Panini Garden

Panini Garden Restaurant Review:

So what if it's not your typical Italian panini place --- the patio is romantic and the trio of young Frenchmen up front are charming. One is from Tahiti, two learned their craft in Lyon (the gastronomic capital of France) and all three have cooked, served and cleaned since opening in 1998. Panini here incorporate mozzarella, Brie, fresh vegetables (eggplant, zucchini and red onions), marinated chicken, turkey, tuna, bacon and prosciutto. The ingredients are layered on undercooked bread, then finished on a greaseless grill and served warm with an aïoli-type dip. The sandwiches go nicely with one of the leafy salads, like a traditional Niçoise or spicy Cajun chicken, doused with a non-traditional vinaigrette. Coffee, cold drinks, soup du jour and a couple of imported desserts round out the menu.