I was having one of those mornings. Mercury Retrograde was kicking my a$$ and I was feeling overwhelmed by work chaos.
As a Taurus Moon, I felt the need to soothe myself with good food. I decided to treat myself to lunch. But where? As a woman in my mid-40s, I can't eat crazy heavy lunches anymore. A burger would put me to sleep. And it's 90 degrees outside and something like pho just sounds too hot.
I saw Marla SR, a bakery with light breakfast and lunch I had been meaning to check out. It was decided, and off I went.
When I walked in, I was still discombobulated by my day, and I looked at the menu confused. Luckily the woman behind the counter pointed out that they have a bigger menu on paper.
There were many yummy things, but I went with the breakfast sandwich on an english muffin, and a Cafe au Lait.
When the sandwich came, it was a thing of beauty. No literally, the plate looked amazing. (See pic) ...This so instantly put me in a good mood. It was served with charred shisito peppers with a yummy aioli with dill. A perfect freshing accompaniment to the peppers and the sandwich.
The egg in the sandwich was more fritata like - very light and bouncy with cheese. As I said, amazing that all those ingredients and it felt light! (Which was perfect for me, as specified previously... my middle-aged woman sensibilities have made me... well, what some people would call, picky. But I prefer to say that I'm a grown-a$$ adult that knows herself. :))
And did I mention the cafe au lait was excellent? Great coffee, foamy milk. ...I was even naughty and put a spoon-full of sugar in it and it tasted amazing.
As I sat at my table, with light streaming onto the table, and the beautiful plants artistically strewn around the cafe, I felt at home. A woman came around to ask how everything was. I could feel she genuinely wanted to know. Everyone was really nice. And punk was playing overhead, which just fit the day, as well as the core of me.
It made me think of when I was a teenager, how much I would have thought it's cool that I'm sitting at a cafe with punk playing overhead. This is one of those places where you can tell that the owner had a vision, and this place is their dream created into reality. (And I just f'ing love that!)
So I will say this was quite pricey for a light lunch. But honestly now adays everything is so expensive I'd rather spend on a nice meal like this every once in a while, than a crappy meal out all of the time.
And now I know where I can go when I'm having "one of those days". ...I also got some rye bread to bring home (which you can't find easily anymore), and cookies for the hubs. (Or else he'd be jealous)
...I will be back.
-----
Update: The rye bread was to die for!!!! This is the best rye bread I have ever had in my life. It was soft, and the rye is almost floral. It's so unique. Will be coming back for more. read more