A full month of delicious fun is in store at The French Press, a European-style bakery café that just opened in beautiful Cape Harbour in Cape Coral. The waterfront destination is dishing out events throughout December to satisfy the curiosity and cravings of young and old.   

On Thursday, Dec. 18, artist Deborah Kerr-Conley of the neighboring Harbour View Gallery will lead an artistic gift-making session from 9 – 10 a.m. Space is limited and reservations are required by calling (239) 542-0212. A $15 fee includes materials, coffee and chef’s selection of pastries.

Mark your calendar for the first in the “Evenings at TFP” series, which will begin on Saturday, Dec. 20. From 6 – 8 p.m., enjoy wine, cheese, charcuterie and music. Meet local artist Gretchen Kish Serrano in this laid-back setting, and chat about the inspiration, materials and process behind her work. 

On Sunday, Dec. 21 holiday fashion that is questionable becomes a seasonal sensation! Wear your ugly Christmas sweater, and get a free fresh-baked muffin. 

Then, it’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas…cookies, when The French Press’ youngest customers get a chance to decorate some sweet treats from 6 – 7:30 p.m. on Monday, Dec. 22. 

Finally, it’s time for dessert. Homemade apple pie, pumpkin pie and banana bread will be baked to order for all your holiday entertaining and potlucks. Just reserve yours before Monday, Dec. 22. 

As always, Executive Chef Voisin and the friendly staff of The French Press will be serving up fresh baked pastry, dozens of flavors of handmade gelato, sumptuous crepes, breakfast sandwiches, coffees, salads and more. Visit www.thefrenchpressfl.com for all the info.

The French Press is now open at Cape Harbour

Indulgent gelato, expertly crafted pastry and quality time are among the offerings at the new waterfront European-style bakery café 

The French Press, a beautiful new European-style bakery café, is now open on the idyllic waterfront at Cape Harbour in Cape Coral, offering fine coffee, delectable treats and a much-needed antidote to the pace of modern life.  

With the rise of “grab-and-go” coffee culture in America, many crave an experience that makes the café more a destination than a drive-by. Many customers have already discovered a fresh perspective at The French Press, which is brewing expertly roasted coffee, crafting fresh pastry, serving gourmet breakfast and lunch, and dishing out dozens of flavors of decadent, homemade gelato.

The French Press is located at 5789 Cape Harbour Drive #101 in Cape Coral and is open from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. seven days a week. The café is operated by Executive Chef Benjamin Voisin and his wife Valeria, both of Hoffman Group Holdings, LLC, which recently opened neighboring Fathoms Restaurant & Bar. 

Several varieties of fresh-brewed coffee are served, as are classic coffee drinks like espresso, cappuccino and the namesake French press, along with creative inventions like the Dirty Banana, Snicker Doodle and Filthy Coconut. Smoothies and fine teas are also offered to accompany fresh-baked breakfast staples like bagels and croissants, and egg sandwiches and wraps filled with bacon, sausage, cheese or smoked salmon. 

No Old World-inspired café would be complete without crepes, and The French Press proudly offers a wide array of savory and sweet versions made to order, from Nutella, strawberry and dulce de leche, to classic ham and cheese, veggie and the Norwegian (featuring smoked salmon, herbs, lemon sour cream and capers). The fruits and veggies for the crepes, gelato, smoothies and other specialties arrive daily at The French Press from local growers. 

The friendly staff is always happy to fulfill an order of a dozen fresh-baked croissants and coffee for a quick morale boost among your office staff. However, the elegant, yet cozy ambience at The French Roast is a major draw for those seeking a change of pace or a great new place to meet with friends.

The French Press is currently putting together a calendar of events to include musical performances by local singer-songwriters, book readings, stand-up comedy and events held in association with the other businesses at Cape Harbour, including its neighbor Harbour View Gallery, the only artist-owned co-op gallery in Cape Coral. 

The selection of freshly baked pastry changes daily, and includes eclairs, macarons, pies, banana bread, muffins, cinnamon rolls, cookies and tartlets. Any that remains unsold in any given day is donated to a local charity. 

About Hoffman Group LLC

Timothy and Meredith Hoffman possess extensive project management and hospitality expertise in the Caribbean, having overseen the on-time, on-budget rebuilding of The Green Turtle Club on Abaco after a category 5 hurricane and the renovation and expansion of Montpelier Plantation & Beach on Nevis, which was accepted as a member of the prestigious Relais Chateaux group of luxury hotels. The Hoffmans recently relocated back to the U.S. with their three children and are working to enhance hospitality and dining on the Southwest Coast of Florida, whose charms resembles those of the Bahamas. HGH, LLC counts among its current holdings Fathoms Restaurant & Bar (formerly The Joint) and The French Press, both at beautiful Cape Harbour in Cape Coral, Florida. 

Fathoms’ chef brings a European style coffee café to Cape Harbour

The Run Agrounds coffee shop at Cape Harbour will close on Nov. 6, and reopen on Nov. 11 as a beautiful new European style coffee café under the supervision of Chef Benjamin Voisin of neighboring Fathoms Restaurant & Bar.  

The French Press will offer world-class gourmet coffee, and a much-needed alternative to big chain cafés as a place to meet and unwind. Enjoy light, fresh fare and take in the beautiful surroundings at Cape Harbour, Southwest Florida’s only waterfront shopping destination in Southwest Florida with award-winning art galleries, a luxury spa and salon and extraordinary boutiques. 

Breakfast and lunch will be served, including homemade crepes, pastry such as flaky croissants, salads and baguette sandwiches. Visitors to this elegantly renovated café can enjoy a gelato and stroll over to Fathoms for some live music. The French Press will host its own regular events, too, such as book readings and singer-songwriter performances.  An abbreviated menu of Fathoms’ popular dishes will be available at the café, along with select wines and cheeses. Any of the fresh pastry that is not sold each day will be donated to a local charity that night. 

The remodel that will occur over the few days the café is closed include improvements and updates to the display and counter areas, and a general refresh similar to the one Fathoms underwent in September. Additional seating will also be available in the new French Press, making it a great place to hang out. 

The French Press is the second Southwest Florida venture for international hospitality company Hoffman Group Holdings, LLC since it acquired The Joint, which recently reopened as Fathoms. The company has its sights set on expanding into Fort Myers in 2015. 

About Hoffman Group LLC 

Timothy and Meredith Hoffman possess extensive project management and hospitality expertise in the Caribbean, having overseen the on-time, on-budget rebuilding of The Green Turtle Club on Abaco after a category 5 hurricane and the renovation and expansion of Montpelier Plantation & Beach on Nevis, which was accepted as a member of the prestigious Relais Chateaux group of luxury hotels. The Hoffmans recently relocated back to the U.S. with their three children and are working to enhance hospitality and dining on the Southwest Coast of Florida, whose charms resembles those of the Bahamas. HGH, LLC counts among its current holdings Fathoms (formerly The Joint), the Run Agrounds coffee shop and Longboards Cabana Bar, all located at beautiful Cape Harbour in Cape Coral, Florida.