Applebee’s, Fairport, NY

Vegetarian Restaurant Review by Jennifer Kumar.

Meet and Greet

Entering on a Christmas Eve afternoon, we were immediately greeted and sat in the bar area.

Mise en Scène
This Applebee’s like any other Applebee’s we have visited was set up in a typical Applebee’s fashion. The bar flooring area is ‘sunken’ a few feet lower than general seating that surrounds three sides of the bar area. The bar area also generally has ‘high tables’ with tall chairs with additional seating at the bar. The seating encircling the bar is comprised of regular tables and chairs or booth seating. As usual, the seating area is spacious, clean and inviting.

**We did not have to use restrooms, so no comment on that ambiance!

Choosing a Veggie Treat

Actually, for vegetarians there are not many straight forward vegetarian options. Lunch time has a nice menu with combo choices of vegetarian soups (cream of mushroom or tomato basil) with salad or sandwich (only vegetarian sandwich is a BLT grilled cheese- without the “B” or bacon). Other than this, in the meal menu, there are pasta entries that are listed default with meat ingredients. Most of these possibly can be made without the meat, but have yet to try that order. We like the ‘burger’ choices here as the regular size burger sandwiches can all be substituted with veggie burgers. Keep this tip in mind as the burger options are interesting. On this trip we received the quesadilla burger (remember to ask to omit the bacon in the cheese spread) and the cowboy burger (without the bacon). We have had the quesadilla burger and find this to be a unique option, as we have not had this at any other restaurant. Though we are quite certain to have the quesadilla burger again, this is not so true with the cowboy burger. Though overall the taste of the cowboy burger was tempting, the bar-be-que sauce was very distracting, especially for us that don’t prefer the smoky smell or taste of bar-be-que. We did not get the bruschetta burger, though we have in the past and highly recommend this as it has a fresh and addicting taste.

We did order an appetizer, the potato skin sans bacon. The potato skins were good, but bland. Would have been nice to have it as a nachos dish, topped with jalapeños and beans or have something crunchy on top, like diced red onions.

They did not have hot sauce as a condiment, though did mix ‘wing sauce’ for us, which was tasty and fulfilled the spice requirement, but had a texture and smell that was a little odd for me as it did remind me of chicken wings so I did not eat much of it.

Additionally, as I occasionally enjoy a mixed drink, I did try the pomegranate margarita on this visit. It was very tasty as it was mixed with POM brand pomegranate juice. It was so tasty and fruity that we neither noticed the strong taste of the alcohol or the bitterness of pomegranate juice. They seemed to balance and ‘even each other’ out. I recommend this drink to anyone who likes margarita sans salt.

See Applebee’s Menu

Checking In

Our waiter was attentive and very friendly. Though it was quite busy, he attended to us timely and refilled our drinks as required.

See you later

No concerns here, bill was received by us and paid in a timely fashion.

Pay Scale

$16-20 per person (1 appetizer, 1 coffee, 1 mixed drink and 2 main meals)

Tips 10-15% I think we gave closer to 12-13%

Star System

Overall 3.5/5

Though we appreciate the flexibility of the menu to create vegetarian options out of non-vegetarian ones and the ability to omit meat ingredients to do the same, we often find it challenging to choose a menu item. We like to come to Applebee’s because of the appetizers, ambiance and service, but we always come in with a hesitation as we know, as vegetarians, that finding a tasty option is a little challenging.

To find/Contact

Applebee's Neighborhood Grill & Bar
applebees.com

585 Moseley Rd
Fairport, NY 14450

(585) 425-4700‎

Get directions: To here - From here

Notes: I have also eaten at these locations with similar feedback: Pittsford Plaza, Penfield (Webster), Rochester (Irondequoit), Paddy Creek Circle (Rochester/ Greece), Cortland, NY

Notes: One reason we have tried so many locations is due to getting a ‘free’ gift card to Applebee’s when purchasing the special car wash coupon packet from Delta Sonic.

Review based on October 2008 visit.

Have you eaten at Applebee’s? If so, please share your thoughts below.

Thank you for reading!

Blue Cactus Mexican Grille, Fairport, NY

Vegetarian Restaurant Review by Jennifer Kumar.

Meet and Greet
We arrived at the hostess station about 7pm on a Sunday evening. We were immediately taken care of and sat down. The table we were originally given was not comfortable, mostly for me. After a few tries, we finally were sat in a corner table in the front of the establishment.

Mise en Scène
Honestly, I was surprised the place was so void of people. In the past year, no matter the day of the week we tried over the last year, the waiting list to enter the eatery seemed inexhaustible. Lines of eager patrons would exit the doors and down the street. Today, there were no lines, no waiting and very few people inside the establishment as well. Seemed to be in a way good for us on our first visit to the Blue Cactus. Those inside seemed to be enjoying very casually. Several couples and a family were having dinner. Appeared that most people were dressed in casual dress.

Though the interior seemed to have small square footage, the modern, colorful décor seemed to open up the space and make it much more inviting. The windows that cover the façade of the building, where we sat, also add to this effect.

**We did not have to use restrooms, so no comment on that ambiance!

Choosing a Veggie Treat
The menu at the Blue Cactus Grille had some unique items as compared to other Mexican eateries we have frequented. I would categorize the following menu items as ‘unique’: Sopa De Chile Poblano (cold soup made from poblano peppers), Ensalada De Nopal (cactus mixed salad), platanos with crema agria (fried plantains with cheese), elote (grilled corn on cob with cheese), empanadas (These “Mexican samosas” were actually not vegetarian, but we have rarely seen them outside of Rochester’s famous Juan and Maria’s Empanada Stop in Rochester Public Market. Incidentally Juan and Maria do serve a vegetarian empanada.), and chile relleno. This chile rellano at Blue Cactus Grille is unlike the others I have encountered, especially my most cherished found at Rio Tomatlan filled with cheese. This one here at Blue Cactus Grille is filled with corn and some spices. (At a loss for tempting words to describe this dish, as photographed above.) Actually, as the photo shows, corn refers to corn kernels. I had assumed a corn pudding type of filling when I read about it on the menu. The chile poblano was my main course, while hubby enjoyed

Preceding our main course we enjoyed appetizers- corn chips with two types of salsa (salsa de mesa and salsa habanero), along with the elote and tamales. The chips and dip are really ‘nothing to write home about.’ This location seems to like pureed type salsas, where as we prefer salsas with tiny chunks of vegetables, and chopped cilantro leaves. We noticed neither cilantro leaves in the salsa nor any dish at Blue Cactus. The elote, corn on the cob, must be one of their specialties. I feel a shame I could not try it because of having braces, but I’d prefer it without the cheese. The tamale was reminiscent of the ‘sweet corn tamale cakes’ we had at the Cheesecake Factory. Though I don’t prefer Cheesecake Factory, as communicated in my review, I would go back for this dish, especially after having it at Blue Cactus. Like the salsa, the tamale seemed to have all tastes mixed together and the fresh juiciness of the tastes as I remember it in this dish in Cheesecake Factory did not exist in the Blue Cactus version.

Checking In
The wait staff was very responsive to seating us in a comfortable place in the eatery. We had to change the table twice before we were comfortable. We do appreciate that. However, as we sat and were offered appetizers, it took the waitress longer than I think is normal (maybe 15-20 minutes) before she came to collect our main order. Though this is atypical, I am curious if this could be a routine for this particular place because we thought possibly drinks and appetizers may be more sought after here than the ‘meals.’

See you later
Near the end of our stay, the table was cleared and we were given the bill. Payments were collected swiftly.

Pay Scale
$25-30 per person – includes an appetizer and main course per person. Also noted is that chips and dips are not complementary. Nachos are $1.00 and salsas are .50 or $1.00 depending on taste.
Tips
10% was sufficient.
Star System 2/5
Though we may come back to try some of the other specialty items, we are not in a rush. We actually rather prefer to drive fifteen miles further to Rio Tomatlan. I would also venture to say I did like Chilango’s better, but would not prefer to drive out there, 20 miles further.

To find/Contact
Blue Cactus Mexican Grille
5 Liftbridge Lane E
Fairport, NY 14450
(585) 377-9590
Get directions

Have you eaten at Blue Cactus Mexican Grille? If so, please share your thoughts below.
Thank you for reading!

Tags: “Restaurant Reviews”,” Rochester, New York Restaurant Reviews”,” Rochester, NY Restaurant Reviews”,” Rochester Restaurant Reviews”,” Rochester NY Mexican”,” Mexican Food Rochester NY"

The Lodge at Woodcliff, Fairport, NY

Vegetarian Restaurant Review by Jennifer Kumar.

Meet and Greet
Walking into the Woodcliff Lodge is always an amazing experience. I always feel larger than life when I enter this place because it is so shiny, grand and full of well-dressed business men and elegant ladies. This occasion has to be the third or fourth visit we have made to this restaurant. With each visit, the staff always greets us with a smile; seat us without reservations (though I think they recommend reservations).

Mise en Scène
The lodge sits on the side of a hill, where looking to the North and West, one can experience the views of Rochester. Though window seats are preferable, most tables in the restaurant will offer a good view. However, this time we were placed at a prime location for a viewing of the setting sun. Luminous dark blues, purples, yellows and oranges encompassed us as we ate our anniversary meal.
On a side note, we joke that ‘Mr. Sun’ is always teasing us. Whenever we plan to meet him setting or rising with camera in tow, he doesn’t shine or show his face to us. However, on these occasions when we don’t have a camera, there is Mr. Sun full, bright and eager to show off to us! The beauty of the sun only is shown to us when we can actually experience it eye to eye and not through the eye of a camera!
Looking around the restaurant, one will see the well dressed business men and graceful women in elegant dresses. Though it is true it’s best to dress to impress, we have seen people wear semi-formal and business casual while enjoying their time here. I would not recommend wearing jeans and a t-shirt here. I don’t think they would turn you away, but one may feel out of place dressed down. A bar is attached to this restaurant, where I believe the dress code is a bit more lax. In fact, one has to enter the restaurant through the bar only.
Sitting down, the table is set for a three course meal full with different size of wine glasses. Since we aren’t wine drinkers, we still have yet to figure out why there are different size wine glasses. In any case, the waitress finds out we want coffee (which is one of the tastiest cups in the area), and quickly clears the wine glasses.
Upon desert time, the waiter will bring a plate of deserts so you can see what they look like. Up close and personal, who can deny themselves? Because of this, on several occasions visiting this location, we have had a “backwards meal” (having dessert first, main course, followed by appetizer).

**We did not have to use restrooms, so no comment on that ambiance!

Choosing a Veggie Treat
They have updated their menu from the one on their website. The new, improved menu has small tags saying ‘veggie’ next to them if they are vegetarian. There were at least 4-5 veggie appetizers and one veggie entrée.
For appetizers, we got a corn flan and black bean spicy cakes. Both were nice and tasty. I usually don’t like flan, but since I had never seen flan for anything but a dessert item, I chose that. It turned out to be nice. It has its own taste, which was very smooth. But, we liked the spicy black bean cakes better as they were like small spicy handmade veggie burgers.
Since there was only one veggie entrée, we chose the spicy Udon noodles. We were told that this menu item was not available and were given other options that would have been handcrafted just for us by the chef. These choices were mainly other types of pasta dishes. Luckily, for the Udon dish the only thing missing was the actually Udon noodles, but the veggies and sauce was available. So, we got the same dish but substituted the Udon noodles with linguine. We had ordered only one serving and asked to share it. When it was served, it was served to us on two different plates, ready to eat. The taste was amazing. We savored it to the last drop of sauce.
For dessert we got a banana bread/ice cream dish and a peanut butter mouse type of dessert. Both were very good. In fact, I was impressed by the smoothness of the peanut butter. The only problem I had with the peanut butter dessert was the size. I am not sure who could eat that much peanut butter at one sitting. It was truly a shame to have left some behind, though.

Checking In
One of the reasons we return on subsequent visits to this location is because of the prompt, friendly and individualized service. It is truly the service that makes the higher price of this location an afterthought.

See you later
Receiving the bill and waiting for payment to return is timely.

Pay Scale
$6-10 per person for appetizers each and desserts
$15-25 per person for the entrée
**We spilt the main course. I think they charged us a fee of about $4 to split it. They did serve the entrée split in half on two plates.
Tips
15-20% is recommended due to superior service. Service is always great.
Star System: 4 or 5 out of 5.
4 out of 5 if this above your budget because it is pricy.

5 out of 5 if it falls within your budget or you can save up and have a nice night out.

To find/Contact
Horizons Restaurant
199 Woodcliff Dr
Fairport, NY 14450
(585) 248-4825
Mapquest location map

Other reviews at Google.

Have you eaten at The Lodge at Woodcliff? If so, please share your thoughts below.

Thank you for reading!

tags: 4 stars, 5 stars, "Fairport NY"," great views", "reservations recommended", "great service", "individualized sevice", "backwards meal", "hilltop dining", "restaurant in a hotel", "restaurant review",“Restaurant Reviews”,” Rochester, New York Restaurant Reviews”,” Rochester, NY Restaurant Reviews”,” Rochester Restaurant Reviews”