What is Your Hidden Gem in Rochester?

Quick! Think of a hidden gem—a place, perhaps off the beaten path-that you return to as often as you can, recommend to others, (or maybe keep to yourself), that is part of what makes Rochester such a great place to live.

Our June print issue of Business Strategies Magazine is dedicated to many hidden gems of Rochester. This month, here at the office, staffers came up with:

• Magnolia's on Park and Oxford, described as unpretentious and a true treat featuring warm brie and fruit, many beers you've never heard of, and espresso-steaming hot and sweet.
• Rochester rivers and streams for giant brown trout (NY record 33 lbs 2oz)-the only other place on earth to catch these monsters is in South America.
• Richardson's Canal House Terrace, where you can sit outside on the banks of the canal and watch all the boats and ducks go by.
• Lilac Hill Nursery, where Doc Lilac, the original Ted Collins, has gorgeous lilacs in every imaginable variety, across from Casa Larga. Sells fresh-cut bouquets, too.

Post your own hidden gem below, just click "comment."

Ellen Wagner, Editor
Business Strategies Magazine
www.bizstrat.com

Comments

[Lee Drake]

My hidden gems are the Rochester Public Market (http://rocwiki.org/Public_Market) - a wonderful melting pot of all of Rochester's wonderful cultural mix, and the Neighborhood of the Arts - the area bordered by the Memorial Art Gallery, the railroad tracks, university and Winton Road.

Where else but in the public market can you see restaurant owners, suburbanites, city dwellers, farmers, and entrepreneurs, all rubbing elbows, and all in a cheerful and open manner. I'm not talking the "studied cheeriness" of a Wegmans or a Starbucks - I'm talking about people that are really being themselves, and interacting with a flair. Who can't love the guy yelling "2 pounds of bananas for a buck, a buck for two pounds" :), visit JonJohn's bakery for scrumptious dessert, hang out with Nick Francesco and have a cup of his gourmet coffee, or visit a new vendor like Peppardellos who's gourmet pasta is out of this world.

The Neighborhood of the arts (http://www.rochesternota.com) is a wonderful creative area to work, live and play. My office happens to be at Village Gate - a model for how urban renewal should look. A mixture of businesses, restaurants, artist studios, loft apartments and non-traditional office space - it raises the bar in terms of standard of living - without gentrifying the neighborhood to the point where it's no longer affordable.

[Ned Ogden]

The mostly unknown waterfall outside of Leroy where Oatka Creek drops 70 feet!

[Josh Bouk]

My family loves Braddock Bay State Park, located off the Ontario State Parkway in Ogden. They have a great playgound for the little ones, nature trails, grills, etc. And it's almost never busy. We also love walking the trails in Powder Mill Park in Bushnell's Basin.

Palmers Fish Market on Jefferson Road isn't exactly unknown to folks, but for being such a small place, they have absolutely the best seafood and beef in upstate NY. I don't go to steak houses anymore - I just go to Palmers and buy a beef tenderloin, cut the way I want by the friendliest staff around, which I can take home and grill to perfection.

And finally, when we do go out, my wife and I love the pubs. Whether it's The Retreat, in Greece, or Donnelly's in Fairport, or Jeremiah's on Monroe Ave., when you just want to relax, there's nothing better than a burger and a beer in one of these Rochester-owned, one-of-a-kind bar & grills.

[Tom Collins]

When I talk about Rochester's "best things" I first think of people and often start with the entrepreneurial spirit that is so common in our area.

But if we're focusing on places or institutions I'll go with Tom Wahl's restaurants, where you can get a really good fish fry without waiting for Friday! (http://www.tomwahls.com/menu2.htm)

[Yvonne DiVita]

Rochester's gems... we have so many it's hard to pick just one (as others have noted). My hidden gem would be Pittsford Plaza, where I can stroll around the shops to my heart's content. More specifically, I love One World Goods... they have the best gifts around. http://www.owgoods.org/

[Juli Klie]

How about a cold ice cream cone after a summer walk on the canal path? Enjoy the peaceful setting of the park benches by Abbott's in Bushnell's Basin, the great variety of ice creams at Bill Wahl's in Schoen Place, or watching the Colonial Belle pass under the Fairport lift bridge with a Likety Splits cone in hand.

For a water outing, try a sail on the Wild Hearts catamaran out of the Port of Rochester.

[Patricia Uttaro]

The whole Village of Spencerport is a hidden gem. Smaller than Fairport or Pittsford, life is pretty leisurely there. The Village has street upon street of well-kept 19th & early 20th century homes, and a small but active business district offering unique shops such as Afrikamba Curios and Union Street Primitives. Grandpa Sam's restaurant has the best Italian food around, and it's right next door to Abbotts. Best of all, the Spencerport Depot is now open on the canal and offers not only free wireless Internet, but also a museum and small library. Spend an evening or weekend afternoon there and you'll see what I mean.

[Robin Flaherty]

I recently discovered a hidden Rochester gem: Monroe Community Hospital (MCH). Over the past 20 years I have driven by the massive building and campus on East Henrietta Road occassionally wondering exactly what goes on in those buildings (the writer in me). I knew that they were not part of the Rochester hospital system like Strong, Parkridge or General, etc. but the word 'hospital' IS in their name...Then last November, my dad fell very ill and needed a level of care that was beyond what I could possibly provide for him in my home with 4 young children. Leaving many details out in the interest of interest and space, MCH stepped forward and offered my dad a bed. This facility is truly a hidden gem. It is like a little city in there--every imaginable specialist is at my dad's fingertips. My dad has 'people', let me tell you. They take such good care of my dad and with all of the layers of doctors, nurses, aides, case workers, etc. I can tell you that with the level of care my dad receives at MCH, I feel alot less guilty about having to decide 7 months ago that I was a mom first and a daughter second. My dad is getting the best care imaginable at MCH.

[Roger O'Brien]

There is a little family restaurant in Macedon, right on Rt.31F past Fairport, that is a MECCA for classic car and hot rod enthusiasts

for 100-miles around. It is called the Log Cabin Restaurant and over the years it has become THE gathering place for cool cars and motorcycles – an owner’s and enthusiasts’ dream! Every Wednesday evening, from Memorial Day to Labor Day, hundreds of people converge on this restaurant and hold an informal car show and ride-in in their parking lot and the adjacent field. I happened to be there last night (rode my Harley in with a friend) and there were easily 600 show cars and motorcycles on display by their owners.

I’ve never seen anything like it and also don’t think I’ve seen this phenomena reported anywhere in our media. It’s just like the 1960’s with the Beach Boys playing on the PA system, people eating hamburgers and ogling the cars! You’ve got to experience this to believe it!

[Liudvikas Bukys]

The whole canal path bike path.
And Genesee Valley Park, beautiful, restful, right on the bike path and practically in the middle of the city.
I agree about the Public Market too.

[Andy James]

Hey Business Strategies! Interesting post... I just landed on your blog courtesy google.

Thanks for the great content!

[Donna DeClemente]

The neighborhood that I live in, the Browncroft district. It's right in the city and is home to some wonderful people as well as historic houses. The Browncroft neighborhood garage sale takes place every other year the first week of May (we had it this year)and is so much fun as well as a great place to find antiques and collectibles.

The Public Market is also a real favorite of mine as well.

[Nick Robfogel]

To me, the Vietnam War Memorial in Highland Park is as moving as the memorial in Washington D.C. In addition, it has a meaningful educational component.