18 replies to this topic

[steve4031]

Greetings,

I thought I would get this topic off to a start after some research. Rochester is challenging in that there is not a great public transport system (steel wheel on rail). So I focused around the HGI where most of us are staying.

The BBQ place has great ratings but there is s note in its website stating that it is not taking responsibility for food allergies and meeting those needs. So that one is a no go. Others seemed to have limited menu with higher prices. This left the restaurant in the hgi as the best candidate.

It is called Drifters and here is the yelp link. https://yelp.to/qTKq/Nvusp9YAfT

As always there is room for discussion and improvement. One perk of Drifters is that we could charge to our room and earn Hilton points.

In Springfield there is pizzeria Uno which has met group needs well in the past. Its near the hgi and convenient. An option might be Plan B Burgers. Here is the yelp link. https://yelp.to/qTKq/7cl8oBOYhT

As always this is meant as a starting point.

[KevinKorell]

I saw rumors someplace that Rochester rolls in its sidewalks early, hence little to no business downtown.   For example there is sub place called DiPisa which is only open weekdays 8 AM to 3 PM, so a Saturday night is definitely out for them.

 

Drifters homepage here.

 

Also there is a Morton's Steakhouse in the Hyatt Regency hotel, which looks to be next door to the HGI Rochester.  Morton's can be quite expensive, but they do give good cuts.

 

In Springfield, the HGI shares the parking lot with the Basketball Hall of Fame, and the Uno is right next door to the hotel. The B restaurant (looks to be behind the Hall of Fame) stands for Beer, Burgers, & Bourbon.  Its website is here.  Also adjacent to the Hall is Max's Tavern, which has some steak options but is quite expensive.

[steve4031]

I could deal with Mortons. I like that idea. I know it may be a budget buster for some

[pennyk]

Thanks Steve and Kevin. If the group wants to go to the BarBQ restaurant, I am OK with going elsewhere on my own.  

I could do hotel restaurant or Mortons (either on my own or with others)

 

A restaurant with "Tavern" in the name always peaks my interest.  I will look at the link.

 

I also have to consider that the weather in both Rochester and Springfield will be much colder than Florida and I may not be willing to walk too far in freezing temperatures (but I will be bringing my heavy winter coat).

[steve4031]

We eliminated the BBQ restaurant because it wouldnt accommodate you. We want you there. Plus I can serenade you with rap tunes.

[bratkinson]

Being a south suburban Springfield area resident for the past 24 years, I should be able to offer a couple of downtown restaurant suggestions that handles various appetites and dietary limitations (isn't getting old fun???).  Unfortunately, my dining out is usually limited to fast food, so I can't be much help in making experience-based suggestions.

 

I must've passed Plan B and a few blocks north of that, Luxe Burgers 100s of times driving along I-91 but never went there.  They're both new within the past 10 years give or take.  Where Luxe and LA Fitness (gym) are today used to be the Basketball Hall of Fame until a new one was built maybe 10-12 years ago (the giant basketball-shaped structure) adjacent to Plan B.  Given that everyone will be on foot from HGI, UNO and Plan B are within an easy walk.  Luxe is about a 5 minute walk at normal walking speed.  For those inclined to taking chances, there's a brand new (6 months old) MGM Casino a couple short blocks beyond Luxe.  They'll never see me, so I don't know what they offer for food.  If the weather is blustery, it's not worth the walk, especially for those unaccustomed to walking in snow.  For what it's worth, we had a 5" snowfall a week or so before Thanksgiving, and virtually nothing since!

 

If it were up to me to pick a spot, I'd go for Plan B.  When traveling, I make every attempt to eat at non-chain restaurants, or, at least, something not easily reached from home such as Waffle House or White Castle.  Plan B has only 9 locations, mostly in Connecticut, so it's more the one-of-a-kind variety which is ideal.  I'm agreeable to meeting everyone at whatever restaurant works for the group.  That'll give me more time to get to know each of you, except that in noisy environments, my hearing aids have trouble separating out individual voices.  Hopefully, #448 will be close to on time reaching Springfield on the 20th!  See you all then!

 

Bruce

[pennyk]

We eliminated the BBQ restaurant because it wouldnt accommodate you. We want you there. Plus I can serenade you with rap tunes.

[BillMagee]

In Springfield, Uno Chicago Grill is directly connected to the Hilton Garden Inn by an indoor corridor. We would not even need a jacket to go there. The in-house HGI restaurant is breakfast only. Opening at 7am, that is probably too late for our 7:58 AM departure from SPG.

[steve4031]

Ill eat fast!!!!!! Picture road runner eating and the bowl spinning. Ill be wiping the pancake syrup off of my face as I climb aboard to rush for window seat. Lol.

[KevinKorell]

I'll just make sure my HH profile says to get points instead of breakfast.  I can live on snacks and have lunch in NYC when we get there before Noon.