It was a day of celebration for us and we marked the occasion by going out to lunch to Bocaccinis Italian Bistro & Bar in Perinton recently for my grandmother’s 96th birthday. She is our family's matriarch. With a couple of kids in tow, we called ahead to make sure Bocaccinis could accommodate our party of five. They happily got a table ready, and set up a couple of high chairs.

Situated in a strip plaza, the Italian bistro has a large space that can hold a lot of tables and private events. Ours was one of only a few tables full that afternoon. The chef was busy filling orders from an open kitchen that takes up the entire back wall and is viewable when you arrive.