It's a special thing when you are able to walk into a space and feel like you're at home. That is exactly what the owners of The Meeting House have done. After meeting in 2003 while working at Beverly Hills Grill, Jason Mood and Chef Christopher Johnson decided to take the leap and open a restaurant of their own. They both left their positions in June of 2012 to focus on completing their renovations and hiring their teams to prepare for a grand opening date of the busiest weekend in Downtown Rochester, the kick-off to Lagniappe and the Big Bright Light Show. They were welcomed that weekend by the community with open arms, and twelve years later, they're still serving some of our favorite dishes, with no plans of slowing down.
While there is no denying that the space, food and drink are all beautifully done, the truly remarkable thing about TMH is the people that make up the Front of House (FOH) and Back of House (BOH) crews. Mood and Johnson know that it is their team that makes TMH the special place that it is. "Our crew IS our culture. It carries from FOH to BOH in this cohesive way that is really important to us. Our team takes pride in working here and in serving our guests. Service is what we do - It's important that we provide a level of service that makes our guests feel like we genuinely care -- like we appreciate them, and we want them to feel it", says Mood.
The small but mighty BOH crew consists of a team of 7 - Kiersten, Lewis, James, Alex, Joseph and Jake. Each weekend, just inside the dining room listed on the chalkboard, you'll find something different like the chicken and waffles at brunch, or a dinner feature like their Scallops. Those features come from shared ideas, pulling from some of their own favorites. "It really is a collaboration amongst the whole team. They work together to create something different every weekend which is a feat in itself. Their creativity always impresses me", says Johnson. When sourcing their products, they lean on local vendors like Fairway Packing, Stoney Creek Mushrooms and Give Thanks Bakery. Johnson and his team work to create a new menu for each season with a mix of new dishes and fan favorites. A few staples on the menu include the TMH Salad, Truffle and Garlic Chicken Wings, Lightly Smoked Chicken Breast and Steak Frites. "Our menu is often guest-led. When we took the Chips and Cheese dip off the menu for a period of time, our regulars didn't waste any time letting us know that they wanted that one back. So, it made its return. We're all about keeping our guests happy if we can do it" says Johnson.
As important as the focus is on the food, there is an equally important spotlight on the beverage side of things. The TMH bar team, led by Bar Manager Bianca Lucia, puts heavy emphasis on rotating their drink menu seasonally alongside the food menu and brings in the classics, while adding seasonal flavors and unique combinations. A few of their new fall favorites include, "Campfire Song", a s'mores-inspired Old Fashioned and the"Duchess", a white cranberry martini that will keep the bar rocking through the upcoming busy holiday season.
The Meeting House is a restaurant that stays inspired by and for the community, with the plan to be around for many more years.
The Meeting House is located at 301 S. Main Street in Downtown Rochester. They are open for dinner Tuesday-Thursday 4 pm to 10 pm, Friday 4 pm to 11, Saturday 10 am to 11 pm and Sunday 10 am to 11 pm. Brunch service is offered on the weekend only. Happy Hour is offered at the bar Monday-Friday. TMH has an outdoor rooftop patio as well as an event space. Reservations can be made by calling (248) 759-4825 and event inquiries can be made at themeetinghouseevents@gmail.com.