Laura Rebecca's Kitchen

We had a little birthday celebration at work this week for someone who A) eats very healthily  and B) likes coconut.  Chocolate Covered Katie’s “Coconut Crack bars” seemed like a good fit for a celebratory treat. The recipe came together easily, mixing everything by hand in a large bowl. But after pressing the mixture into a […]

Tim Nekritz created #pancaketweetup, “a monthly virtual gathering involving some kind of breakfast (some of us just happen to prefer pancakes) and sharing it via social media (most use Twitter, though others Facebook or blog or Flicker or YouTube). Food, fun and fellowship … the best things in life!” I felt like getting a little […]

Hey, I’m on Tumblr!  

On Saturday, February 8, six Rochester chefs, in conjunction with the 48 other chefs across North America, will compete in Dishcrawl’s culinary competition, Battledish  for the change to be crowned King or Queen. I am thrilled to be participating as one of Battledish Rochester’s judges!  Six Rochester restaurants are represented: Roam Cafe Chef: Tim Doane Dish: Arancini Carbonara Drink: […]

Fraiche is closed as of July 2014. Originally published on December 25, 2013. Dessert is often a casualty in culinary cost-cutting. An eatery might work to keep a good steak on the menu, top-shelf liquor behind the bar, and fresh greens in the salad, only to phone it in for the final course. Sometimes literally, […]

Originally published on November 27, 2013. There are streets in Manhattan that have yet to be completely overtaken by chain restaurants, though they are further and fewer between than they were 10 years ago. These patches of resistance are little, rabbit-warren-like spaces, crammed with wood-grain Formica two-tops and tiny black chairs. They’re dimly lit and […]

  Rumi’s is closed as of Spring 2014 Originally published on November 13, 2013. Route 31 is a busy thoroughfare, particularly the section south of the 590 ramp and north of the Pittsford village. It’s a suburban, commercial juggernaut. Get a bestseller fix at Barnes & Noble, a bag of frozen Parisian carrots at Trader […]

Originally published on October 30, 2013. An early 20th century brick fortress, the Culver Road Armory is now a mixed-use space, boasting modern flourishes of blonde wood, burnished chrome, and glowing light accents. On a Friday or Saturday night, the parking lot is packed. The main draw is TRATA, a.k.a. The Restaurant At The Armory. […]

Originally published on October 2, 2013. The first items arriving to our table from Bistro Han’s kitchen were the braised pork belly steamed buns ($5). Two to an order, perched on a small plate, these were fit-in-the-palm-of-your-hand-sized sandwiches: thick slabs of browned pork encased in snowy, white dough. The pork belly and the belly of […]

  Tap & Table has been redesigned and is now the Rochester Tap Room.   “It will not be your average sausage bar!” said owner, Joe McBain.  Read more about the switch at RocWiki. Originally published on September 18, 2013. Tap & Table, the 14-month-old restaurant in Corn Hill Landing, hums with activity on a Saturday night. […]