Winner of a 2004 award for "best fine dining in Rochester" is the French bistro 2 Vine. Housed in an old ambulance garage that has been elegantly converted to a glass- and light-filled eatery, 2 Vine offers a seasonally changing menu showcasing locally produced ingredients and fish delivered daily. Entrèe prices range from $8 for the Two Vine Burger on ciabatta to $26 for the veal chop with tomato risotto and garlic confit. 2 Vine also offers an award-winning wine list.

In the Park Avenue district, Jine's Restaurant (above left) is a neighborhood favorite; the Park Avenue Pub specializes in fine dining.

Another great option is Eros Restaurant (left) located conveniently downtown. Relax at the bar with a glass of wine and enjoy a delectable cheese plate. Menu options include Mediterranean, American and Greek specialities. We highly recommend the Portobello Ravioli!!

If you prefer a rack of ribs, a cold beer, and some good blues music, head over to Dinosaurs Bar-B-Q. Live music pours out of the place seven nights a week as bar regulars, families and tourists sample the 24 draft beers, 47 bottled beers, and large racks of ribs marinated for 24 hours, slow-cooked and slathered with Dinosaurs' own special sauce. Ribs range from $7.95 to $20.50, while steak, shrimp, and chicken dishes go from $9.50 to $27.50.

In Fairport, you'll want to try Joey B's Restaurant. This casual, upscale eatery offers canal views from its large, windowed dining room with entrees such beef filet with peppercorn and jumbo shrimp sautèed with fresh spinach, crumbled bacon and feta cheese. Entrees range from $15 to $23.

And Hicks and McCarthy Cafe, on Pittsford's main street, will surprise diners with unique menu items such as the Wild Mushroom Strudel, a mixture of Portobello and shitake mushrooms with herbs wrapped in phyllo dough and topped with a rosemary demi-glacè. Entrees run up to $22.95.

Other dining treats in the Rochester area include Pittsford's Simply Crepes, as well as Rochester's Tastings Restaurant and Charlie's Frog Pond. Of course a trip to Wegman's is an experience in itself as is its Market Street Cafe.