LAReview
photo credit: Jessie Clapp
Lorenzo California
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Lunchtime sandwiches are often products of necessity. You have a set amount of minutes to find something smashed between bread and then another set amount of minutes to sit in a quiet corner of your office—or on the hood of your car—and eat. But every once in a while, the day calls for something more lavish. At this Beverly Hills counter, eating a sandwich isn’t about quickly throwing protein into your stomach, it’s about treating yourself to a moment of luxury.
Extravagance may seem at odds with your idea of cheese and meats on bread, but Lorenzo proves otherwise. These massive Florentine-style sandwiches pack decadent ingredients on pillowy focaccia buns courtesy of Bianca Bakery. They'll make you briefly forget about the 3pm one-on-one on your work calendar. (And the one tomorrow, actually.) Take the Cotto, stuffed with imported prosciutto and brie cheese then lathered with truffle cream and lemon zest, or the Salamino stacked high with shaved-to-order salami, olive oil-soaked artichokes, and parmigiano paté—basically a fancy cheese spread. These descriptions may sound like over-the-top grocery lists, but the sandwiches themselves stand out as restrained. Bold aioli and funky cheeses go together seamlessly. Contrasting flavors feel considered rather than piled on, creating that rare kind of sandwich where you're thinking about the next bite before you're even finished chewing.
photo credit: Jessie Clapp
photo credit: Jessie Clapp
photo credit: Jessie Clapp
photo credit: Jessie Clapp
Saying that every single sandwich is worth ordering here feels annoying and unhelpful. Unfortunately, it’s the truth. To determine your order, you're just going to have to channel your mood that day (the food rundown below should help). We can tell you with certainty, however, you won't be hungry after lunch. Each sandwich measures about seven inches in width and these babies are tough to take down alone. The size—plus the high-end ingredients—more than justifies the $16-$20 price tag.
The space at Lorenzo is pretty small, with only a few tables inside as well as on the front sidewalk. You just ordered sandwiches filled with olive paté, white onion agrodolce, and grilled endives, though. Lean into the fantasy of it all by walking two blocks over to Beverly Gardens Park (the one with the big, famous “Beverly Hills” sign), throwing down a blanket and pretending it’s cashmere, and having yourself a little rich lady picnic. The idea here is luxury, remember? Sandwiches may typically be a product of necessity. Sometimes, so is treating yourself to something nice.
Food Rundown
photo credit: Jessie Clapp
Lorenzo
photo credit: Jessie Clapp
Salamino
photo credit: Jessie Clapp
Special Crudo
photo credit: Jessie Clapp
Caponata
photo credit: Jessie Clapp
Cotto
photo credit: Jessie Clapp
Capriccio
photo credit: Jessie Clapp
Pesto Fusilli