The 5th Annual Savor Rochester: A Festival of Food will take place under the large pavilion at the Public Market Monday, September 17, 5-8 p.m. Billed as "the largest tasting event in upstate New York," the foodie fantasy event will feature more than 100 participants, including restaurants, wineries, and specialty food producers.

Savor Rochester is the second city-wide food festival of the year, preceded by this summer's Taste of Rochester. But it is hardly redundant. Each booth at Savor will feature a local, independently owned establishment, so there's no need to worry about turning the corner and seeing Pizzeria UNO employees merrily dispensing greasy pies and mini-burgers.

The focus of Savor Rochester is distinctly local, showing off the best of upstate's products and talent. Local is, of course, the new organic when it comes to produce. But the number and variety of vendors show that a designation and definition of "local" can embrace not just food miles (how far your lettuce has traveled to reach your salad bowl), but also a certain character. The recently opened Lento, a participating restaurant, is local: nearby farmers' crops dictate its menu. James Brown's Place is local, too, because it would be unpleasant to imagine Rochester's diner scene without it.

Local comes full circle through the festival's reinvestment of proceeds in the community. The $40 admission you pay to stuff your face (and take home a keepsake tote and wine glass) all go to festival sponsor Foodlink, a second-harvest clearinghouse that redistributes food to 550 organizations from soup kitchens to group homes, and publishes information on hunger across the country. Savor Rochester's vendors (except farms) are not allowed to charge for the samples they provide, although vendors may sell packaged items for festivalgoers to take home.

It's an interactive event, too. Each Savor Rochester visitor will receive four wooden nickels with which to vote for best restaurant, beverage, specialty food, and farmer. The Bill Tiberio Group and The Matt Valerio Band will provide musical accompaniment. Best of all, though, a visit to the festival will put you directly in touch with the locals who produce your favorite foods.

For more information on Savor Rochester: A Festival of Food, call 328-3380 x142 or visit festivaloffood.org.

Comings and goings

Pare Restaurant and Catering (2833 Monroe Ave., 244-4890) opened on August 31 in the building that housed The Mundo Grill, which closed earlier this year. Pare's name reflects owner Rebecca Torchia's desire to continue honing the menu into a selection of what she calls "simple, old-school, classic food with a little contemporary flair." Offerings reflect southwestern, European, and Asian influences, and include chorizo-stuffed poblano rellenos, sweet potato gnocchi, and daily specials like a duck confit tart. Executive chef Keith King, formerly of Edward's and his own Hilly's in the Village Gate, and sous Jason Carlson also prepare desserts, which change daily. ArtisanWorks designed the interior, its reds, golds and warm woods echoing the "rustic" quality that Torchia says characterizes the food. She designed the tortoise-grained bar, adding two inches of depth so that diners won't have to hunch over. Pare is open for dinner Tuesdays-Thursdays, 5-10 p.m.; Fridays-Saturdays 5-11 p.m. Bar: Tuesdays-Thursdays, 4-10 p.m.; Fridays 3-11 p.m.; Saturdays 4-11 p.m..

Jean-Claude and Carmel Dorval opened La Manne Haitian Restaurant (651 Monroe Ave., 271-1370) on August 27 next to Mark's Pizzeria on Monroe; the restaurant serves a combination of French and Creole cuisine. Some of the characteristically "highly seasoned" dishes include goat, beef, salmon, or vegetables atop rice with red beans or mushrooms, and a combination platter of fried plantains, salad, tassot (fried cubes of goat or beef), and acra (seasoned malanga root fritters). The Dorvals owned a grocery store in Florida before moving to Rochester six years ago. La Manne is open Mondays-Thursdays 11 a.m.-10 p.m.; Fridays 11 a.m.-8 p.m.

Jasmine's Asian Fusion (657 Ridge Rd. in the Empire-Ridge Center plaza, 216-1290) cites as its inspiration the cuisine of Thakket, a Laotian village at the crossroads of Southeast Asian spice trade, pulling flavors from neighboring China, Thailand, and Vietnam. In addition to conventional noodle, rice, and stir-fried dishes, Jasmine's offers a six-course traditional Laos dinner for $24.95 per person. Jasmine's is open daily 11:30 a.m.-9 p.m.

And finally, Daily Perks (389 Gregory St.) closed at the end of August. The coffeehouse known for its open mic events and live performances hosted a farewell event with music on August 29. Owner Janice Grosshans says she has "no affiliation with the building at this time" and mentions no plans to open in a new location. Daily Perks opened in November 2000.

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