The grandness that is the Granada Market
The Granada market features deli delights and Mediterranean meditations slapped on a bun and sliced in two. Try the baba ghanoush.
Marjorie Bascom
Issue date: 2/3/09 Section: Arts & Entertainment
For all those suffering from one of those chronic bouts of Rome-sickness, the Granada Market is a veritable haven of simple Mediterranean joys.
Upon entrance, one is first presented with a modest deli counter, offering fresh sandwiches both of your own design and theirs, reminiscent of Italian and Grecian fare (alas, no gyros), with all-fresh ingredients, and practically unlimited in choice by the flat rate of $7 per made-to-order sandwich, a mere $4 for a half.
Past this and the displays of authentic Mediterranean dishes, past the modest window-fulls of hummus and lavish salads containing I know not what, there looms into view "La Bella Macchina" (if you don't get the reference, the movie "Queen of Hearts" should be in your future). Above the aromatic steam of Italian espresso, hangs a magnificent bird, suspended in flight, over the magical silo of copper coffee-milling perfection.
Never since my return from Europe and tragic divorce from the Italian cappuccino, the curly-haired Greek god of the coffee world, have I been so close to that fabulous melding of taste-bud to feather-like foam, thereafter awash with the warm perfection of the unburnt, uncommercialized, nectar of the Italians. The experience is certainly nudged along by the small, white, round mugs, perfectly designed to be cupped by two waiting, warming hands, above its saucer -- but make sure they know you're sticking around to drink it, or they may give it to you in an extremely underwhelming Styrofoam affair.
The shop is quaint and unpretentious, the service friendly, and you will probably hear at least one or two foreign languages during the course of your stay. It has free internet access, an appropriate smattering of plugs for the computer-users, as well as a beautiful outdoor setting framed by tall, narrow arches on either end, and it fronts onto a cobblestone parking lot with spurts of nicely arranged greenery.
The Granada Market is aptly suited for the rainy- or sunny-day studier, as well as those who just wish to bask in the beauties of the world, perhaps reminiscing over their delicious vats of Rome-semester memories.
Upon entrance, one is first presented with a modest deli counter, offering fresh sandwiches both of your own design and theirs, reminiscent of Italian and Grecian fare (alas, no gyros), with all-fresh ingredients, and practically unlimited in choice by the flat rate of $7 per made-to-order sandwich, a mere $4 for a half.
Past this and the displays of authentic Mediterranean dishes, past the modest window-fulls of hummus and lavish salads containing I know not what, there looms into view "La Bella Macchina" (if you don't get the reference, the movie "Queen of Hearts" should be in your future). Above the aromatic steam of Italian espresso, hangs a magnificent bird, suspended in flight, over the magical silo of copper coffee-milling perfection.
Never since my return from Europe and tragic divorce from the Italian cappuccino, the curly-haired Greek god of the coffee world, have I been so close to that fabulous melding of taste-bud to feather-like foam, thereafter awash with the warm perfection of the unburnt, uncommercialized, nectar of the Italians. The experience is certainly nudged along by the small, white, round mugs, perfectly designed to be cupped by two waiting, warming hands, above its saucer -- but make sure they know you're sticking around to drink it, or they may give it to you in an extremely underwhelming Styrofoam affair.
The shop is quaint and unpretentious, the service friendly, and you will probably hear at least one or two foreign languages during the course of your stay. It has free internet access, an appropriate smattering of plugs for the computer-users, as well as a beautiful outdoor setting framed by tall, narrow arches on either end, and it fronts onto a cobblestone parking lot with spurts of nicely arranged greenery.
The Granada Market is aptly suited for the rainy- or sunny-day studier, as well as those who just wish to bask in the beauties of the world, perhaps reminiscing over their delicious vats of Rome-semester memories.
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