Also check out my review of Tres Leches for the Florida Times-Union!

We’ve been stuck in a bit of a dining rut lately, which is not necessarily a bad place to be. It’s a good rut, filled with a lot of our favorites–Picasso’s (new menu!), Nippers, Gumbo Ya-Ya’s, even a couple trips to French Pantry–so no complaints! I recently took a jaunt away from the Southside for lunch to Tres Leches’ recently relocated (from Springfield) bakery in Riverside. I’ve tried their namesake cake at the Riverside Arts Market on a number of occasions (which I reviewed here for the Florida Times-Union!), but had yet to try their lunch menu.

As the name implies, the menu is mainly Spanish-inspired with other Euro influences (for instance, French omelette on baguette). I tried the Bocadillo Manolo (Jamon Serrano, Manchego Cheese, fresh chopped marinated tomatoes on baguette):

Bocadillo Manolo

I have shared my love for sandwiches (my favorite food) many times before, and this, y’all, is an awesome sandwich. It’s super simple: great ham, great cheese, on great bread. Add tomato for a little acidity and you have sandwich perfection. My coworker built his own sandwich on Tres Leches’ spinach artisan bread and got a cup of soup (something involving pumpkin) and raved over the velvety texture and flavor of the soup. I of course couldn’t leave without taking a hunk of tres leches cake with me, but it doesn’t photograph very well in its plastic container. Just know it is delicious and somehow feels both light and rich at the same time. My mouth is watering now…

Tres Leches’ new Riverside shop is located on College St in the same shopping strip as Bold Bean Coffee and 13 Gypsies. The couple that owns the shop does a great job of putting out simple but delicious dishes in a friendly environment. They’re open for breakfast, lunch, and “casual dinner” and do occasional Saturday brunches.

www.treslechesdesserts.com