(avaroasteria.com) – Beaverton, Oregon
How I heard of this place: I found out about Ava’s at the recommendation of my friends Tia & Alex, who recently relocated to the area from Seattle. Four of us joined them, after completing our first Warrior Dash, for a scrumptious lunch enjoyed outdoors on the patio.
Type of cuisine: Sandwiches, salads and other deli fare, prepared fresh and made to order.
Ambiance: A very comfortable, warm, inviting space, Ava’s has a large interior with plenty of seating, floor-to-ceiling windows. A large patio space outside hosts a number of tables with umbrellas and spots in the sun, water fountains around, beautifying the space and the calming sounds of the peaceful neighborhood coffee shop and roasteria. Ava’s is open 24 hours and offers free wi-fi.
What I ordered: Being my first time at Ava’s, I was happy to partake of the recommendation of my friends, and opted for Ava’s Very Veggie ($6.50). I ordered half of the toasted sandwich on a ciabatta roll (made at a local bakery); garlic aioli, pesto, tomato, fresh mozzarella and spinach. On the side, I ordered half of a spinach salad ($1.00 more) with candied pecans, red onion and feta cheese, drizzled with balsamic vinaigrette. One dining companion ordered the full Very Veggie, toasted, with Ava’s House Salad ($3.50), spring mix of greens, crumbled feta, dried cranberries and pecans. She also returned for a blended mocha ($4.75) with real caramel and real milk chocolate, topped with whipped cream. Another dining companion ordered the chicken cordon bleu sandwich ($7.50) – wheat bread, grilled chicken breast, ham, provolone, tomato, red onion and spring mix, toasted. He also enjoyed a strawberry smoothie, which was creamy and slightly sweet, but not sweetened. Our last eating dining companion ordered the chicken cordon bleu sandwich, toasted, on ciabatta, with a side Greek salad ($6.25) made with tomatoes, cucumbers, red onion, feta and a Greek-style dressing. She also enjoyed a vanilla cappuccino blended beverage topped with whipped cream and caramel sauce. The two who introduced us to Ava’s opted for coffee beverages. One ordered a large real milk chocolate mocha. The other, a blended Oregon chai and a cream cheese turnover ($2.95).
What I loved: The salad was awesome! The sandwich, warm, fresh and full of flavor. The strawberry smoothie perfectly unsweetened and filling. The blended mocha sweet, with a rush of caffeine and a great dessert.
Why I loved it: The company and enjoying food in the sun outdoors, peacefully and un-rushed made for a fabulous dining experience. If I lived closer, I would thoroughly enjoy the 24-hour establishment more regularly!
Cost: Average ($6-$8 for sandwiches)