I had one of the worst restaurant experiences possible (ok, that is an exaggeration!) at a place in Rochester recently and they reacted so nicely -- and the food is so wonderful -- that I was eager to return and did so within less than a week. The pl;ace: Edibles. And this is a positive review.
Yep, a bug crawled out of the greens on a veggie burger the first time I visited Edibles. A small, green striped bug. Turns out it is a cucumber beetle (and thanks to this site for the picture). Actually it was a beautiful bug -- but it startled me pretty darn good. I wrapped it (without squashing!) in a napkin and discreetly approached the waiter (though apparently looking a bit upset) saying that I felt like I was in a movie . . . and then said there was a bug in my food. I handed it to him (wrapped in the napkin). I ordered another drink and. . . . they were incredibly apologetic, paid for the burger when they replaced it and the second drink I ordered because. . . I hate bugs. (Yes, another exaggeration.) Even beautiful ones. And certainly when they crawl out of food, even though I know (I really do know) that the more local the food, the more "real" and the less processed the food, the more the bugs are going to be there.Bugs are not bad. At least not this little green striped bug.
Anyway: I really really like Edibles. As I already said: the food is dandy. And, they are LGBT friendly, co-sponsoring, for example, the Image Out Film Festival. I have been there twice now -- including the day of the bug incident -- and loved the food both times. Not to mention the drinks, the service, the ambience. I even liked the bathroom. A great place.
What did I have? First time: pierogies. I love pierogies and these were among the best I have ever had. Light, filled with mashed potatoes that verged on heavenly, and with just the right amount of sour cream. I had them twice in fact, returning for an evening munchie between Image Out movies. The second time, the pierogies were a bit more fried and thus a bit less heavenly, but the carmelized onions were even better. Hmmm. What else? The first visit was lunch time and I shared the afore-mentioned veggie burger that was very tasty -- spicey with -- and without -- the aoili and the bun was nicely toasted. The evening we returned we shared a spicy temura duck confit "sushi" that was also dandy. Just the right balance of crunchy and spicey and soft. Each visit I did, in fact, have cocktails -- with an emphasis on the plural. Purple hazes were, in fact, purple. And the Manhattan 704 was very very good. Not so dangerous as to destroy either me or the film I saw next.
The ambience at lunch was sort of white table cloth casual, and the place had both ladies that lunch and business folks. In the evening, we had our munchie in what eventually became a pretty packed bar. Still, the service was quite efficient and kind, and the overall campiness just the right touch.
Bug or no bug, I will return. If you have not been there, it is worth a try. And for me, it is even worth returning while musing over the question: what WAS the movie where the relatively poor person managed to dine out on the bug she put into various dishes?
Where is Edibles? 704 University Avenue in Rochester. (Yes, that's why it was a Manhattan 704. And here's their martini list just in case you're tempted.) Phone number: (585) 271-4910
