Spa Cafe
112 W. Monroe St.
312-551-0000.
What’s the deal? A quick-stop lunch spot in the Loop that offers haute cuisine with a healthy, preservative-free bent. Spa is the first Chicago-based concept of chef/owner Patrick Cassata, who closed his innovative, experimental Barrington restaurant Eclectic last month. In focusing on Spa, Cassata has brought his flair for creativity and colorful ingredients to the fast-service realm, developing wraps, sandwiches and “QuesaNinnis” (basically a folded whole wheat tortilla grilled on a panini press). They start at $3.50, but the real deal is in the combo, which adds a side and small soup for $6.95. Spa Cafe also offers teas, fresh squeezed juice, coffee by Intellegensia and other beverages as well as a variety of desserts, including homemade chocolate bars. Breakfast wraps, including steak and eggs and smoked salmon, are available from 7 to 10:30 a.m.
How fast was it? Pretty fast. Ordered and paid by 11:22 p.m. Sat down and started reading one of the complimentary newspapers available. Four minutes later, one of the cooks called out my order.
About the food: The chicken and brie “QuesaNinni” was small but delicious. The grilled leek, mango and cilantro gave the sandwich a tangy, smoky taste. The Okinawa sweet potato and chipotle soup lived up to its name. The hearty, purple-colored soup was sweet with just a bit of a kick. I could have done without the lentil portobello salad. Compared to the rest of the meal, the salad was mediocre. I tried the turkey chili with corn and black beans and a Mediterranean chicken wrap on an earlier visit. Though fairly mild, the chili was meaty and tasty enough to be a meal by itself. Like the “QuesaNinni,” the wrap was small but tasty.
Service: Fast, efficient and patient, especially when I couldn’t make a decision on chili toppings.
A plus: Though there aren’t any massage therapists on staff, the cafe’s blue-tinted interior gives patrons a serene, relaxing dining experience. Newspapers are also available for reading while you eat.
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gjeffers@tribune.com
