LaLunaRestaurant.net

Posted on January 10, 2012 by lalunare

La Luna Italian Restaurant and Banquet Center offers an “old world feel” with authentic Italian food. With a stunning view of the nearby High Falls, La Luna is located in the historic Browns Race area formerly occupied by Triphammer Grill.

Enjoy eating inside or outside on the terrace. Open for lunch Monday through Friday from 11 A.M. to 3 P.M. and dinner Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights 4:30 to 9 P.M. We also have a party room for private events.

La Luna specializes in Italian cuisine, offering pasta dishes and salads such as arugula, roasted beet, and Caprese for both lunch and dinner. Lunch options also include sandwiches and wraps, including Italian-style pulled pork and the restaurant’s specialty cheesesteak.

For dinner, the selection widens with chicken, veal, and fish entrees as well as grilled pizzas.

For starters, a few appetizers can make a difference; fried or sauteed calimari, a fire-roasted pepper plate, greens and beans, and arancini are among them.

La Luna is also available for private parties and catering.  Call 585-232-5862

Soup

Ask your server for our daily soup 4

Salads add :chicken 3: shrimp 5: scallops 5: prosciutto di Parma 4: anchovies 3:

La Luna: mixed field greens tossed in honey balsamic vinaigrette & served with fire roasted peppers & a fried mozzarella croquet 9
House: mixed field greens with house made Italian vinaigrette & grape tomatoes 5
Classic Caesar: chopped romaine with parmesan cheese, croutons & a lemon anchovies emulsion6
Caprese: Layers of sliced roma tomatoes & fresh mozzarella served with mixed greens, basil & balsamic vinegar 8
Roasted Beet: sliced beets served with mixed greens, crumbled bleu cheese, apple slices & balsamic vinaigrette 8
Arugula: tossed with shaved red onion, olives, black pepper & our lemon truffle vinaigrette 7

Sandwiches & Wraps :all sandwiches & wraps served with house fries:

Half Pound Angus Burger: grilled to your liking & topped with caramelized onions & melted gorgonzola served on a hard roll 9
Italian Sausage: grilled link served on sub roll topped with peppers, onions & whole grain mustard dressing 9
Meatball Sub: house made Angus beef meatballs served on a roll topped with marinara & melted mozzarella 7
“La Luna” Cheese Steak: shredded rib eye topped with peppers, onions & mozzarella served on a sub roll 9
Italian Style Pulled Pork: slow braised pork in marinara sauce topped with melted mozzarella & served on a hard roll 8
Grilled Portobello Wrap: with roasted vegetables, chopped romaine & shredded mozzarella 9
Chicken Parm Sandwich: panko breaded chicken cutlet topped with parmesan & mozzarella cheese finished with marinara served on a hard roll 9

Pasta add :chicken 3: shrimp 5: scallops 5: prosciutto di Parma 4:
Penne Vodka: creamy tomato sauce served with fresh basil & topped with shaved Romano 12
Mushroom Ravioli: fresh pasta raviolis filled with a wild mushroom mixture topped with white truffle cream sauce & crispy onions 12
Shrimp & Scallop Fettuccini Alfredo: caramelized shellfish tossed with pasta & our parmesan cream sauce 14
Linguini with Clam Sauce: fresh linguini tossed with white wine clam sauce & served with steamed clams 13
Aglio e Olio: angel hair pasta with roasted garlic oil, fresh tomatoes & basil topped with shaved Romano 10

Appetizers
Steamed Mussels: half pound of P.E.I. mussels in a white wine garlic butter
Fried Calamari: breaded squid & rings served with lemon & marinara
Sautéed Calamari: tossed with roasted peppers, garlic & shallots
Antipasto: prosciutto, capicola, salami, fresh mozzarella, olives & peppers served with crostini
Fire Roasted Pepper Plate: tri-colored sweet peppers roasted & served with crostini & extra virgin olive oil
Beans & Greens: sautéed escarole with garlic, shallot, & white beans in a parmesan broth
Italian Sausage: a mild sweet link topped with peppers & onions & drizzled with whole grain mustard dressing
Momma’s Meatballs: family recipe of Angus beef meatballs served with house marinara
Arancini: fried risotto croquets stuffed with mozzarella cheese & served with marinara
Fried Mozzarella: panko-breaded, fried & served with marinara
Bruschetta: classic tomato salsa on crispy baguette & topped with melted fontina cheese

Grilled Pizzas
Sausage: grilled flatbread pizza topped with chopped sausage, garlic & fontina cheese
Vegetable: grilled flatbread pizza topped with roasted zucchini, yellow squash, peppers & mozzarella cheese
Tuscan: grilled flatbread pizza topped with chopped tomatoes, prosciutto, basil, fontina & parmesan cheese

Salads Add: chicken 3: shrimp 5: scallops 6: prosciutto di Parma 4: anchovies 3:
La Luna: mixed field greens tossed in honey balsamic vinaigrette & served with fire roasted peppers & a fried mozzarella croquet 9
House: mixed field greens with house made Italian vinaigrette & grape tomatoes 5
Classic Caesar: chopped romaine with parmesan cheese, croutons & a lemon anchovies emulsion6
Caprese: Layers of sliced roma tomatoes & fresh mozzarella served with mixed greens, basil & balsamic vinegar 8
Roasted Beet: sliced beets served with mixed greens, crumbled bleu cheese, apple slices & balsamic vinaigrette 8
Arugula: tossed with shaved red onion, olives, black pepper & our lemon truffle vinaigrette 7

Pasta add: chicken 3: shrimp 5: scallops 6: prosciutto di Parma 4: meatballs 4: sausage link 5:

Penne Vodka: creamy tomato sauce served with fresh basil & topped with shaved Romano 15
Pasta Arrabiata: penne pasta tossed with house marinara & chef’s selection of fresh vegetables
Mushroom Ravioli: fresh pasta raviolis filled with a wild mushroom mixture topped with white truffle cream sauce & crispy onions 12
Shrimp & Scallop Fettuccini Alfredo: caramelized shellfish tossed with pasta & our parmesan cream sauce 14
Linguini with Clam Sauce: fresh linguini tossed with white wine clam sauce & served with steamed clams 13
Gnocchi Bolognaise: pulled pork tossed in house made marinara with pan seared potato gnocchi’s
Lasagna: a hearty layering of fresh pasta, ground beef, spinach, ricotta & mozzarella cheese baked & topped with marinara

Fish
Salmon: pan seared Nova Scotia salmon served with Tuscan roasted potatoes, garlic rapini, & topped with kalamata olive vinaigrette
Chilean Sea Bass: pan roasted & served with roasted potatoes & balsamic grilled vegetables
Lobster Ravioli: fresh pasta stuffed with our own lobster mixture topped with a grilled 5 oz tail & balsamic brown butter sauce

Chicken
French: egg battered, pan seared & served with sherry wine & lemon sauce
Parmesan: panko-breaded, fried, & topped with marinara & melted cheeses
Marsala: dusted with flour, pan seared & finished with mushroom, wine, butter sauce

Veal
Saltimbocca: pan seared cutlets served with a prosciutto & sage pan sauce
Osso Bucco: four hour braised shank, garlic mash, roasted tomatoes & a natural pan sauce
Scaloppini: seared leg cutlets finished with a lemon, butter, & caper pan sauce

Meat
Filet Mignon: grilled center cut beef tenderloin served over mashed potatoes, sautéed rapini & roasted peppers topped with demi glaze
Steak Frites: 14oz Certified Angus Strip Steak finished with demi glaze & served with house fries
Lamb Shank: slow braised & served over mushroom risotto with garlic grilled rapini

Vegetarian
Stuffed Peppers: roasted sweet bell peppers filled with vegetable risotto
Eggplant Parmesan: marinated eggplant, breaded, fried & topped with marinara, mozzarella & parmesan cheeses

 

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More Background On La Luna Italian Restaurant

 

La Luna Italian Restaurant & Banquet Center is a beloved Rochester dining destination that combines authentic Italian cuisine, a historic industrial setting, and stunning views of High Falls. Located at 60 Browns Race in the High Falls District of downtown Rochester, the restaurant is owned and operated by Stergios Kotorlis, a respected figure in the local hospitality scene.

The venue offers both an intimate restaurant and a full-service banquet center, accommodating everything from business lunches to weddings and galas. La Luna’s reputation rests on a foundation of exceptional food, personalized service, and a commitment to preserving the character of one of Rochester’s most historically significant neighborhoods.

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Location and Setting

La Luna occupies a beautifully restored building in the Brown’s Race Historic District, overlooking the scenic Genesee River Gorge and just steps from the Pont de Rennes Bridge. The district itself—once home to 19th-century flour mills that powered Rochester’s early economy—is now a vibrant cultural corridor featuring restaurants, offices, and event venues.

The restaurant’s terrace dining area provides one of the most striking city views in western New York, where guests can dine with a backdrop of the High Falls and Rochester’s skyline. Inside, the space combines exposed brick, arched windows, and wooden beams that pay tribute to the building’s industrial past while exuding a warm, romantic atmosphere.

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History

La Luna opened its doors in the early 2010s, occupying a space formerly home to Triphammer Grill. Kotorlis envisioned a restaurant that would highlight the enduring appeal of traditional Italian cooking while celebrating the city’s unique architectural heritage.

By 2012, the restaurant had built a loyal following through a blend of family recipes, attentive service, and creative presentation. Guests praised La Luna’s authentic approach—eschewing trends in favor of the rustic flavors that define Italy’s regional cuisine.

Over the years, La Luna expanded its operations to include the Banquet Center, turning the venue into a preferred site for weddings, fundraisers, and corporate events. The establishment’s long tenure reflects both its adaptability and its deep roots in Rochester’s dining landscape.

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Ownership and Vision

Owner Stergios Kotorlis has maintained a philosophy centered on hospitality and community. His goal was to create a venue that serves not only as a restaurant but also as a gathering place for Rochester residents to celebrate milestones and connect with one another.

Under Kotorlis’s leadership, La Luna has achieved a delicate balance—preserving the intimate “old world” dining experience while offering the flexibility and scale needed for large events. The restaurant’s dual identity as both a cozy trattoria and a major event center is key to its ongoing success.

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Menu and Culinary Style

Lunch

La Luna’s lunch offerings focus on fresh, quick, and flavorful Italian classics. Diners can enjoy salads such as Arugula with Truffle Vinaigrette, Roasted Beet with Bleu Cheese, or Caprese with Fresh Mozzarella and Tomatoes. Sandwiches and wraps include the signature La Luna Cheesesteak, Italian-Style Pulled Pork, and Grilled Portobello Wrap, all served with crispy house fries.

For those seeking a heartier meal, pastas such as Penne Vodka, Linguine with Clam Sauce, and Mushroom Ravioli in White Truffle Cream bring the comforting taste of Italy to the midday table.

Dinner

Dinner service expands the menu dramatically, offering seafood, meat, and vegetarian entrées alongside a selection of grilled pizzas. Favorites include:

• Chicken Marsala and Chicken Francaise — classic Italian comfort dishes done with refinement.

• Veal Saltimbocca and Osso Bucco — slow-cooked to tenderness and served with rich pan sauces.

• Salmon with Kalamata Olive Vinaigrette and Chilean Sea Bass with Balsamic Grilled Vegetables — elegantly balanced seafood options.

• Filet Mignon with Demi-Glace and Lamb Shank over Mushroom Risotto — hearty centerpieces reflecting the chef’s attention to classic techniques.

• Grilled Flatbread Pizzas such as the Tuscan and Vegetable varieties—popular for sharing.

Vegetarians can indulge in Stuffed Peppers with Vegetable Risotto or Eggplant Parmesan, ensuring that every palate is accommodated.

Starters and Sides

The appetizer selection—Arancini, Momma’s Meatballs, Fried Mozzarella, and Steamed Mussels—offers both variety and nostalgia. The focus on house-made sauces, fresh herbs, and local ingredients exemplifies La Luna’s dedication to craftsmanship over convenience.

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Events and Private Dining

La Luna’s Banquet Center has earned a reputation as one of Rochester’s most elegant and adaptable event venues. The facility accommodates up to 300 guests, featuring vaulted ceilings, crystal chandeliers, and panoramic views of the river gorge.

Weddings, anniversaries, and corporate galas are customized through in-house catering and event planning services. Reviews consistently highlight the professionalism of La Luna’s staff, whose attention to detail and warm demeanor contribute to seamless celebrations.

The restaurant’s proximity to downtown hotels and cultural attractions also makes it a convenient choice for visitors and event attendees.

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Reviews and Reputation

Customer feedback from both past and current patrons consistently emphasizes food quality, ambiance, and hospitality. Early Yelp reviews from 2011–2012 captured the spirit of the restaurant’s formative years:

• Melissa H. (Houston, TX) praised the Linguine with Clam Sauce and Roasted Red Pepper Bisque as “packed with flavor,” noting the exceptional service and scenic view.

• Jesse S. (Rochester, NY) commended the salads, main dishes, and friendly staff, calling it “a place to remember.”

• Brian T. (Buffalo, NY) recommended the happy-hour specials and praised the restaurant’s unique terrace atmosphere overlooking the High Falls District.

In subsequent years, La Luna has retained a high local rating on review platforms for consistency and event hosting. Many diners cite its romantic setting and generous portions as hallmarks of the experience.

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Awards and Recognition

While La Luna’s acclaim is primarily rooted in word-of-mouth and customer reviews rather than formal competitions, it has frequently appeared in Rochester City Newspaper and Democrat and Chronicle listings of top Italian dining venues and wedding destinations.

Event professionals in the region often refer to the La Luna Banquet Center as a “hidden gem” for its blend of affordability, flexibility, and ambiance. The restaurant’s continued success more than a decade after its founding underscores its importance in Rochester’s hospitality industry.

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Audience and Appeal

La Luna attracts a diverse audience:

• Local professionals visiting for lunch or happy hour.

• Couples seeking an elegant yet relaxed dinner spot.

• Families celebrating milestones.

• Event planners coordinating weddings or conferences.

• Tourists exploring the High Falls District’s attractions.

Its location within walking distance of Frontier Field, Innovative Field, and the Genesee Brew House makes it a central stop on the Rochester dining map.

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Cultural and Social Significance

La Luna plays an important role in maintaining the culinary heritage of Italian-American Rochesterians, many of whom trace their roots to immigrants who settled in upstate New York in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The restaurant’s emphasis on hospitality and shared dining reflects that tradition of gathering around food as a form of cultural identity.

Moreover, by revitalizing a portion of the Brown’s Race industrial corridor, La Luna contributes to the ongoing cultural preservation of Rochester’s High Falls District. Its success exemplifies how adaptive reuse of historic buildings can anchor community revitalization while offering meaningful contemporary experiences.

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Press and Media Coverage

Local outlets have consistently featured La Luna in coverage of Rochester’s dining scene. Articles in WXXI News, City Magazine, and VisitRochester have noted its appeal as both a dining and event venue. The restaurant is often cited for its picturesque backdrop, making it a favorite for photography and video shoots related to tourism promotion and weddings.

During the pandemic years, La Luna adapted quickly with take-out service, socially distanced events, and flexible booking policies—moves that helped sustain business and maintain staff. Post-pandemic, the restaurant’s resilience has been cited as a local success story in hospitality recovery.

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Goals and Philosophy

La Luna’s stated goal is to offer a complete hospitality experience—not merely a meal but a sense of belonging. This is achieved through:

1. Authentic Cuisine: Recipes rooted in Italian tradition and executed with high-quality ingredients.

2. Personalized Service: Every guest treated like family, whether stopping in for a weekday lunch or hosting a major event.

3. Community Engagement: Supporting local suppliers and providing a venue for cultural and charitable gatherings.

4. Preservation of Heritage: Showcasing Rochester’s history through architecture and atmosphere.

This mission has guided La Luna since its inception and remains central to its identity.

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Recent Developments

As of 2025, La Luna continues to thrive under the leadership of Stergios Kotorlis. The restaurant’s modernized online presence now allows direct reservations, virtual tours of the banquet facilities, and digital access to seasonal menus.

The kitchen has introduced rotating chef’s specials inspired by regional Italian cuisines—Sicilian seafood pasta, Piedmont risotto, and Roman artichoke dishes—keeping the offerings dynamic without compromising authenticity.

Event bookings have increased notably in recent years, reflecting a renewed demand for locally managed venues that combine elegance with accessibility.

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La Luna Italian Restaurant & Banquet Center stands as one of Rochester’s most distinctive dining and event spaces—where history, hospitality, and gastronomy intersect. From its perch above the Genesee River Gorge, it offers not only fine Italian food but also a window into the city’s enduring charm.

The restaurant’s continued popularity is a testament to its commitment to quality, community, and tradition. Whether enjoying lunch on the terrace, celebrating a wedding in the grand ballroom, or simply savoring a plate of house-made pasta, guests experience the timeless appeal that defines La Luna.

LaLunaRestaurant.net