Shelley Taylor
5th Avenue Deli
Published on Wed, Jan 13, 2010 by Shelley TaylorRead More Taylor
Okay, our embarrassing little secret is out (thanks to my editor!) My husband
and I are former Kook-a-fornians (at least that's what my Oregonian - and former Californian - friend calls us). Yes, we're members of that crowd that moved here to get away from California.
There's not much I miss about California. Especially the heat. And the traffic. And the crowds. And the cars. And the graffiti.
But one thing I do miss is the smorgasbord of restaurants, open at any hour.
Having been a part of the "Hollywood Crowd" - which extends to New York - one of the dining experiences I truly miss is a good Jewish deli, a staple in the entertainment community (many open nearly 24/7). I can just taste it now, a mile hi Ãgh corned beef or pastrami sandwich on warm fresh corn rye bread, kosher pickles, and sides of potato salad and cole slaw.
So when I saw the "opening soon" sign on 5th Avenue in that new, one-story medical plaza that said "5th Avenue Deli," I didn't want to get my hopes up. The word deli here seems to mean a sandwich shop.
Well, looks like I can save the air fare.
Deborah Townsend, the proud owner, is the progeny of a Pittsburg family who ran a meat market and grocery in the 1930s. As an adult she went into real estate. But they tell you to be truly happy, follow your bliss. And Deborah's is cooking. And the 5th Avenue Deli is her baby.
Everything in the place is brand spanking new. Well, except for some wonderful memorabilia of another time and place that lines her walls and is part of her personal history. Even the bathrooms (which are spic and span and bright) boast memories from her family. Okay, I peeked in the men's room and there are great old-timey auto ads from the pages of magazines. But the Ladie's room has exquisite vintage hand-drawn fashion portraits of flappers wearing the latest in hats: the dramatic cloche; as well as photos of her grandmother who was a New York stage actress in the 1920s.
But, this isn't a fashion column, so let's get to the food.
The 5th Avenue Deli is open for breakfast and lunch, six days a week (closed Sundays)
and is plunk in the middle of doctor's offices and small businesses. I can't think of a better pl ace for the nearby workforce to grab breakfast. (You can fax or call in your order to save time.)
Some breakfasts are cleverly made "to travel" in the form of wraps and bagel sandwiches filled with eggs and breakfast meats including apple chicken sausage. If you have a sweet tooth there are waffles and pancakes, and pastries (including scones). But if you're trying to eat healthy, there's good-for-you fare: oatmeal and a yogurt/granola/fruit combo.
For those who'd rather "eat in" for lunch or pack a picnic, they offer "Sacks from 5th Avenue" (ahhh... reminds me of my shopping days in California - but I digress). Your sack consists of a classic brown bag that includes your choice of meats and veggies, a bag of chips, and a beverage. So stop in on your way G to work, pick up lunch and grab breakfast while you're at it. The cheery and light-filled decor will definitely add to the wake up you'll get from your caffeinated coffee.
But I came for lunch.
And there, right on the menu, were the words "corned beef!" Eureka!
Deborah makes everything she serves from scratch (except for bread). Usually the daily special includes soup and this day's special was chicken noodle. Deborah even makes the noodles by hand. So I had to start off with that. Delicious. Nice and hot with celery and big slices of carrot. I asked my waitress if I could ever expect to see matzo ball soup on the menu. I nearly had soup coming out my nose when the young lady sincerely asked, "Monster Ball???" But Deborah said she'd give it a try if I let her know in advance.
I ordered the corned beef on rye with G sides of both cole slaw and potato salad and I was in pig (and cholesterol) heaven. I will say that a "true" deli's corned beef would be served hot and cooked with the fat on to keep the meat moist and add to the flavor. This corned beef sandwich was unheated and very lean. And their version of a Reuben is "healthy" too, on toasted rather than grilled bread. The sides were light on salt if you're watching your blood pressure. Their Kosher pickles are nice and crisp. I always ask for extra.
Their signature sandwiches include the Sicilian featuring Italian dry salami, the Californian with bacon, avocado and sprouts, the Washington wrap filled with salmon fillet, and a club wrap and vegan wrap. Or, you can "build your own" from choices on the menu.
Deborah also offers several ever-changing cold salads. I tried the torte llini with vegetables and would definitely take it to a pot luck dinner (remember - I don't cook much!).
Sweet tooth alert:
One of my favorite sweet sins are cinnamon buns dripping with icing; they have 'em. And pies (and they'll sell you whole pies too). I had a walnut version of pecan pie that was to-die-for sweet.
If you ask nicely, Deborah will cater office meetings...
540 N 5th Avenue
Sequim
582.0234
582.0115 fax
8 a.m. - 3 p.m. M-F, 8 a.m. - 2 p.m. Sat, Closed Sundays
Breakfast 8 a.m. - 10:30 a.m.
$$
and I are former Kook-a-fornians (at least that's what my Oregonian - and former Californian - friend calls us). Yes, we're members of that crowd that moved here to get away from California.
There's not much I miss about California. Especially the heat. And the traffic. And the crowds. And the cars. And the graffiti.
But one thing I do miss is the smorgasbord of restaurants, open at any hour.
Having been a part of the "Hollywood Crowd" - which extends to New York - one of the dining experiences I truly miss is a good Jewish deli, a staple in the entertainment community (many open nearly 24/7). I can just taste it now, a mile hi Ãgh corned beef or pastrami sandwich on warm fresh corn rye bread, kosher pickles, and sides of potato salad and cole slaw.
So when I saw the "opening soon" sign on 5th Avenue in that new, one-story medical plaza that said "5th Avenue Deli," I didn't want to get my hopes up. The word deli here seems to mean a sandwich shop.
Well, looks like I can save the air fare.
Deborah Townsend, the proud owner, is the progeny of a Pittsburg family who ran a meat market and grocery in the 1930s. As an adult she went into real estate. But they tell you to be truly happy, follow your bliss. And Deborah's is cooking. And the 5th Avenue Deli is her baby.
Everything in the place is brand spanking new. Well, except for some wonderful memorabilia of another time and place that lines her walls and is part of her personal history. Even the bathrooms (which are spic and span and bright) boast memories from her family. Okay, I peeked in the men's room and there are great old-timey auto ads from the pages of magazines. But the Ladie's room has exquisite vintage hand-drawn fashion portraits of flappers wearing the latest in hats: the dramatic cloche; as well as photos of her grandmother who was a New York stage actress in the 1920s.
But, this isn't a fashion column, so let's get to the food.
The 5th Avenue Deli is open for breakfast and lunch, six days a week (closed Sundays)
and is plunk in the middle of doctor's offices and small businesses. I can't think of a better pl ace for the nearby workforce to grab breakfast. (You can fax or call in your order to save time.)
Some breakfasts are cleverly made "to travel" in the form of wraps and bagel sandwiches filled with eggs and breakfast meats including apple chicken sausage. If you have a sweet tooth there are waffles and pancakes, and pastries (including scones). But if you're trying to eat healthy, there's good-for-you fare: oatmeal and a yogurt/granola/fruit combo.
For those who'd rather "eat in" for lunch or pack a picnic, they offer "Sacks from 5th Avenue" (ahhh... reminds me of my shopping days in California - but I digress). Your sack consists of a classic brown bag that includes your choice of meats and veggies, a bag of chips, and a beverage. So stop in on your way G to work, pick up lunch and grab breakfast while you're at it. The cheery and light-filled decor will definitely add to the wake up you'll get from your caffeinated coffee.
But I came for lunch.
And there, right on the menu, were the words "corned beef!" Eureka!
Deborah makes everything she serves from scratch (except for bread). Usually the daily special includes soup and this day's special was chicken noodle. Deborah even makes the noodles by hand. So I had to start off with that. Delicious. Nice and hot with celery and big slices of carrot. I asked my waitress if I could ever expect to see matzo ball soup on the menu. I nearly had soup coming out my nose when the young lady sincerely asked, "Monster Ball???" But Deborah said she'd give it a try if I let her know in advance.
I ordered the corned beef on rye with G sides of both cole slaw and potato salad and I was in pig (and cholesterol) heaven. I will say that a "true" deli's corned beef would be served hot and cooked with the fat on to keep the meat moist and add to the flavor. This corned beef sandwich was unheated and very lean. And their version of a Reuben is "healthy" too, on toasted rather than grilled bread. The sides were light on salt if you're watching your blood pressure. Their Kosher pickles are nice and crisp. I always ask for extra.
Their signature sandwiches include the Sicilian featuring Italian dry salami, the Californian with bacon, avocado and sprouts, the Washington wrap filled with salmon fillet, and a club wrap and vegan wrap. Or, you can "build your own" from choices on the menu.
Deborah also offers several ever-changing cold salads. I tried the torte llini with vegetables and would definitely take it to a pot luck dinner (remember - I don't cook much!).
Sweet tooth alert:
One of my favorite sweet sins are cinnamon buns dripping with icing; they have 'em. And pies (and they'll sell you whole pies too). I had a walnut version of pecan pie that was to-die-for sweet.
If you ask nicely, Deborah will cater office meetings...
540 N 5th Avenue
Sequim
582.0234
582.0115 fax
8 a.m. - 3 p.m. M-F, 8 a.m. - 2 p.m. Sat, Closed Sundays
Breakfast 8 a.m. - 10:30 a.m.
$$
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