CRISP Rochester

Went to Crisp on date night as a new place we haven’t been to before, drinks were great, the ambiance and staff were awesome and the food was priced appropriately. We’re trying out new places and said we would add Crisp into the rotation, not too many complaints on the food we got the Deviled Eggs as an appetizer, the Chicken & Churros, and the Baja Fish Tacos. For the Chicken & Churros the Churros were fantastic, just wish that there was more of the hot honey on it. Overall a great place for a date night.

We went for the first time last night and had a wonderful time. The full review is based on vegan options, and alcohol free drinks. We had an 8 PM Second Serving dinner reservation, which means we sat in the backroom away from the live music. We also had a great "breeze" from the opening backdoor. In the summer that's probably refreshing, but when it's zero degrees out it's uncomfortable. It was cool to walk through the kitchen, though, and felt "hip." We got the vegan charcuterie board, fried chili tofu (with 3 radish slices) to start. The charcuterie was great, but for $25 it needs either another set of bread or some crackers. We ran out of carbs and "mini plates" quickly. The tofu was absolutely delicious. It had a texture like it had been frozen, which gives it a heartier, more chewable texture. Highly recommended. The mocktails were reasonably priced. I don't (and never have) drink, so it tasted like something had gone bad. Lol They use 100% alcohol - free, zero proof drink from Ritual. My wife's was great and we could (probably should have) ordered more, because... Something went wrong in the kitchen. We ordered the meatloaf and stuffed pepper and it took nearly 30 minutes. My understanding is that this is unusual, and they were suitably apologetic. This isn't Applebee's, you're going to wait a bit for good food, but this was a lot. The stuffed pepper was delicious, but lacking much spice. A scotch bonnet supplement would be perfect, but maybe too spicy for many. The sauce was too tomato forward and tasted like pasta sauce. There was also a leaf still in my pepper, but I don't know if that was intentional. The carrots also needed more sear. The meatloaf was good, and it tasted homemade. They use a local vegan "butcher" (Grass Fed) but are trying to in-house more stuff. They actually do a superb job of explaining, listening, and understanding. I had zero concerns that we were being taken care of. The desserts were lacking. The only vegan option was candied pecans, which on the charcuterie and is not a dessert. My wife got the peanut butter pie which she really enjoyed and felt unique, like "a cross between cheesecake and ice cream " Not vegan, though. Overall, we loved it and will definitely try it again. The care and attention is amazing. For the cost of the meal we did want a little more. For two people you can easily spend $125-150 with tip. Rochester needs places like this, and the crowded dining roomshowed that we can support it. This is an easy recommendation. Oh, last thing... They need chopsticks available.

Crisp is easily one of my favorite places to eat in the city! If you’re lucky enough to get a reservation to attend brunch on Sunday or Monday, their brunch bowls are out of this world. But I haven’t eaten a single thing here that I didn’t thoroughly enjoy. The menu is accommodating to all types of dietary preferences. The dishes are full of rich ingredients from across the spectrum. Not to mention their cocktails are spectacular. If you’re looking for delicious, wholesome, inclusive, comforting food, Crisp is where you should go.

While planning a last-minute wedding due to health issues and only one month to spare, we were hoping to find a lovely place to hold dinner after the ceremony. CRISP made it happen on such short notice, and we are incredibly grateful for everything they provided and more. Wendi helped us create a beautiful menu that accommodated everyone’s dietary restrictions, and there isn’t a single bad thing to say about any of the food. Even our non-vegetarian guests were snacking on crispy tofu and going back for seconds of the vegan meatloaf. The braised beef and carrots dish was absolutely delicious, and something I still think about. What really set them apart was the service. About an hour before dinner, we dropped off a few table décor items, planning to set them up ourselves after the ceremony. To our surprise, the servers went ahead and decorated the tables perfectly. It was such a thoughtful gesture that really helped relieve stress on our big day. They even set up a mini bar where guests could walk up and get drinks, another lovely touch that made the evening even more special. We can’t recommend this place enough. Wendi and the entire staff were wonderful, and CRISP can definitely expect us back in the future when we take day trips back to Rochester! (I wish we had taken more photos; the food was *chefs kiss*)

Easily my favorite restaurant to visit in Rochester and completely unparalleled on a Monday when so many places are closed. The cocktails are wonderfully crafted, all the food I have enjoyed has been incredible. Mandatory to try the chicken appetizer. The staff are extremely friendly and helpful. This is such a welcoming space. For the quality of the food and service, the prices are very fair.