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It had been a long day by the time my friend Mary met me for lunch at the Elmwood Inn. I was glad we'd picked this place the night before. Being at the restaurant and pub brought me back to the good times I'd had there during my last visit — nearly three years earlier. Time to get reacquainted.
The mood
This white clapboard eatery has a green awning and trim, stone walls and lots of nooks and crannies. Its sports atmosphere (there are dartboards and TVs in the bar area) attracts a college crowd; others like the Elmwood for its range of seating options — including a deck.
The food
We shared the crab cakes appetizer ($9.99) and one of the daily specials, described as a "warm pita rolled up with homemade chicken salad, lettuce and tomato" for $8.
Almost ravenous fans of crab cakes, we savored these bad boys, which were delivered on a bed of tender greens (warmed from the cakes) and drizzled with roasted red pepper sauce. The two round patties were robust, moist and meaty, and there was enough of the tangy sauce to go with every bite.
Despite its foil wrapper, the chicken salad pita was not the least bit warm, though that didn't ruin the dish. The chicken chunks were super-tender (I can never get chicken to taste like that), and the side we chose — homemade chips generously seasoned with Old Bay — were perfectly crisp. (We also ended up with a side of thick, long fries by mistake. No complaint there.)
The Elmwood has a large selection of appetizers, burgers, sandwiches and salads for those on a budget (most items range from $6.99 to $9.99); pricier main entrees (including side salad) are served after 2 p.m.
The Elmwood Plate — the restaurant's nod to Rochester's most gratuitous culinary arts contribution — is two cheeseburgers served on top of macaroni salad and fries, and smothered in onions and extra-spicy hot sauce for $8.99.
The drinks
Mary's iced tea was $2.25, the price for lemonade and soft drinks as well. Choose from 29 brews and microbrews on tap ($2.50 to $4.25), nine brands of bottled beer (starting at $3.25) and an array of wines (glasses start at $4.50).
The damage: $25
Next time ... I'm getting the Turkey Artichoke Swiss Pita ($7.99) — turkey with artichoke, Swiss, lettuce and creamy dill dressing.
