Last month there was a surprising change at Corn Hill Landing when new Mexican restaurant Chayote abruptly closed, and Corn Hill Grill opened in its place. Both restaurants are co-owned by Lynn and Donna DiMarzo, and the decision to close Chayote resulted in a better fit for the neighborhood, according to Lynn. Opening a place like the Corn Hill Grill was the original intention, says Lynn, and the menu will be expanded soon to include more entrees, appetizers and homemade desserts. Lynn also mentioned a Sunday brunch in the near future.

The space is still brightly decorated and utilizes that airy second floor, but the mural has been replaced by a two-story chalkboard detailing the new menu and specials. Those who disliked the uncomfortable benches, take note: seating seems to favor tables and chairs now. Something else you might appreciate is a slightly lower price point (sandwiches cost around $8.50, while entrees range from $10 to $15).

The menu leans toward American comfort food, which in these tough times seems to be a logical choice. The DiMarzo sisters made the menu decision long before the recession hit. Regardless, nothing says "everything will be OK" like macaroni and cheese or meatloaf, and the Corn Hill Grill serves both. They also have a decent-sized sandwich board that features favorites like ham, turkey, and steak, with nice additions in the cheese and toppings department, like bleu cheese sauce, basil puree, cayenne aioli, and roasted chili relish. Speaking of additions, all sauces and toppings are made on premises by co-owner Donna DiMarzo and Matthew Saltzberg, formally of Oak Hill and Social.

We sought out some comfort of our own and chose the chicken pot pie and a stuffed portobello sandwich. The handmade crust on the pot pie would make grandma proud; it's flaky and nicely draped over the serving skillet. We had to spice the pie up a bit with pepper, but otherwise loved the hot filling full of chicken and vegetables in a soothing gravy.

The portobello sandwich also delighted, with an asiago and goat cheese filling and a meaty mushroom. You can go healthy with grilled vegetables on the side instead of fries, and the cheese stuffing conveniently fell onto the veggies, making for a delicious topping. One of the best things about this sandwich was the French roll, firm but not hard, making it possible to actually enjoy this dish as a sandwich, without having to resort to a fork and knife. The meal was nicely finished off with a spice cake, sturdy and moist with sinfully good homemade frosting. Sweet comfort indeed.

Corn Hill Grill is located at 298 Exchange Boulevard, and currently open Tuesday-Saturday for lunch 11:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. and dinner 5-10 p.m. For more information call 232-2060. Look for a potential Chayote relocation to East Avenue sometime in 2009, near the sister restaurants of Veneto and Social.

Max Market

The Max brand of eateries has been around since 2001, garnering rave reviews with Max of Eastman Place, Max Chophouse, and Max on the Lake. Recently, Tony Gullace opened another iteration of his local culinary empire, at 2949 Monroe Avenue in Pittsford. The new venture is a bit of a departure. Max Market is not a restaurant, and not really a store, but deftly combines the two without losing the famous focus on good food. Much like its close neighbor Wegmans, there are high-quality take-out options, but without the hassle of a large supermarket. You may pay a little more for the convenience, but the customer service and suggestions seem to complement the price point.

The interior of Max Market is sparsely decorated, with the food taking center stage. Wooden baskets heaped with fresh bread and tables stocked with various goodies help warm the white walls and chrome accents. A few tables are also set up around the space, providing a spot to nosh on your meal immediately. There are all of the sections you would expect in a higher quality specialty food store, with a stocked cheese section, fresh meats, various desserts, and of course, numerous prepared foods for a quick and easy gourmet dinner. A recent perusal found such offerings with a comfort trend; meatloaf, short ribs, and various kinds of quiche. Stop by for your gourmet fix Monday-Saturday 8 a.m.-8 p.m., Sunday 8 a.m.-6 p.m. For more information call 271-1210 or check maxmarketmonroe.net.

Long Season Farmers Market

The South Wedge Long Season Farmers Market is a new venture to keep locally grown food available during the winter months. Thanks to an agreement between the Brighton and South Wedge framers markets, the shopping can even be done out of the chilly, snowy weather. The joint effort is being hosted at Artisan Church, 1235 South Clinton Avenue, and is available every third Thursday through May 4-7 p.m. If you don't make it to the Long Season market, the Rochester Public Market is also open year-round. Additional information can be found at cityofrochester.gov.

Bagel Bin closes, reopens

This month has been a bit topsy-turvy for the owners of the Bagel Bin at 2600 Elmwood Avenue in Brighton. In the past 18 years, the owners have had their fair of challenges, but on December 16, things came to a head when the business was shut down mid-day. Co-owner Dan Rene pledged to re-open the business as soon as possible, and he made god just a few days later after reaching an agreement with the state tax department. The Bagel Bin is looking to continue its business, and there have been discussions about possibly expanding in the future. For now, your freshly made bagels await daily, 6 a.m.-2:30 p.m. For more information call 461-4475 or visit thebagelbincafe.com.

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