Imagination and creativity help in the hardscrabble restaurant industry, and Melon Bean Eatery - which opened on Buffalo Road in late January - taps both with a special marketing target not usually seen in coffee shops: kids. Owner Andrea Hughes is proud of the fact that this isn't "your Park Ave coffee shop," she says, and credits her strong sense of family as the reason why. Hughes even combined her two girls' nicknames to create a cozy yet whimsical moniker.

Tucked near an industrial section near Gates Center, Melon Bean certainly has the look and feel of a Park Avenue café - brightly colored ceiling and walls, framed pictures, interesting coffee selections, and a wide variety of sandwiches. What sets it apart is its dedication to the younger crowd, with a play area and a special kids menu featuring, among other things, crustless "sammies." There are special nights to replicate the activities Hughes and her husband do with their kids at home - Fridays are craft nights, for instance.

Hughes decided to go family-friendly because when her kids went out to eat, they only wanted to go to a few select places - strictly for the balloons. With her eatery, she wanted to serve healthier options, and still have it be fun for the kids, yet relaxing and enjoyable for the parents.

Before those of you without kids write Melon Bean off - as a person who isn't normally drawn to places that cater to kids, I had a slight shudder as well - the business does a great job of making those of us without little ones feel at home too. The kids' area is nicely sectioned off, providing a slight sound barrier. Plus, the kids are kept occupied, which means less fussing, so you can enjoy your coffee.

The pricing is economical, with all sandwiches under $6, kids' sandwiches less than $4. Menu ideas came from tinkering this past year in the kitchen and testing the sandwiches out on friends and family. The ham, pineapple, and cream cheese panini came close to fabulous; slightly warming the pineapple and cream cheese made the flavors burst. We also tried a regular turkey sandwich, which was a healthy and filling option. The salsa and hummus are homemade, begging us for a return visit.

Hughes already has ideas on how to further develop Melon Bean, including a potential story time option. We were impressed by the consistently upbeat attention given to the customers, from the friendly welcome, to asking how we enjoyed our meal. It's not Park Ave, but a return visit is sure to be in my future.

Melon Bean Eatery is located at 1308 Buffalo Road, and open Monday-Saturday, 7 a.m.-8 p.m. For more information call 235-2940.

One makes changes

When One (1 Ryan Alley, 546-1010, oneryan.com) opened in late 2007, the plan was to create an upscale restaurant and nightclub rolled into one. That's still the case, albeit with a new chef and some changes to the dining room. Chef Collin McDonald moved to Rochester for his family, as many do. A former executive sous chef at Red Stripe in Providence, Rhode Island, McDonald noticed immediately that the menu wasn't concisely themed and set to change that. Taking into consideration the decor of the dining room, McDonald streamlined the menu and focused on a French-Asian fusion style, with a special interest in seafood. One of the signature dishes, the pan-seared grouper, sounds complicated, with braised leeks and oyster mushrooms, a ginger chestnut sweet potato puree, and a citrus-soy paint. But McDonald says it's actually quite simple, and lends itself to various palates. One has also introduced a $30 prix-fixe meal deal Mondays through Thursdays.

Along with the menu change, One is adding additional seating on the second floor. The outdoor space has been walled in to make better use of the area, and the windows will frame the view of the Rochester skyline. One's Derek Sung says that after 11 p.m. Thursdays through Saturdays the space will be more DJ-oriented, but that the venue will lend itself well to live music as well.

New owners for Hogans

Hogans Hideaway has been a Park Avenue fixture since 1980, thanks to the vision of owner Tom LaDuca, slowly taking the space from a grocery store to the popular eatery it is today. Now, after nearly 30 years, Hogans has recently changed hands, and new owner Kevin Herrick says that, "The previous owners did all the work, and this wonderful opportunity was like getting a lottery ticket."

Herrick, previously owner of the Blue Room, says this was one offer he couldn't refuse, and it fit perfectly into his lifestyle. Given the restaurant's popularity and its signature comfy/kitschy atmosphere, regulars might worry that some of the quirkiness might fade away. Herrick says there will be some fine-tuning of the menu and some subtle changes, but says that diners should continue to expect top-notch quality and service, and of course, that Hogans quirkiness.