45 minutes to get a table (no big deal, we chose to wait), we were seated and ordered a drink and food. That's where the service ended. It took nearly an hour for the food to come out. And the server never once came over to ask us how it was or if we needed another drink. The other times I've come the service was much better, so it's disappointing to have spent my birthday here. The food was very good (when it arrived), we ordered the bee sting and the lamb special, so I won't knock them too much. Might've just been an off night.

I have an extremely huge problem trying to shut up about this place. I’ve lived on park ave for 3.5 years now and absolutely nothing compares on this strip. Watching everyone start to pay attention to this place over the years has been so bittersweet. The swan family restaurants in general are always my go-to, but Vern’s especially has a special place in my heart! The atmosphere, the staff, the drinks and the FOOD are all top tier for Rochester. I foam at the mouth for low-lit tea light candle jazzy music bars and this place is exactly that. Although they don’t take reservations, I’ve never waited more than a hour or so. And if it’s anything above that I just pop next door or across the street to their sister restaurants and grab a drink at Dorado or Leonores. All time favorite dishes are the pea risotto and the broken burrata & all time favorite bartender is the talented and creative Maria. Their constantly changing menu keeps me on the edge of my seat and makes things never boring. Don’t forget about dessert here too because it’s also extremely delicious and ever changing. I love you so much Vern’s never go bald <3

My wife and I decided to go here for our first anniversary dinner, and it exceeded every expectation we had. From the very start the atmosphere was laid back and relaxed, and the setting was just adorable. Our server, Josh, was very thorough in explaining the way they did orders there, as well as all of the specials. We got the focaccia bread (on special), the Lost Meatball pasta dish, a chicken dish, and the "best carrots" side (which, btw, WERE the best carrots ever). Everything had amazing flavor, was hot, and delighted every taste bud. We barely had room for dessert at the end, but ended up going with a tiramisu and it was amazing (a little more sweet for tiramisu than I'm used to, but I digress). The drinks were all amazing as well. Highly recommend you order the "wing it" cocktail. Just let them know what you want, and they'll knock it out of the park with their own concoction. This spot was amazing, and I am so happy we came out. Looking forward to a return trip!

We came with a party of 6 and even though they are very popular we were seated quickly! Our waitress was excellent and everyone was friendly. They have a variety of food options that are unique and changes seasonally. The food was fresh and delicious. I highly recommend eating here!

Great food at resonance prices. Atmosphere was a bit loud, but we sat inside and outside looked a lot quieter. We waited for about an hour (arrived around 6:30 PM) before being seated at the bar

This place is at another level. Excellent food and top notch service. Hands down one of the best restaurants I've ever visited.

Had a great dining experience at Vern’s. It’s a very popular spot that doesn’t take reservations so prepare to wait at rush hour. We went on a Sunday night around 7 PM and had to wait about 10 minutes. We tried to go on a Friday night a little while back and the wait was over an hour! Well, it’s probably because this is a great spot to eat. We got the tomato pie, littleneck clams, lost meatball ragu, a lamb ossobuco special, and for dessert we got the olive oil cake. Everything was delicious. The entrees are quite large portions that are good for sharing. Our server, Taylor, was also excellent. She checked in with us often and was super friendly and knowledgeable. We’ll definitely be back!

Wow! Really enjoyed this place! Service was amazing. Lauren is an incredibly personable server and everyone I interacted with was very kind. Food was delicious! Super unique toppings I’m not used to on pizza but they were amazing. Enjoyed the thin crust. Definitely recommend! I had a party of 5 and we shared three pizza and a pasta dish. Everyone was full.

We parked on a side street and arrived around 4:30 on a Monday. Vern's doesn't take reservations but arriving early seemed to help and we were seated right away. We were sat upstairs in a small dining area. The dining area was stylish and our table had a view below into the kitchen. Our server was helpful and gave us all the information on specials for the evening. She also explained the food is served family style and is meant to be shared. I was surprised by how efficiently we were served. Our food was brought out relatively quick. The food was incredible. I've heard nothing but good things about Vern's and the food lived up to the hype. The portion sizes were large and we had enough for every person to try each item served. The clams were served in a tasty savory broth, easily my favorite dish. We also loved the vodka sauce pasta, veal, and the well known lost meatball ragu. The presentation for each dish was appealing. We finished every bite and didn't need a to go bag. I already want to visit again and try all the menu items. After our visit it's easy to see why Vern's is always packed, it's really that good!

Neat area of town. Hustle and bustle neighborhood with strange street parking restrictions that are confusing for out of towners. Service was friendly and attentive. Small kitchen creates a non-traditional dining experience that works well for plate sharing. Bee-sting pizza was creative and good. Signature hidden meatball ragu was the n spot and delicious. Vodka rigatoni was also good but not as good as the other two. Plan ahead as they do not take reservations and are popular.

By far best restaurant by the notorious Swan family. Rotating seasonal menus are pretty good, but can't go wrong with the classic rigatoni pasta or bee sting pizza. Broken buratta is also really good, and what it comes with changes per season. Most dishes can be tweaked for vegetarians and they also have a few gluten free options. Portion sizes vary greatly, so I reccomend asking your server what they think is best for your party size. Inside ambiance is wonderful but limited seating like all other Swan restaurants. I reccomend coming early, putting your name down, and grabbing a drink at the bar while you wait since they do not take reservations. I have never been disappointed with the food or the service here, overall a great place to take a date or a friend from out of town!

I've heard so many good things about Vern's and I can say it lives up to the hype. The ambiance is very cute and while it is upscaled, it doesn't feel stiff. It is a smaller establishment which means there can be a wait for a table, but the smaller venue makes the the environment is very cozy and comfortable. Once you get a table, service and food is quicker. The service is exceptional, everyone is very accommodating and friendly. The drinks were very good (my Aperol spritz was amazing) and the food was delicious. The bee sting pizza was the best pizza I have had. The restaurant is reasonably priced for the quality and service.

Spring menu slaps. Spicy lettuces are always a must. The carrots are new and come in a delectable creamy sauce. The dill finishes it off nicely. Focaccia special was sooo amazing with steak and balsamic on top. Cavatelli was perfect; lamb was not too gamey and the sauce was perfect. Strawberry tiramisu was an absolute dream!!

Awesome place. Always custom unique menu items. I'm going to take a risk and keep this review short because I've NEVER had a bad experience here. Food is SO delicious.m, flavorful, and thoughtfully created. I leave satisfied. Sat at the bar and the bar tenders are SO personable and friendly.

Don't listen to the servers here. Tried the shrimp pasta the server recommended and it was gummy and had disgusting flavor. Same with their honey mascarpone pie. Stick to the standbys that everyone gets all the time: bee sting pizza & rigatoni & lost meatball pasta.

Food is always very good. However last visit the entire restaurant was absurdly hot and there were flies and gnats EVERYWHERE inside. Windows should never be open here flies everywhere

It was okay. Not a ton of flavor. Incredibly small and busy! Servers and bartenders were very nice but defiantly a " hipster" type place! Also not many meat options and the dish we got with meat was minimal! Good for a girls dinner IMO.. not a hubs dinner!

Warm and welcoming! The curried clams and crab salad special were perfection paired with the house pet-nat. Can't wait to go back. One wish...a reservation system!!

I could not recommend Vern's enough. Every dish comes out as it is made, so freshness is guaranteed. Every bite is exploding with flavor. Their drink menu has something for Everyone, including mocktails. I'm sure you'll be full by dessert, but their dessert menu is a must try. The vibes inside are immaculate and the waitstaff is incredibly patient and kind. If there is one place in Rochester you must try, make it Vern's

I visited a Tuesday at 5 pm we were able to sit right away. There were 3 of us and it was no issue, however it did pack in quickly. So if you want to sit immediately, go early!! That being said it will be worth the wait!!! Every season they change the menu and they are to die for!! It is served family style and comes out as it's ready, so be prepared to share. The vibes are immaculate as well and feels like you're in your grandmas kitchen, but she's supper cool . Needless to say you'll feel at home We got the spicy lettuces, focaccia, mushroom risotto, and a bee sting pizza and for 3 of us we were stuffed. We also got a few cocktails and the cream puff dessert. Evething was amazing and our favorite was the spicy lettuces and the espresso martini! All cocktails were amazing as well!

Got there around 7:30pm on a Wednesday night and had to wait about 40 minutes to be seated. This place was PACKED. Overall, the vibes were cozy and warm. I came here mainly for the pizza but was told that it would take about 40 minutes to make because the kitchen oven is small, so we opted for pasta dishes and their garlic bread instead. It was DIVINE. The bread was crispy and chewy, and when paired with the butter and garlic.... *faints*. Boyfriend got the meat ragu pasta dish and I ordered one of their pasta specials (not pictured). It was SO flavorful. We ate in silence with the occasional head nod to acknowledge this glorious experience. In summary, the food here is 10 out of 10. But would def be prepared to wait if you come during dinner hours and expect to wait a bit for the pizzas as well.

Vern's is a date night classic. One of the only nicer restaurants in Rochester that is open late for people like myself to enjoy a late night dinner date. We came around 9pm and were served quickly! Sat upstairs by a window overlooking their outdoor area. So cute. Dim lighting. Started off with some Campari spritz before moving on to rose which absolutely recommend! Ordered crab cakes. Lost meatball ragu. Pizza and tiramisu. All of was absolutely to die for! So delicious and fresh. The tiramisu is a must. The blend of cherry and pistachio does not disappoint. We loves Vern's!

4.5 rounded up Arrived at 4 on a Saturday, glad we didn't go later because there were people waiting before 5 with a crowded bar. The last time we tried to come here, arriving at 6:15 on a Saturday, the waiting list was over an hour so we squeaked into bar seats up at Leonore's, another excellent choice, down the street. We were seated in a casual backroom that was very comfortable. Our service was prompt and helpful. It was explained that, as is the trend now, the plates are designed for sharing so we should order all of our food at once and it would come out as it was done. The server explained the specials and menu options. We ordered a couple drinks that were good, strong. Focaccia special - good but would have preferred the tomato bread which was the same thing but more topping Spicy lettuces - flavorful, lightly-dressed - nice, heavily sprinkled with sesame seeds, generous, 5* Pizzas - good, thin slightly-floppy crust-style, lightly topped Linguine pasta with crab - very lightly-sauced, could have had more sauce or some veg or something more?, with few visible shreds of crab, good, al-dente Shells with red sauce and ricotta - since there were no vegetarian pasta options, the server helped us to order the shells with house red sauce (very flavorful) and ricotta - great choice 5* We would have ordered and at more if we could! Would definitely go back and try more options. The kitchen and service staff and host were all doing a great job.

Just a spectacular experience. Excellent and helpful service, impeccable food and the coolest looking space. We had to wait 5 minutes to be seated, and there's the most unique little sitting area by the door. The kitchen is small and open, run with machine precision. The spicy salad was maybe the best salad I've ever had, with a mix of raddicio and greens, and the perfect tahini Cesar dressing helped coat it all with black and white sesame seeds. The burrata unusually had savory granola on top and was scrumptious. The special, piri piri half wood grilled chicken, was zesty and flavorful, with crispy smashed new potatoes and a spicy sauce to dip (though not spicy as is tradition, more of a savory Italian interpretation.) Dessert was a simple, soft, sweet olive oil cake, topped with a huge dollop of mascarpone crème, with perfectly balanced sweetness. Every little nook you explore (the bathroom, the waitstaff stand) is unique and kinda magical. The whole staff clearly enjoys being a part of that family. A delightful experience. Gonnna try out all 8 or 9 restaurants that hospitality group owns. Edit: this morning we had coffee and breakfast at Pearson's (same owners) and it was every bit as good, see my review for that as well.

The service was top notch, with fantastic attention to detail and comfort. Shout out to the whole staff and special acknowledgment of Casey, Jordan and Dan. The food was delicious, I had the white pizza, and the desserts hit the spot. Would highly recommend the restaurant.

Wow wow wow! Came here for date night on Tuesday night. Early enough that we didn't need a reservation. We were greeted as soon as we walked in. Excellent service from everyone. Waitress was nice also she was attentive. The food was delicious! Pizza was cooked to perfection, the salad was yummy... nice and citrusy. Overall the food was amazing, service and even drinks were great! Definitely recommend this place, we will be back soon

Food was top notch modern Italian cuisine. Everything was delicious. Had the roasted garlic, tomato pie, the Japanese sweet potato, the veal cutlet, margherita pizza, and the cavatappi. Served family style. Had a nice selection of cocktails. Service was great, Josh was are server and he was very attentive. Had the strawberry tiaramisu. Lovely time.

Verns has my favorite pizza in all of Rochester. The Bee Sting is out of this world good. The perfect amount of spice, with a wood fired crispy crust with warm gooey cheesy center. It's unreal. Portnoy would love it. The Lost Ragu is the best pasta meal ever, we ate it before taking the picture, but definitely get it! I just wish the serving size was a little bigger. The roasted garlic bread was very good too. Wish they had more Their espresso martinis are AMAZING. I'd go back just for another one of those. Very strong, but still suuuper delicious. I wish there was more outdoor seating, but the inside is really cute and cozy with candle light. The service is always super friendly and fast.

This place is absolutely amazing from start to finish. The ambience, the decor and the music were on point. Everyone was very friendly and welcoming from the moment we walked in to the moment we said goodbye. Everyone was very helpful, but the person that took care of us was Julian. He was extremely friendly, extremely helpful and lead us through the menu and suggested some great dishes. We actually just went to have a quick snack, but we couldn't help ourselves and ended up ordering the yellow pizza with pesto,corn and Calabrian chili. We ordered the broken Barata with Stonefruit. Lastly, we had the smashed potatoes that was on special with a smoked mustard aïoli that we wanted to bathe in.. the food here is out of this world! I want to go back and try one of everything! I unfortunately do not live in the area, but I can promise that I will be coming back here every time I'm in town from here on out. What a wonderful place and experience.

Our friends said my husband and I had to try this spot when we came to visit them since it's their favorite restaurant and they were right. The four of us shared: - Focaccia (special) - Spicy Lettuces - Baked Polenta - Lost Meatball Ragu - Enzo Pizza I can't even pick a favorite dish because it was all so good. This is the kind of place where you can order anything because you can't go wrong. I would love to try the whole menu. I definitely want to come back again next time we visit our friends!

Really fresh flavorful food - the salad we ordered and margharita pizza were delicious! However the wait time once we were seated and ordered was over 40 min long (and this was on a Wednesday evening). In general it can get really packed but staff was attentive and kind. As an Fyi- there was really only a couple items that were gluten free; they did not have gf alternatives for the pasta/bread dishes. Parking is street only- pay attention to signs and when each side of the residential street has to be cleared!

My niece and I met after work at Vern's during a weeknight. We were greeted quickly and met our server, Collette, who was very nice. She gave us the nightly specials and took our drink orders. We both had the Spicy Hawaiian, a non-alcoholic pineapple, ginger and nutmeg drink. My niece ordered the Tomato Pie which consisted of local butter, charred flour city bread, which she said was delicious and had the pizza special, Chicken Ceasar pizza. I had the Spring Pie pizza, a delicious blend of olive oil, mozzarella, taleggio, grilled artichoke, spinach, red onion, aleppo, mint. My niece and I both agree that the pizzas had a nice light, delicious and airy crust. Vern's is a very cute place for casual dining and is located on Park Ave. There are no reservations and if you know the area, you know you have to get there early to find a decent parking spot.

10/10 have been several times and it's hands down amazing every time. The sweet potatoes are a must, sound weird but trust me you'll be wanting more!! Haven't had a thing I don't like. Amazing food, drinks and service! Get there early there's always a line at 4pm and a wait!!

Returned to Rochester and returning to Vern's was a must! Everything was so delicious. The bee sting pizza tasted even better than last time. Our server was awesome. Vern's does not take reservations, so we waited about 20 minutes to be seated, but it worked out since we were waiting for two of our party of six. Had the bartender "wing" my drink and the spicy marg was no joke! Super spicy and exactly what I was looking for. Looking forward to my next trip to Rochester.

truly a gem in the rochester community, every time i'm in town I need to go once or twice even!

I've been eating at Vern's since they opened and have sampled their pizzas, desserts, craft cocktails, wood fired meats, pastas and specials. I have yet to be disappointed, and the more I go, the higher they rise on my list of favorite spots in Rochester. The only thing that can be tough is that Vern's is widely popular, and that means, unless you are able to get there the minute doors open, you will probably have to wait to be seated. Any day of the week. Weekends are worst. I have waited up to 1 hr 20 min to get a table for 3, which, for a place that doesn't take reservations, seems a little excessive, especially on a week night, but this makes my point. If you're lucky to grab a spot at the bar, you can eat there; you can also order cocktails while you wait, but waiting over an hour is pretty annoying. Despite that, I would say it is definitely worth the hype in terms of the food quality, balance, variety and finesse. Within the last few months, I've been there 4 times - once with a group of 6, once with a party in the back room, once with a group of 5 (where we arrived 15 min before close on a Mon night and ordered pizzas all around), and once with a group of 3. In each situation the food was excellent, service was excellent, and despite the wait we enjoyed our time there. I also appreciated that we were never rushed to finish up, pay and get out. I guess if you waited a long time to get in, the least they can do is let you keep the table as long as you want. The following food review goes with the attached photos and is for the visit where there were 3 of us on a Tues. We arrived at 6:30 pm and were told the wait time would be 45 min. No problem as we expected that, and were able to get cocktails. Three drinks a piece into the wait, we were finally seated at the 1 hour 10 min mark. During the wait we had had plenty of time to decide what we wanted and as soon as we were seated we put in our order: the broken buratta with roasted carrots (a great combination and the starch from the carrots was so good we didn't even think of bread), the spicy lettuces salad (a super umami toasted-sesame-forward tahini caesar dressing over a variety of spicy lettuces like radicchio and arugula with grated parm on top - an unlikely but delicious combo), the broccolini (cooked on the wood grill and served with parm and fried chilies) and the iberico pork strip loin (grilled to perfection and served with caramelized cipollini onions). The food comes out of the kitchen as it's ready, and all 3 of us shared. We were all satisfied, not too full, and at the end decided to get the tiramisu (decadent, rich, creamy and a large portion) and the olive oil cake (covered in a super sweet citrus marmalade and bergamot cream) for dessert. A few additional notes: -- Vern's is on Park Ave, which means street parking...at least in this part of the city street parking is still free, but if you park on a side street pay attention to the alternate-side parking signs. We met a friend who had driven over and parked on the nearest side street, thought they parked on the correct side of the street (but were confused because it was between 6:30 and 7 pm when cars are on both sides...) and got back to their car after dinner to find a ticket for $115. That's a pretty expensive meal. -- The entry area to Vern's is pretty small, so during winter, waiting outside may be cold - however, they will take your name and number and text you as soon as a table is ready, so you can get a drink at another restaurant on the street and/or sit in your car -- They have nightly specials - make sure you hear those before you order! -- Anticipate the wait and have a snack before you head over (unless you are getting there right when doors open)....the wood grill makes it smell DELICIOUS in there, and let me just say, as a person who has waited over an hour for a seat, the aroma of that grill is torture. Go to Vern's! Yes, it's busy and you'll wait, but it is definitely one of the best meals you can have in Rochester.

Food, service, and ambiance were the perfect combination this evening with my cousin and her new friend. A wonderful ladies night. I will definitely be back for a date night soon.

Six of us came to eat dinner and all of us loved it! Our waitress was excellent and the staff was friendly. The food is unique and delicious. We ordered the purple pizza and the white and loved them both. This is a trendy and popular place but they seated us quickly. I highly recommend eating!

Sadly they were closed for a staff event tonight so I was unable to take the husband there for his birthday as planned! But we will return when the daughter comes to town July fourth weekend!

Just superb!!!! Excellent service . Thank you Christine for all your love. We would definitely come back!

Not a ton of gluten free options. Vern's is a cute place right in park ave (expect to find street parking somewhere else and walk). The menu and dishes are supposed to be shared, but will require some work to cut up and divide with your friends. We ordered the pork belly, stone fruit salad, clams, polenta, pizza, and focaccia. Pizza and focaccia not gluten free, but the other items were. The dishes come out when they are ready (super tiny kitchen) which gives this a surprise timing. The staff were friendly and mostly helpful. I was disappointed by many of the dishes. They lacked a certain level of flavor and were awkward to share since I had to cut and divide everything. We had a party of 5 and enjoyed the outdoor dining. Not a bad experience just not the best food around.

Food is mid, wait was comically long and saw groups check in and be seated before ours. While waiting we sat several times at bar seating that opened up but we were told it's reserved. Never heard of a restaurant not taking reservations and not allowing people to sit at the bar. Service was alright. Better places in town like Fiorella or fiamma.

Bee sting pizza was out of this world good! Friendly service and eclectic atmosphere. Fun selection mocktails for the designated driver in your group.

What a fun experience! One of the local favorites, I went here for a weeknight birthday celebration with a group of girls. We had a great time with food, drink, and lots of sharing. We had reservations a few days in advance for a party of 6 and had to wait until at least 5 of us were present and we still waited about 15 or 20 minutes. But no worries, we appreciated the energy of the place. We sat upstairs and indoors, had some lovely shared plates of rigatoni ricotta pasta, grilled chicken thigh, baked chicken thigh special of the day, bee sting pizza, and roasted garlic bread. Everything came as it was made, so it was just a fun time to be spending with each other and nibbling on yummy food as we went along. Everything was super tasty and flavorful. The garlic bread had some good bread and tons of garlic is always appreciated. Both chicken dishes were moist and different in their own way. We got the house rigatoni with ricotta because the special of the day cloud noodi was out, but I appreciated the meat in the pasta dish. The bee sting pizza was also tasty, nice cripsy crust. For drinks we had multiple fluffy gray hounds around and I had a "wing it" with mezcal base, ended up with a fun "Last Word" variation. We also got to try and appreciate some complementary birthday celebrations of chocolate cake and blueberry lemon cake, both delicious and not overly sweet. Overall a super fun dining experience with tasty food, fun drinks, and warm hospitality. The place itself is also pretty interesting with tables inside, outside, upstairs, downstairs. The only thing I will comment is that it is pretty loud since the tables are close together and the spaces are small, but it worked out and fun nonetheless.

Each meal at Vern's is always a fun surprise. Aside of plenty of wonderful items on their menu, like the Broken Burrata and Pizzas, they always have several of the most amazing specials. Tonight was no exception with special Cucumber Melon Salad and their take on Cioppino. Food is artful and creative, but not pretentious. Portions are just the right size that we can order a few appetizers and dishes to share. Service is attentive and items exit the kitchen when they are ready, which has on occasion left a diner in our party waiting a bit. That said, we've adjusted our ordering and intend to share things. This makes everyone happy and let's us explore the menu. Make sure to leave room for dessert, especially if they have an olive oil cake or panna cotta on the menu. It's always the perfect end to a great meal. If you intend to eat outside, plan to arrive early, as with other restaurants on Park Ave., they tend to fill quickly. Tables under the large umbrellas are lovely. It's a great place to people watch during a leisurely meal.

So I finally got back to this great little spot in the late Summer. I met my friend and fellow Yelper Nicole M for dinner. FYI no reservations and you just gotta deal with it. We sat at the bar.. it's not an issue for me and it's great people watching and the mixologists are doing their thing. The wine list "mostly natty's" was put together by the man who owns Aldakeller and it's a great list. Wines by the bottle price wise are not bad and it's a better way to go. Yes the craft made drinks are also stellar. We got some apps the clams were tasty with a nice broth/sauce you could dip your bread into and the Bee Stung Pizza (this has to be one of the best in the city.) We also got dessert a flourless chocolate cake. Service is friendly and efficient but this place even on a Wednesday early evening is full tilt. I FINALLY got to go and see this place in the daytime as every time I came it was nighttime. It's worth the visit. Just go they know what they are doing. Street parking or Uber/Lyft Cheers!

Such a cute and small place. I love the decor. They have a rotating menu but their food is always so good. So many unique dishes with different and delicious flavors.

Went on a Saturday night and waited about 30 minutes for a table for 4. Got the lost meatball ragu, corn pizza, and garlic bread. Everything was amazing! In my opinion the pizzas were a bit more unique than the pastas but it's personal preference and some people in my party felt differently. Prices are fair, staff are nice, and the place is clean. I look forward to coming back!

While the ambiance was extraordinary (perfect for date night) the food was lackluster and overpriced.

Amazing service. From the hostess, to the bartender, and then to my server. I can't remember the last time I had service so good. I love the wallpaper inside, beautiful place. We sat outside, they like people to order together and share plates. The little necks and fried zucchini was amazing. We also shared pasta and the pizza was unreal! They have a beautiful and underrated selection of natural wines. Which is hard to fine. Also thank you for the Aperol spritz, I'm postpartum, and have been craving one for weeks! We will definitely be back !

We're from Texas and come to stay in Fairport every summer...yes we are reverse snowbirds. We discovered this place last year and fell in love with it during the three times we visited during our stay. This year it was one of our first stops and it didn't disappoint! We got there right at four when they opened and easily got a seat at the bar. Someone else mentioned in their review that the bar was not the best option? I wholeheartedly disagree, not only did we get amazing service at the bar, but we enjoyed talking with the bartenders and the other patrons as well. Vern's has a great menu, but during our last three visits, the specials sounded so good and we went with them. This time I was determined to try the Lost Meatball, and I'm glad I did! All the reviews are spot on...it was a tremendous dish! The flavors are so rich and I love the butteriness of the sauce, the yummy chunks of meatballs, and the seasoned ricotta on top. I swear just typing that made me look at my watch to see what time it was, and now I'm thinking, "Hmmm, they open at 4pm. I have time to shower!" My husband went with the lamb special they had and not only was the dish out of this world, the portion was huge and I had his leftovers for lunch the next day. We always get their Burrata special...this year it was just as wonderful as last year's offering. Their cocktails are so good, fresh and creative. I love their "wing it" option and they always nail a perfect drink for me! The atmosphere cannot be beat, love the decor and the feel of the place. The employees are tremendous and a few even remembered us from last year.

What an amazing gastronomic treat in Rochester. Vern's entire menu is outright outstanding. The salads were fresh and delicious. The roasted garlic toast is addictive as are the pizzas. The spicy linguine, broccolini and the Wygu steak hit the spot! The olive cake was so good we got another to go. Vern's is a gem.

I can honestly say I haven't had a dining out experience as good as this one in a very long time. This place was crowded but they were still able to get us in without a reservation. We had to wait a bit, but they served us drinks while we waited and the food was absolutely worth the wait. I'm pretty sure we ordered just about every special they had; it was quite the feast. We had salad, focaccia, crab fritters, swordfish meatballs and finished with dessert. Each thing tasted better than the last. And it even made for decent leftovers the next day. Plus, the staff was fantastic. I cannot say enough good stuff about this place. Just go and experience it for yourself!

Vern's has been on my list of "NEED TO TRY" for too long, and I was finally able to try it out a couple weeks ago while in town for a girls day with my cousin. WOW, I am so mad that it took me so long to get there because it was a culinary experience. I love the ambiance and decor of this restaurant. When you first walk in there's a wrap around bar with some counter seats, high tops and a couple booths. The decor is a mix of boho meets bar, meets a little Paris chic- not sure how to explain it but it's cozy, intimate, relaxed, and dimly lit along with candlelit tables. We were greeted by a very friendly host and a bunch of the bartenders. We were sat on the second level in a cozy corner and when we arrived it had just opened so there were only a couple other tables sat. We didn't have reservations but I'm glad we got there when we did because soon after the rest of the tables were full and looked like there were people waiting at the bar. Our waitress was lovely! She was just excited about it being our first time as we were. She explained the ordering process (you place your order for all the food at one time and it comes out according to what part of the meal it is). She was passionate about the menu and helped us make some decisions. We basically ordered half of the menu because everything sounded good including the specials. We ordered, the spicy lettuces, grilled carrots, the red pizza, PapaLee knows best and their focaccia special. Wow. Top 5 meals I have had in a while. Every dish was just as good as the next. We also ordered the tiramisu for dessert..... no words. Just try it and it will speak for itself. Well, done Vern's, please don't ever close! Can't wait to take my husband back for a date night!

Verns is probably one of my top 5 spots in Rochester. It's perfect for a date night or a special night catching up with friends. The staff is very professional and they know the menu well. So any questions you have, fire away. They move quick but aren't annoying. We all know how that can be I love the pizza and the tomato pie. The cocktails are delicious and you can tell they put a lot of thought into their cocktail program.

I love it here! It's a great place to go out on a date, or with friends. Even when they're busy, their service is fast and polite. The bee sting pizza is my favorite thing on the menu, it's delicious!

We love the bee sting! Such a vibe especially during the summer! Our only request is bring back this special. TUNA TARTAR!!!! It WASSS SOOOOO GOOD!!!!!!! That + Bee Sting + Espresso Martini + Sunshine was the best day ever after the beach this summer!!!!