I Just Want to Be a Panini Head

June Bug Café

October 10, 2009

A hungry mission for a Bohemian Jamaica Plain hide out has lead me to June Bug Café on Centre Street. Paper flower bouquets in small glass vases adorn the tables while orange plastic lady bugs crawl on fake grass in each window sill. Yet white stripes are screaming to me from high ceiling speakers and an unimposing service style has baristas screaming orders to guests over the counter. The stylistic contradictions clash quite nicely though and welcome an eclectic crowd to cozy up café style. Greasy haired skaters with black skateboards chow down by the TV and Marxist ranting academics pour their thoughts out over espressos by the window.

And I, with pen and paper sit taking pictures of the plastic lady bugs for your viewing pleasure while waiting for my omelet to arrive. I should probably be sipping bubble tea as June Bug Café boasts over twenty flavors from watermelon and mango to avocado and red bean but to be honest, balls of tapioca in my tea is a concept I have yet to come to terms with. What I can vouch for, however, is the omelet that is currently gracing my pallet. Their style is build your own any way you like it. I opt for the ham, cheddar, mushroom and tomatoe but what really impresses me is the warmly crisped whole grain raisin toast that accompanies it. Definitely fresh, definitely awesome and definitely a unique touch to a traditional breakfast…in case the paper art flowers weren’t unique enough.

Then there’s the menu separated into memorable categories like Meat heads, Bagel heads, Cheesy heads, Veggie heads, Soup heads, Panini heads, and Egg Heads. I’m easily convinced that next time around I want to be a Panini head. Not only do the options sound titillating but June herself, THE June of June Bug Café tells me they have devoted themselves to taking vegan sandwiches to the next level. She recommends “The Susana’; fried tofu, cucumber, sprouts, vegan cheese, and a touch of house peanut sauce served on sweet artisan break. And for Panini Meat Heads, June raves about “Pocha”, complete with lightly breaded chicken breast, roasted red peppers, melted motz, and basil spread with homemade red sauce.

The Offspring are playing now, and they seem to be yelling at me for my decision to play it safe with my egg head omelet when I could have been a Panini meat head. I agree. From here on out…. no more omelets… maybe.