City of Rochester
News Release
Zeppa Bistro Opens in the City’s South Wedge
(Tuesday, May 22, 2012) – Deputy Mayor Leonard Redon, Neighborhood and Business Development Commissioner R. Carlos Carballada and City Councilmember Adam McFadden joined co-owners Kenneth “Casey” Holenbeck and Seth Lindahl for the official grand opening of Zeppa Bistro at 315 Gregory St. in the city’s South Wedge neighborhood.
A sample of a recent dinner menu created by Holenbeck and Lindahl includes appetizers such as blue point oysters from Long Island, grilled quail or grilled New York strip kabobs. There was also a white bean soup with slow-cooked pork, a basil buttermilk salad dressing and numerous entrée selections that included grilled mahi-mahi, a 16-ounce dry aged Kansas City strip steak, pasta dishes and slow cooked pork shoulder. Dessert options included limoncello and an assortment of gelatos and sorbets, a cannoli trio of blueberry maple, chocolate and orange cinnamon.
The restaurant is located in the historic German House, built in 1908 and owned by Ron Maier. Recognizing the building’s potential, the pair invested more $270,000 in the restaurant and catering company and created 26 jobs. The property has been remodeled to showcase the building’s architectural features, arched doors and auditorium, which has 40-foot-high ceilings and beautiful windows.
Five layers of walls were stripped away to get to arched brick windows that had not seen the light of day since the 1950s or 1960s, by the owners’ estimation. After restoring the windows, they rebuilt the entryway and stairs and completely renovated the restaurant, which can accommodate large and small parties with a stage and banquet, concert and meeting facilities.
Mr. Holenbeck and Mr. Lindahl met while working together at Restaurant 2 Vine. Mr. Lindahl has cooked at Malisse in Napa Valley as well as Max’s Chophouse. Mr. Holenbeck cooked at Tuscan Grill in Boston and opened Mise En Place Market in Rochester, around the corner from Zeppa Bistro.
Zeppa Bistro is open for dinner from 5 to 10 p.m., Tuesday through Thursday; and from 5 to 11 p.m. on Friday and Saturday. Call 585-563-6241 for reservations.
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News Media: For more information, please contact Seth Lindahl at 315-2029.