We're deep in the throes of summer which means there are loads of opportunities to wine and dine outside (or indoors for those that prefer that sweet relief of air conditioning). For this week's Chow Hound, we have compiled a by no means comprehensive list of local food events happening around town this summer. Check out our online calendar for more.
Bar Bantam (1 South Clinton Avenue) will host Patio Picnics on Thursday nights all summer long from 5:30 to 9:30 p.m. with different specials each night. On the menu for Thursday, July 12, will be Bantam burgers and $6 Fisher's Island Spiked Lemonade. Grab a taco and a $6 margarita from the taco bar on July 19. July 26 will feature empanadas and $6 Caipirinhas. Daniel King will be providing live entertainment each night. Search "Patio Picnic Summer Dinner Series" on Facebook.
The Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra and Unter Biergarten have teamed up to host a Pop-Up Cantina on Saturday, July 14, at The Wilder Room (120 East Avenue) from 4 to 7 p.m., just prior to a performance by the RPO from the "Star Wars Concert Series" at Kodak Hall at Eastman Theatre. Star Wars-themed food and beverage specials will be available and entry is free for those that have a ticket for the performance. If you're not going to the performance and still want to check it out, admission is $5. Come dressed as your favorite Star Wars character for a night at the Mos Eisley Spaceport. Live long and prosper. Oh, wait, that's Star Trek...damn! I tried. Facebook event page.
Midtown Eats will continue its takeover of the Midtown Pedestrian Walkway (280 East Broad Street) on Thursdays, July 12 and 26, and August 9 and 23. Restaurants participating in the July 12 event include Tavern at Gibbs, Eat Greek, Park Ave Paninoteca, and a handful of other local eateries. Lunch hours are from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. and dinner hours are from 5 to 9 p.m. Parking is free in the Midtown Garage.
The City of Rochester's Food Truck Rodeo at the Rochester Public Market (280 North Union Street) will take place on Wednesday, July 25 and Wednesday, August 29. The July 25 date will feature music from Something Else and hordes of local food trucks to stuff your face from. There's even a free shuttle that picks up at the East End Garage and drops you at the market. The first shuttle leaves the East End Garage at 5:30 p.m. and the last one leaves the Public Market at 9:30 p.m. More information at cityofrochester.gov/foodtruckrodeo.
The Monroe County Farm Bureau has teamed up with the Monroe County Soil and Water Conservation District and the Cornell Cooperative Extension of Monroe County to present the annual "Farm to Table Dinner: Celebrate Agriculture," taking place on Sunday, August 12, from 4 to 8 p.m. at the Clubhouse at Durand Eastman Park. It's a celebration of local produce prepared by local chefs, and proceeds from the event will support the Monroe County Farm Bureau scholarship fund and support the promotion and education of agriculture in the community. Tickets are $25 per person in advance and $30 at the door and can be purchased at monroecountyfarmbureauny.org.
Chow Down Downtown will take place on Wednesday, August 22, from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. on Church Street between State and Fitzhugh Streets. This City of Rochester event encourages downtown workers to unchain themselves from their desks and grab some lunch for a variety of local food trucks, or to patronize a downtown restaurant. The Meatball Truck, Effortlessly Healthy, and Rob's Kabobs are just a few of the trucks that will be parked along Church Street, which will be closed for traffic during the event. Visit cityofrochester.gov/chowdown for more information.
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