Vern's

Vern's is a Modern American Italian restaurant and bar at 696 Park Avenue in Rochester, NY. Co-owned by siblings Jon, Ashley, and Paulina Swan alongside barman Casey O'Mara, the restaurant opened in late August 2019 and is named after the Swan siblings' grandfather, Vern Swan. The concept draws on memories of visiting their grandparents' home in Jamestown, New York, aiming to recreate that familial, welcoming atmosphere in a dinner-service setting. Vern's is part of the Swan Family of Restaurants, a Rochester hospitality group that also operates Swan Dive, Roux, and several other local establishments.

The menu at Vern's is Italian-inspired with a modern American approach, and it changes frequently — up to eight times per year to reflect seasonal ingredients. The open kitchen features a wood-fired grill and a Neapolitan-style pizza oven, turning out dishes such as:

• Tomato pie, a recurring staple on the menu
• Cacio e pepe
• Fried Castelvetrano olives with 'nduja
• Grilled arctic char
• Wood-fired pizzas

The beverage program leans heavily into natural wines sourced from small-scale, sustainable producers, and the cocktail list emphasizes amaro-based drinks with low-alcohol and non-alcohol options available. Tuesday evenings feature half-off select bottles from the wine list. The bar stays open at least one hour after the kitchen closes. Vern's operates on a first-come, first-served basis with no reservations, serving dinner Sunday through Thursday from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. and Friday through Saturday from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m.

Vern's is known for its seasonal, wood-fired cooking and a wine list built entirely around natural and sustainably produced bottles. The space itself is part of the draw — during renovation, the team restored original tin ceilings and transom windows in the building's facade, and the front room features a mural by Rochester artist Thievin' Stephen alongside a repurposed marble-top bar. The combination of an open kitchen, a casual no-reservations policy, and a rotating menu gives the restaurant a neighborhood-gathering-spot feel rather than a formal dining atmosphere.

Vern's sits along the Park Avenue corridor, one of Rochester's liveliest walkable strips for dining and nightlife, in the 14607 ZIP code. The stretch of Park Avenue near the restaurant is lined with independent shops, cafes, and bars, and it hosts the annual Park Avenue Summer Art Festival. Street parking is available along Park Avenue and surrounding residential side streets. The restaurant's patio offers outdoor seating during warmer months, fitting the neighborhood's sidewalk-friendly character.