Gotta admit, I was doubtful when the neon-colored soup appeared at my table.

Broccoli cheese usually looks white and creamy, not like an Irish flag in bright orange and green.

But I'd thrown myself on the mercy of co-owner Will Hall, who was taking our lunch orders at newly opened Willy Beans coffee shop and cafe on Lincoln Street in Lewiston.

In the short, 24-second interchange we'd had, he'd inspired my implicit trust in his gustatory judgment. I'd walked up to the counter indecisive. Did I want the gyro? A salad? Soup? Will looked at me a long moment. "You look pretty healthy," he said, and recommended half a Border Turkey Wrap (pepper jack, turkey, lettuce and salsa sour cream in a garlic herb wrap) and some soup, of which the broccoli and cheese was the best. I'd simply nodded. "OK, sounds good."

And then there it was before me, in all its orange glory. My heart sank to the floor. I liked this place, so far. Great atmosphere, with soulful music and art on the walls. There are also plans in the works for live entertainment, which will make for yet another (much needed, in my opinion) place to go at night in downtown Lewiston. Great smells - food and that hypnotic coffee scent. Delectable-looking sweets. I really, really wanted to like the food, too. But orange broccoli-cheese soup?

I dipped my spoon in and tasted, expecting ... I don't know what. And oh goodness - tasted again. It was good. Really, really good. Spicy, I think - garlic, maybe? The cheese might have looked on the orange side, but it tasted amazing. It was a huge bowl of soup, and it was so good I attempted to ration it, eating it as slowly as possible so it would last for the entire work-meeting that brought us to Willy Beans. It didn't exactly work.

My sandwich was good, too - although I wasn't quite so fond of it as I was the soup. It was spicy and fresh tasting - but not a standout.

The folks I was eating with positively raved about their sandwiches. Among us, we tried five sandwiches, a soup and several kinds of salad. Here's a taste:

"My panini was yummy...Italian Grilled Cheese. The spread (roasted garlic peppercorn) is what set it apart. It imparted just the right flavor to enhance the cheese and chicken. The potato salad was good, too, and I liked that they cared enough to present it on a bed of shredded cabbage. Coffee was good too (Willy Bean Breakfast blend). Subtle, but flavorful...the caffeine gives you the kick, rather than the bean," said one.

"I had the chicken BBQ panini, which was really good," said another. "Definitely in its favor: BBQ can be sooo messy and this wasn't at all. Tasty without a drop getting on me. Also liked how the panini was grilled without gobs of butter (maybe even no butter.) It felt healthier. The pasta salad was neutral, not great, not awful," said another.

And another, "I had the Chicken Parisien panini. It was very, very good. The sauce was excellent, the sandwich not too stuffed with food, the bread soft but grilled. Oh, and the potato salad was great, too. I'd definitely go back."

"Veggie Panini was good. The bread was great, and the combination of veggies and sauce was delish."

As for me, I liked the soup well enough I'd buy a gallon of it to take home, if they sold those sizes. Sandwich-wise, I want to try the Texas Ranch Chicken (comes with guacamole) or the Gyro. I was happy to learn, through our very own Carol Coultas, that Beans' co-owner Michael Lemieux is a cardiologist who puts great stock into making healthy food, and I feel confident whatever I order will be made with that in mind.

Either way, I'm real happy. On top of liking the place, I can give it, unabashedly and with utter and complete confidence, two thumbs up.

What: Willy Beans Coffee (and cafe)

Where: 70 Lincoln St. first floor, Lewiston

When: Open 7 a.m.-9 p.m., every day except Sunday

Why: Great sandwiches, soups and, of course, coffee

Price range: $3.75 for soup; $6.25 for all sandwiches (with a side). Coffee starts at $1.60.