Gazebo Cafe

Gazebo Cafe

After an hour drive from Halifax to our waterside resort, we needed a quick little lunch. Not wanting to eat at one of the resort properties quite yet, we took the fifteen minute drive to the picturesque town of Mahone Bay. At the visitors' center, they recommended a spot just down the street. Sadly, it was out of business, but nearby was the Gazebo Cafe. It was a bit tricky getting a table for nine, but after a short wait, we were able to get a table.

I wasn't that hungry, so I passed on the tasty looking mussels and seafood chowder. Not being a fan of crustaceans (as loyal readers know), I also passed on the lobster roll. Others in my party had all of the previous and came back with great review.

I, however, went with the BLT sandwich. Not bad, but served rather plain (no chips, fries, salad or even a pickle).

So, rating on the BLT, it's a bit low, so I recommend sticking with the seafood options.

Meal: Lunch
Date Visited: 17 August 2010
Rating: ***
Address: South Main Street, Mahone Bay, Nova Scotia, B0J 2E0, Canada
Website: N/A

As You Like It, or, What You Will

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Originally uploaded by martin_kalfatovic

As You Like It

Sometimes you just want a good, quick, deli sandwich. Heading out on the streets of Halifax, there it was, "As You Like It".

Did I like it? Yup. I got the chicken salad sandwich on whole wheat. Served with a cranberry dressing (interesting touch), I added a package of poutine flavored chips.

Fast service and probably a popular lunch spot for office workers.

Meal: Lunch
Date Visited: 16 August 2010
Rating: ****
Address: 1660 Hollis St Halifax, NS , B3J1V7
Website: N/A

Observatory Cafe, Royal Botanic Gardens, Victoria

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Originally uploaded by martin_kalfatovic

Observatory Cafe

I was stopping by the Royal Botanic Garden in Melbourne and because our appointment wasn't til later in the day, we decided to have a bit of lunch before hand.

The Observatory Cafe, located by the old observatory buildings had a great selection of food. I went with the tandoori chicken wrap which was quite tasty. We sat outside and were soon surrounded by Indian mynah birds wanting a treat.

Meal: Lunch
Date Visited: 31 May 2010
Rating: ****
Address: Royal Botanic Gardens Birdwood Ave., South Yarra VIC 3141
Website: http://www.observatorycafe.com.au/

To die for at the Mercadão: Tigrão Lanchonete

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Originally uploaded by martin_kalfatovic

Tigrão Lanchonete

On a day off, I took the subway up to the Mercado Municipal. I was expecting something amazing, but it was even bigger and full of more interesting foods than I thought.

The fruit rows had a wide selection of things I'd never seen before, as well as crates of pineapples, papayas, and bananas. The smell on those aisles was simply intoxicating!

In the meat areas, the most interesting shop was the one devoted to the "rest of the animal". No chops, steaks, or even legs. Just organs, feet, heads, faces, you name it.

In the fish rows, huge fish I'd never seen or heard off, both salt as well as freshwater.
Working up an appetite, I had the famed Mortadella sandwich from Lanchonete Tigrão. Huge mounds of mortadella, cheese, and sun dried tomatoes piled high on bread and served warm.

Meal: Lunch

Date Visited: 6 February 2010

Rating: ****

Address: Mercado Municipal, Rua da Cantareira, 306 – Sé, São Paulo, SP, 01024-000

Website: http://www.mercadomunicipal.com.br/ (site for the entire Mercado)

Flat Patties: Shredded Pork!

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Originally uploaded by martin_kalfatovic

Flat Patties

Christmas Eve in Harvard Square, I suddenly had a hankering for kebobs! But it was getting a bit late for lunch and I didn't want to wander around too much, so I ducked into the Garage (a collection of shops, fast food places, not so fast places, restaurants, and a Starbucks.

The corner spot near the Starbucks was a place I hadn't noticed before, Flat Patties. The name sounded interesting and the menu looked good. The main choices seemed to be the burger, but there was also a pork BBQ sandwich. The price was right (cheap), so I got that and a side of slaw.

There was also a small "fixin's bar" with a nice selection of hot peppers and onions.

Not bad for a quick hot sandwich.

Meal: Lunch
Rating: ***
Date: 24 December 2009
Address: 81 Mt. Auburn Street, Cambridge, MA 02138
Website: N/A

Arlington Sandwich recommendations

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Originally uploaded by martin_kalfatovic

Arlington Sandwiches!

Getting a good sandwich is sometimes not as easy as it sounds. How many times are you somewhere when suddenly it hits you that all you really want is a good turkey sandwich with swiss on sourdough bread with a pickle on the side ?

You don't want Potbellies, or Subway, or Au Bon Pain. You don't want to wander into an anoymous food court and try and find a good deli sandwich. What do you do???

Well, if you find yourself in Arlington, Virginia, here are three suggestions; two are in the northern part of the county along the Wilson Boulevard corridor, and the third is in south Arlington, in the Village of Shirlington.

Earl's
Earl's resides in an unassuming storefront that's seen a couple of different sandwich places over the years. I really hope that Earl's is here to stay, however!

There's not much by way of seating, so it's best to go on the off hours or be prepared to carry out.

What makes Earl's great? Fresh roasted meat. You won't get something out of plastic or shipped in from somewhere. Earl's fresh roasts their turkey, beef, and pork daily. And it pays off in the taste of the sandwiches. Try one of their signature sandwiches, or make up your own. On this visit, I had the Turkey Cranberry (Freshly roasted turkey breast served on a toasted honey wheat bread cranberry mayonnaise and lettuce). Nothing like the taste of fresh turkey (unless its pork or beef!).

Earl's also serves soups and salads. A real winner!

Euro Market / Cafe
The Euro Market / Cafe is just what it says, a market and a cafe. In the same location now for a number of years, the always friendly staff hails from Mongolia. Offering a nice selection of sandwiches and other choices, Euro Market / Cafe is known around our house as the "Jelly bean store" for it's amazing selection of gummy candies!

If you want to take advantage of the "market" portion of the establishment, you can get a variety of imported goods as well as a nice selection of wines.

Try the chicken salad sandwich!

Seating inside is basic but comfortable and there are also a few outdoor seats. And free wifi! An added bonus, it's one of the few places open on Christmas and Thanksgiving if you need to escape the house.

Best Buns
Part of the "Great American Restaurants" group, Best Buns is adjacent to The Carlyle.Primarily a bakery, with a fabulous selection of tasty treats. Best Buns also offers up some nice sandwiches made on their baked in-house breads.

On this visit, I was feeling in the mood for something spicy and went with the salami and cheese on a long roll. A goodly amount of meat and a tasty bread. What more could you want.

Come for the buns, stay for the sandwich.


Earl's
Meal: Lunch
Rating: *****
Date: 20 June 2009
Address: 2605 Wilson Blvd., Arlington, VA 22201-3817
Website: http://www.earlsinarlington.com

Euro Market / Cafe
Meal: Lunch
Rating: ****
Date: 31 May 2009
Address: 2201 Wilson Blvd., Arlington, VA 22201-3323
Website: http://www.eurocafemarket.com

Best Buns
Meal: Lunch
Rating: ****
Date: 13 September 2009
Address: 4010 Campbell Ave., Arlington, VA 22206
Website: http://www.greatamericanrestaurants.com