Sapori Cafe & Catering

Sapori is my favorite hidden gem in the heart of downtown. It may be easy to pass by their entrance on State Street but once you discover it, you’ll never forget where to go.
The atrium is full of warmth with plenty of seating and natural light which helps you forget there’s a foot of snow outside. The food is perfectly portioned, out of this world phenomenal and makes you wonder if your Italian Grandma is working the lunch shift. I’ve never had a bad experience with Sapori Café from a quick lunch to catering a 40 person reception.
Tested & Recommendations:
— Tomato Basil Soup & Formaggio Combo
— Smoked Turkey Pesto Panini
— Homemade Meatballs
— Rigatoni
— Chicken French

I was very happy with my recent lunch here. I am enjoying trying new places for lunch downtown and I always pass the sign for here so I decided it was finally time to try it out.
This is located in the atrium of the powers building. It is a little difficult to find if you have never been inside the powers building but you can just follow the smell. There is a sign at the main entrance of the holding pointing you towards the atrium. Go up the stairs and that is where the café is. The atrium is very open and airy making it a great place to eat. There are some tables there so you can eat your lunch in there or take it to go.
I decided ahead of time that I wanted to do a half sandwich and a cup of soup. My original choice for soup was the French onion but once I got there I saw on the specials board they had a loaded baked potato soup and I got super excited… Then i got on the counter to order and learned they were all out. I was about as sad as you can get where soup is concerned. I just went back to my original choice of the French onion. I also got a shaved steak sandwich.
Once i ordered and the food was ready they brought it to me and the flavor party began. The soup was sooo good. It wasn’t overly oniony and the beef broth was on point. The croutons in the soup were fantastic and I loved the shaved cheese on top. The only fault in my eye is that i wish there was a little more cheese on top but that would never stop me from ordering it again. My sandwich was also fantastic. The steak was cooked well and had a ton of flavor. The onions on top were just the right amount so you weren’t getting bites of onion and the bread they used was fantastic. This meal was simply a glimpse of heaven. I left feeling full but not stuffed to the point of a tummy ache. It was the perfect portion for lunch. I am so happy to know they have such a good soup on hand because somedays are just soup days and this is going to be the place I go for soup days.
Overall, this place was amazing. I can’t wait to get back and I will tell people to get over here to have something to eat! And there is free wifi. You can’t go wrong with that.

Much needed update to my last review. Sapori keeps getting better and better, and if the stars align for my lunches downtown, it won’t be stopped! And remember, get here early or order online first. There is a lunch rush at this small place. But I promise the wait is worth it.
Today I was having a crappy Friday due to my allergies., and what I suspect to be, a mild summer cold. I blame the weather and the cold temperatures at the office. Naturally what I needed was a nice warm meal to heat me up. Couldn’t decide between the French Onion and the Clam Chowder… so I got a cup of each.
The House French Onion ($ 3.25 cup/​$ 4.25 bowl) is made with a hint of madeira, topped with garlic herb croutons, and in place of the broiled cheesy surface, slices of asiago float atop. The brown broth is rich in flavor with a generous portion of onions.
The New England Clam Chowder was also very tasty. Probably one of the best I’ve had in the city. It had the perfect consistency of creamy — not too thick, not too watery. It was just right. The taste was also rich of veggies and stock. Clams were the perfect chopped size. They didn’t disappear into the soup. Not too many and not too few. It was just, well perfect!
My buddy shared with me a spoonful of their House Chili. Soo good! It was spicy with presence of all spice and cinnamon. Now, the consistency of this chili is not like the clam chowder. This is a very thick, meaty and heavy dish. I think it may not be a winner to the masses, but it is to me. If you plan on ordering it, I suggest you have it with your favorite chip or bread to dip. In fact, it should be served in a bread bowl! That’s it, I am writing a letter. Anyhoot, this is one to share or to make nachos out of.

A really neat place tucked away on the 2^nd level of the Powers Building. We were warmly greeted by Jenna, who took our order. The wait time for my order wasn’t bad — but while you’re waiting, take a stroll around the building to admire the atrium and building, repaired in 1990 (still looks brand new)!. A co-​worker and I were warmly greeted by Jenna, who took our order. Since we were first-​time guests, Chef Joe Gianvecchio offered us complimentary chili, which was fabulous — a bit spicy, with a slight taste of cinnamon. The meatball sandwich was one of the best I’ve ever had, complemented by a salad with ginger lemon dressing. For dessert, the homemade biscotti and carrot cake were delicious. The ambience here is relaxing, the food and service professional and top-​notch. We left very impressed, and will return. A real gem!

Delicious and on point every time. I love that they have online ordering, I hate having to order over the phone. The staff is very friendly and its a wonderful atmosphere inside the atrium. I have tried several options on the menu and have not been disappointed yet. My favorite that I have tried was the meatball panini. It is my favorite lunch spot in downtown during the work week. I wish it was open on the weekend, or had another location for the weekend– I can’t say enough good things! So glad to have stumbled upon this gem.

Don’t be intimidated by the entrance. You may be thinking to yourself when you walk in, «oh there’s a security guard here? Maybe I’m not allowed in.» Don’t let that stop you from enjoying the best panini in Rochester. Yea I said it. Now I know what you’re probably thinking… «Security? What for? The fancy pantsy offices and employees?» And while I don’t blame you for this assumption… you’re dead wrong! They’re guarding the delicious delight that awaits at the top of the stairs! Make it past that guard and get to the glory that is Sapori!

Had lunch here with my sis this winter. The atrium is a super cool place to dine – lots of space and air so you ALMOST feel like you’re outside. She said the wait time can be long, so we ordered ahead and our food was ready when we arrived. We each had the half-​BLT and French onion soup, which was rich and flavorful. The sandwich, on honey wheat with a light Dijon, was a nice take on the old standard.
I wouldn’t recommend the PB&J Smoothie if you are watching your sugar. They could make a few tweaks (unsweetened yogurt & almond milk, full instead of half banana, real raspberries instead of jam) to make it a LOT healthier and just as delicious. It tastes pretty amazing as is (and exactly like a pb&j sandoozle), but by my calculations clocks in at about 500 calories.
I look forward to trying more of their menu. This is a really nice place to have downtown.

This place is in my building so I have probably been here about 40 times. The soups, sandwiches, specials and everything except for the salads are outstanding. The salads are expensive for what you get but otherwise good. Coffee is better than any coffee that I’ve had downtown. Based on what I’ve had there, I’d use their catering company with confidence but haven’t yet.

Love the atrium seating at this charming café in the Powers Building. My lunch crew all went for the wraps or paninis, but I would love to try their creative soups of the day when the weather is colder. The panini of my choice had prosciutto, pesto, and mozzarella. It was comforting and flavorful. Everyone who ordered a wrap also seemed to be happy.
The food is reasonably priced, but I definitely recommend making your sandwich a meal with a drink, cookie or chips, and a pickle for two bucks more. Or grab a combo and you can combine half a sandwich with soup or a salad.
Our wait time was a bit long for the food, but the manager was extremely hospitable and offered to make up for the wait. We declined the sweet offer for sides on the house. I still made it out in the crunch of an hour break time with a few minutes to spare. This café will be wonderful for a bright spot for lunch when winter hits.

I’ve been to Sapori several times since it’s so close to where I work. The food there is usually pretty decent, although many of my coworkers have found the taste to be inconsistent. Some days, for example, the french onion soup is great, and other days it’s watery and bland. Also — if you get a half panini and soup, the half sandwich sizes vary greatly. I’ve had a huge half while a coworker will get what looks like a quarter of a panini.
Service is usually good — you just stand and order at a counter. The food comes out fairly quickly.
As far as options near the State/​Main corner, this is one of the better ones. I do wish they had additional salad options, however.

A great little café in the Powers Building that has a set menu and regular specials that the chef chooses. They also offer catering services and are attentive and professional.

A very good café/​deli style restaurant in The Powers Building — 2^nd floor. Ingredients are fresh and of high quality! Desserts are phenomenal! Recommend the sour dough bread. My favorite quality is the dining area. You feel like you are in Europe with the soaring exterior brick overlooking the glass covered atrium. Prices are reasonable and service is friendly and accommodating.

Excellent food, coffee and service! Highly recommend there catering services as well.