Umi - Victor, NY

As I mentioned in a previous post, my husband and I LOVE sushi. In fact that is also what our kids will opt for when given a choice. So it is very important that we have a good sushi place to call our own. We moved about 2 years ago and are no longer near Fujiya, although we did try to go back there a few times. We found that the drive wasn't worth the food or the spotty service. What once was our #1 spot was quickly becoming a disappointment for us. We searched high and low in our new surroundings (think Eastview Mall area) for good sushi, but it was nowhere to be found. Believe me, we tried EVERYTHING. Then on one beautiful day, we saw that some place called Umi was being built in the same little island plaza as Pier 1 Imports . We even tried to go in while they were still building (we are impatient - ok, we aren't that bad... we just didn't know they weren't open yet since there wasn't a sign). Once they opened, we found Umi to be unlike the other "Asian-style" places we've been to.

The atmosphere is dark and romantic, lighting is appropriate and envying but allows you to have privacy amongst the crowd. The split between "traditional" and "hibachi" dining is appropriately sized. The decor is modern and the music is never overbearing.

I have a real job beside writing this blog, so please tune in later to find out more about Umi - the best japathinese place I know!

Fujiya

My husband and I are well known amongst friends for being particularly picky about the sushi we eat, and why shouldn't we be? After all, most of what we eat when ordering is raw fish! The last thing any sushi eater wants is BAD sushi!

We have tried many of the sushi restaurants here in Rochester, and have found Fujiya to be among our favorites. Though the decor is a bit bright for my taste, and the music can be, well, odd at best, the wait staff, owner and of course food all happen to be top notch. We have even had help from the wait staff in feeding our young daughter! One day, one of the waitresses brought our food over and sat right down with us. I was not sure what she was up to until she told me "You and your husband enjoy dinner. I will feed your daughter." Now, we had been there many times before this, so we sort of know the people there, and were pleased to have the extra help!

There are many choices on the menu and daily specials to choose from. Additionally, they run coupons weekly to help offset the cost of lunch or dinner.

Personally, I recommend the Dancing Dragon Roll. It is a delicious combination of unagi (eel), tekka (tuna) and avacado, with tobiko roe (smelt egg I believe) and hot sauce. That is my usual, but everything else I have tried there has been wonderful.

Be forewarned, there is no hibachi at Fujiya, so if you are expecting to have that option, you will be disappointed. They do have bento boxes as well as an expansive and ever changing menu so your options are somewhat limitless.

The website states that Fujiya is open 6 days a week, but I have seen signs up around town saying that they are now also open on Sundays.

Please check the link below for Fujiya's website (menu included), and if you go, I would love to hear your thoughts on your experience.

http://fujiyawebster.com
Cheers!

A tasty treat at the Royal Cafe in Fairport

Today was our second visit to the Royal Cafe in Fairport for a snack. Driving by one day, I noticed that there was a sign in the window that said simply "Gelato". I have not had gelato since I used to visit family out on Long Island, so I was interested in trying it again. Right off the bat, I liked the cafe. The young man behind the counter offered us a huge smile upon our enterance to the cafe, and quickly offered extra treats to our small child, who was, of course, delighted. We were also delighted with the offers to try as much gelato as we liked until we decided which flavors we wanted. In the small container, they suggested that we mix three different flavors, which gave us some nice variety in taste.

The gelato was wonderful. The people who own the cafe have a wonderful attitude, and are more customer-service oriented than any customer service I have seen...

The bottom line - a MUST go... LOVE this place

15 North Main Street, Fairport, New York

Hawthorne's Restaurant

Today I visited Hawthorne's Restaurant at 3500 East Avenue in Pittsford. I had been there only once before, and had OK service. After fighting the construction on Monroe Avenue, and again on Jefferson Road, I chose to go to Hawthorne's because I thought it would be a good place to have an upscale lunch at an affordable price.

As I entered the restaurant, close to 1PM, there was a strong odor eminating from the dining room. Though I am not sure what the smell was, it sadly reminded me of any visit I have made to a nursing home. This may not have been the fault of Hawthorne's, as there was a large group of elderly folks eating lunch who were brought in from a nearby adult facility.

It took about 5 minutes until someone seated me, and another 15 until a server finally came by to see if the server who should have been taking care of me had been by yet - they had not. To the credit of the female server who tended to my meal and order, she apologized for the delay and promptly took my order. Shortly before she came over, I was beginning to gather my things to leave - I am not sure if this was noticed and that was perhaps why I was finally visited by a server.

The restaurant seemed to be busy, and understaffed for the lunch hour.

A woman (not my server) came by a number of times to refill my water, reaching in front of me, even startling me once. As I was seated at a 4 person table, I am still curious as to why she chose to reach in front of me each time to fill my water glass.

I ordered the seafood chowder as a starter. When it came out, it was not appealing, visually. There was a lot of bacon which overpowered the flavor. Had I realized it would contain bacon, I would have chosen a different starter, as I only eat seafood (no other meat).

For my meal, I chose the Eggplant, Tomato and Goat Cheese Stack. I had had it once before and it was, at best medocre. However, it sounded good enough to give it a second chance, and I am sorry I did. It was terribly heavy and lacking in pleasant flavor. The oil that it was fried in was the dominant taste and smell throughout.

Overall, after two less than adaquate experiences at Hawthorne's, it has made MY personal LIST - the BLACK LIST.

Two thumbs down from me.

Aladdin's on Monroe

This past Saturday, The Maid of Honor, and I, the Matron of Honor, hosted a shower for the Bride of Rochester at Aladdin's Natural Eatery on Monroe Avenue. The area we had the shower in was downstairs in the front of the restaurant. Though it was room enough for us all, we had asked if we could have the shower upstairs on the outdoor patio. We were told that there would not be enough room (though there is plento fo room there, we have to assume that Aladdin's wanted to reserve that space for walk-in patrons). It was nice downstairs because it was a decent sized area, and a bathroom was located a few feet away (though, the bathroom could use a mirror... other than the one somebody drew in pen on the wall...)

For the group of 22 people, I was impressed that the staff was able to keep the food coming as quickly as they did, and keep the presentation of the food as nice as it would be if they were only catering to a family of four. The server was friendly, and the taste of the food was great. The price was more than reasonable, and the overall experience was exceptional.

My only criticism was that I felt that the tables could have been bussed better, and a bit faster than they were. Other than that, I was very pleased, and, although I am retiring from all weddings after that of The Bride of Rochester, if I had to throw another shower someday, I would definately consider throwing it at Aladdin's on Monroe.

http://www.aladdinsnaturaleatery.com/

...Afterthought... Aladdin's on Schoen Place was the first place contacted to have the shower - they were not nearly as friendly, not nearly as willing to work with us, and frankly, my overall experience there has never been as nice as that of the Monroe Avenue location. The only thing better about the Schoen Place location, in my own opinion, IS the location. It is beautifully located on the Erie Canal amongst cute little shops and restaurants.