A Far-Out Pastry Shop in Downtown Roc is Conjuring Up Extraordinary Confections
Opening their doors on June 28, 2025, the owners and pastry chefs at Pastrymancer began conjuring up some of the most uniquely creative pastries imaginable in Downtown Roc. Their confections are daring and bold, at times rough around the edges, but uniquely experimental, made with ingenuity, and designed to send your taste buds on an unparalleled adventure.
Blushed Cakery’s Artistic Mini Cakes are Handmade with Love
Blushed Cakery’s customizable flavors range from chocolate to strawberry, vanilla, and lemon, and are decorated with floral and vintage designs, and can be topped with fresh fruits, ribbons, and chocolate butterflies. All of which are delightfully crafted and yes, edible. The artist behind Blushed Cakery, Halle Flan, shares the belief that celebrations and special moments are not complete without a cake.
Mercury Coffee Co. in the South Wedge is Flying High
Building their foundation as a pop-up coffee cart, Mercury Coffee Co. spent many months slinging espresso drinks around the city of Rochester, collaborating on events with local businesses, and improving their recipes and latte art throughout the process. For fans, it has been a journey to behold watching this small coffee cart design and build out a sensational space in the South Wedge just off of Gregory Street and South Avenue.
Málà Magic: Serving Up Simmering Flavors in College Town
While several more places are opening in the next few months, one new restaurant serving a popular Chinese ‘build-your-own’ dish called ‘Malatang’ is simmering some serious flavors. Mala Magic only recently opened its doors, but there is plenty of excitement coming from anyone who loves personalizing their hot pot with a simmering broth filled with fresh ingredients like broccoli, tofu, corn on the cob, mushrooms, bamboo shoots, quail eggs, lettuce, crab legs, fish, udon, and ramen noodles, and various meats.
Your Next Chopped Cheese Should Be the ‘ROC’ Chopped Cheese at Starlight on South Ave
While the Chopped Cheese was born in NYC, it’s made its way upstate to delis across cities like Rochester, Syracuse, and Buffalo. The effects of this pilgrimage have paved the way for a new contender, one that pays homage to the classic sub but adds a new flair and uniqueness, and embraces the culture and heritage of Rochester, New York. It’s called the ROC Chopped Cheese, and it’s being chopped up at Starlight, a market & deli on South Avenue in the South Wedge.
Good Vibes and Eats at the Jamaican Spot on Genesee St in the 19th Ward
Tropical Blendz Café & Juice Bar is an authentic space with a small outdoor patio that serves up delightful Caribbean plates. From Beef Patties to their delicious Jerk Chicken plate, you will experience an array of flavors and fragrances that only a good Jamaican dish can provide!

