Dining with Tanya

After making a resent trip to NYC, I have now discovered that I now love Spanish food.  There is a Spanish restaurant on just about every block.  When I came back home to Rochester, I had to find a Spanish restaurant that was equally as good.  After trying a few different places around the city, I found a place called El Pilon Criollo.  This restaurant is located on the Northeastside on the corner of  N. Clinton Ave. and Avenue A.  El Pilon Criollo is open Tuesday – Saturday and closed Sunday & Monday.

El Pilon Criollo is a small restaurant, but it is always very busy in there and people come from everywhere to get their food.  They have an Authentic Spanish Cuisine that will make you come back over and over again.   They have a small menu, but have a lot of different meals to choose from.  I love getting the Pernil al Horno (Roasted Pork) meal with yellow rice.  Others can order meals that come with Pollo Guisado (Chicken Stew), Carne de  Res Guisada (Beef Stew), Bacalo (Cod), and tons more.  Everyday they basically have the same things on the menu, but they also feature  a few different thing each day.

One thing you can’t forget to do is order some of the extras they have on the menu.  I always get the Rellenos de Papa (Beef Stuffed Potato) and the Platanos Maduros (Sweet Plantains).  You can also choose:  Pastelillos de Carne, Pollo & Pizza Frituras (Meat, Chicken & Pizza Fritters).

Now go and try it!!!

This month I have a new favorite restaurant to talk about called Shea’s Food, Wine & Tap.  If you are in the mood for comfort food, this place is it.  Shea’s is located in downtown Rochester on East Ave. near Alexander Street.  This place is a nice small and cozy casual style restaurant that has a modern/retro look about it.  The prices of the food are not bad at all, ranging from  about $6.50 to $14.95.  You can enjoy going here for dinner and brunch.

I started off with an amazing appetizer of Mac ’n Cheese 3 Ways (a sampling of three Mac ‘n Cheese  styles) which consist of their classic American, carbonara, and Con Queso cheeses.  Nice and cheesy is all I can say about this dish.  Other appetizer are:  Buffalo Pierogis,  Beer Battered French Fries,  Bigha Meatah Ball, and Fried Mac ‘n Cheese.  This is making my mouth water right now as I’m talking about it.  Yum, Yum, Yum!!!  There is also soups and salads on the menu to try too.

For dinner I had the 10oz. Rib Eye Steak that was perfectly seasoned and cooked to perfection.  It was served with potato-tomato gratin and glazed sweet baby carrots.  I have also had the Spaghetti and Meatball Rustic Marinara, which was the best I have ever had.  The meatball was huge and  homemade, over a bed of spaghetti tossed in their rustic marinara sauce and topped with shaved parmesan and fresh basil.  Other great dishes are the Veggie burger,  Friday night Fish Fry,  Stuffed Meatloaf, Chicken Cordon Blue, Chicken Milanese and more. 

They also have a variety of different homemade mac ‘n cheese dishes that are very good too.  You can start off with the Classic Mac ‘n Cheese or try others like:  Goulash Mac ‘n Cheese (homemade marinara sauce, beef, fresh herbs, Cavatappi pasta parmesan, green peppers, topped w/ mozzarella cheese and baked), Stroganoff Mac ‘n Cheese (classic stroganoff w/ chunks of beef, egg noodles, gruyere cheese and sour cream), and Macaroni Con Queso ( mac ‘n cheese w/ black  beans chorizo,  lime tequila, pepper jack, topped w/ Pico di Gallo).  This is why I call all these meals comfort food, food that touches the soul.

Time for you all to go and check this restaurant out.  I guarantee that you will love this place.

This month is all about two of my favorite hamburger restaurants:  Five Guys Burgers and Fries and Red Robin Gourmet Burgers.  These are two totally different places, because one has a basic menu and the other has multiple choices on the menu.  Both of these restaurants are part of national restaurant chains located all over the US.  Five Guys has three locations in Rochester(Henrietta, Pittsford, and Webster) and Red Robin has two locations (Henrietta and Webster). 

I’m going to start with Five Guys.  This is a fast food hamburger restaurant that has a very basic menu and the burgers are made with only fresh ground beef.  Your choices are hamburgers, hot dogs, fries, veggie sandwiches and grill cheese.  You can’t get any more simple than that.  You basically build your own burger with whatever you want on it.  All your toppings are included in the price of the burger and you have two sizes to choose from: little and regular.  The little burger has one patty on it and the regular burger has two patties on it.  From there you start to add whatever topping you what on it like: lettuce, tomatoes, onions, mushrooms, pickles, green peppers, and more.  Cheese and bacon burgers are a little more in price.  Their fries are awesome and are my favorite.  They are fresh cut fries and are fried in peanut oil.  These also come in two sizes: regular and large.  The portion sizes of the fries you get are huge and the regular size can be shared with other.  The large size can be shared by a family of four.

Little bacon cheese burger

Now Red Robin is the total opposite when it comes to their burgers.  They are known for having gourmet burgers and much more on the menu.  They have burgers like: Guacamole Bacon Burger, Whiskey River BBQ Burger(my favorite), Sauteed Shroom Burger, Bleu Ribbon Burger and more.  You can also get turkey burgers, fish sandwiches, chicken sandwiches and more.  The great thing about when you order any of these item, you get bottomless orders of steak fries.  If you are not in the mood for burger or sandwiches, you can choose from fresh salads, wraps, soup and desserts.  They also have a kids menu with lot of choices.

Now that I have given you two very great places to get the best burger, it is time for you to try.

Now it is time to take a trip to Mexico.  My latest venture was to a great Mexican restaurant called Monte Alban, which has two locations in Rochester.  One is in the town of Irondequoit and the other is in Webster.  All I can say is “Authentic”.  I have learned to branch out and start trying different foods that I don’t usually eat, but this place is awesome and very well priced.  The prices are very affordable, ranging anywhere from $6 to $21.

I have never been to Mexico, but I feel like I’m there when I eat at this restaurant.  They have a lot of  pictures and Mexican decorations throughout the restaurant.  The Mexican music playing in the background gives you the feel of being in Mexico.

On the appetizer menu, there are some fun choices.  You can choose: Nacho Supreme, Beef & Beans, Cheese & Bean Dip, soups, and my favorite Laredos Fries (a bed of french fries, topped w/ ground beef, cheese and pico de gallo).  On the menu for salads are Fajita Taco Salad and Ensalada de Pollo Salad (tender grilled chicken served on a bed of fresh lettuce w/ shredded cheese, onions, bell peppers and tomato). 

For dinner, I have two favorites: Chicken and Steak Fajitas and the Ribeye Steak.  My friends like eating enchiladas, taco, burritos, and quesadillas.  A great way to try all of these items is to go for the Combination meals, which comes with a variety of choice (only cost $7.99).  There menu also includes a section for vegetarians, which consist of 6 combo meals like Spinach Quesadillas, Guacamole Salad, Bean Burritos, Cheese Poblano Peppers and more.  You can’t forget about the kids.  They have items on the menu for kids 12 & under with fun stuff like Beef Tacos & Burritos, Chicken Fingers, Hot Dogs, Corn Dogs & Fries. 

Chicken & Steak Fajita

Monte Albans is a place that the whole family would like.  There is something for everyone.  Everyone I have taken here has loved it.  I can eat here over and over and never get tired of the food.  Now go and check it out, I promise you will love it too.

Well I tried yet another Italian restaurant, that I think all will enjoy.  I went to Pomodoro Grill and Wine Bar, which is located in the city of Rochester, NY on University Ave.  This is an Italian cuisine restaurant that has the flavor of the Mediterranean, which gives a little twist to the Italian style of food.  The food is seasoned to perfection and the flavor of the food makes your mouth water.

The restaurant has a contemporary look inside, with a rustic-industrial setting.  The atmosphere is more laid back and relaxing.  You can eat inside or outside on the patio in the spring and summer months.  They also have live entertainment like Jazz & Blues bands that perform there some nights during the week.

Starting with the appetizer and salads, I suggest you start off with the Artichoke hearts (tossed in a dijon demi-glace and baked w/ asiago, mozzarella and bread crumbs), followed by a Spinach and Beef Tenderloin salad (tomatoes, crumbly Gorgonzola cheese and balsamic vinaigrette).  The beef tenderloin in the salad is well seasoned, very tender and melts in your mouth.  Other salad to try are the Bowtie Caesar, Greek and Antipasto. 

Artichoke hearts

The main dishes are also great and they have a variety of Italian style pizzas like: Pollo Pesto (basil pesto w/ mozzarella, chicken, roasted red peppers and asiago), Pomodoro, Mediterranean, and Muhammara (a pureed blend of roasted red peppers, walnuts & molasses, topped w/ banana peppers, spinach, tomatoes, onions and feta).  As for the dinner entrees, you have things like: Oven Roasted Half Chicken, Grilled 16oz. Ribeye, and Roasted Australian Lamb Rack (South Indian spiced w/ apple-ginger chutney).  Every thing you try has great flavors and as I said earlier, “Seasoned to perfection”.

Pollo Pesto Pizza

The pasta are also amazing, which are all served hot and steamy.  The wonderful aroma of all the Italian and Mediterranian seasonings will make you mouth water before you even get a taste.  I highly recommend the Linguine Gorgonzola (prosciutto,sun dried tomatoes and mushrooms in Gorgonzola cream) w/beef tenderloin on top, and the Roasted Red Pepper Tortelloni (ricotta, mozzarella, romano, asiago and parmesan w/ marinara).  All of the pasta dishes can come the way they are or you can add any grilled topping like: chicken, salmon, tuna, tenderloin, shrimp, or portobello for a little extra.

Linguine Gorgonzola w/ Beef Tenderloin

Yet again I didn’t have room for dessert.  I will have to update that later.

If you’re looking for good fresh Italian food, then it’s time for you to visit Benucci’s.  This is a nice local authentic Italian restaurant located in Pittsford Plaza (Rochester, NY).  I love going to Benucci’s because the atmosphere is nice and friendly, plus the food is always fresh.

Benucci’s has a very modern contemporary look, which makes it comfortable for anyone to dine.  There is enough room for everyone to sit and dine comfortably.  You can dine at Benucci’s for lunch or dinner.

I always have to start off with than appetizer, which in Italian is called antipasti.  The Artichoke Fritta (fried artichoke, lemon garlic alio, and parmesan cheese) is amazing.  Other great appetizers to start with are Braised Meatballs, Calamari Fritta, Italian Nacho and more.  If you’re not in the mood for appetizers, you can go for any one of the soup and salads on the menu to start.  Anywhere from the basic House Salad to the Flat Iron Steak Salad, all the choices are good.

Now let me tell you about the main entrees.  For lunch time they have a variety of lunch combos to choose from.  You can choose soup or salad at $10 with a pasta or any half panini or pizza with a cup of soup or salad for $9.  I always go for dinner and have a hard time choosing what to get, because I love almost everything.  Sometimes I’m in the pizza mood, which means I either get the Pepperoni Pizza ($10) or Artichoke Pizza (Galic oil, mozzarella, spinach, artichokes, blistered tomatoes and feta cheese).  My favorite main entree is the Gorganzola Biscetta which is twin filets, portabella mushrooms, spinach, gorganzola, over angel hair pasta ($19).  Other good choices are: Pasta Benucci ($13), Shrimp Rossa ($14) which has a spicy kick, Chicken Romano ($15) and Lasagna Bolonese ($13).

The only thing I haven’t tried at Benucci’s yet are the desserts.  I will have to leave that up to you to go and try it.  Then you have to let me know what’s good.  Once you have tried some of the food at Benucci’s, you will be addicted.

Let me start by telling you about a restaurant that has amazing food.  It is a national chain restaurant called P.F. Chang’s China Bistro.  Which is not just your ordinary Chinese restaurant.  The food is fresh, delicious, and not greasy like the many Chinese restaurants around the corner.  That is why this is my #1 favorite place to dine out at.

The atmosphere of the restaurant is casual dining and is comfortable for everyone, whether you dine alone or in a large group.  The size of the restaurant is very spacious and accommodating.  The decor is classic Chinese & Modern Bistro with Chinese statues and paintings spread throughout the restaurant, which makes the decor beautiful to look at.

Now let’s talk about the food.  The portion sizes are enormous.  You have to start off with the small plates/starter like the Chang’s Chicken Lettuce Wrap (which I highly recommend), Dumplings, and the Chang’s Spare Ribs that are juicy and tender.

As for the main dishes, it is up to you to build together your own meal or choose from various entrees put together on the menu.  For example:  Choose from Chang’s Spicy Chicken to the VIP Duck;  Asian Marinated New York Strip to the Mahi-Mahi;  Mongolian Beef to the Sweet & Sour Pork and Crispy Honey Shrimp to the Salmon Streamed with Ginger.  Can’t forget about the Fried Rice, Lo Mein, and Noodles that can be added on to the meal or just eaten alone.  There is also a Vegetarian and Gluten Free menu offered too.

After enjoying the meal, you have to save room for the desserts.  My favorite, which is so heavenly is the Banana Spring Rolls (six warm crispy bites of banana with coconut-pineapple ice cream drizzled with caramel & vanilla sauce).  Besides my favorite, there are other great desserts to choose from like: New York Style Cheesecake, Chocolate cake (7 layer), and Mini Shooter desserts.  It is up to you to choose your favorite.

Now that I have given you a little taste of P. F. Chang’s, it is time for you to try it for yourself.  Stay tune for my next restaurant review for April.