A former bookstore and cafe on Sarasota’s North Trail will soon be replaced by another cafe-style restaurant, this one centered on French cuisine.
Comptoir — The Counter Café will open Monday, Oct. 5, at 2805 N. Tamiami Trail, in the former space of Shelf Indulgence Used Book Cafe. It is in the same Indian Beach Plaza as fellow restaurant Olive Eats, a couple of doors from The Mable Bar & Grill, and across the street from Ringling College of Art & Design.
The new business is co-owned by Cemantha Crain and Gregory Desvenain, who previously worked at the Lakewood Ranch location of downtown Sarasota French restaurant C’est La Vie. Desvenain is from France, taking inspiration for Comptoir from his recent travels and culinary experiences there…