Verde: Fresh Food To Go

April 30, 2009; 11:49 AM • by Kamen Gordon

Verde opened their doors for business in the Summit of West Broad shopping center about a month ago. They are tucked around the side of the building, opposite Panera and just across the entrance road from Chipotle. Looking for something a little different, we gave the promise of fresh food a chance. Verde feels a little bit like a city deli (in a good way), with it’s glass food cases and drink cases, but it also has a touch of lounge thrown in. They have a swanky lounge area and some additional seating, so even though their tag line is ” Fresh Food To Go,” you don’t have to eat in the car if you have no where “to go”.

On the first visit I had the Chicken Pesto Panini and my wife chose the Curry Chicken Salad in a wrap. All sandwiches come with a bag of chips and unlike your standard Subway fare, you have your choice from a much more interesting selection. I definitely suggest trying Stacy’s Pita Chips if you have never had them. I like the Cinnamon Sugar Pita Chips. The Curry Chicken Salad was really tasty and indeed fresh. The Pesto Chicken Panini was definitely good. So good, in fact, that I had another for dinner later that week. I really like the bread they use for their panini sandwiches. There were flax seeds baked into the bread and, unlike many places that offer panini sandwiches, even after being heated the bread remained soft and enjoyable.

Something unique and unexpected about Verde is that they also offer wine and beer. Stop by on a Wednesday or Friday night for their free wine tasting. I am not much of a wine connoisseur, but I did notice that they carry Toscolo Chianti, which is not very easy to find in Richmond and is one of my favorites. You’re also getting a very good deal on it at $12.99 a bottle. Verde offers you a chance at getting some wisely chosen wine at a reasonable price. They also have a small, but very decent selection of single beers.

I think Verde is a welcome addition to the Short Pump area offering a healthy and fresh alternative to the norm everyone is used to.

UPDATE: Verde Fresh Food has their website up. Check it out at www.verdefreshfood.com