Chortke

Chortke is a contemporary Persian restaurant located at 352 North Goodman Street in Rochester, NY, housed within the Village Gate complex in the Neighborhood of the Arts (NOTA). The restaurant operated in a fast-casual format for more than five years before undergoing a significant renovation in fall 2023, reopening as an upscale dining destination. Under Executive Chef Kyle Viera, Chortke blends traditional Persian recipes with modern American culinary techniques, using fresh ingredients throughout its menu.

Chortke's dinner menu draws on Persian culinary traditions while incorporating contemporary elements. Signature dishes include:

• Kubideh kebab served with sumac and saffron rice
• Chicken chop paired with shirin polo (jeweled rice)
• Grilled saffron chicken wings with black tahini yogurt
• Faroe Island salmon with chermoula and za'atar
• Roasted cauliflower with whipped lemon goat cheese
• Housemade pistachio panna cotta with sour cherries

The restaurant also maintains a curated wine program featuring global selections across whites, reds, and rosés, alongside craft beer options. Reservations are available through Resy, and Chortke offers catering services for both small and large events. The restaurant is open Tuesday through Thursday from 4 to 9 PM and Friday through Saturday from 4 to 10 PM, with Sunday and Monday closures.

Chortke is known for its redesigned interior, which evokes a Persian garden through terracotta, pink, and green tones accented by greenery and a golden water feature. One of the owners, an artist with interior design expertise, personally created three large paintings depicting Iranian women activists that hang in the dining room. This combination of Persian culinary tradition and visual art gives the restaurant a character distinct from typical dining options in Rochester.

Chortke sits within Village Gate, a mixed-use complex of shops, restaurants, artist studios, and loft residences along North Goodman Street. The surrounding Neighborhood of the Arts is home to several of Rochester's cultural institutions, including the Memorial Art Gallery and the George Eastman Museum. The Rochester Public Market is roughly three blocks north. Street parking is available along Goodman Street, and the Village Gate complex offers additional lot parking for visitors.