Mad Hatter moves to new location and expands bakery 

Mad Hatter Restaurant and Bakery, formerly known as Mad Hatter Tea Room and Café, has moved from its Webster location to the former French Quarter Café space at 176 South Goodman Street. The name and location are just a few of the changes that owner Kristina Dinino-Jeffords has made.

The new location has enabled an expansion from eight tables to 23, allowing seating for up to 60 people. Dinino-Jeffords has also added a full-service bakery to the business. Opening a bakery has long been a goal for Dinino-Jeffords. In addition to having bakers in the family (her family owned a bakery called Romeo's on Jay Street in the 1940's), this was something she and her mother had dreamed of together. Her mother was diagnosed with central lobe dementia, and Dinino-Jeffords wanted to make sure that dream was fulfilled.

Some of the recipes have long been in the family, like the Italian meatball cookies, the Linzer torte cookies, and most of the cake recipes. Pastry Chef Hayley Dahlberg is in charge of bringing the recipes to fruition.

Dinino-Jeffords created the restaurant's café menu which includes entrees like biscuits and gravy ($9.75) with homemade cheddar cheese biscuits and British herb gravy — the gravy is one of many vegetarian and vegan items found at the new location. The bakery sells vegan and gluten-free pastries, and there are items on the breakfast and lunch menu that are herbivore-friendly as well. Any of the restaurants sandwiches, like the grilled marinated veggie sandwich ($11.25) can be made with gluten-free bread.

There are more than 30 teas to choose from for the restaurant's Traditional British High Tea Service, served daily at 3:30 p.m. — the service is by reservation only. Dinino-Jeffords is currently working on obtaining a liquor license and hopes to serve alcohol by January 2017. The space can be rented for private parties after 3 p.m. with a separate catering menu available.

The Mad Hatter Restaurant and Bakery is located at 176 South Goodman Street, and is open Monday through Sunday, 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Breakfast is served until 11 a.m.; lunch served from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., Monday through Friday. Breakfast is served all day Saturday and Sunday. High Tea is served Monday through Saturday at 3:30 p.m. by reservation only. 545-4985; madhatterrochester.com.

Quick bites

Stoneyard American Craft Beer Hall and Grill (1517 Empire Boulevard) will host "Cans and Clams" on Sunday, September 11, from 12 p.m. to 10 p.m., coinciding with the first Sunday of NFL football. Clams for $6 a dozen will be featured as well as 1/4 and 1/2 rack smoked rib specials and $4-$5 cans of selections from Firestone Brewing Company. Visit stoneyardbrewingcompany.com for more information.

Believe it or not, it's almost Oktoberfest time; time to put away your swimsuit and strap on those lederhosen. Tap and Mallet (381 Gregory Street) is hosting "Oktoberfest: 2 Weeks of the Wurst!" September 13 to September 26. Special menu items like Pork Schnitzel, a Sauerbraten sandwich, and Swan Market's Liverwurst will be available for lunch and dinner, and at least three Oktoberfest beers will be available on tap during the two weeks. Visit tapandmallet.com for more information.

Orbs (758 South Avenue) will host an Autumnal Equinox Dinner on Thursday, September 22, from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. The five-course dinner and cocktail pairing will celebrate autumn with ingredients from local farms. Tickets are $60 per person with no cocktail pairing, and $85 per person with cocktail pairing. Find more information at facebook.com/ORBSRochester or by calling 471-8569.

Hart's Local Grocers (10 Winthrop Street) will celebrate its second anniversary on Saturday, September 24, from 12 p.m. to 3 p.m., with local vendors, samples, and more to be announced. Visit hartslocalgrocers.com for more information.

Openings

Moe's Southwest Grill has opened a location in Penfield at 2150 Fairport Nine Mile Point Road.

Joe's Brooklyn Pizza has opened a Brighton Location in Twelve Corners Plaza (1918 Monroe Avenue).

Closings

Two Henrietta closings to report: ROCfish (749 East Henrietta Road) and Saladworks (1100 Jefferson Road) have both closed.

Corner Bakery Café has closed its Pittsford location (3300 Monroe Avenue).

Chow Hound is a food and restaurant news column. Do you have a tip? Send it to [email protected].