A Different Sandwich at a`Manger

Brie and goat cheese with an apple onion chutney baked on freshly made bread, a picada of salami, gruyere cheese and black olives stuffed with sun-dried tomatoes, grilled chicken breast and roasted vegetables on top of a bed of greens in a malbec reduction, a Middle Eastern spread with tabbouleh, hummus, babaganoush and ensalada belén, tapas of parmesan cheese wrapped in lomo crudo, smoked venison with fresh mozzarella in a rosemary infused oil or artichoke hearts with jamon crudo – these are just a few examples of the hundreds of items included on the menu at a’Manger.

Located on a quiet corner a few blocks away from Plaza Serrano insanity, this delicatessen offers the largest selection of inventive sandwiches, gourmet salads, tapas, picadas, wine, and much more.  Generally, it’s hard to trust a restaurant that serves such a variety, but it’s apparent at a’Manger (Charcas 4001) they serve high quality products and make delicious and well executed food.  Arriving with one of those killer hang-over appetites, it was difficult to choose one thing from the massive menu.  At cheap prices, I was tempted to order a Corona or glass of white wine, but my state could not handle any more alcohol, only healthy things like loads of cheese and salty fatty cured meats.

The moza quickly took the order and brought out a complimentary appetizer: chive cream cheese and some strong peppercorn crusted cheese on fresh bread cleverly served on a tree bark platter.  The peppercorn woke my ass up quick, hangover cured.

I mentioned it was hard to choose what to order, everything really seemed delicious.  In the end, the things that stood out were two sandwiches:  the first, smoked turkey with cheddar cheese, lettuce, tomato and mayo (AR$22.90) and the second, brie and goat cheese, apple onion chutney, tomatoes, lettuce and fancy spicy dijon (AR$25.90).  While both were quite good, the second was a huge winner, the sweetness of the caramelized onions went perfect with the apples.  It’s the kind of chutney that you want to buy the whole jar and put it on everything.  The food remains well priced for the barrio, where other similar restaurants will run at least AR$30 for a small sandwich that is probably a throw away, just meh.

The place is divided up in two sections, the restaurant is in a small room with only a few tables and chairs while in the adjoining area is a larger store, with a deli counter beautifully displaying aged meats and cheese, for patrons to order and take home, along with lovely breads, canned artesian goods, and a table filled with goodies like olives, sun-dried tomatoes, roasted red peppers and pickled vegetables.

My obsession has grown for a`Manger.  I love the products, the variety, the quality, the food, the friendly service, the fact that they cater and do delivery, the set-up how they proudly display the products, and it helps that crazily inflated Palermo prices haven’t yet been adopted. 

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