Sorpreso invites the neighbors to relax and eat fresh fare

    PRESQUE ISLE – Pedestrians strolling down the Star City’s Main Street may have noticed people taking a break at tables outside Café Sorpreso this summer; enjoying a beverage from Presque Isle’s only full espresso bar along with a complimentary cookie.     Since November of 2007, Café Sorpreso has provided their customers an atmosphere to relax and catch up with friends, savor a romantic meal by candlelight or hold a special gathering all while tasting fare unique to their menu.
    Owners Judy and Clif Boudman and Jan and Roger Lucas opened the doors of their restaurant based on their belief that Presque Isle needed a new kind of restaurant experience providing a variety of dishes made fresh to order and, as often as possible, with local ingredients.
    “We are passionately involved with the SAD 1 School Farm project, and use their produce when it is available along with produce from the Friends Helping Friends project in Fort Fairfield,” said Jan Lucas. “We also buy from local growers.”
    Dishes made with local produce have included the daily fresh soups, home made ice creams & desserts and salads. The Café also serves bread made fresh every morning on the premises, and the chefs can prepare a customer’s favorite dish on request.
    Menu items change on a regular basis to reflect the season and people’s continued interest in eating healthier food.
    Lucas likens the restaurant to a “neighborhood café.”
    “We are a growing family,” said Lucas.
    Special functions hosted in the past include an author’s book-signing, business meetings, baby and bridal showers, pharmaceutical program dinners, reunions, weddings and receptions.  The Café also offers a full catering service.
    Most recently, the Café began serving Sunday brunch from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
    Café Sorpreso serves lunch from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesday to Saturday, and dinner from 5 to 8 p.m. on Friday and Saturday. A Web site is currently under construction, but reservations and inquiries can be made by calling 764-1854.