Brioni Cafe & Deli

I would've preferred that the ingredients be listed on the sign because as a new customer, I found that the names of the sandwiches, though witty, did not necessarily match up with the ingredients.  For instance, I ordered the "Designers Special," and you have no clue what is on it.  I had to grab a take-out menu and step out of line to figure out what I wanted to eat.  I very friendly, lovely woman helped me out.  I am embarrassed to say that I didn't get her name but she made my experience just THAT much better.  As I stated I ordered the "Designers Special" and a cup of the "Tuscan Bean Soup" along with a chocolate chip muffin, and a Pepsi.  The soup came out first and was served with a slice of Zingerman's farm bread.  The consistency was what I would expect of a bean soup, not runny and not quite a stew.  I was a little worried at first, in the brackish broth I could see what appeared to be granular spots which I think was granular garlic or other spices.  I noticed large leaves of fresh parsley, shreds of carrots, white beans, and chunks of what appeared to be beef.  The temperature was excellent, not so hot you scorched your taste buds and not too cool.  As the three bears would say "JUST RIGHT."  I would liken this soup to the words hearty and lush.  Hearty in the thick ingredients and substantial broth, but lush in that it made you feel warm, comforted, and your mouth salivated for the next bite.  Then came my sandwich, yep, my eyes were bigger than my stomach!  The sandwich spanned the entire basket it came in.  Thick, juicy slices of chicken breast, which appeared to be hand carved was adorned with crispy smoky bacon, oozing Munster cheese with its signature orange rind, leaf lettuce, tomato, and mayonnaise all perched between two buttery, toasted slices of the Zingerman's bread.  A classic pickle spear was wrapped in paper so that it didn't make the sandwich soggy.  This is the type of sandwich I would make myself on the weekend.  Nothing was overpowering and the bread was just thick enough to hold the ingredients but didn't taint the flavors from coming through.

My muffin came in a Zingerman's bag.  I am not sure if that meant that they were not made onside or not.  When I ordered the comment was made that they had run out the day before so these were extremely fresh.  I tried to pull the paper off but the entire bottom of the muffin fell apart and tore loose from the top.  Not to be denied chocolatey goodness, I ate the top first.  For as delicately as the bottom had fallen apart I was surprised at how dense the muffin really was.  The chips were abundant and I liked that they used a white vanilla muffin batter instead of a chocolate one.  They can sometimes be an overload of mouth.