Bite
into a classic
Da
Vinci's
super sub for the Super Bowl
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Stacee
Sledge
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Jan
23, 2003 First of all, the walls are covered in understated frescoes
and trompe l'oeil, giving the space a distinctly Italian feel.
Second, lining the aisles is a stunning array of gourmet goodies
tucked in amongst the expected convenience-store stock:
Mustards, cheeses, crackers, olives, specialty beers, wonderful
wines.
But the real kicker? As I perused an impressive selection of
olive oils, an employee (who I later learned was the manager,
Wes Diskin) stopped stocking a shelf to ask if I needed help
finding anything.
The reason for my visit was to try Da Vinci's Classic Subs,
tucked into a back corner of the cozy convenience store. Super
Bowl season is upon us, and I wanted to find a fitting place for
grabbing subs, salads and drinks to feed the crew. I'm also
always on the lookout for affordable fare to share with my
readers in these days of economic uncertainty.
Da Vinci's is owned and operated by the husband-and-wife team
of Kevin and Kim Weatherill, who added the sandwich shop to
their convenience store in August 2001. Kevin Weatherill was a
wine consultant in Blaine for many years, which explains the
superb vino varieties.
Da Vinci's Classic Subs
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Location: 1480 Electric Ave., Whatcom Falls
Mini Mart
Phone: 671-7200
Hours: 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., daily
Serving: A slew of satisfying subs with a
surprising range of condiments.
Menu items sampled:
Roasted chicken sub
$4.99
Chef salad $3.99
Meat ball sub $4.99
La Giocanda sub $4.69
Chicken dumpling soup $1.59 |
Da Vinci's breaks its menu down into easy-to-discern
sections: traditional, Italian, hot and signature subs. Sizes
range from half (4-inch), regular (8-inch), large (12-inch) and
extra-large (2-foot). Choices of bread are limited to white or
wheat, baked fresh daily, with cheese choices of provolone,
pepper jack, Swiss, smokey cheddar, American and Parmesan. The
shop offers 30 different subs and a smattering of salads.
On my first visit, I chose an 8-inch No. 14
This is where the fun starts. At first glance, the condiment
selection looks similar to what you find at a chain sub shop.
But look closer and you'll see avocado, pepperoncini pieces and
red onion (as opposed to the usual white) plus dressings that
include pesto, creamy horseradish and chipotle aioli.
I made my selections and watched the young woman slather on
mustard, mayonnaise, pesto, lettuce, tomato, pickle, black
olive, pepperoncini, onion, salt, pepper, oregano, oil and
vinegar.
extra oomph I also chose a chef's salad to take home for dinner that
night. Large handfuls of shredded lettuce were piled high with
freshly sliced and cubed turkey, ham, cheddar and Swiss. I then
had my choice from the sandwich toppings, as well as a finish of
fine, crunchy croutons also made on-site.
Da Vinci's offers several specialty salads with a variety of
dressings, from a garlic grilled chicken Caesar to albacore tuna
salad. If they're all of the same quality as the chef salad I
enjoyed, any one would be a fitting choice.
Da Vinci's also offers a hearty selection of hot sandwiches,
from pastrami and barbecued beef or chicken to prime rib and
The hot meatball sub is built upon a generous handful of
golf-ball-sized spicy meatballs blended with a bright, zesty
marinara. The sandwich is finished with melted slices of
provolone and a generous dusting of Parmesan. As with all of Da
Vinci's sandwiches, you can then choose which toppings, if any,
you'd like to add. I recommend at least powdering the hot
black olives also complement the piquant sub.
Another visit to Da Vinci's found my eye drawn to the very
first sub listed on the menu hanging above the counter. Called
"La Giocanda," the No. 1 is described as "an
Italian masterpiece."
Thin slices of cappacuolo, proscuittini, cotto salami,
pepperoni, ham and provolone are layered generously atop Da
Vinci's fresh, springy bread, then topped with all the toppings
you could want. Don't pass up the pepperoncini on this
tremendous sandwich.
Two soups are offered daily at Da Vinci's, and french fries
and cheese fries will soon join the menu's roster.
Of course, you'll also find potato chips and other
football-friendly treats found at any convenience store. I
suggest you go for out of the ordinary and grab a bag of Maui
Kettle Style Potato Chips in Sweet Maui Onion flavor.
Even better than discovering a super sub shop? Discovering
said sub shop resides next door to the fabulous Lafeen's bakery.
Subs and doughnuts in front of the tube on Super Bowl Sunday, a
junk food holiday if ever there was one? It just doesn't get any
better than that.
Ideal for any quick meal for your brood is Da Vinci's
"family meal deal," serving up a 2-foot cold sandwich,
four single-serving bags of chips and four regular drinks. On
Super Bowl Sunday it will offer two-foot subs Nos. 1 through 16
for only $9.99.
The
Fine Print: I dine on my own dime. The opinions herein are mine
alone, not The Bellingham Herald's. Agree? Disagree? Please drop
me a line at StaceeSledge@hotmail.com.
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