The Soup Spoon Cafe, located on the east side of Lansing at 1419 E. Michigan Ave., presents upscale cuisine in a casual, coffee-shop atmosphere.

With jazz music softly resonating throughout the store and paintings hanging on the wall, the little touches make for a cozy and welcoming ambiance.

“It’s not just your run-of-the-mill,” Gavrilides said. “It’s not your regular experience.”

As customers walk in, greeted by warm, bright colors and the scent of fresh-cut flowers, Gavrilides said he and his staff attempt to talk to every customer and find out the little details of their lives.

Many of the regulars that come in love the Soup Spoon Cafe for that reason. Lansing resident Doug Johnson, who said he usually comes in for breakfast one or two times a week, said the food and the people keep him coming back.

“It’s a casual atmosphere, and it’s obvious that all kinds of people are welcome here,” Johnson said.

“The servers and the staff are very professional and make me feel at home.”

Johnson said his favorite dish is the North Eastern, an omelet containing crab, basil cream sauce and green onions, along with other ingredients. He said he also loves the seafood chowder, which has a little bit of zing, he added.

“For a place in Lansing, a lot of their dishes have little touches that are unusual for this area,” he said. “All the food seems quite individual and kind of unique.”

Some customers wish they could stop by more than just once or twice a month. Lansing resident David Votta said he wishes it was closer to his work so he could walk, but instead, he likes to treat himself every once in a while and will drive over to enjoy one of Gavrilides’ freshly made selections.

“The quality of the food is exceptional,” said Votta, whose favorite meal combination consists of seafood chowder and a tuna melt. “Dishes that you would see on a lot of restaurant menus are prepared with a bit of flare and fresh ingredients.”

Having traveled to a wide range of cities, Votta said the Soup Spoon Cafe is as good of a deal as one is going to find in any big city.

“You won’t find a lunch like this at this price anywhere,” Votta said.

But Gavrilides said another draw aside from the friendly atmosphere and the price is that many of those that supply the ingredients are Michigan companies and providers.

The Soup Spoon Cafe, for example, uses Rudy Baggs coffee, Breadsmith breads, local maple syrup manufacturers and locally grown groceries.

“Our motto is, ‘Friends don’t let friends eat at chain restaurants,’” Gavrilides said.

The Soup Spoon Cafe, open 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday and 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, offers a full range of pasta and seafood, different kind of eggs Benedict, omelets topped with a handmade sauce and stacked French toast, just to name a few of the dishes. Gavrilides said six soups are created daily: four soup du jours, chowder and French onion.

“What makes it unique is all the little touches and the garnishes,” Gavrilides said.

Gavrilides said he simply aims to give a unique experience and delicious, fresh food.

“We’re cook nerds and kitchen dorks. We love to make food,” Gavrilides said. “We really care about the food. That’s what sets us apart.”