EAT Everyday: 3 Days, 3 Sandwiches

Sunday, May 9, 2010

3 Days, 3 Sandwiches

I love sandwiches, such a nice simple food. I had three equally delicious but different sandwiches for lunch on 3 consecutive days. It's hard for me to pick a favorite, what's yours?

On Saturday, after my board meeting in Rosemead, I had a banh mi with ham, meatloaf and headcheese from Banh Mi Che Cali, which is a small Vietnamese chain in LA and Canada. I am still a banh mi novice, but they are so tasty; I love the combination of the freshly baked baguette that is just a little crispy on the crust, but nice and chewy in the middle, with the different meats: the simple ham, slightly more complex and salami-like meatloaf, and the rich pate-like headcheese, contrasted with the crunch of the lightly picked vegetables and cilantro. I like to add some hoisin and sriracha for a little heat and sweetness. At 3 banh mis for $5 dollars ($1.67 each), where else can you find a better deal?? One sandwich is perfectly filling for me. I also had a nice vietnamese iced coffee that had me buzzing after; I always forget how strong the coffee is. Banh Mi Che Cali is my current favorite; I think they are more generous with the meat and filling than at Saigon's Sandwich and Bakery, which is the only other banh mi place in LA that I've been too. I like Baoguette in the West Village, a small (upscale) chain in NYC, but for $5 for just one sandwich, I feel a little indignant, but then again, it's the West Village. I need to check out Banh Mi My Tho in LA next and I will report back.
On Friday, after stop at Maxfields to check out the competition (Jen is a buyer for one of their larger and much better competitors), we had lunch at Urth Caffe on Melrose. I had the portobello with pesto panini with their moroccan mint boba iced tea and J. had a tostada. I like Urth Caffe a lot; the food is tasty and fresh, and there is always nice people watching out on the patio. It's definitely a nice place to take out-of-towners for a nice leisurely lunch outside on nice sunny days, like Friday. The only reason that I don't go more often is that I find it expensive. I can never get out of there for less than $20 for lunch. Their portion sizes are ample and often include a nice side salad and I usually have to take home half of my lunch, but I still find it overpriced.
On Thursday, I made my own panini at home out of leftover scraps from the fridge: a panini with fresh mozzerella, proscuitto and basil from my basil plant, drizzled with a little balsamic vinegar and seasoned with just a little salt and pepper. It was so simple, but sooo good; the salty meatiness of the proscuitto combined with the mild gooey mozzerella and freshness of the basil, with a little tang from the balsamic vinegar and the crispness from my panini maker (thanks Janice!). So tasty and no more leftover scraps!