a quaint corner store front, johnny cake brand corn meal!
rave reviews for mike & patty's are all over yelp, carrots 'n' cake, among other places on the web, so don't just take my word for it. but believe me when i tell you that the croque madame sandwich michael prepared for me that day, completely spoiled me for the rest of the trip. every time we stopped for a bite to eat on the road home, all i could think about was gruyere and tangy dijon-crème-fraîche-collard-greens, permeated with soft yolk, on perfectly toasted, multi-grain, artisan bread...i will never forget that sandwich! i'm craving it now, but won't ever attempt to reproduce it. i know my culinary limits. oh, and the sandwich came with a tasty and refreshing celery root salad. from what i understand, everything on the menu reaches such heights! those who are lucky enough to have discovered this place, are willing to crowd themselves in, and wait their turn, day after day, for another tasty morsel from mike and patty's affordable breakfast and lunch menu.
outdoor seating, carl looks on as michael works his magic.
the place is tiny. it is little more than a stand, really. there is one long, high table and a counter inside, plus at least one table on the sidewalk. but oh! what they can do in such a small space! during peak times, i hear there's often overflow out into the streets of this charming neighborhood. take-out is always an option, but you'll probably want to eat your sandwich hot, so just pull up a curb and dig in!
that really is a thumbs up! heather + donuts
we arrived just around closing time, so we had the run of the place. carl was thrilled with his sandwich (something involving pulled pork and jicama slaw?), and heather kindly set cosmo up with a bowl of fresh blueberries, and sent us off with a bag of muffins and homemade donuts for breakfast.
peekin' in through the window
cosmo and i also had the exclusive privilege of visiting the employees-only bathroom, down in the basement. we descended through the cellar door, in the floor of the micro kitchen, down some treacherous spiral-type stairs to the crowded storeroom. then we found the step ladder leading up to the itsy-bitsy water closet. all the necessities were there, it was completely sanitary, and cosmo enjoyed being able to (finally!) check out where it all goes, thanks to the exposed (ancient) plumbing, and the ol' timey, elevated toilet tank.
the cellar door
we had some trouble finding church street, and asked a taxi driver. he didn't know, but a guy on the street overheard us and said, "are you looking for mike and patty's?" he told us how to find it, and highly recommended it. considering they have been open less than a year, they've already established quite a reputation. not surprising, the chef, michael fitzhenry, is nothing short of a culinary genius. a breakfast/sandwich shop may seem limited and simple, but whatever fitzhenry takes on, he hones to complete perfection. he goes to great lengths to use the finest ingredients, including organic eggs, and his unforgettable creations will blow you away. his loyal following at his former gig, formaggios, will attest to that.
cosmo, on church street
if you find yourself in the boston area, take the T to the new england medical center stop, and take the short walk (or bike ride) over to 12 church street, for the best sandwich of your life.
2 comments:
Dang! We'd already been to Boston a couple of years ago, and likely won't be back for many years. Your sandwiches sound really amazing.
We have family and friends in Boston so I will pass along your recommendation and remember it for my next visit!
The sandwiches sound divine, but a VIP trip to the employee bathroom and homemade donuts to go? it just doesn't get any better.
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