A Night of Food and Wine in Rochester
Last night was one for the books—not just for the food and wine (which were phenomenal), but because it felt like the perfect little pause before a day I wasn’t exactly looking forward to.
My oldest daughter and I had reservations for the Apollo’s Praise wine pairing dinner at Lento Restaurant in Rochester. She’s every bit the wine lover I am, having spent three summers working the tasting room at Boundary Breaks Winery, where she developed not just a sharp palate but a deep appreciation for Finger Lakes wine and the people who make it.
Sharing this dinner with her felt like a full-circle moment. Scott, sadly, had to work, since hospital shifts don’t pause for wine dinners or pre-surgery nerves! But, did we manage to enjoy it without him? We absolutely did!
The lineup? Five wines from Apollo’s Praise paired with five thoughtfully composed courses. We started with a bright, zesty Scheurebe 2024, which had a beautiful floral nose (my favorite) alongside scallop ceviche, then moved through a lovely Grüner Veltliner, a crisp, opulent Dry Riesling from Lahoma Vineyard, and a Rosé of Gamay Noir that stole the show alongside miso-glazed black cod. The finale, Cabernet Franc Reserve 2023 paired with smoked salmon sausage and morel hash, was rich, savory, and full of Finger Lakes soul. A scoop of strawberry sorbet closed out the night on just the right note.
I had knee surgery scheduled for the next morning, and joked that if anything went sideways in the OR, at least I’d go out on a high note: full, happy, and wine-swoony.
Thankfully, all went well and I’ve got the memories (and the photos) to prove it. Nights like this remind me why we fell in love with wine and the Finger Lakes in the first place. It’s not just what’s in the glass. It’s the time spent around the table, the people we share it with, and the stories that get told along the way.
Cheers to daughters who know their Rieslings, partners who cheer us on from work, and Finger Lakes wines that keep raising the bar. 🥂
To read about another fantastic outing focused on Rochester FLX food and wine pairings, check out this post.
There’s much more to come, and we’d love for you to be a part of our journey, so make sure to subscribe to our blog, Finger Lakes Food and Wine Adventure.
Cheers from the lake,
— Niki & Scott
