Monday, January 28, 2008

Fun Playing with Lunch at Appetite

My business office is located near the intersection of Mayfield and Richmond Roads, in Lyndhurst Ohio. Lyndhurst is a small town sandwiched (you should pardon the expression) between Euclid to the West and Mayfield Heights to the East.

For years, 5143 Mayfield Road, a short walk from the office, held Broadway Bagels. Broadway Bagels, in three or four locations, brought a taste of a New York Bagel Store to the East Side of Cleveland. For whatever reasons, however, the Bagel Stores became run down, and one by one they closed (except for the Solon location, which was sold to several former employees and continues making delightful bagels as "D&R Bagels").

My office-mates and I had stopped patronizing the Mayfield Road bagel store, because, shall we say, it just ran down a little too far for our tastes.

Then, in the fall of 2006, Bennett Davis, acclaimed CIA-trained pastry chef at Moxie, teamed up with his fellow CIA graduate brother William, to open Appetite in this location. They scrubbed the space from top to bottom, and replaced a lot of the overly worn equipment. In this revived space, they operate a delightful bakery and deli (and also do catering on and off site). We are "regulars" there now, but somehow, I always forgot to bring my camera. Until today!


The Order Counter

Orders may be placed, and are paid for, across from this beautiful Garland range. Note the two pots of house-made soup (todays were Clam Chowder and, I think, Beef Barley). One of my pet peeves about getting soup is that it is never held hot enough - but by keeping the pots directly on the flame, William has it always piping hot at service, and it stays that way long enough to be enjoyed at that temperature all the way to the bottom of the bowl.

After ordering, I wandered down to the bakery section.


EPI Bread

This is my favorite of Bennett's breads.


Focaccia Bread

Today was my first taste of this delicacy - and it was wonderfully good!


White, Wheat and Rye Breads


Pastry Galore!


Cookies

On to the other end of the counter - bowls and bowls of made-from-scratch salads!


Front Left - Macaroni-Pesto; Rear Left - Traditional Macaroni Salad, Rear Right - Traditional Potato Salad, Front Right - Potato Salad with Bacon


Front Left - Pasta Salad with Olives and Salumi, Rear Left - Broccoli/Raisin Salad, Rear Right - Fresh Cole Slaw, Front Right - Cous Cous Salad


Front Left - Greek Salad, Rear Left - Pea & Ham Salad, Right Rear - Fresh Fruit Salad

So - what to choose for lunch? All of the lunch salads - tuna, egg, tofu, chicken, etc. are made in-house. The Roast Beef and Corned Beef are also made in house - and William tells me that house-made Turkey is coming soon!

Will calls himself "The Deli Lama" - and the title is most deserved! Every day, Will creates a lunch special - an original sandwich, choice of side, plus a cookie or pastry. All of this for only $6-$7 - such a deal!

Today's special sounded so good, both Anna and I ordered it - BLT (featuring Applewood Smoked Bacon) on Focaccia Bread.


Lunch Special w/Macaroni Pesto Salad and a Pickle Spear


Lunch Special with Cous Cous Salad (hold the pickle)


Mmmmm - Bacon!

Actually, we were both making very happy, satisfied sounds as we ate these sandwiches - I don't usually like my bacon this crisp, but somehow, it all came together perfectly in taste and texture. And the bread - it was simply heavenly - cheesey, olive-oily and tomatoey - all at the same time.

I enjoyed mine with the house-brewed iced tea, which is also most refreshing and delicious. Anna opted for DDP (Diet Doctor Pepper).

Neither of us finished our dessert - Anna wrapped hers up right at the start:


Cheese Danish

I neglected to get a photo of my Cinnamon Bun before cutting it - Anna was regaling me with tales of how fabulous they are. I don't often get excited about desserts. I appreciate them and eat them - but seldom do they "wow" me. Well, I admit - this "wowed" me - not only was it the best Cinnamon Bun I've ever tasted - it was up there with being one of the best pastries I've ever tasted!


Cinnamon Bun, cut in half

It has gotten to the point where we (and some other folks in this neighborhood, I think) have taken Appetite for granted - it is truly a little gem of a deli holding out against the numerous chains that abound nearby, and also competing with a few very good mom-and-pop type places. If you are in the neighborhood, stop by and give them a try - you'll have fun with real food made by real people and served with a smile.

2 comments:

  1. I just linked to this entry about Appetite, b/c I mentioned them in my post about Lunch today. Check it out.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Thank you for the kudo - great birthday story!

    ReplyDelete