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Patron Saint Steakhouse opens in downtown Rochester, New York

Patron Saint Steakhouse opens in downtown Rochester, New York

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A downtown steakhouse that has been in the works for nearly two years is scheduled to open in November at 260 East Broad St. downtown.

“Patron Saint is a classic American steakhouse,” said Josh Miles, president and owner of SCN Hospitality. The restaurant and bar group also operates music venue The Revelry and Essex on University Avenue. Bitter Honey, Velvet Belly and Ziggy’s in and near the Rochester Public Market; and Branca Midtown at Tower280, across from Patron Saint. Each facility has a different ownership group; Patron Saint’s owners are Josh Miles, Jeremy Nucelli, Chelsea Felton, Tom Riggio and Ken McCorry.

Designers Lauryn McCabe and Chelsea Felton combined elements of Art Deco and the speakeasy category to create an intimate, luxurious environment.

“One of our key design goals was to create a stark contrast to the modern, minimalist design of our sister restaurant Branca Midtown,” Felton said. The predominant color is a deep green, which the designers called “tailored green,” accented by raspberry accents. Curved lines, atmospheric lighting, warm wooden floors and patterned carpets add to the ambience.

The eye-catching bar is flanked by dramatic plant landscapes. Two dining rooms are separated by a glass-enclosed, air-conditioned wine cellar. At the center of a dining room are four curved benches that face outward; Comfortable niches and benches line the walls. The smaller dining room can be reserved for private groups of up to 30 people.

The menu’s focus is on dry-aged steaks, cooked on a high-quality jade broiler system for proper searing, accompanied by traditional sides and sauces. Seafood will also be represented. There will be a full bar with a focus on classic cocktails.

“This is a nod to the classic, wrap-around steakhouse,” Miles said. “It’s going to feel very decadent.”

The story behind the name

The restaurant’s working name was originally The Grove Chop House. It referred to the vision of developer Larry Glazer, who envisioned a parcel of the former Midtown Mall site becoming The Grove at Midtown, complete with a movie theater, shops, apartments and a hotel.

Glazer and his wife Jane died in a plane crash in 2014. Ken Glazer, her son, is now chairman and CEO of Buckingham Properties, which developed the building and co-owns it with Butler/Till.

Now, “The Grove” refers to the outdoor area between Tower 280 and the Butler/Till Building. It is currently bordered by Branca Midtown, the Unwine’d Wine Bar and the board game lounge Dice Versa.

The restaurant’s name still honors Larry Glazer, Miles said, by recognizing his role in the resurgence of downtown Rochester.

Tracy Schuhmacher reports on Rochester’s food and drink scene. Do you notice anything open or closed in your neighborhood? Send tips to [email protected].