I’m going to Chicago for the weekend, so, as is our custom when one of us is going away for a few days, we went on a mini-date tonight.  I had a gift certificate for Zingerman’s left from my year-end work gift stash, so a sandwich from their ridiculous menu was in order.

While we’ve been to the Deli a number of times, the sandwich menu never fails to intimidate.  After much debate, we settled on the #99, Randolph’s Grand Début – the Deli’s version of the classic croque monsieur – with a citrus slaw with Marcona almonds on the side.  We immediately tucked in to crusty bread, Swiss cheese both inside and out, piles of peppered ham, and layers of eye-watering Dijon mustard.  To think that a few years ago, Shane refused to eat mustard – look at what he was missing!  I’m not sure if the sandwich really needed the Swiss cheese melted outside the sandwich, but Zingerman’s doesn’t do anything halfway – one of the reasons we usually split our sandwiches.  The citrus slaw was crisp and fresh, but probably not something we’d order again.  For dessert, tiny bites of sample brownies and cookies – then home to pack and listen to records.  A really nice evening!