For many children of the 80s, there is a longing for simpler times that's been cultivated by feel-good imagery in magazines and on TV. Featured among our idealistic daydreams are visions of family-owned neighborhood storefronts, specializing in everything from household appliances to groceries, medicine to records. We dream of listening to new Elvis, Platters and Everly Brothers singles in the 50s, followed by the excitement of the British Invasion in the 60s. Drive-ins, chrome-laden artistic autos, colorful clothing – swingin' times. For those raised in tightly knit communities decades ago, there is the inevitable mix of nostalgia tempered with the realities of the day.
Today's reality is that the number of family owned and operated, independent storefronts is dwindling, though Northeast Ohio is home to many such spots, old and new. Among the latter is Appetite Bakery, Deli and Catering. It's the type of seemingly anachronistic bakery and deli that has been lovingly beamed from the past, delivering plenty of homemade items in a cozy, refreshingly unaffected setting – substance over style.
At its center are convivial brothers William and Bennet Davis, both classically trained chefs. Bennet uses his pastry background to craft some of the region's tastiest breads and baked goods, including cookies, muffins, cakes, croissants, danishes and cupcakes. William lends his culinary expertise to a menu of perfected deli-appropriate sandwiches, soups, salads and sides. When you walk into the space on Mayfield Road in Lyndhurst, you are immediately engaged in an olafactory massage, with the baked aromas doing the deli justice and quickly whetting your appetite.
During this busy holiday season, Appetite is the ideal place to regroup, stopping in for the type of sandwich that immediately comes to mind when you think of a sandwich. With Bennet's impeccable breads enveloping a host of William's homemade ingredients, every sandwich is delightfully fresh. Among the more than a dozen sandwich choices, the Bacon Bird (turkey, applewood smoked bacon, Swiss, lettuce, tomato and mayo) is a testament to the beauty of simplicity when executed perfectly. It's delicious and a personal favorite. The deli serves breakfast sandwiches all day, and does a brisk catering business - perfect if you need a little extra help feeding all your holiday visitors, young and old.
