I love diners. In fact, I tend to gravitate toward them, mostly because I love the eat-whatever-you're-in-the-mood-for vibe. So it was only natural that I had to check out Mike's New York Diner, which opened late June in the old Mykonos place on Winton Road. Father and son owners Mike and Lee Moudatsos are in the diner business in New York City, and after they say they got a great deal on the Winton location, Lee moved upstate to bring their Greek-American diner to a new market. The outside still glows with that familiar spaceship gleam, the inside still sports garish neon, but really, when it comes to a diner, the focus should be on the food choices, not the decor.

Sitting down at our booth, we were presented with a menu that was actually spiral bound - this diner means business. In the mood for waffles, pancakes, or eggs? Mike's has got you covered. How about seafood, steaks, or roasts? Got those, too. Burgers, wraps, and salads? Yep, all here. And don't forget the array of Italian and Greek specialties, and of course the daily specials.

Before I dive into the food, I have to mention the service. Our server was a gem; very friendly and attentive. The busboy was also affable and chatted with us while cleaning our table. Even a manager, who caught my wayward gaze out to the dining room, stopped by to make sure we didn't need anything. The only time service slid a bit was when we were trying to get our check, and our server was bombarded with a dinner rush. There is nothing better than a universally warm and welcoming staff, and that's a special find in a new restaurant.

A sample appetizer was brought to the table and contained a huge surprise: beets. This was probably the first time I ever sat down and snacked on the brilliant red root vegetable, but they were a tasty, sharp start to the meal. The pasta salad that came with was of a standard side, taking a clear backseat. When I asked Lee about the complimentary appetizer, he mentioned that the relish tray is served 4-9 p.m., and is something that is common in downstate restaurants.

We started with French onion soup, which was done up right in a crock. The broth was tasty and had a thick ribbon of cheese, but was missing the bread that I adore, which soaks up the liquid and makes the appetizer more filling. I was feeling a bit nostalgic, so meatloaf won out on this diner trip. I have a soft spot for the meatloaf of my childhood, and while this didn't compare to Mom's, it was still decent. Soaked in brown gravy, cut into slices and pan fried, the meatloaf filled the plate. The side of spinach was excellent, with just enough garlic added for flavor, and the breakfast potatoes made for a fun substitution. (As an aside, the combination of leftover meatloaf, gravy, and potatoes made for an excellent breakfast hash the next day.) The fish fry was also tried, with a just-right crispiness of the batter, the fish moist and tender.

Walking out the door we noticed the display case full of brightly colored concoctions. There was Oreo cake, an array of cheesecakes, and something that looked like a cannoli on a cake, complete with chocolate chips. Lee says that a baker is on-premise, which means this Chow Hound will have to return and somehow save room for one of those treats.

Mike's New York Diner is located at 3423 Winton Place, and is open 24 hours, seven days a week. For more information call 475-1863.

To find Mike's New York Diner in City Newspaper's online Restaurant Guide - including a map, user reviews, and more - click here.

Roam if you want to

There are many things to love about Park Avenue, and I always like to see what shop will pop up next on this street. I never imagined combining caffeine and motorcycles, but it's pure genius with a European flair at Roam Cafe, which recently opened in the former Cappuccino Italiano Cafe. Roam is owned by a father-and-son team with the same name, and according to the elder Joe Nacca, small towns in Italy are full of family-owned businesses that combine passions. You can't miss this shop, with its row of gleaming, colorful bikes lined up outside, or the large umbrellas covering the outdoor seating. Offerings run the gamut from coffee concoctions to Italian sodas. Add pastries and hand-crafted gelato, and it seems a near-perfect way to sit and figure out how to convince your significant other that you really do need another motorcycle (that was my plan, at least). The Naccas have designs on adding wine and beer in the near future as well, so my plan just might get easier.

Roam Cafe is located at 260 Park Avenue, and is open daily at 9 or 10 a.m., and stays open until "people stop coming," Nacca says (usually around 9 to 11 p.m.). Call 360-4165 for more info.

To find Roam Cafe in City Newspaper's online Restaurant Guide - including a map, user reviews, and more - click here.

Taste of the Gate

How do you bring great businesses and great people together? Ask Amy Riposo, owner of Rochester A-List, whose upcoming event will spotlight three great Village Gate restaurants. Every third Thursday A-List hosts a party that spotlights Rochester at its best, and this Thursday, August 20, you can enjoy a Taste of the Gate. California Rollin, Salena's, and The Gate House will be featured, along with brews from Rohrbach's and Custom Brewcrafters. Village Gate is located at 274 N. Goodman St., and the event runs 5:30-8:30 p.m. Tickets cost $10, which covers food and beverage tasting, plus live music by the Beaumonts. Visit rochesteralist.com to reserve your tickets for guaranteed entrance, and to sign up for future events.