Posted by ayersian
, September 28, 2009 07:29
After Nick Tahou’s, locally grown apples were offered as we boarded the bus. Our next stop was Rochester’s High Falls, where we met Greg Marshall, VP and Marketing Director at VisitRochester Tourism Agency, who took a group photo and offered us ice-cold bottles of Genesee Cream Ale and local apple cider before re-boarding the bus. LDR Char Pit in scenic Charlotte was next on the list, and we ordered their famed Steak Sandwich all the way (with cheese and sautéed peppers & onions). When it arrived at our table, I took one look at the meat’s half-inch thickness and thought, “It’s going to be tough, sinewy, and a mess to eat.” This couldn’t be further from the truth, for the meat was incredibly tender, perfectly charred, and in no need for extra condiments—truly among the best steak sandwiches we’ve ever eaten! Each table also enjoyed a complimentary plate of onion rings and fries, but our second surprise came when, once again, the owner picked up the check for everyone in our group! The staff at LDR Char Pit was very generous and proud of their superior sandwich, and we can’t wait to return. (Photos courtesy of Stephen Rushmore)
After a short, half-block stroll towards Lake Ontario, we indulged at Abbott’s Frozen Custard. A small dish of their seasonal pumpkin custard with Spanish peanuts hit the spot, and vistas of the lakeshore were prime here. After enjoying Cornell chicken expertly grilled by the East Shelby Volunteer Fire Company (on which Bruce will report soon), we headed back to the hotel. (Photos courtesy of Stephen Rushmore)
Most RFers retired for the night, but a small strike force led by the ChiTownDiner and Buffetbuster battalions set out to conquer one final restaurant: Steve’s Pig & Ox Roast. We split beef on wecks, roast pork, and roast lamb sandwiches, curly fries, and birch beers, but still we were left wanting. How about a nightcap of ice cream from Antoinette’s Sweets? This time, we began in the candy section and bought a giant wedge of Charlie Chaplin candy for sharing. This Buffalo specialty is marshmallows, toasted coconut, and ground cashews enrobed in chocolate, and it reminded us of Rocky Road candy but better. Judy Rushmore had recommended Antoinette’s Cinnamon ice cream the night before, so we chose this with chocolate sauce and mixed nuts. Michael Stern mentioned earlier on the bus that nuts in this area were crunchier than most nut toppings around the country, and the roasted flavor and salty textures improved the deftly cinnamon-y (like cinnamon red hot candies, not brown cinnamon bark) ice cream exponentially. This ended a phenomenal day of sampling Rochester’s finest Roadfood, and we returned to our hotel very, very satisfied. Bruce takes over tomorrow with Buffalo’s best, but for more detailed reports with plentiful pictures, please check out Roadfood.com’s inimitable Trip Reports Forum! (Photos courtesy of Buffetbuster)
