New in Sarasota: Comptoir: The Counter Café Replacing Shelf Indulgence

SARASOTA, FL — Comptoir: The Counter Café, a new French-inspired daytime café from owner and chef Gregory Desvenain and co-owner Cemantha Crain, is coming to 2805 N Tamiami Trl Sarasota, FL 34234, Crain told Business Debut in a recent phone interview.

What to Expect

Crain shared that they are replacing the popular Shelf Indulgence Used Book Cafe. Comptoir is aiming to provide a community oriented French cafe experience in the place of the bookstore and serve the nearby students at Ringling College.

Comptoir will blend counter ordering and table service. Guests can order at the counter or sit, review the menu, and then place orders. Crain said online ordering with counter pickup will serve nearby arts groups, Ringling faculty, and students.

Menu and Vision

Desvenain, who is French, is shaping the menu around dishes and trends he's observed on recent trips home to France. A close friend of Desvenain's has operated a café near the Eiffel Tower for many years, which has influenced his approach.

The café will open as a daytime concept with pastries, viennoiserie, desserts, coffee, smoothies, crepes, paninis, quiche, soup, and salad, Crain said. Desvenain plans to introduce specialties that he does not often see in Sarasota French cafes and bakeries.

Desvenain previously worked in wine importing and wants to bring that experience into Comptoir once they've opened and found their footing.

Hours

Comptoir: The Counter Café plans to open daily from 7:30 a.m. — 5:30 p.m.
The cafe is aiming to open in early October, but a date has not been finalized.