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 GOURMET GREATNESS
There aren’t many places where you can restock your pantry, chow down on a superb sandwich, and relax into a leather chair with your latte. Darwin’s Ltd. is a one-of-a-kind crossroads where the quirky community comes alive.
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Darwin’s Ltd. is a word-of-mouth find with the quirky atmosphere of a general store, spliced with a deli and a coffeehouse. Past the mini grocery store, the adjoining lounge is painted like a sunset with a cramped, ecllection (eclectic collection) of tables and leather chairs. |
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Fancy sandwiches are named after Cambridge streets and sold with gourmet take-out dinners, coffee drinks, and local bakery treats. |
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To start, the warm carrot ginger soup released a halo of steam from a spicy, earthy puree, like a savory puree of pumpkin pie. Some incredible potato salad achieved extreme creaminess from lots of eggs, with scallions and bacon shards adding irresistible flavor. |
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For the sandwich course, the awesome Sparks of tender, rosy roast beef received a creamy kick of horseradish and scallion mayo, piled onto crunchy seven grain bread with lettuce and tomato. The yummy chicken salad Appleton loaded a fat Iggy’s baguette with sweet spurts of golden raisins, apple, and celery nestled in a soft tangle of pulled white meat. |
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Phantom finished with an individual French press coffee and a monster almond biscotti, more dense and nutty than the Caped Critic himself. A strawberry rhubarb tart guarded sweet, gooey fruit beneath a criss-cross of buttery-soft pie crust. |
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Sandwiches may be frou-frou, but these beasts are not for nibblers. Imported meat fills out your choice of baguette, rosemary-garlic bread, olive bread, whole wheat, sourdough, or rye. |
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Darwin’s has the fastest sandwich makers this side of the Charles. They’ll even build 2 at the same time if anyone in line wants what they’re currently making. |
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Cleanliness wasn’t compromised for the bohemian atmosphere, which looked vintage, but not worn or ragged. |
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Sandwiches aren’t cheap at $6 or $7, but they get great mileage with generous gourmet ingredients. |
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Darwin’s is tourist-free, with 2 locations the fringe of Harvard Square. Cambridge Street gets less hectic than the Mt. Auburn Street original. |
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Review Date:
2/25/2006 |
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