Hand-pulled noodle restaurant to bring a taste of Chinese culture to SW Rochester
A new restaurant featuring dishes with handmade Chinese noodles is expected to open later this fall in southwest Rochester.
The restaurant, to be known as First Meeting Noodle, will be located at 793 16th Stret SW next to Buffalo Wild Wings and Associated Bank.
The menu will feature an array of appetizers like braised pork belly and Sichuan wontons in chili oil, along with signature soup dishes such as the Tawainese tomato beef brisket and the Lanzhou beef noodle — a clear soup with white radishes, red chili sauce, cilantro, and scallions.
With each dish, owner Sansan Chan says the noodles will be prepared in-house using various techniques, spices, and ingredients.
“It is not the machine-made noodles or frozen noodles — it’s handmade fresh noodles,” Chan said via email. “Chinese noodles are known to have fine taste and workmanship around the world.”
By allowing diners to watch the noodle masters at their craft, Chan says she hopes to bring authentic Chinese culture to the Med City — while also using the business to honor the contributions of previous generations.
“Our parents and many of our relatives have been working so hard since we were little,” wrote Chan. “They inspire us and show us how important to work hard while we are young, to achieve economic independence and freedom, to bring better guarantee to the quality of life of our families, and to keep inspiring our next generation.”
First Noodle plans to begin serving up the hand-pulled and knife-shaved noodles in November. The business will offer dine-in and take-out.
New tavern in Northeast
Rochester diners wanting to stay on the north side of town will soon have another option for food and drinks.
Tavern on 22 is scheduled to open within the next couple of weeks at 3401 Northern Valley Place NE, not far from Whistle Binkies Olde World Pub, Jenpachi Japanese Steak House, and the new Purple Goat restaurant.
The business, branded as a neighborhood grill, will be run by Scott Schneider, former managing partner at the Wicked Moose.
Photos online show an open space lined with high-top tables, dart boards, and pool tables. Customers can follow its Facebook page for future updates.
Brewery expansion
Three years into business, an expansion is in order for Thesis Beer Project.
The brewery announced Tuesday it plans to enclose its front patio, while also knocking out a few walls to create 30 additional seats, more fermentation space, and opportunities for bigger events.
The improvements, Thesis says, will also allow for better sight lines to the stage area, which is uses for regular musical performances.
The brewery’s hours will stay the same throughout construction, and most events will continue as normal.
In a post to Facebook, co-owners Adam Frederickson and Allyson Palmer called it “a scary time to choose to grow,” but added they believe it gives the brewery the “best shot to be here with all of you in Rochester long term.”
Sean Baker is a Rochester journalist and the founder of Med City Beat.
