I really wanted to love this place, but ultimately I was disappointed. There was good and bad, but where I place the most value is the entree, and that fell flat for me. Good: Our waitress was phenomenal and super helpful. The appetizers were to die for; we got the coconut shrimp, the hummus, and spinach fritters. One thing all of these had in common was a bit of an Indian twist--there was curry or vindaloo in all of them, which was enjoyable. However, I do wish now that we would've ordered appetizers with more of a variety of flavors, since they did end up tasting very similar. The hummus came with a fairly large portion of pita, which made it easy to share. They also brought fresh bread to our table. It was the kind of heavenly fluffy roll that you dream about and somehow can't stop eating. I did try a bit of my friend's duck, which I thought had a delicious sauce on it and was the perfect amount of gamey. He, however, is a bit of a duck connoisseur, and said that it was about average. My other friend got the burger, which I tried; it was pretty good and came on a great bun. Hard to mess up a burger. The moscato was also amazing. Sweet, but not too sweet, and very crisp. After dinner, I did get a cup of espresso, which was strong and very yummy. Bad: For my entree, I got the poppy seed pappardella. It comes in a good portion and the pasta is thick, with bits of crab dispersed throughout. When I tasted it, I immediately thought: this is unremarkable. I was expecting the flavor to be a lot richer, particularly the crab, but it was just....bland. The entree didn't taste particularly bad, but also didn't do much for my taste buds. I filled up on spinach fritters after the disappointment. For dessert, we split a type of lemon cake--this also fell flat. It was not very sweet (its dessert, people!) and pretty much tasted like a lemon-flavored cornbread. Overall, I do believe there are some good things on the menu seeing as how other people rave about this place. Maybe I just happened to pick one of the less impressive ones. I personally was only really impressed by the appetizers and drinks. read more

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Everything is perfect. I have eaten here probably 100 times, minimally. Every single staff member is beyond friendly and knowledgeable. It is the perfect place for a fabulous dinner with girlfriends. Amazing cocktails and even better food. I am obsessed with the duck and the burger. The BEST place in Rochester. read more

Middling. Service was attentive. Food was fairly bland and uninspired. Ambiance is slightly elevated however you can wear whatever you want.

We stumbled upon this place on the way into Rochester at the very last minute before seeing a show. We got very lucky that they offer reservations on Yelp. I quickly hit the button to make the reservation and we arrived about 20 minutes later. At first, the place was completely empty, but as time went on all the other reservations showed up and the place filled up. Our waitress was super helpful. My boyfriend and I love to eat, and we will try anything that is put in front of us, but he can be indecisive at times. She assured us that anything we ordered we would be completely happen with and boy was she right. My boyfriend was completely in HEAVEN when the porterhouse came out. He definitely showed some emotions expressing "wow this is the best piece of steak I have ever had". We had the Milk & Honey cheese appetizer, Ceviche appetizer, we split the Porterhouse which came with fingerling potatoes with the most amazing seasoned butter on top, and the bread that comes to the table was also to die for. If and when we come back to Rochester, we will definitely be coming back. read more

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Very attractively decorated restaurant with creative menu but the actual taste of some dishes was unspectacular. Up from Miami visiting family, I would describe my experience as an encounter with an extreme "hit or miss" type of menu. A 3.5-star experience for us. Sweet pea agnolotti might best be described as an "acquired taste" that I didn't seem to possess. Since it was unsatisfying, I then had a burger...would've been nice to know, if I recall correctly, that it came with onions that I had to scrape off. There was nothing wrong with the burger, it just wasn't anything special (unlike the blend of three meats I had in my rigatoni Bolognese at REDD the following night). My dining companion liked her salmon entree very much though later complained of way too many pecans in the German chocolate cake and I concurred. Might try again and just not venture too far afield and simply choose a steak and later some cheesecake. Pleasant and welcoming, though sometimes absent-minded, service. read more

I enjoyed having dinner in this restaurant. I like the bread they serve as starters and the other menus were also very delicious. Highly recommend this place. read more

We should have come to Avvino long ago. What a great place atmosphere, service, food, presentation all on point. Service is benchmark as the wait staff is always there and very knowledgeable and friendly. The food was amazing, reasonably priced and large portions. The owners are there and very hands on, which is huge. read more

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have to give this place 5 golden stars! The decorations and atmosphere were great and cozy since it's the holiday season. The bread was something else, pure deliciousness! We ordered the octopus plate as an appetizer and it was really good. We also ordered ravioli and fettuccine, what could I say but 10/10!! Our awesome waitress Amy did such great job! Would definitely have her as our waitress next time if she's still there! Amy treated us with a delicious Carmel butternut squash cheesecake and...man...that made my night! read more

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We came from out of town for a show. I made reservations two weeks in advance. Honestly the food and decor is beautiful. The octopus was our personal favorite. They would've received five stars if they would've not placed us in the center of the bar when we were looking for a romantic date night. read more

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Overall the service was decent and the food was good. The first entrée the food was actually cold. Cold plates equal cold food. Service was very attentive when the server was there, but seeing our server was few and far between. The pork belly and scallops were good, probably the best pork belly I have had. I will also add, this place gets loud. The bar is loud in the restaurant is loud. This will not be a very intimate restaurant when it gets loud. Table spacing is also somewhat close. read more

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We have eaten at Avvino a number of times and it's always been outstanding. We usually come here for an anniversary or special occasion. We went in last night to celebrate with friends and were again reminded why we love this place. The food and service were excellent, and we were able to eat outside on their patio. I got the halibut which is not served at many places in Rochester and it was so good. Can't wait to go back again! read more

Avvino - My yummy halibut (my friend got it also if you look to the left) - New American Near Me - Rochester, New York

It was okay. The Peaches en Regalia drink was great, simultaneously refreshing and sour. Service was quick and good. The salmon was good. The Berbere cauliflower served with the salmon wasn't my personal favorite. My friend had the squid ink pasta with beans in it, but she didn't eat the beans because they were hard. Appetizers were okay. I've had tastier baked beets before. The coconut shrimp was fine, not sure why it looks so burnt. I think it is supposed to be that way. Kind of hoped for a sweeter coconut taste. The polenta under the octopus was good. I didn't try the octopus itself. I liked the artwork on the walls. Cute plates. Overall, nice and unique, but I had higher expectations, especially at the price point. read more

We are new to the Rochester area, and found this gem through Yelp. The service, food, and atmosphere exceeded our expectations. The recommended wines were perfectly paired. We are even more excited about our move after such a wonderful dinner. read more

Finally got here with some friends during the recent Restaurant Week promo. This nondescript from the outside place is wonderfully decorated inside - very nice without being stuffy. It was hopping on this Friday night but the service was excellent from our server Ian and the support staff. The food was well paced and we never were rushed or felt like there were long waits in between courses. All of us ordered off the special Restaurant Week menu and were surprised when all three courses were full sized - so not only a good deal but a lot of food. The reuben sliders were excellent and would have made a good snack by themselves. The salads were very fresh with super tender greens. For my main I had the pork chop which was indeed moist and very tasty. The others commented that their duck and salmon entrees were also excellent. I am not sure why it took me so long to eat here but I will be back! read more

The food was excellent and exceeded my expectations! Very intriguing flavors. Some of the best food I have had in Rochester so far.

One of the best fine dining places in Rochester. It is on the pricey end but the food portions are large and very carefully prepared. For appetizer, we had ceviche with pork rind. It is surprisingly good combination. Not sure whether that was how it was intended but I used the pork rind as little holders and put pieces of seafood on top of it. Intriguing contrast in texture and flavor. For main dishes, we had their lamb (I think it was a daily special) and their duck breast. Both were HUGE... But the flavor was not compromised by the size. They have probably the longest wine list I've seen in Rochester. The owner is really into wine (according to the waiter) and takes it really seriously. Really dark but cozy decoration. Only thing I don't get is that they have a long table in the middle of the room where they keep a lot of empty plates and a huge center piece. Not sure what that was supposed to symbol. read more

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Literally amazing, my only disappointment is how nothing more will ever compete with this. The scallops were really good, but compared to that rib eye, they didn't stand a chance. That steak was to die for. It was well worth the money, and I couldn't have been happier. The atmosphere was amazing, it's definitely upper class and as an investment banker business casual felt underdressed, but a full on suit would have been worth it. The staff was incredible, I honestly can't say enough phenomenal things about this place!! read more

Avvino - New American Near Me - Rochester, New York

Great meal! Got the charred octopus and coconut shrimp as an appetizer. The octopus was amazing. Meaty and tender. The coconut shrimp was crispy and deicious! For entrees we got the pork chop ans the burger. The pork chop was huge, juicy and amazing. The apple flavor with it was perfect. Brussel sprouts with it wete just as good! The burger was juicy and had a lot of flavor. Got the donut bread pudding for dessert and it is a must get! Sweet and caramelized. So good! Shout out to Jeff for cooking a great meal! read more

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The food was awesome! We have a server that moved from Chicago to ROC that was very pleasant! The drinks (glass of wine and 1 x cocktail) took a long time to order & get to the table. [20+ min] Idk what was going on there.. But the martini was good! The food ,specifically the filet mignon & spinach thingys, were off the chain!! Please don't take that off the menu! read more

I always see Avvino on my Yelp but I have never gone until today. My birthday dinner was nothing short of spectacular. The Octopus appetizer is something I want to eat again and again. My salmon was crisp on the outside and tender and juicy on the inside. He had the lamb and the bite I tried just melted in my mouth. Our drinks were strong and they gave us a free ice cream for my birthday. I will be back sooner than later read more

Avvino - New American Near Me - Rochester, New York

Great service and excellent food. It's a very nice "special occasion" restaurant. The octopus is superb. It's a cozy atmosphere with fine dining. l If you enjoy excellent food, you will definitely enjoy Avvino. read more

Food, service, ambience.. all top notch! Our server was personable without being intrusive; efficient and intelligent without being snobbish. Food was excellent! read more

I wasn't sure what to expect with Avvino. People told me the location was easy to miss, seemed like nothing special from the outside... and when my mother and I pulled into the parking lot before dinner (I had made a reservation so we could treat ourselves after a day of Christmas shopping), we kept watching as car after car pulled into the parking lot for the Char Broil Family Restaurant across the street. Those folks though? They're missing out... because Avvino is a gem. My mother and I walked into the restaurant and the hostess appeared after a moment. I told her I had made a Yelp reservation, and she added "...and requested a booth, right? Right this way." We were seated in the corner booth, so there was plenty of space for the two of us to relax and enjoy. Our server (Steven, I believe), was welcoming and knowledgeable during our visit. After a short bit, we ordered our drinks (a chardonnay for my mother, a caffeinated old-fashioned for me), then appetizers and main courses. I was excited to try the Milk & Honey appetizer, and I wasn't disappointed. The mix of burrata, cumin carrots, marcona almonds, and a honey vinaigrette was the perfect way to start my meal. My mother opted for the Farmer's Flatbread and found it to be very tasty. For main courses, I opted for the Ricotta Gnocchi and my mother opted for the Buckwheat Cavatelli. The mix of mushrooms that accompanied the ricotta gnochhi dish added a fantastic umami flavor to the dish, while the gnocchi were fluffy and delicious...and the combination of hand-rolled cavatelli and Italian sausage in my mother's main course was savory and filling, all without being overly heavy Ultimately, the ambience of Avvino is balanced by the welcoming atmosphere and refined cuisine. I plan to be back...and I'd recommend you not miss it either. read more

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I love Avvino. Everything is excellent but my favorites are the pork chop, vegetable korma, and shrimp appetizer. The pork chop is big, juicy (which is rare for a pork chop) and cooked to perfection. Everything is unique in terms of the flavor combinations. It almost seems like fancy with an Indian flair. I love it here!! read more

An amazing culinary experience with spectacularly polished professional service. Visit Ben at the bar before being elevated to dining as fantastic as you deserve. Definitely recommend! read more

Avvino - New American Near Me - Rochester, New York

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We stopped here on a Friday night before dinner for some cocktails. Let me tell you, I am so glad we did. This has to be the best cocktail I have had in a while! Everything was fresh and taste delicious. I had The East End which is; Gin, Passion Fruit, St. Germain, Bitters, Salt. I want to go back this weekend for another. They are a little pricey at $12, but I feel like that is normal now-a-days. My husband got an old fashion. I tried it, I didn't cringe with the normal whiskey face. He said they offered him Rye or non rye bourbon he chose non. We will definitely go back, if not for food, then definitely drinks. read more

Absolutely magnificent! Decor, ambiance, food, staff all delightful. Honestly, I have nothing negative to say about this place. Perfect place for a date, without all the noise of some of the favs (but overly crowded) places around Roc. Reservations book fast so don't hesitate... get your suit out and give it a go! read more

I've been here so many times and I've always enjoyed everything I've tried. Great ambience, great service, excellent food and yummy cocktails... what more could you ask for? Oh yeah a great wine list too! And since the menu changes seasonally and they offer specials you can continue to try new things and never get tired of this gem of a restaurant! read more

Wonderful dinner to end 2018, and with great company. I got the east end cocktail, delicious. Got me a bit tipsy after two (haha the hubs got away with a cheap date). For our appetizer, we got the octopus and green salad. Octopus is cooked to perfection with a nice char. The cauliflower purée is nicely done and creamy. The green salad is refreshing and I love the fried chick peas to give a nice crunch. For our entree, I got the scallop with crab risotto. Scallop has a nice pan seat, the risotto cooked al dente. other entrees in the party included the kale pasta (delicious), halibut with an Asian twist with the broth and rice noodle, along with ribeye cooked to medium rare (we asked for it to be lightly salted, which turned out to be the perfect amount of saltiness). For our dessert, we tried the German chocolate cake and pecan pie with the Italian meringue. My favorite part is the Italian meringue with just the perfect whip and chew. Overall, Avvino is a good place to check out. The interior is classy and staff are great. Definitely not easy on the pocket but worth the money for a great dining experience. read more

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Good food, a little pricey, but has a great ambiance and service! I do recommend the steaks here though.

Recommend by a good friend and it didn't disappoint. Food was delicious and service was excellent. We ate at the bar with Ben or bartender/server. We started with the Charred Octopus and it was awesome. Super tender and served with creamy polenta. My wife had Salmon and she raved about it. Served medium rare, it was perfect. A little crust on skin side and served with 4 sides I think; mushrooms and Swiss chard, glazed carrots and fingerling potatoes. Huge portion of salmon. I had Ravioli that were nothing like I ever had. Hard to describe other than a green creamy sauce with straws of some green vegetable, not sure what it was but delicious. Not cheap but not expensive either. It's like fine dining casual in a cozy setting. Give it a try, you won't be disappointed. read more

Service is great but the food was not as tasty as previous visits. Maybe an off night? Delicata squash was bitter and burnt and ahi tuna was not as rare as it should have been. Lasagna was overly salted. read more

I LOVE Avvino. I recently dined here for a friends birthday and the atmosphere at Avvino is so lovely and perfect for a date night or a larger group. The space is fairly small and it's a popular restaurant, so definitely make a reservation. Everyone at our dinner was extremely satisfied with their meal and many people had leftovers! You HAVE to try their German chocolate cake - it's by far the best cake I've ever had in my life. I will definitely be back! read more

Avvino - German chocolate cake - New American Near Me - Rochester, New York

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Pretty dining room. Great service. Excellent cocktails. Pretty good food. The pork chop was good, cooked very well. The shrimp came out very dark in color but didn't taste burned. You couldn't see the tail shell so I bit straight into one. My other half ordered the lamb shank and said it was great. Desserts could use some help. Might go back. read more

Avvino - Pork Chop - New American Near Me - Rochester, New York

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Always a hit. Went for a birthday celebration this time and enjoyed the duck, rabbit, and steak!

This place was absolutely incredible. Great atmosphere with wonderful service and the food had so much depth and soul when it came to flavor/quality. We had the octopus and bone marrow appetizers, sweet potato gnocchi and duck breast entrees plus grabbed the cheesecake and German chocolate cake for desserts. Had the Hemingway drink with the appetizers and it was fantastic as well. I highly recommend checking this place out read more

The food is fabulous. Great for a special evening. Not cheap so you need to be in the mood for non-traditional menu and higher price point. Great service and they don't skimp on the drinks. read more

Fine dining that accommodates to kids is a rare fine. I feel like when going out to eat when you have kids these days limits you on where you can go. They either look down on you if you have kids or don't have a kids menu. If they don't have a kids menu there isn't sometimes even a menu item a kid could want to eat. I understand some people don't want to go to a restaurant where there is kids I get it. But sometimes there is no babysitter or parents don't want to go somewhere without their child. Avvino not only has a great kids coloring menu, but also high chairs & a small kids menu. They did not have kids cups but got creative & took a to go soup container put a hole with a straw in it to make a great cup for our daughter. We had delicious drinks, my daughter had chicken fingers & fries, I had the duck breast & my husband had the burger. The burger he had was huge & came with a massive amount of fries. He said his food was warm but not hot. My food was warm but not hot so that was a little disappointing. I don't mention this at a restaurant as I feel like all that will happen is it will be put in a microwave. The duck was delicious just did not taste the wasabi or spiced honey. Meals were very large so we had leftovers and did not have room for dessert so I was a little sad. It was a great anniversary dinner & a good first experience here. Would like to come back sometime to try maybe appetizers & dessert. read more

Avvino - Kids chicken fingers - New American Near Me - Rochester, New York

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Great place. Love the cocktails and food. The staff and owners are wonderful. A staple

I've had some great food and enjoy the wine selection but at our last visit, one of our party members got horribly sick from their meal.