Moveable Feast: Rochester Nosh

For our new weekly feature, "Moveable Feast," Rachel Hutton of Minnesota Monthly joins John Birge to talk about where to go and what to eat in destinations Classical MPR listeners may be interested in visiting.

This week on Moveable Feast, John and Rachel see what's on the menu in Rochester, Minn., as the Rochester Symphony Orchestra prepares to open its season on Saturday.

Wine Bar

For a wine bar experience in Rochester, Rachel recommends Söntés. It features local, seasonal fresh food and a lot of small plates. The restaurant's relaxing atmosphere is welcoming, given the artwork the walls, the inviting fireplace and the pleasant bar.

The wine-preservation system at Söntés makes it easy to purchase wine by the glass, and Rachel notes that the wine list at Söntés is categorized in a creative way, using adjectives such as "sultry", "lighthearted" or "sociable."

The small plates at Söntés are best described as Midwestern tapas. The Mediterranean and Spanish influences are there, of course (evident in such items as chorizo-stuffed dates), but there are unexpected items like coddled duck eggs.

Seafood

Located in the Doubletree Hotel is the newly renovated restaurant, Pescara. As its name suggests, Pescara's menu is seafood focused. Fresh fish, oysters and lobsters are flown in fresh daily.

Rachel points out the built-your-own menu structure, in which you can choose the type of fish you'd like and how you'd like it prepared, e.g. grilled or broiled. You also have your choice of sauce, such as Asian soy-ginger glaze or lemon beurre blanc.

Health Food?

John suggests that if one is in search of health food in Rochester, it may be worth checking the cafeteria at the well-known local clinic — where they just might not-so-ironically hold the Mayo.

Listen to Classical MPR on 90.7 FM in Rochester.

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