Latitude 41° North--Gordon Square (Detroit Ave., Cleveland) [$$]

This week, our destination was unplanned. All we knew was that we'd be heading to Gordon Square and the West 65th area. After walking (in the bitter cold, mind you) and passing a few unopened restaurants, we arrived at quite a gem called Latitude 41° North. There were no signs, so we walked to the counter towards the back. Clearly looking clueless, we were asked if we were first-timers, and were then told we order at the counter and then they bring the food out when it's done.  So we sat for a few minutes to mull over the menus. While we were deciding, we noticed the maps lacquered onto each of the tables. 'Twas a nice cartographic touch! We both were eyeing the portabella sandwich, but we didn't want to critique the same thing, so Shannon (being a vegetarian) ended up with that victory. Shannon ordered the tomato bisque with the Portabella Et. Al and Grace ordered the Rotisserie Roasted Chicken Salad sandwich with a side House Chopped salad. We took our menus, orders, and appetites back to the counter. After ordering and paying, we sat back down, our taste buds anticipating joy.

After about ten minutes, our food arrived and our mouths dropped. The fiesta-ware plates were holding behemoth sandwiches with knives sticking through them. We sliced them in half (Grace was better) and Shannon's was steaming so much that she ended up eating the whole thing with a fork and a knife. 

Let it be known that Grace did NOT have any form of avocado today! Her chicken salad sandwich was, quite honestly, one of the best she's ever had. The bread, we learned later, was "herbed" pizza dough. It reminded Grace of a mix between pita bread and a pretzel. The chicken salad was a combination of chicken, mayo, and celery and was topped with tomatoes and a blend of cheeses. Grace ate all of her sandwich before she even touched her salad (of course) but she's glad she ate the entire sandwich because it was better than the salad. Since Grace hates raw onion, her salad was a combination of iceberg lettuce, tomato, cheddar cheese, and egg (although the menu says that bacon should be there, too) with a balsamic vinaigrette dressing. 

Shannon, feeling slightly guilty that she ordered what Grace originally wanted, was immediately less remorseful upon first tasting her sandwich.  The pizza dough was stuffed with portabella and button mushrooms, caramelized balsamic onions, a mozzarella/provolone cheese mix, shredded lettuce and diced tomato.  As said above, the sandwich was HOT!  This proved eating it as a sandwich difficult, but Shannon persevered.  Shannon's tomato bisque was very thick and therefore very filling.  The bisque was topped with croutons and bleu cheese crumbles (which, had she known, Shannon would have had them hold).  The sandwich was so good that even though Shannon adores soup, she slightly ignored the side dish because she was rapidly filling up.  Towards the end she didn't think she'd finish the last couple of sandwich bites, but she made it after all.  If she hadn't had dinner last night she may have finished the soup too.

Table map!

Counter area of Latitude 41° North

Shannon's portabella sandwich and tomato bisque

Sitting area

Grace's chicken salad sandwich and chopped house salad

Outside Latitude 41° North

Today's lunch was as delightful as it was unplanned. We will definitely bring our friends here soon. Our advice to you, blogosphere: if you're really hungry and looking to spend $10, GO HERE!