Pastoral in the Loop

I know that this has been mentioned before but there is a Pastoral Cheese, Bread &Wine in the Loop on lake betw. Michigan and Wabash. Since my last visit a few months back they have now added 4 small tables for two. The Sandwich Campagne (country pate, swiss gruyere cornichons and dijon on a crusty baguette) is flawless and IMHO the best sandwich value in the Loop-($5.99). The quality of the meats, cheese and breads is unbelievable. I was there at noon and theere was only a small line.

Was just at a client in the area so I stopped in--good recommendation! The pate was rich, the bread was crusty, and now I am full.

Well the prices have apparently gone up in the past week (the pate sandwich is now $6.99), but I have to give a hearty recommendation to Pastoral as well. I have tried their panino di proscuitto (proscuitto, podda cheese, greens, olive oil, and fresh pepper) and samuli basquese (salami, piquillo peppers, manchengo cheese, greens, and olive oil) sandwiches and my co-worker has tried their pate and duck confit sandwiches. All were top notch. I'm a fan of cured meats and crusty baguettes, so having this place near my office is a dream come true.

Their sandwich menu looks excellent. I think I know where I'll be going for lunch today.

I haven't had any of their sandwiches, but I love these folks for their cheeses, meats, and olives. First rate!

Don't forget the bread. Altho the choice is usually limited, we've often made a take-out meal, when we want to bring back memories of our European picnics, of a loaf of their bread, a bottle of wine (BYOB), and the above mentioned cheeses, meats, olives.

I agree with the above 2 posters. The best "snacks" around can be found here! Their cheese selection is truly amazing! (I had this Pecorino with truffles last time, among out-of-this-world things...) I wish there was a place like this out in the 'Thrill. I'm looking forward to stocking up here pre-Death Cab concert at Millenium Park on June 3rd! It's SO convenient for that purpose!

I was at a convention in Chicago, so leaped to Pastoral for lunch. The first day I ordered the cheese plate with 3 Italian cheeses and a "side" of proscuitto. Lots of cheese, lovely proscuitto, and olives and cipollino onions with a piece of baguette. All of that for about $11, which was a bargain, as I took the remainder to my hotel (the Seneca -- full kitchen in the room!) and had it for breakfast on toasted english muffins (the kitchen had a toaster!). After boasting about our lunch (my companions had the grilled cheese of the day -- raclette and cheddar with tomato), 2 other associates joined us for lunch the next day at Pastoral--this time I had the pate sandwich with cornichons and gruyere cheese. It was wonderful. The person who ordered the caprese salad raved about the tomato, and the mozzarella was of course, very good. It also had a delicate side of pesto. Everyone really liked the food and we ate outside so it was somewhat European.

All in all, 2 very nice lunches.....

Thanks, LTH Forum!

I made my first visit to Pastoral (in the Loop) today, for lunch. The rain subsided and it was a nice 10-minute walk from the office. It's a very attractive shop and if there had been one of the 8 seats open at the tables I would have enjoyed eating inside - instead of outside at one of the tables I wiped-off (and sat under an awning).

My sandwich choice was the Turkey Sedona: "roasted turkey with green apple, field greens, red onion and Fromager D'Affinois cheese," served on a baguette ($7.48). My beverage was a bottle of Dandelion and Burdock ($3.35).

It was an good-looking sandwich but one that presented a challenge to get through the muscular and slightly overpowering baguette to the ingredients - a bit too much of a struggle that left me with a slightly-sore jaw. The cheese tasted good, the thinly shaved turkey didn't taste different than what I've purchased at the deli counter at my local Jewel, and the sliced apple was a good touch. If my baguette was representative of how Pastoral bakes them all - I doubt I'll return for another (baguette) sandwich. I'd return, though, to try a salad or two and maybe to purchase a bottle of wine or some cheese. I enjoyed my first taste of dandelion and burdock.

There's a notice on a blackboard inside the shop advising that this location is celebrating it's 2nd Anniversary and that complimentary wine and cheese will be served starting at 4 p.m. this afternoon (10/23/09).

Menu



Pastoral ("Loop" location)
Artisan Cheese, Bread & Wine
53 E. Lake St.
Chicago, IL 60601
(312) 471-4781 / (312) 658-1250
Website: http://www.pastoralartisan.com

I have to echo Bill's frustrations with their baguettes. For next time, consider requesting the sandwich on their cracked wheat bread. It's just sliced wheat bread, but good bread, at least, and makes for a much better sandwich. It may not "work" as well as the baguette for everything - the Panino Di Prosciutto comes to mind - but whatever.

I was in there last week and they told me they plan on bringing back hot, pressed sandwiches soon. These used to be pretty common and were always good. As the weather turns colder, few things make me happier than hot sandwiches... but that could just be me.

I met a friend for lunch at Pastoral yesterday. I was looking forward to the Bocadillo de la Mancha because of the mention of it in the best sandwiches thread. I didn’t have any problems with the bread. I think because this is how sandwiches made on baguettes are in Europe. I expect a jaw work-out. I liked the sandwich a lot, but I may have over-anticipated it because it didn’t make think: “I have to have this again.” Pastoral is a very pleasant place for lunch though, and I bought a lot of provisions to go, which have all been quite good. The Covadonga cheese and the goat and sheep stuffed sweet peppers have been especially tasty.

Pastoral in the Loop has two types of baguette: the harder, crunchier ones for sale in baskets by the door and softer, wider, chewier ones reserved for sandwiches. They asked Bennison's to make the "sandwich" baguettes because customers complained that the other baguettes were too difficult to eat when filled. I find the sandwich baguettes inedible. The texture is unpleasant.

If you ask, or if you buy one of the regular Bennison's baguettes by the door, they will make you a sandwich on "hard" baguette. You'll be much happier, I'd wager.

I got email today about this competition; if you're a fan of Pastoral, you may want to cast a vote:

Pastoral has been nominated as ‘Best Cheese Shop’ by Luxist.com.

You can vote for Pastoral here:

http://www.luxist.com/2009/11/15/pastor ... indy-city/

there's actually a fair amount of info on pastoral's loop location in this thread: viewtopic.php?f=16&t=15876

Would it make sense to merge the two threads - this one into the other? To avoid confusion. Thanks.

Pastoral – Lake & Wabash







I stopped for lunch at Pastoral at Lake & Wabash for a late lunch today, about 1:30. Unhappy with the baguette used for the sandwich I ordered my prior visit I asked this time for a Bocadillo de la Mancha, served on sliced wheat bread. The Bocadillo de la Mancha sandwich is constructed with Serrano ham and Manchego cheese and garnished with “field greens.” One interior side of the bread was wiped with sweet membrillo and the other with whole grain Dijon mustard.

Bocadillo de la Mancha Sandwich



The sandwich worked well as a whole. The freshly-sliced ham and cheese made an excellent paring. The membrillo and Dijon flavors play with one another, and the palate. And rather than battle with a baguette, the sliced wheat bread was an enhancement not a distraction. This seemed more of a warm weather sandwich – and with today’s relatively mild temperature it was enjoyable. (Price: $9.52).

Limited Seating for 8



During warmer months the shop can accommodate dine-in customers at 4 “two tops” seating 8 in the interior, and maybe 15 additional persons at sidewalk tables along Lake St. Finding seating in the cool/colder months is more of a challenge though, but I was fortunate to have arrived after the lunch-time rush and when one of the two-tops was available inside. It’s a pleasant environment, sitting at the small table next to other diners and surrounded by wine, bread and cheese. The room temperature was comfortable enough not to need a jacket or sweater.

Fentimans Sodas



Pastoral serves/makes available sodas from Fentimans, an independent bottler in Newcastle upon Tyne, UK (approx. $3.50 ea.). During my prior visit I sampled the Dandelion & Burdock flavor, and today it was Curiosity Cola. These are unusual tasting (to me) beverages, some of which have a small amount of alcohol. I’ve still to make up my mind as to whether I like them, or not.

To learn more about Fentimans:

http://www.dooyoo.co.uk/drinks/fentimans-curiosity-cola/1009449/
http://www.fentimans.com/index.php