The French Press Eatery was sort of the little brother of the Frog & Turtle restaurant when it opened on Main Street last fall.

The French Press’ role has been to serve coffee, breakfast and lunch to the daytime crowd. The Frog & Turtle, a gastro pub around the corner on Bridge Street, serves dinner in the evenings.

But now The French Press, run by Andre Tranchemontagne, the younger brother of the Frog & Turtle’s chef, James Tranchemontagne, has developed its own full-grown identity.

The French Press will continue to serve breakfast and lunch, but next week, starting Tuesday, July 13, it also will be open in the evenings serving dinner.

And coffee will no longer be the strongest tipple at The French Press – the eatery recently won approval from the city for a liquor license and has installed a full bar.

“It will be a place where you can truly hang out,” James Tranchemontagne said.

The French Press – the name comes from a method of making coffee – has been open Monday through Saturday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. But Andre Tranchemontagne, manager and bartender of The French Press, said its new hours will be 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Wednesday and 8 a.m. until 9 p.m. Thursday through Saturday.

And The French Press will have its own distinct type of food, the brothers said. Andre described the French Press, which also features pinball machines, as an “eclectic diner.”

James Tranchemontagne explained that The French Press will focus on classic fare – “simple food that people really love.”

For example, he said, offerings will include chicken fried steak, prime rib and hot dogs. The sandwich menu now offered at lunch will also be available during the evening, he said.

James Tranchemontagne, formerly of Uffa! In Portland, said the aim at The French Press is to keep prices low, under $20. “It will be a little easier on the wallet,” he said.

Michelle Flaherty Philbrook, president of the Westbrook Community Chamber, was excited this week to learn about the expanded hours of The French Press.

“I think that’s great,” she said. “Not only is their food delicious but they add great curb appeal to Main Street and Bridge Street.”

The French Press has become a place for the chamber to hold breakfast meetings for its members, she said.

“James has fried up the doughnuts for us. It’s been great,” she said.

Philbrook is referring to the signature cake doughnuts The French Press serves.

James and Andre said it’s the same family doughnut recipe that their mother used to make when the six Tranchemontagne brothers were growing up in Sanford.

“We only got them when we were really good,” recalled Andre Tranchemontagne, who when he’s not working in the restaurant plays drums in the Portland alternative rock band, Pinsky. “With six boys, that was few and far between.”

There is more than good food to like at The French Press. That eatery and the Frog & Turtle, which opened three years ago, are also focused on being environmentally friendly.

James Tranchemontagne said the goal is to recycle all the restaurants’ waste by 2011. They’re already on their way, the brothers said, recycling everything from cooking oil to paper products.

But they also hope to find a local farmer who will agree to take their food waste to compost and then use that compost to grow fresh vegetables the restaurants will use.

Philbrook described the Tranchemontagnes, who are co-owners along with James’ wife Heidi in the Frog & Turtle and The French Press, as “good members of the business community.”

James Tranchemontagne said the new version of The French Press will be good for the local economy. He expects to add at least four jobs with the new hours, and then more jobs when The French Press opens an outdoor courtyard behind the restaurant that will be accessible to patrons using the River Walk trail in Riverbank Park.

He had hoped to open the courtyard this summer but said a delay in getting city approval for his project now means the courtyard probably will have to wait until next summer.

The French Press also strives to play a role in the Westbrook community as a whole.

For example, one wall of the eatery is devoted to a display of the artwork of local schoolchildren. Another wall is for other local artists to display their work.

James Tranchemontagne said he and his wife and brother are very committed to Westbrook.

“To me, it’s just such a great little town,” he said. “Everyone has a driveway and a yard, and the river runs through it. It’s just unreal.”