Corbo's Deli (Cos Cob, CT) - Quesadilla Thursday

On this muggy Thursday afternoon, I decided to stay local again. I went to the famous Corbo's Deli right on the Post Road. Throughout the year, Corbo's main attraction comes from hungry high school students who aren't looking to travel far to get something to eat, but want a quality meal. Being only a half a mile from GHS, Corbo's is the best bet.

Every Thursday, Corbo's prepares the most delicious quesadillas one can imagine. They are perfectly filling and relatively cheap compared to a regular deli sandwich. The quesadilla is absolutely packed with flavor including cheese, grounded chicken and spices to give a nice zing to it.

The quesadilla are already pre-made, but taste as fresh as any quesadilla I've had from any Mexican restaurant. These specific quesadillas from Corbo's have a very zesty after spice to it (not too spicy but just the right amount).

*Corbo's is give or take about a 10 min walk from GHS. If you're an underclassman and you are walking to Corbo's, I recommend calling in your order before hand so you can skip the line, pay and be on your way.

Corbo's Trademark Quesadillas - ($5.50)

Presentation - ****

Quality - *****

Affordability - *****

Taste - *****

Overall 4.75 / 5 stars

Rinaldi's Country Deli (Cos Cob, CT) - Roast Beef on a roll

Since I have a game later  today, I decided to keep it light. After working out, I was feeling more of a cold cut sandwich rather than a hot sandwich. Hot sandwiches with chicken cutlet and such tend to make you feel full throughout the day. I avoided this just by ordering the classic roast beef sandwich.

This sandwich is more of my "go-to" sandwich. It always tastes great, it fills your stomach up to the perfect amount and it is indeed a healthy alternative compared to other hot sandwiches. The sandwich I ordered was pretty simple, it included: roast beef, lettuce, tomatoes, american cheese on a roll with a little mayo. I wasn't a big fan of mayonnaise growing up but as my pallet matured, I began to like it a lot.

Rinaldi's makes great cold cut sandwiches in my opinion and ceases to disappoint. The cold cuts are always cold (theres no worse feeling biting into a cold cut sandwich and the "cold cuts" are room temperature) and they always seem to pack as much stuff into the roll as possible. The service is usually quick throughout the day but I recommend that you do not go around 2:45 pm in the afternoon as a huge wave of Central Middle School students run to Rinaldi's after school creating a huge line.

*Rinaldi's Country Deli is about a three minute drive from GHS (approx. 1.2 miles) that can be made during an open or during a lunch wave.

Roast Beef, Lettuce, Tomato, American Cheese w/ Mayo on a roll - $6.50

Presentation - ****

Quality - *****

Affordability - *****

Taste - *****

Overall 4.75 / 5 stars

Alpen Pantry (Old Greenwich, CT) - Stilton on Russian Black Bread

On this beautiful Tuesday afternoon, I decided to go to the mean streets of Old Greenwich. Right off of the world famous Sound Beach Avenue, lies a relatively unknown deli. Alpen Pantry is not your typical Greenwich deli; it consists of only cold cut sandwiches famously served on their exquisite black bread.  

Today I went with what I usually order from Alpen Pantry and got a Stilton on black bread.  The Stilton consists of  ham, swiss, turkey breast, lettuce, tomato, and the tasty blue cheese dressing served on the Russian black bread. This sandwich is absolutely fantastic. What really makes the sandwich "pop" is the creamy taste of the blue cheese dressing which line both sides of the bread. The Stilton is absolutely packed with fresh, gourmet cold cuts which serve as a healthy alternative.

*Alpen Pantry is located in the heart of Old Greenwich, right off of Sound Beach Ave. It is about a 13 minute drive (approx. 3.6 miles from GHS) that can be easily made during an open.

Stilton on Russian Black Bread - $8

Presentation - ****

Quality - *****

Affordability - ****

Taste - *****

Overall - 4.5 / 5 stars

Villa Nuova (Greenwich, CT) - Marco Polo w/ Chicken Cutlet

Hello and welcome to the "Cardinal Eats" blog! On this beautiful Monday afternoon and first day of senior internship/project period, I ventured to the streets of downtown Cos Cob in order to fulfill an empty stomach. The first stop on the expedition of "Cardinal Eats" was made at the one and only, Villa Nuova. Villa Nuova quite honestly is one of my favorite eats in all of Greenwich. Villa Nuova prides itself on the highest quality Italian gourmet food. 

Today, I spoiled myself with what I believe is to be the best sandwich in all of Greenwich, the 'Marco Polo'. The 'Marco Polo' consists of prosciutto, fresh mozzarella (made daily), tomatoes, and pesto all under a perfectly pressed panini. Usually when I order the 'Marco Polo', I pay the extra $2 to have chicken cutlet included. 

One word to describe this sandwich would be heavenly. Although a little more expensive than your run of the mill deli sandwich, the 'Marco Polo' is a taste of absolute joy. When biting into the sandwich you are greeted with the immediate taste of pesto which lines the roof of your pallet. Digging further into the sandwich, you can taste the delicious prosciutto atop the fresh mozzarella. The mouth watering continues as you bite into the perfectly prepared chicken cutlet and organic tomatoes. All in all, the sandwich is absolutely loaded with perfection. 

*The trip to Villa Nuova from Greenwich High School is an easy five minute drive that could be made during any lunch wave. (approx. 1.4 miles from GHS)

Marco Polo w/ Chicken Cutlet ($11.75) 

Presentation - ****

Quality - *****

Affordability - ***

Taste - *****

Overall - 4.25 / 5 stars