Celebrities often try their hand in the restaurant business - think Jennifer Lopez's Madre in Pasadena, or Robert De Niro's Tribeca Grill and Justin Timberlake's Destino, both in New York City - with varying degrees of success. But rarely does a city like Rochester benefit from such ventures. Fortunately, local celebrity Eric Bauman - famous for creating the entertainment website eBaum's World - has decided to try a new venture in his hometown, opening Prime Steakhouse in Webster just last month (the restaurant officially opened its doors on Saturday, November 14).

"I always had the interest of opening a restaurant," says Bauman, who describes himself as someone who enjoys fine dining, and often travels to New York City to eat out at its countless culinary gems. "My father [local developer Neil Bauman] lives in Webster and is on the pulse of how things operate there, and he encouraged me to do it in Webster because there's a lot of opportunity."

The new 3,200-square-foot restaurant is co-owned by Joe DeVito, a local celebrity in his own right as former chef at the popular upscale restaurant 2 Vine for more than five years. The traditional steakhouse menu DeVito and Bauman have devised includes five different cuts of meat, including filet, ribeye, hanger steak, and porterhouse, as well as veal chops and rack of lamb. Sauces - bordelaise, béarnaise or steak sauce - and sides (including creamed swiss chard, whipped potatoes, roasted cauliflower, and more) can be ordered à la carte to accompany a dish. In addition, the restaurant also offers an extensive wine and beer list, and an impressive dessert menu that also features after-dinner spirits and dessert cocktails like the Raspberry Truffle-Tini or Espresso Martini. Soup, salad, and appetizers generally run the $6-$10 range; sides are priced at $5; and the meats sell from $20 (for the veal chop) to $43 (for the 24 oz. porterhouse).

Bauman and DeVito felt particularly passionate about bringing an upscale steakhouse to the village of Webster, stating that while Brighton, Pittsford, and downtown enjoy upscale, independent restaurants, Webster has few to none. They have given the restaurant a chic, modern, yet comfortable and intimate atmosphere with deliberate touches like leather wallpaper and intricate trim.

"People are saying, ‘Wow, I don't feel like I'm in Webster,'" says Bauman. "We're bringing a New York City-style steakhouse to the area. It's different and it's certainly not like Applebee's or Outback - it's more genuine."

Prime Steakhouse is located at 42 East Main Street in the village of Webster. The restaurant is open Monday-Thursday 4:30-10 p.m., and Friday-Saturday 4:30-11 p.m. For more information, visit primesteakhouserochester.com or call 265-4777; reservations are strongly recommended.

Gina D's Burger and Pizza Co.

Gina D's Burger and Pizza Co. celebrated its grand opening Saturday, November 14. The new pizza and burger joint is owned by 19-year-old Gina Dandrea, her father, Patrick Dandrea (former Dandrea's Pizza owner), and former Rochester Rhino Doug Miller.

Located inside the Doug Miller Sports Dome, the restaurant offers a variety of soups, salads, and finger foods, including fried pickles, "pizza missiles" (pizza logs), fried calamari, chicken fingers, and more. The signature menu items are build-your-own burgers and pizzas, with more than 20 burger toppings to choose from and more than 30 different items for your pizza.

Gina D's is located at 4618 W. Ridge Rd. For more information, visit ginadsburgerandpizzaco.com or call 352-7981.

"Warm Up Rochester" contest update

In the October 14 edition of this column we told our readers about the "Warm Up Rochester" contest run by Nathan's Soup and Salad on Park Ave, which was searching for a new family soup recipe to add to its repertoire. And Nathan's has selected a winner: Dan McNelly of Pittsford took the contest with his chipotle and sweet potato chowder. Nathan's is now offering the soup as part of its rotation every Monday.

Nathan's is located at 691 Park Ave. For more information, visit nathanssoupandsalad.com.

Hedonist Artisan Chocolates party platters

Hedonist Artisan Chocolates is now selling party platters in two sizes for the holiday season. The platters feature truffles (classic and current collection offerings), chocolate-dipped dried fruit, and an assortment of chocolate bark. The cost is $50 for a platter that serves approximately 23 people, or $150 for a platter that serves 70 people. Hedonist is located at 674 South Ave. For more information, visit hedonistchocolates.com.

Brown Hound Bistro winter hours

The Brown Hound Bistro in Naples has closed for the winter season, and will re-open in April. The restaurant is still available for catering, special events, kitchen coaching, and private parties. Brown Hound Bistro is located at 6459 State Route 64 in Naples. For more information, visit brownhoundbistro.com.

Closings

Sienna Grill and Bar on St. Paul Street has closed for unknown reasons. A sign on the door over the summer noted that the restaurant was "on vacation," but it has remained dark since. The restaurant space is rumored to be relaunching with a new name, chef, and menu. Details will follow in an upcoming column.

Bay Hots of Webster has closed as of November. The restaurant was known for its take on a Garbage Plate, called the Dumpster Plate, and its Friday fish fry. Attempts to reach the owner to determine the reason for the closing were unsuccessful.

Oasis Bistro on Monroe Avenue has closed. In the September 30 issue of this column, we reported that the Mediterranean restaurant was closed temporarily due to a fire. While the owners could not be reached for comment, there is a "for rent" sign on the door and a source saw tables and chairs being removed from the space a few weeks ago.

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