Romantic Inn / B&B & Couples Getaway in Rochester

Kiss & Tell

Hospitality Intern never tires of Ellwanger Elopements and Rochester seed swap

As Kojo prepares to graduate from Monroe Community College hospitality program, he applauded the Rochester seeds swap and the personalized Ellwanger elopements. During his short time at the Ellwanger Estate Bed and Breakfast, he has learned everything from culinary skills, preparation, serving, bed making 101, silver polishing, planting a garden, button sewing, furniture restoration, and attending Visit Rochester meetings. His highlight was meeting Mayor Evans. And what a highlight indeed-as he praised Kojo’s perseverance, quoting, “ now you can take over” the running of the bed and breakfast. While the internship is geared towards preparing interns for hospitality management, the true test is in finding a balance and excelling in customer service. So what 17 hours of the day would you like to work? He is sure up for the task!

Kojo at the Ellwanger Estate B&B

Enchanted April, infused with Jazz

With the enchantment of April, my thoughts turn towards JAZZ.  It all started over a decade ago with our pop up Jazz music salons. It was Jack Presberg and jazz jammers that found me. It was love at first sight, and we all became one big family~ on the first Saturday of each month, starting in April. While the Ellwanger Estate B&B knows how to jazz things up a bit, we also have a little help from our friends.  So it starts once again, and our B&B guests are in for a treat this Saturday, April 2nd, from 2-4 PM as we usher in the Spring with JAZZ!

Pre-Pandemic, now masked and vax’ed

A Delicious Surprise…To Be Listed in Forbes

6 Great Places to Eat if You’re Visiting Rochester, New York

Adrienne JordanFormer ContributorTravelI cover adventure, outdoor, and wellness travel.Follow

Situated on the southern shores of Lake Ontario, Rochester is a part of the breathtaking Finger Lakes region. New York’s 3rd largest city is in the midst of a period of revitalization. Recently, there has been over $750 million invested in downtown Rochester, which in turn exploded the food, craft beer (there are 17 breweries), and dining scenes. It’s easy to sample the city’s tasty offerings: here are 6 food-driven reasons to hop on a quick 50 minute flight from NYC airports:

Ellwanger Estate Bed & Breakfast

Ellwanger Estate Bed & BreakfastVISIT ROCHESTER

Ellwanger Estate Bed & Breakfast

Run by the gregarious Rosemary Janofsky, always ready with a quick smile, the 115 year old home of George Ellwanger has maintained its reputation of great breakfasts, like Stuffed Acorn Squash with Quinoa, topped with poached egg and Spicy Sausage & Vegetable Frittata with sausage, zucchini, bell pepper, eggs & mozzarella cheese. You will also be cozy in the themed rooms-from “Woodland Suite” to “Garden Room”– at the B&B.

Erie Grill Apple Pie Mule

Erie Grill Apple Pie MuleVISIT ROCHESTER

Erie Grill

Choose to break your fast during brunch at the Erie Grill located at The Del Monte Lodge Renaissance Rochester Hotel & Spa. The view is stunning, with a scenic biking and running trail, historic Erie Canal, and picturesque industrial bridges. The menu is eye candy too: try the smoked salmon bagel, corned beef hash, or brioche French toast. Try the Apple Pie Mule cocktail if you want to savor a holiday-themed beverage.

Magnolia’s Café

Park Ave is one of Rochester’s most popular neighborhoods: the street is lined with boutiques, coffee shops, salons, dining and more. Stop along Park Ave’s Magnolia’s Cafe and try one of their many pizzas like the Quattro Fromage or Pesto. Or choose what President Barack Obama ate while in Rochester in 2013: grilled cheese and a cup of the signature tomato and artichoke soup. The casual setting with huge windows allows you to eat and watch the foot traffic go by on Park Ave.

Red Fern dining area

Red Fern dining areaVISIT ROCHESTER

Red Fern

If you’re into healthy eats, choose one of six fresh juices at vegan Red Fern, like “Beet It” (beet, carrot, apple, ginger) or “Sunrise” (orange, carrot, grapefruit, lemon). There are also gluten-free options, including entrees, sandwiches, salads, and smoothies. You can also savor the house-baked pastries and the venue’s beer & wine selection. Since it is located across the street from Magnolia’s Cafe, you can opt for a freshly brewed coffee or herbal tea post-lunch.

Rochester Public Market

Rochester Public MarketVISIT ROCHESTER

Public Market

Rochester’s City-run Public Market is a one stop shop for a fresh lunch. The outdoor and indoor market has been in operation since 1905 and is open Tuesday, Thursday and Saturdays. Since there are over 300 vendors on site, you have an opportunity to collect fresh produce and ethnic delicacies. There are also local businesses to hop around at the market, like cafes, food stands, coffee shops, specialty food purveyors, and breweries.

Ox & Stone

For Latin-inspired eats served with craft cocktails in a candlelit setting in a mansion from the 1880s, Ox & Stone favorites include braised ox tail and paella, and the crispy tortillas are made in house. Farm to table comes into play here as regular menu items feature seasonal ingredients from locally sourced farms and merchants.

Adrienne Jordan

Initially published Dec 17, 2018

Supply Chain Crisis Makes Way For The “Ellwanger Experience”


People are shopping early like never before. And it’s not just Black Friday or Cyber Monday. This year, shopping early is far more accelerated because the supply chain is so backed up.

Note these headlines:
Christmas at Risk as Supply Chain ‘Disaster’ Only Gets Worse, Bloomberg
The World Is Still Short of Everything. Get Used to It, NYTU.S.
Supply Chain Too Snarled for Christmas Fix, Reuters

Starting now will ease your mind. Here is a sampling of great gift experiences in the South Wedge:
Artful Gardener Not just for gardeners, it’s a combination of Craft Gallery & Garden Design Studio offering an ever-changing selection of Fine Art & Craft, Home Goods, Garden Accents, & Unique Gifts.
Cheesy Eddie’s Incredible desserts made with the finest natural ingredients-FROM SCRATCH! 
–Tea class at Happy Earth Leaf Tea. Curious to know more about tea: the different varieties of tea, their origins, quality markers and best ways to make them?  
Designs by Bradley James Floral designer, interior designer, photo shoot stylist , collector of antiques, good wine, and cats. Specializes in floral for corporate events, weddings and special events.
Hedonist Artisan Chocolates, for hand-crafted, exquisite chocolates.
Historical House Parts Supplier of architectural salvage: doors, hardware, mantels, registers, cabinets, plumbing fixtures, lighting, woodwork & more; antique & reproduction.
Mt Hope Cemetery tours. Special-themed self guided walking tours.

And now you will need a home base…so make way for that Rochester Experience at the Ellwanger Estate B&B.
And during your stay you may wish to embrace a greater sense of well-being, with a Spa massage at the Ellwanger. Enjoy a massage in the comfort of your room.
 

‘I Wake With Wonder’

Every Morning
I wake with wonder
and dive into the day
I grasp for my phone like a lifeline, a buoy,
I rise among the displaced dreams of yore
Supplanted plans, disrupted from the year
So distanced from all social life before

I set out on my way
To make snacks for three kids
because that’s all I seem to do with them here all the damn day
And it’s hard work.
‘Cause it’s heart work.
This is artwork.

I rise
Like the sap in the maple tree
knowing it’s time to feed its budding branches.
Like seedlings struggling towards the light,
even though I need a baptism of magic waters to cure all that aches

I don my gowns and masks and gloves
Tend to the sick, the lost, the tired, the dead.
I say a prayer, talk to God
think of things I love:
Birds and flowers and books
dandelions, earthworms, mosses,
all those things I never thought
to love, or not enough.

I rise
even when the news of the day
makes me want to stay in bed
Even when the outlook is bleak:
I’ve not seen my eighth graders smile. Or smirk.
my neighbor cut down the massive oak
that shaded my yard,
My wife died alone In an skilled nursing facility bed.

Oh yes I mourn those we have lost
And the cost of human lives
But still I rise
Still ire eyes
Cry for those who are gone
Who have marched on
Still fire eyes
Burn for justice denied
Flame hot for truth

We rise
even when our spirits feel deflated
because this too shall be past
because we are made of stardust
I am A new breath in an older body
with A future to ponder.
I no longer take hugs for granted.
The music at church yesterday, with
full choir, was glorious.

I sing of loss and grief and hope,
Of joy and pain and memory,
Of yesterday and tomorrow.

I became best friends with my computer.
And learned something spectacular:
Disconnection has connected us more than ever.
The Zoom “LEAVE” button calls for me

So, I am easing out of this rabbit hole
I will find my equilibrium and my verve
Be who I am.
Lose 40 lbs and improve my mental health
meet every patient
as they are
and care for them
as best I can
Try to celebrate
The fact of my existence

Birds tweeting, wind blowing, leaves rustling. I notice it all now.
I like this new world.

Even though I’m in my nineties,
I have learned to love more
the old man across the hall
who has trouble with his eyes.
the touchy woman down the street

In this world of
Bad audio connections,
I have learned to listen
After such stillness,
Nothing’s the same.

I rise on this new day
out of bed like a miracle.
I tie my own shoes.
I linger with a full
pot of Barry’s Irish tea, each slurp
an act of contemplative prayer
I spend so many days watching my child grow
mourning dove pretends to be an owl,
a cardinal rides a slip of a limb, up and down.
What was simple is made extravagant.

So I lift my gaze
Forward, slowly
To hike up, not give up
To sing out, not cry out
to like who I am, even when, especially when, I stand alone.
return to my books to find support
to make the coffee.
to watch ducklings
drop to waterglory
following Mama hen
through fervent streams.

To fill each day, not miss one
to see the world full on.
to pace the house at midnight,
watching the moon wax and wane,
to live and love
to write
to work
to laugh
to share
to fight
To create a world of generosity
A world where we are inspired
To help each other in every moment

So rise, my friends, rise up
All one heart
Be the change
and when you wonder
How you will likely spend your life
With the time left to borrow
Know that
To fight is to be human, for times short or longer,
For through the struggle, we may hope to become stronger.

Morning Edition asked NPR’s audience to write a poem using Maya Angelou’s poem “Still I Rise” as inspiration. NPR’s resident poet Kwame Alexander took lines from submissions to create a community poem about the challenges of the past year and hope for times ahead.
https://www.npr.org/2021/05/28/1000234056/i-wake-with-wonder-a-crowdsourced-poem-of-pandemic-pain-and-hope
‘I Wake With Wonder’
A Crowdsourced Poem Of Pandemic Pain And Hope