Grinnell’s Restaurant

I’ve been coming here for a few years now, usually on special occasions… and I’ve never had a bad meal. Some of the best steaks in town (I recommend the 10oz filet, au poivre). Even when I travel, I end up comparing steaks to Grinnells’ steaks…
And, dinner includes ice cream. How can you go wrong?

What can I say… You’re on crack giving this place less than 5.
Clearly the best restaurant that Rochester has to offer, hands down, end of story.
I’ve been here a few times, but foolishly have not come on here to spread the cheer.
Ownership and staff are always welcoming. Bathrooms are clean.
Try the lamb chops here or the house Italian salad, which is like a Victoria Beckham food orgy. The salad is off the chain. Very inexpensive here considering how good the food is. Free, delicious chocolate ice cream with chocolate sauce with every meal.
This isn’t the golden corral. don’t expect to come in here and get a good quality steak for $ 10.00.
Exceptional.

Slightly surprised when my 30something nephew picked Grinnell’s but he and his wife seem to know their way around the Rochester restaurant scene. There were 11 of us there for a family party. We were seated in a nice corner where we could easily talk. Our server, Jake, was excellent. Attentive without rushing us. Everyone seemed to enjoy their meals and the chicken french was voted best ever. The portions were just right, not so small you left unsatisfied but not overwhelming either. Nice touch a small dish of ice cream was included. Has a good «old fashioned» vibe meaning great food with excellent service, not trendy, but still fun and enjoyable! Good cocktails too.

Adam and I picked here to come for our anniversary dinner. We wanted somewhere nice and have heard a lot of great things about here so we figured we would try it out.
We did not make reservations being that it was a Tuesday evening, and it seemed as if they were very put off by that– so if you ever come here, make reservations. Also the hostess station is semi non existent when you walk in. You just hope someone sees you to take you to a table.
Our service was good. Our waiter was very friendly but very young, probably his first job.
Our food was meh. Nothing really spectacular. Adam got the chicken Parmesan. The chicken was cooked pretty well but he wasn’t a huge fan of their sauce. He didn’t finish his meal and he didn’t bring home the left overs. I had a steak and mashed potatoes. The potatoes were incredibly bland and I had to add a lot of salt and pepper and I hate adding salt and pepper to my meals. My steak was incredibly over cooked and pretty much just shy of being charred. It was also very bland and needed salt and pepper. I have had better steaks from Longhorn and wished we just went there instead. Thankfully, you get a scoop of ice cream at the end of your meal of I would probably have left very annoyed.
Being that I wasn’t a huge fan of their food, I find them to be overpriced. I seriously could have had a better steak at Longhorn for half the price.
Parking is all valet. The parking lot there is incredibly small so the valet has to be there in order to get your car in the lot. If the restaurant is full, they park the car at a neighboring business and bring it to you when you are ready.
Overall, this place is just okay. I wouldn’t come here again but if I was forced into a meal here I wouldn’t be a poor sport about it, I would just be sure to not get a steak.

Excellent food, service and atmosphere. David, the owner, is a very nice man and treats you like family.

We were looking for a new place with a great steak, and we found it. Every staff member we interacted with from valet to server was polite and attentive. I love a cozy, quiet, softly lit restaurant and Grinnell’s atmosphere is exactly that. We were able to enjoy a bottle of Malbec, lobster bisque, summer watermelon salad, and the New York strip without feeling rushed or forgotten about (which seem to be the two options for service when dining out recently). The steak was cooked to a perfect medium-​rare and melted in your mouth– delicious! We will definitely be back.

So upset about my experience at Grinnell’s. We were celebrating my dear friend’s retirement and even reserved the table as a retirement party. First, we were told we had a special table by the bartender. Then the «host» with a greasy pony tail showed up and told us someone else reserved that table. He moved us to a very cramped table which I refused. My friend expressed her disappointment and he argued with her. Then my fish was dry. I have never sent a dish back in my life. The waiter said «that’s what the tartar sauce is for». Not one person acknowledged his retirement. It was just sad. I will never go back there. Too bad because they obviously need the next generation of business or they are done.

Went here a few months ago with my wife. We used to be regulars but haven’t been in a while now that we had a baby. They updated the menu with some interesting new things that I haven’t tried. I always get a steak b/​c it comes out perfect every time. My wife got a piece of salmon which was perfectly cooked. They also have a new drink menu and updated the draft beer selection w/​some dog fish head and other micro brews. Great place. I have read some negative reviews on here and wonder if these folks are reviewing the same place. We have never had a bad meal here. We have had less than stellar service once or twice over the last 5 or 7 years but every time we try a new place I always wish I got the steak at Grinnells.

Sorry but I have been here three times and as a «non-​regular» your service sucks, the only thing slower tan your bartender was the lady using the walker to get to the restroom
You asked if any thing else was wrong? Well it might have been nice to ask if I was interested in dinning… but your bartender was too busy not giving service to ask…
I

Are you kidding? Vegetables cooked beyond recognition. The next youngest person in the place easily 65. Really slow slow service. Check was wrong — twice.

Grinnell’s is a total local gem and one of the best dining experience in Rochester! I have been going there since I was a kid and have always loved it. David the owner is amazing and treats everyone like family.
The food as well as the atmosphere is fantastic. By far the best chicken French in the city! And who doesn’t like putting their own toppings on their salad. In all my years going there I have never had a bad meal our experience there.
If you are looking for a relaxing atmosphere with sophisticated food, Grinnell’s is the place to go!

Solid food experience here. I had steak and it was prepared to my liking. The only thing I can criticize about the place is the lack of natural light and windows. The staff was helpful, fast and kind. The crowd tends to be of a more experienced nature but don’t let that scare you. I would definitely return.

This time I chose Grinnells for a small reception in their side room. Everything was exactly as requested, the food was great and the service even better. This is traditional dining at its best.

This is really a hidden gem. Been here twice in past month after not visiting for many many years. It just flies under the radar of the «hot» new places to go. However it’s one of the best places in Rochester. Excellent food and wait staff. Love that the owner makes it a mission to visit every single table at least once or twice during each visit. Not many of the «hot» or «cool» new places can say that. It’s definitely old school — think NYC steak/​chop house. Worth the trip.

This 5 star restaurant is a family owned business that runs three generations deep and has an unmatched reputation for their commitment to food and service excellence. I would recommend this restaurant as one of the finest restaurants in all of western NY.

Any place can have an «off night». Any place except for Grinnell’s apparently.
I’ve been to Grinnell’s about a dozen times and have yet to be less than completely satisfied. This has to be one of the most consistent restaurants in Rochester.
Food is good to great, drinks are outstanding, atmosphere is warm and the service is top notch. What more could you want? Fair prices? They’ve got that too.
The owner is always there, working the front end and making sure that everything runs smoothly. Love this place.

This used to be a wonderfully run and modestly priced restaurant.
Now, the service is in decline, the food is just OK, and the prices are way out of line!
Disappointed!

Grinnell’s is prime American sophistication in fine-​dining. Classic. It took quite a bit of research to find the perfect place to bring my family who was visiting me in Rochester, and the out of the park Unilocal reviews brought me here. We made Saturday night reservations for four at 8, but fearing not getting a good seat for our 10 PM showtime later that night, we came a bit early, hoping to linger at the bar until they could hopefully fit us in for an earlier time.
Not a problem. Poppa S. was thoroughly impressed the entire night from the valet service, the maitre d’, to the several Tom Collins he ordered (my old fashioned was /​powerful/​in a good way too). We were seated about half an hour earlier, which was perfect. The menu is simple, exquisite American fare. Delicious food that is classically prepared to perfection. We all had the london broil special of the evening, and everything was cooked accurately to what we had ordered, and that bordelaise? Yes please. Our waiter was courteous, knowledgable, and not overbearing like you see in most places, daddy-​o was glad that the maitre d’ checked in on us too and remembered his name from the reservation. It’s simple gestures sometimes that accent a great evening.
My family is demanding Grinnell’s to be made tradition for their future Rochester visits! It looks like an excellent location to host a private party at too. Looking forward to being a future and frequent patron.

Our first visit was fantastic from top to bottom. It’s almost always going to end up well when you’re warmly greeted by the owner upon your entrance.
The Chicken French, particularly the sauce, was phenomenal. Truly the best we’ve ever had. The Chicken Parmesan included two hefty breasts that featured a deliciously crunchy exterior and a perfectly juicy interior, and it was topped with just enough tomato sauce, unlike most places which tend to drown their Italian entrees in way too much of it.
Service was attentive and respectful.
Will definitely visit again!

My boyfriend and I have not stopped talking about the food here since we went for a rehearsal dinner one night! First off, we were with great people so that always makes the night fun, but the food was amazing!
We had a few options to choose from. I got the chicken french and my boyfriend got the prime rib. I tasted a bite. BEST PRIME RIB EVER! My chicken french was delicious. He wanted some, but i ate it all by the time he said something. Oh and the salad! They bring you this little spiny thing of different toppings to put on your salad and you salad is not just a few pieces of letter for $ 6. its an actual salad!
This place is a bit pricey, but welllllllll worth it. i want to take my parents here for something special. My dad will love it! We talked to the bartender about the crab legs, because i heard they are to die for and he was like… get here early, bring your wallet, but they are the best crab legs out there!
I can’t say enough great things about this place! I cant wait to go back!