It’s not very often that you visit a restaurant where you are perfectly pleased every time you visit. I can honestly say that I have left happy the four times I have went to Cafe Boheme.

Cafe Boheme is owned by family members Mary Lewis, Barbara Lewis, Dominique McCall, and Paul McCall. It has been open over a year and serves lunch, hot and cold gourmet coffee, pastries, desserts, bread, tea, and beer. They also offer free wireless internet for customers who would like to work and enjoy their food and drink.

On my first visit to Cafe Boheme several months ago, the main thing I noticed in contrast to many local coffee shops is how quiet and peaceful of an atmosphere it is. The renovated home it is located in is elegant and gives it an upscale feel. Most of the patrons were either professionals on their lunch break or older, retired people mixed in with a few possible graduate students. The establishment seems to be a better fit for the late twenties and older crowd instead of the college kids.

For my lunch choice that first day I chose the Chicken Curry Salad Sandwich which features chicken in a curry sauce along with red grapes on a croissant bun. I am use to having curry hot in Thai dishes. But I was surprised that I liked curry cold on a chicken sandwich just as much. The red grapes added a sweetness to the sandwich. The specialty coffee I ordered was as excellent as the meal.

Not only was the food great, the service and warmness of the staff was in top form, especially that of co-owner Paul. He genuinely seemed pleased that I chose to come in and went out of his way to make sure I chose a coffee that I would enjoy.

A few weeks later I decided to try Cafe Boheme again after having such a pleasant first experience. Once again, I had no complaints upon leaving. I ordered a chicken sandwich that was a different variety but was unique and delicious. After being there only once before, Paul acted like he remembered who I was and made me the coffee I liked previously.

I have since been back twice and pleased each time. The food is always unusual compared to what you would order anywhere else in town, however it is unusual in a good way. I have never been dissatisfied. The staff is always friendly and seem interested to know that you enjoy what you order. The atmosphere is always relaxing and serene.

Although I have not had a chance to visit on a Saturday, they call Saturdays “Soup Daddy Saturdays” when Paul makes one of his specialty soups for lunch that day.

Currently until September, the lunch menu consists of Bacon, Basil, Bleu cheese & Tomato Sandwich; Chicken Curry Salad Sandwich; Black Bean Summer Salad; Stuffed Zucchini; Cuban Pork Sandwich; Moroccan Carrot Sandwich; Halibut Wrap; and Field Fresh Sandwich. To find out what is being served each day, visit their lunch menu at www.cafebohemehattiesburg.com.

If you plan on visiting sometime other than lunch time, Cafe Boheme offers cappuccino, latte, frio’s, expresso, americano, mocha, valencia, smoothies, and beer along with a variety of desserts, pastries, and breads.

Cafe Boheme is located at 1605 Hardy Street in Hattiesburg across from the Hattiesburg Zoo. During the summer, it is open from 7:00 a.m.-7:00 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and from 8:00 a.m.-7:00 p.m. on Saturday. It is closed on Monday and Sunday. They can be reached at (601) 544-2999.