Finally made it over to Joan's on 3rd. to ogle the goodies I’d heard so much about. As soon as I walked into the place my eyes told me all I needed to know: in its recent metamorphosis Joan’s has become a purveyor of high quality prepared foods similar to Dean & De Luca’s in New York, which, if you don’t know, is a gourmet’s paradise on earth, reminiscent of the great food emporiums in France and Italy.
The open deli case that greeted me at the front door was a seductive display of fine cheeses; the glass case next to it contained salamis, prosciutto, dried meat, and other fine charcuterie.
Beyond this, along the left wall, an appetizing assortment of fresh salads with meat, fish, vegetables, grains, pasta and chicken, sold by the container or portion. The chalk blackboard on the wall lists sandwiches and soups. Shelved islands around the room present fine olive oils, vinegars, sweet packaged treats. Another corner of the room in front of the window displays luscious-looking cakes, cookies, cupcakes, and gelatos.
Now that I’ve found this delectable treasure house it may be possible not to have to go to Europe this summer, which I couldn’t do anyway given the cost of Euros and the high price of everything.
Not that Joan’s is cheap. I tried to be prudent but that’s quite impossible in this place. I decided to take home some of the charcuterie and cheese that greeted me at the door. Marty, my server, let me taste everything before I decided. He was completely knowledgeable about his wares, described their origins, sliced brilliantly and packed perfectly, marking each packet by hand.
1/4 pound bresaola (Italian viande seche ((raw, mountain air-dried beef tenderloin))), 1/4 lb. prosciutto de Parma, and 1/4 pound chunk of cantal (French raw cow's milk cheese). The meats were sliced so thin the slices floated off the paper. Marty gave me baguette slices and pats of butter free of charge. Cost for the meat and cheese $18.00
The staff here aims to please and there are tip-jars on all the counters where you can say thanks in a meaningful way.
I had to eat something immediately and headed to the dessert corner where I feasted on smooth, creamy vanilla and dark chocolate gelati. Small portion $4.00. Noah, the gelato man, also let me taste whatever I fancied, and did me the favor of two flavors even though I’d ordered only a small portion.
Another day I returned to Joan’s with a friend for lunch. You make your selection, get a number, find a table, and the food is brought. I chose cold salmon with a bit of chopped tomato, and a side of golden beet salad with goat’s cheese and walnuts. My friend opted for the lentil salad, brussel sprouts, and a pasta salad. We shared a good crusty pannino smeared with white cheese and covered with salami—not very big; about the size of my palm, and drank ice tea. The bill came to $46, which I thought excessive albeit the delicious food, plus tip.
They get you on the salmon - $12.75 and the pannino - $10.
We skipped the large, inviting community table, the cozy bar at the window facing the street, and the small tables along the wall inside, and took a table outside where we watched the crowd: mostly young, hip, Euro style, skinny. Service was swift, efficient, unobtrusive.
One complaint: while Joan’s carries a fine assortment of chocolates, alas, they had no 99% chocolate bars, so I might have to go back to France after all.
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