Pastoral Artisan Cheese, Bread & Wine (Loop)

[gomexico]

I stopped for lunch at Pastoral Artisan Cheese, Bread & Wine's "Loop" location (53 E. Lake St.) earlier this week. It's a spot I've worked into my lunch rotation for one stop each month. For take-out, the restaurant is easy to patronize. If you intend to dine-in, the challenge increases - because there are only 4 "two top" tables, seating a total of 8 people.

It's a comfortable place and you're surrounded by merchandise for sale: wines, specialized bottled soft drinks and waters, fresh-baked breads, cheeses and meats for sandwiches or trays.

This visit I found only two other persons sitting at the tables, everyone else was ordering take-out. My sandwich choice was the "Smokey Finnochi": Hand-made Finnochiona salami, smoked mozzarella, red wine vinegar, field greens and pesto - all served on a muscular baguette. Cost: $9.98

The baguette's at Pastoral are muscular - requiring a bit of a struggle as you eat the sandwich. No pain, no gain! Such struggles can be a drawback but this time it wasn't - the sandwich wasn't overpowered by the bread. The salami was so tender and fresh and the taste/flavors so rich I thought it would melt in my mouth.

Photo of the sandwich:

http://travel.webshots.com/photo/2476787480103728957vSSwPx

To wash-down the sandwich I had a bottle of Fentiman's Dandelion and Burdock Soda, a drink I'm developing a fondness for.

Photo of the Fentiman's Dandelion and Burdock Soda

http://travel.webshots.com/photo/2501702270103728957LBNDqE

Fentiman's website:

http://www.fentimans.com/

Pastoral probably makes the best sandwiches in Downtown Chicago and the Near North Side. They're not inexpensive, but the high-quality ingredients and preparation justifies the cost and I find it acceptable to stop once a month - sort of a treat.

Pastoral Artisan Cheese, Bread and Wine - Loop location
53 East Lake Street
Chicago, IL
[phone]
Website: http://www.pastoralartisan.com

[ferret]

"Pastoral probably makes the best sandwiches in Downtown Chicago and the Near North Side. "

The best of their genre. Cafecito is a worthy competitor, but it's a different type of sandwich.

[nsxtasy]

In addition to the Loop location mentioned above and the original location in Lakeview, Pastoral also has a location in the new French Market that opened in the Metra station just across the river from the Loop. There are a lot of other food shops there, too. www.frenchmarketchicago.com

[delk]

Plus you can call ahead and pre-order which is nice because there is a dedicated register for pick up orders. It does get quite crowded and people seem to have trouble deciding what to order.

During nicer weather, they do have outside tables.

[Georgia Sommers]

I recently had a delicious sandwich there, the Cali Chevre.

From their website:

* Cali Chevre (V)
Goat cheese with avocado, shaved celery, red onion and almond butter. $7.48

Loved it.