Archived Comments
The Mr. Dominic's Comments Archive contains comments made prior to 2011
2006-06-06 10:56:58 Anticipate a wait to be seated during busy Summer evenings, they take reservations. Great food. Often Dominic is floating around - if you can't identify him just hold up the menu cover featuring a Hitchcock-style profile of Dominic and compare to patrons in the bar area, you'll find 'em. —MikeThomas
2006-08-05 10:06:53 Some of the best Italian food in the city. There is usually a wait, but that is easily taken care of by putting your name in and taking a walk on the lake. The stuffed artichokes are to die for and the specials - things like shrimp alexander over sauteed escarole - never disapoint. Highly recommended. —RochesterGuy
2006-09-18 07:08:23 After hearing rave reviews on multiple occasions I went for dinner a few months ago. Luckily I got there just as a few tables were emptying so I didn't have to wait to be seated. The dining room is a little cramped, but I didn't mind at all. The food was excellent and I'll definitely be back. —ZedOmega
2007-03-27 21:19:51 I initially bypassed this for Bellanca's down the road because it looked "sketchy", but Bellanca's was closed so I decided to give it a try. I'm definitely glad I did. The place was packed, and we seemed to be the only non-regulars there. I devoured a delicious ziti and shrimp dish that was served with a spicy garlicy oil sauce and finished it off with a piece of tiramisu. This place seems to have quite the cult following, and I can understand why. Next time I'm out in Charlotte, I'll definitely remember Dominic's when it comes time to eat. —RachelBlumenthal
2007-04-22 20:55:34 I took my parents there last night. A lot of the patronage seemed to be older... as in, they made my parents look young. No problem, just don't expect to be able to sit while you're waiting, unless you have no manners and plan on making a little old lady stand so that you can be comfortable. The food was delicious. You can order your meal in half portions which are still quite large. 3 people ate 3 delicious meals for under $30 (before tip). I will definitely be back. — FattyFatFat
2007-08-03 09:55:41 I love the half portions option and am a long time fan of the place. I recently had their lobster stuffed ravioli and it was wonderful! —JuneSylvesterWales
2007-12-27 12:49:24 You can eat a lot of good food here for cheap! Although you'll almost always have to wait (the place is pretty small), you can have a drink at the bar, or walk down to Ontario Beach Park while you wait. They usually have interesting rotating specials like rabbit or frog's legs. I'm not sure I've ever eaten here without having a huge portion to take home. Like previous commenters said, there are tons of regulars. Eat here and you'll see why! —SaraChristine
2008-04-10 19:19:07 I live in Chicago, home of everything Italian, but grew up in Rochester. Let me say: Mr. Dominic's is everything great about Chicago and Rochester rolled into one.
The place is warm, usually very busy, and Dom himself is often seen on the front porch prior to the busy evening service, holding court. When the busy time starts, you'll find the whole Dominic's "family" (real and virtual) working hard to make your experience great.
Portions are generous, and they know what real Italian food lovers like. (if you don't know, I don't need to bother saying)
The prices are quite reasonable. I would also recommend the lunch at Mr. Dominic's. They have a great menu. Eat at the bar if they are not busy for lunch. The service and food will be well worth your while! —DaveBurr
2008-04-10 19:19:18 I live in Chicago, home of everything Italian, but grew up in Rochester. Let me say: Mr. Dominic's is everything great about Chicago and Rochester rolled into one.
The place is warm, usually very busy, and Dom himself is often seen on the front porch prior to the busy evening service, holding court. When the busy time starts, you'll find the whole Dominic's "family" (real and virtual) working hard to make your experience great.
Portions are generous, and they know what real Italian food lovers like. (if you don't know, I don't need to bother saying)
The prices are quite reasonable. I would also recommend the lunch at Mr. Dominic's. They have a great menu. Eat at the bar if they are not busy for lunch. The service and food will be well worth your while! —DaveBurr
2008-06-02 01:08:34 Count me in as another fan! Busy place, but worth the wait. I had an awesome ravioli here one time and our server was super friendly but not even remotely overbearing. Really great experience. —MariahBetz
2008-08-19 15:39:11 I am in the minority, but I dont care for Mr Dominics sauce, perhaps because Im not Italian? It was watery and didnt have much flavor. I prefer a chunky meat sauce. My friend didnt like his meal much either. The interior is really scary, but as I said, most people enjoy the food here, the place is just not for me. —MrRochester
2009-01-08 13:15:35 One of the best Italian restaurants in Rochester. Yes, even with reservations, you'll probably have to wait on a busy weekend night in the summer, but have a drink at the bar and relax. It is a family-type atmosphere, with the seating somewhat on the cramped side. The food is excellent, and they always have fresh fish and great specials. Worth the wait. —Petey
2009-01-29 11:09:55 I guess I am in the minority as well as I did not have a very good experience at this restaurant. I went there with a friend and ordered appetizers, entrees and a bottle of wine. The appetizers were delicious and we enjoyed both immensely! The entrees were only so-so. Given how good the appetizers were, we were both very disappointed by the entrees. While we were finishing up our meals, a child at the table next to us began vomiting all over the floor, table and himself. The adult with him took him into the bathroom but the waitstaff did nothing regarding the vomit on the floor and table! My friend and I were completely grossed out and were forced to sit next to this for over five minutes while waiter after waiter walked by, looked at it and did nothing! After five minutes, it was apparent that no one was going to do anything about it, so I got up and threw our napkins over it so we wouldn't be forced to look at piles of vomit any longer. When I complained to the manager she gave me nothing but attitude and sour looks! After paying she couldn't even hand my credit card back to me but threw it on the counter and walked away before I was even done signing. No "I'm sorry", no "thank you"....nothing. Because of her nasty attitude, I will never give this restaurant my business again. —dmarie
2009-01-29 15:30:11 I had a gift certificate for this restaurant, so I decided to try it out. I went with my wife for dinner on a Monday night. It's not the fanciest place ever (drop ceiling, mismatch chairs, etc.), but the food did not disappoint. The portions are large, and I can say that the lasagna and manicotti are both great. Our server was nice in a genuine way — she wasn't trying too hard but seemed to be a naturally pleasant person. We didn't feel rushed, and the service was very fast and attentive. We will definitely return at some point. I imagine it's a nice place to go in the summer when you can walk down to the pier. —AlexanderGartley
2009-02-03 17:46:51 have been going here several times a year for years (30)...need i say more...delicious, filling and consistently excellent...unless you like to wait, it is important to know when to go —CJBarnhart
2010-03-03 18:05:22 We've been there a few times and they are usually pretty good. Good bread, but the pesto and the salads are lacking. We still haven't figured out what "Past in the Cup" is. —nickelcokes
2010-05-29 00:30:01 Went here based on a VERY reliable recommendation. We didn't wait long, probably because it was 8:30. Atmosphere is what i would call townie italian. Lady who took our name did not seat us, instead just pointed to our table. We heard a loud crash, where behind us a womans crotch was doused with water, at the waiters fault. She became a cranky bitch. The wait staff maybe just had a hard night, but they were cranky and would start to walk away before you even got to answer their question! On the plus side, service was very quick.
Menu was pretty much divided into veal, pasta and seafood. Since the veal section was the most abundant i picked from there. The Veal Armando, $19.50 sauteed with artichoke hearts, red peppers, mozzarella cheese, and wine sauce sounded good. The mozz, artichokes and red peppers was a nice combination. Unfortunately the veal itself was slightly overcooked and bland. Plus the whole thing was just floating in butter/oil.
Even though the food was mediocre and the waitstaff was generally disinterested I will have to try this place again. With it being voted best italian in 08 and 09 by city newspaper I have got to think its better than this.
