Day 336: Italian Panini and Espresso Truffle
(At YVR.)Knowing I’d be at the airport over dinnertime, I stopped at my favourite Italian sandwich shop (funny that I actually have one) on Commercial Drive – although I’ve been in plenty of times, I still can’t recall the name of it, except that “Grotto” is in there somewhere, and “fromaggi”, probably in reference to the cheese display at the front of the shop.
Wait, I have the receipt. La Grotta del Formaggio. Sounds a little sleazy/cheezy. 1791 Commercial Drive, Vancouver.
The Italian ladies behind the counter are true sandwich artists – they split open an Italian loaf the size of a small boat and drizzled both sides with olive oil, then balsamic vinegar (as per my request) and spread one side with pesto mayo. A difficult choice of meats, cheeses and toppings, but I would up with salami, provolone, smoky roasted peppers, chunky sun-dried tomatoes, salty pickled eggplant and fine bits of purple onion. My breath on the flight home is going to be stellar. It was pressed for a good long time in the panini grill, but didn’t hold its heat through rainy rush hour traffic between the Grotto and the airport.
R and J and I ate it in the food court waiting for my boarding call, cut into salty, messy pieces with a plastic knife.
To wash it down, an espresso truffle from Starbucks (hot chocolate with espresso shots). yum.
December 01 2008 11:55 pm | eating out
Laura on 02 Dec 2008 at 1:53 am #
Yum! La Grotta is one of my fave sandwich places. Next time check out JN&Z Deli for their in house smoked meats which is 3 stores away and if you go a little further the Little Nest makes the best apple almond ricotta muffins!
Lana on 02 Dec 2008 at 6:35 am #
Drooling.
Erica Bell on 02 Dec 2008 at 7:04 am #
That panini is a work of art. Killer on the breath though.
I made your Peppermint Patties from OSC for foodbank night. Another hit Thank you! I’m playing with a mint chocolate ganache to turn them in to sandwich cookies. Not exactly low fat but deeelicious.
Lisa on 02 Dec 2008 at 7:04 am #
So I google-mapped El Grotto, and it turns out it’s literally two blocks from my brother and sister-in-law’s place. Commercial Drive has an embarrassment of riches when it comes to take out, but I’ll have to try this place the next time I’m out, I’m a sucker for a good sandwich!
robyn on 02 Dec 2008 at 8:48 am #
Thanks again for the sandwich!! I can still taste it…..
Delish!