Every year City Newspaper asks its readers to tell us what's great about our fair city. And every year hundreds replay with their choices for the best of Rochester. From pie shops to strippers, radio shows to beauty salons, you'll find their picks here. For additional Best Of content, including picks by City Newspaper's critics, check out the Guides section at rochestercitynewspaper.com. And keep your eyes peeled for the 2008 Best Of Rochester, coming in November.
FOOD & DRINK
Chinese Restaurant
Ming's Take Out1038 S Clinton Ave, 244-0920
Ming's II 1132 Monroe Ave, 271-7260
Sushi Restaurant
California Rollin' Village Gate, 274 N Goodman St, 271-8990
California Rollin' II Port of Rochester, 1000 North River St, 271-8920
Italian Restaurant
Mario's Italian Steakhouse 2740 Monroe Ave, 271-1111
Middle Eastern Restaurant
Sinbad's Mediterranean Cuisine 719 Park Ave, 473-5655
Mexican Restaurant
Salena'sMexicanRestaurantVillage Gate, 274 N Goodman St, 256-5980
Indian Restaurant
India House 998 S Clinton Ave, 461-0880
Diner
Highland Park Diner 960 S Clinton Ave, 461-5040
New Restaurant
The Social 330 East Ave, 325-2010
Pizza
Pontillo's Pizzeria Many area locations, pontillospizza.com
Burger
Bill Gray's Restaurants Many area locations, billgrays.com
Barbecue
Dinosaur Bar-B-Que 99 Court St, 325-7090
Fish Fry
Bill Gray's Restaurants Many area locations, billgrays.com
Wings
Jeremiah's Tavern 1104 Monroe Ave, 461-1313
Hot Sauce
Country Sweet Chicken & Ribs 515 Monroe Ave, 442-1414 | 640 Lake Ave, 458-3500 | 1691 Mt Hope Ave, 244-3200
Steak House
Black & Blue 3349 Monroe Ave, 421-8111
Bakery
Little Bakery 89 Charlotte St, 232-4884
Pie
Phillips European 26 Corporate Woods, 272-9910
Ice Cream
Abbott's Frozen Custard Many area locations, abbottscustard.com
Coffee
Boulder Coffee Co. 100 Alexander St, 454-7140
Bagel
TIE: Bagel Bin Café 2600 Elmwood Ave, 461-4475
Balsam Bagels 288 N Winton Rd, 482-5080
Sandwich Shop
DiBella's Old Fashioned Submarines Many area locations, dibellas.com
Beer Selection
MacGregor's Grill & Tap Room Many area locations
Wine Selection
Solera Wine Bar 647 South Ave, 232-3070
Dive Bar
Marge's Lakeside Inn 4909 Culver Rd, 323-1020
Happy Hour
Lux Lounge 666 South Ave, 232-9030
Brunch
Mario's Italian Steakhouse 2740 Monroe Ave, 271-1111
Upscale Restaurant
2 Vine 24 Winthrop St, 454-8020
Outdoor Patio
Pomodoro Grill & Wine Bar 1290 University Ave, 271-5000
Regional Winery
Casa Larga Vineyards 2287 Turk Hill Rd, Fairport, 223-4210
Place to Eat at 3 a.m.
Mark's Texas Hots 487 Monroe Ave, 473-1563 | 48 Lake Ave, 423-0669
Place to Take the Kids
StrongNationalMuseum of Play 1 Manhattan Square, 263-2700
Place to Take Vegetarians
Aladdin's Natural Eatery 646 Monroe Ave, 442-5000 | 8 Schoen Pl, Pittsford, 264-9000
Spot to Eat Alone
TIE: Spot Coffee 200 East Ave, 613-4600
Café Cibon 688 Park Ave, 461-2960
Meal Under $10
John's Tex-MexEatery 489 South Ave, 232-5830
Caterer
Dinosaur Bar-B-Que 99 Court St, 325-7090
RETAIL
Place to Find Affordable Gas
Delta Sonic Many area locations, deltasoniccarwash.com
Tailor
Aldo's Tailor Shop 1833 Monroe Ave, 442-6870
Record Store
Record Archive 1880 East Ave, 244-1210
Book Store
Brown Bag Bookstore 678 Monroe Ave, 271-3494
Jewelry Store
TIE: Mann's Jewelers 2945 Monroe Ave, 271-4000
The Source Fine Jewelers 3300 Monroe Ave, 586-9145 | 2147 W Ridge Rd, 225-5445 | 535 W Ridge Rd, 621-6280
Place to Buy a New Car
John Holtz 3925 W Henrietta Rd, 334-0880
Place to Buy a Used Car
Dorschel Automotive Group Many area locations, dorschel.com
Honest Auto Repair
TIE: Craig Autometrics Inc. 10 Winthrop St, 325-3337
East Avenue Auto 1656 East Ave, 271-7610
Florist
Arena's Florist Inc. 260 East Ave, 454-3720
Hair Salon
World Hair 121 Park Ave, 473-5452 | 571 South Ave, 262-3350
Nail Salon
Star Nails Many area locations
Place to Shop for a Kid's Birthday
Archimage668 Monroe Ave, 271-2789
Men's Clothing Store
Thread 654 South Ave, 232-7110
Women's Clothing Store
Thread 654 South Ave, 232-7110
Secondhand Clothing Store
Godiva's 653 South Ave, 244-3370
Shoe Store
A Step Apart 235 Park Ave, 241-3110
Athletic Store
MedVed Running & Walking Outfitters 3400 Monroe Ave, 248-3420
Tattoo Parlor
Love/Hate Tattoo 217 1/2 Alexander St, 262-6440
Car Wash
Delta Sonic Many area locations, deltasoniccarwash.com
Liquor Store
Marketview Liquor 1100 Jefferson Rd, 427-2480
Organic Food Store
Lori's Natural Foods 900 Jefferson Rd, 424-2323
Furniture Store
Houseworks 3450 Winton Pl, 427-7620
Pet Store
Park Ave Pets 991 Monroe Ave, 256-0006
Gift Shop
Parkleigh 215 Park Ave, 244-4842
Antique Store
Craft Antique Co-Op 3200 W Ridge R, 368-0670
MEDIA
Local Radio Show
"Radio Free Wease" WCMF 96.5 FM
Sexiest Radio Voice (Male)
Brother Wease WCMF 96.5 FM
Sexiest Radio Voice (Female)
Beth Adams WHAM 1180 AM
Radio Station
WBER90.5 FM
Reliable Weatherperson
Glenn Johnson WHAM Channel 13
On-Air TV News Team
WHAM Channel 13
TV News Hottie (Male)
Doug Emblidge WHAM Channel 13
TV News Hottie (Female)
Jennifer Johnson WHEC Channel 10
Local Website
Rockwiki.org
Commercial for a Local Business
Fuccillo Hyundai
LOCAL COLOR
Politician
Mayor Robert Duffy
Politician in Need of a Slap to the Head
CountyExecutive Maggie Brooks
Place to See and Be Seen
Park Avenue
Neighborhood
Southwedge
Park
Highland Park
Greater Rochester Bragging Point
George Eastman House 900 East Ave, 271-3361
Use of Public Funds
Troup-HowellBridge
Misuse of Public Funds
Fast Ferry
Local Celebrity
Philip Seymour Hoffman
View of the City
Cobbs Hill
Place to Mooch Wifi
Spot Coffee 200 East Ave, 613-4600
Place to Park Illegally and Not Get Ticketed
Silly to tell
Local Gripe
Weather
SPORTS & RECREATION
Spa
Del Monte Lodge 41 N Main St, Pittsford, 381-990
Sports Team
Rochester Red Wings
Gym
Downtown Fitness Club 50 Chestnut St, 756-4090
Bowling Alley
Clover Lanes 2750 Monroe Ave, 244-1484
Golf Course
Oak Hill Country ClubKilbourn Rd, 586-1660
Place to Go Camping
LetchworthState Park
Hill to Go Sledding
Cobbs Hill
Hill to Ski/Snowboard
BristolMountain
Place to Ice Skate
ManhattanSquarePark
Cross-Country Skiing Spot
Mendon Ponds
Bingo Hall
Bingo Palace 341 E Ridge Rd, 266-7344
Public Pool
GeneseeValleyPark Pool
Beach
Durand Eastman
Playground
Meigs Street & Linden Avenue
Place to Play Pool
Six Pockets 716 E Ridge Rd, 266-1440
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
Original Band
The Buddhahood
Cover Band
Uncle Plum
Band Name
The Buddhahood
Club to Hear Live Music
Water Street Music Hall 204 N Water St, 325-5600
Place for Karaoke
Flipside Bar & Grill 2001 E Main St, 288-3930
Music Concert of 2007
TIE: Bob Dylan
Rochester International Jazz Festival
Rusted Root
Theater Production of 2007
"Monty Python's Spamalot" Rochester Broadway Theatre League
Art Show of 2007
ClotheslineFestival Memorial Art Gallery
Place to Dig Some Poetry
Writers & Books 740 University Ave, 473-2590
Festival
Park Avenue Festival
Movie Theater
The Little 240 East Ave, 258-0444
Place to Dance
Tilt 444 Central Ave, 232-8440
Place to People Watch
Park Avenue
Kids Entertainment
StrongNationalMuseum of Play 1 Manhattan Square, 263-2700
LOVE & SEX
Place for a First Date
The Little 240 East Ave, 258-0444
Place for a Last Date
Mt.HopeCemetery
Romantic Restaurant
Rooney's Restaurant 90 Henrietta St, 442-0444
Place to Pick Up a One-Night Stand
East End
Straight Bar
Lux Lounge 666 South Ave, 232-9030
Gay Bar
Muther's 40 Union St, 325-6216
Strip Club
Klassy Cat Tavern 3800 W Henrietta Rd, 359-8639
Stripper/Exotic Dancer
Peaches Klassy Cat
Hotel for a Rendezvous
Hyatt Regency Rochester 125 E Main St, 546-1234
Adult Bookstore
Show World Adult Videos 1167 Brighton Henrietta Town Line Rd, 424-2580
Outdoor Make-Out Spot
Highland Park
For more Best Of choices, including City Critics' Picks, find Best of Rochester under Guides in "Arts & Entertainment."
