"4"^^ . . "2012-08-29T00:00:00"^^ . "I kind of feel like knocking myself in the side of the head for not knowing about Gourmand's Deli earlier. Seriously, why did it take 3 years of living in Cleveland for me to find out about this place? I've passed by countless times and never knew how great it is.\n\nPart deli, part coffeehouse, part seller-of-cool-imported-beer, part hangout, Gourmand's is the type of place I would have loved to have hung out in the early/late mornings as a childless, jobless individual. You know \"that\" coffee shop, diner, etc. that just makes you just want to drink coffee and nibble on a baked good for hours, lazily reading a book and soaking in the sheer delicacy of having nothing better to do? That's a missed opportunity on my part. When I first moved here, I had trouble finding a job and didn't have kids for over a year. I could have totally done this. Now, not so much. But that's why walking inside made me feel nostalgia for that specific type of opportunity.\n\nNow, onto the food. I love having everything meticulously written out in color-coded chalk: red chalk for hot sandwiches, blue for cold. I had the Turkey BLT: a good staple. It was on foccacia and it was delicious. A little salty, but very good overall.\n\nThe staff was extremely friendly. You could tell they love what they do. It's like Luke's Diner from Gilmore Girls, only a little more perky and with less sarcasm. Or like Karen's Cafe from One Tree Hill, only with fewer tragedies.\n\nI issued restraint and did not order a smoothie (which seems to be my job these days) or a muffin/cookie. Weird, right? But they looked great, specifically the White chocolate raspberry muffin or the chocolate caramel cookie.\n\nThe sandwiches are fairly large, but don't feel like a pig if you finish it all in one sitting. 'Cuz I did."^^ . "3"^^ . . "2"^^ . "5"^^ . .