​It all started unintentionally.

Wendy and I had stood outside in the parking lot, our monthly creative entrepreneur meet-up having ended hours ago, continuing to pour out our hearts despite the chilly temperature and our freezing fingertips. We stomped our feet side-to-side unwilling to end the conversation and trying to ignore the cold.

I can’t remember who finally suggested what probably seems obvious to you, but one of us finally offered up a “why don’t we go somewhere to chat?”.

Being 10PM in downtown Rochester, I went with ‘safe’ – and we ended up at the Market Café at the East Ave Wegmans. We both realized neither of us had eaten dinner so we scarfed sandwiches while sharing our business fears and dreams, personal heartache, and our many colorful stories of motherhood. It was such a simple idea, but my heart had so desperately needed a ‘mom’s night out’ and so, apparently, had Wendy’s.

Declaring that we needed to do this again, and knowing how things can get swept to the side if they aren’t actually scheduled, we decided that once a month, after our Tuesday’s Together meetup, we would grab a bite to eat and chat about life.

Almost a year (!!!) later, we’ve taste-tested, and enjoyed multiple Rochester restaurants during our Moms’ Night Out. It dawned on us that other mamas looking for a night out could benefit from our previous ‘scouting’
​(let’s face it- we mean eating/drinking/enjoying!!)

So we thought we would share our monthly adventure with you (Hey, when you’re a stay at home mama – a night out IS an adventure!) ;)

​Full disclosure- Wendy and I have dined here before. The first time we ate outside (anyone else missing warm weather??) It was a quiet Tuesday and we felt relaxed and, dare I say, doted upon. Our Tuesday’s Together group had just finished being filmed by an Irish documentary film crew (for real! You can watch the trailer here) and would you believe we bumped into the group of Irishmen perusing The Old Toad’s menu? I think they missed home(ish) food? I’m pretty sure they felt us grinning at the humor of this because they ended up scooting away from us (We’re lovely…I promise!) and dining at the sushi place next door.
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Unlike last time, we went on a Monday- which unbeknownst to us, is trivia night- and it is POPPING! It was such a fun environment- they award prices for both the winner and the loser. We knew virtually none of the answers: who knew Abraham Lincoln was the only president with a US patent?? But loved laughing at our attempts. 

​Casual-ish. You could absolutely rock jeans and a sweater, but you wouldn’t feel overdressed in your slightly fancier I-can-actually-wear-this-without-my-kiddos-destroying-this hot mama dress ;)

We ordered garlic mushrooms  and ‘chips’ with cheese and gravy. Go for the garlic mushrooms -sooooooo yummy!! Both were filling, winter food that were perfect to nibble on while we sipped our drinks and chatted. And the chips?? Dip ‘em, yo! The gravy makes it perfect. But, oh is it filling. So, so filling.

Our first visit we both also ordered the corned beef sandwich- very yummy as well!
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Further, they offer a great $5 Moscow Mule. How can you go wrong with that? 

​Both times I’ve been here I’ve had the loveliest British servers. Yes, they are actually British. Not actors hired to talk with British accents (our first waiter told us he’s constantly asked this). This time we had a bubbly waitress who called us ‘love’ and made me want to visit England again immediately. 

​Fun, cozy, and warm but a touch masculine for a girls’ night. I’d bump it up to 5/5 when you can dine outdoors in warm weather. 

Have a fun Rochester location you think we should taste test, photograph and enjoy??
​Let us know!

​This was a new type of session for me. And to be completely honest, I wasn’t sure if Samantha was messing with me when she first requested it! But after chatting with her a bit on the phone, and getting a feel for her awesome personality, I knew she was the real deal- and I couldn’t wait to make her vision a reality!   

When I found out that Samantha had simply googled ‘Victor photographers’ to find me I was stoked. I love that there was something ‘magical’ and fun about my photography that let her know that- yes ma’am- I would LOVE to do a magical unicorn birthday session!! I zipped out for the most FUN prop shopping ever (confetti, glitter, bubbles!) and counted down to our session.