Culinary couple plans a comeback with new concept in downtown Rochester

Following the recent closure of their first culinary endeavor, Rochester restaurateurs Youness and Amber Bojji say they are returning to the Rochester food scene — complete with a new space, a new name, and a revamped restaurant concept.

The Bojjis — whose restaurant Casablanca Creative Cuisine closed in August after a five-year run — have revealed that their latest project, Chez Bojji, will take over the first floor of the Avalon Building, 301 North Broadway. The space was most recently set up for Le Petit Cafe. 

Amber Bojji says the move was necessary to stay relevant in the pandemic era, with fewer dine-in patrons and an increased emphasis on to-go meals. Casablanca, a slower-paced fine dining establishment, was ill-equipped to try to survive in a grab-and-go environment.

“With what’s going on with Covid right now, we needed to change up our tune a little bit,” said Amber. “We decided on a new location, a new vibe — really, new everything.”

While longtime Casablanca patrons will still be able to sit down and enjoy a fine meal, the Bojjis say the new restaurant will have an expanded menu, offering lower-priced, to-go options. It’s one of many changes designed to win over a younger crowd, which has increasingly opted for fast-casual dining — even before the pandemic hit.

“Casablanca catered to an older demographic,” said Amber. “It was more about being hands-on, fine dining with the guest, low-key music in the background… if you’re younger, you might fall asleep to that. With the new place, that’s changing. The vibe will be much different.”

Youness Bojji, a native of Morocco with culinary experience in Paris, London and Spain, said his goal for the new space is to emulate the style of dining found in the southern part of Europe — more specifically, the Mediterranean city of Ibiza, Spain, where the atmosphere is as much a part of the dining experience as the food is.

If Casablanca was simply about perfecting the food, Youness says, Chez Bojji is about finding the balance — blending quality, exotic entrees with a laid-back and upbeat presentation.

“We’ll have fantastic food, but we’ll bring the atmosphere with it,” said Youness. “We’re searching for something that is happy and fun, but with an elegant sense. We want people to have a good time.”

Both Youness and Amber say the spirit of Casablanca — not to mention some of its best dishes — will live on in Chez Bojji. 

“We still want to transport you to a different place and time, through your palette,” said Amber. “We’re not going to be a commercial restaurant, but we’re not going to be real boutique-y either. We’re going to be affordable, fresh, and local, but with [Youness]’s expertise, we’ll still be able to incorporate all those worldly flavors.”

If the current construction plan stays on track, the Bojjis say their new restaurant should be open for business by October 1.

Isaac Jahns is a Rochester native and a 2019 graduate of the Missouri School of Journalism. He reports on politics, business and music for Med City Beat.