What does it take in this town to get a vegetarian sandwich that’s not a total copout? Repeatedly, it seems, I run up against a veggie sandwich with hummus and a few veggies — and that's it. Every now and then, you find joy in the form of a pesto spread or some feta cheese, but since most sandwich joints run on meat, the veggie option is often neglected. That’s why stumbling upon Parsley — a recommendation from a friendly neighborhood barista — felt like a sandwich revolution.
Parsley builds not one, not two, but SIX veggie sandwiches, including one vegan option. Each one looked uniquely tempting, but the fig-and-Brie caught my attention immediately and was one of those sandwiches I knew I would regret not ordering. Two halves of a fresh ciabatta roll are smeared with Croatian fig spread, lightened up with some greens and then secured together with generous layers of Brie. If you’re the kind of person who could live off cheese and accoutrements, this is the sandwich for you. Simple and balanced, it’s the perfect meal to take to a park and wash down with a little Prosecco. The fig spread has the viscosity of marmalade and is sweet, nicely complementing the cheese. The greens give it a little texture and peace of mind that you’re not just eating cheese and bread for lunch (again). And the bread is soft and not too big, making the sandwich a reasonable height and size (no jaw unhinging necessary).
I’ve always been jealous when my friends ordered ham-and-Brie sandwiches, because Brie should be on just about everything. But when you’re kosher and meat-free, that’s a double no-no, leaving me with constant and unsatisfying envy. So finding a veggie sandwich with one of my favorite cheeses has me clearly more excited than I probably need to Brie — I mean be (but, guys, Brie!). You can order a half or whole, $5.95 and $7.95 respectively, but the full sandwich is obviously the better deal and isn't too big to finish in one meal.(But you can save half for later.)
Parsley is a great meatless lunchtime destination in general: If you're not in the mood for a sandwich, the kitchen ladles up five vegetarian and three vegan soups every day, so you’re bound to find something that suits your mood. Bringing omnivore friends? There are tuna, lox and turkey sandwiches, too.