Searching For Dessert In Rochester, New York
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Phillips European Restaurant. 26 Corporate Woods, Rochester, NY 14623. 272-9910. Rochester International Airport. 328-3390.
Ellie Phillips knows what it takes to make good desserts and how to serve them. I've been purchasing desserts from Ellie for years. Sometimes, in the past, the quality of her desserts suffered as she endured the comings and goings of pastry chefs. When I wasn't happy with the quality, I let Ellie know. She always responded with intense interest and courtesy. The desserts got better and better. Today, they are the best in Rochester. Ellie's servers are very well trained, provide excellent service, and deserve big tips.
When you visit Phillips European Restaurant you will probably be overwhelmed by the dessert case just inside the door. Once again, Ellie knows what to do. The person behind the counter will explain the ingredients of every dessert to you in detail, with a smile. The desserts are not inexpensive, but you get what you pay for. Like European restaurants, you won't be rushed through your dessert. Eat it slowly and have another cup of, excellent, coffee.
Is Phillips European Restaurant perfect. No. One of the things you may notice during the summer and fall is that there is a lack of desserts made with in-season fruits and berries. For example, on one recent visit, during the height of blackberry season, I don't remember a single dessert that used blackberries. Blackberries are available from the Rochester Public Market starting late summer through the first frost. New York apples are fabulous, but there are few apple-based desserts displayed during apple season. It seems that Ellie's pastry chef has decided to stick with a successful menu of desserts rather than introduce new ones as the seasons change.
Having been to Europe and having tasted desserts wherever I went, I can say that Ellie's desserts are not as good as the best desserts I had in France and Belgium. Still, I repeat that her restaurant serves the best desserts in Rochester, NY. However when you are competing with chain restaurants that serve the same awful frozen desserts from the same supplier, you don't have to try very hard. Another criticism of Ellie's restaurant is the lighting next to the windows. If you are unlucky enough to be seated next to the front windows at night, expect to be bathed in some of the ugliest neon lighting imaginable. Black out drapes or removal of the neon signs would solve the problem.
Even with my criticisms, the place that I would most likely take a dear friend for a special dessert some weekend evening after a concert would be Phillips European Restaurant.
I haven't been to Ellie's restaurant for dinner, but the food I have seen being served looked delicious. Colleagues have raved about the dinners.
What is your favorite dessert restaurant? Post your comments to the Rochester, NY Restaurant discussion.
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