I will be in Rochester, NY for a couple days next week for work and am looking for some restaurant recommendations. I will be on the east side of town and am looking for casual places to relax with a good meal after dealing with clients all day. Any type of food other than sushi is up for consideration and I need to keep the bill reasonable, so lets say entres $20 and under.

Thanks.

I love going to 2 Vine -- it is in the city (but not hard to get to!). The bar area is great to relax at. Check out www.2vine.com. My personal fav.

I also like Pomodoro Grill & Wine Bar on University Ave.

Another more casual option up near the lake (on Lake Ave) is Mr. Dominic's (Italian).

There are a bunch of restaurants on Alexander St (near 2 Vine) -- the Mexican place is pretty good (I think its called "Mex"), and then stop at The Old Toad, a real English Pub for a good beer.

Let me know how you make out!

Thanks! Sounds like some good recommendations.

I will consider the trip a success if I don't freeze my buns off I'm in California and been in shorts and sandals this week. Leaving my warm weather for freezing temperatures is tough.

i loved biaggi's, in the mall. atmosphere doesn't come to mind, but the food was great, and plenty of people...

J Correa,
If you haven't left yet I'd recommend Dinosaur Bar B Que (downtown 99 Court St, very casual, great food); Park Ave Pub ( 650 Park Ave, slightly fancier, small, more expensive); Vinetos (330 East Ave, small, casual, Italian and woodfired pizza, great food). I like 2 Vine, but it might be overpriced, I like Pomodoro for lunch, Mr. Dominec's probably isn't worth the drive for you (IMO).

Where are you staying?

I can't believe someone else recommended Mr. Dominic's. We make it there every time we go to Rochester! It might be a drive for you and it is nothing to look at, but I think the food is pretty good.

We also like Dinosaur BBQ, but be prepared to wait.

Dinasour BBQ is good, but the wait there is getting ridiculous. Last Saturday we arrived at 7:30 and were told that it would be a 2 1/2 hour wait! Plus the place was packed and there wasn't really anywhere to wait comfortably (too cold yet to hang outside). (We left and went elsewhere.) You need to arrive there very early or very late and still plan to wait.

cher:
We actually like Beale Street (bar b que) a lot too. I just think it is a little harder to find (maybe) for someone from out of town. Have you tried it?

I forgot about Beale St ... I was there awhile ago and liked it ... I'll have to go again soon!

Dinosaur BBQ is worth the wait! Go early or go late. And get the Fandango Platter. WOW!