Spring - and soon the aroma of Rochester's fine cuisine - will be in the air

Mitchell Hill owner Bob Benoit on Tuesday began the lengthy task of reassembling his outdoor seating area ahead of its opening this weekend. (Rochester Voice photos)

ROCHESTER - Rochester's downtown restaurants can legally begin their outdoor dining service on Thursday, but most won't be setting up until this weekend or early next week.

Mitchell Hill BBQ and Brew and Fallen Leaf Bistro told The Rochester Voice they'd be open over the weekend while Porter's Pub is expecting to be set up sometime next week.

Revolution and On the Rox Lounge are also expected to ramp up outdoor operations over the weekend, which is only expected to see highs in the low to mid-50s both Saturday and Sunday.

Hanson Street will get in the outdoor dining mix with Porter's Pub serving patrons outside beginning sometime next week.

Mitchell Hill owner Bob Benoit, who began reassembling his outdoor seating venue on Tuesday, said the arduous task takes close to 30 hours.

One of the changes enacted by the city for this summer was that the walls along the street can be no higher than three feet rather than the four-foot maximum in place last summer.

The main purpose for the change was visibility so patrons could see street traffic, but Benoit is hopeful that it will also entice more motorists to find a parking spot and come in for a bite to eat.

Benoit said a Payroll Protection Program loan helped tide him through the winter, but business is beginning to really pick up now.

"The PPP got us out of a jam," he noted, "but the past month has been booming, especially on weekends when we have entertainment."

He said during the outdoor dining season bands will continue to play from inside, but they'll set up some speakers so those outside will also be able to enjoy.

He said up to now they were only allowed to have solo acts due to COVID, but the state recently approved up to three performers.

Meanwhile, Kevin Hanley of Porter's Pub, which opened too late in the year to feature alfresco dining last summer, said they'd likely be ready to serve outside by Tuesday.

He said they expect to have about eight tables outside their Hanson Street location and will probably dress the venue up with some rugs and planters.