Adventures in the World of Mobile Knowledge Workers

Three New Places - Downtown

I discovered three places this week in one of my favorite parts of downtown. Unfortunately, I was traveling so light that I didn't even have my Blackberry to take pictures! Look for posts on these finds starting next week.

Happy weekend!

Bottega Louie - Update

Bottega Louie continues to be the home of a very tasty Sidecar. There are also new additions to the small plates menu since the last time I was here. The fava beans and radishes plate, and "Italian Spring Tuna" (tuna slow-cooked for hours in olive oil, served with green beans) were both refreshing.

The lemon tart was creamy, caramelized (like creme brulee) and had the surprise of a shortbread crust on the bottom. Delicious. Apparently, pastry creation is now led by a husband and wife team. New pastry additions include "tart of the day." Service remains top-notch: a wonderful mix of expertise and warmth.

Does any of this make you want to visit Bottega Louie? Then let me tell you that it's less crowded towards the beginning of the week. Brunches are not mob scenes unless there's a big convention in town.

Oh -- and did I mention that they still make a delicious Sidecar?

Groundwork - 2nd and Main

"Oh my God! A dream come true!" I exclaimed while at the counter, about to pay for my lunch. The guy behind the cash register indulged me.

What was so exciting? My eyes had just rested upon a small sign indicating that the Egg McLovin' was available. The Egg McLovin' is a symphony of a breakfast sandwich,  first discovered at the  Groundworks on Traction (RIP). Click here for that post. Anyway, it's egg, prosciutto, havarti, artichoke hearts and aioli on an English muffin. I only had it once and never thought that I would find it again. It's amazing how an experience that you've had once can live in your mind as a sort of holy grail.

"I'll have one!" I said.

"Do you also want the salad and the bagel?" he asks.

I answer in the affirmative, because after all, in for a penny in for a pound. I wasn't in the mood for the Egg McLovin', but when the thing you've dreamed of appears, how can you let it pass you by?