Lunch at Salumi

[mamster]

I don't expect it will surprise anyone to hear that I had a great lunch at Salumi, in Pioneer Square, today.  I met my dad (who works downtown) there.  He had the porchetta sandwich, which consists of sausage-stuffed butterflied pork on a baguette that has been slathered with a garlic-herb oil.  Peppers and onions are optional but recommended.  It's a pretty incredible sandwich;  the pork is juicy (the sausage and oil keep it plenty moist) and really tastes like pork.

I had the same meat, but baked into a lasagna with peperoncini and cheese.  Do I need to go into detail about how good this was?

While in line we got free samples of hot soppressata and garlic salami.  Outrageous bursts of flavor.  Maybe next time I'll get the salami sandwich.

If anyone here hasn't tried the place yet, let me know, and I will meet you there.  They're open for lunch Tue-Fri from 11-3.

[Blue Heron]

I'm probably the only one who still hasn't been, although I stopped by once when they were closed and pressed my face against the window to see inside.  It looked really narrow & small.  Is it a place one can go with someone and sit down for lunch, or is it basically take out?  How many tables would you say are there?  If it's small then is it best to go just after lunch ie. 1:30 pm or so to get a table? (ie. is it as small as Thai Tom in the U District?)

[mamster]

There's space for two in the front window, two two-tops in back, and a communal table for maybe eight.  So I guess that makes seating for twelve, as small as Thai Tom.  We went at noon and nabbed the front window, and I've never had trouble getting a seat in the past, but it would certainly be easier if you went early or late.

[Blue Heron]

Did anyone see Tony Bourdain's review of Salumi this weekend in the NY thread re: book signings?  Click here        

 Now I wonder why he didn't post that on our board?      Has anyone here had that gnocchi?  Maybe he will include Salumi in his sequel to A Cook's Tour.   I'm going to Salumi...verrry soon.

[girl chow]

Oh man, I love this place. I almost had a heart attack the first time I bit into the cottechino sandwich.

For newcomers who have no idea why we all salivate over the thought of a Salumi sandwich, the proof is really in the meat. Go check this place out. It's located near Pioneer Square.. 1 block west (i think) of Union Station and next door to the police museum. 309 Third Ave. S., 206-621-8772. The sign is really subtle, so I always tell people to look for the police museum. It's next door.

They have a menu of sandwiches, as well as meat by the pound. And I keep hearing from foodies here and elsewhere that they have these amazing dinners, but the waiting list is 8.5 miles long. I'm curious to hear a discussion on the dinners (or maybe it's already been discussed here and I missed it?).

:)

[tsquare]

Some friends put their name on the list for dinner a couple of years ago - never got a date. Not sure how that really works.

If you want hot food (including meatball sandwiches - something to dream about), call and check on the serving times. In the afternoon, they close down the hot stuff and while cold sandwiches are good, they don't always cure the craving.

Always a good idea to call and check if they are open - they take alot of holi (and holy) days off.

[girl chow]

I wish I could join you all for lunch! But getting to Seattle takes too much out of my work day...

As for the cotecchino sandwich, it's a sausage (as Jim Dixon said below) not a salami as I thought it was...I was a vegetarian for 10 years until 3 years ago and I still confuse my meats.. which my husband finds hilarious when I call a sausage a salami... insert sick joke here.

At Salumi the counter guy told me they make it with vanilla and black pepper and there are a bunch of other flavors I couldn't quite pinpoint. It's a very aromatic experience! The sandwich is served either hot or cold. I ordered it hot. It comes smeared with your choice of condiments....I usually just tell them to pick whatever they want, but I've noticed other people requesting certain oils/spreads. A lady in front of me once requested a basil oil type smear (I can't remember what she called it) once, so I told them to put that on mine too. It was a good call :) It seems that the stuffings vary from visit to visit and sandwich to sandwich, but the last time I was there I think it was purple cabbage and onions that rounded out the sandwich. The bread is great --  nice and chewy. Where do they get it? Or do they make it there? Anyone know?  

I've also tried the coppa and Salumi salami. As with everything, it's all good!

[Jim Dixon]

. (Cotechino) is made from pork rind and meat from the cheek, neck and shoulder, and is usually seasoned with nutmeg, cloves, salt and pepper.

Barron's

It's really hard to find decent versions of this soft sausage, so I have yet another reason to dream about Salumi. In Italy it's usually served with lentils, beans, or as part of a bollito misto...one the best I tasted was at Buffet de Pepi in Trieste (buffets serve a variety of boiled pork products accompanied by sauerkraut and mustard...Trieste is much more Slovenian than Italian).

Jim

[heyjude]

This was a feast and arriving at 11:00 made us the first in line. Samples were already out, we took most of the big table and ate until full. By the time we left, hoverers were waiting for our seats and the line was out the door. Timing is everything, but the food is worth waiting for, if necessary. Takeout is the downtowners' option, but being there is really part of the experience. I'd do this regularly.

[Blue Heron]

hey everyone.... thanks so much for posting on your lunch at Salumi.  I can never hear too much about that place, so reading about it was the next best thing to being there.  Your mouthwatering descriptions have left me really sorry that I wasn't able to make it today.  I'm adding oxtails to the list of things I want to try there.  BTW, what does tongue taste like?  chewy?  I'm so glad to hear you had morels, too!  What a bonus.  How did they serve them?

[mamster]

I said more about the morels on the Adventures in Eating morel thread, but they were sauteed in butter and served in a pool of buttery mushroom juices.  Heavenly.

[heyjude]

Hi,BH. We missed you. The tongue is not at all chewy. It's very tender and sweet with a nice fatty mouth feel. Salumi served it on a Bolo roll with a green pepper and onion relish. Truly luscious. This is not the way NYC deli tongue sandwiches are served. There the bread is usually rye or a seeded roll and the condiment is mustard. The meat is piled higher in NY, but please don't make me choose between them. The morels were an unexpected indulgence especially at an 11:00 AM lunch. Plain was more than good enough.

[mamster]

Last night I did make linguine with parsnips and pancetta.  It was divine, largely thanks to Armandino's pancetta, which is the best I've ever had.  Why have I never bought this before?  Maybe it's because I know that if I go in to get pancetta, I have to get a sandwich, too.  Then again, how is this a problem?

[tsquare]

hell of a town we eat in! Rainier cherries for lunch yesterday. Pork cheek sandwich at Salumi today. Residue on my fingers downright sticky. Happy there was a seat available - 'round 1:30 - as this was one messy and delicious sandwich. Sadly, no gnocci left, but did pick up some prosciutto and pancetta for weekend cooking.

Not like I needed it, but after eating much meat, I tend to crave a bit of sweet. Stopped at Walter's Waffles, on James between First and Second, for a small chocolate chip...waffle. Cruchy, quick bite.

Girl Chow - you asked about the bread - I forgot to ask, but it looks like Ciro's (Panzanella, up on the hill) to me.

[Blue Heron]

The lunch yesterday at Salumi was fantastic. I ordered the porchetta sandwich $6, and it was enormous, with delicious shredded pork, peppers and onions spilling out over the garlicky insides of the baguette and onto the plate. You need a big mouth (which I think I have) for this sandwich, and I think I went through at least 4 napkins. I was also lucky enough to get a bite of mamster's Oxtail sandwich and Kathy's Pork Cheek Sandwich, too. Thanks guys! I forgot all about picking up some pancetta while I was there, darn. Looking forward to a return visit. btw, it was on a Friday, and Mario's Aunt or Grandma was in the front window making her famous gnocchi. I believe I saw Mario's father working as well. And there was another lady that could have been his mom. It's a nice family operation. The line was definitely long, I'm glad we were there when it opened, and were first in line. There is a small rush shortly after 11am, and then another big rush just before noon, when we were leaving.

[MsRamsey]

LainerX had the prosciutto/fig/goat cheese sandwich there recently as well and said it was delicious. I hope they will have it the day we go!

[Blue Heron]

Ben, your lunch sounds pretty *!!)=>@! good!

5 eG'ers met for lunch today at Salumi. I had thought of having the pork cheek or tongue sandwich, but alas, they weren't offering pork cheeks today, and the sample of tongue I tasted had a tiny bit more clove flavor than my subjective taste prefers, so I opted for "special" the hot pork belly sandwich on a roll, with a type of light pesto, onions, green peppers and jalapenos. This was a really tasty decadent sinful sandwich, which I enjoyed (as a special treat, as with the fat content- significant- I would only eat this about once a year I think). They are big, and I ate about 2/3 and saved the other 1/3 for a snack, which I just polished off after rewarming.

Jim, I didn't see the short rib sandwich on the menu today, so you didn't miss it this time around.

klink brought some of his yummy homemade kielbasa for tasting, and owner Armandino Batali and his staff stopped by our table from time to time to visit and sample klink's sausage. Armandino is a sweetie. And Mario's mom, who was busy working the cash register and taking drink orders, is also very sweet.

I took some pictures, which I may include in this post, or perhaps include them in Jinmyo's Salumi post in the Media & News Forum.

[mb7o]

The bread has always bothered me at Salumi. There's just too much and it's too overpowering. Probably subconciously why I chose soup instead yesterday.

Armandino mentioned a BBQ place to Col. Klink. Maybe Rooter's? Unfortunately they're probably not open right now--here's the result of searching on 'black diamond smoke': Fire Department

Edited January 31, 2003 by mb7o (log)

[mamster]

mb7o, I feel that way about the kaiser-type roll that the oxtail and yesterday's pork belly are served on, but the crustier bread they use for the porchetta always works well for me. When I get the big roll, I take the top off and eat it open-face. I've tried a number of sandwiches at Salumi, and they've all been at least good, but the porchetta is the only one that's of monumental greatness.

[col klink]

I really liked my beef tongue sandwich, the tongue has a smooth texture and good beef and pepper flavors. It was served with provolone, marinated onions (very raw), green pepper and lots of garlic. Very, very tasty. Though I agree with mamster and mb70 that the bread was too much. I kept finding myself in a conversation right after I'd take a bite and it seemed like hours before I could talk again. Mamster has the right idea to eat them open face.

[Schielke]

My sweet sweet Katie suprised me at work today with a Salumi sandwich and their daily soup. Can the world get any better?

Ben

[col klink]

My sweet sweet Katie suprised me at work today with a Salumi sandwich and their daily soup.  Can the world get any better?

Ben

Yeah, being able to eat there whenever I'd like.

Seriously though, congrats on your first sandwich. Which one did you get?

Edited February 13, 2003 by col klink (log)

[Schielke]

Not all of us are so lucky!

It was not my first sandwich, I have managed to wrangle myself down there at odd times when I can make it. I would say it is my 4th or 5th one.

Katie got me the Salumi salami with fresh motz! oh baby. The soup was a giant bean soup of some kind. Also very tasty.

Ben

p.s. Klink, you better be careful or I am going to start calling you to bring me sandwiches!

[tsquare]

Since mamster caught me en route - mmm, meatball sandwich with fresh mozt, sauced with tomato and onions plus the sandwich spreads - garlic and basil (?). Comes on a section of baguette style roll, split. A little easier to eat and a good sponge for the sauces.

And some darling "unscottini" bites dipped in dark chocolate and wrapped in cello with a pink ribbon and red heart tag for dessert.

[col klink]

Just got back. I had the hot cotechino sandwhich with wilted radicchio, grilled onions, grilled green peppers and their garlic mix on a 1/3 baguette (Thanks Hey Jude!). A wonderful, fabulous sandwich. Certainly one of the best I've ever had there.