Lunchtime Eats

As much as I would like to be good and bring lunch to work everyday, let’s be honest, I’m not that good.  I thankfully work in an area of the city surrounded by tons of restaurants and bars.  There is never a shortage of places to pick up a meal.

Fridays are typically group lunch days at work.  A few of us will go all in on some sushi or burritos.  The last couple of weeks it’s been pizza from Pizza Rustica.

http://pizzarustica.ca

I’ve had the pleasure of testing 2 different pizzas – The Rustica and the Steak and Gorgonzola.  The Rustica, this restaurant’s signature pizza, was topped with tomato sauce, mozzarella, sun-dried tomatoes, sweet roasted peppers, mushrooms, goat cheese, topped with fresh-cut prosciutto.

The steak and gorgonzola was topped with roasted garlic cream sauce, mozzarella, gorgonzola cheese, seasoned AAA beef tenderloin, broccoli, caramelized onions & mushrooms and turned out to be my new favourite pizza.  

Loved the massive amount of toppings.  No scrimping at this place.  The crust is thin, a little bit crispy. These pizzas are full of flavour.

A second place I decided to try was the Corned Beef House.  I have had a crazy hankering for a roast beef sandwich.  My craving my satisfied fully visiting this restaurant.

http://cornedbeefhouse.com

First off, let me say that the sandwich proportions here are ridiculous.  My sandwich above was size huge.  I cannot imagine was sizes gigantic and colossal look like.  Tender roast beef with mustard on an onion bun.  Simple, classic and delicious.  I’ll be back.  =)

Someone Made It, I Ate It – Havana Style Cafe & Gallery

Perusing Instagram pictures, I came across Havana Style Cafe & Gallery. It is located near my home and I am always looking to try local restaurants so I was excited to go. As well, I was hoping to find a cafe con leche comparable to the many I drank on my visit to Cuba a few years ago. Still to this day, I dream of those coffees.

Memory lane aside, let me show you my experience…

Outside.

Tabletops.

A great place to sit and relax, drink one of these:

Cafe Mocha.

Or perhaps check out some of the art on the wall in the small gallery in the back.

Time to eat.

Cuban sandwich – roasted sliced pork, sliced ham, Swiss cheese, dill pickles, mustard all on pressed Cuban bread.

Tasty, tasty, tasty and super filling. I brought the other half home!

Dessert time!

The Copa Lolita – 2 scoops of ice cream (I went with vanilla, but the other choices include mango, orange, chocolate or strawberry), flan, chocolate syrup and a little whipped cream. Oh, I love flan. And saying flan. Flan, flan, flan.

And now, my cafe con leche.

Freshly brewed and made extra hot before my eyes. It was perfectly creamy and made sweet enough per my specifications. Was not exactly like the ones from my past, but they will do. =)

Someone made it, I ate it – Artisano

I don’t often eat out alone. I feel meals are communal activities. A chance to have a moment in common with people, to share, to enjoy, to bond together. I love having meals with people who like to share their food.

But, there is something brave and liberating about eating alone. I don’t mind eating alone, but I don’t seek it out intentionally. I ate lunch alone this day. I was off from work and took some time to wander around downtown. Of course, lunchtime hit and I was starving. For me to eat alone, I have to feel comfortable in the place I decide to patronize. Of course the food has to be good, but atmosphere plays a huge role.

I am a fan of Artisano Bakery & Cafe. I have written of this place before. Happily, one has opened downtown near King & University. Being in the area, I decided to stop in. I had a relaxed quiet lunch and read a book while I chowed down on this:

Avocado and walnut salad with spinach, arugula, bacon, Gorgonzola cheese and honey Dijon dressing. Alongside, a turkey, Brie and apple sandwich.

I think I might have to order this one more time this week. Super fresh ingredients and tasty! It isn’t so bad eating alone sometimes =)