Metto Coffee and Tea

LUNCH COUNTER

Imagine a small, contemporary eatery, locally owned and operated, the kind of place that welcomes men, women, children and pets.

Then imagine the uber-friendly Metto Coffee and Tea, providing a drive-thru, panini, sandwiches, clean, outdoor seating and a water dish for your dog.

It's a bright place to stop for a bite or coffee, the walls painted in bright orange and chocolate tones.

Try the proscuitto and mozzarella panino ($6.95), a brilliant sandwich with roasted red peppers and balsamic vinegar. It brims with a wedge of melted cheese, and benefits from the salty, seasoned flavors of crunchy panini bread. A similar item: the fresh mozzarella and pesto panino ($6.95) with sliced, local tomatoes.

The chicken salad on soft wheat bread ($5.75) is a fresh treat with large pieces of chicken, diced cucumbers, walnuts and sweet, dried cranberries. And all sandwiches are made with Normandy Farm artisan breads. Local = excellence.

Metto also makes a pair of wraps: the ham and cheddar ($5.75) with lettuce, tomato and honey mustard; and the roast beef and Swiss ($5.75) with lettuce, tomato and creamy horseradish.

The small menu mentions a BLT ($4.95) with Boar's Head bacon, Romaine lettuce, sliced tomatoes and mayo on toasted white bread, and a turkey cranberry panini ($6.95) with Swiss cheese and cranberry chutney, served on white Tuscan bread. Add chips and a drink (medium coffee of the day, soft drink, iced tea or bottled water) for $1.75.

Beyond espresso beverages, coffee and tea, Metto makes other specialty and blended drinks, including a mocha freeze, caramel freeze, green tea smoothies and mango smoothies, all in the $3-$4 range.

Address: 354 West Coleman Blvd.

Phone: 216-8832

Hours: 7 a.m.-5 p.m. Sun., 6 a.m.-7 p.m. Mon.-Fri., 7 a.m.-7 p.m. Sat.