Well, well I was in the area and finally stopped in.. you should too. Just a word to you all.. you order, get a number and a seat and they bring it to you. This is inside of The Metropolitan Building (they have outdoor seating) the inside where the restaurant is; is shared with the buildings large entrance/atrium. It's light, white and bright. This concept is brought to you from the group behind Good Luck, Cure, Radio Social and the like. Staff is friendly and unobtrusive. They have a large stocked bar, honestly I'd come here to have a cocktail or two if someone asked. You should too.. they seem to be known for their breakfast sandwiches and the like I can't say anything about that. I will have to try on another trip. I came for lunch around 1:30 or so. I ordered the New Bird Chicken Sandwich, On Local bread with a sweet heat from honey and a chili glaze. It had sautéed kale and fried onion on it.. tasty my only criticism on this was the huge dollop of bitter green salad on the plate (see photo) since the greens were of an odd shape it was kind of hard to eat them without looking like a heathen. Also I think it had a vinaigrette on it? Than I got the Crispy Potato Rosti that was well done and I enjoyed that with the greed goddess like creama on it. I than got an iced tea.. maybe I should have gotten a Negroni but that's on me... my lunch was not inexpensive my sandwich, drink and side were $16. Was it worth it yes and no.. I wanted to try this place, the food is good, but maybe I need another visit during dinner/cocktail hour. Give them a shot you can post cool photos to your Insta! They have street parking, or take you an Uber. It's modern and cool. Cheers! read more

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We went at night for cocktails. Nice atmosphere. More upscale than a bar or club. It is located in the lobby of a large office building. good mix of different types of drinks. Not a huge bar selection though. I would go again if i was in the area but its not worth a trip on its own. read more

Great drinks. I had to check this out as it's a new joint in DT. Very close to my work. Venue is perfect as anyone can literally walk here after work, if you work in DT. It's sleek and we are here at their one month anniversary. As of now they don't have a HH. But they serve small plates. Also, they are planning to be full service menu by April. I'm looking forward to that. read more

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What a great atmosphere. When my friend took me for my birthday didn't know what to expect. It's cool going into the old Chase building. The building now is called Metropolitan. Great service good food small plates. I had the monkfish in a curry sauce which was pretty yummy. Appetizer great signature drinks. They very good about asking people if they have any dietary restriction's.So stop in for a drink and some appetizers. read more

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Beautiful open air/space restaurant in downtown Rochester, with a casual, but loaded menu filled with local breads, cheeses, meats, and coffee roasters (and don't forget and eclectic full bar)! For lunch today, I had the Forgottafulletta which was big, bold, and delicious - could have used some acid or olive tapenade, but still well done. Also had a side of the potato rosti - nice crunch on the outside, but a little wet/gummy on the inside. Flavor was good, but the star was the spring onion crema that accompanied it. Two other friends got sandwiches (the club, and the al pastorta), and were pleased with their choices. There was a bit of a line, but don't sweat it - waited only five minutes for my delivery. So nice to have another great add to downtown for lunch, or after hours gatherings! read more

Only been here for drinks and light snacks at night, but I really love this place! The setting in the Met is beautiful, and the staff is so sweet. Definitely come in with my friend to see our beloved bartender Brooke once a week or other week! The cocktails here are actually unique, uncommon in Rochester, and priced adequately to the cost of living here. The food to snack on is also great with some nice gluten free options if, like me, you have a miserable friend that can't eat gluten read more

Before I begin, I must say I only had an appetizer to kill time waiting for a friend to come down as they were running late. In the lobby of the Metropolitan, Bar Bantam sits off to the side with an open setup so you don't feel closed it. I had the edamame hummus with veggies. Similar consistency to chickpea hummus, but green. he taste of the hummus was overall good. I feel it needed more fat, like olive oil drizzled over. Maybe some pine nuts or chopped up almonds for crunch. Next time I am in the building, I will have to sample an entrée and update this review. Oh, almost forgot the staff. Super friendly and yes, very attractive to boot. Almost stumbled on my words when ordering. 10 out of 10, would go again. read more

Went here for dinner on a Saturday night. The food was excellent, service perfectly calibrated (attentive, but not too attentive), ingredients were nicely paired, everything was cooked beautifully, and presentation was outstanding. So I guess this is a rave review. Three more things stand out. 1. If you're vegetarian Bar Bantam works better than you might think. Not only are most of the appetizers vegetarian, but they told us that all of the entrees can be prepared with tofu and mushrooms in place of the protein. If you want to go some place kind of fancy and get a vegetarian meal, then this just might be your place. 2. The ambience is really nice if you want a place that's quiet but not dull. I.e., we could carry on a conversation, easily. At some restaurants that's just about impossible. (Good Luck, I'm looking at you.) But it wasn't like having dinner at an old-folks home, either. It's a neat place to have a drink and dinner, but without experiencing sensory overload. 3. The cocktails are really nice. read more

We always have a great experience here. The cocktails are well crafted with a wide variety of flavors and at $8 makes them even better. The Arizona and smooth operator are my favorites.Really cool atmosphere, great music. The bartenders and staff are always very friendly. I have been here for both breakfast and lunch. I like the breakfast sandwich but wish it had more components on it, like the bread to egg ratio was more even if that makes sense lol. Lunch is awesome!! Got the disco bowl, super fresh flavors and a healthy option. Have not eaten dinner here yet but look forward to trying it! read more

Went here for lunch yesterday and was so happy with the food. This is tasty and clean eating in a really cool space. Great flavors and textures. I had the disco bowl with chicken and shared a side of edamame hummus with my friend. Truthfuly, the bowl was a perfect portion, but as excessive Americans, most people might expect more. We need to retrain our brains and slow down - this is exactly the way we should eat. The only criticism we both had is that the menu said "edamame hummus with vegetables," but the only veggies the hummus came with, were carrots. Not that there is anything wrong with that, but we were hoping for a mix of veggies - maybe whatever is in season - green beans, peppers, etc. The menu is short and sweet and I'm going back to try it all! Added bonus - it's very affordable! read more

I tried out Bar Bantum for lunch today. I had the Disco Bowl...super tasty but a bit on the small side (maybe I'm just a tub that requires larger portions, haha). I don't know if the A/C wasn't functioning properly, but it was about 80 degrees in there. Made for an uncomfortable dining experience. Other than that, I would say it's a great spot for lunch, as the food came out quickly and the staff is very friendly. I would go back and try a hardier meal, like one of their delicious looking sandwiches. :) read more

Stopped in for lunch and felt like I stepped out of Rochester for a bit. Very upscale and cosmopolitan feel. Floor to ceiling windows create bright, airy atmosphere. . friendly service, excellent "bowl" choices. We parked across the street. read more

4 of us stopped in Friday night for their first dinner menu seating. The layout is very cool. The bar/restaurant and seating sit tucked away in the large and spacious lobby of The Metropolitan building downtown. It was certainly lively for the evening which was great. We were seated promptly and were greeted by our server Howie. The drinks were pretty good; the men ordered a paid of Old Fashioned's, mine with Rye (Woodford) and my buddy with the Bulleitt Bourbon. We ordered the calamari appetizer which we were told a few minutes later that they ran out for the evening; bummer but it happens. We also went with the pork lettuce wraps. I liked the wraps but I think they were a bit dry and could have used a sauce on top. The entrees are served family style which I think is the only big thumbs down I had for the night. We ordered the steak, chicken, and scallop entree. The scallops were fantastic; large pieces with a perfect sear on each side. Great job, chef, on these. The chicken was pretty good too but it was kind of difficult to share this entree 'family style'. I enjoyed the hanger steak, it was cooked perfectly to medium rare and had what I believe was a chimichurr over the top. This is a cool new spot in a revitalizing Rochester downtown. We will go back! read more

Very excited about this new spot downtown! It brings fast/casual dining but doesn't sacrifice quality of a well crafted menu and delicious food. The atmosphere is open and inviting (I can't wait to see what they do on the patio in warmer months). Most tables only seat 2 people but the staff was very accommodating and pulled tables together. The menu is vegan friendly and currently offers breakfast and lunch options. My husband and I had the disco bowls which were made with fresh and delicious ingredients. We also shared the potato rosti and a pot of French press coffee. Overall the food came out quick, we didn't have to wait on a server (you order and pay at the counter and seat yourself) and we really enjoyed a fresh new downtown lunch spot. I definitely think this place will quickly become a new hotspot and I'm looking forward to seeing what their dinner menu will offer. read more

Bar Bantam - Order/pay at the counter - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Rochester, New York

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This is a great go-to spot with a creative menu and vegetarian and gluten free options! Chef and staff are very knowledgeable about gluten free / Celiac considerations. They have a great little cocktail menu... While I stuck to Prosecco, my dining mates said their cocktails were delicious, specifically the Bantam Lemonade and Margarita! The Korean Arancini, mushrooms and lettuce wraps are my favorites, but anything I've ever ordered here has been delicious. The location, especially the patio, is perfect for people watching, and the overall vibe is downtown-yet-relaxed and comfortable. They are doing a great job with Covid precautions as well... They managed to deliver a safe, clean, socially distanced experience that felt almost "normal"! Highly recommended. read more

Great new restaurant in the Metropolitan Building. We sat outside under some beautiful Veuve Clicquot umbrellas and overlooked Clinton Ave. We went for lunch and all got sandwiches. Great portion sizes, although they don't come with chips (but they do come with a small arugula salad). I loved my sandwich - the Cousin Vinnie. Great taste, texture. My only complaint was everything was a little salty (maybe all ok individually but a lot when it was all together). Overall, a great addition to downtown. Really excited to go back. read more

We came in after a recommendation from friends for small plates and cocktails. We were so impressed. The ambiance is really swanky - a little "hotel-ish" but the service is so warm it could be your local watering hole. I ordered a French 75 cocktail off menu which was fantastic. My partner had a Lawn Chair Pilot on their menu which he also liked. The food is incredible. We had the lettuce wraps with pork which had incredible Thai flavors. The butternut squash fritters...I don't know what we expected but just get them. They were delicious, topped with ginger and peanuts, like a savory desert appetizer. Our bartender Megan was wonderful - great cocktails and great service. read more

I have been wanting to try this place since it opened and I am glad I did! Food is delicious, prices are decent. I had the Grains Pacificas Bowl with Avacado. Portion was kind of small but very tasty. Could have used a bit more of the Miso dressing so you may want to ask for more on the side if you order it for take out. They have fresh pastries available as well as cocktails in the evening. So many amazing sounding things on the menu I have a feeling I will be eating here a lot read more

Delicious breakfast and tea with a friend downtown. I've been looking for a good avocado toast spot (for when I feel like indulging my inner millennial) and this was great! Staff is very friendly and helpful, and prices were pretty reasonable as well. Will definitely be going back to try even more toasts! The lunch menu looks great, too! read more

Excellent food. Great service. Very nice location. Vegetarian friendly. Had a wonderful meal for our 20th anniversary!

Really nice place Wide range of drinks cocktails Nice happy hours Great team and service read more

By far, this was the best calamari I have ever had my entire life. Idk what the kitchen did or does to make it so crispy, not chewy, and extremely flavorful (the chili sauce was amazing), but they are spot on. Also, the spaghetti squash that comes with the hangar steak was absolutely delicious as well. Kudos read more

My husband and I went there for dinner and were beyond pleased. From the service to the atmosphere to the quality of cocktails, appetizer (wrapped lettuce leaves) to fine wine, and finally dinner of the chicken breast and pork chop. Both were unique and enjoyed since we love food varities. This isn't the place for people who want to change the menus to their pleasing nor anyone who must salt/pepper their dishes. Very nice to have this place and look forward to eating there during the Jazz Fest. We're in our 60/70's read more

Found a shard of sharp glass/ hard plastic in my lunch sandwich. It felt like it nearly broke my tooth. Promptly told the staff, and they softly apologized and made me a new one. Didn't offer anything for free or to comp my sandwich so I had to ask to get a free drink and pastry. The obliged but now I'm not even sure I want to eat the replacement sandwich (which I still paid for). Disappointing for sure. read more

Oh my goodness the steak sandwich is to die for! Barely a block from Hyatt Regency and in a building with a great patio. Don't let the laid back vibe fool you. This food in phenomenal and a nice cocktail list as well! Great value for incredible food! read more

I have been going to, and recommending, this place since it opened. However, after a recent experience I can no longer recommend to anyone at all. Long story short, I had to find out, in the most public and embarrassing possible way, that due to policy changes Bar Bantam will no longer honor out of state ID's for college students. For a college town this seems like an unbelievable policy, but they appeared to make no apologies or make any effort to provide any level of service other than suggest I return with a passport to supplement my perfectly legal, valid, scannable, and unexpired out of state license. The provided reason was "this type of ID (Massachusetts) is easy to fake and we can't take chances as an establishment." Well, you didn't take the chance, but now you've forced me to a life of warning all who will heed me to stay away from your only-okay-if-reasonably-priced kalamari and very meh cocktails in a nice environment. I enjoyed being a customer while I was respected, but will never be able to return. It's a shame, because the food never left a bad taste in my mouth; just your crummy (new) and ill-informed bar staff did. RIP, Bar Bantam. read more

I went there last night for a networking event. It was absolutely amazing. They had a Bass playing and the most delicious appetizers I've ever had. Everyone there was so kind and accommodating and I hope they host more events that I can attend. Really would love to come back! read more

Much like a good time in a mall food court, not much has changed other than it is delicious food priced like millennials who eat at a funky hummus bowling alley, an old Rochester skyscraper that needs a little more thought for such a significant exclamation ... a fun chain metal partition or something would help in this unique venue read more

We have excellent dinners both times we have gone. The members in our party have very different tastes in food and everyone was very happy with their meals. read more

Awesome open style restaurant for fresh, simple, and healthy ingredients that are creatively presented. My family and I tried a sandwich and 2 of the bowls. The bowls were a vegan delight and not over dressed so you could taste each ingredient. The sandwich was also very tasty. I'm excited to go back and try more items. The staff were helpful and friendly. It's nice being downtown and I hope this place succeeds. It's a great place to go with friends. read more

Went to Bar Bantam with my wife on a Saturday night. It was so hot inside you could have fried an egg on my forehead. Staff said they had been without air conditioning for two weeks. We ate our meals outside where it was cooler. Ordered a gin and tonic. Tonic was flat. I returned it, and the bartender (who was very nice) confirmed that they needed to change the CO2 tank. She did that and brought me a new drink. That one was flat after 2 sips. I decided not to complain again, although I know I should have. My wife and I split the Chevre Tartine small plate, which was delicious. For entrees we had the hanger steak and the pasta special. I have had good and bad luck with hanger steak. If it is not cut and prepared correctly, it can be tough. I am thrilled to say that this dish was absolutely delicious at Bar Bantam. The steak was cooked to medium or medium rare. Just right. The snap peas were fresh and delicious. The fingerlings were crisp and perfectly seasoned. The portion of steak was extremely generous. I would recommend this entree without hesitation. My wife's pasta special was a simple preparation of house-made cavatelli with breadcrumbs and asparagus in a super-light garlic and mushroom sauce. I say "super-light" so as not to put anyone off because of the garlic. This dish was so enjoyable and filling! Only $14, a real steal. I would highly recommend the food at Bar Bantam, and I hope they get the air conditioning fixed soon. :) *Editing this review because I forgot to mention that the staff was very fun and friendly. read more

My friend and I decided to try this place out for lunch. I got their version of a muffuletta ($9) and he ordered a different sandwich. My first impression was that it was just a prepackaged sandwich, not too freshly made. It was pretty dry and the description said it had olives and peppers on it which wasn't the case at all. His sandwich looked freshly prepared so feeling underwhelmed I went up to the counter and told the girl I didn't like it and wondered if I could have something else in it's place. Now I know this is more of discretionary situation and the girl said that she would have to ask her manager. She went over, asked him, and came back to me with a reply of "Ok, what do you want?" I ordered one of the bowls instead and she said "Ok, your total is $12." Now I found this a little confusing since after asking her manager- she immediately prompted me to order again knowing she was going to charge me regardless and didn't bother explaining this to me. It would have been nice to receive a reply along the lines of "I'm sorry, we can't do that but I can box this up for you and start a new order for you." - instead of literally saying "Ok" giving me the impression they would exchange the item. I paid for it anyway, went and sat back down and a few minutes later I was brought the wrong order. I had to go back up and explain to the girl this wasn't what I wanted and even though I had only ordered with her like 5 minutes before she seemed really confused about what menu item I asked for. I went and sat back down AGAIN and eventually the right bowl was brought to me. It was pretty good to be honest but the customer service here was SO lacking that I probably won't come here again. Especially as a new business starting you would think they'd want to please people going out of their way to try them out but I honestly felt like they could've cared less whether I enjoyed my experience with them. read more