Johnny's Irish Pub has long been known as one of Rochester's best places to grab a pint. Here, Guinness is perfectly poured, more than capable of quenching your thirst. (And my favorite - Smithwick - is actually on tap!) Upon walking in, you feel at ease. The bar is small and cozy, with a friendly yet unobtrusive bartender. It's easy to belly up to the battered wood bar and stay awhile, if only to snack on the fresh popcorn, a starter every good bar should have. While the option of food at the venue is not necessarily new - everything from burritos to Irish fare has been served by outside parties in the past - owner Johnny Savino has added a new sandwich menu to the pub, with longtime employee Chris Waldron heading up the kitchen.
The food from the new menu at Johnny's is short on presentation, but solid on taste. My long love affair of anything reuben continued on this trip. The turkey and sauerkraut was impressively stacked, although the rye bread could have been a tad bigger to help get a handle on the substantial pile of ingredients. The one minor disappointment was the Thousand Island dressing served on the side. Dipping a packed sandwich is not easy, and the precarious height of the toppings did not inspire me to remove any part of it to slather on dressing.
Other choices on the menu range from a chicken cordon bleu sandwich to various panini combinations. Several choices of chips are available to complement your sandwiches, as well as macaroni salad with a taste that will make onion lovers rejoice. But fried food lovers beware - there's nothing too unhealthy here, as even the chicken drumsticks are baked.
Johnny's is located at 1382 Culver Road. Food is served 5-10 p.m. on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, and on Sundays during live Irish music sessions. For more information call 224-0990 or visit johnnysirishpub.com.
Muddy Waters expands to Geneseo
Local coffeehouse Muddy Waters has a lot to celebrate. This month the original location will complete one year of success, with a formula that is holding its own with the coffeehouse-laden South Wedge neighborhood. Now that blueprint - providing a comfortable place with good food and free wi-fi - has a new audience in Geneseo.
For a college town, Geneseo has a surprisingly few options for what is viewed as a rite of passage for many: hanging out with good music and good conversation in an affordable coffee shop setting. According to Waters owner Jake Kane, the road to Geneseo was a bit surprising, but now with a view of campus from his front window, he thinks it was meant to be.
It all started with college students Kane had working at his Goodman Street coffee shop. As part of a school project, the students had to come up with a business plan, and their focus was to bring a "real" coffee shop to Geneseo. Kane reviewed the proposal and, with the help of the Main Street Business Alliance in Geneseo, a suitable space was found.
When we visited a few weeks after the opening, it was apparent that the word is already out about the new location. The shop was full of students studying and chatting away, sitting down on furniture that looks like it came grandma's living room. The colors in the restored building are vibrant, made even more so by the rare winter sun that illuminated the front of the shop. A little bit of funk came courtesy of the art on the walls. Artist Jennifer Cichello's intriguing "My Weapons" series was prominently displayed, along with bold works from other artists scattered throughout the space. Hot coffee, goodies from Georgies, and an open mic night are just like the original - the difference comes from the addition of cold sandwiches and warm soups.
We arrived late afternoon on a Sunday and the business was closing up in 10 minutes for an early training session. That may have been the reason the one sandwich left looked a little tired in its plastic wrap. Even though college students may not be as fussy, you can't beat food prepared fresh while you wait. Kane mentioned stepping up the menu in the future, so perhaps it will warrant a return visit. This trip ended up being all about the caffeine, and it worked like a charm.
Muddy Waters is located at 53 Main Street in Geneseo. It is open Sunday-Thursday 6:30 a.m.-10 p.m., Friday-Saturday 6:30 a.m.-11 p.m. For more information call 243-9111.
New vegan bakery
A new bakery catering to vegan, vegetarian, and gluten-free treats has opened in the South Wedge, responding to the increasing numbers who have food allergies and dietary restrictions. Eco Bella is minuscule, with barely enough room to get a few people in to view the display case. What redeems the space is the ever-present smell of baked goods and the large window letting in plenty of light. I decided to try a gluten-free cupcake during my visit, and while it was a bit dry for my liking, the overall taste was good. Here's hoping the new business does well - we all deserve goodies!
Eco Bella is located at 732 South Avenue, and is open Thursday-Saturday 7 a.m.-2 p.m., and Sunday 8 a.m.-noon. For more information call 503-2488.
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