Cafe Bartlett Square a Welcome Addition to JP

Jamaica Plain finally has a new cafe and it's a welcome addition to the small number of casual spots in JP where you can get a cup of coffee and a sandwich.

Cafe Bartlett Sq. is located at 154 Green Street, kitty corner from the Green Street T station on the Orange Line, so it's a convenient spot for commuters and Southeast Corridor cyclists and strollers.

I've been walking past their building for months now, wondering when they'd be open for business, and today, they finally were!

The cafe offers a small menu of sandwiches, soups, and salads, as well as coffee, pastries, and Christina's Homemade Ice Cream. 

The interior is light, modern and airy, with a welcome blast of air conditioning, but it's the outdoor patio that's sure to be a big hit (if this heat wave ever ends). Although the building is at the busy intersection of Green and Amory, the patio is set back enough from the street to be a pleasant place to sit. 

As a pescovegetarian, I'm always eager to find new vegetarian sandwiches, and I was pleased to see several options on their menu, including a Tofu Bahn Mi, an ALT (avocado, arugula, and tomato), and grilled cheese.  Sandwiches are made on a torta (a fresh white roll) or peasant bread. (Unfortunately, they don't offer a whole wheat or multigrain bread.)

I was happy to see a Cannellini sandwish on the menu. Beans are so versatile, I'm surprised that more restaurants don't use them.  The generously sized sandwich included the bean spread, tapenade, pickled red onion, arugula and tomato.  It is listed on a Torta, but they substituted the peasant bread at my request.

I took my sandwich to go, and even though it was no more than 10 minutes before I sat down to eat it, the bread was already a little soggy.  Nonetheless, the sandwich was really good.  The tapenade supplied a nice salty kick, and the pickled red onion gave it a nice balance. I'd definitely order it again, but will try it on the Torta to see if it holds up any better.

I didn't get the chance to sample the ice cream, but look forward to doing so. Welcome to the neighborhood, Cafe Bartlett Sq.!  I'll be seeing you around.