Lunch with Loretta: Loretta is not a restaurant critic, and many of her posts are based on a single visit or company lunch order, thus not necessarily representative of everyone’s experience. She does regard herself as a foodie and local food purveyor. She believes that we should bring European lunch hours to the U.S., strives to be a “Lady who Lunches” and acknowledges that the best work sessions occur over the lunch hour, martini optional. Things that make for a good lunch spot include locally-owned and operated, fast + efficient, tasty, friendly, inexpensive options and unique atmosphere.
Ice & Olives The Lakeside Market
Hours: Mon – Sat 10 am – 7:30 pm / Sunday 10 am – 5pm
3627 SE 29th St, Suite 105
Shops at Thunderbird Square
215.8460
www.iceandolives.com
“Business box lunch done right,” is right. Ice & Olives is competing for my heart with their simple, delicious lunches that impress my co-workers when I have to order lunch for the office. Their individual box lunch plan allows each person to order their own sandwich off the menu with a side choice. The meal is packaged individually in recyclable hard plastic containers with clear tops (and even the person’s name). The sandwich is closed with an olive, a little touch that means so much to me, and complete with a pickle spear and cookie. Other lunch options include the Variety Pack Box Lunches for a mix-and-match lunch and a “Build Your Own” sandwich tray.
I’ve ordered several times from Ice & Olives and have gone the Variety Pack Box Lunches each time. This allows you to order a mix and match of sandwiches, variety lunch salads or even the soup and salad option. Trying to please a group without individual orders can be tricky so I have a system down that has yet to fail which includes a mix of these three sandwiches:
Ciabatta Hotta: Cajun turkey and provolone on Ciabatta loaf. This huge sandwich is garnished with leaf lettuce (thank you for not using iceberg) red onion and Ice & Olives’ secret sauce.
“A two fisted version of their Rocket in a Rapper,” this sandwich is amazing. It’s girlie enough in flavors to please and large enough for the men to dig.
Moon Over Mihammy: Rosemary and sundried tomato curried ham and aged Swiss on marbled rye. Again, garnished with leaf lettuce and Ice & Olives’ secret sauce (I need to find out if I can by that bottle by the bottle, gallon bottle – it’s so good).
“You like to slamma da hamm? You’ll howl at the moon with the humdinger,” says their menu.
Tomato Basil Veggie Wrap: Perfect for my co-workers who are counting points, I thought I overheard that this was only a point or two for Weight Watcher people… Cucumbers, green peppers, tomatoes, black olives and red onions in a high fiber 10-inch tomato basil tortilla wrap. It’s garnished with sweet roasted red peppers, salad olives and again that secret dressing – which makes this vegetarian wrap anything but dry and bland. It’s the same ingredients as their traditional vegetarian sandwich but with half of the bread for those watching their middle.
The menu boasts “Get half your daily fiber (with this sandwich). Eat the napkin and get the other half. What a deal.”
Time [delivery]: On time, and owner Barry has delivered each time – always like to feel special
Avg. cost per person: $6.75 (without beverage). Order eight or more sandwiches and they are around $6 each and delivery is free (for order $50 or more)
Stomach report: Sandwiches with a kick – a kick of good meats and cheeses (what do you expect from an artisan cheese deli that also slices Boar’s Head meat?) that also kick in some fresh ingredients for a healthy lunch alternative that doesn’t break the bank or your backside.
Leftovers: None – but could eat another sandwich for dinner.
Is there a return visit / order: Done. Ordering again and again for meetings. Haven’t made it to the store for lunch yet, but would like to and would try their Cuban Panini (doesn’t travel well, they say) and skip next door for a latte at the Java Bar.
Seen + Noted items: Shop in the store while you wait for lunch and then enjoy their Coffee bar next door. Liquor store on other side, just in case you’re blowing off your Friday afternoon to sit by the pool. Inexpensive lunch option with delivery, perfect for lunch / corporate meetings. On the weekend, you can call and they will make you up a picnic basket, perfect lunch option for the lake.
If I could change on thing or had a suggestion: They would have several locations around the city. Maybe next door to every Subway, so I could get sandwiches from them daily.
[photo provided by Ice & Olives menu]
July 26th, 2010 @ admin
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