Volume CXXXII, Number 3 September 27, 2002 f

Get wild and sow your oats
KERRY ELSON
STAFF WRITER

"Yummy" pecan sticky buns for sale at the Wild Oats Bakeryand Cafe. (Karsten Moran, Bowdoin Orient)

So eager was the Foodie to place her order at Main Street's Wild Oats Bakery and Cafe that she cut and sliced her way to the front of the line, right in front of a fellow Bowdoin sophomore. Silly Foodie! She just couldn't resist the freshly baked breads and juicy smoked meats beckoning from behind the counter. Liz, the kind sophomore, chastized the Foodie with a playful slap and a naughty round of "No Cuts, No Buts, No Coconuts!"

In an act of reprehension, the bakery boy declared to the Foodie that he would only take her sandwich order if she voted at the ballot by the cash register. "Fine, Fine! I'll do anything! Just give me my fresh meats and cheeses!" the Foodie cried. She was so hungry for fine food, given the dearth of quality casual establishments within Brunswick city limits.

After placing her order, the Foodie examined the oft-visited cafe: photos of employees and local patrons lovingly adorn the walls; hand-written labels identify copious soup, bread and pastry varieties within glass cabinets; tiny tots sitting in high chairs slurp soup with steady hands. This place feels familiar and comfortable: the Foodie imagines herself sitting at one of the many large tables for hours reading a Helen Fielding novel, finishing off a cup of Wild Oats coffee.

Having reconciled with Liz, the Foodie joined her at a corner table to feast on a half-sandwich, salad and Honest Tea®. As always, the sandwich ingredients were fresh and the bread was soft. While the Foodie chose to layer smoked turkey, sprouts, lettuce, tomato and honey mustard in between Honey Wheat slices, more exotic options are avaliable. Wild Oats allows patrons to construct their ideal sandwiches from listings of meats, cheese, veggies, spreads and breads. The bakery also offers popular hot sandwiches, known as Melts because they feature melted cheese layered on top of tandoori chicken salad, tuna salad or vegetables, for example. In the Wild Oats tradition of fine customer service, patrons may order half-sandwiches (as the Foodie did) if they are not hungry for an entire sandwich.

Vegetarian options abound, not only in the sandwich offerings, but also among the salad choices. Wild Oats offers a couscous and corn medley, a teriyaki waterchesnut stirfry, creamy potato salad and vegetarian Pad Thai. The Foodie particularly enjoyed her tomato and havarti salad, which was dressed in a light oil and vinegar blend and delicate spices. The tomatoes were firm and fresh while the cheese, a fine complement to the acidic tomatoes, was chewy and pungent.

After her main meal, the Foodie purchased a Peanut Butter Drop cookie to satisfy her sugar craving. The sugar-crusted peanut butter patty melted in her mouth, while its soft chocolate kiss sat, Buddha-like, on the peanut butter pillow, lending surprise to the otherwise ordinary cookie.

While waiting for the employee to tally the cost of her meal, the Foodie noticed the aforementioned ballot. The bakery boy had taken her sandwich order. "Well, Foodie" her conscience told her, "fulfill your end of the deal!" The Foodie patted her stomach mischeivously, ready to walk, but then she thought better: Wild Oats deserves honesty because its food is fabulous.