Once in a while, a particular dish will come along and blow a diner away. it seems to happen, at least to me, when I'm not expecting it, a sort of "Oh, yes, that sounds nice, let's have it." Then, ker-pow, right in the mouth, the sort of taste and texture and delight that creates a spontaneous combination grunt and groan that might leave the unsuspecting companion at table completely baffled. (Fellow chowhounds will recognize the signal immediately, of course, but one cannot always dine among one's gustatory peers.)
And so it was at Friday lunch that this came to pass. At Home Wine Kitchen with a floating group of regular Friday lunch irregulars, I ordered the grilled cheese sandwich. I like grilled cheese but seldom order it when dining out, preferring to spend my calories on more challenging dishes.
But this one sounded intriguing and I succumbed. I'm fond of Home's bread, made by Companion, brushed with olive oil and grilled, and the 'wich began with that. There followed cheddar and fontina cheeses, sliced mushrooms, some arugula and a little truffle oil, more truffle, I discovered in the particular kind of fontina cheese they were using. Crunchy, gooey, dancing-in-the-street good.
This isn't going to be on the menu forever; the lunch menu changes seasonally, except for the hamburger. So get thee hither. The only change I'm going to make on my next visit is that I'm going to ask for a few leaves of salad alongside instead of the house potato chips.
Home Wine Kitchen
7322 Manchester Rd., Maplewood
314-802-7676
Lunch Mon., Wed.-Sat., Dinner Wed.-Sun, Brunch Sun.
Credit cards: Yes
Wheelchair access: Fair
Smoking: No
Lunch Sandwiches and Entrees: $10-$16
Comments