The old forum had a topic devoted to “Who does the best lunch?” Now, understand that I live way out in the East end, am retired, and, most of the time, lunch alone. Both Seafood Connection and Limestone were mentioned. I heartily agree with those two being on a “best list” but I think there are a few East end places that have been mentioned rarely, if ever: The Alley Cat Café and Adriaan's Around the Table Cuisine!
First let me say, that the Seafood Connection is at the top of my list. I easily grab lunch there once a week, often twice. Additionally, I have never had anything but great lunches at Limestone, and it definitely takes the “atmosphere” award. Their 2nd and 3rd Friday “Lunch Lessons” are one of the best deals in town. Other’s cooking classes cost at least twice as much, and one does not get a complete meal plus “happy hour” wine and drink prices.
So now for the Alley Cat Café and Adriaan's Around the Table Cuisine:
The Alley Cat Café, 11804 Shelbyville Road, serves mainly sandwiches and soup, although they do have a small list of “munchies,” salads, and “pasta & more.” The latter ranges from the obvious pasta dishes to baked salmon. However, in my mind, the best deal, hands down, is the ”half-sandwich with soup or salad.” Half sandwich, my foot! The sandwich is a full sized sandwich, in my mind, being a whole sandwich made on oval shaped bread in what I was raised to call “Vienna loaf style” accompanied by one’s choice of soup or salad. (If one order’s a sandwich from the menu, one is presented with two of these sandwiches. I have never gone beyond the signature soup, “Tuscan sausage-vegetable.” One of the best soups in town, IMO. I couldn’t find one of the take-home menus in my collection, but I believe the “half-sandwich with soup or salad” is a bit more these days then the $5.50 when Robin reviewed it back in April 2003.
Alley Cat Café is a lunch only place when in comes to dining-in, as the hours are 11:00 to 3:00 Monday through Saturday, but I do think they also cater.
Adriaan's Around the Table Cuisine, 14041 Shelbyville Road, is a tiny Mom, Pop, son and daughter place that offers carryout, full service catering, family style freezer meals (20 total meal, 4 each of five kinds for $109) and dining-in. Note, however, that it has but six two-top tables, but they are more than willing to shove tables together as needed. This is not the place to go for a romantic evening, but the food is to-die-for delicious.
But I digress, they have four sandwiches that are, again IMO, among the best in town: meatloaf, beef brisket, Greek or chicken gyro and German pork schnitzel. The first two are $4.95; the second two, $5.95. Why should I wander down the road to Arby’s or Mickey D’s? Actually, they have more sandwich choices, but I have never tried any of the others. Now don’t get me wrong; dine-in is not limited to sandwiches, there are salads, wraps and entrees. The latter menu is quite diverse including Jagerschnitzel, Indonesian Chicken Peanut Satay and Idaho Rainbow Trout. (Did I mention that Adriaan is Dutch; his wife, Lebanese?)
Last but not least, the baklava! Totally made on premise and the best in town! Note, if you’re not in to baklava, the cheesecake is also excellent.
We are totally talking quality food here, besides my dining-in and grabbing carryout, I have been to several parties where they did the catering. It’s right up there with Wiltshire Pantry IMO.
Adriaan's Around the Table Cuisine is open Monday and Tuesday 9:00 to 7:00, Wednesday through Friday 9:00 to 9:00 and Saturday 8:00-2:00.
