I thought it would be easy—just start eating at the east end of Solano and work my way west. But what counts as a lunch spot? One friend asked me if I was planning to include Andronico's, which does have a deli and salad bar. But I don't think of it primarily as an eating establishment, so I didn't make it part of my lunch journey.
And since I didn't end up reviewing Peet's as a lunch spot, it wouldn't be fair to review Starbucks either, which is also primarily a coffee place that happens to sell some pre-made salads and sandwiches.
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I almost skipped iScream! because I didn't consider ice cream—no matter how delicious—to be a viable lunch choice. But I spied a chalkboard promising paninis, so I went for it. I didn't dine there, though tables and chairs were available. I had them make it to go so I could take it home and eat it while watching Bob's Burgers* and drinking unlimited amounts of water in a tall glass that didn't require many trips to the water source. (See post on La Farine for background on my water-drinking habits.)
The paninis are made fresh on the premises, so I did have to wait a bit, which gave me the opportunity to taste a few ice cream flavors. You know, for research purposes. And I'm here to report that the two different types of caramel ice cream were distinctive enough to warrant offering two different caramel ice creams, and they were both delicious.
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But I was there for the panini. It turned out to be a nice hot choice for a chilly day but nothing particularly special. I mean, you can't really go wrong with melted cheese on anything as far as I'm concerned. But I don't think anyone goes to iScream! for their panini. The waft that reaches half a block away and lures in innocent passers-by is that of their waffle cones, which promise—and deliver—a heavenly ice cream experience.
So I will definitely go back to iScream!, but it will probably be for my sweet tooth, not for lunch.
*Bob's Burgers is quite funny—it's my lunchtime routine now to watch on Netflix.
For more of Tanya's musings, go to For Words.
