A TASTE O F SA RCAS M
>> LOTUS UP ESPRESSO & DELI
BY DENISE DEPAOLO
32 Baltimore St. #202 • Lead, SD 57754 • (605) 722-4670 • Lotusup.com
Clam Chowder
Turkey Apple Sandwich Fajita Breakfast wrap
Max: “How about coffee? You like coffee?” Lorelai: “Only with my oxygen.” — Gilmore Girls
We stopped by Lotus Up Espresso & Deli on a chilly Monday for an early lunch. Like many buildings in Lead, this cafe’s new home is tall and built into a hill. Several cars were in the drive-thru and a few locals were lined up inside when we walked in, giving us time to look over the menu, handwritten in brightly colored chalk.
I began with the clam chowder. It was thick and a little peppery. The ratio of potato was good, and there was a clam in nearly every bite. The only thing I would have done differently, and I know this is a picky thing, is add a little green garnish or fresh pepper on top. Anything to break up the visual monotony of the white soup in the white cup.
The menu consisted largely of paninis and wraps, with salads and bakery favorites, like caramel rolls and bagels, thrown in for good measure. We asked if breakfast was still being served, as it was approaching noon, and they told us it was served all day. Points for them.
Next, I bit into the Turkey Apple. This was a really delightful sandwich. The bread was perfectly grilled, the cheese was melted, and the thinly sliced apple added a great deal of freshness. The big surprise, however, was the addition of celery. Of course it was listed on the menu, but you don’t really see slices of fresh, crunchy celery on a sandwich. It created really great texture without overwhelming the other components.
The woman behind the counter didn’t bat an eyelash when we ordered the Fajita Breakfast Wrap, Quesadilla Wrap, Turkey Apple Sandwich, cup of Clam Chowder, Caramel Latte, Chai, and Diet Coke - all for two people. More points for them. We took our number and grabbed a seat in the dining room, which is flooded with natural light from the large windows overlooking the town. Had it been a little nicer, we would have sat on the large deck.
Caramel Latte & chai Quesadilla Wrap
42 // FEBRUARY 2017
After about five minutes, someone brought us our drinks. The Caramel Latte was robust and not overly sweet. The Chai was one of the best I’ve ever had. It was rich and creamy, and not overly spicy. As my dining companion commented, “Wow. It doesn’t taste like I’m drinking a candle.” She’s quite the connoisseur. The remaining minutes waiting on our meals were occupied looking at the local art hanging on the walls. Our food arrived a short time later, spread before us as a veritable feast of wraps and capped plastic ramekins and artful sides. As usual, we immediately did the handoff of halves, so as to try everything.
Another unexpected twist to our meal was our wraps. Unlike a boring old wrap you’d grab at the airport, they were pressed like paninis, complete with grill marks. This elevated the tortillas from ticking time bombs about to leak down your arm to simultaneously soft and crispy vehicles filled with warm and melty wonders.
IT WAS CRUNCHY, CHEESY, AND A LITTLE SPICY. THE SAUSAGE HAD A PERFECT TEXTURE AND PAIRED WELL WITH THE SAUTEED ONIONS. The first wrap we tried was the Quesadilla from the lunch menu. It was full of diced chicken, bacon, and melted pepper jack