137 W Commercial St.
East Rochester, NY 14445
(585) 385-8565
Lemoncello Cafe and Lounge is named after Limoncello, the refreshing Italian liqueur and digestif that is mainly produced in Southern Italy, original home of owner-brothers Fausto and Massimo Albano. Chateaus of the region inspired the touches of custom woodwork and masonry, tile and pebble flooring, mosaics, and more, creating an inviting, cozy atmosphere. Guests enter at the cafe, where the menu includes freshly made panini, cheese and olive plates, desserts, and Italian beverages. Limoncello is served, along with many dishes it has inspired, including lemon-filled cannolis and croissants, Limoncello gelato, and Limoncello cake. Behind the cafe is the lounge and bar area, lushly adorned with a freestanding fireplace, a posh bar, and a stage for live music. The lounge menu features soups, salads, pastas, stone-oven pizzas, and some hard-to-find specialties such as tripe and chicken giblets. Lemoncello Cafe is thorough in its offerings of European-inspired cuisine and atmosphere, welcoming fans of international sports like soccer and cycling to gather and watch the World Cup and Tour de France.
For the full review of Lemoncello Cafe and Lounge by City Newspaper's restaurant critic, click here.
User Reviews of Lemoncello Cafe and Lounge (15)
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Brenda said on Mar. 30, 2010 at 7:05pm
I've been in twice, once for Gelato, which was delicious! I had to go back in to hang out in the lounge, very comfortable atmosphere, luxurious and relaxing. They had an acoustic soloist who was wonderful, and didn't over power our conversation. The Ibiza salad was so yummy, and the bite of my boyfriends House panini I had was delicious too. I'm definitely going back in for coffee and cake!
August said on Apr. 17, 2010 at 5:58pm
We have been there three times now and Lemoncello is a gem! The gelato is absolutely amazing, smooth and creamy, and they have created an environment that makes you feel like you're in Italy! The staff are friendly and you feel relaxed and like they really care about your experience. You really feel welcomed! The coffee is superb and the paninis delicious. Add in the live music and this cafe is an awesome place to gather with friends! Can't wait to hang out in the courtyard!
Diann said on May. 28, 2010 at 12:48pm
Love this place! They have great food and entertainment, with an outdoor patio.
Their staff is wonderful and the owners are so gracious. If you have not been, you should check it out!
Fran said on Aug. 17, 2010 at 9:02pm
Last evening I returned to Lemoncellos for my third visit. In our our first two visits we were pleased. The Lemoncello chicken panini that I ordered the first time was delicious as was the veggie panini that my wife ordered.
Last night we brought two close friends with us and were quite disappointed. My wife and I ordered penne pasta with meat sauce. Our meals were not even warm and the meatball that I ordered was stringy and not very tasteful. My friend ordered the antipasto and that was a complete disappointment. It actually arrived missing several ingredients that were described in the menu including the olives and artichokes. When we asked about it we were told that it was a new chef who didn't really know how to make it. Wow !
We may try Lemoncellos one more time to see if last night was simply an off night but if the food is similar again we'll be done with this restaurant which will break our hearts because we really like the venue.
Kate said on Sep. 05, 2010 at 7:56am
No complaints about food. The sicilian calamari appetizer was fantastic! The service needed to improve. A customer should never "want" for anything. we had to ask for the most simple of things... napkins, cream for coffee, bowl for clamshells. The decor was nice although I did not enjoy staring at a tile shrine of Michael Jackson while I ate (tacky). In addition, they need to class it up with tablecloths. bright lemon yellow-colored tablecloths would bring the decor up a level. instead there were drab brown tables with ugly maroon banquet chairs. All in all, a good meal and for three people to have appetizers, entrees, and drinks from the bar under $100 - I'd say pricing was nice - portion sizes were terrific!
Fred said on Sep. 16, 2010 at 9:06am
I always wanted to open a place....something like Lemoncello. Went there last night and it was great. Cafe as you enter and then BAM.... a sweet lounge in the back and really cool because it's not in the typical area. The food was great and the servers were nice. Laid back....not too stuffy and formal. I was with my friends and we wanted to check out the place to get ideas but customers scare me. One table to my left, 3 ladies were trying really really hard to nit pick.....then I over heard them wanting all this free stuff like 4 free pieces of cake. I was watching them all night. They were saying how great everything was to themselves but when the owner came up to ask how everything was, they came up with a laundry list of lies. He told he would be happy to comp a few desserts....... I think the waiter did end up trying to comp the desserts for the table but the ladies wanted more dessert to take home. Way too excessive. The owner apologized and stuck to the 3 free desserts for the ladies at the table. They walked out....... I would say, thos kind of customers are best staying home....Needless to say, those kind of customers scare me.......But anyway, the atmosphere was great, the owners are really talented because they took a dump of a building and turned it into one of the best places in Rochester. Good luck and stick to your guns.
Charles said on Sep. 24, 2010 at 3:07pm
My wife and I went for the first time and enjoyed it very much. We sat outside under their covered seating and enjoyed a nice day. The paninis were very good, very tasty. The owner, hostess, and server were all really nice. We will go back again.
Johny said on Oct. 15, 2010 at 7:37pm
for being such a new place, they really show signs of potential.......the place is very unique and seems like it should be in LA or NYC.
Sammi said on Nov. 07, 2010 at 3:34am
Went here thinking it was just a cafe and found that it has a cafe in fron, bar/lounge and dining room in back......went again a week later with my family and listened to some really cool live music during a late dinner..... went back a few days after that for coffee and dessert after the theater....finally a place that does it all...... i bet more paces like this will be popping around rochester soon
edgar said on Nov. 07, 2010 at 3:38am
best live entertainment in the county in the most unique ambiance........we forgot we were in monroe county for a few hours...... great service and food....... nice menu.....we booked our anniversary party there
salvatore said on Dec. 01, 2010 at 2:59am
Went there numerous times over the past month and each time, it was like I was roaming around Europe for the afternoon or for an evening. What these guys did was truely unique and original and rivals any place downtown. Actually should be in a big city like Miami, NY or LA. Instead of the same old stuffy restaurant they created a one of a kind establishment that I can go enjoy gelato, lovely pastries with my kids and then go back at night for a martini, glass of wine, dinner and live music with my wife 7 days a week. The staff is down to earth and approachable and the cooks are creating nice dishes. The outside patio is a gem and I love that they enclosed it for the window making it a year round dinner option. Don't listen to the haterss. Rochester has a lot of them in the same industry. Keep the great work and can't wait to come watch the entertainment this week.
Katy said on Mar. 14, 2011 at 8:48am
I was taken by Limencello. I was in for lunch and the decor and people took me to a different place. The food was wonderful. The wine and food prices were very reasonable. My lunch experience took a dreary winter day and turned it into a wonderful italian experience. I have recommended Limencello to everyone I know, and i of course will be back as soon as possible! Well done!!!!
Charles said on Jun. 15, 2011 at 8:31pm
I have been to lemonchello several times, and it was always been excellent. The restaurant has a warm and cozy environment. The food was delicious, and the staff were friendly, professional, and attentive.
CJ said on Oct. 29, 2011 at 11:59am
Night from hell! Went to dinner with some friends and I will never step foot in that place again. Besides the food being nothing to speak of the the waiter we had had no idea what he was doing, rude, ignored us at times and had to keep asking for everything at least twice. At one point,he took my order then left the table to take care of a problem at the next (the poor couple got a wrong entree not once, but twice!) table and never came to finish taking orders for everyone else for at least 15 minutes! We complained to the manager who acted like a deaf mute and did absolutely nothing to rectify the situation. Sorry folks you will not get anymore business from us! Don't bother to waste your money on this place.
Maggie said on Jan. 01, 2012 at 8:15pm
Went here for their New Year's Eve party. It was very busy and took a while for our waitress to come by but after that no problems. The decor is quite artsy and Italian villa inspired, very nice bar and mosaics. The live music was great. All the waitstaff were friendly. Besides the bread being sub-par and probably packaged, all the food and portions were amazing. Great wine selections and huge dessert menu. Variety of price points to choose from for entrees as well. It was a great choice for a classy place to wear a cocktail dress without feeling stuffy and overpriced.
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