This is one of my new favorite places. Cissi’s Market sits right on South Congress, in a hip little center that also houses Mars and Service Menswear, among others. It’s a grocery store, a cafe, a deli and a wine shop all in one.
There’s a small selection of food, mostly gourmet, ranging from French salted caramels to Rao’s marinara sauce. I love that they carry local products as well…meats, cheeses, produce, and some packaged goods. They have a nice little wine selection, and there is always someone around who will offer to help you pick out the best wine for your meal.
I haven’t tried the coffee yet, but their display case of desserts is always tempting. We tend to stick to the sandwiches and salads that are prepared fresh while you lounge in one of their comfy chairs or sit a table watching the South Congress crowds roll by.
I can’t say enough about the food at Cissi’s. Everything is so…fresh, so well planned. There are a few set sandwiches and salads, but they also offer specials, which are definitely worth trying. One week we had a chicken cordon bleu sandwich, teh next week we feasted on a fried green tomato sandwich. Their homemade dill pickles really seal the deal.
The salads are also great. I usually opt for Thee Brutus, a light romaine salad with thinly sliced radishes, sliced avocado, and a light lemony dressing. You can top it with roasted chicken, too.
Probably my favorite items at Cissi’s are their cookies. They always offer oatmeal-raisin, toffee-almond, and chocolate chip, and except for one time when the cookies were a tad overbaked (and thus crunchy), they have usually been super moist, chewy, and delicious.
I’ll see you at Cissi’s!
