Happy Gut Sanctuary opens in High Falls
Happy Gut Sanctuary opens in High Falls
Rochester-based kombucha producer is teaming up with Roc City Ramen for this new venture.
Catt Hsu and Rob Heffner, the couple behind Happy Gut Sanctuary, can finally exhale after a furious few months of moving, clean-up, and renovations.
For the third time in five years, their business has a new home, this one at 229 Mill St. in the city of Rochester’s High Falls neighborhood, and they’re hopeful this one will last.
Happy Gut 3.0 opens Wednesday morning at the former Fina’s Cafe location, right next door to WXXI and parallel to State Street (which has finally re-opened south of the Inner Loop).
Like its predecessors, Happy Gut is still a spot to unwind and relax, offering a place to enjoy Rob’s non-alcoholic tea-based ferments. The new space, which is both bigger and brighter, features a partnership with Roc City Ramen. Chef Michael Goode will run the kitchen and offer an expansive menu of traditional favorites, breakfast options, and subs, salads, soups, and sandwiches. (Menu available at the hyperlink here. I am so excited to try the food. It’s such a brilliant partnership.)
There’s an exhale from all involved, because they’re finally able to catch their collective breath and focus on what’s important — community.
“Our philosophy is creating a welcoming and inclusive space,” Catt said during our interview in August. “We want to invite people to feel comfortable enough to try something they might not have ever tasted. Keeping in mind that it’s something new, you might not like it and it’s OK if you don’t like it. There is never any pressure here.”
During my visit to the space last weekend, I was super impressed with how they made the cavernous space into a bright and inviting one. The walls have been painted white. A gorgeous new bar occupies the heart of the space, complete with stools that encourage conversation. There are lush plants everywhere and will soon be a mezzanine seating space to stretch out. Rob’s kombuchas are always phenomenal. I loved the holiday-themed Krampus (pictured above).
Happy Gut is still an ideal spot to grab some local baked goods and a wide range of non-alcoholic offerings. And it’s now part of the emerging High Falls area, long one of Rochester’s most under-appreciated gems. I’m really excited to have another wonderful lunch spot near downtown, too.
It’ll be open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Saturday, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Rohrbach lager featured at Roc Holiday Village
Rochester’s oldest craft brewery is partnering with one of the area’s favorite new holiday traditions for a timely and delicious beer.
Rohrbach Brewing is releasing a Village Lager to celebrate the upcoming Roc Holiday Village, which kicks off its fifth year this weekend.
Village Lager is a classic German-style lager, something Rohrbach does just about better than anyone. It’ll be available for guests inside private igloos and at the outdoor, open-air bar. Rorhbach will have several tastings throughout the event, including Friday and Saturday this week.
The craft and entertainment offerings are too much to list here. But just know that the Holiday Village offers something for everyone. It includes tents and igloos, ice skating and shopping. (Overall, the Holiday Village will have over 50 different vendors during its 17-day run.)
For more information on times, availability, activities, and opportunities, visit rocholidayvillage.com. It all kicks off Friday.
Genesee keg tree returns
If you’ve lived in Rochester for any length of time during the past few years, you already know about the Genesee Brewery keg tree. But I wouldn’t be your neighborhood friendly beer writer, if I didn’t remind you that one of our city’s favorite holiday traditions returns Friday at the Genny Brew House, 25 Cataract St. in the city of Rochester.
This year’s lighting celebration kicks off at 5 p.m. (and the tree will be officially lit at 6:30 p.m.). It’s a wonderful excuse to see many friendly faces and enjoy a cold, crisp, fresh Genny beer in the Brew House or the neighboring parking lot. This year’s edition will be taller than ever at 30-feet high and will be constructed of 642 half-barrel kegs and 25,000 lights.
You can also enjoy a pour of brewmaster Dean Jones’ fantastic Keg Tree Ale, a really lovely cinnamon cream ale, and grab dinner from a host of different food trucks.
The keg tree has taken on a life of its own, garnering international attention and serving as a perfect gathering place for families during the holiday season. Hope to see you there!
Birdhouse Brewing holiday market
If you’re looking for a fun opportunity to combine beer and holiday shopping, you should definitely take a trip down to Ontario County for the newest edition of the Birdhouse Brewing holiday market.
The Honeoye brewery, 8716 Main St., is hosting local artisans and vendors in its creek-side courtyard. It has a little village of sheds the vendors use to share their wares and will be open both Saturday and Sunday this weekend and then the following weekend. For more information, check out the brewery’s Facebook and Instagram pages.
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