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| Food for Thought | | Date Created: Feb 07, 2005, 07:59 PM |
I was in the midst of an important discussion with a coworker this morning, when suddenly I found my mind phasing. An image of something totally unrelated to what we were discussing popped into my head. Odd for me, since we were trying to work out an important angle of a problem that had suddenly arisen, and our talk was completely related to what we needed to do to resolve that problem. And in the midst of this discussion, I suddenly could think of nothing else but: a Tuna Cheddar Sandwich.
It popped in. Popped out. More discussion of work-related stuff. More trying to work out the problem. Then again: Tuna Cheddar Sandwich.
I felt a little guilty about this, as I was no longer truly or intently listening to my coworker's rant about the type of solutions we'd have to apply to the situation. I was busy trying to figure out if I was going to order the Tuna Cheddar Sandwich, or actually try the Turkey Alfredo this time. Both were sandwiches that were available at an eatery I'd recently discovered, which was merely a block and a half away from the office. A cozy little spot called, well, Cosi.
I'd have said it was hunger talking, except I'd had enough time this morning to have had an actual sit-down breakfast. So it couldn't have been that. We were more than an hour or so away from lunchtime, and usually I can never figure out what it is I feel like eating. In fact, I never even think about food at all. Not ever like this. Only when I get hungry. But today, it came, as they say, in a vision.
I'd only discovered the sandwich itself less than a week ago. I'd grown tired of the usual places I'd been to for lunch, and so I strolled down Park Avenue in search of something... tastier. Something that wasn't greasy or saucy or heavy or...just something different! It then occurred to me that I had enjoyed a certain tuna sandwich from an artsy looking place called "Cosi" when we'd had dinner with friends after a movie. So I soon found myself ambling on over to the Cosi shop, looking over their varied menu and almost settling for the aforementioned Turkey Alfredo sandwich, when I caught a glimpse of the Tuna Cheddar description on the board. When I was growing up, the idea of mixing Tuna fish and Cheddar cheese would have been disgusting to me. However, as an adult, I've found an affinity for trying out "weirder" things, so I thought it sounded kind of tasty. I mean, at the worst, it was Tuna. So I tried it, and I was amazed at a)the size of the sandwich, b) the fact that you can get either carrots or chips with it, c) and the taste of the sandwich. At first, I panicked when I saw the guy lay on an unexpected glop of vinagrette all over the sandwich. I happen to like my sandwiches PLAIN. No gloppy messes. I hate anything that drips and soaks and blechhh... But the dressing did not soak through the bread, it actually kind of disappeared and enhanced the flavor of the sandwich! When I tasted the thing, I thought it was so good, I found myself going back there the next day (though asking for much less of the glop). And now, on the next workday after that, I've returned yet again. It's become a habit! I guess this means that when you find something you like, you stick with it, right? And, you know, it feels a lot healthier to be eating this stuff than say, a burger from the nearby Gourmet burger shop. And for the money, the size of the sandwich sure beats those sold at Subway. Cosi has good food.
I don't think I'm having it tomorrow, though. I hope to bring along a half of a pizza I had left over from Sunday's trip to Pizzeria Uno. But this sandwich thing...This Tuna Cheddar sandwich. Wasn't half bad. It totally satisfied my craving and met my expectations. It is perhaps a TAD expensive. But it was Park Avenue, Manhattan. The clientel may seem to be all artsy and yuppie looking, but they are very nice and the place is very comfortable. It's one of those places that I usually walk into and think I'm going to feel instantly depressed because everybody there appears to be "somebody", but what they really are is anywhere from 15-20 years younger than I am! (Sheesh, that was painful to write!). And richer. I mean you have to be to spend 8 bucks on your lunch every day. However, the ambience was very good. Relaxing. And I haven't yet felt out of place. Or depressed. In a way it reminded me of another similar favorite place of mine (and Jen's) called Panera over in Hoboken. This is the kind of place, where, if it weren't so busy in NYC, then you could get a meal, pull up your laptop, and surf the net while you have your lunch. There were plenty of seating areas, and there is wireless access available at some of their chain stores. I happen to like the idea of these cozy little spots where you can actually sit down and not be rushed out or hovered over. Very different from the Diners and Delis that offer food but little else. Imagine Starbucks with food. Or rather, with food that's good for you, and you may get an idea of what it's like at Cosi.
I'm going to have to try something new next time. Maybe the soup. As I said, I'm going to give it a break, as I don't want to overdo it. But it's so nice to have an altertnative place to dine at.
I've had work pop into my mind during lunch before. But I can honestly say, this is one of the few times I remember where lunch popped into my mind during work.
And I'm glad it did.
Here's Cosi's Website. |
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