A Cozy Lunchtime Spot: Rachel's Kitchen

When Bostonist has had it with the Au Bon Pain lunch scene, we turn to our co-workers for lunch suggestions and last week, we were led to a delightful place. Located on Church Street in Bay Village (that tiny area between Back Bay/the Theater District/South End), Rachel’s Kitchen is a tiny, bright place to pop in and grab a sandwich and a retro soda pop in a glass bottle. The place is not a place to bring a party of more than two since seating is limited to three tables, but their sandwiches are worth the sacrifice of your personal space. Rachel’s Kitchen was reopened recently by a young married couple, Alon and Rachel, who were behind the counter the day Bostonist stopped in for one of their “Grilled Cheese Deluxe.” We recalled a mention of this sandwich in the Globe awhile back and the Globe was right on this one. With three cheeses, tomatoes, bacon, chives all on brioche, it was certainly above the standard grilled cheese and well worth the $6.50 price tag.

So besides great sandwiches, they also serve a soup of the day and quiche of the day, and the counter was littered with tempting baked goods too. While we were too stuffed to order the peanut butter, banana, and honey sandwich, we were able to splurge on a 25 cent mini chocolate chip cookie, which was tiny but just that right amount of sweetness you need after a meal. (Did we also mention they offer nutella on grilled brioche? That sounds ridiculously good to Bostonist.)

Rachel’s Kitchen also serves breakfast all day and mentions their “Pancake Saturdays” on their website. Now that might be worth getting up for before noon on a Saturday. The kitchen is open Monday-Friday 7a.m. to 3p.m.; Saturdays 8a.m. to 2p.m.