Jeremy Malanka finds a spot of sunshine in the middle of his work day
I LOVE breakfast and everything about it. It’s the best way to start a successful, focused day. But lunch… Lunch breaks up the day, offers you a respite from the office, your kids, your boss, or whatever else you need to get away from, if only briefly. It’s a built-in break with endless possibilities. West Chester offers an array of places to get you through the first half of a long day and hold you over until dinner.
The Roots Café, located on the first block of West Gay Street is a place WC regulars remember as Nick’s Café. Times have changed, and Roots has come in with a bang. Their goal is a sustainable, green restaurant catering to today’s eco-friendly diner. They are meeting their goal deliciously. With young owners and staff, the menu is fresh and modern, offering organic items and specialty cheeses that take the worry out of mystery meat. My favorite is their spin on the classic Cordon Bleu: it’s melty and gooey and salty in all the right spots. Check out their new grilled cheese menu and soup pairings just in time for the cold weather.
When you really want to get away and take yourself out of the stressful work week, stop in Arianne’s Gourmet Café in the back of the Cambridge Shopping Center. Their beautifully decorated place settings look like your grandmother’s kitchen table set for guests, and the food follows suit with quiches and gourmet sandwiches – it’s like your grandmother talked your mom into keeping you home from school and spoiled you with a decadent lunch. It’s absolutely amazing. The atmosphere is quiet but not stifled, and the seating is cozy and warm.
You always need a quick and easy option, and Limoncello’s lunch buffet delivers. With an average of over 150 people enjoying it daily, the proof is in the pudding, or I should I say, pasta. The buffet changes daily but staples remain, including fresh, seasonal vegetables, pizzas, strombolis, pasta varieties and frittatas. Pescatore risotto is popular, as well salmon putanseca and grilled, Italian-seasoned pork chops. So when the office lunch buddies can’t decide on pizza or salad, take ‘em to a place where the menu is tangible and the descriptions are smellable.
Late breakfast? Is it Friday? If you answered yes to both (or either), then go to Side Bar for a liquid lunch and enjoy one of their 20 beers on tap. Have a beer and an app and celebrate the fact that Monday is three days away and the weekend is here. I love the sweet potato tots with zesty chili lime applesauce for dipping with a big pint of IPA. The kitchen is always coming up with great sandwich specials and offers food and beer pairings daily. My favorite items have been a duck hot dog and an andouille Texas Tommy. Either way, you won’t want to go back to work.
