If you've ever wondered what might happen if a James Beard-nominated hospitality group opened a low-key sandwich shop, wonder no more. Enter Abramzon and David's Delicatesse. From the culinary minds behind Heirloom Kitchen, Lita, and Judy & Harry's, this unassuming spot offers a highbrow take on sandwich classics like the Tuna Melt, Meatball Parm, and Italian Beef.
In addition to their standard menu, Abramzon and David regularly feature rotating specials and pop-ups from notable chefs. This review is about one of those. After an hour-long wait, I finally got my hands on Nini Nguyen's chicken bánh mì. With bread flown in from New Orleans' famed Dong Phuong bakery--crackly on the outside, pillowy on the inside--plus lemongrass-marinated chicken, crisp pickled veggies, mayo, and a hit of sambal, one bite instantly transported me back to my twenty-something expat days in Hanoi. Yes, it was $18, but for a sandwich that evoked that kind of nostalgia and flavor, it was worth every penny.
To wash it down, I grabbed a glass of their iced Banana Bread Chai. If banana bread were a drink, this would be it; comforting, spiced, and borderline addictive. At $6 a glass, falling for their coffee program could become a dangerously delicious habit.
Sure, this isn't your everyday lunch spot, but it's good to know that when the craving hits, I can swing by, splurge a little, and let my taste buds take a little vacation. read more