Due to its close promixity to the university, A.'s caters mainly to the student budget (around 8,-EUR for a meal) as well as the student schedule, which means no weekend service. During the week, however, the chic cantina really does serve as a center of respite for anyone with--forgive me--a lot on their plate and offers small reductions to that effect. The vegetarian selection is limited: two sandwiches, a salad, and a lasagna-type Armenian dish called soubeurrek filled with feta and parsley. The cucumber-and-beet gazpacho isn't half-bad, and certainly won't leave you complaining at 3,-EUR. Superb teas, too.

My favorite part is not the actual sandwich, but the name, paying tribute to the area, with monikers like the Colfax Club, the Marion, the Ogden. It's been a while since I've visited, so I think a trip is in order.

As I was very curious about this place, however, I duped my friend into eating lunch here with me on a fine Sunday afternoon. It looked nice AND it was practically deserted which, come to think of it, was probably a bad sign. The sandwiches here are original to say the least, and if I remember correctly, they had THREE vegetarian (sorry, vegans!) offerings. I chose the "Bruxelloise," consisting of raisins, Bechamel sauce, and I can't remember what else, I can't actually remember, because my mouth was watering for falafel. They also offer salads and pasta (my friend said the lasagna was "ok"). In any case, we had a filling lunch, and we're mostly disappointed because we were charged for water (ok, so we didn't specify tap, fine) and bread (although the sauce was delicious, it would've been niced to have been asked). Meh.

That said, I would almost always get the "Marilyn Monroe," a panini with sundried tomatoes, cucumbers, pesto spread, and goat cheese, and about the only sandwich that can be made vegetarian, if you ask to leave out the turkey. With the paninis, you have the option of getting 1/2 or the whole thing. As far as salads go, you can either choose from their selection, or "build your own." Again, I've never tried this more leafy part of the menu, but the paninis are nothing to write home about; I much prefer Wholly Tomato.

It's probably a completely false sensation, but I always seem to feel healthier once I come in close proximity to establishments such as these. Three different soups daily--nettle soup is a favorite--and excellent sandwiches on whole wheat bread. Oh yeah, smoothies, too, like mango/orange/lemon/ginger "Mix" at 4,50/5,50-EUR, and even milkshakes (I'm not sure about the avocado one, though). Planbio also offers a variety of lunch combos, depending on your needs, and cute little terrasse where your can sip your Saturday morning away.

EUR), I'd probably eat here every day. As it stands, I "splurged" here twice, because the people were so friendly, and well, I could eat all that I could! If coming during the warmer months, do take advantage of the back patio seating; it's quite lovely to enjoy your food and listen to rustle of the leaves and watch the myriad shades of light. I heard that it's vegan-friendly, but as there no specific labels, you'll have to inquire with the helpful staff. Try the veggie takes on traditional Portuguese dishes as well as the lemon sorbet!

Much like County Life or Viva la Vida, you grab as you like and pay by weight, where eating in-house versus taking away will cost you slightly more (per 100g). I twice made the mistake of going to lunch there, but fortunately, I was able to take my drinks (mango lassi the first time, rooibos iced tea the second) and sandwiches out to the bustling Barfüsserplatz. A third visit was made on the second day, in the afternoon, where I downed two mochas, perfectly frothed to my delight (soy milk available). All in all, a wonderful, self-service experience and merits multiple stops while in town.