Mind, Body and Spirits is the place to be!

It was so nice to be invited to one of the grand opening events at Rochester's new Mind, Body and Spirits restaurant, and after experiencing it first hand, I can't say enough good things about it.

Mind, Body and Spirits is a totally new concept to hit the area. There are two distinct sections to the restaurant -- a 90-seat dining room on the first floor, and a Higher Ground Lounge on the second floor that seats 50. Each floor has its own menu, hours and atmosphere. In addition, there is a seasonal 45-seat second-floor outdoor deck. Upstairs offers a great view of downtown Rochester, and features lounge seating with specialty drinks, appetizers and desserts. The downstairs features a more traditional dining area with its own specialty menu. The dining room is decorated with artwork from local artists. On my first trip to Mind, Body and Spirits, I was able to experience appetizers in the Higher Ground Lounge -- be sure to try the dates wrapped in bacon and bleu cheese. Even though we were totally stuffed, we still had to try some things from the menu downstairs in the dining room. You'll absolutely love the Third Street Potato fries, and the shrimp soup I had was fantastic!

Right: Owner Mike Plesz stands in front of Mind Body and Spirits in downtown Rochester. (Photo courtesy of Laurie Puscas, the Oakland Press)

The 5600 sq. ft. restaurant boasts some of the latest and greatest eco-concious innovations. The entire building is geothermal heated and cooled and banks of solar panels on the roof generate electricity and hot water for the building. A newly constructed greenhouse grows herbs for the kitchen, and is partially heated by heat retaining columns of water. Even the building materials used in construction are eco-friendly, such as the floors, which are constructed of bamboo and cork, both renewable resources. The furniture in the restaurant is made of recycled materials and even the padding in the seats consists of foam manufactured from corn.

Left: Director of Marketing David Youngman shows off the greenhouse behind Mind, Body and Spirits in downtown Rochester. The greenhouse, which will grow herbs and other edible plants for the restaurant, contains a concrete-filled wall and water-filled tubes to retain daytime heat and release it at night. (Photo courtesy of John Stormzand, the Rochester Eccentric)

Visit the restaurant's website at http://www.mindbodyspirits.com/. You can view the menus and read more interesting information about Rochester's first "green" restaurant! Stop by for a drink or for dinner tonight!