You Say Sandwich, We Say Yeah!

Having recently returned to Rome, I was quickly reminded that sometimes the most simple is the most delicious. By the third bite, this panini sandwich picked up from the Piazza Barberini neighbourhood interrupted my thoughts with " Good Lord, this sandwich is awesome !" Taking a photo so that I may remember for possible replication here at home, this sandwich was most straightforward: a very seedy fresh wholegrain bread, Italian salami, oven-roasted yellow bell pepper, soft mozzarella, and arugula. I'm seduced by the mystery of Italy, and how everything tasted so amazing there ... is it the freshness of the olive oil? Absolutely wonderful.

Tired, nay, unwilling to wait in the ridiculously long line up at Tim Horton's after clearing security at Pearson's, I stood in line with all the other early morning commuters until I realized the line had stopped moving some minutes ago. With an express line for those only getting beverages, the cashiers serving us hungry bastards had been a standstill, and I left with only a few minutes until boarding time. This produced a rushed decision, and this egg salad with spinach seemed like the most appropriate alternate option to a breakfast bagel. With a seeded bread, the egg salad was nothing to write home about, and I appreciated the spinach, but I do wonder why only the Brits put watercress in their sandwiches. Can we not follow suit? It's probably the best thing the Brits have ever done, so instead of having the Queen on our money, can we just have watercress in our sandwiches?

Irresistible to a smoked meat sandwich, I got one to go from Avenue Diner on Camden Street. Generous in proportion, and kept in a hot steamer for extra moisture, the flavours were not as deep as I would have hoped, but the double mustard gets it an extra point. Coming in at around seven dollars, it's one of the most expensive items at the diner, and one of the cheapest smoked meat sandwiches I have ever had.

How quickly the Winnipeg Airport has risen in its stature as having one of the crummiest food options to one of the best with a Stella's right before security. While locals in know have turned cold to Stella's franchise like empire, I still love visiting any one of their chains, including the one at the airport. I mean, this is an airport sandwich! Freshly made breakfast sandwich with a side of fruit and a cup of Earl Grey. Hate on, haters, but this is still one of the best airport options anywhere. [Since this original post, more information has been shared about Stella's owners and business practices. We have not supported their businesses since at least 2017. We leave this and other related posts up as a reminder that bad behaviour will not be forgotten and will not be supported, no matter how good your sandwiches tasted!

After a disappointing breakfast wrap from Le Gourmand, I opted for one of their big ham and cheese sandwiches, not trusting the same counter from which I got my wrap. The bread here is the clear winner, along with all of Le Gourmand's baked goods. The ham was fresh, the chedddar cheese freshly and thickly sliced, and how odd that it is cheddar! What could be a standard sandwich was elevated with their bread and a palpable layer of salty butter, and this ham and cheese was the perfect post-meeting treat to bring me back to life.

Going from one meeting to a lecture between the 4:30 - 6:30 p.m. time frame, I stopped in at Brazil Bakery on Dundas for one of their ready-made sandwiches. Choosing the patanisca (codfish cake) over the fish filet, even though the filet had a heft to it, I thoroughly enjoyed the codfish, which was not overly salty, and kept its flaked integrity in the generous mixture that was as big as the bun it came on. I actually ate it over two sittings, one right before the talk, and eating the remainder later at home.

I don't know why I keep finding myself on Ossington, but I do, and passing through I stopped in at Venezia Bakery for a snack during my wander. At first just perusing, I saw that they offered a hot veal sandwich, with the veal not breaded and in a mixture of roasted peppers and onions. I ordered one up, along with a petite custard tart, and waited. The sandwich was finished off in the microwave, which is not a good sign, but it came on a fresh crusty bun, and I am a sucker for a fresh crusty bun. The flavour of the sandwich itself was more peppers than anything else. Moist and not too salty, I don't think I would get this number again, but I will gladly stop in to Venezia for one of the baked goods and enjoy the view.