Labriola Bakery Cafe -- proving you can live on bread alone
Whoever said man cannot live on bread alone never had Labriola's fresh-baked baguettes or signature pretzel rolls.
But the Chicago artisan baker's new Labriola Bakery Cafe in Oak Brook also serves - along with all the wonderful bread-baking smells - sandwiches, salads, thin-crust pizzas and house-made gelatos in such flavors as pistachio, tiramisu and olive oil.
Five types of bread are made on site, and the rest are from Labriola's Alsip baking company.
Food orders are taken at the counter before you sit down. We must have looked a bit overwhelmed when we came in for lunch, because the friendly hostess immediately stepped forward to guide us through the menu and also offered to find us a table. A nice selection of red and white wines by the glass ($5.75 to $7) and beer ($4.95) is available to accompany your meal.
Be sure to save room for pastry chef Antonella Loiacono's creations, such as the warm bread pudding with fresh blackberries and raspberries and her eponymous Nellos - homemade chocolate sandwich cookies with red or green filling for the holidays.
Here are the reactions from our panel:
The details
Facts: 3021 Butterfield Road, Oak Brook, (630) 574-2008, labriolabaking.com
Cuisine: Upscale sandwiches, salad and pizza
Setting: 100-seat European-style cafe, warm and cozy with dark wood, natural stone, wood-burning oven and fireplace. Hours: 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday through Thursday; 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday
Price range: Salads $6.99 to $7.59; sandwiches $2.95 to $6.95; pizza $9.95 to $12.95; pasta $6.29 (half order) to $9.99
Accepts: Major credit cards and phone or fax orders
Laura Schewe, 43, Naperville
What I ordered: Grilled Seasonal Vegetable Sandwich on Artisan Ciabatta ($6.99) accompanied by Seasonal Salad (wild rice, pecans and cranberries)
Taste and presentation: This is an omigosh vegetable sandwich. Every bite was very good. The bread was grilled and crisp, with a little olive oil, and the vegetables were crisp. I would come back here and get it again.
Atmosphere and service: I love the decor. They put a lot of thought into making it very inviting and warm. The staff is very helpful.
Good if you want: If you're out with friends and want something very tasty but not formal.
Carrie Savickas, 46, Itasca
What I ordered: Soup and sandwich ombination ($7.99) with Tomato Soup and Roast Beef on Sliced Sesame Semolina
Taste and presentation: I was really impressed with the croutons for the soup. The horseradish mayonnaise on the roast beef was very good.
Atmosphere and service: I felt like I was in a gourmet sandwich shop.
Good if you want: I would come here if I needed something fast but wanted to impress a client, but knowing I'm not going to talk about business a lot. Or if I had people in from out of town - if we were shopping I'd bring them here because it's something they wouldn't find anywhere else.
Kathleen Steber, 56, Oak Brook
What I ordered: Classic Bakery Chopped Salad ($6.99) with Chicken ($1.99).
Taste and presentation: Outstanding, but it could use more seasoning.
Atmosphere and service: Very attentive to detail. It's a little on the loud side; it would be difficult to have a private conversation.
Good if you want: Something dine-in that's fast - a good meal, a lot of variety and fast.