Sandwich shop

An Italian youth subculture and a Pet Shop boys' ditty are the inspiration behind a new gourmet sandwich delivery service

In the 1980s, a faction of Italian youth hit the cult-o-meter for congregating in sandwich shops and the first US-style fast food joints, their preference for designer clothing and New Wave music think Duran Duran.
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The subculture was deemed "paninari," derived from "panino" (Italian for sandwich).

At the height of the fad, English synth pop band Pet Shop Boys released Paninaro, a 1986 limited edition B-side original to their single Suburbia, in Italy. That was also the year two friends started selling freshly made sandwiches, using only natural ingredients under the brand Pret A Manager in London.



The story comes full circle with former banker Aditya Parikh's sandwich delivery service Paninaro, which "uses fresh ingredients sourced directly from the farms, bakes its breads in-house and doesn't use artificial preservatives and colours". All their breads multigrain, sundried tomato and basil, rye, ciabatta and whole wheat are vegan.
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"We don't use eggs to make them, not even an egg-wash," says Aditya, who doesn't even put an expiry or "best before" date on the salads, sandwiches and desserts, "because we make it fresh and we sell it fresh". Like at Pret A Manager, Paninaro donates all unsold food at the end of the day to the homeless.

After we had made peace with the fact that the order had to be placed a day in advance, the meal was smooth as butter.
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The sandwiches and salads arrived, meticulously packaged, on the dot at 1 pm. Three Bean Greek Salad (Rs 100) scored over the Chef's Pasta Salad (Rs 110) which had a balsamic vinaigrette, too tangy for the desk.
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There was an excellent Smoked Scarmozza and Tomato with Scarmozza cheese, tomato and basil, drizzled with olive oil and garlic served with Romaine lettuce (Rs 140).

Aubergine, Mozarella and Roasted Peppers in Ciabatta bread (Rs 110) dripped with freshness. Tuna Twist (Rs 130) was spiked with Tabasco sauce and packed with tuna of gherkin-good quality.
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Ask for the off-the-menu Slim Non-Veg Sandwich, which skips fatteners like mayo and cheese, but has enough meat to fill your protein quota for the day.

Tiramisu (Rs 50) was divine; light enough not to get you bloated but substantial to leave you with a smug grin on your face. Cheesecake (Rs 60) was a good dessert, by home delivery standards.

Tired of eating bhajiya in the canteen or the Veg Cheese Grill at the roadside sandwich guy? Paninaro is the place to call from your desk.

Call 61519999 or visit www.paninaro.in. Place your order a day in advance.
The Guide reviews anonymously and pays for meals.