The mayo-free tuna sandwich at 'Wichcraft is one of my favorites, and compared to many of the other recipes in the cookbook 'Wichcraft: Craft a Sandwich Into a Meal — and a Meal Into a Sandwich, this one is relatively simple. The resulting meal is so magnificently complex and and innovative, I couldn't believe I'd made it all by myself.
As I learned making 'Wichcraft's goat cheese with avocado and celery, this cookbook gives you the option (and the recipes) of making many of the ingredients from scratch. In this case, I skipped the homemade lemon mayo but did make the lemon confit, which was extraordinary. I have since used the thinly sliced, cured lemons on numerous sandwiches and salads, and it's a great accent to have in the fridge.
Get the recipe now.
The first time I discovered Clare's Delicatessen, I knew I'd be back. The premise is just too perfect to avoid: a late-night deli and kitchen that delivers sandwiches and tater tots to the dive bar next door, the 500 Club. Last weekend, my friends and I found ourselves there after a day of drinking in the sun, and it was even better the second time around. Here's what hit the spot.
Like chefs Tom Colicchio and Dennis Leary before him, Graham Elliot Bowles has a sandwich side project. Last fall, the Michelin-starred owner of Graham Elliot opened Grahamwich in downtown Chicago, so when I visited my peeps at PopSugar Chicago last week, we had our lunch meeting over sammies — or should I say "grahamies"? Though not as avant garde as No. 7 Sub, Grahamwich gives nostalgic favorites a modern, quirky twist. Click through to see what we ate.
On several leisurely weekend afternoons, I've found myself at Bar Jules in Hayes Valley for lunch, and I'm never disappointed. I love the handful-and-a-half of simple brunch and lunch items; I love how the chalkboard menu changes daily but not too drastically; and I adore the cheery, comforting blue and mustard walls. I even love the bathroom decor.
This weekend, I revisited Jules's preserved tuna sandwich, which I first enjoyed a version of several years ago, and it was better than my memory. The fluffy, oil-preserved tuna, flecked with herbs, is served simply on slabs of grilled country bread accented with piquillo peppers.
I love tuna, but I wish tuna salad sandwiches like this were as ubiquitous as the standard mayo-laden versions. So Hayes Valley of me, I know.
The onion frittata breakfast sandwich at 'Wichcraft is one of my current (and all-time) faves; I have to keep myself from ordering it every single time I'm there. The chutney-like roasted tomatoes, sharp white cheddar, and perfectly tidy egg patty motivate me when I have to go downtown to run obligatory errands.
Last weekend, house boy came with me, which means I got to order my old fave and try something new: ah, the beauty of going half-and-half. Andrew selected one of the cold sandwiches I've been curious to try: tuna with fennel, black olives, and thinly sliced lemons like you get on sushi rolls. I liked it so much I happily traded my other half of onion frittata. The buoyant, flaky fish and olives offered the flavor of nicoise, but the lemon and fennel added a tangy freshness. Remarkably delicious.
Any other 'wichcraft sandwiches I should try? The anchovy and pulled pork are my other go-tos.
A few weeks ago, my friend Phil showed up at a bar with a nicoise tuna sandwich from Bi Rite Market, and I've been craving one ever since. On Sunday, after hitting the tennis ball around a while, Phil and I let Bi Rite supply our postgame sandwich picnic.
Since Phil was also getting the nicoise — pan-seared tuna, saffron aioli, olive tapenade, and heirloom tomatoes — I considered, for about 30 seconds, ordering something else, then decided to do what I'd come there to do, and it did not disappoint. Read on for my thoughts and more photos.
UPDATE: roast beef for everyone!
If political parties were sandwiches, elections would be much tastier. As negotiators continue to hammer out the fate of the British goverment — currently, an alliance between the Conservatives and the Liberal Democrats looks likely — the UK's Guardian paper wants to know which party's sandwich preference you support.
On the Conservative side, the roast beef sandwich of old England, versus pole-caught tuna with light mayo standing in for the Liberals.Currently, tuna is winning by a slight margin. In the birthplace of the sandwich, can't they just compromise with some Marmite on toast and call it a day?
Photo Source: Flickr User Thebittenword
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