It’s the end of another great year for the Rochester area restaurant scene. In addition to some great promotions, new dishes, chef switches and special events, nearly 20 restaurants opened their doors in the area this year.
• We welcomed 2011 with a little something different from David and Lisa Loucks Christenson, who opened their White Wolf Creekbistro in Northwest Rochester in February.
• Award-winning Bob’s Smokestack Ribsopened a Rochester location on West Circle Drive.
• Dennis and Lynne Wong’s newest venture, Zumbro River Cafe, also opened its doors adjacent to their Dunn Bros Northstore on Elton Hills.
• Spring also saw the opening of Lake City’s Railhouse Grill, which almost immediately earned a following and is still picking up steam.
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• Longtime Mexican eatery Dos Amigos closed up last spring, to reopen several weeks later, with a fresh patio and a refreshed menu, as Paseo del Rio.
• If that wasn’t enough, Tien Danhpicked springtime to open Far East Fusionin Cedarwood Plaza, combining Thai, Vietnamese and Chinese cuisine in one kitchen with delicious results.
• My new favorite ice cream shop, Flapdoodles, set sail during that time as well.
• In early summer, we welcomed sushi back to downtown Rochester with the opening of Impiana Kitchen and Sushi Bar.
• The Maid-Rite Lunch Boxlunch truck started rolling this summer.
• Rochester also got a little more Greek when Eddie Campos, who worked for years at Zorba’s, opened Opa! Opa!in southeast Rochester.
• The long-awaited Tortilleria Jalisco, with its refreshing horchata and fresh tortillas made every day, opened on Elton Hills Drive this summer.
• Replacing Nick-n-Willy’s, Stadium Clubopened in TJ Maxx plaza.
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• Brigitte Wagnon-Heubleinstarted serving up crepes and galettes for patrons at Douglas Saloon.
• In addition to its downtown location and Newt's Express, Newt’sopened up a third, larger location in northwest Rochester, complete with a beer-bottle chandelier to greet you at the door.
• In the middle of all that activity, we bid adieu to a legendary spot in Lanesboro when Arv and Jan Fabianfinally decided to retire for real, closing Das Wurst Hausfor good at the end of the summer.
Fall saw the return of the Redwood Room, along with the openings of Borgy Boyz Pizzeriain Pine Island and Hot Fish Shopin northwest Rochester.
Well done, Rochester area restaurateurs.
Next week, come back for a look ahead to 2012, and all the delicious food we have to look forward to.
