36217 Mon May 09 16:06:45 -0700 2005 4 1 San Francisco Bay Area 0 166747 Many days I suffer lunchtime envy as I read this board. Yes, from my St. Helena office I can see roses, olive trees and vineyards. But when it comes to lunch, there aren't any cheap interesting options in this town. It's tough to do lunch for less than $15. One day perhaps my prayers will be answered and the city council will have a "temporary lapse in judgement" and decide to allow a taco truck. Yes, I am a dreamer. But in the meantime, a friend mentioned last week that the Cantinetta at Tra Vigne had reopened and had good prices. I was easily convinced to meet for lunch. They've got four tiny tables inside and more tables in the courtyard. The menu offers a handful of interesting antipasti, salads and paninis, and yes, the prices are reasonable. The appetizers are under $6. They offer a cheese plate in 4 sizes. The salads run between $5-$6. The paninis run $6-$7. The wine list offers wine by the taste, glass and bottle. For $6.50 I enjoyed a delicious panini with mortadella, coppa, speck, calabrian chile and provolone, accompanied by a fresh handful of mixed greens. It was a satisfying lunch. I'm eager to go back and try the guanciale e fagioli, described as air cured pork, shell beans & arugula or "Italian pork and beans". So on those days when my urban lunch envy runs high you'll find me consoling myself at the Cantinetta. Mon May 09 16:06:45 -0700 2005 0 Jennie Sheeks 1 166834 Thanks so much for the tip. I'm looking for reasonable eats in wine country since I plan to visit some wineries soon. This sounds like a good choice. Kepp us updated on what's good. Tue May 10 03:11:40 -0700 2005 166747 0 Krys 1 166903 I guess you're probably tired of Giugni's deli by now? Basic presentation of the Deli sandwich with decent Boar's Head or Saags meats. Don't forget the Giugni juice to drizzle over the sandwich! And of course, dijon mustard is not the default but is readily available by request. I've never tried their other items, like pasta salads, etc., but I stop by for a sandwich whenever I return to St Helena to visit my parents. Tue May 10 16:27:16 -0700 2005 166747 0 Steve G 2 166992 Steve, Giugni's sandwiches are wonderful. I get a kick out of the funny sandwich-making gals that work there and they have so many choices for creating the perfect sandwich. But a girl does get tired of them. Plus if you add a side onto that sandwich, say a bag of chips or a serving of their salads, and a drink, you're at $10. For about the same price as a Giugni's sandwich, I can get a panini & side salad at the Cantinetta and feel like I'm getting something a bit more exotic. Wed May 11 11:55:20 -0700 2005 166903 0 Jennie Sheeks 1 166994 How I forgot to mention this in my original post I don't know. But on the bar they have a large bowl of mixed olives and caper berries. We scooped some onto the provided paper plates and happily munched on them while waiting for our paninis. It was just another nice touch. Wed May 11 11:58:24 -0700 2005 166747 0 Jennie Sheeks