2 for $20: Sarelli's Café and Catering

Chandler McCoy-Simandle and Jessica Culbertson of Clifton have lunch at Sarelli's in Ft. Thomas. (Credit: David Sorcher | Metromix)

It's summer. You're in the mood for a nice little place where you can relax, kick back and grab a quick meal - where are you going to go?

Sarelli's Café and Catering in Fort Thomas features a friendly staff, a clean, inviting aesthetic and food that is as tasty as it is affordable. Just bring your appetite.

THE MOOD

The decor and mood inside Sarelli's is a lot like that of its surrounding environment: friendly and nice in a way that creates an uplifting sense of pure Americana. When my co-worker Amber and I encountered a friendly puppy outside who couldn't have been happier to see us, I had a feeling we were in for a good time. And Sarelli's didn't disappoint.

While the yellow splash of paint on the walls combined with the hand-written chalk menu signs are vibrant in a classic café way, the dark green and maroon counters and upholstery subtly balance out the room. The rest of the decor - shelves filled with a diverse collection of books, plants, etc. - helps create a relaxing vibe.

THE FOOD

Sarelli's menu can be broken down into three categories: sandwiches/wraps, salads and soups. And after we tried two out of the three, I can tell you Sarelli's does a good job at making its limited menu shine.

Amber thoroughly enjoyed her Neptune Tuna sandwich of tuna salad and Swiss on wheatberry bread, especially once she discovered the joy of dipping it into her creamy bowl of potato au gratin soup ($6.95). I likewise found my mesquite grill wrap featuring grilled chicken, sweet barbecue sauce, lettuce and bacon inside a cheddar blend wrap ($6.95) to be very good; my side dish of pasta salad, however, was cold and not terribly impressive.

THE DRINKS

I had a mango smoothie - delicious! - with whipped cream and a cherry on top ($2.99); Amber kept it simple with a 16 oz bottle of Diet Coke ($1.25).

THE DAMAGE: $19.23

Coming in just under budget, I left a tip to show my appreciation for our experience.

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