Rave Review for New Gourmand Delicatessen

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• Published on Saturday, 28 April 2012 14:27
• By Lumina N. Schafrath

Today something stopped me dead in my tracks and distracted me from missing the comforts of home: the new “Gourmand Delicatessen.” This corner bakery/cafe/store has it all.

Welcoming servers are just the beginning to an all around great experience. Stepping into the establishment is like walking into a delightful other world. The ceiling are extra tall, making the whole place seem endless, bright, and open. All the breads, sauces, and pickles are made in house, which is also where the meats are cured and the herbs are growing in the window sills.

Everything from salt blends to home-made mustard, sauerkraut, artisan cheeses, and pickles are available for take home. It seemed that every detail was accounted for. A fresh sprig of mint decorates every sturdy wooden table. The coffee is served from a french press (my favorite).

And then the list of sandwiches. Each option offered something for everyone, from vegetarians to meat connoisseurs. We decided to split a Reuben, and I knew, even before I sunk my anxious teeth into it, that this was a sandwich to write home about. The bread was so perfectly grand. From the size to the texture and, of course, the flavor. It was a sizable blend of sauerkraut, corned beef, Swiss cheese, “pan de centeno,” and a 5-star mystery sauce, all perfectly warm and toasted.

It spun me into a sea of bliss, and when I came out of my euphoric haze, I wondered, “Where am I?” Even the side salad was unlike anything I had ever eaten, and yet dazzled my senses to no end.

Gourmand Delicatessen, which opened at the beginning of April, is under the same ownership as the tapas bar, El Olivo. The deli caters to eat-in or take-out orders of sandwiches, salads, and fresh breads. Gourmand Delicatessen is located at 410A Porfirio Diaz, at the corner of Calle Allende.