"Oh, I would love it if they came down in their pajamas for breakfast," says chef Jill Doebler of the dozens of Eastman School of Music students residing in the University Place apartments, which sit atop downtown's newest restaurant, Duck Soupe. And with most-important-meal-of-the-day offerings like stuffed French toast with mixed berries, or duck confit, pancetta, and sweet-potato hash with poached eggs, Doebler could soon be getting used to the early-morning pitter-patter of stockinged feet.

The most recent addition to Tony Gullace's Max Rochester brand - and just a stone's throw from the Max flagship at Eastman Place - Duck Soupe aims to help fill a niche that seemed to appear when many of the professional sorts quit the city's once-bustling heart for the suburbs and took their casual eateries with them. Doebler humbly likens her food to diner fare, and though the reasonable prices support that claim, the actual menu might not. Lunch features sandwiches like the juicy Tuscan pork, redolent of rosemary and topped with melted provolone along with delightfully bitter rapini, and a turkey BLT on whole wheat, slathered in a sweet-tart cranberry mayo that complements the smoke of the gorgeously meaty bacon. Both are served with Duck Soupe's salty, crunchy, and addictive house-made potato chips.

A bright, open space that until earlier this year housed Rosey's Italian Cafe (which is now in Penfield), Duck Soupe has about eight tables as well as 14 luncheonette-type counter seats that are perfect for that solo guest in the mood for a quick bowl of soup - selections rotate, but if you're lucky, it could be the yummy Manhattan sausage-potato chowder - with a side of WiFi. Doebler, who made her bones at places like Max Market, Sienna, and Virtu, is planning theme nights for Duck Soupe's late-week dinners, such as pasta on Wednesdays (in a nod to the former tenant) and a Friday fish fry. Plus, with a flock of musical neighbors, Doebler hopes some of the very local talent will find its way to Duck Soupe's cozy stage. No wine and beer license as of yet, but it's in the pipeline.

To find Duck Soupe in City Newspaper's online Restaurant Guide - including a map, user reviews, and more - click here.

Duck Soupe is located at 350 E. Main St. Breakfast and lunch prices range from $3 to $10 (dinner prices unavailable at press time). The restaurant is open Monday-Friday 7 a.m.-4 p.m., with Wednesday-Friday dinner service scheduled to begin October 12. For more information, call (585) 713-1472 or visit maxrochester.net.

Sweet and graceful

White Swans Asia Caffe is open in the former South City Garden location (and, back in the day, the home of Basha Mediterranean Eatery), serving up an array of Chinese, Vietnamese, and Thai specialties, both popular and a little more obscure, and all very nicely priced. "So what?" You may be thinking. "If I want to have pho, chuchee fish, and General Tso's chicken all in one sitting, then wash it down with a honeydew bubble tea, there are plenty of places I can go."

First of all, lose the attitude. Secondly, you may be right. But what sets White Swans apart from its peers is its in-house bakery, which makes fresh from scratch those squishy, pre-packaged gems you're often tempted by at the Asian market. "We usually have a bigger selection on the weekend," the server needlessly apologized as I gathered my eyeballs up off of the floor in front of the showcases. White Swans' pastry menu lists 45 different cakes, buns, and rolls, like the classic savory roast pork bun, as well as sweet options like red bean, taro, and pineapple. So long, fortune cookies!

To find White Swans Asia Caffe in City Newspaper's online Restaurant Guide - including a map, user reviews, and more - click here.

White Swans Asia Caffe is located at 798 S. Clinton Ave. Prices range from 90 cents to $10. It is open Sunday-Thursday 9 a.m.-9:30 p.m., Friday-Saturday 9 a.m.-10:30 p.m. For more information, call (585) 270-4431.

Another Sticky situation

11,000 square feet. That's the size of the brand-spanking-new Sticky Lips BBQ Juke Joint in Henrietta, the proverbial country cousin to the original Sticky Lips at the corner of Culver and Atlantic. Owner Howard Nielsen repurposed the former Roadhouse Grill as part of the nifty, massive new space, which dishes up Sticky Lips' award-winning barbecue (along with its impressive vegetarian selection) amidst walls decorated with playful antiques and memorabilia. The Juke Joint also boasts a full bar, and you can catch live music Wednesday through Saturday.

Sticky Lips BBQ Juke Joint is located at 830 Jefferson Road. Prices range from $2.95 to $23.95. It is open Monday-Tuesday 11 a.m.-midnight, Wednesday-Saturday 11 a.m.-2 a.m., and Sunday noon-9 p.m. For more information, call (585) 292-5544 or visit stickylipsbbq.com.

Picking up the tab

On Tuesday, October 25, 18 local restaurants are slated to take part in the Gay Alliance Dines OUT fundraiser, pledging a portion of their sales from the night in support of the community-oriented programs of the Gay Alliance of the Genesee Valley. Those with only a little to spend could hit up one of the Boulder Coffee Co. locations, while splurgers might want to make the gastronomic pilgrimage to Warfield's High Point; both will donate 15 percent of their sales as part of the program. Or you could treat yourself to the Winfield Grill, which will contribute a generous 50 percent of that day's sales. Visit gayalliance.org or pick up a copy of this month's Empty Closet for a full list of participating restaurants.

Do you have a food or restaurant tip for our Chow Hound? Send it to food@rochester-citynews.com.