On Saturdays, we often head off to do errands in Rochester, including dry cleaning, purchasing coffee beans at Joe Bean's on University Avenue, the Rochester Public Market and, of course, the mother ship (aka Wegmans, Pittsford). Oddly enough, the whole morning is actually fun and congenial -- in part because of the people and, of course, in part because of the food focus of the errands.
One of my discoveries during these mornings occurred early on when I was very early to the market one Saturday and, on my way out, decided to get a donut and coffee at Boxcar Donuts and Fried Chicken. A somewhat sparse largish space, the morning I first went lead to a tiny bit of overindulgent; rather than the one donut I "needed" I went with four -- intending to share them with my partner. I even went so far as to get a cucumber mint donut, which sounded odd, included two of my favorite flavors, and was indeed odd. It turns out that Boxcar's donut flavors are often mainly in the icings, which I did not then know. I also had my favorite donut -- a cinnamon sugar donut. The place was so happy making that I headed there when I had free time in Rochester to do some work, finding it much emptier and quite conducive to work on a weekday. Their lattes are good -- though they do not have caramel to add (I turned to vanilla and came to like it). I have not bought their beans, nor do they sell boxes of the delightful Kilogram tea they carry (which is disappointing as my household became addicted to their teas in Chicago).
The service is friendly, often female, and always focused on getting you things in a reasonable time. The bathroom (shared with others in the building) is out the door and down the hall. And, the parking across the street is free (and also shared with a variety of other businesses).
I have though, never eaten a real meal there, though I know they serve fried chicken, among other options!
Yes, this, like the next place I will review, is right on Railroad Street, nearish the entrance to the Rochester Public Market. It's address is 127 Railroad Street.
Bitter Honey was in the process of being constructed when I first wandered down Railroad street and is now open at the same address, 127 Railroad Street. The name itself attracted us -- and then the idea of brunch -- with cocktails -- snared us one morning. We have now been there twice on a Saturday late morning.
Our visits made us happy -- though we are unlikely to make this a regular spot for ourselves. It is a mexican inspired place, which, like many paces, also focuses on cocktails, in this case emphasizing mezcal and tequila. I can say the cocktails have been inspired -- and wonderful. The food was amazing on our first visit -- and we ordered identically on the second in what my partner called (jokingly) a "validation test." To be honest, while the second visit was adequate, it did not live up to our first (shared) meal.
Here's what we had in terms of food:
Guacamole: We chose among several options, having been initially confused by a comma into thinking the pea only came with crab (it does not) the pea guacamole. (That is, all the guacamoles can be enhanced with crab. We did not). The pea guacamole comes in two avocado halves and is light, tasty, and seems somewhat . . . indulgent. The chips were amazing the first time -- so much so that those were, in large measure why we returned. Not as good the second time. The first time they were light and airy. The second, fairly traditional and somewhat stale seeming.
Chilaquiles: I love chilaquiles and have both ordered them various places and made them at home. Yes, this dish can be made in very very many different ways, most of them amazing. In Chicago, I was a real fan of the chilaquiles at Nana's on South Halsted and had them almost every time I went there. I was expecting something like those at Nana's when we placed our first order for these: layers and layers of corn tortillas with a green sauce and. . . . What arrived was very different (in part because of the description on the menu focused on red!) and while not what I expected, very good. These looked more like the nachos I make at home: corn chips (nice ones) in a layer with sauce, eggs, and cheese.
I should say, the second time was consistent with the first in appearance, but once again, did not live up to the very first time we ate this. Tasty but nothing to return for if you are driving a distance. Maybe what I am trying to say is that we wee unduly impressed the first time. Maybe what I am trying to say is that the tastes were murkier the second time. I am not quite sure -- and leave it to you to visit and comment.
On both visits, we shared both dishes. This was perfect for us. I had cocktails both times -- and these far surpassed the meal the second time. (Be sure to flip your menu over as the cocktails on the reverse are quite amazing, including one that used corn cream.)
On ambience: the place is actually quite visually appealing and has terrific art. Look especially for the rabbit on one way and the mule (I think) on another. Yes, there is free parking across the street -- and yes, the bathroom is the same one that folks from Boxcar use!
Our visits were about a week apart. There were, we have to admit, more people in the room, and perhaps that explains our mild dissatisfaction with the food on our second visit. I would return, perhaps, for another meal at a different time of day. And I would definitely return for the cocktails. I like the ambience a lot -- and . . . . yes, this is a good addition to the newly burgeoning Railroad Street row.
For a review of Bitter Honey from the Democrat and Chronicle, try here. For some City Newspaper commentary on Boxcar, try here.
