Top Lunch Restaurants & Food Court in Downtown Rochester

Adam Solomon and Sapphire Courchaine have been part of Rochester’s specialty coffee scene for over a decade. Both take their love of the scene seriously.

Adam, Cafe Manager, completed his training at the Specialty Coffee Association (SCA) and has competed nationally at the U.S. Barista Championship.

Sapphire, Assistant Manager — AKA the Swan Queen thanks to her famed latte art pours — is a national competitor as well, having participated at the international level at Coffee Fest in NYC for the Coffee Masters Competition. 

Truth be told, there’s but one thing that brings them more joy than creating and serving specialty beverages and the baked goods that complement them: Watching customers and friends sip and savor their creations.

Beginnings. Chef Lai’s curiosity with food and the culinary experience began at the young age of 8, cooking alongside her mom, the matriarch of the Sysavath family.

Remembrance. “My mother reminded me that I was always asking questions when the two of us were cooking together,” says Lai. This curiosity fueled a desire to learn new dishes while perfecting the classics.

Odyssey. Chef Lai’s culinary journey continued when she became a food server at an established restaurant. Her background in culinary arts made her a natural fit, interacting and engaging with countless patrons, relaying their experiences back to the head chef.

Tutelage. This arrangement went on for years: Lai providing the feedback, the head chef teaching the ways. The synergy between chef and server, deepening her knowledge, expanding her creativity, fueling her passion.

Hearty. The culmination of cooking with her mom, learning from her mentor and engaging with her patrons materializes into a warm, aromatic broth that sings to the scent of star anise and gushes to the grandiose of ginger.

This journey of destiny and craving for comfort is what brought you SEA Restaurant, and now Broth. Welcome to BROTH, A Pho Experience.

Chef Tim Caschette was trained in Amalfi, Italy, before working at The New York Wine & Culinary Center and local restaurant 'Good Luck' before his adventure at AVVINO & La Bola. His love for cooking began with his grandmother when he was a toddler, and he has yet to fall out of love with the process of cooking. Tim's creative approach to mixing culinary cultures will be sure to intrigue your palate.

Sommelier, Janine Caschette, started in the industry at age 14. Food and wine are her passion and expertise. Looking for the perfect wine pairing?; you're in great hands! La Bola's beverage program is always rotating to showcase fresh and interesting libations.

Chef Wilfredo Arguinzoni, aka Chef Fredo, grew up in a family of food lovers.

His father, a butcher, taught him the importance of using the finest ingredients available, locally sourced or imported from Europe.

His mother, the home chef, taught him that the joy that comes from sharing a savory meal with those you love is one of the greatest joys of all. 

Together, they instilled in Chef Fredo the notion that one should never serve anyone a meal that they wouldn't serve to their own family.

With over 10 years of experience honing food service skills, adopting ideas and adding his own flair, Chef Fredo is proud to bring you Palermo's Kitchen in partnership with his brother, Ramon Arguinzoni. 

Be sure to try his signature dishes, including the Ribeye Steak and Cheddar Burger with a side of homemade potato chips and freshly made specialty juices.