Light Lunch,
Artful Chocolate:
Picasso’s Cafe offers quaint surroundings and service


Our weekly lunch bunch was quite refreshing and light, as we drug ourselves away from the stress of finishing the paper two days early and into Picasso’s Cafe where the open windows bathed us in delightful sunlight.

Located beside The Gallery at Racine and Blue Moon Showcase, Picasso’s Cafe has recently been taken over by a family from Indiana, who moved to Wilmington when their daughter was accepted to UNCW.

Conveniently located less than a mile from campus, it was no surprise to see a large group of academics dining at Picasso’s upon our arrival. A table of nine or so professors sipped hot tea and soup, while students gobbled up hot dogs and Italian Sodas.

As we were seated, we scanned the menu of this quaint delicatessen, and within seconds I had already decided the Reuben would be the item I would order for lunch. I love Reubens. And I love it when they’re made with Boar’s Head meats, which is all Picasso’s Cafe offers.

Virginia, feeling a bit stuffy and sneezy, ordered turkey on rye with a cup of homestyle chicken noodle soup. Sue went with the standard roast beef, and we took the publisher a chicken salad crossaint, as he couldn’t attend our weekly meeting. While most delis offer chips with the meal, I was pleased to see other options at Picasso’s. Diners have a choice of potato salad, cole slaw or a Greek salad with their meal. The Greek salad was suiting, adding the needed vegetables for a balanced meal.

While we were all pleased with our food, and not overly stuffed, the real delight came at the end when one of the owners, Sue, dropped off a few of her handmade chocolates. The creamy milk chocolate, gooey caramel and crunchy nuts were definitely bursts of happiness. And the solid milk chocolate purses she makes are hand painted to look vintage, like little ornaments you’d hand on your tree. Who’d a known something so cute could be edible too? And so delicious!

Unlike the chocolates most can buy at a store, Sue has been making hers for quite some time. She even has a business named So Sweet Chocolates which is also operated out of Picasso’s Cafe. Having brought her magic to the south from the midwest, Sue has been featured in Bride magazine and has even had her chocolates featured as a gift in the Oscar’s gift baskets. Pretty impressive. Now she can add official UNCW sponsor to the list, as Sue works with the college to make chocolates to be sold at games and given as gifts to academia sponsors.

Having adjusted well to new surroundings, these savvy business owners have already brought a lot to our community in quite a small span of time. From the support of UNCW and the offerings of Picasso’s Cafe, it’s quite nice to have some refreshing new faces and eats. Be sure to drop in and have a bite to welcome them to the neighborhood.