Shell Restaurant

wow. what a fun, unique elevated dining experience unlike anything in Rochester. We were blown away with every bite, each dish was perfectly executed: flavor, concept, texture, presentation. We loved the open kitchen design. We sat at the bar watching the master chefs at work adding an element of entertainment to the night. We felt like we were treated as there special guests that they wanted to impress. Chef Cruz & Marko sent little surprise tastings, explanation of dishes, honest recommendations and cared about the occasion we were celebrating: a cancer free screening. It’s a pretty place, with some pretty cool, caring and talented people thats what made Shell so special. ...

Though we love the Rochester food scene, we hadn’t come across anything that rivaled our favorite restaurant in Boston until now. The intimate setting, attentive service, and immaculate decor… Amazing work! Chef Cruz has his hands in everything, and you can really feel the love he put into the whole place. It’s gonna be our new special occasion restaurant. My favorite: oysters. Cocktail: root & stem. Husband’s favorites: lobster roll and the mezcal apple cocktail.

I’ve visited Shell twice now, and both experiences have been delicious. The oysters were a highlight—fresh and flavorful—even if I’m not a big fan of the pebbles used in the presentation. The duck, while tender, could have used a bit more seasoning to really shine. The cod was cooked perfectly, though the red sauce gravy wasn’t quite to my taste. On the other hand, the pork belly was absolutely spot-on—rich, balanced, and memorable. One unexpected standout was the cornbread with its topping—phenomenal. Honestly, it deserves a place on the menu as a dedicated appetizer. The wine list may look short at first glance, but don’t let that fool you. Ask for what you typically enjoy, and chances are they’ll have it. Overall, Shell delivers a refined dining experience with standout dishes and att

What an exceptional dining experience in Rochester! We were able to sit with a full view of the kitchen and watching and interacting with the chefs and staff really elevated our experience. The food is unbelievable with a stand out wine list. While it is fine dining and is more expensive, it’s not as expensive as similar restaurants and the standard of excellence is evident. Well worth a visit if you’re in Rochester, you will not be disappointed!

I was excited to try out this new fine dining experience. It’s not the full experience of an 8 course meal and wine pairings, but the atmosphere is pretty much the same. My husband and I were celebrating our two year anniversary! The dinner starts with an amuse-bouche. Ours was a salmon crostini. We then opted to start with the oysters and the lobster roll. It was my first time trying caviar and it was delicious! Our main course was the shrimp ragu and the duck. Again both were so delicious! For drinks I had the night light which was light and refreshing and not too boozy. Then I had a glass of Chardonnay from Sandhi. Honestly one of my favorite Chardonnays that I have tried. We skipped on dessert because we had a cake waiting for us at home. If you are looking for a fine dining restaur