Tasi

Tasi's corporate description makes reference to being a back alley gem, which is appropriate. There is no good reason to believe that anyone should expect a great cafe this far off the High St. corridor, but nonetheless, here it is.

Tasi is named after Kent Rigsby's wife, and she has long been an active force in his long success story. Like all of the others in this local mini conglomerate (Rigsby's, Flatiron, Maria Christina,Tasi's), this one is a winner.

Tasi is designed from the start to be a fast casual eatery, which uses fresh, whole ingredients to make creative foods to eat in or take home. An important part of their market is the so-called home meal replacement market. They are open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Their breads are from Maria Christina, and you can also buy some of the specialty foods they import to make their sandwiches, such as mediterranean tuna, Pomodoro and San Marzano tomatoes, and cheeses and cold cuts.

Breakfast (or brunch) here is a real treat, not cheap but very fresh and delicious. Try the cinnamon challah french toast with bananas and pure maple syrup, or the Huevos Rancheros, or Greek scrambled eggs with zucchini, tomato, feta, and toasted sourdough.

Lunch and dinner feature sanwiches, soups, and comfort food classics. Their Cubano, Pulled Pork, and Italian Stallian are all excellent, and so is the open faced “zoe” tuna salad, with capers, relish, onions and hard boiled egg, on sourdough toast.

It's the comfort food classics that keep me coming back. Their mac and cheese (with ham and peas) is incredible, and so is the meatloaf. Also worth is their chicken noodle soup and the chick parm.

Long story short, I've liked every meal I've had here. It's biggest drawback is its location, and specifically their lack of parking - which makes it a difficult choice to run in quickly and pick up dinner.

If you haven't tried this off-the-beaten-path charmer, do so soon. It's cute, fast, and the food is really delicious.