What a fun experience! One of the local favorites, I went here for a weeknight birthday celebration with a group of girls. We had a great time with food, drink, and lots of sharing. We had reservations a few days in advance for a party of 6 and had to wait until at least 5 of us were present and we still waited about 15 or 20 minutes. But no worries, we appreciated the energy of the place. We sat upstairs and indoors, had some lovely shared plates of rigatoni ricotta pasta, grilled chicken thigh, baked chicken thigh special of the day, bee sting pizza, and roasted garlic bread. Everything came as it was made, so it was just a fun time to be spending with each other and nibbling on yummy food as we went along. Everything was super tasty and flavorful. The garlic bread had some good bread and tons of garlic is always appreciated. Both chicken dishes were moist and different in their own way. We got the house rigatoni with ricotta because the special of the day cloud noodi was out, but I appreciated the meat in the pasta dish. The bee sting pizza was also tasty, nice cripsy crust. For drinks we had multiple fluffy gray hounds around and I had a "wing it" with mezcal base, ended up with a fun "Last Word" variation. We also got to try and appreciate some complementary birthday celebrations of chocolate cake and blueberry lemon cake, both delicious and not overly sweet. Overall a super fun dining experience with tasty food, fun drinks, and warm hospitality. The place itself is also pretty interesting with tables inside, outside, upstairs, downstairs. The only thing I will comment is that it is pretty loud since the tables are close together and the spaces are small, but it worked out and fun nonetheless. read more

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Each meal at Vern's is always a fun surprise. Aside of plenty of wonderful items on their menu, like the Broken Burrata and Pizzas, they always have several of the most amazing specials. Tonight was no exception with special Cucumber Melon Salad and their take on Cioppino. Food is artful and creative, but not pretentious. Portions are just the right size that we can order a few appetizers and dishes to share. Service is attentive and items exit the kitchen when they are ready, which has on occasion left a diner in our party waiting a bit. That said, we've adjusted our ordering and intend to share things. This makes everyone happy and let's us explore the menu. Make sure to leave room for dessert, especially if they have an olive oil cake or panna cotta on the menu. It's always the perfect end to a great meal. If you intend to eat outside, plan to arrive early, as with other restaurants on Park Ave., they tend to fill quickly. Tables under the large umbrellas are lovely. It's a great place to people watch during a leisurely meal. read more

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So I finally got back to this great little spot in the late Summer. I met my friend and fellow Yelper Nicole M for dinner. FYI no reservations and you just gotta deal with it. We sat at the bar.. it's not an issue for me and it's great people watching and the mixologists are doing their thing. The wine list "mostly natty's" was put together by the man who owns Aldakeller and it's a great list. Wines by the bottle price wise are not bad and it's a better way to go. Yes the craft made drinks are also stellar. We got some apps the clams were tasty with a nice broth/sauce you could dip your bread into and the Bee Stung Pizza (this has to be one of the best in the city.) We also got dessert a flourless chocolate cake. Service is friendly and efficient but this place even on a Wednesday early evening is full tilt. I FINALLY got to go and see this place in the daytime as every time I came it was nighttime. It's worth the visit. Just go they know what they are doing. Street parking or Uber/Lyft Cheers! read more

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Please get RESERVATION system of some kind. I would love to dine here, yet not show up at 4:30 to stand in line.

Wow wow wow! Came here for date night on Tuesday night. Early enough that we didn't need a reservation. We were greeted as soon as we walked in. Excellent service from everyone. Waitress was nice also she was attentive. The food was delicious! Pizza was cooked to perfection, the salad was yummy... nice and citrusy. Overall the food was amazing, service and even drinks were great! Definitely recommend this place, we will be back soon read more

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Went on a Saturday night and waited about 30 minutes for a table for 4. Got the lost meatball ragu, corn pizza, and garlic bread. Everything was amazing! In my opinion the pizzas were a bit more unique than the pastas but it's personal preference and some people in my party felt differently. Prices are fair, staff are nice, and the place is clean. I look forward to coming back! read more

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Not a ton of gluten free options. Vern's is a cute place right in park ave (expect to find street parking somewhere else and walk). The menu and dishes are supposed to be shared, but will require some work to cut up and divide with your friends. We ordered the pork belly, stone fruit salad, clams, polenta, pizza, and focaccia. Pizza and focaccia not gluten free, but the other items were. The dishes come out when they are ready (super tiny kitchen) which gives this a surprise timing. The staff were friendly and mostly helpful. I was disappointed by many of the dishes. They lacked a certain level of flavor and were awkward to share since I had to cut and divide everything. We had a party of 5 and enjoyed the outdoor dining. Not a bad experience just not the best food around. read more

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truly a gem in the rochester community, every time i'm in town I need to go once or twice even! read more

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Amazing service. From the hostess, to the bartender, and then to my server. I can't remember the last time I had service so good. I love the wallpaper inside, beautiful place. We sat outside, they like people to order together and share plates. The little necks and fried zucchini was amazing. We also shared pasta and the pizza was unreal! They have a beautiful and underrated selection of natural wines. Which is hard to fine. Also thank you for the Aperol spritz, I'm postpartum, and have been craving one for weeks! We will definitely be back ! read more

Vern's - New American Near Me - Rochester, New York

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We're from Texas and come to stay in Fairport every summer...yes we are reverse snowbirds. We discovered this place last year and fell in love with it during the three times we visited during our stay. This year it was one of our first stops and it didn't disappoint! We got there right at four when they opened and easily got a seat at the bar. Someone else mentioned in their review that the bar was not the best option? I wholeheartedly disagree, not only did we get amazing service at the bar, but we enjoyed talking with the bartenders and the other patrons as well. Vern's has a great menu, but during our last three visits, the specials sounded so good and we went with them. This time I was determined to try the Lost Meatball, and I'm glad I did! All the reviews are spot on...it was a tremendous dish! The flavors are so rich and I love the butteriness of the sauce, the yummy chunks of meatballs, and the seasoned ricotta on top. I swear just typing that made me look at my watch to see what time it was, and now I'm thinking, "Hmmm, they open at 4pm. I have time to shower!" My husband went with the lamb special they had and not only was the dish out of this world, the portion was huge and I had his leftovers for lunch the next day. We always get their Burrata special...this year it was just as wonderful as last year's offering. Their cocktails are so good, fresh and creative. I love their "wing it" option and they always nail a perfect drink for me! The atmosphere cannot be beat, love the decor and the feel of the place. The employees are tremendous and a few even remembered us from last year. read more

Vern's - Focaccia special....out of this world! - New American Near Me - Rochester, New York

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Sadly they were closed for a staff event tonight so I was unable to take the husband there for his birthday as planned! But we will return when the daughter comes to town July fourth weekend! read more

Six of us came to eat dinner and all of us loved it! Our waitress was excellent and the staff was friendly. The food is unique and delicious. We ordered the purple pizza and the white and loved them both. This is a trendy and popular place but they seated us quickly. I highly recommend eating! read more

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Food is always very good. However last visit the entire restaurant was absurdly hot and there were flies and gnats EVERYWHERE inside. Windows should never be open here flies everywhere read more

Food was top notch modern Italian cuisine. Everything was delicious. Had the roasted garlic, tomato pie, the Japanese sweet potato, the veal cutlet, margherita pizza, and the cavatappi. Served family style. Had a nice selection of cocktails. Service was great, Josh was are server and he was very attentive. Had the strawberry tiaramisu. Lovely time. read more

Food is mid, wait was comically long and saw groups check in and be seated before ours. While waiting we sat several times at bar seating that opened up but we were told it's reserved. Never heard of a restaurant not taking reservations and not allowing people to sit at the bar. Service was alright. Better places in town like Fiorella or fiamma. read more

Verns is probably one of my top 5 spots in Rochester. It's perfect for a date night or a special night catching up with friends. The staff is very professional and they know the menu well. So any questions you have, fire away. They move quick but aren't annoying. We all know how that can be I love the pizza and the tomato pie. The cocktails are delicious and you can tell they put a lot of thought into their cocktail program. read more

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Located on Park Avenue, this is a nice swanky place in Rochester. The ambience is a winner here and I really enjoyed the food. We tried the roasted garlic, bee sting pizza, margherita pizza, and lost meatball ragu as well as some drinks. Dishes are meant to be shared which is fun. The roasted garlic came with a generous mound of butter, which was tasty and indulgent. The bee sting was the tastier of the two pizza's (but not as good as a similar counterpart in Syracuse). I also enjoyed the lost meatball ragu, it was hearty, filling and the pasta was al dente. The drink I tried was the fluffy greyhound. Though the drink was pretty, I personally felt that the drink brought out the bitterness of the grapefruit which was a bit much for me. Overall, a nice place to go for a night out. Things do get pretty pricey here (around $55 pp after tax and tip was my experience) so it's not an every day thing. read more

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I've been wanting to try Verns for a long time. It is never easy cause they don't take reservations and there's always about an hour wait, which is why we decided to sit at the bar (which honestly wasn't the best option - I wouldn't recommend). The food itself was good, but I have tried way better Italian places. Pasta were very salty, and the pizzas were insanely greasy - mine was literally bathing in olive oil. Cocktails were good, but not exceptional. Altogether, I am not sure if I would go again. Maybe when they change their menu, who knows? read more

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10/10 have been several times and it's hands down amazing every time. The sweet potatoes are a must, sound weird but trust me you'll be wanting more!! Haven't had a thing I don't like. Amazing food, drinks and service! Get there early there's always a line at 4pm and a wait!! read more

I don't know how I've gone this long without reviewing Vern's? Vern's is AMAZING. Cocktails, tomato pie, pasta, burrata, pizzas and the friendliest bar staff in the biz. I've only ever dined and enjoyed happy hour cocktails at the bar (in the before-COVID times) and am making plans to grab some Vern's takeout ASAP. The interior of this restaurant is so thoughtful, with cozy colors, beautiful seating areas, and a bar that fits perfectly with the vibe! Most food items are made to share so this is the perfect place to dine if you're looking to try multiple menu items. They caught on early to the natural wine "trend" and are currently offering up a nice variety to try on their takeout menu to accompany your dinner. My absolute favorite, must order menu item is the tomato pie. I don't know why it is so amazing, it just is. Salty/sweet tomatoes with the perfect amount of oil and soft dough cooked to perfection. There are tons of other tasty menu items to try, and I can't wait to sit here with friends someday soon and order it all. read more

Food and drinks do not disappoint. My meat ragu was flavorful, and the pasta was cooked to just right. The special watermelon feta salad seemed pre-mixed because the arugula leaves were quite limpy likely due to sitting dressed for a long time. It's the oil that's causing it, not the vinegar. On a Saturday night around 8:00 it was packed and super loud inside. Hard to make a conversation so choose wisely. read more

Vern's - Negroni fresco on the left, "rose glass something" on the right, watermelon salad - New American Near Me - Rochester, New York

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What an amazing gastronomic treat in Rochester. Vern's entire menu is outright outstanding. The salads were fresh and delicious. The roasted garlic toast is addictive as are the pizzas. The spicy linguine, broccolini and the Wygu steak hit the spot! The olive cake was so good we got another to go. Vern's is a gem. read more

Vern's - Olive cake was so good we got one to go! - New American Near Me - Rochester, New York

Doesn't get any better than Vern's. I'm a frequent flyer and I can't get enough. All the staff is so welcoming and kind. Shout out to Kinsey the bartender who is an angel!!! Never had a bad meal or a single complaint. read more

While the ambiance was extraordinary (perfect for date night) the food was lackluster and overpriced.

This place is absolutely amazing from start to finish. The ambience, the decor and the music were on point. Everyone was very friendly and welcoming from the moment we walked in to the moment we said goodbye. Everyone was very helpful, but the person that took care of us was Julian. He was extremely friendly, extremely helpful and lead us through the menu and suggested some great dishes. We actually just went to have a quick snack, but we couldn't help ourselves and ended up ordering the yellow pizza with pesto,corn and Calabrian chili. We ordered the broken Barata with Stonefruit. Lastly, we had the smashed potatoes that was on special with a smoked mustard aïoli that we wanted to bathe in.. the food here is out of this world! I want to go back and try one of everything! I unfortunately do not live in the area, but I can promise that I will be coming back here every time I'm in town from here on out. What a wonderful place and experience. read more

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Vern's has been on my list of "NEED TO TRY" for too long, and I was finally able to try it out a couple weeks ago while in town for a girls day with my cousin. WOW, I am so mad that it took me so long to get there because it was a culinary experience. I love the ambiance and decor of this restaurant. When you first walk in there's a wrap around bar with some counter seats, high tops and a couple booths. The decor is a mix of boho meets bar, meets a little Paris chic- not sure how to explain it but it's cozy, intimate, relaxed, and dimly lit along with candlelit tables. We were greeted by a very friendly host and a bunch of the bartenders. We were sat on the second level in a cozy corner and when we arrived it had just opened so there were only a couple other tables sat. We didn't have reservations but I'm glad we got there when we did because soon after the rest of the tables were full and looked like there were people waiting at the bar. Our waitress was lovely! She was just excited about it being our first time as we were. She explained the ordering process (you place your order for all the food at one time and it comes out according to what part of the meal it is). She was passionate about the menu and helped us make some decisions. We basically ordered half of the menu because everything sounded good including the specials. We ordered, the spicy lettuces, grilled carrots, the red pizza, PapaLee knows best and their focaccia special. Wow. Top 5 meals I have had in a while. Every dish was just as good as the next. We also ordered the tiramisu for dessert..... no words. Just try it and it will speak for itself. Well, done Vern's, please don't ever close! Can't wait to take my husband back for a date night! read more

Finally got to try Vern's! I picked up a to go order for dinner and it was ready after only about 15 minutes. I got the Tomato Pie and Lost Ragu. Both dishes are simple in that they have few ingredients but they are anything but basic. The Tomato Pie was perfect. The dough was thick with a crispy crust and soft interior. The sauce was balanced with sweet and tangy and overall it made for a great snack. The Lost Ragu was a very large portion (enough for two meals for me). I loved the flavor of the meat sauce and pepper and the ricotta. Very filling and so delicious! read more

Vern's - Tomato pie - New American Near Me - Rochester, New York

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We really enjoy our time at Vern's. We love the ambiance and energy of this place - and the food is mostly good. After about a 30 minute wait, we were finally seated. The hosted led us to the back of the restaurant to a room that reminded us of a greenhouse. It was really nice space. Our server was welcoming and really took care of us, which made the entire experience wonderful. The food was mostly good. My wife had the Lost Meatball Ragu and I had the Margherita Pizza. The pasta was really good, so I highly recommend! The pizza on the other hand was just ok. The crust was overdone and the sauce was rather dry. Vern's is worth a visit. It's a great place for date night or dinner out with friends. read more

Vern's - New American Near Me - Rochester, New York

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We love the bee sting! Such a vibe especially during the summer! Our only request is bring back this special. TUNA TARTAR!!!! It WASSS SOOOOO GOOD!!!!!!! That + Bee Sting + Espresso Martini + Sunshine was the best day ever after the beach this summer!!!! read more

Just superb!!!! Excellent service . Thank you Christine for all your love. We would definitely come back!

First I have to call out the staff. We were warmly greeted by everyone we interacted with. The place was humming. When the staff is that engaged, it makes the entire experience amazing. The sidewalk seating looked nice. The main room has a great vibe. For those who care, it's pretty loud. There is a quieter space in the back. We enjoyed our meal very much. I am a big fan of ordering lots of things to share. If that's not your thing then this is not the place for you. I would order every dish again except one. Even that one was good. Just not something I want to eat again. And, they have non-alcoholic cocktails. For those of us who can't or don't want alcohol, I love this. There is something about the ritual of starting your dinner with a cocktail, whether it has alcohol or not. read more

Food- Tasty 4 Drinks- ok- not consistent - 3 Ambiance- 2 Service- ok We were a party of four and we ordered the special of chopino at $48 which is generally served with crusty bread but here it's not included I guess?! We ordered bread and received 4 small slices and were charged $2. Really ? On a $48 entree?! In fairness the entree was very good. The seafood came with their shells on. Difficult to eat because the prawns arrived whole with shell and head on. Also enjoyed was the Napoli pizza ...although the crust was a little soggy but the focaccia ordered was very good! A very busy, noisy environment which was not enjoyable because it was so loud we couldn't have a conversation with our visiting out of town friends. I doubt we will return even though staff was friendly read more

Cute home-y restaurant with indoor and outdoor seating. The host and waiters are really friendly! The food was pretty good! I would recommend the focaccia bread, the lost meatball ragu, and bee sting pizza! I've had Brazilian lemonade before and maybe I just like mine really sweet but it was a little too tart/bitter for me. :( read more

Date night? Verns. GNO? Verns. BNO (bros night out)? Verns. If you enjoy delicious drinks, carbs and cheese -I mean, who doesn't- come to Verns. It's an enchanting spot with intimate seating and dimmed lighting. Such a Park Ave mood. Typically there's a wait for dinner, but feel free to grab a drink at the bar before your table is ready. For cocktails, the Fifth Ave was my favorite - a perfect balance of sweet and tangy. Cosmo was yummy but more on the sweeter side. The espresso martini was chocolaty, but not overly decadent. Plenty of wine options as well. For food, we had the roasted garlic which included local butter spread and bread from Flour City, the orange pizza, and lost meatball ragu. We loved them all, but I'd bathe myself in the ragu if I could. The price ranges $15-25 per entree but the quality and taste are worth it IMO. They also come in larger portions to share. Our waitress was also a sweetheart, tending to us frequently. I'll most definitely be coming back. read more

One of the best meals that I've had in quite some time. Bring friends and come hungry (or get hungry during the wait time) because you can't miss. Great experience. read more

Vern's - espresso martini - New American Near Me - Rochester, New York

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Love, love, love, love, love Verns! Right now, it is probably my favorite place in Rochester. Firstly the decor is spot on and super unique! They have limited seating and don't take reservations so get here early! We go on Sundays and they usually have availability in the winter. They have three sections: downstairs, upstairs, and in a sort of greenhouse. Each area is unique! The food is excellent! Everything we get has been amazing. They change the menu seasonally and always have specials. I also appreciate that the chefs will modify something for an allergy but don't just leave something out where it is bland. They really take care in everything they do. I also love that they use so many fresh herbs. Thank you Verns for an excellent meal every time we go! read more

Probably my favorite Italian restaurant in Rochester. Very nice aura and food was really good! read more

Vern's - Pizza - New American Near Me - Rochester, New York

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I checked out Vern's about 4 months ago when it had just opened. I was sad to see Esan go, but excited about the new Italian-inspired restaurant opened by the Swan family. To be honest, the experience is a bit fuzzy, but I remember being impressed overall. The interior was cozy but intimate and trendy. We were seated in the patio in the back, which was a good use of space. However, I can only imagine how small the restaurant gets during the winter. The service was friendly and prompt. The food came out surprisingly fast (nothing to complain about). The food was solid. We ordered a bunch of things to share: Green Bean Salad with Ricotta & Tomatoes, Red Pizza, Lost Meatball Ragu & Blueberry Lavender Pie. The green bean salad was refreshing with a good contrast of textures with the crunchiness of the green beans pairing well with the soft and juicy tomatoes. The addition of lemon juice and feta cheese also brought the dish together. The Red Pizza was good. It was a little thicker than i'm used to, so not exactly Neapolitan-style, but I liked the fact that it wasn't bogged down by toppings. I still prefer the pizza at Fiamma and Fiorella though. The Lost Meatball Ragu was yummy. It's a must-try dish if you love ricotta. It combines shell pasta with tangy tomato sauce and small morsels of meat. Strangely enough, I think our favorite dish was the Lavender Blueberry Pie dessert. It was most likely a limited time item, but damn, that was some good pie. The portions were extremely generous and the pricing was quite reasonable. 1 salad, 2 entrées, 1 dessert and 1 cocktail cost us about $60 before tip and tax, which is extremely reasonable. I can't wait to go back. read more

Vern's - Fluffy greyhound - New American Near Me - Rochester, New York

Went here for a date night. The night was Tuesday, and we had a 45 minute wait around dinner time. It is my understanding they do not take reservations. This is the reason I have never been here before this time. Overall great experience. We shared a pizza and the alfredo dish. Both were very good! After dinner we finished up with a shared dessert and a couple espresso martinis. read more

Vern's - Veggie Pizza - New American Near Me - Rochester, New York

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Fun and (relatively) new place in Rochester on Park Ave. Their food all comes from family recipes and they try to be authentic to real Italian cuisine. This is not the place to find chicken parm or plates piled high with pasta, and that suited me fine. Like most place on Park Ave, seating is quite tight, and the place looks like it was a renovated home, but they use the space well. We ordered their Broken Burrata, Bee Sting Pizza, and the Mafaldine, along with their sunchoke special. The sunchokes may have been my favorite. I have made them at home, but never seen them served at a restaurant, so I was pretty excited about them. They were roasted well and came with a delicious dipping sauce. If you haven't tried them - sunchokes taste a little like potatoes or parsnips and come with great health benefits, including a ton of fiber. The Broken Burrata was delicious with the "eggplant dumplings", which were sort of like fried eggplant meat(less)balls. The Bee Sting Pizza was delicious and hot honey-forward, which I love. The Mafaldine was good, and is another thing you rarely see at restaurants, but I was disappointed that it had so little sauce. Barely coating the noodles in sauce is a more authentic Italian way to do things, I know, but because there wasn't enough of the cream sauce to impart flavor, it came off a little bland. My only other gripe is that the seats were a little uncomfortable. Otherwise, everything was great - service was on top of things despite them being packed, and their wine selections were quite nice and unique. read more

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