***4 Stars*** Good food, attentive service and cozy atmosphere. I enjoyed my meal and drinks. I didn't like sitting in the back room too much. A little dark and claustrophobic, but the front back area looks and feels more inviting. For appetizers, we ordered the tiradito, shrimp empanadas, oysters and bread with miso butter. I got the pork chop and my got the bolognese The tiradito was my favorite appetizer and it was also the most beautifully plated dish of the night. The rest of the appetizers were just okay. Oysters were just oysters and for $ read more

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Love all the staff here! So friendly & work together as an amazing team. Drinks are on point & their garnish is kept chilled & away from bugs. I would recommend sharing dishes so you can try multiple. The presentation is exquisite. The food always comes out hot. Unique & popping flavors that you don't want to miss. The A5 waygu melted in your mouth & needed no steak knife to cut it. Sitting at the bar is an experience as you get to watch them work their magic. Make sure you save room for dessert as you don't want to pass up their chocolate tiramisu. Love the vibe & be sure to make a reservation. read more

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Ah, low key a disappointment (I literally just looked to the sidebar and there's a review that says "Shell will not disappoint," the irony). There's probably only ~20-30 seats in the back room, with a dark gray/green interior and golden accents (nice!). The bar looked beautiful as well, and I really liked the organic look of their appetizer plates. Steak Frite: Beef tartare on a deep fried potato piece. The potato feels like it's been mashed and reconstructed, so the exterior is nice and crisp while the inside is tender and smooth. The tartare was wonderfully acidic and flavorful However, the proportions felt off--the potato was too big and it felt more like Frites + steak rather than the other way around, the tartare wasn't really allowed to shine. Grilled fish: The fish today was black cod, with a Portuguese soup and potatoes. The fish disintegrated in my mouth, that's how soft it was! But...IT WAS HELLA SALTY!! I think it was a combo of the soup and the fish skin, but I couldn't finish the meal because of how salty it was :( Shrimp ragu: Pasta and shrimp, with a surprising amount of acidity. Pasta was al dente, which was nice. Was it worth the price? No, we could have made the same meal at home for four people for about $20 total. Coquito flan: Flan with granola served with a shot of coquito. Very rich, I don't think I have any critique on the flan as it was a very solid, Latin American-inspired flan. Did we just catch them on an off day? Unsure, but I can't in good conscious give an amazing rating. read more

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What a great restaurant, and a great night out. Possibly the best restaurant in Rochester. We were seated at the bar where we could watch Chef Cruz and his assistant Marcos preparing countless dishes. Chef Cruz plated every dish to perfection. Lobster risotto appetizer, pork chop, and salmon entrees were excellent. Likewise Cappecito and crème brûlée desserts. Service was flawless. We'll be back. Reservations are pretty much required. read more

Shell - Salmon entree - New American Near Me - Rochester, New York

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We came here as a recommendation from our friend Preston. This was our first time trying this place and we were blown away. I can confidently say that this is our favorite restaurant in ROC. From the menu, to the plates and dishes, you can tell that everything is very well thought out. I loved the fonts used in the menu. I also like how it's a more personalized experience as there are only a few tables in the back. Additionally, service is amazing. Cary was great - personable, helpful and funny. The food was incredible. Our favorite dish was the hamachi, which was cooked to perfection. The meat was so tender and paired so well with the sauce. Truly such an incredible dish. The kan kan pork chop was very juicy and tender as well. It paired very well with the acidity from the pickled veggies and chimichurri sauce. The saffron risotto with lobster was also very delicious - creamy and with large pieces of lobster. Compliments to the chef! Everything was so delectable. Can't wait to come back again soon! read more

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This is my 3rd time dining here. This time it was a night out with the girls. Ambiance is always nice. Room is a bit too dark for my liking but I guess that's the romantic vibe there are going for. Service is always nice. Our servers were friendly. We did the chef's tasting and this time around the flavor was missing in some of the dishes, which I was used to from dining here previously. The crudo that we got could have used some acid or something to brighten it up, oysters were ok. Favorite dish of the night was the seafood risotto and 1 of my friends loved her duck. Drinks are always amazing here and they don't disappoint. Will definitely come back to try the other items on their menu outside of the tasting. read more

Shell - Duck and truffle arancini - New American Near Me - Rochester, New York

Shell definitely looks the part -- sleek, modern, and dressed to impress downtown. Was a bit difficult to find, it's inside a nondescript white building but at least there's a roomy parking lot! It's giving "fancy night out," even if the experience did not quite live up to expectations. The menu's small and pricey, and portions vary more than the tides. The lobster roll ($36 I think) was ok but gone in about two bites and essentially it was a literal lobster tail in a roll so not much flavors. the lobster ravioli followed suit. At least it was flavorful! I like the corn. The oysters ($22 for four PEI) came pre-seasoned, which kind of masked their natural briny goodness -- I'd honestly rather hit Lento's dollar oyster day where the oysters actually taste like, well, oysters. The bread rolls were tasty, but $12 for three at a table of four felt like a math problem no one asked for. On the bright side, the duck was quacking good, and the shrimp ragù was surprisingly flavorful -- tangy, lemony, and kissed with sea urchin. Desserts were solid, too; the chocolate mousse and tres leches both hit that sweet spot. Cocktails were the real catch here -- creative, balanced, and worth the price. Service could be warmer (we had to bait the server for menu details), but the bar area looked great. Overall, Shell's got the vibes, but for the price, I left feeling a bit under-whelmed. Great for drinks and shared bites, but maybe not the full seafood splurge just yet. read more

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Had a wonderful time. The environment was extremely welcoming, and the pacing for bringing out food was especially great. Love love love the silverware. I had the red shrimp; we also ordered the ravioli, lobster roll, and tres leches cake. All amazing, I especially loved the acidic bite in the tomato broth for the salmon, and the mild char taste that was infused into it. The only two comments is that the lobster roll is small for an entree, and I wish there was a side dish with it. Also, too many different people were checking in on us and servicing our table; it was unclear who our actual waiter was. read more

Shell - Red shrimp and ravioli - New American Near Me - Rochester, New York

Small, quaint restaurant experience. Service was probably the best I've had in years at any restaurant. Food was excellent, portions were a little smaller that I think they should've, but the flavors were amazing with many different dimensions. Pricey, but excellent. read more

I can't say enough amazing things about this restaurant. Shell will not disappoint ! A perfect Date night place. Everything was 5 stars. - Service: 5 stars - Food: 5 stars exceptional ! quantity & quality were on point. Every dish was great but the stars were the Duck breast and Wagyu steak. - Drinks: 5 stars read more

Amazing chef and bartender. Service was excellent. The atmosphere reminded me of Manhattan. Food was a 10 read more

100/10 would recommend. The best Oysters we've ever had, Chefs are all so personable and chatted with us on and off the entire time and made us feel so welcomed! We were so happy we sat at the bar! Why aren't you already there? read more

Shell - New American Near Me - Rochester, New York

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Nearly on par with every Michelin star restaurant Ive been to - wine pairing highly elevates every dish. Incredible duck. The Wild Bill cocktail is the best cocktail Ive ever had and Im not a cocktail guy. My wife and I have been to Michelin recognized/star cocktail bars, and it was better than any of them. It tastes like pho broth if it was as thin as water with a perfect balance of lime and herb and thats where the alcohol comes from. If nothing else, go for this drink. read more

Excellent food, sexy environment, fun and professional staff. Whether taking clients out for an unforgettable meal, date night with the wife, or meeting friends for small plates and cocktails, Shell my favorite new spot in town. Cruz and team are exceptional. read more

Scallops (special that night) were amazing. Wine recommendations were perfect. Cocktails were perfection! Well executed and beautifully plated. We loved the vibe at Shell. read more

You've heard of the good and the bad. This is a story of the incredible and the terrible. First the incredible. The space is phenomenal. Intimate, classy and charming all at once. Service was great. Extremely attentive and knowledgeable. We felt welcomed from the minute we walked in the front door. Our server was very knowledgeable. He even recommend the perfect wine, once we explained what we were looking for. The appetizers were well thought out with an Asian southern fusion. The pork belly was phenomenal. It was served with some of the best corn bread I've ever had. The shredded Brussel sprout salad was very delicious...light and refreshing. My wife ordered the wagyu bolognese. The sauce was full of flavor and the pasta was cooked perfectly. Then things went south. My pork chop arrived raw inside. Not pink....raw. I've been in the food business for over 30 years and I understand things get by the chef from time to time, so I sent it back, hoping they would make it right. Several minutes later my pork chop was returned to my table completely charred black on one side. It was obvious the chef just put it in the broiler and let it ride. I took as a FU for sending it back. With all the good they are doing there, it's a real shame. read more

Simply AMAZING! Ambiance, Food, Presentation, Servers!!! Empanadas, Pork Belly, Scallops, Steak Frites and Duck Breast Make sure you get there!! read more

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wow. what a fun, unique elevated dining experience unlike anything in Rochester. We were blown away with every bite, each dish was perfectly executed: flavor, concept, texture, presentation. We loved the open kitchen design. We sat at the bar watching the master chefs at work adding an element of entertainment to the night. We felt like we were treated as there special guests that they wanted to impress. Chef Cruz & Marko sent little surprise tastings, explanation of dishes, honest recommendations and cared about the occasion we were celebrating: a cancer free screening. It's a pretty place, with some pretty cool, caring and talented people thats what made Shell so special. ... read more

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Amazing experience! Chris, OK and Scott took unbelievable care of us. The tasting menu was perfectly portioned and timed out. The ambiance was great! With only 6 tables, you're not overcrowded or searching for a staff member. 12 out of 10!!!! read more

Shell - That lobster roll - New American Near Me - Rochester, New York

The food was amazing. When you walk in you are treated like a family member. Staff asked us many times how things were going throughout the meal. We had a seat at the bar and watched the chefs cook. Great experience. I recommend the bar seats at the end of the bar to watch them make the food. Ambiance was welcoming. We will be back. read more

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Absolutely outstanding. Fantastic food goes without saying. What is also extraordinary is the front of the house where service is warm, inviting yet also restrained and mindful. It is a small place, but highly intimate where upholstery and lowered ceilings erase the issue of dining noise ( yes you can actually have a quiet conversation with your tablemates and not have to yell over the volume). Lovely place for a date night. read more

Ridiculously delicious, I can't imagine topping this meal. 8 course tasting with perfectly paired wines. See menu and pictures. read more

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My wife and I came for the Valentine's Day dinner. We both did the tasting menu and we each did one of the two different wine pairings. Our server could not tell us beforehand what wines would be on the wine pairing menus. He just gave us generalities but we decided to try them nonetheless. Food was good but service was quick in and out with the most basic explanation of the dishes and wines. The real problem came when our server who hadn't interacted with us much other than general pleasantries, told us abruptly we needed to leave so our table could be re-seated. We were finishing our last wine pouring and given no advanced notice. This was a cold and direct message. It caught us by total surprise and made us feel completely unwelcome. No prior notice of time limit was given and we certainly had not overstayed as other tables who had been seated at the same time as us were still finishing. We were told by the hostess "oh jeez that is typical of him" regarding our waiter. Another manager came up and apologized as we were getting our coats but that is all that was offered. Finally another individual who didn't identify themselves approached as we were leaving and offered us a $100 gift card to come back as an apology. For the price of the meal vs. the service we were provided, it wasn't worth it. We didn't accept as we can't imagine coming back. read more

Service was impeccable right from the moment of entering. The ambience was very welcoming warm calming a place that makes you want to have a seat relax and enjoy the moment. It's not your hustle bustle kind of place. This is straight up Chill. The drinks fabulous (Shane makes an excellent one.. and if you're not sure what you want, he has many ideas to share with you) if he happens to be busy, Brett knows what he's doing as well. The food was unique, appealing and the taste exquisite!!.Marco , he is a straight up delight and what an asset to the kitchen he's amazing! Chef Cruse ( the owner) has knocked this out of the park! Shell is not your average dining. This is an experience that will make you want to come back for more. The pork chop., Wagyu Bolognese, duck, lobster. You can't go wrong with anything you order.. There's so many more items to choose from as to why we keep going back. My hat is off to every single one of you at Shell. read more

Great service and ambience. My friend and I got the tasting menu which was good. However, we both got sick afterwards. I emailed the restaurant to give them a heads up but did not get a response. read more

Delicious and perfect from beginning to end! Also the parking lot is a huge plus! We walked in as a party of two and sat at the bar, the service was excellent, the food was excellent the drinks were excellent! read more

If you are looking for a dining experience that allows you to take a look behind the curtain and see what these incredible cooks are cooking up all while eating the most amazing food in Rochester, then look no further. You will not find a more welcoming and well-rounded group of people making all the magic happen here. I will eat just about anything and have had almost everything on their menu, and still to this day my biggest surprise and delight has been their grilled cabbage - but I challenge you to go in and try something you might not normally or, maybe a repeat offender, and I promise you will not be disappointed. read more