Grinnell's - Rochester

As you enter, a gentleman welcomes you and escorts you to your table. The servers are all well-dressed and exude class. You feel as though you’ve stepped back i... read more As you enter, a gentleman welcomes you and escorts you to your table. The servers are all well-dressed and exude class. You feel as though you’ve stepped back in time. They give you as much time as you need, serving water and drinks before bringing out the appetizers, which include bread with either plain or garlic flavor. After that, they take your dinner order while continually checking on your table and refilling drinks between courses. When dinner arrives, the service remains attentive but never overbearing, allowing you time to savor your meal. For dessert, I highly recommend the New York cheesecake—delicious! The mixed drinks are crafted to be enjoyed slowly; they are so tasty that you’ll want to gulp them down. I had three of their Moscow Mules, made with ginger, pepper-infused liquor, ginger beer, and lime. By the time we got home after spending a couple of hours there, I certainly felt it! They sneak up on you but are so delightful! My husband ordered stuffed mushrooms; he said they were good but a bit spicy. I opted for a pepper stuffed with garlic and topped with melted mozzarella cheese. It was light in flavor, and I would have preferred more garlic, plus it could have been served hotter—but I ate it all regardless! For my main course, I tried their special, a filet mignon topped with two sizable, tender shrimp and served over turnips. The steak was ordered medium rare, but I found it to lack flavor and be slightly dry. It could have benefited from a sauce. Dipping it in my husband’s horseradish improved the taste. When I cut closer to the center, it wasn’t quite as tender as I expected, and the low, romantic lighting made it difficult to see if it was pink inside. I noted it was a little undercooked when I reheated it the next day, but it tasted better then! I had never tried parsnips before; I didn’t notice the carrot flavor they claimed it had—just a rather bland vegetable taste. The rice was undercooked for my liking but had a nice color and flavor; I enjoyed it even the next day. My husband had the prime rib end cut, and he made all sorts of delighted noises while eating it, so I guess that was a hit! When you’re ready to leave, they have your car warmed up and ready to go—truly the best service anywhere! I recommend experiencing this for yourself; it’s located right on Route 31! Make sure to use GPS and make a reservation, or you may drive right past it! Enjoy!

Still excellent. It's the little things that they continue to do despite the difficulties of these times that shows they care. Like the garlic bread brought to... read more Still excellent. It's the little things that they continue to do despite the difficulties of these times that shows they care. Like the garlic bread brought to the table as you're seated and the crispy lyonnaise potatoes with onions as a starch choice and the complimentary sundae for desert! We remember another of our favorites that did away with the perks when times got tough and it just hastened their demise. So thank you to Grinnell's for doing the things that make it unique.

I am not sure what has happened to this restaurant. When you come in the door there seems to be an old stale odor, which can turn you off right away and second... read more I am not sure what has happened to this restaurant. When you come in the door there seems to be an old stale odor, which can turn you off right away and second guess coming in to sit down. That being said we had reservations and they took us in a separate back area, which looked nice. Servers were okay. Stuffed mushrooms were amazing. We both had the artichoke tomato soup which taste like sauce with artichoke in it. It was a little strange and not what I expected. Chicken French was a little sweet, more like a Marsala. My husband tried the prime rib. He said it was ok, not the best he has had. It was very fatty. I would come back to order out chicken French. But my husband said he won't be back for steak.

We were warmly greeted by the host upon arrival, who promptly seated us. Unfortunately, the prime rib we were hoping to enjoy was unavailable, which was disappo... read more We were warmly greeted by the host upon arrival, who promptly seated us. Unfortunately, the prime rib we were hoping to enjoy was unavailable, which was disappointing since I had called ahead to confirm its availability for the evening. I opted for the Haddock French, which was just mediocre, while my wife's chicken dish had significantly more flavor. My meal included one side, and I chose the pasta. The fish portion was quite small—actually two small pieces that seemed to be what was left at the bottom of the box. For $20, I was expecting a larger serving of fish over noodles. I also considered ordering a Caesar salad, but $8 for just romaine lettuce, croutons, parmesan, and dressing felt excessive. After our food was served, our server didn’t check on us until we asked for the bill. I really wanted to enjoy this dining experience, but Grinnell's did not make a good impression tonight, and I likely won’t be returning.

My husband and I have always enjoyed dining at Grinnell's for special occasions, as it has consistently delivered a great experience. However, our visit on Wedn... read more My husband and I have always enjoyed dining at Grinnell's for special occasions, as it has consistently delivered a great experience. However, our visit on Wednesday night was disappointing. Some of our favorite dishes, like the mixed grill, grilled shrimp cocktail, and lobster tail, were missing from the menu. Our waitress, Meghan, was very kind and requested the chef to grill my shrimp cocktail, but it didn't compare to the excellent version we had before. The Caesar salad was good, as was the soup special — Cajun turkey vegetable — though it lacked spiciness. We both chose the Delmonico steaks; unfortunately, mine was tough, and the crab meat topping I requested tasted like it came from a can. The Bernaise sauce was delicious, and the snow peas and grilled mushrooms were the highlight of the meal. My husband enjoyed his steak with rice. I understand these are challenging times, but I hope some of our old favorites can make a comeback on Grinnell's menu.