We love a wintery moment. But let’s be honest: Everyone and his dog will be Instagramming themselves with knit caps, flannel, and pumpkin spice latte.
Our fine city has more to offer than coffee and snow. This year, gather your nearest and dearest somewhere that doesn’t require a reservation made in September.
Consider this your unofficial passport to culinary experiences with holiday magic where the lines are shorter, the flavors bolder, and there isn’t an elf hat in sight. Let’s dive in.
A Prohibition-style celebration in Fairport
Bonnie & Clyde
58 S. Main St., Fairport
678-4040
The Blind Pig at The Deland House
1 E. Church St., Fairport
598-3011
For a sophisticated evening that channels Fitzgerald-esque glamour, begin at Bonnie & Clyde. The couple behind the Cub Room runs this restaurant in a meticulously renovated bank building that gleams with brass accents and rich green tones that evoke elegance. It’s an atmosphere that transports you to a New York City soirée circa 1925.
The menu matches the sophisticated surroundings. Start with scallops bathed in panang curry ($22). For mains, the four-meat bolognese ($26) delivers the luxurious comfort that December demands. It blends pork, veal, chicken, and pancetta into a rich sauce that clings perfectly to handmade tagliatelle pasta.
Create an even more intimate experience by booking The Vault, a private dining room inside the inner chamber of the bank, complete with a five-course chef’s tasting menu.
Continue the Gatsby-worthy evening at the Blind Pig across the street at the striking French Chateau–style Deland House. This intimate thirty-seat bar captures the illicit thrill of Prohibition celebrations. The entrance alone is worth the visit, with a false wall at the back of a closet that rises with the push of a button to reveal a hidden staircase, all operating on the original 1924 pulley system.
Inside, the space artfully blends historic elements with contemporary touches. Order one of the variations on classic cocktails from the twenties and thirties, perhaps a properly made Sidecar or French 75, and toast to another exciting year ahead.
Victorian ghosts and artisanal eats downtown
Geva Theatre
75 Woodbury Blvd.
232-4382
Native
180 S. Clinton Ave.
351-6121
While some mark the season with egg-Victorian ghosts and artisanal eats downtown nog, others prefer theirs with a side of Victorian moral reckoning. If you’re like the many who have an annual tradition of stepping through Geva’s iconic burgundy awning for The Christmas Carol, this one’s for you.
Head downtown early and slip into Native, conveniently positioned across the street. Its meat-and-cheese board ($19) perfectly balances local and imported selections, complemented by house-pickled vegetables and toasted bread. For something more substantial, the sourdough pizzas deliver. Opt for the straightforward rossa with pepperoni and cheese ($17) or the veggie-forward verde ($19) territory if your palate craves something more adventurous.
While the holiday ambiance is understated, Native offers straightforward sustenance at prices that won’t make you feel like Scrooge before the show.
Pittsford’s fireside moments
Jojo
60 N. Main St., Pittsford
385-3108
Pittsford Farms Dairy
44 N. Main St., Pittsford
586-6610
Jojo in the village of Pittsford offers an ambiance reminiscent of a warm cabin. A wood-burning pizza oven scents the air and is noticeable the moment you step through its doors.
Excellent for a larger group, Jojo’s menu has something for everyone. The steak frites ($35) are one of the best deals in town: a ten-ounce sirloin chop served with compound butter and french fries. The crispy calamari ($18) tossed in house made-sweet chili glaze is impossible to resist. And you know any awkward political conversations will pause when the raclette ($16)—thick-cut potato chips smothered in melted gruyère and gorgonzola—hit the table.
Another advantage to skipping the outdoor holiday market scene is the impeccable wine program, which balances domestic bottles from Napa Valley and the Finger Lakes with old-world labels from Italy, Spain, and France. Most are available by the glass ($9-14 for a six-ounce pour), but the four-glass flights ($14–18 each) transform dinner into an experience worth lingering over.
And if you’re still missing out on the relaxing fireside experience, save room for dessert at Pittsford Dairy next door. Beginning in December, the front lawn transforms into a Christmas tree lot. It channels the Scandinavian ideal of coziness with outdoor fire pits, rustic benches draped with blankets, and the intoxicating smell of fresh pine. Adorable baby cows greet visitors from a small stable, while a friendly golden retriever stands guard over rustic ornaments of deer and bears carved from trees. Grab a hot cocoa or an affogato inside and chat the night away by the warmth of flames.
A cinematic experience in the East End
Redd
24 Winthrop St.
483-7333
The Little Theatre
240 East Ave.
258-0400
Elevate your holiday movie game with an upscale dinner and a film. Get the evening started at Redd in the vibrant East End neighborhood.
This stunner from the design team behind some of Manhattan’s finest dining rooms transforms dinner into a metropolitan escape, all while staying firmly planted on Winthrop Street. The elegant zinc bar frames the open kitchen, while white oak and saddle leather banquettes create a warm, contemporary atmosphere against walnut tables. And let’s not forget the incredible food from Michelin-starred chef Richard Reddington. The lobster risotto ($29) is non-negotiable—an equally comforting and decadent dish worth every penny.
After dinner, walk across the parking lot to the Little Theatre, where the art deco building and iconic marquee have been landmarks for generations. During the holidays, the historic indie cinema screens nostalgic classics like Home Alone and Love Actually alongside current blockbusters, such as the latest installment of Dune or the Chronicles of Narnia reboot.
This seamless pairing of fine dining and cultural entertainment offers a perfect dinner-and-a-movie night without the forced festivity.
Morning magic at the Public Market
Rochester Public Market
280 Union St. N.
428-6907
cityofrochester.gov/publicmarket
Cure
50 Rochester Public Market
563-7941
If your crew functions before noon—a revolutionary concept during this busy season—the Public Market offers a festive morning that won’t require reservations made months in advance. Holidays at the Market transforms Sundays in December into an open-air craft fair mixed with a tree farm.
Knock out some gift shopping with vendors carrying everything from sleds and fresh-cut wreaths to jewelry and vintage finds. For that Hallmark movie moment, catch the horse-drawn carriage rides winding through market stalls or let the little ones visit Santa without the mall chaos.
After scoring your Douglas fir and artisanal stocking stuffers, slip into Cure for brunch that puts all others to shame. This locally famous cocktail lounge doubles as a French-inspired bistro. The morning light streaming through café curtains, with the bustling market in full view, creates the kind of cinematic scene memories are made of.
Don’t miss the crème brûlée french toast ($13), which transcends its modest price tag with rich brioche soaked in vanilla custard and dusted with powdered sugar. For savory palates, the blue crab Benedict ($18) might leave you wondering why poached eggs don’t always come on a bed of claw meat.
Depending on your threshold, stick with Java’s coffee and hot chocolate or elevate the experience with Cure’s inventive brunch cocktails. The Community Coffee ($12) blends espresso, vodka, crème de cacao, and sugar into what is essentially adult hot chocolate.
This market-to-brunch morning offers a rare experience that feels both festive and genuine—a reminder that sometimes the most memorable occasions are ones you create while living in the moment.
This article originally appeared in the November/December 2025 issue of (585).
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