5 Thumbs up (really good, locally run sandwich shop with great bread and plenty of variety on the menu). They're only open for a few hours around lunchtime. The wine/beer/gourmet store is open for more regular business hours.
Price Range: the sandwiches range from 6-10 bucks.
Menu Highlights: Apple, Brie, and cinnamon on french bread was pretty delicious
Panache is somewhat of a hidden gem in Gainesville. It's so hidden and oft overlooked, in fact, that I've only eaten there twice in 8 years. There really is no reason not to be a regular, as they have very tasty sandwiches and excellent bread. The menu is quite varied and features many vegetarian options. I tried the apple, brie, and cinnamon sandwich on a fresh french baguette. The sandwich was extremely rich and sumptuous with the bread being the surprising highlight. It definitely wasn't healthy, but I did enjoy it.
The atmosphere of the dining room is a little weird/sterile to me, but the rest of the shop makes up for that 10 fold. After you eat, peruse the amazing selection of fine wines, cheeses, and gourmet items. The owners are extremely knowledgeable about everything they sell and even won a "best wine store in the state" award. You can head there for Happy Hour on friday afternoons for a light cheese/bread menu and a great selection of wine and beer. They also do themed tastings that correspond with the happy hours. You can sample from about 8 wines that are related by region or style and then if you end up buying a bottle, you get a discount.
My only problem with the whole place is that I only really need one good wine/beer/gourmet store to get me by, and I typically go to Dorn's as it's right by my house. That being said, I can't take anything away from the good folks at the Wine and Cheese Gallery/Panache, as they do a bang up job.
It certainly should be in your regular lunch repertoire.
No comments:
Post a Comment