News Release - City Welcomes Ox and Stone to Alexander Street

City of Rochester

News Release

(Friday, Aug. 1 2014) – City Neighborhood and Business Development Commissioner Delmonize “Del” Smith, Council Member Elaine Spaull and New York State Senator Ted O’Brien joined owners Jon Swan and Robin Banister at a ribbon cutting ceremony Friday to welcome Ox and Stone restaurant to Alexander Street.

Ox and Stone is a 160-seat restaurant offering family-style Latin and American fusion fare. The menu features tacos, chicken, pot roast, steaks and pork chops along with classic hamburgers, wraps and salads. The restaurant also offers fresh-made tortillas to order along with a pairing of food with agave and sugar spirits and a selection of Spanish and South American wines.

Rochester’s strength and vibrancy owe much to the spirit of entrepreneurship,” Commissioner Smith said. “I thank Jon and Robin for continuing to show their support for the city by bringing Ox and Stone to this neighborhood and I look forward to watching it succeed and grow.”

Jon Swan and Robin Banister hope to contribute to the vitality the East End dinner and cocktail experience as well as continue the legacy of the historic building, which has been a landmark restaurant since 1943. The building at 282 Oxford St., a former Victorian mansion built in the 1880s, has housed such notable restaurants as Rio, Rio Bamba and Bamba Bistro.
“The location and space are perfect for our vision of a scratch Latin kitchen, social parlor and cocktail lounge,” said Robin Banister.

Robin has been in the restaurant business for over 20 years most recently, operating Café Cibon on Park Avenue for the past 10 years. Her business partner and son Jon opened Dorado, also on Park Ave, more than seven years ago. The family has a long history of using locally sourced, quality foods and spirits with an attention to detail.
Ox and Stone opened June 28 and currently has 45 employees.

It is open Tuesday through Thursday from 11:30 a.m. to 12 a.m. and Friday and Saturday from 11:30 a.m. to 2 a.m.

-30-

News Media: For more information, contact Press Officer Jessica Alaimo