Former Presto! coffeehouse to reopen this spring

Big Fish Restaurant Group plans to reopen the former Presto! Coffee Bar in Wilmington by early spring, though it will likely operate under a different name and have a slightly different concept.

Big Fish co-founder Eric Sugrue said he initially looked at some well-known Delaware businesses to take over the coffeehouse and gourmet take-out. The eatery at the corner of 12th and Washington streets operated from 2006 to 2014.

"We spent a lot of time and effort finding the right partner, and we couldn't make it happen," he said. "We have decided to do it ourselves."

Sugrue said he expects a plan in place by January for the concept that will incorporate coffee as well as healthy food options. 

This past June, the Rehoboth Beach-based company, which operates the Big Fish Grill chain and other eateries, bought the site, along with the adjoining Washington Street Ale House, Mikimotos Asian Grill and Sushi Bar, and Rehoboth's Stingray Sushi Bar + Asian Latino Grill from the estate of the late restaurant owner Darius Mansoory. The amount was not disclosed.

Mansoory's family was looking to sell the properties after the 52-year-old died suddenly of cardiac arrest while on vacation in Cuba in December 2016.

Shortly before his death, Mansoory told The News Journal he had big plans for his restaurants, including Presto!

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"I'm just now getting back into work full time and have my plate full fine-tuning Mikimotos and the Ale House," he wrote in a text message sent in October 2016.

"June 4, 2017, will be the 20-year anniversary of the Ale House, and I definitely will have Presto! open and everything else running razor sharp as we celebrate that milestone."

Sugrue said the interior of the former Presto! site will be renovated. He said the business, which will likely be open by 6:30 a.m., will serve "a good, quality coffee."

But it also will offer nutritional items, such as freshly squeezed juices, smoothies, and different "wellness items," including acai along with grains, fresh vegetables and other fruits.

He said the menu will be completely different than both the Ale House and Mikimotos, the Asian eatery on Washington Street.  

The name for the site has not yet been decided. 

Sugrue said the eatery will probably only serve breakfast and lunch, but it could stay open later.

Big Fish Restaurant Group was founded in 1996. Its flagship Big Fish Grill on Rehoboth's Del. 1. opened in April 1997. The company operates several other restaurants including Trolley Square Oyster House in Wilmington's Trolley Square and Salt Air in Rehoboth.

Sugrue said Big Fish recently sold its interest in Bella Coast Italian Kitchen & Market at 2530 Concord Pike in Brandywine Hundred to Bob Ciprietti, owner of several Touch of Italy locations. Sugrue said Big Fish is continuing to manage the site. The name has not changed.

Taking over the old Presto! site is the first time the restaurant group will be opening a coffeehouse. Sugrue said he isn't ruling out repeating the concept.

"I'm not against it, if it works. We hope it's so well received we have to do another location somewhere," he said.

Contact Patricia Talorico at (302) 324-2861 or ptalorico@delawareonline.com and on Twitter @pattytalorico