Panini with a view

O.M.G. Had lunch with an old newspaper pal at Cafe D’Zaar , in the MAC , today. This was the first time I’d eaten at this Mediterranean/Middle Eastern cafe, and already I’m planning my next visit.

First of all there’s the view … two walls of floor-to-ceiling windows made me feel like I was sitting in the clouds, or at least perched on a really high tree branch.

And the menu, filled with flavors I’m not used to, made me feel kind of adventurous. I went with the Chicken Panini because the menu said: On wheat or white bread with American, Swiss and mozzarella cheeses, pepperoncini, garlic sauce, and kalamata olives. The Panini is melted & toasted to perfection. Three cheeses? Grilled chicken breast? Pepperoncinis, garlic sauce and kalamata olives – all toasty-melty between two slices of wheat bread … that’s my kind of adventure!

The bread was toasted just right – crunchy and crusty enough to give the bread serious structure, but not so hard that it ripped up the roof of my mouth (yes, there is a line that should not be crossed … think Captain Crunch … tastes good but leaves too much collateral damage to be truly enjoyable).

The chicken was grilled and sliced fajita-like so it was super easy to eat – no need to gnaw, rabid-dog style on a big hunk of overcooked chicken flesh.

The pepperoncinis and kalamata olives packed a serious punch. As in, when I took the first bite my eyes watered a little. But when I started chewing the mellow cheese coated everything in a creamy goo and made for a perfect concoction of spicy and cool.

And the garlic sauce miraculously melded into every bite and made this sandwich one of my new all time faves.

Seriously, if you haven’t stopped by the cafe, you totally should. Even if just for a cup of Turkish coffee and a Harisah. A Harisah? It’s a cupcake-like pastry made with Cream of Wheat, yogurt, butter and rose essence syrup. It’s really dense, like an ultra-moist cornbread, and just sweet enough. The flavor is unique and subtle, and it went really well with the baklava. The baklava? Yeah. I’m just a girl who can’t say no.

FYI: You don’t have to pay admission to visit the cafe. But if you’re a MAC member you get a 10% discount.
You’ll find Cafe D’Zaar on the main floor of the Museum of Arts and Culture, in Browne’s Addition – 2316 W. First. They’re open Wednesday through Saturday, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. and their number is 509.768.3940