Lento is a casual fine dining restaurant in the Neighborhood of the Arts that focuses on farm to table, local, seasonal and sustainable food. The menu changes daily based on what is in season and can be had from area farms (entrees $12-$30).
With the vast wealth of farms around Rochester and the Finger Lakes region, Executive Chef and Owner Arthur Rogers has developed relationships with farmers who share his vision.
Parking is available after 5pm across the street at the Rochester Works building, additional parking is available in the various Village Gate lots.
The restaurant opened June of 2007. They are located in the Village Gate complex.
2011-05-03 10:23:11 I'm disappointed, after giving an earlier review, that I will have to take some of those comments back.
With the departure of the vegetarian chef, the options at Lento are few and far between. I once waxed poetic to my friends about how AMAZING the vegan/vegetarian options were, but now that is really not the case. The vegetarian options are still good, but will just one or two dishes keep me coming back?
What happened to the extended veggie menu on Wednesdays? What happened to the creative and delicious options like the sesame crusted tofu or the fantastic empanadas? Now it's usually just pasta options. Local, sustainable and fresh are what the restaurant stands for, aren't vegetables the epitome of that idea rather than seafood flown in from far away?
Don't be me wrong, I will still come back occasionally. I love the drinks, the service, and the atmosphere. But as far as the vegetarian dishes now, I will try not to get too excited.
2013-04-22 16:54:45 Probably has been almost a year since my last visit, but was so excited to return to Lento for dinner a week ago. Used to go monthly, but since having kid #2, adult dinners out have become scarce, so I was thrilled to pay a visit unexpectedly thanks to my in-laws. We got reservations for 7pm and were seated shortly after arrival. First up was the foccacia bread. Except..it wasn't like it used to be. It was hard, cold, and dry. Hmm. Must be a bad batch I figured? Either way, after one piece each, it sat untouched. Then I realized that the menu was different. Wasn't really seasonal. We were told there were no specials. Also a whole new section for burgers and hot dogs? I asked our waitress and she said the new menu came out last summer, and was so popular with 'people wanting a quick bite, or with kids' that they kept it. Hmmm again...not why I go to Lento..but okay. We started with the poutine which was good.
I ordered a salad, and my husband got the cavatelli. Salad was ok. The cavatelli was $21, and for being meatless, was definitely underwhelming. I got the carrot cake ice cream for dessert, and after we finished our drinks, we headed out.