Food

Dirt Cheap Eats 2009: Cornucopia

The shelves of this snug Italian gourmet shop/cafe are stocked with esoteric pastas, artisanal chocolates, and jewel-green olive oils. You won’t find many bargains among the imports—until you hit the sandwich counter. Sicilian expat Ibo Selmi turns out a streamlined menu of fabulous sandwiches ($7.99 to $9.99). Go for hand-sliced prosciutto or sweet or hot soppresatta on a crusty roll with balsamic vinegar and green-leaf lettuce, or a robust pairing of roast beef and Gorgonzola.

Sweets such as miniature Italian sandwich cookies ($13.99 a pound), feathery sfogliatelle pastries ($3.99 each), and gelato ($4 for two scoops) aren’t house-made but are good just the same.

Open Tuesday through Saturday 10 to 8, Sunday 10 to 6.

>> See all Dirt Cheap Eats Restaurants 

Ann Limpert
Executive Food Editor/Critic

Ann Limpert joined Washingtonian in late 2003. She was previously an editorial assistant at Entertainment Weekly and a cook in New York restaurant kitchens, and she is a graduate of the Institute of Culinary Education. She lives in Petworth.