[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 118 (Thursday, August 5, 2010)]
[Senate]
[Page S6878]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       RECOGNIZING COURTYARD CAFE

 Ms. SNOWE. Mr. President, small businesses are not only the 
lifeblood of our economy, they are often quite literally the heart of 
our neighborhoods and communities. One such business is the Courtyard 
Cafe in the northern Maine town of Houlton, which is at the top end of 
Interstate 95 in the United States. Houlton is the county government 
seat for Aroostook County--the largest east of the Mississippi River 
geographically--and it serves as a major border crossing with our 
State's largest trade partner, Canada.
  Yet, despite Houlton's critical role in international commerce, it is 
at its core a prime example of small town America. And although 
downtowns across America, including Houlton, have been suffering over 
the past several years, people like Joyce and Henry Transue, the owners 
of Courtyard Cafe, have stepped forward to help revitalize these 
regions by opening small businesses that bring new customers and 
increases revenues to downtown stores. In recognition of their efforts, 
today I honor Courtyard Cafe and its owners for the tremendous work 
they have done to bring their world-class dining establishment to 
Houlton.
  The Courtyard Cafe got its start over a decade ago, when Chef Joyce 
Transue and her husband Henry opened the quaint restaurant on Main 
Street in downtown Houlton. But the restaurant's origins date back to 
1993, when Chef Transue began small catering business that she called 
the Traveling Gourmet. This operation allowed Chef Transue to merge her 
passion for cooking with her zeal for beautiful presentation and 
exceptional hospitality. The Courtyard Cafe continues this tradition as 
Chef Transue offers her catering services to local clients either at 
the restaurant or at a location of their choosing.
  The Courtyard Cafe has quickly earned a reputation for fresh and 
exciting meals prepared with tremendous skill and attention. Given the 
abundance of local fruits and vegetables in Aroostook County, most 
notable potatoes, Chef Transue takes painstaking efforts to carefully 
incorporate these items into her divergent menu options, while also 
utilizing other items such as farm-fresh eggs and locally produced 
maple syrup. All breads, salad dressings, and desserts are homemade at 
the Courtyard Cafe, and the restaurant sells its famed Raspberry 
Vinaigrette, Greek, and White Wine Vinaigrette salad dressings to 
customers in store or online thanks to a small manufacturing grant she 
accessed through the Northern Maine Development Center.
  The restaurant offers delicious and affordable lunch dishes, and 
provides fresh seafood, poultry, and meat dishes for its dinner 
entrees. Desserts made from scratch include seasonal fruit crisp, 
cheesecake, and tiramisu. In addition, guests can sit at the newly 
renovated Garden Bar for a more casual dining option. As a truly hands-
on owner, Chef Transue takes her craft seriously, and can always be 
seen in the kitchen arranging meals for customers, starting early in 
the morning preparing fresh sauces and soups for the day ahead. She has 
certainly succeeded in providing clients with a small, intimate 
restaurant tailored to producing exquisite gourmet food in a 
comfortable setting and relaxing atmosphere.
  The Courtyard Cafe has rightfully gained recognition as an upscale 
dining destination, with customers travelling from as far away as 
Presque Isle and beyond just to enjoy the delicious meals prepared by 
Chef Joyce Transue. Her dedication and enthusiasm for culinary 
excellence have been exemplary, and I wish her and everyone at the 
Courtyard Cafe continued success in their delectable endeavors.

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