This sandwich is inspired by a recent trip to NYC. On the trip, my family and I enjoyed the many quaint cafes of the city and our eyes were bigger than our stomachs. Every block passing by, we’d see countless foods that we wanted to try, from vegan gelato to cronuts to super cheesy deep dish pizzas to cookie shots and banana pudding.

There was one cafe we went to after a long day of strolling around and checking off the “must-see”‘s of the city. We were there just in time before it was about to close, and the cafe was still packed with people chattering with their late afternoon coffees in their hands. Yep maybe city people never do sleep… coffee after 5!?!?

I tried their eggplant sandwich, and I thought it would be fun to make a copycat version of it with my own twist to make it better! Homemade sandwiches are always so much more satiating because I like my sandwiches stacked high with tons of greens and impossible to eat without a mess.  That 3:1 filling to bread ratio is key to a real good substantial sandwich (;

Upon finishing up at the cafe, we went off for a 40 block walk toward Levain Bakery, home of the ever so famous gooey chocolate chip walnut cookie. Mmmhmmm… it was worth every step of the way. After curing our sweet tooth with some cookie crumbles, we rushed off to catch a showing of “Phantom of the Opera” in the evening.

Thank you NYC for the bustling energy and new memories created. Here’s to a great time!