Better Being Underground

Better Being Underground is true in some ways. It's a really cute little lunch shop that is literally underground. Parts of their menu changes daily such as the soups, “grain” and salads with rotating sandwiches every now and then. They also sell little plastic cartons of honey-based heart-shaped jellybeans. But that is where the cute ends. Being underground means not seeing the light of day... this shop should really not see the light of day with their poor excuses for a sandwich.

Their 10 or so sandwiches range from 7.50 to 10.99 (or if you go on tues-thurs, you can get the lobster roll for $14.99). I decided on the Madama Cristo which was described as Antibiotic Free Turkey w/Apple & Gouda on Pressed Raisin Sofitel. Nowhere in the description was there 2 tablespoons of spicy Dijon mustard, which is what I had to scrape off on BOTH sides of the sandwich- which 1) was cold despite the very obvious grill marks 2) was a little circle about 5” in diameter 3) came with a “Pickle Guys” pickle, except the “pickle” was about a spear 1/5 of the size of a normal one. But they do throw in a free bag of chips (whoo).

Still, when I order an $8 sandwich from a little shop, I expect one that I can’t eat in 5 bites. I also expect turkey to look more like turkey than ham, but maybe my standards are a little too high.

I don't think I will be going back here any time soon, especially with so many eateries in the neighborhood.

Portobello Mushroom Sandwich (with Avocado)

The Assembly

Have you ever had a portobello mushroom sandwich and absolutely hated it? I haven't. But if you are one of the few unlucky ones who have come across a funky funghi, try this uber simple (and healthy!!) recipe.

You will need:
-Really good baguette... I cannot even stress this enough. I discovered Zabar's/Eli's bakery baguette and have been a convert ever since. Obviously, unless you're in the UWS, you won't have easy access so slice off your favorite.

the baguette of all baguettes
-Portobello mushroom
-mesclun greens
-tomato
-balsamic vinegar (I used Zabar's Balsamic Vinegar from Modena, Italy)
-extra virgin olive oil

optional:
-red pepper
-avocado (make sure it's ripe but not overripe or else you will be a VERY unhappy camper.)

-As you would to your shoulder, brush off the dirt of the mushroom cap. Whatever you do, do NOT let water get on this puppy since you will be frying this in an oiled pan
-Slice into 1/2" pieces
-put in a bowl, drizzle with balsamic vinegar, set aside
-If you are using red peppers, slice them, scooping out the seeds, and add to your mushroom.
-lightly oil a pan with Extra Virgin Olive oil, let it warm up before placing your mushroom (and red pepper) slices in there. Because of the vinegar, sparks will fly. Be careful. Wear an apron.
-While they are cooking (getting nice and 'soggy'), prepare your other ingredients... slice tomatoes, wash the greens, cut up an avocado, slice the bread, etc.
-When the mushrooms (and/or peppers) are done, set aside in a bowl. Don't clean off the pan, but a touch more oil and place your baguette, face down and grill for a few minutes til it gets nice and brown. This bread toasts particularly well. I usually press down on them so it gives it that "panini-impression"
-Then you are ready to layer. The order is totally up to you. I did it this particular way: mesclun, portobello mushrooms, avocado, tomato
-Take a minute to gaze at your beautiful creation
-Inhale

☞Again, note the nifty CB2 plate I got for Christmas that matches the bowl in the previous entry.

Reuben's Delicatessen

On our first walk around Montreal, Stephen, Bobby and I found ourselves with a pocketful of Canadian money and hungry stomachs. We were on Rue Sainte-Catherine Ouest, a busy street full of stores and restaurants and had passed by Reuben's and it just so happened to be recommended by my aunt. It is a meatlover's heaven... which is 'funny' because Stephen is a vegetarian but the three of us went inside. It's a large bustling restaurant, totally the epitome of a delicatessen.

Again, lucky for the guys, a very cute hostess was working that day and sat us at a booth by the window. Also lucky, they had a few vegetarian dishes on the menu.

I ordered their French Onion Soup which was really delectable. I remember my mom always ordering it whenever it was offered, and I couldn't understand the appeal of onions in broth. But as I've gotten older and wiser, I know the reason why it, when made right, can be the perfect thing to satiate your hunger. The cheese was gooey, and the crouton was still crispy even submerged in the soup. I got a side order of their Poutine (also recommended by my aunt). When it came out, I fully regretted it. Don't get me wrong, it was delicious, but the french fries were laden with shredded meat, gravy and cheese; I couldn't finish the whole thing. Aside from traveling with a vegetarian. I was also with a lactose-free eater (Practically everything I ordered this past weekend, unconsciously, was for me and me alone). Bobby got the beef teriyaki salad: and Stephen a good-lookin' eggplant, pepper and whathaveyou sandwich. He generously gave me his cole slaw which was a nice balance to the salty and heavy Poutine. Next time I go there, I'm getting the onion rings which come with a side of Jack Daniel's BBQ sauce (Because I heard good things... and come on, how does that not sound amazing to you??)


Bobby and his impressive Beef Teriyaki Salad


Steph's sandwich


my soupe de l'oignon

I'd post a picture of my Poutine, but when Stephen saw it, he said "That looks really disgusting". and he's right...