On a Main Street Corner, Meeting House Ready to Open

The newest downtown Rochester restaurant officially open for business at 4 p.m. Tuesday.

With a bright red door and a new look inside and out, The Meeting House is set to open Tuesday in downtown Rochester. The restaurant, located in the former Mind Body & Spirits building at the corner of Third and Main streets, has been redesigned to be exactly what its name implies: a place for "regulars" to come and hang out. "It will have a comfortable atmosphere and simple, seasonal, approachable menu," said owner Jason Mood. He and co-owner Chris Johnson come to Rochester from the Beverly Hills Grill. "There's a lot going into this," Mood said, "We're looking to make a splash. We want it to be fantastic." Read all about their vision in Come October, They'll Be A New Place for Rochester To Meet and Eat.) Read about the history of the …

•  1 Comment
• Photos (1)

Cheesecake Factory, Zingerman's, Union Woodshop: Rochester Wants You!

When a Rochester Patch reader shares the restaurants he wants to see in his town, more than 100 of his neighbors chime in with their opinions. From White Castle to Red Coat Tavern, here's what's on Rochester's Restaurant Wish List.

"If I could bring any restaurants to Rochester, it would be the Fleetwood Diner, Zingerman's and Big 10 Burrito, all in Ann Arbor." So stated Rochester Patch blogger David Gifford in a post on our Facebook page earlier this week.  Our Facebook fans were quick to offer up THEIR wish list for restaurants they want to see in Rochester and Rochester Hills; more than 100 people responded. Zingerman's, the Ann Arbor bakery and deli institution, took the top number of votes; the Cheesecake Factory, which locations in 36 states — but none in Michigan — came in a close second.  A Curt Catallo restaurant (like Clarkston Union, Union Woodshop or Vinsetta Garage) also ranked high on the wish list. Other notables: The French Laundry in Fenton, Red Coat…

•  51 Comments
• Photos (1)

David Gifford

1:35 pm on Monday, December 3, 2012

Despite the fact that one can fix meals cheaper and healthier at home, we all have a desire to dine out and have our meals prepared for us. One of the unfortunate truths about dining out though is that most times value does not equal healthy and healthier food made from fresh ingredients often costs a lot more. Even fast food is expensive now! Through investigation out of necessity (budgeting …   more ›

Jersey Mike's to Open Wednesday in Rochester Hills

It's the third location in the state for the East Coast-style sub restaurant.

Jersey Mike's Subs will open Wednesday on Rochester Road.  The restaurant, located in the former Blockbuster location across from Target, is known for its fresh and grilled subs. The casual restaurant chain started on the Jersey Shore in 1956 and has grown to include 750 locations. According to a news release from Jersey Mike's, the restaurant wins "best sub" awards in "virtually every market it enters." The Jersey Mike’s experience "always includes its trademark neighborly banter served up by a high-energy Jersey Mike’s team," the news release stated. Here's a sneak preview of the menu. Hours at the Rochester Hills location are 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Sunday. The Rochester Hills Jersey Mike's follows the September opening of a …

•  4 Comments
• Photos (1)

Around Town

Paint Creek Mill: It's Not Just Cider and Donuts Anymore

A former manager of downtown Rochester's Mind, Body & Spirits takes over the Oakland Township landmark, expanding the menu and staying open for business all year-round.

They hear it a lot at Paint Creek Cider Mill. "I didn't know you served food here!" Well-known for their fall fare of cider and donuts, Paint Creek Mill is under new ownership and making some changes: they are expanding their menu and staying open year-round. Owner Ed Granchi has a long history with Rochester and with food. The Rochester High School graduate managed both Mind Body & Spirits and Rochester Mills Beer Co. before purchasing Paint Creek Cider Mill. "It was a no-brainer when a local landmark came up to own and operate," Granchi said. "I have 15 years experience in the restaurant business but this was a great opportunity to have something of my own —and best of all, a place I used to enjoy as a child." Take a closer look at that …

•  11 Comments
• Photos (8)

Around Town

Newest Pizzeria in Rochester Hills Was Inspired By Detroit's Eastern Market

The menu at 112 Pizzeria Bistro is small but brilliant, the owner is a lifelong foodie and the pizza — well, you'll just have to read the review.

Fresh, New York-style thin crust pizza has arrived on the western side of Rochester Hills, and it has a distinct Eastern Market flair. 112 Pizzeria Bistro, located in the Adams Marketplace Plaza between Meijer and Walmart, may have opened only months ago, but owner Jimmy Younan has been experimenting with pizza for seven years. "I was inspired by a guy at Eastern Market," Younan said. "I consider him one of the greatest pizzamakers around." After perfecting his dough, Younan, "a lifelong food-service guy," looked for a place to open his pizzeria, named for his son's birthday, January 12.  This area of Rochester Hills and, specifically, Adams Marketplace Plaza appealed to Younan because it is still developing, is anchored by two national …

•  9 Comments
• Photos (5)

2 Rochester Restaurants Win Top Honors in Detroit Burger Brawl

Are these your favorite spots to have a burger?

Local chefs battled with their burgers this weekend at Eastern Market. In the end, two Rochester restaurants took away awards, according to an announcement on the Detroit Burger Brawl's Facebook page. O'Connor's Public House in downtown Rochester won 'Most Flavorful Burger' along with Pappy's of Detroit and Dirty Dog Jazz Cafe in Grosse Pointe. Chapman's Mill of Rochester Hills won 'Most Creative Burger' along with Mt. Chalet in Royal Oak. Motor City Casino won 'Most Stylish Burger' and Townhouse Bistro in Birmingham won 'Best Burger' overall. The event was organized by Eastern Market and Fairway Packing Co. Each participating restaurant was given a chance to grind their own special meat blend on-site, grill up their creations and face a …

•  4 Comments
• Photos (1)

Around Town

Where's the Beef in Rochester Hills? At the New Luca's Chophouse

Here's your first look at the newest fine dining experience in town.

Luca's Chophouse opened in its new location at the corner of Tienken and Rochester roads earlier this summer, and Patch readers have been fast and generous with their rave reviews. After I read Rochester Patch Facebook fan Amy Beth say "the beef tip appetizer was uncomfortably delicious: heavy cream, lots of salt, buttery tender beef," I knew it was abundantly clear that I needed to get there fast. On Saturday night we got a sitter, dressed up (thank you Francesca's Collection!) and met friends at the Rochester area's newest chophouse. Our reservations secured us a table near the waterfall and temptingly close to the wall of wine.  The restaurant's interior looks nothing like its prececessor, the Mexican eatery that was Los Locos. Luca's …

•  6 Comments
• Photos (9)

Crust Closed, Luca's Open and 5 Restaurants Coming Soon to Rochester

Here's the lowdown on Rochester restaurant happenings.

Maybe you're getting tired of the same meal at the same Rochester-area restaurant. Or maybe you just like to try new venues for your breakfasts, lunches and dinners. Regardless, we know you like to read the latest restaurant news around town. Here's what we know right now: 

•  21 Comments
• Photos (2)

Around Town

Fish, Chips and a Taste of Dublin in the Middle of Downtown Rochester

We tried out the newest downtown restaurant and fell in love with the flaky freshness.

Thirty-five years ago Bob Lenartowicz's Irish wife made him a fish-and-chips fan. And now, Rochester residents get to benefit from that love. Dublin Fish & Chips made the move from Clinton Township and opened at 417 Main St. in June — right in the midst of the Main Street Makeover.  "At our previous location, Rochester residents would come in and say we should move out here," Lenartowicz said. "The foot traffic was one of the reasons we came here, but we also love the small-town feel." At one time Lenartowicz repaired boats for a living, which left his winters pretty open.  "I started doing restaurant work in the winters — I'd always wanted to own a restaurant — and I worked with someone who did a lot of seafood," Lenartowicz said. …

•  24 Comments
• Photos (3)

Have You Heard What's Happening at Former Mind Body & Spirits?

Just incase you missed the news about the new restaurant moving in on the downtown Rochester corner, here it is again!