Ahhhhhh, ‘date night’. A term that has not been uttered around our house much over the past 7 months (or actually, the past 2 years). Between Covid and a baby, our date nights were held most often in front of our television, grazing on some pregnancy superfood. Not quite date worthy. The long anticipated opening of Harvest at Bent’s Opera House came and went in our final month before Roux’s arrival and it wasn’t until early October that we took our very date night without the little guy in tow.

5 years ago we wrote this post, praising our small town for ushering in new spots and upping the ante for food and drink in rural WNY. We knew on that evening that our dream of a craft cocktail bar was not out of the realm of possibility, but when the renovation began on one of the most forgotten gems in all of Medina, we had no idea how much possibility actually lay ahead for this beautiful town on the Erie Canal.

Bent’s Opera House has been made possible by a true hometown visionary, Roger Hungerford. He and his beautiful wife Heather have become friends of ours and have shown us nothing but love and support as we have grown our cocktail program (and our family). Several years ago, we dined with them at their home in Medina and had a first glimpse of what was in store for all of us, led by the culinary talents of Chef Lionel Heydel. That evening we knew that when Bent’s was finished, Medina would never be the same.

Over the past few years we have been dazzled time and time again by Chef Lionel’s culinary prowess, between tasting menus at the Hungerford’s home, their appearance at the Farm to Table dinner three years ago on Main Street Medina, and most intimately in our own kitchen at Shirt Factory. Chef Lionel prepared a Japanese tasting menu as Scott whipped up his own cocktail pairings, and the two delighted seated diners.

The night we walked into Bent’s in early October, that same excitement greeted us at the door. One can only expect to be in awe at whatever dish Chef Lionel presents. As every course came and went, the reality of having his talent just five minutes from the farm felt just too good to be true.

Harvest’s philosophy is grounded in fresh, local ingredients and an ever-changing menu to suit the season. I couldn’t give you the exact details on every dish that evening, but I will say that our dinner began with an avocado amuse-bouche that was to die for(they know their audience well…), followed by the best crabcakes I’ve had in my entire life. Scott would say the same for his choice of entrée, the sea bass, while I ate every morsel of my foraged mushroom pasta.

Though Chef Lionel can take credit for the savory, we were in awe by the work of Pastry Chef Mary Sandy. She was kind enough to walk us through each of her pastries, and we recommend that you never skip dessert at Harvest. Like, EVER.

Shout out to the best server (and one of my favorite former students) Nick Saia who helped facilitate the dream dining experience. If you have Nick as your server, you can’t leave Harvest without feeling like you’ve found a new friend. He’s the best :) The truth is, after years and years of dining around Washington DC and beyond, we know firsthand that no matter how great the meal is your evening can be entirely made or completely thwarted by service. A mediocre meal becomes the best you’ve ever had, or awful service leaves a bad taste in the mouth after the most exquisite bite. It’s all in the service, and Harvest has trained an incredible team.

Every time I head in to the Factory and pass by Bent’s Opera House, I pinch myself that in our time living at home, this magnificent structure has been reimagined and given new life. It is my sincere hope that Scott and I can take a seat at the bar very soon, or spend an evening in one of their beautiful new rooms in the second floor boutique hotel. Or maybe, JUST MAYBE, I can convince the team at Bent’s to help plan Medina’s first ever Cherry Blossom PINK PARTY gala? Maybe?? Stay tuned…

And in impeccable timing, we would like to wish our dear friend Chef Lionel Heydel CONGRATULATIONS on his marriage, which took place yesterday! We wish you and Doris a lifetime of happiness <3

In the meantime, make sure you follow their Instagram accounts (Bent’s and Harvest) and if you are still looking for Valentine’s Day plans, they’ve got you covered. Have you been to Harvest? Let us know in the comments below. Cheers to new date nights at Harvest very soon.